Chapter 169: Absolutely N
Chapter 169: Absolutely No Entanglement
Chapter 169: Absolutely No Entanglement
(Aria’s POV)
Eleanor Blackwood’s voice carried a heavy sigh, the weight of generations of pack politics evident in every word. Her silver hair caught the morning light streaming through the window, making her appear both regal
and weary.
“I actually wasn’t trying to force you, dear,” she began, her tone gentler than before. “If it weren’t for Dominic’s father pushing so hard, I would also be happy to let you two be together.”
My pregnant wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin as I absorbed her words. The matriarch’s admission revealed the complex web of Alpha politics that surrounded our mate bond.
“William Blackwood has been relentless,” Eleanor continued, her fingers tracing the rim of her untouched
water glass. “He sees your union as a threat to the pack’s traditional hierarchy. Your background, your
previous mate bond with Alexander Reed – these things matter to him.”
I remained silent, my hand instinctively moving to my belly where our pup was growing. The life inside me
was proof of the love Dominic and I shared, yet it also complicated everything.
“You must understand,” Eleanor said, her gray eyes meeting mine with unexpected warmth, “Dominic
practically grew up without parental affection. His father was always consumed with pack politics, his
mother distant and cold.”
The revelation hit me like a physical blow. I had seen glimpses of Dominic’s lonely childhood, but hearing it
confirmed by his grandmother made my heart ache.
“When he told me about his intentions to claim you as his mate, I had never heard such determination in his
voice,” Eleanor’s voice grew softer. “He said he would remain unmated if you couldn’t be his Luna.”
Tears began to blur my vision, my wolf whimpering softly within me. The depth of Dominic’s commitment
overwhelmed me. He had risked everything for our bond.
“This is why I gave you the moonstone bracelet,” Eleanor said, touching her chest where a similar piece once
lay. “It was my way of showing approval, of welcoming you into our family despite the circumstances.”
The tears spilled over, streaming down my cheeks as the full weight of her gesture became clear. The precious heirloom hadn’t just been a gift it had been a symbol of acceptance.
–
Eleanor reached into her purse, producing a small packet of tissues. “Here, dear. Stop crying now. It’s not good for the pup.”
Her maternal instincts showed through despite the difficult conversation we were having. I accepted the tissues gratefully, dabbing at my eyes.
“I know you also care for Dominic,” Eleanor said, her expression softening further. “And surely, like me, you don’t want to see him truly destroyed by his father’s Alpha authority, am I right?”
I wiped away my tears, knowing that crying was useless at this moment. The practical reality of our situation. demanded clear thinking, not emotional breakdown.
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Chapter 169 Absolutely N
“Yes,” I nodded, my voice still thick with emotion. “I don’t want to see him hurt
Eleanor’s eyes welled up, and she reached across to pat my hand. “It’s hard on you, child. I know this isn’t
fair.”
The gentle contact nearly broke my resolve again. But I had made my decision, and I needed to voice it
clearly.
“But I don’t want to leave him,” I said firmly, my wolf’s instincts telling me that my Alpha mate needed me now
more than ever.
Eleanor stared at me in astonishment, her composed mask slipping for a moment. “What did you say?”
“I said I don’t want to leave him,” I repeated, my voice gaining strength. “I know you think I’m being stubborn, but I believe Dominic would want me by his side.”
Eleanor’s expression hardened, her matriarchal authority reasserting itself. “This is just your idea, child. You don’t understand the full implications.”
“Exactly,” I agreed without hesitation. “This is indeed my idea. If Dominic truly doesn’t need me one day, I will
definitely turn and leave without hesitation. Absolutely no entanglement.”
The words came out with more conviction than I felt, but I meant them. I wouldn’t cling to something that brought him harm.
Eleanor’s voice turned cold, her gray eyes flashing with frustration. “It would be too late then. The damage to his position, his reputation – it would be irreversible.”
(%
I smiled back at her, surprising myself with my calm demeanor. “If it’s late, so be it. It’s nothing new for me.”
I took a deep breath, feeling oddly liberated by my honesty. “I’ve already lost thoroughly once with Alexander.
Losing again is no big deal.”
Eleanor observed me deeply, her piercing gaze seeming to search my soul. After a long moment, she sighed
heavily.
“I had hoped you would be more reasonable,” she murmured, reaching into her expensive handbag.
She produced a thick envelope, sliding it across the coffee table toward me. The paper was cream–colored and expensive, bearing the Shadow Pack’s official seal.
“What is this?” I asked, though I suspected I already knew.
“Keys to an apartment in a prime location in the Northern Territory,” Eleanor explained, her voice returning to its formal tone. “And a check for ten million moon–silver.”
My eyes widened at the astronomical/sum. Ten million moon–silver was more money than most werewolves
saw in a lifetime.
“Consider it compensation for your… cooperation,” Eleanor continued. “You can leave whenever you make up your mind. The apartment is yours to keep regardless.”
She stood gracefully, smoothing down her elegant skirt. The conversation was clearly over in her mind.
As she began to walk toward the door, I felt a surge of desperate emotion. “Grandmother…”
The word escaped before I could stop it, carrying all the longing and confusion I felt. Eleanor paused, her back still to me.
Chapter 169 Absolutely M
For a moment, I thought she might turn around, might offer some word of comfort or gadance. But & brief hesitation, she continued toward the door
“Think carefully, child,” she said without looking back. “Some decisions cannot be undone
The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving me alone with the envelope and the weight of impossible choices.
I stood frozen, staring at the spot where she had disappeared. The apartment felt suffocatingly quiet, the only sound my own ragged breathing.
Time seemed to stop as I processed everything that had happened. The matriarch’s words echoed in my mind, each revelation adding another layer to my understanding of the complex situation.
My mobile phone vibrated against the coffee table, startling me from my trance. Dominic’s name appeared on the caller ID, and the sight of it immediately triggered a flood of tears.
All the emotions I had been holding back came rushing out at once. I sobbed uncontrollably, my pregnant wolf overwhelmed by the impossible situation.
The phone went silent, then immediately began ringing again.1 couldn’t answer–I was crying too hard to speak coherently,
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The second call ended, and I struggled to compose myself. When the third call came through, I finally managed to swipe the screen with shaking fingers.
“Why did you just answer the phone?” Dominic’s voice was sharp with anxiety, completely devoid of his usual gentle Alpha tone. “You scared me to death. I’m already rushing to the garage.”
The panic in his voice made my heart clench. “This is my third call,” he continued, his words tumbling out rapidly. “If you hadn’t answered, I would have-”
“Dominic,” I interrupted, my voice hoarse and muffled from crying.
The single word immediately silenced him, his Alpha instincts clearly recognizing my distress through the phone connection.
“Mate, what’s wrong?” His voice filled with concern, tender and protective. “Did you cry? Are you okay? Are you at home? Wait ten minutes, I’ll be right back.”
Despite my attempts to suppress my tears, hearing Dominic’s caring tone caused them to resurface. The overwhelming sense of grievance threatened to break me completely.
I wanted to tell him about his grandmother’s visit, about her demand that I leave for his own good. But I knew I couldn’t burden him with this knowledge.
“I’m fine,” I managed to say, though my voice clearly betrayed otherwise.
I could hear the sounds of a car engine and honking in the background, confirming that he was indeed rushing home to me.
Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to stop crying and fabricated an excuse. “I just twisted my ankle when I went downstairs, and I was so scared it might hurt the pup.”
The lie came easier than I expected. “I didn’t know what to do, but then you called and scolded me.”
I used this irrational complaint to deflect his concerns, my wolf whimpering at the deception.
Chapter 169 Absolutely N
“Okay, okay, okay, It’s my fault, Dominic said patiently, his Alpha protectiveness evident even through the phone. “Mate, are you okay? Is your ankle badly sprained? Do you need to go to the hospital?
“I don’t want to talk to you,” I replied, still feigning upset.
Dominic chuckled softly, his voice becoming even gentler. “Be good, don’t fuss. It’s my fault. Just tell me what
happened, and when I get back, you can do whatever you want with me, okay?”
His words touched me deeply, leaving me feeling a mix of tenderness and bitterness. How could I tell him
that his own family wanted me gone?
“My foot is fine, it doesn’t hurt anymore,” I said, trying to sound more normal.
Dominic seemed half–skeptical. “Are you sure?”
“Really,” Hinsisted, continuing my fabrication. “When I twisted it just now, I fell straight to the ground. I was
just worried about the pup and lost my composure.”
“I should still come back and check,” he said firmly. “You stay put, don’t move. Wait ten minutes, I’ll be there
soon.”
Exactly ten minutes later, I heard the screech of tires in the courtyard. Dominic’s driving had clearly been
4 reckless in his haste to reach me.
Soon after, he rushed through the door, his powerful Alpha presence immediately filling the space. He looked
disheveled, his usually perfect hair mussed from running.
He quickly reached me, dropping to his knees without regard for his expensive suit. His hands were gentle despite his Alpha strength as he carefully examined my ankle.
“Let me see,” he murmured, his fingers probing carefully for any sign of injury.
After a long moment, he sighed in relief. “Good, it’s not a serious sprain. Nothing major.”
I quickly pulled my foot away from his hand, maintaining the charade. “I told you I was fine, but you didn’t
believe me.”
Dominic smiled, his attitude as doting as ever. “Okay, okay, okay, my mistake. I just worry about you and the
pup.”
I instinctively looked up at him, and our eyes met. His deep, silver–gray eyes radiated profound affection, his
cedar scent wrapping around me protectively.
A poignant feeling swelled within me as I studied his worried face. What had I done to deserve the love of
such a wonderful Alpha?
Especially when his own family was pressuring me to leave for his sake.
