Chapter 130 Argument
Aelira’s POV
A pounding headache settles in as I realize I have no explanation for how Jornic discovered my pregnancy
protected so carefully is now completely out in the open.
The secret I’ve
Immediately, Aunt Betty surrounds me with anxious questions, her face glowing with happiness. Excitement radiates from her wolf scent.
Child, how could you keep such important news from your family? This is such a blessing!”
She keeps pressing me about how long I’ve been pregnant, worried that my stomach still doesn’t show much.
Right away, she starts planning to purchase venison so she can make nutritious stews for me.
“Eating well during pregnancy is essential for you and your pup,” she proclaims. “The Northern Territory has the finest
game.
Next, she urges me to reconcile with Alarion and arrange another marking ceremony.
“Everything he’s done shows his care for you,” she insists, her belief in old pack customs coming through. “A loyal Alpha always returns to protect his mate and unborn child.”
I interrupt her with a firm voice.
“Aunt Betty, please don’t try to change my mind. I will never re–mark with Alarion.”
Aunt Betty looks shocked, her amber eyes full of concern,
“But what will happen to your child?”
“I will give birth and bring up my baby on my own,” I reply firmly.
My hand unconsciously comes to rest on my abdomen.
This leaves my aunt visibly shaken, and she cries out in alarm
“Don’t say such foolish things! How could you possibly raise a pup by yourself? A she–wolf without an Alpha is as defenseless as prey. She can’t make it in the pack lands alone!
Before I can answer, Jornic speaks up from across the room, his injured leg resting on a chair.
“She’s right, Aelira. Don’t be so obstinate,” he says, his wolf scent tinged with unease and irritation.
“Just agree to the re–marking with Alarion, so he’ll quit making trouble for us!”
My wolf reacts defensively as I snap back.
“I already told you, I won’t re–mark! My mind is made up!”
Jornic scoffs with a frosty glare.
“You don’t get to choose that for yourself! With Mom and Dad gone, you’re supposed to listen to me as the elder!”
I give a derisive laugh.
“Why should my life be dictated by you?”
“Because I’m your older brother!” he claims, his tone commanding. “That entitles me to keep you from making mistakes!”
Orice again, Aunt Betty quickly grabs my arm before I can respond.
That’s enough, don’t argue with Jornic! He’s only looking out for you!”
She adds, her voice full of worry, “You need to think about your pup. What if you get upset and endanger the baby?”
Aunt Betty attempts to act as a mediator, but from my perspective, she is clearly taking Jomic’s side.
This isn’t surprising. Favoring Jornic is typical behavior for her, no matter the circumstances.
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<Chapter 130 Argument
“I refuse to re–mark with Alarion,” I announce in a frosty tone, turning away to leave.
As I reach for my car keys, Aunt Betty rushes to catch up with me.
*Aelira, I bumped into Alpha Daelor at the entrance this morning and handed him Maria’s resume,” she tells me.
She stops, looking at me expectantly.
“Could you speak to him and ask if Maria can start her job soon? It isn’t healthy for a young she–wolf to spend her days at home glued to her phone.”
I exhale slowly, recalling Daelor’s advice that his HR team manages new hires.
“Once the resume is submitted, she just needs to wait for HR to contact her,” I respond.
Aunt Betty nods over and over.
“Yes, yes, that’s very professional.”
“So, when are you thinking of heading back home?” I ask, hopeful for a concrete answer. Aunt Betty beams.
“We actually don’t intend to leave this time.”
My mind reels, and my wolf whines in distress. “Then where are you planning to stay?”
She answers calmly, as if it’s only logical.
“Your place is roomy, and you must be lonely by yourself. Since you’re expecting, it makes sense for my family to move in and care for you.”
I try to protest. “But this apartment isn’t even mine,” I say, my voice faint.
“That’s irrelevant, even if you’re just renting,” she says, brushing my words aside. “I can help with chores and meals. It’s risky for a she–wolf to be alone in the city. Having a pack nearby is best.”
I press my lips together, irritation flaring inside me.
It dawns on me that they have no intention of leaving any time soon.
Despite Aunt Betty’s promise that they’d only stay for one night, now she’s set on having her whole family move in for good.
As soon as I m
I make it out of the building, my phone vibrates.
Oriana’s name flashes on the screen, and I finally feel some relief. Eagerly, I answer.
“Aelira, sweetheart, I’m home from my trip! Did you miss me?” Oriana’s lively tone immediately puts me at ease.
I nearly broke down, so grateful to hear her.
“Oriana, you’re back.”
She laughs. “I knew you’d miss me! I brought a ton of snacks and gifts for you. I’ll drop them off later.”
“There’s no need,” I say quickly. “Where are you? I want to see you now.”
“Come over to my place in the neutral zone.”
‘m on my way.”
Thirty minutes later, I arrive at Oriana’s apartment.
Oriana greets
me at the door with a huge hug, and her familiar scent soothes both me and She studies my face. “What happened? You look miserable. Who upset you this time?” I’m always amazed by Oriana’s intuition. She can read my emotions in an instant.
I share everything that happened, except for Daelor’s confession at Moonvalley Hinh S–ba
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my
restless wolf,
(Chapter 130 Argument
too raw to bring up.
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Oriana taps my forehead, exasperated. “Silly Aelira, it’s easy to let someone in, but so hard to make them leave!”
“You never should’ve let your aunt’s family stay. Now they’re set on depending on you forever!”
She goes on, her frustration clearly intensifying.
“Pregnancy really makes you lose three years of intelligence. How could you have agreed to such a mess?”
“I know!” I grumble, annoyed at my own gullibility. “I never thought Aunt Betty would purposely set me up.”
“Your brother Jornic obviously accepted something from Alarion,” Oriana insists, sounding sure of herself.
I nod right away, showing I agree.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
Oriana’s response drips with irony as she mocks me.
“Well, aren’t you just a genius!”
Her sarcasm wipes the smile from my face.
“Stop picking on me. I’m already stressed out by all this.”
Oriana shrugs, palms turned upward, looking helpless. “There’s basically no solution here–unless you have the nerve to cut off ties with your aunt altogether.”
A heavy sigh escapes me, the burden of the situation weighing me down.
“You’re telling the truth.”
That’s exactly why I feel so anxious and cornered,
Oriana gently taps my shoulder, struggling to find words that might help.
“If it comes to that, I’ll just go back to my old place and let Daelor have this one back,” I muse out loud
After Daelor suddenly confessed his feelings today, there’s no way I can keep living in his home.
This might be the perfect reason to move out.
Oriana raises an eyebrow, her tone skeptical. “But can you guarantee your aunt’s family won’t follow you there?” “It’s only a two–bedroom apartment. Even if they tried to follow, there wouldn’t be any space for them, right?” Oriana shoots me a look that says I’m still too trusting.
“You have no idea how persistent some wolves can be when they want something.”
She leans closer to make her point.
“Think about it. Rent in the Northern Territory is sky–high. Even the worst two–bedroom apartment costs at least five thousand moon–silver every month,”
She gestures around her own place.
“This apartment would cost at least eight thousand monthly just for the location. Plus, staying with you means they don’t have to pay for meals or utilities.”
She lifts her hands in exasperation.
“So why wouldn’t they jump at such a great deal?”
A deep sigh escapes me, the stress of pregnancy and my aunt’s demands pressing down on me.
“That’s the problem–my aunt is like gum stuck to your shoe. You just can’t get rid of her!”
