Chapter 121 Confession from Alarion (1)
Aelira’s POV
I feel powerless as I meet my aunt’s enthusiastic look.
det 5
“Aunt Betty, Daelor mentioned he already has feelings for someone else,” I exhale, my words heavy with the familiar fatigue from my family’s unending matchmaking.
Inside, my wolf lets out a quiet whine, worn down by their persistence.
Aunt Betty brushes off my concerns with a careless gesture.
“That’s irrelevant!” she proclaims, her energy surging. “He’s not marked anyone yet, so there’s still hope!”
Her excitement is almost tangible, her scent intensifying and filling my home.
“Maria, sweetheart, you need to get your resume ready right now,” she instructs urgently. “We’ll hand it to Alpha Daelor first thing in the morning!”
Maria immediately straightens, her earlier sulking replaced with sudden eagerness.
“Absolutely, Mom!” she replies, springing toward the computer with enthusiasm. “I’ll make it flawless!”
She immediately starts drafting several versions, her fingers racing across the keys.
I glance at the resumes as they emerge from the printer, my concern growing as I read through Maria’s employment history.
Her resume awkwardly includes just two months as a cashier at a supermarket and a short stint as a receptionist for a small pack’s clinic.
“Are you interested in Alpha Daelor?” Maria’s abrupt question completely blindsides me.
I blink, uncertain if I heard her right.
My wolf shifts restlessly beneath my skin at her unexpected challenge.
“What are you getting at?” I reply cautiously.
Maria shrugs, her expression calculated, eyes narrowing a fraction.
“I’m just curious if you’re planning to hide my resume from him,” she says, her tone edged with accusation. “That’s exactly t he kind of thing you’d do to ruin my shot.”
Her accusation stings, I shake my head once.
our
“Maria, Daelor, and I… our connection is strictly professional–he’s just assisting with some legal issues,” explain. “That’s
all it is.”
“Perfect!” Maria snaps back, her answer instant and harsh. “You cut your mate bond, remember? You’re not fit for an Alpha like him anyway.”
Her harsh words land like a blow. My face darkens, my wolf bristling at the pointed insult.
“Maria, that’s out of line.”
“So what?” she retorts, pouting and folding her arms with defiance. “I didn’t say anything untrue! Mom always claims it’s -less important for she–wolves to build careers than to secure a powerful Alpha mate.”
Her tone radiates a rehearsed sense of superiority that twists my stomach uncomfortably.
“At least I still have my youth and a flawless record. Not everyone can say the same after their first try.”
“Maria Aunt Betty’s sharp reprimand slices through the tension in the air.
She must have caught every word from her spot in the kitchen.”
“Take off that makeup and wash your face right now!” she commands with the authority only a mother can wield. “That
< Chapter 121 Confession from Alarion (1)
kind of language is out of line!”
Maria’s self–assured demeanor falters beneath her mother’s chastisement.
“But Mom, I was just telling the truth.”
“Not another word! Go now!” Aunt Betty’s tone leaves no room for argument.
Maria mumbles her annoyance and trudges to the bathroom, pausing only to glare at me as she leaves.
After Maria vanishes from sight, Aunt Betty turns to me, her expression full of regret.
“Aelira, sweetheart, please don’t let Maria’s words upset you,” she says, though her wolf scent betrays her embarrassment. “She’s still immature and sometimes speaks before she thinks.”
A familiar wave of imitation rises within me. I’ve seen this all before.
My aunt’s household has always treated me as less important, especially when compared to the obvious affection they show my older brother Jornic.
Trying to cope with their behavior saps the little strength I have left.
“It’s alright, Aunt Betty,” I respond softly, while my wolf inside me whines at the sting of being overlooked again.
Knowing their stay will last only one night gives me genuine comfort.
“It’s pretty late,” I say, hoping to bring the evening to a close. “You should get some rest as well.”
“Alright, alright, Aelira,” she answers, her focus already drifting back toward Maria’s room. “You should turn in early, too.”
My intention is just to wash up quickly and retreat to my own room, but Maria keeps the bathroom occupied.
She takes her time removing her makeup first, then launches into a drawn–out bathing ritual,
As impatience grows, I distract myself by scrolling absentmindedly through my phone, searching for any missed messages from Daelor or news about the pack,
Suddenly, a call comes in from an unfamiliar number.
My immediate thought is that Alarion might be reaching out from a different phone.
I send the call to voicemail and wait, tense. When there’s no second call, I start to think I was mistaken.
Maybe it was just a random dial. I decide not to dwell on it.
Soon after, I hear the bathroom door open at last.
With my wolf’s keen senses, I pick up on Maria’s movements and hurry toward the sound.
She steps out, her face hidden beneath a thick moon berry face mask.
Ignoring me completely, she disappears into her assigned bedroom and closes the door with extra emphasis.
At last, the bathroom is free, and I begin brushing my teeth. But suddenly, the doorbell’s chime echoes through the Capartment.
“I’m coming!” Aunt Betty’s voice responds right away.
A jolt of anxiety hits me as I recall the earlier unknown call.
My woll’s instincts shout a warning.
I quickly spit out the toothpaste, rinse my mouth, and hurry into the hallway.
“Oh, Aelira!” Aunt Betty greets me, her face bright with excitement.
With clear joy, she guides someone by the arm in my direction.
“See who’s come to visit!”
My heart completely ceases to beat.
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< Chapter 121 Confession from Alanon (1)
“Aelira…” Alarion stands before me, his gaze heavy with silent emotion.
The sheer force of his Alpha presence floods my cramped apartment, making the atmosphere dense and almost suffocating.
A shadow falls over my features at once, and my wolf instinctively shrinks away.
“What brings you here?” I snap, my tone edged with irritation and a tremor of poorly hidden fear.
