Denial

Chapter 5

Freya's Pov 

Leo's hands closed around my waist before I even realised he had moved. 

“Dance,” he said quietly. 

Leo hadn't danced with me in years. I looked at him and there was something in his eyes I had not seen for a long while.

Warmth. 

It was awkward, but the memory of our first dance together came back instantly. 

The orchestra shifted into a slow waltz. Around us, council members stopped talking. Their eyes followed our moves and to them, we probably looked like the perfect Alpha couple.

I forced a small smile. Leo spun me lightly and the skirt of my dress flared as I turned.

When I faced him again, our bodies were closer than before and suddenly I remembered our first dance and how he held me like the world was ours. 

I swallowed, forcing the tears back. I didn't want him to see them, not when every eye in the room was on us. 

“Careful,” he murmured quietly, his hand tightened slightly at my waist.“You’ll miss the step.” 

I corrected my movement instantly.

Of course.

The Alpha couldn’t have his Luna embarrassing him in front of the council.

The music slowed and Leo spun me once more, pulling my back against him. Then it stopped. Applause rippled around us.

“That was a beautiful show, Alpha Leo and Luna Freya.” I smiled and quickly stepped out of his arms a little disgusted.

“I need to rest.” I whispered. "You don’t have to pretend anymore.” I turned toward the edge of the hall. But before I could get to the stairs, his hand closed around my wrist and pulled me back.

“What are you…" My words died as he guided me toward the side corridor beside the ballroom. It was less crowded and dimly lit.

And suddenly he pinned me to the wall and stepped closer, blocking my path.

“Leo!” I snapped. “I said I want to leave.” But he didn’t move.

Instead his gaze moved slowly over my face.

“You’re different tonight.” His voice was quieter than usual.

I frowned.

“What do you mean? This wasn't part of our deal.” I muttered. Instead, he stepped closer, our bodies touched and I could feel his heat and his scent. 

I struggled to break free but he grabbed my wrist and pinned it above my head while he stared right into my face.

“Not now Freya." His voice was slow and his breath filled my neck. I gulped hard, trying not to bring attention to us. His eyes went to my lips making me look away, but he grabbed my hair with tenderness back to face him. 

"Look at me Luna. I won't let you go.” There was a hint of desperation and I gulped hard and raised my eyes to him.

My wolf stirred restlessly, something felt wrong.

"Please let me go, I …" My pulse quickened and I pushed lightly against his chest, but he interrupted me. 

"What are you playing at?” he asked this time, studying my face. 

“Nothing, I just need to go.” I begged, but he still stood his ground and his hand tightened in my hair.

“Freya…” I opened my mouth to protest, and he kissed me.

Alpha Leo was kissing me. His lips were warm and a sharp gasp escaped me before I could stop it.

Since my wolf woke up, she had never stirred the way she did violently now. I felt lightning in my veins as the surge of the mate bond filled me.  

The bond made me shiver. I had never felt it after the wedding, it just disappeared with my wolf. Heat rushed through me and my nerves were suddenly aware of Leo. 

The kiss deepened and my fingers instinctively clutched his suit. 

But Leo suddenly jerked away like he had been burned. His eyes were wide.

“What did you do?” I blinked at him confused as he ran a hand through his hair violently like he was trying to shake something off.

He shoved me away, but my back hit the wall. 

“More of your pathetic tricks!” He barked furiously. 

“I didn’t do anything!” But he laughed harshly.

“You expect me to believe that?” I straightened and just stared at him now. 

“So that bond just magically appeared the second I kissed you?” My heart skipped, he felt it too.

But his jaw clenched as if the thought disgusted him, he was seething now. “You think I don’t know manipulation when I see it?”

“I never asked you to kiss me.” I defended but he wasn't having any of it. 

“And somehow the kiss activates a bond that never existed before?” His voice dropped dangerously.

“You expect me to believe that? I just heaved.

“I don’t care what you believe, sign the divorce papers and I'll leave.” But Leo leaned closer, eyes burning.

“You always did love attention.” Now my temper snapped and I yanked my arm free.

“You arrogant…” But he interrupted me. 

“You think some cheap trick will make me believe you're my…”

He stopped and looked almost… afraid.

Then his expression hardened and he whispered.

“You were never my mate.”