Secrets

Chapter 3

Freya’s Pov

Leo’s expression didn’t change when I repeated I was filing for divorce. Only his eyes darkened.

“You think you can walk away from me?” His voice was low, almost deadly. My stomach twisted as the words sank in. 

“After what you did to Caroline today… you still think you can stand here and talk about divorce?” 

I squared my shoulders and forced myself to meet his gaze. “Call it whatever you want,” I said, my voice was steadier than I felt. 

“I’m still leaving.” My pulse thundered in my ears, and for a heartbeat I imagined what he might do next, but I didn’t flinch.

I lifted my chin to meet his face. “Our contract ends in thirty days,” I said. “You don’t get to change that.” 

His eyes flickered, just for a moment then he looked away. “You really think a contract controls me?”

“Your pack survives because I allow it to. I gave them everything.” He paused for a while, not taking his eyes off me. Then continued.

"Isn't that what you wanted in the marriage after all? You can’t just walk away, Freya. You had that chance three years ago.” For a second, I  forgot how to breathe— then forced myself to speak. 

“So, what do you want from me?” He leaned back, calculating. 

“The council members are arriving soon, they'd be evaluating candidates for the next Alpha leader,” he continued. “Until the election is over, you will stay by my side as the perfect Luna.” 

I blinked. So this wasn't because he didn't want to lose me, but because I was useful for an election.

“One call,” he said. “And your pack loses its funding by morning.”

“And by the end of the week, they’ll be begging other Alphas to take them in.”

“I’m giving you ten minutes to make your choice. ” he said and stepped back, watching me like I was already making the wrong choice. 

I swallowed, thinking of my father who has been missing for months and the pack the Beta helped him manage. Everything depended on me keeping the balance. My hands tightened on my phone.

“Beta Henry?” I called. My voice trembled, but I forced it even.

“Freya,” his strained voice called out to me. 

“What happens if I divorce Leo now?” I asked, carefully, but his tone startled me. 

“Freya, don’t. You’ll destroy us.” he said sharply. “The pack owes him a fortune. We cannot risk it. Not with the crisis.”

A bitter and resigned feeling settled in my chest. “Understood.”

It had been three months since my father disappeared near the border. His body wasn't found and there were no witnesses present, but yet everyone had already declared him dead and moved on. 

The Alphas didn't care and no pack offered to help.

With the council elections approaching and Leo leading, they were all busy fighting for power, so searching for a missing Alpha from a small pack was not worth their time

Leo walked towards me once the call dropped.

“The election is my priority Luna. You will follow my instructions. No excuses. Public appearances matter. Play your part and your family is fine.” 

I stared at the man I had spent three years of my life trying to love and please. 

Leo was an Alpha who never compromised for anyone. I took a slow breath.

“After the election, will you let me go?” His eyes met mine.

“Yes, if I have no need of you. You don't think I have feelings for you, do you?” he said with an almost bored tone.

My hand drifted instinctively to my belly, trembling slightly, and I forced myself to speak. The words caught in my throat, but I whispered anyway. 

“What if… I got pregnant? After the divorce… who would the child belong to?” The room seemed to shrink around us, and I could feel his gaze slicing through me. 

“Have you forgotten?” His voice was low and hard. 

“The contract says we can’t have children. And I hope you’re joking.”

I swallowed, a hollow chill spreading through my chest.

“It’s just a harmless question. ” My fingers tighten around the edge of the table.

Leo’s jaw tightened and he took slow steps toward me, but his voice didn’t rise…it was flat. 

“If something like this exists, then the child belongs to no one but me.” he said, like he was pronouncing law. 

“Because the mother of the child who broke my agreement would be dead.” A cold shiver ran through my spine at his word.

I opened my mouth to speak when his phone rang. It was Caroline, calling from the hospital. Without another word, he turned and left. 

My trembling fingers hovered over my stomach. I swallowed hard and whispered, barely audible.

“We’ll survive. Just the two of us.” I took a deep breath and made my choice. I would hide this news from everyone. 

For now, the child growing inside me was a secret I would carry forever..