Chapter 4

FREYA'S POV

Five Years Later

"Welcome back, Princess Freya." The voice of the servants echoed inside my head, and I straightened my shoulders.

The servants all lined up with their heads tilted toward the floor.

I stopped in my tracks, letting myself drown in my new reality.

How long has it been? Five years since I left the East End pack and moved into my new identity… Princess Freya Herondale of the Celestial Wolf Clan.

Taking off my dark sunglasses, I let out a sigh, adjusting my black tailored suit that clung to my figure before I tossed the glasses to one of my betas who stood beside me.

"It's good to be back," I whispered under my breath with a sly smirk.

My beta gestured toward the entrance, and I gave a curt nod, marching toward the door. My heels clicked against the floor, oozing power and authority.

Our family had been living in Hyperion Heights for centuries, which was the home of all supernaturals—wolves, witches, and even vampires.

"Mommy, you're back!" my son Asher cheered the moment I stepped inside the mansion.

He hugged me, and I twirled him in the air before I let him settle on my chest. His little hands wrapped around my neck.

"I missed you so much, Mommy." He gave a pout, and I hugged him even tighter.

"I'm so sorry, pumpkin. Mommy has just been busy with work and training, but I'm back." I let my nose tickle against his, and he giggled happily.

"I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

Asher gave me the warmest smile, and he leaned against the crook of my neck.

"My lady," Jenny mumbled as she did a curtsey. I rolled my eyes.

"Jen, I believe we are already way past formalities. You know I owe you my life—and Asher’s too." Her eyes softened, and she gave a curt nod.

Five years ago, when I went into premature labor, Jenny was the one who saved my son with her powers.

That’s right—she was a witch my father had sent to protect me…

"Speaking of, where is my father?" I asked, letting my gaze wander across the room.

I heard the crackling of his cane against the tiled floor, and I turned toward the direction.

My father strolled in with a grim expression. His eyes narrowed over to me, holding my gaze before he stopped right in front of me.

"Welcome back home, my darling," he said before he gave a soft smile and pressed a gentle peck against my cheek.

It warmed my heart, seeing just how far we’d grown closer over the years, although he barely spoke about the past—or even my mother. I’d figured it was too heartbreaking.

According to the rumors, he and my mother were together for a while before his parents forced him to marry some lady from a powerful family. My mom fled from the clan and died during labor.

No doubt, he was still blaming himself.

"Grandpa, look! Mom’s home and she told me she’s not going to be training anymore!"

My father spun, arching his brow toward me. "Did she now?"

I chuckled, waving my hands dismissively. "That wasn’t what I said, Ash."

My hand ran through my hair, and then he smiled, noticing the moonlight strands at the tip of my hair.

Every royal from the Celestial Wolf Clan had their signature look—the color of their hair kissed with moonlight when their wolf had been activated.

"I can see your training has begun to pay off. You’ve finally activated your wolf," my father remarked with a hint of pride in his eyes. "Your mentor praises you for your tremendous strength and powers. No doubt you’ll make a wonderful queen."

"Thank you, Father," I grinned with a smile.

Then his eyes began to wander, and I noticed that something was off. "Is something going on?"

My father snapped back into reality as he cleared his throat and turned toward Jenny.

"Please take Asher upstairs. I have something really important to discuss with the princess..."

In less than a minute, the sitting room was empty, leaving just the two of us, and the room stretched with our silence.

"What’s this about? Are you having trouble with the elders accepting me as your successor?" I asked, reaching toward my father with my hand on his arm.

He sighed, placing his hand against mine. "It’s much more complicated than that, but you are the only one who can solve this problem."

I hated seeing him like this—worried and confused. It made my heart ache, realizing just how much I’d grown to love this man.

"Whatever you need, I will do it," I said, with determination thick in my voice. "It is my duty as princess to share your burden. Let me help you, Dad."

He sighed, averting his eyes from mine. "The elders want you to honor your betrothal with your grandma’s best friend’s son."

My eyes narrowed with confusion as the air went still. "What?"

I scoffed, letting my lips purse. "What betrothal?"

My father rolled his eyes. "Your grandma and her best friend, Lorien, made an oath to have their first grandchildren married—to ensure the thrive of our clan."

If I wasn’t mistaken, the elders were just trying to push me into a corner because they didn’t accept me—because I wasn’t born of the current Luna, my stepmother.

It wasn’t my fault she couldn’t have children. It was time to show them that I wasn’t going to back down from a fight.

I came back for revenge. East End was to the east of Hyperion Heights, and I’d been dreaming of the day I’d finally get it.

I needed power and influence to crush my enemies, so if it meant I had to marry a stranger—then fine.

Brayden Throne, Lilith, I’m coming for you.

"You don’t have to do it…"

"I’ll marry him," I said with a straight face.

My father eyed me with suspicion. "Are you sure? This is a really serious case. After what happened to your last marriage… Are you still sure you can handle it?"

My heart thudded and my throat felt dry, memories threatening to resurface—but I clenched my fists.

"That was five years ago, and I was just nineteen. Besides, my son Asher needs a father—a powerful one—and I need to be queen. It’s not a bad deal."

I could feel my heart drumming as the words danced freely over my lips.

My father was worried, but he placed his hand on my shoulders. "You are so brave—just like your mother. I’m so lucky to have you."

"It’s nothing. Besides, you gave me a new life. This is the least I can do to protect our family and the Herondale legacy."

My father tucked his hand inside his pocket, then nudged toward the stairs.

"Your fiancé is upstairs. He’s been waiting for you since morning. I don’t know what he wants to discuss, but you should go see him."

I frowned. Was this man so impatient that he couldn’t wait a while before dragging me into being his mate?

I let out a grunt as my wolf growled.

"Easy, Wolfie, before you rip the poor guy apart," my father teased with a wink.

I fought back a smile as I made my way upstairs. I could feel the bile rising in my throat. I was curious to see this fiancé of mine.

I hoped he was kind. At the very least, not cruel. I couldn't survive another Brayden.

My hands fastened around the door handle, and then I froze. My senses went dull as a scent caught in my nose.

Musky and sweet with an edge of cinnamon. Why did it feel so familiar? I tilted my head.

"Get this over with, Freya," I mumbled before I sighed, pushing the door wide open.

The scent hit my nostrils even more, and my wolf sneered her head, howling with excitement.

She had never acted this way. My heart started pounding, and my hands trembled watching the tall man with his back to me.

Who was he, and why was I feeling this way now that we were so close?

"Finally, you’re here," he let out a hiss, hands inside his pocket as he fixed his gaze at the window. "I almost thought that you were going to spend an eternity on the plane."

My eyes widened, ears perked up at the sound of his voice.

No. That voice.

It couldn’t be right.

Whoever this man was, I had a feeling I was going to find out.

My jaw tightened, extending a hand. "I’m Freya—your future wife. Nice to meet you."

His back straightened as he spun around. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

My pulse quickened even more.

What the hell was he doing here?

"I’m Alpha Brayden Throne," he said bluntly, taking my hand into his, and I flinched, snapping my gaze from his face to our joined hands. "I’m your future husband."