Chapter 41 The Past
Aelira’s POV
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“That elderly she–wolf was your grandmother?” I inquire, looking at Daelor
in astonishment.
Suddenly, the memory rushes back to me. Three years earlier, I was leaving the university after attending a guest lecture on rare herbal remedies. The day had been exceptionally warm, and I was hurrying to
catch my bus when I saw a small group gathered near the gate.
An elderly she–wolf lay collapsed on the sidewalk. Her silver hair was tousled, and her complexion was pale with a bluish hue that immediately concerned me. What surprised me more than her condition was how bystanders reacted.
Nobody was assisting her.
Some people even took out their phones, filming the scene while murmuring among themselves.
“She’s pretending for attention,” I overheard someone say.
“Probably trying to scam young wolves,” another chimed in.
My wolf bristled beneath my skin at their heartlessness. Without a moment’s hesitation, I pushed through the crowd and knelt beside her.
“Ma’am? Can you hear me?” I asked, feeling for her pulse. It was weak but
detectable.
Her eyes fluttered open for a brief moment, revealing silver–gray irises
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strikingly similar to Daelor’s, though at that time, I hadn’t connected the
dots.
I immediately called for emergency services. While waiting for the
ambulance, I retrieved my small herbal emergency kit. I always carried
basic remedies with me–a practice my mother had instilled in me. I
prepared a quick tincture to stabilize her heart rhythm, which I suspected
might be compromised.
When the ambulance arrived, I insisted on going with her to the hospital. I
remained there until the doctors confirmed she was stable, never learning
her name or anything about her family.
“If you hadn’t mentioned it today, I might have completely forgotten,” I
confess to Daelor. “It wasn’t anything extraordinary–anyone would have
stepped in.”
“But no one else did,” Daelor remarks, his silver–gray eyes compelling as he
navigates the bustling morning traffic. “Only you.”
Gradually, the realization sinks in. “So that’s why you’ve been aiding me?
Because of what transpired three years ago?”
Daelor glances at me with a small smile. “I suppose so…”
Yet, something in his tone implies there’s more to it than mere repayment. My wolf perks up with curiosity, but I push that thought aside. After
receiving this explanation, my unease finally eases. His assistance makes
sense now–he is merely settling a debt, nothing more.
Before long, the vehicle arrives outside Verdant Moon Herbalists. I quickly
express my gratitude and reach for the door handle.
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“Thanks for the ride,” I tell him, eager to leave the confines of the car and
the tumultuous feelings he evokes in me.
As I exit, I notice the car window rolling down. Daelor leans over the seat,
one arm relaxed on the steering wheel. His slightly unbuttoned collar gives
him a carefree, wild vibe that makes me catch my breath.
“Aelira, I’ll see you tonight,” he says.
The statement carries a hint of ambiguity, yet now that we live across the
street from one another, it’s true we will see each other daily. I stand
momentarily stunned before quickly nodding in response.
“Drive safely,” I manage to utter.
Daelor waves casually as the window moves back up. Then, the car accele
rates away, leaving me behind with my heart racing uncomfortably.
“Aelira?”
I jump at the sound of my name. Turning around, I spot Jastor Halden not
far off, a frown etched on his forehead. He wears his familiar lab coat, and
his light brown hair is neatly styled.
Suddenly recalling the herbal exhibition tickets he gave me yesterday, I dig
through my bag in a hurry.
“Jastor, I need to return these tickets,” I say as I locate them at the bottom
of my purse. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can attend.”
Jastor’s gaze shifts to where Daelor’s car moments ago stood. “Is that guy your mate?”
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< Chapter 41 The Past
The question catches me off guard. I shake my head quickly. “No, he’s just
a friend.”
A flicker of relief crosses Jastor’s face. “Do you have a mate?”
I hesitate, understanding the deeper implication of his question. “I am
mated, but I’m in the process of breaking that bond.”
Surprise washes over Jastor’s features. “You’re severing your mate bond?”
I nod, observing as his expression transitions through various emotions.
“Is that right…” he replies, disappointment clear on his face. He tries to smile, clearly about to say something further, when he is suddenly
interrupted.
“Aelira!”
My heart clenches at the sound of that familiar voice. I turn with a frown to see Alarion standing across the street by his car, his gaze fixed on me
intensely.
After several days apart, I notice he appears weary; subtle dark shadows linger under his amber eyes, which his expensive suit and meticulously polished shoes can’t hide. Despite my anger, my wolf stirs slightly at the
sight of our mate.
المحطة
I turn back to Jastor. “I must go. I’ll see you inside.”
Jastor nods, his expression cautious as he looks between me and Alarion.
“Sure. If you need anything…”
I offer him a grateful smile before making my way toward Alarion, bracing
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myself for what’s to come.
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“What are you doing here?” I ask frostily as I approach him. “How did you
know where to find me?”
Alarion’s jaw tightens. “I had to ask Luthen where you’ve been working. You
changed your number and moved out without letting me know–did you
think I wouldn’t search for you?”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t,” I admit honestly.
Pain crosses his features before transforming into anger. “Why are you
doing this, Aelira? Why are you running from me and trying to break our
bond? I’ve apologized for everything with Cyrinne.”
“Apologies don’t erase the past,” I respond, folding my arms. “What brings
you here? I’m going to be late for work.”
Alarion rakes a hand through his hair, a familiar sign of frustration I’ve
witnessed countless times during our marriage. “I came to ask you to
return home. We can give it another try, Aelira. We can start anew.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Start anew? After three years of neglect? After you
skipped our mating ceremony for Cyrinne? After my mother passed away,
was I waiting for you?”
Alarion winces but continues. “I realize I’ve made mistakes. Grave
mistakes. But I want to mend our relationship.” His voice lowers, becoming
more intimate. “We could even think about having a child. I know a
specialist who can assist with my… condition. There are herbal remedies
we haven’t explored-”
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“Stop,” I interrupt firmly, nausea rising in my throat. “Don’t mention children when you’ve made it clear my inability to conceive is a failure.”
“That’s not fair, Aelira. I never claimed-”
“You didn’t have to say it. Your father expressed it enough for both of you,
and you never stood up for me.”
Alarion steps closer, his amber eyes imploring. “Please, Aelira. Just give
me another chance.”
Before I can answer, the passenger door of his car opens. Cyrinne steps
out, her emerald eyes set on us, wearing an annoyed expression.
“Alarion, what’s taking so long?” she calls, walking around the car to join
- us. “We’ll be late for the appointment.”
My blood boils at her presence. Of course, she’s with him. She’s always
with him.
Cyrinne feigns surprise when she spots me. “Aelira! What a coincidence.”
“Is it?” I reply dryly. “Seems you two are inseparable nowadays.”
Cyrinne beams sweetly. “Alarion has been very supportive. Unlike you, who is playing hard to get. You don’t really want to sever your mate bond, do
you? You’re just trying to make him jealous.”
I stare at her, incredulous, then direct my gaze to Alarion. “You told her I
don’t really want to sever our bond?”
Alarion appears uneasy. “Aelira, it’s complicated-”
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“No, it’s not,” I retort. “You agreed to sign the papers. Why are you still
giving her false hope?”
Cyrinne’s smile fades. “What papers?”
“The mate bond severance papers,” I reply, struggling to hide my
satisfaction. “Alarion agreed to sign them.”
Cyrinne’s emerald eyes blaze with anger as she turns to Alarion. “Is this
true? You’re really going through with it?”
Alarion looks trapped, his amber eyes flickering between us. “Cyrinne, I told
you, it’s not that straightforward-”
“It is that straightforward!” Cyrinne interrupts, her voice rising. “You must
make a choice, Alarion. Right now.”
A tense silence envelops us. Cyrinne suddenly places a protective hand
over her belly–a gesture that makes panic widen in Alarion’s eyes.
“Enlighten her,” Cyrinne insists. “Tell her why you can’t sever your bond with
her.”
Alarion’s face goes pale. “Cyrinne, not here-”
“Fine, I’ll handle this myself,” Cyrinne snaps, casting a vindictive glance my way. “I’m pregnant, Aelira. It’s Alarion’s child, and he’s going to step up.”
The news strikes me like a physical blow. Pregnant? But that’s
impossible… Alarion has fertility problems. The doctors confirmed this
during our attempts to conceive.
My thoughts race back to the night I discovered Alarion intoxicated outside
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my apartment–the night I called Cyrinne to fetch him. The scent of wolf-
whiskey lingers on his breath; he can’t even stand upright…
Alarion reaches for my arm. “Aelira, it’s not as you think. I was drunk that
night. She took advantage of me—”
“Took advantage?” Cyrinne shouts, her composure disintegrating. “You came to me! And now you’re denying your own child?”
Alarion’s expression twists in despair. “Cyrinne, please, can we talk about this privately?”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Cyrinne replies coldly. “You either take
responsibility for our child, or I will end the pregnancy. Your choice.”
I witness the realization wash over Alarion’s face. His amber eyes reflect
his inner battle–torn between the crumbling bond we share and the
chance of a child, something he has longed for.
