Chapter 5

FREYA

My skin tingled all over as my body flattened against Leo’s. A small, sad smile crossed my lips. “What on earth are you doing, Leo?”

I was surprised that he made any effort to dance with me. After seeing Caroline dressed so beautifully downstairs, I had assumed she would be his partner.

“What does it seem like, Sunshine? I am dancing with my wife.” He shrugged carelessly, his dark eyes fixed on mine.

My teeth pressed down on my lip. Being held so intimately in his arms, it was almost the same as the first day we danced together.

I was only eighteen then, and we had just discovered we were to be mates. The memory of how happy I had been back then saddened my heart now.

The memories were so strong that tears burned my eyes but I blinked rapidly, continuing to dance as though nothing was wrong.

Leo's fingers came to rest against my waist as we danced, and suddenly, he bent and dipped me, my hair trailing behind my back.

I lifted my leg, closing my eyes as my heart hammered harder. When he brought me back to my feet, I blinked my eyes open. I was confused at first. Then a dangerous hope filled my chest, but I immediately distrusted it.

I had been rejected so many times that his attention felt like a trap. The entire room was staring, I realized, including Derek, the Lycan Alpha.

Leo’s gaze burned down at me darkly as the song ended. I immediately curtsied and tried to step away from him.

His hands cinched around my waist, refusing to let me go. I tried again, wondering if he hadn't realized the song had ended.

“Leo? The song is over, you can let me go.” I muttered just under my breath.

I didn't want to bring any bad attention to us, especially since most of the council representatives were still watching.

But having his arms around me was strange. I couldn't remember that last time Leo had refused to let me go. I was always the one trying to stick close to him and being turned away, never Leo.

“And what if I don't want to?” He questioned, his brow raised.

Chest squeezing hard, I blinked, and removed myself from his arms. “I am going to rest. You don't need to keep pretending anymore, Leo.”

I tried to step away, but Leo’s fingers shut out, clamping around my arm. Heat shot through me like a struck match.

He tugged me back against his chest. Heat flooded my belly instantly. I hated myself for it. Three years and my body still hadn't learned a thing.

He turned and walked towards the door, nodding at Beta Tarta who was making no effort to pretend he wasn't staring at us.

I swallowed as Leo stepped out of the door and led us to a hidden balcony just off the main ballroom.

Once it was just us, I ripped my arm from his, my heart slamming against my ribcage. “What has come over you, Leo? I told you, I was weak. I need to leave.”

I was confused by his actions, but even more angry at myself for enjoying his seeming possessiveness.

Was it because I had danced with Alpha Derek? I felt humiliated suddenly.

The idea that Leo only wanted me when someone else showed interest was degrading. And yet my heart was still pounding.

Leo’s jaw pulled taut. His eyes seemed to rake over my face, darting quickly to my lips and away. “Why are you eager to walk away from me tonight? That is unlike you.”

It was a little unnerving being trapped against him this way. I bit my lip nervously, trying and failing to put some space between us. “You're surprised when I gave you what you wanted?” I countered.

“What I wanted was a proper wife, Freya.” Leo answered curtly.

I nodded, my stomach hallowing out with the humiliation of his words. I wasn't a proper wife? I had his pup in my belly and he didn't even consider me a proper wife?

Without a word, I turned to walk away. He jerked me around, and slammed his lips on mine, trapping me firmly against him.

My eyes widened with shock, then, need rushed through me so hard I gasped. My lips parted and Leo’s tongue stroked mine.

My mind emptied completely. For one second there was nothing but the press of his mouth against mine.

Then my wolf, Aurelia, went wild inside me. She slammed awake so hard my knees buckled.

The mate bond sparked through my entire body, a deep burning pull that started in my chest and flooded everything, stealing the air from my lungs.

Aurelia threw herself against the bond with everything she had, howling, and straining.

Her pain and desperation pulsed through me like a second heartbeat. Mate! Mate!! Mate!!!

I gasped against Leo’s lips as Leo shoved me away suddenly. His chest heaved with shock. “What the hell did you just do to me?” He snarled.

My hand pressed against the railing behind me. "I didn't do anything, Leo. You're the one who kissed me."

Leo’s eyes narrowed. “Why did I think you had changed? You keep trying such clumsy tricks after three years?”

Puzzled by his angry reaction, I felt my stomach sink with dread.

Wearing a sad expression, I hung my head. “What? I didn't do anything.”

“Do you think you can deceive me like this?! You think that if you keep doing this, it will make me believe you’re my mate?”

A shiver of fear raced down my back. Leo was so angry his eyes were rimmed with red veins. A shadow of sadness clouded my eyes. I hadn't deceived him, but Leo would never believe me.

“Leo…”

He glared at me, interrupting harshly. “You were never my mate, Freya. No matter what tricks you play, you will never be my mate. You have to remember that.”