Chapter 98 Play Innocent
Aelira’s POV
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“Are you truly going through with terminating the pregnancy?” Oriana’s straightforward question
lingers heavily in the space between us.
Avoiding her gaze, I focus on my hands, which tremble in my lap.
“Yes, I’ve come to my conclusion,” I reply quietly, instinctively placing one hand on my belly, where my unborn pup is developing.
The burden of this decision weighs heavily on me. My wolf inside me whines, already grieving what
will soon be gone.
“I suspect Cyrinne Wynthor knows about my pregnancy,” I begin, striving to maintain a steady tone. “Her visit to Verdant Moon Herbalists was not solely for getting me fired. It served as both a test and a
threat.”
Oriana’s eyes widen in surprise. “You believe she’s trying to intimidate you?”
“She requires my mate bond severance with Alarion to occur seamlessly, enabling her to finalize their marking ceremony and legitimize her unborn pup.”
I can’t help but notice the bitter irony. Cyrinne and I share the same objective–to swiftly end my
relationship with Alarion–but for completely opposing reasons.
“You don’t have to go through with this, Aelira.” Oriana reaches over the table and clasps my hand. “We’ve already begun accepting the idea of you having a pup.”
The genuine sorrow in her eyes is evident. She has already started planning shopping excursions for baby supplies and has begun referring to herself as “Auntie Oriana” when it’s just us.
“What if we locate that pack servant first?” she proposes, her voice brightening with desperate hope.
“If we uncover who the male was or who sent him…”
I shake my head resolutely. “It makes no difference who he was or who sent him. This pup cannot
remain.”
“But there’s still an opportunity-”
“An opportunity for what?” I cut in, my tone sharper than I intended. “An opportunity that it’s Alarion’s after all? That would only make matters more complicated.”
Oriana hesitates, then leans in closer, lowering her voice to a whisper even though we are alone in my
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<Chapter 98 Play Innocent
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“What if it was Daelor? You could start a new life with him,” she urges, her eyes filled with hope.
Her suggestion hits me like a physical blow.
“Don’t be absurd,” I respond without hesitation. “If it had been Daelor that night, he would have told me.
His Alpha honor would require it.”
Oriana appears disheartened but doesn’t push me further. She understands I’ve made my decision.
After her departure, I sit in solitude in my living room, tears flowing down my cheeks as I place both
hands on my belly.
“I’m sorry, little one,” I murmur to my unborn pup. “This isn’t your fault. Perhaps one day, when the moment is right, I’ll welcome another pup properly. But not right now. Not like this.”
With trembling fingers, I open my laptop and navigate to the Lunar Herb Medical Center website. In three days, there is an opening for the procedure.
I click “confirm,” my wolf wails mournfully within me as the appointment is finalized.
The following morning, Oriana arrives carrying a suitcase.
“I’m moving in for a few days,” she announces, brushing past me into the apartment. “You shouldn’t be
on your own at this time.”
I lack the energy to argue. In fact, I welcome her presence. When left alone, my thoughts spiral. endlessly into darkness.
“I’ve brought movies, junk food, and a plan to fully distract you,” she says, beginning to unpack snacks
onto my kitchen counter.
My mobile phone buzzes with an incoming text message. Daelor’s name lights up the display.
“A new herbal remedy company is ready for your review. Are you interested in checking it out today?”
I don’t anticipate hearing from him this soon after my emotional collapse at the Quillon estate. A part
of me wishes to decline, to retreat and hide from existence until my scheduled appointment. Yet,
another part craves the diversion.
“Yes, that sounds great,” I reply, anxiously awaiting his response.
It arrives almost instantly: “I’ll pick you up in half an hour.”
Surprisingly, my wolf remains calm as I get ready to meet him, even with the inner chaos swirling
inside me.
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Precisely thirty minutes later, a firm knock reverberates through my door. I open it to find Daelor, his powerful Alpha scent permeating the hallway.
“Good morning,” he greets, his silver–gray eyes scanning my appearance. I’ve made an effort to appear normal, but I am aware that my eyes still bear the traces of my tears.
If he notices, he chooses not to mention it. “Are you prepared to visit the company?”
“Actually,” Oriana appears beside me, “I’d love to join, if that’s alright.”
Daelor raises an eyebrow slightly but consents. “Sure.”
Inside his luxurious SUV, adorned with the Nightshade Pack logo, Daelor begins to explain his intentions.
“I’ve set up an herbal remedy company close to my Nightshade Security operations,” he informs, his deep voice resonating within the vehicle. “However, I require someone knowledgeable to oversee it.”
I meet his gaze in the rearview mirror. “Someone like me?”
“Precisely like you.” A faint smile blossoms on his lips. “The position is yours if you’re interested.”
Oriana nearly leaps in her seat with excitement. “That’s incredible! Aelira, you’d be perfect for this role!”
Her initial enthusiasm dims slightly as she discreetly glances at my slightly swollen belly underneath
my loose dress. Her wolf’s protective instincts are evident in her worried expression.
We arrive at a contemporary building showcasing large windows and a minimalist design. The sign
reads “Northern Remedies” in elegant silver script.
“I need to attend to some urgent pack matters,” Daelor mentions as we enter the facility. “George will
give you a tour.”
George Leach, Daelor’s personal assistant, greets us with a professional nod. He appears to be in his
thirties and has observant dark eyes.
“Follow me, please,” he instructs, guiding us through security doors into the main facility.
As we walk in, I gasp. The equipment is cutting–edge, surpassing anything I’ve encountered even at prestigious places like Lake Restaurant Herbalists.
Silver–infused preparation tables shine under immaculate lighting. Moon–glass storage containers line
the walls, perfectly suited for preserving the most fragile herbal preparations.
I glide my fingers over the smooth surfaces, admiring their quality and craftsmanship.
“This is astounding,” I whisper.
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< Chapter 98 Play Innocent
Oriana softly whistles beside me. “Even I can tell this is top–tier equipment.”
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She picks up one of the moonstone grinding mortars, inspecting it with wide eyes. “These must have cost a fortune.”
George nods in agreement. “Alpha Briarhallow spared no expense; he wanted only the best.”
As we continue exploring the lab, my mobile phone begins to ring. Cyrinne Wynthor’s name appears on the display.
I pause for a moment before responding. “Hello?”
“You manipulative little bitch!” Cyrinne’s furious voice erupts through the speaker. “Did you really believe I wouldn’t discover the truth?”
I step away from Oriana and George, moving to a secluded part of the room. “What are you referring to?”
“Don’t act all innocent with me,” she snaps. “Your new Alpha boyfriend has yanked all my
endorsements for werewolf healing herbs! I’ve basically been banned from the Northern Territory’s market!”
I blink, taken aback by the news.
“You believe you’re so smart, enlisting your new Alpha to fight your fights,” Cyrinne continues, her tone saturated with spite. “This is far from finished!”
Despite all that burdens me–my upcoming appointment, the revelation about my pregnancy–I realize I feel surprisingly unfazed by Cyrinne’s fury.
“I had nothing to do with your endorsements, Cyrinne,” I respond evenly. “Maybe you should reflect on your own actions before trying to place blame elsewhere.”
Without waiting for her reaction, I disconnect the call, feeling a surprising strength from my wolf beneath my skin.
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