Chapter 27 Who’s the Father?
Aelira’s POV
“You knew I have weak seed and can’t sire pups, right?”
Alarion’s words strike with the force of a fist, winding me. I clutch the phone so hard my knuckles pale, breath snagging in my chest.
How? How could he possibly know?
For three years, I guarded that secret with my life–swallowing Roderic Riven’s sly jabs about my supposed infertility, letting the pack’s gossip fester, all to protect Alarion’s Alpha pride. I bore the blame, never allowing the truth to surface.
My silence must have been answer enough.
“So you really knew,” Alarion continues, voice rough and raw with betrayal, each syllable scraping across the line.
I press my lips together, thoughts racing as I search for words, What could I say now? Once, I would have twisted myself into knots to shield him from this knowledge, terrified of how it might shatter him. But now, with everything broken, I realize I don’t care anymore.
“How did you find out?” I ask, letting curiosity edge out my shock.
“You want to know how I knew?” His anger slices through my question. “Didn’t you tell Daelor Briarhallow?”
“Daelor?” The name tumbles out, my confusion genuine. What does Daelor have to do with any of this?
Alarion’s bitter laugh is harsh in my ear. “Funny how, after his little visit last month, he just happened to suggest I get checked out at Aethervale Hospital. You expect me to believe that’s a coincidence?”
His agitation builds, every word a knife. “Don’t tell me you didn’t tell him. Yesterday I wondered why he suddenly went after me. Today I find the medical report from a month ago and it all makes sense!” His voice breaks into a shout. “Aelira, do you hate me that much?”
My wolf bristles, stung by the accusation.
“It wasn’t me,” I snap, frowning, pressing the phone harder to my ear. “I haven’t told anyone, Alarion. Believe it or not.”
Static falls between us. Only his heavy, controlled breathing lets me know he’s still there. My hand drifts protectively to my stomach, shielding the small, growing life inside me a life that shouldn’t be possible, if Alarion’s diagnosis is true.
The silence stretches until he finally exhales, his voice tense but no longer, shouting.
“I’m not in a good mood today,” he mutters. “Can we postpone the mate bond severance?”
The protest rises instinctively, I’d braced myself for setbacks, but hearing it makes my chest hollow out with disappointment. I’d been so close to freedom, so close to cutting this last, frayed tie.
But what choice do i have? On what grounds could I refuse?
“Fine,” I force out, the word sour on my tongue.
He hangs up without a goodbye.
I stare at the phone for a long, trembling moment, then a surge of frustration has me hurling it onto the sofa. It lands harmlessly among the cushions, my fury dissipating into exhaustion.
What a twisted snarl of fate. Daelor’s offhand remark led Alarion to a checkup; his defense of me stoked Alarion’s suspicions. And a single medical report exposed the secret I’d kept for years. Now, the mate bond severance–so close- was wrenched out of reach yet again.
My wolf whines, anxious at my distress. The pup stirs, a complication waiting to explode when Alarion discovers the truth.
My phone buzzes–a video call. Oriana’s scowling face fills the screen, her eyes already blazing.
“Let me guess,” she snaps before I can speak, “that bastard didn’t even bother to call?”
<Chapter 27 Who’s the Father?
I sigh, sinking onto the couch. “Actually, he did. Severance is postponed.”
“What?” Oriana’s outrage is immediate and loud. “Why?”
I rub my forehead, debating how much to say. “He found out something I’d been keeping from him.”
“Aelira Sunmere, unless you start talking right now, I swear-
“Alarion’s infertile,” I blurt. “He can’t sire pups. Or it’s almost impossible, anyway.”
Oriana’s eyes widen, processing. “Wait… he’s the one who can’t… but everyone thought-
“I let them think that,” I say, shoulders slumping. “For years, I let everyone blame me.”
Her shock shifts to fury. “You took the fall for his problem? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Grt 5
1 look away, shame prickling my skin. “I was protecting him. You know how much Alpha reputation depends on virility.”
“Screw his reputation,” Oriana snaps. “What about yours? What about Roderic Riven’s jabs, all the gossip?”
Her anger warms me, but I wave it off. “It’s irrelevant now. He knows, and he’s postponed the severance.”
Her frown deepens as she works through the implications. Then her gaze sharpens, flicking to my belly.
“Wait–if Alarion can’t sire pups, then. Her meaning is clear
“It’s his,” I assure her quickly. “Tve been treating him with rare herbs for months, in secret. The odds were tiny, but…” My hand covers my stomach again,
“A miracle pup,” Oriana says softly, her anger briefly eclipsed by awe.
“Something like that.” I manage a small smile. “Now I just worry what happens when he finds out.”
“And Daelor?” she presses. “Alarion seems to think he knew.”
I shake my head. “It’s a coincidence. I never told Daelor.
“Coincidence gives fate a lot of credit,” Oriana mutters, almost to herself.
Before I can answer, my phone vibrates–a call from an unfamiliar number.
*Hold on,” I tell Oriana, switching over. “Hello?”
“Ms. Sunmere?” A formal female voice. “This is Elyndra from Verdant Moon Herbalists. We’ve reviewed your application and your sample remedies. We’d like to invite you for an interview tomorrow afternoon, if you’re available.”
My heart leaps. Verdant Moon is the most respected herbalist cooperative in the territory. Even an interview is a rare honor.
“Yes! I’m available,” I say, barely able to keep the thrill from my voice.
After confirming the time and details, I return to Oriana, unable to contain my excitement.
“Verdant Moon wants to interview me tomorrow!” I squeal. They liked my remedies!”
Oriana’s face splits into a grin. “That’s incredible! We have to celebrate!”
Before I can protest, she’s already making plans. “And you need a new outfit. Meet me at Vaelune Boutique in an hour. No arguments!”
The next day, racks of elegant clothing surround me at Vaelune Boutique. Oriana insists this boutique–favorite of pack women–offers the perfect mix of confidence and style.
“Try this,” she says, handing me a navy dress stitched with subtle silver embroidery. “Perfect for an interview–professional but still you.”
I slip into a changing room and pull the dress over my head. The fabric glides over my skin, flattering my curves without clinging too tightly to my growing belly–a detail I’m more conscious of by the day.
As I’m studying my reflection, raised voices erupt from the shop floor. Oriana’s voice, sharp and furious, cuts through the
air.
<Chapter 27 Who’s the Father?
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Menu
I tug on my cardigan and hurry out to find Oriana toe–to–toe with Alarion, his amber eyes glacial, jaw set as he absorbs her
tirade.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up here,” Oriana spits, jabbing a finger at him. “After what you did to Aelira-”
Cyrinne Wynthor emerges from behind Alarion, her lips curled in a smug, polsonous smile.
“Oh, is this your little friend, Alarion?” Cyrinne drawls, her voice thick with mockery. “The one with the territorial management job? How precious.”
Oriana’s eyes flash, her voice icy. “At least I earned my position. Didn’t sleep my way into it.”
Cyrinne’s emerald eyes narrow, her mask slipping. “How dare you-”
Before I can intervene, Oriana lunges, grabbing a fistful of Cyrinne’s glossy hair and yanking hard.
Cyrinne screams–a sound more affronted than hurt. Alarion reacts instantly, wrenching Oriana back, his grip on her arm rough and punishing. I see Oriana flinch, pain flickering across her face.
My wolf surges up, protective and fierce,
“Let her go!” I shout, striding forward.
Alarion releases Oriana the second he sees me, his expression shifting, unreadable.
“Are you alright?” I ask, scanning Oriana’s face as she rubs her arm, red marks blooming where Alarion’s fingers gripped too hard.
Tm fine,” she mutters, shooting daggers at Cyrinne, who is fussing over her hair with theatrical outrage.
I round on Alarion, my anger boiling over. “You bring her here? Instead of finalizing our mate bond severance?”
Cyrinne’s head snaps up, green eyes wide, darting between Alarion and me.
“You’re really going to cut the mate bond?” she asks Alarion, voice syrupy with shock and innocence.
