LOGINFREYALeo stared at me for a long moment before turning away. He walked toward the window, dragging a hand over his face as though I had given him a headache.I watched him, wondering what was going through his mind. I had never spoken to him this way before. Even when he hurt me, I usually found a way to soften my words, afraid that being too honest would push him further away from me.Now, I couldn’t bring myself to care.He had spent so long making me feel as though I needed to earn his love that I had almost forgotten it was supposed to be given willingly.“Is he the reason you’re suddenly behaving this way?” Leo asked, turning back to me. “Derek?”I sighed. “Why are we still talking about him?”“Because you seem to have forgotten that you’re married.”“And you seem to have forgotten that our marriage has been over for a long time.”His eyes narrowed. “It isn’t over until I say it is.”I stared at him, struggling to believe what I had just heard. “Excuse me?”“You heard me.”A bit
FREYA I stared at him, waiting for him to explain what he meant. He lowered his gaze to our joined hands, his eyes turning almost sorrowful. “Seeing you with Derek made me realize how much I’ve pushed you away. I can’t blame you for wanting to make me feel what you’ve been feeling.” He leaned forward, gazing at me directly as if he wanted to read my soul. I stared back steadily, still not understanding what he meant. When I didn’t answer, he sighed and continued. “I understand that you wanted me to know what it feels like to be ignored, to watch the person you love give their attention to someone else.” My stomach tightened. Was he genuinely delusional, or was he deliberately twisting what had happened to make himself feel better? I pulled my hand out of his. “If you think I kissed Derek because I wanted to punish you, then you’re delusional.” Leo’s lips tightened, but he remained silent. “I kissed him because I wanted him,” I continued, forcing myself to meet his eyes. “I wa
FREYAWith no hesitation, I accepted the call. “Lizzy?”“Freya, where on earth are you?” Lizzy snapped. I exhaled harshly because she sounded completely normal. Her voice wasn’t trembling and she didn’t sound as though she had been crying. “Lizzy?” “Yes,” she said impatiently. “Where are you?” I couldn’t speak. Derek was staring at me now. Lizzy sighed. “I really hope you didn’t go back to work without telling me because if you did, I swear I’m going to have your head.” I stared at the wrecked car. My heart was pounding so hard I could barely hear anything else. “Lizzy,” I whispered. “Where are you?” She laughed. “At the pack house, obviously.” My mouth fell open. I looked at Derek. Then at Quade. Neither of them understood. “But your car…”“My car?” I looked back at the wreck. “Where did you say you were?” “Freya, what is wrong with you?” Her voice sounded genuinely confused. “I’ve been at home all morning.” I couldn’t breathe. I tightened my grip around the phone. “But
FREYAI got into Derek’s car without saying another word. My hands were shaking so badly that I had to clasp them together in my lap to keep them still. I couldn’t understand how everything had gone so wrong so quickly. One minute, I had been standing in the water with Derek, laughing for the first time in what felt like forever, and the next, Leo had appeared with murder in his eyes and Lizzy was missing. My best friend was missing. She was the one person who had been beside me through almost everything. I couldn’t make sense of it. Derek started the car, and I turned toward the window as we pulled away. My mind kept replaying the last few minutes, jumping from Leo’s fist to Derek’s bloodied mouth, then back to the message on the windshield.Why would anyone leave a message with my name? And why would they take Lizzy? I swallowed hard. Maybe this was connected to me. The thought made my stomach twist. I had barely escaped one disaster, and now it felt like another one was waitin
DEREK Instead of answering his asinine question, she ignored him, and gazed up at me. “Derek?” Can we just go home?” I squeezed her fingers. “Of course.” We turned away. I didn’t look back at Leo. Behind me, I heard the splash of water and then Leo came in front of us. He punched my stomach suddenly, ripping Freya’s fingers away from mine. I barely had enough time to turn before his knuckles connected with my cheek, sending a sharp burst of pain through my jaw. Freya screamed. “Derek!” I stumbled back, tasting blood, but I didn’t give Leo the satisfaction of seeing me fall. I straightened slowly and wiped the corner of my mouth with my thumb. Leo was already coming for me again. I was go angry I could have snapped his wrist. I caught his hand before it reached my face, and flung it away. “That’s enough, Leo!” I snarled at him. His eyes were wild with rage. “You think you’re going to stand here with your hands all over my mate and tell me when it’s enough?” “She isn’
DEREK I ducked before his fist could connect, turning my head just as his knuckles grazed my cheek. Freya gasped behind me, and I immediately stepped between them. “Stay behind me.” “Derek!” Leo didn’t wait for another word. He swung again, and angry, this time, I caught his wrist. The force of his punch pushed me backward. I held my ground and shoved his arm away. “What the hell are you doing here?” His eyes burned into mine. They clashed with mine, his fingers fisted at his sides. “What the hell are you doing with my mate?” The word made something dark twist inside me. I glanced at Freya. She had stepped out of the water, her wet clothes clinging to her body, her face pale with shock. I wanted to go to her. Instead, I kept my attention on Leo. “She isn’t your property.” Leo’s jaw clenched. “You’ve been waiting for this, haven’t you?” He snarled in my face. My eyes were on Freya. My chest rose and fell as she scrambled back to us. “Waiting for what?” L
FREYAMy 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. “
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
FREYA I went to work at the pack hospital. Lizzy was already waiting for me in my office. Though Lizzy was a witch and not a werewolf, she was widely accepted by the seven packs as one of the best doctors. “I saw Leo bring Caroline in. What happened? Are you okay?” she questioned worriedly. I e
FREYAMy stomach dropped to the floor. I bit my lip until I tasted blood, swallowing back my gasp of shock. My chest was squeezed hard from the inside.I waited breathlessly for Leo to push Caroline away, or at least chide her, but he didn't. I backed away from both of them, my fingers twisted. I







