Chapter 4

LEO

“When exactly are the council representatives arriving?”

My Beta, Ashford stood at attention. “Within the half hour, Alpha. Everything is prepared in the banquet hall.”

I nodded, pretending not to notice that Freya had still not come downstairs.

The council's visit was the most critical event Blackclaw was hosting this year. I had no room for mistakes. An Alpha King was chosen once in a generation.

Ashford handed me a file. “Here's the latest on Derek.”

“I already know he's secured three neutral groups since last week, Ashford. Is there anything new?” I gritted out.

Ashford nodded. “His momentum is growing. We need to do something.”

Derek of Lunar pack was a daring man. But nothing angered me more than the invitation to bring himself along to dinner with The Council.

Who the hell invited himself to dinner at another Alpha’s pack? If I didn't know better, I would assume it was about the election, but I knew damned well, it was about Freya.

“Keep an eye on him. Am I clear?” I said.

"Perfectly clear, Alpha."

"Freya isn't down yet?"

Ashford cleared his throat. “The servants mentioned the Luna was ill again, Alpha.”

Again? This was the third morning in a row that she was sick. I hadn't been to her room since the night I'd gone to speak to her.

She had piqued my interest by asking for a divorce. I had expected she would plead to extend our marriage.

"Have the kitchen prepare a light soup for her.” I said finally.

Ashford chuckled. “Would you like to take the soup to her?”

“I understand you're the closest thing I have to a friend, Ashford, but I will fire you if you question my orders again.”

Ashford bowed mockingly. "Of course, Alpha, maybe next time, you'll mean that threat too.”

He turned away, whistling to himself. I watched him, gritting my jaw. An hour later, Ashford’s mind linked me to inform me of the representative's arrival.

I left my office, heading to the banquet hall.

Caroline had already arrived early, which surprised me. Caroline was my friend, and her life had been rough. She had begged me to allow her to attend the council banquet.

She was dressed in a deep red, jewelled dress that was more suited to a coronation than a diplomatic reception.

Her voice was raised and whiny. "What is the matter with you? I told the kitchen explicitly that Leo will not be having sweets anymore. Does no one listen in this pack?”

As I crossed the room, Caroline was stalking away, and knocked into Alis who was carrying a pitcher of water.

The water spilled out on Caroline's dress. Caroline cried out as she looked up and met my eyes.

“Leo! I tried to come down early to support you and now my dress is ruined.” She whimpered, falling into my arms.

I kept my face composed and sent Astrid a direct message through our pack link. I soothed her, seeing how distraught she was. “Go upstairs and change. Astrid will bring you when you're done.”

Within two minutes, Astrid came down the stairs. “Take Caroline up to her room and get one of the staff to help her change.”

Caroline swallowed hard, as I cleaned her tears. She was easily rattled and fragile.

I felt guilt for never checking on her while she was married to Liam. I'd had no idea how terrible her marriage truly was.

Someone cleared their throat behind us. I turned and saw Freya coming down the stairs.

Her face was still pale. The dress she had selected was a deep slate grey that was modest and elegant. She looked stunning.

She always looked beautiful, even now when I could barely stand to be in the same room with her.

I was still angry at her filing for divorce. I didn't have much affection for my wife after she betrayed me by lying to my face.

But I was the one who would decide when our marriage was over. She had insulted me by asking for divorce so carelessly.

“How are you feeling now? Did you have the soup I sent?” I asked, walking with her into the banquet hall.

She rolled her eyes. “What do you care? You don't have to pretend when it's just us, Leo.”

My fingers tightened around her waist. Why did she sound so stern?

She was the one who lied to me about the mate bond after all. I wouldn't be here if she didn't make me announce…

“Alpha Leo! There you are.” The representatives turned to us.

I put a smile on my face and shook Beta Tarta’s hand. “We're glad to host you, beta Tarta.”

Tarta turned his eyes on Freya. “And who is this beautiful woman? Your Luna I assume?”

"My wife," I said. "Freya. Luna of Blackclaw."

She smiled at Tarta and extended her hand. "Welcome to Blackclaw. We are honored to receive you."

I recognized the moonlight medal on the chest of the woman beside Tarta. Madame Claire Fontaine, was the eldest of the council representatives and the most influential.

She barely spoke English, instead, she preferred her native French. She reached us, and spoke in fluent French. "Vous êtes magnifique ce soir, ma chère."

Freya laughed, her eyes going round with pleasure. "Merci. C'est un honneur de vous recevoir ici.”

My shoulders stiffened as I gazed from Freya to Madame Claire. We had been married for three years, and I had never known my wife spoke French.

What else did I not know about my own wife? I kept her close as we moved through the room.

She must have read the briefing documents somehow, though I never shared them with her, because she had good questions to ask.

She sat beside Madame Claire and they didn't stop chattering with each other throughout dinner.

After dinner, when the dance floor was open, I turned to her. She was even paler than before.

Her skin was cool under my finger. “You should go rest on the sofa. You look sick, Freya.”

Her lips tightened. “If you don't want to dance with me Leo, just say so. There's no need to pretend it's because you care about my health.” She gritted out.

Freya pulled away from me before I could answer, and walked over to her best friend, Lizzy. Lizzy took Freya’s fingers and led her to a sofa, glaring at me the entire time.

“If I didn't know better, I'd say your Luna hates your guts, Alpha Leo.”

I turned calmly, glaring at Derek. The man was dressed head to toe in black as if he had come for a funeral. The meaning wasn't lost to me.

My lips curled dismissively. “You'd like that, wouldn't you, Derek? Sadly, she won't come to you even if she leaves me.”

I stalked away from him. Derek resented me, and God help me, I resented the man just as much.

His father's death had changed him. The same clash that had swallowed Freya's father had taken Derek's.

He had shut himself inside the Lunar pack and built it into the largest territory in the seven packs through sheer force of will.

He was the only Alpha in the seven packs who could genuinely threaten my claim.

I watched him turn to Madame Claire and say something to her. Of course, the bastard spoke French.

His eyes moved across the room, and found Freya sitting on the sofa. His eyes locked on mine as he approached her. My nostril flared as I moved, but Derek reached her first.

“Derek?” Freya said.

I saw Derek’s breath hitch. He bent slightly at the waist, extending his hand. "Luna Freya, would I be fortunate enough to ask you for a dance?"

"She isn't feeling well this evening," I said, stepping up beside him.

Derek turned to look at me. "Only one dance, Leo. I'll return her in perfect condition." He returned his eyes to Freya. "You've been sitting here long enough, Freya. Come and dance with me. You're the most beautiful woman in this room and you're wasting it on this sofa."

I watched as Freya took his hand. I felt the very reasonable urge to rip her hand from his. Bile rose in the back of my throat.

Derek's hand settled at Freya's waist and drew her in. She didn't step away. Instead, her neck tilted as she laughed at something he said.

Once the next dance began, I stepped between them, bringing Freya firmly against my side.

I held Derek's eyes over her head. "I believe this one is mine.”

Derek stepped back, and the smile he gave me was the most irritating thing I had seen all evening.

"Of course, Leo, take good care of her."

“Alpha Leo to you, Derek.” I snarled at him.

As the dance started, Freya tilted her head. “That was quite unnecessary, Leo. I didn't think you had a jealous streak. I thought you reserved those for Caroline.”

Her throat lifted as she swallowed, and I fought off the urge to sweep my tongue along her neck.

Her eyes seemed to read the thought in my head. I watched as color came rushing back to her cheeks, burning bright pink.

“Is that so?” I jerked her into me.