Chapter 21 Accusation
Aelira’s POV
“A jinx? No, Roderic.
OM
Roderic. That’s you, I snap, my spine rigid ass
keep coming,
venomous and relentless den
the one who’s been pushing Alarion toward Cyrinne from the
family we had left.”
we mated. You’re the one who shattered what little
His face turns a mottled, furious red. “Cyrinne Wynthor would have been the perfect Luna! Her mother-”
“Her mother was the woman you could never have,” I cut in, the realization burning through me, sharp and sudden. “And now you’re trying to live out your frustrated fantasies through your son!”
Elysande gasps, her eyes darting between us, wide with fear and something like understanding. Roderic looks as if I’ve struck him across the face.
I shake my head, disgusted by the entire scene. “I’m finished with your family’s poison. I came here because Elysande wanted to see me, not to be spit on by you.”
Leaning down, I squeeze Elysande’s trembling hand, then rise. “I’ll come back when you’re not here.”
“You’re not leaving.” Roderic growls, stepping into my path, his old Alpha scent a wall of aggression and authority. The air thickens, charged with his need to dominate.
“Move,” I command, my wolf bristling, fur standing up beneath my skin,
“Not until you agree to end this mate bond once and for all,” he snarls. “Stop toying with my son’s heart.”
I bark out a bitter laugh, the sound raw. “Are you even listening? I already signed the papers. I’m just waiting for Alarion to find the backbone to do the same.
For a second, Roderic’s eyes widen, then narrow into slits. “Then make sure he signs. The sooner you’re out of this pack,
the sooner we can heal.”
“With pleasure,” I hiss, shoving past him with all the force my wolf can muster.
Down the stairs I go, hands clenched and shaking with rage. How dare he? How dare he lay this family’s rot at my feet after everything I’ve survived? My wolf paces restlessly, protective, seething–her focus narrowed to the fragile life growing Inside me.
The outside air is a shock, cold and clean after the suffocating, festering tension of the Riven house. I fill my lungs, one hand instinctively pressing against my belly.
“Going somewhere, Luna?”
I freeze. Alarion stands by his black SUV, posture slouched, eyes glassy with drink. His scent–pine and earth, now tainted by the heavy, woody stench of wolf–whiskey–hits me like a wave.
He’s drunk.
“I’m leaving,” I say, voice flat, heading for my car.
He moves fast, far faster than he should in this state, and blocks me. His amber eyes are unfocused, his lips twisting in a
crooked, foolish smile.
“But you just got here,” he slurs, swaying. “Don’t you have Luna duties? Things to fix?”
Fretreat a step, keeping distance between us. “I’m not your Luna anymore, Alarion. Let me go.”
His face twists. “Not Luna? We’re not severed. Not yet.”
He grabs my arm before I can react, his Alpha strength bruising, inescapable. He drags me toward his car, his grip iron, his scent suffocating.
“Let go of me!” Panic claws up my throat as I struggle, my wolf snarling for escape.
“We need to talk,” he insists, his voice thick and slurred. “About us About Cyrinne.”
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Chapter 21 Accusation
He forces me into the passenger seat, then slides in beside me, slamming the door. The interior is a prison–close, hot, reeking of whiskey and his need.
“Alarion, stop this!” I press against the door, trying to put as much space as possible between us. “You’re drunk!”
Luna.”
“Just a little,” he mutters, leaning in, his eyes hungry and wild. “Miss my mate. Miss
His hand reaches for my cheek, but I jerk away. “I’m not yours anymore,” I spit. “I’ve signed the severance. You need to,
I
His wolf flashes in his eyes. “No,” he growls, voice feral. “No severance. You’re mine!”
He lunges at me, crushing me against the door, his mouth seeking mine with desperate, drunken force. His power is overwhelming, his need a vise.
My wolf erupts, mother–fierce and savage, her fury lending me impossible strength. I twist, snapping my head down, and sink my teeth deep into his forearm.
Alarion roars, jerking back as blood wells instantly, sharp and hot. “What the hell, Aelira?”
The scent of whiskey and blood floods the car, slamming into my pregnancy–heightened senses. My stomach rebels. I double over and vomit across the leather seats, retching until there’s nothing left.
The aggression drains from Alarion’s face, replaced by shock, then sudden worry, “Aelira? Aelira, are you alright?”
I wipe my mouth, shaking uncontrollably. “Do I look alright? You just tried to force yourself on me!”
He fishes out a tissue from the glove box and hands it over, his movements clumsy, chastened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to -I never would-‘
He pauses, eyes narrowing, suddenly sharper. “Are you pregnant, Aelira?”
My heart skips a beat. “What? No!”
“Then why are you sick? You’ve never been squeamish.”
“Maybe because you reek of whiskey,” I snap, desperate to throw him off. “Or maybe because my mother just died. Or maybe because my mate tried to assault me in a parking lot.
Guilt flickers across his features. I wouldn’t… I wasn’t going to hurt you. I just wanted-”
“What, Alarion? What did you want?” My hand is already on the door, ready to bolt.
He runs a shaking hand through his hair, voice breaking. I wanted things to go back. Before it all went to hell.”
I let out a bitter, humorless laugh. “Things were never simple, Alarion. You just pretended they were.”
He softens, a flicker of the man I first loved. “Let me take you to Aethervale. I’ll make sure you’re okay.”
“I don’t need your help,” I say, steel in my voice. I shove the door open, forcing myself out on unsteady legs, one hand pressed over my womb. I have to get away before he puts the pieces together.
“Aelira, wait!” he calls, stumbling after me, his face pale now, fear and shame overtaking the haze of alcohol.
I keep moving, heart pounding. I won’t let him see me break.
“Please,” he pleads, catching up to me beneath the barsh lights of the hospital parking lot. “I know you’re an Cyrinne-
“Angry?” I whirl on him, my voice cutting. “You left me at our mating ceremony for her!”
about
i had
he protests. “Her mate-”
*Her mate saved your life. I know. But that doesn’t excuse you, Alarion. That doesn’t erase what you’ve done.”
He reaches for my hand. I snatch it away before he can touch me. “I’ll end it with her,” he swears, desperation crackling in his words. ‘I’ll cut all ties if that’s what it takes.”
A bitter ache tightens my chest. “It’s too late,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “You had your chance.”
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Chapter 21 Accusation
© Get 51
A chime from his phone slices through the moment. He glances down, and I catch the name on the screen: Cyrinne.
Of course. Of course it’s her.
“See?” I laugh, raw and hollow. “Some things never change.”
I turn and walk away, my wolf howling with pain inside me. This time, Alarion doesn’t follow. Cyrinne’s call matters more. It always has.
Once I’m safe inside my car, the tears come–hot, unstoppable. My hands shake so violently I can’t even fit the key in the ignition.
My phone rings, jolting me. Oriana’s name glows on the display.
“Hello?” My voice is ragged, broken.
“Aelira? What’s happened?” Oriana’s voice is sharp with worry. “Are you crying?”
“Alarion,” I manage, choking on the words. “He was drunk. He tried to- in the car-
“What?” Oriana’s tone turns fierce, protective. “Did he hurt you? Where are you?”
‘Hospital parking lot,” I say, wiping tears away. “I’m okay. I bit him.”
Despite everything, Oriana lets out a short, savage laugh. “Good. Hope you drew blood.”
“I did, 1 say, a small, shaky smile ghosting my lips. “But, Anna… he asked if I was pregnant.”
A pause, heavy with unspoken meaning. “Did you tell him?”
“No,” I whisper. “But it made me think. About what it would mean, having this child. The complications. The severance, the violence, the future…”
“What are you saying, Aelira?”
I close my eyes, breathing through the devastation of the choice I’ve already made. “I’m saying I’m ending the pregnancy. I wanted this child–God, I wanted it but not like this. Not with Alarion. Not with all this pain.”
