Chapter 172: The Welcome Banquet
Chapter 172: The Welcome Banquet
(Aria’s POV)
Dr. Nathan Lewis gestured toward his newly found sister with obvious pride, his brown eyes shining with happiness. “Dominic, I’d like you to meet my sister, Lily. Lily, this is my dear friend, Alpha Dominic Blackwood.”
But before Lily could respond, Dominic held up his hand, his powerful Alpha presence radiating clear refusal. “Nathan, I thought we discussed this already. That old arrangement between our families was broken long
ago.”
Dr. Lewis looked momentarily confused, then understanding dawned on his face. “Oh, you mean the childhood promise our parents made? Dominic, that was just-”
“A childhood joke,” Dominic interrupted firmly, his silver–gray eyes cold. “Nothing more. I’m mated now, as you
well know.”
His cedar scent wrapped around me protectively, and I felt a surge of gratitude for his clear rejection of whatever family arrangement had existed.
Just then, Lily Lewis approached us with a bright smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She was indeed pretty, with delicate features and auburn hair that caught the light beautifully.
“Alpha Dominic!” she exclaimed with obvious familiarity, her voice pitched higher than necessary. “It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other!”
Before anyone could react, she threw herself onto Dominic’s arm, clinging to him with inappropriate intimacy. Her wolf’s scent carried notes of calculated sweetness that made my own wolf bristle beneath my skin.
Dominic’s reaction was immediate and decisive. He reflexively pushed her away with his Alpha strength, his
face a mask of displeasure.
“Don’t touch me,” he said coldly, his voice carrying unmistakable authority.
Lily stumbled backward from the force of his rejection, her carefully composed expression cracking for just a
moment. Dr. Nathan quickly caught her arm, steadying her before she could fall.
“Lily,” Dr. Lewis said gently but firmly, “Dominic is mated now. The old arrangement was just a childhood joke
between our families. Nothing serious.”
Lily’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but she quickly recovered her composure. “Oh, Alpha Dominic, I’m
so sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep.”
She cast a sideways glance at me, her brown eyes calculating. “I was just so excited to see you again after
all these years.”
Dominic was visibly annoyed, his powerful Alpha presence radiating displeasure. He didn’t respond to her apology, instead moving closer to me in a clear display of protection.
His silence spoke volumes, and the tension in the air was palpable. Other guests had begun to notice the uncomfortable exchange.
Dr. Lewis cleared his throat awkwardly. “Perhaps we should introduce Lily to the other guests,” he suggested,
Chapter 172 The Welcom..
clearly trying to defuse the situation.
“Yes, let’s do that,” Lily agreed quickly, her voice artificially bright. “I’m so eager to meet everyone.
As they moved away, Olivia leaned in close to me, her voice barely above a whisper. “Did you see that calculating look in her eyes? That girl is trouble.”
I nodded, my pregnant wolf instinctively distrusting Lily’s false friendliness. “She seemed very familiar with Dominic. More familiar than a childhood acquaintance should be.”
“Exactly,” Olivia agreed, her own wolf’s scent betraying her suspicion. “And the way she threw herself at him, even knowing he’s mated? That’s not innocent behavior.”
Dominic’s jaw was still tight with annoyance. “I apologize for that scene,” he said quietly. “I should have warned you about the old family arrangement.”
“What exactly was this arrangement?” I asked, my hand instinctively moving to my belly where our pup was growing.
“Our parents had some ridiculous idea about uniting the families through marriage, Dominic explained, his voice dripping with disdain. “I never agreed to it, and I made that clear years ago.”
“But she seemed to think-‘
“She can think whatever she wants,” Dominic interrupted, his Alpha authority evident. “I’ve made my choice, and it’s you.”
Before I could respond, Mrs. Lewis approached us with a warm smile. Her silver hair was elegantly styled, and she wore a beautiful pearl necklace that complemented her formal dress.
“Aria, dear,” she said, taking my hands in hers. “I wanted to apologize for my behavior during my episodes at the hospital. I was so confused, calling you my daughter.”
Her touch was gentle, maternal, and I felt genuinely moved by her kindness. “You don’t need to apologize, Mrs. Lewis. I understood you were going through a difficult time.”
“You’re so sweet,” she said, her eyes twinkling with genuine affection. “Please, call me Aunt Caroline. I’d like
that very much.”
“I’d be honored, Aunt Caroline,” I replied, touched by her maternal acceptance.
Just then, Lily appeared at Mrs. Lewis’s side, her expression carefully neutral. “Mother, I was wondering about
something,” she said, her voice honey–sweet.
Mrs. Lewis turned to her with obvious love. “What is it, darling?”
“Is Alpha Dominic the one I was supposed to be arranged with according to the old family agreement?” Lily asked, her eyes flicking between Mrs. Lewis and Dominic.
Mrs. Lewis’s expression grew serious, clearly aware of my mate bond with Dominic. “Lily, childhood promise between familjes. Nothing formal or binding.”
was just a
She gestured toward me with obvious warmth. “Besides, Dominic is mated now to this wonderful young
woman. They’re very happy together.”
Lily’s face fell slightly, her wolf’s scent betraying her disappointment despite her attempts to hide it. She pouted prettily, like a child denied a favorite toy.
Chapter 172: The Welcom
“I see,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of petulance. “Well, I suppose these things happen.”
But then her expression shifted, becoming more calculating. “Though such arrangements aren’t really about
‘the earlier, the better,‘ are they?”
Mrs. Lewis’s face immediately clouded with concern. “Lily, you shouldn’t say such things to others, especially at a public gathering like this.”
“Oh, Mother, I know that,” Lily said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I’m not going to steal someone’s mate. That would be terribly inappropriate.”
She turned to me with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Besides, Aria and I are going to be such good
friends, aren’t we?”
Her invitation felt like a trap, her false friendliness making my skin crawl. “I’m sure we’ll get along just fine,” I replied diplomatically, though my pregnant wolf remained wary.
“You simply must visit the Lewis family home more often,” Lily continued, her voice artificially enthusiastic.
“We have so much to catch up on, don’t we?”
I didn’t respond, instead focusing on the other guests who were beginning to gather around us. My wolf’s
instincts were screaming warnings about this she–wolf’s true intentions.
Mrs. Lewis seemed to sense the tension and quickly intervened. “Come, Lily. Let me introduce you to
everyone properly. You are, after all, the guest of honor tonight.”
She began leading Lily around the room, introducing her to the various pack members and werewolf
community leaders who had gathered for the celebration.
“This is my daughter, Lily,” Mrs. Lewis announced proudly to each group. “The miracle child who was returned to us after all these years.”
Lily basked in the attention, her demeanor shifting to one of practiced charm as she engaged with each introduction. She played the role of the grateful, long–lost daughter perfectly.
But I noticed how her eyes kept drifting back to Dominic, her gaze lingering on him with obvious longing. Her
wolf’s scent carried undertones of determination mixed with frustration.
“Look at her working the room,” Olivia observed quietly. “She’s definitely not as innocent as she appears.”
I nodded, watching Lily’s performance with growing unease. There was something calculated about her every
move, every smile, every gesture.
As the evening progressed, more guests arrived, and the celebration grew livelier. The Lewis family had spared no expense, with elegant decorations, fine food, and expensive wine flowing freely.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling that Lily’s presence had introduced a new element of tension into what should
have been a joyful reunion.
Olivia suddenly leaned in close to me again, her voice barely audible above the party chatter. “Aria, I’ve been
watching Lily all evening, and I have to point out something strange.”
“What is it?” I asked, my wolf’s attention immediately sharpening.
“Look at her carefully,” Olivia whispered, her eyes fixed on Lily across the room. “Don’t you think she looks remarkably alike to you?”
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< Chapter 172 The Welcom
My heart skipped a beat, and my wolf stirred uneasily within me. I studied Lily more carefully, taking in her delicate features, her hair color, even the way she carried herself.
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