The Pregnant Luna Mated to Ex’s Best Friend (Aria) novel Chapter 190

Chapter 190: The Island Prison

Chapter 190: The Island Prison

(Aria’s POV)

Viktor Kane’s predatory smile sent chills down my spine as he gestured toward me with casual cruelty. My pregnant wolf cowered within me, sensing the deadly danger radiating from this criminal Alpha.

“Marcus, my friend,” Viktor said, his voice dripping with false camaraderie. “I think you’ll find this one quite…

entertaining.”

The implication in his tone made my skin crawl. I pressed my bound hands against my belly protectively, my wolf whimpering with terror for our unborn pup.

Marcus Stone looked at me with an expression I couldn’t read. For a moment, I thought he might abandon me to Viktor’s twisted games. But then something shifted in his wolf’s scent, and he chuckled softly.

“Actually, Viktor,” Marcus said, his voice carrying unexpected warmth, “she’s my friend.”

Viktor’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Your friend?”

Derek Cross, who had been lounging nearby with his glass of expensive liquor, suddenly straightened with

interest. “You know her?”

“More than that,” Marcus replied, moving closer to me with protective instincts. His wolf’s scent shifted to something fiercely territorial as he continued, “She’s my mate.”

My eyes widened in shock at his bold lie. Viktor and Derek exchanged glances, clearly taken aback by this unexpected development.

“Your mate?” Viktor’s voice carried a dangerous edge. “You never mentioned having a mate, Marcus.”

“I’m a private man,” Marcus said smoothly, his Alpha presence radiating calm confidence. “But yes, she’s

carrying my pup.”

He placed a possessive hand on my shoulder, and I could feel the protective strength in his touch. “Aren’t you,

darling?”

I nodded quickly, playing along with his deception. “Yes,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Viktor’s expression shifted from predatory interest to grudging respect. In werewolf culture, a pregnant mate was sacred, protected by ancient laws even criminals usually respected.

“Well then,” Viktor said, raising his glass of red wine in acknowledgment. “My apologies, Marcus. I had no idea she belonged to you.”

Derek Cross lifted his own glass, his earlier lewdness replaced with formal politeness. “To Marcus and hi

beautiful mate.”

“To family,” Viktor added, though his eyes still held a calculating gleam.

Marcus raised an imaginary glass, maintaining the facade. “Thank you for your understanding, gentlemen.”

“Of course,” Viktor replied, though his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Family is everything in our world.”

Marcus turned to me with gentle authority. “Come, darling. You look tired. Let me take you somewhere more

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Chapter 190 The Island P

comfortable.”

I nodded eagerly, desperate to escape Viktor’s dangerous scrutiny. The criminal Alpha’s wolf scent still carried predatory undertones that made my pregnant wolf tremble with fear.

“Enjoy your evening,” Viktor called after us as Marcus led me away from the gathering.

“We will,” Marcus replied smoothly, his hand firm on my lower back as he guided me toward a side corridor.

The moment we were out of earshot, I felt my knees wobble with relief. Marcus immediately steadied me, his wolf’s protective instincts evident in his careful touch.

“Easy,” he murmured, his voice low and reassuring. “Just keep walking until we’re completely alone.”

We entered a secured room away from the other werewolves, and Marcus immediately closed the door behind us. The sound of the lock clicking into place felt like salvation.

“Thank you,” I breathed, my pregnant wolf finally beginning to calm. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t-”

“What the hell are you doing on this island?” Marcus interrupted, his expression suddenly serious. “This isn’t

exactly a tourist destination.”

I took a shaky breath, my hands still protectively covering my belly. “I was kidn*pped. A man named

Alexander Reed took me from my home in the Northern Territory.”

Marcus’s wolf scent shifted with concern. “Alexander Reed? The Storm Pack Alpha?”

“Former Storm Pack Alpha,” I corrected bitterly. “He’s completely lost his mind. He dragged me here against

my will.”

“And then you ended up in a shipping container?” Marcus asked, his tone incredulous.

“I escaped from where he was holding me,” I explained. “I hid in a container to avoid his men, but I didn’t know

it was being shipped here.”

Marcus shook his head slowly. “Your luck is… complicated.”

“What do you mean?”

“Being kidn*pped is definitely unfortunate,” he said with dark humor, “But meeting me here? That’s probably the only good fortune you’ve had all day.”

Hope flickered in my chest. “Can you help me? I need to contact my mate, Dominic Blackwood. He’s probably

searching for me.”

Marcus’s expression darkened at the mention of Dominic’s name. “Dominic Blackwood? The Shadow Pack Alpha King’s son?”

“Yes,” I said eagerly. “Do you have a phone I could use? Even just to let him know I’m alive?”

Marcus shook his head grimly. “Phones are confiscated upon arrival. Everyone here is cut off from

communicating with the outside world.”

My heart sank. “Then how can contact him?”

“You can’t,” Marcus said bluntly. “Not until Viktor’s banquet ends. The yacht will take us back to the mainland tomorrow morning.”

Chapter 190 The Island p

“Tomorrow?” I whispered, my pregnant wolf whimpering with distress. “I can’t wait that long. Alexander could

find me by then.”

“Alexander Reed is the least of your problems now,” Marcus said, his voice heavy with warning.

“What do you mean?”

Marcus moved closer, his wolf’s scent carrying genuine concern. “Do you know what this banquet is really

about, Aria?”

I shook my head, confused by his sudden intensity.

“Viktor Kane is trying to salvage his struggling business,” Marcus explained. “He’s involved in trafficking werewolves across territorial boundaries. Moving people who don’t want to be moved.”

My blood ran cold. “Human trafficking?”

“Werewolf trafficking,” Marcus corrected. “And his operation is being systematically dismantled by someone with significant resources and territorial authority.”

“Who?” I asked, though I was beginning to suspect the answer.

– “Your mate,” Marcus said grimly. “Dominic Blackwood’s new Shadow Pack security projects have been

helping territorial authorities locate Viktor’s operations across multiple regions.”

My pregnant wolf cowered within me as the implications hit. “If Viktor discovers my mate bond with

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