The Pregnant Luna Mated to Ex’s Best Friend (Aria) novel Chapter 182

Chapter 182: Family Reunion and Hidden Truths

Chapter 182: Family Reunion and Hidden Truths

(Aria’s POV)

As Dominic’s luxury SUV cruised down the highway toward Moon Valley Residences, my mobile phone rang again. The familiar ringtone made my wolf stir with anticipation as I saw Dr. Nathan Lewis’s name on the

screen.

“Elder brother,” I answered, the title still feeling wonderfully new on my tongue.

“Aria,” his voice came through the speaker, eager and warm. “Did you manage to speak with your aunt

Margaret? What did she tell you about the past?”

I shifted in my seat, my hand instinctively moving to my belly where our pup was growing. “She didn’t know much beyond what we already suspected. She confirmed that Emily and David found me abandoned near the

neutral territory borders.”

“I see,” Dr. Nathan’s voice carried a note of disappointment. “Well, at least we have some confirmation of the

timeline.”

He paused, then his tone brightened with excitement. “Actually, I’m calling because Mother has a request. She’s prepared a room for you at the Lewis family home and wants you to move back in for a few days.”

My pregnant wolf stirred with conflicted emotions. The thought of being with my biological family was

appealing, yet I felt uncertain about leaving the safety of Dominic’s protection.

“She’s gathered everything you might need during your pregnancy,” Dr. Nathan continued enthusiastically.

“Special dietary supplements, comfortable furnishings, even a private healer on standby.”

Before I could respond, Dominic’s voice cut through the conversation with unmistakable Alpha authority.

“Absolutely not.”

His powerful presence filled the SUV as he spoke firmly to the phone. “Aria is not moving back to the Lewis

residence.”

“Alpha Dominic,” Dr. Nathan’s voice carried professional politeness but underlying tension. “With all due

respect, Aria is a Lewis family daughter. She has every right to return to her family home.”

Dominic’s silver–gray eyes flashed dangerously as he glanced at me briefly before returning his attention to

the road. “And she is my mate, carrying my pup. Her safety is my responsibility.”

His cedar scent intensified with protective fury. “It’s not safe for her to be there.”

“Not safe?” Dr. Nathan’s voice rose slightly. “Alpha Dominic, the Lewis residence has extensive security measures. She would be perfectly protected.”

“Like she was protected when she was kidn*pped as a two–year–old?” Dominic’s voice dropped to a dangerous

whisper.

The car filled with tense silence. My wolf whimpered anxiously at the hostility between my mate and my brother.

“That was twenty years ago,” Dr. Nathan protested, though his professional composure was clearly shaken.

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Chapter 182 Family Reuni

“And whoever orchestrated that k********g is still out there,” Dominic replied coldly. “I believe there was an

inside accomplice who helped facilitate Aria’s abduction.”

Dr. Nathan’s shocked gasp was audible through the phone. “An inside accomplice? That’s… that’s a serious

accusation.”

“It’s a realistic assessment,” Dominic stated firmly. “Someone with intimate knowledge of your family’s

routines and security arranged for that imposter nursemaid to gain access.”

His Alpha authority filled every word. “Until the Lewis family identifies and eliminates that insider threat, Aria

is not safe in your territory.”

“You’re suggesting someone in my own family…” Dr. Nathan’s voice trailed off, the implications clearly horrifying him.

“I’m suggesting that family politics can be deadly,” Dominic replied bluntly. “Especially when there are

valuable positions and inheritance at stake.”

The phone was quiet for several long moments. When Dr. Nathan spoke again, his voice was troubled and

thoughtful.

“I… I need to discuss this with my father and investigate these possibilities.”

“Good,” Dominic said, his tone softening slightly. “Once you’ve identified and dealt with any potential threats,

we can reconsider.”

“Aria,” Dr. Nathan’s voice became gentle and concerned. “Please take care of yourself and the pup. I’ll contact

you once we’ve looked into this situation.”

“Thank you, elder brother,” I replied softly, my heart warming at his protective concern.

After he hung up, I turned to Dominic with questioning eyes. “Is your ‘inside accomplice‘ theory real, or are you just making excuses to keep me from moving back to my biological family?”

Dominic’s expression grew serious as he considered my question. “It’s a bit of both, honestly.”

His silver–gray eyes met mine briefly before returning to the road. “But I’m not exaggerating the danger, Aria. The Lewis family’s internal affairs are far more complex than those of the Shadow Pack.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my wolf stirring with curiosity.

“The Shadow Pack is controlled by my father, with clear lines of authority,” Dominic explained. “But the Lewis

family is different. There are multiple branches, competing interests, and various factions within the pack.”

His powerful hands gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Your father, Dr. Michael Lewis, is fifth in line among the siblings. He has older brothers who might view your return as a threat to their own children’s inheritance.”

My pregnant wolf whimpered with growing anxiety. “You’re saying my presence could cause problems?”

“I’m saying that family dynamics can be dangerous when there’s wealth and power involved,” Dominic replied.

“Especially for someone in your position.”

(Dominic’s POV)

I could sense Aria’s growing concern through our mate bond, her wolf’s anxiety bleeding into my own

consciousness. She needed to understand the full scope of what she was walking into.

“The Lewis family isn’t just about medicine,” I continued, my Alpha instincts analyzing the political landscape.

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Chapter 182 Family Reuni

“Not all members practice healing. Your father, Dr. Michael, is actually one of the exceptions who chose

business over the family’s traditional medical calling.”

*Paints F

“Dr. Nathan Lewis, though he’s a doctor, is completely unconcerned with family power struggles,” I added. “He focuses purely on his medical practice and stays out of pack politics.”

I heard Aria shift in her seat, her scent carrying notes of realization. “So our branch of the family isn’t valued in the pack hierarchy?”

“That’s part of it,” I confirmed. “But there’s more to the story.”

Her wolf’s instincts were picking up on my underlying concern. “What aren’t you telling me?”

I pulled the SUV into a rest area, needing her full attention for what I was about to reveal. “Your father was

the most gifted healing talent in the Lewis family.”

Aria’s eyes widened with surprise. “But he isn’t a doctor.”

“He possessed rare werewolf healing abilities that could have made him the pack’s head healer,” I explained. “His talent was extraordinary, unlike anything the family had seen in generations.”

Her hand moved instinctively to her belly, her wolf stirring with curiosity about potentially inherited abilities.

“What happened to those abilities?”

“After your k********g, Dr. Michael Lewis abandoned medicine entirely,” I revealed. “He channeled his

protective instincts into building wealth and security, becoming the chairman of Lewis Corporation.”

The implications hung heavy in the air between us. “You think my k********g was orchestrated by someone in the Lewis family?”

“I think someone wanted to force your father out of the healing succession,” I said carefully. “Eliminating competition for the head healer position by targeting what he valued most.”

Aria’s face paled as she processed this information. “If that’s true, then I could be targeted again now that my identity is known.”

Her pregnant wolf whimpered with fear, and I immediately reached out to comfort her. “That’s exactly why you’re staying with me, where I can ensure your safety.”

My cedar scent wrapped around her protectively. “I won’t let anyone hurt you or our pup.”

(Aria’s POV)

The weight of Dominic’s revelations settled heavily on my shoulders. The thought that my own family might harbor someone who had orchestrated my childhood trauma was almost too much to bear.

“Those things about pack hierarchy and inheritance don’t matter to me,” I said firmly, my wolf rejecting the complications of political maneuvering. “I just want to know my family.”

“I know,” Dominic replied gently. “But they matter to others. And those others might see you as a threat.”

As we pulled into the driveway of/Moon Valley Residences, I spotted two familiar figures waiting by the entrance. My heart leaped with joy as I recognized Dr. Michael Lewis and Mrs. Caroline Lewis standing together.

“They’re here,” I breathed, my wolf humming with excitement.

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