LOGINLEOI stayed at the pharmacy after Freya left. Ashford was beside me as we checked the hospital storage rooms, consultation areas and the dispensary at the back. The more I saw of the sorry state of the place, the more my jaw tightened. “The inventory records are a mess.” I grunted, appalled at the horror playing out before my eyes. My heart squeezed and I was grateful Freya had offered to show Madame Claire around to the main pack hospital. They had left together about thirty minutes ago. At first, I had assumed Freya was just being difficult, but now seeing the state of the place, I was grateful Freya had distracted Madame Claire. Ashford nodded stiffly. His eyes were riveted on the mess around us. “Half the medications are stored at the wrong temperature. Even the machine she exhibited so proudly has never been serviced.”My nostrils flared as I dropped the folder in my hand on the table. How did Freya discover that everything was a mess?She had challenged Caroline confident
FREYAI threw the blanket off and made it into the bathroom seconds before I retched hard, throwing up again. The morning sickness was becoming worse. I needed to stop by the office and get some medicine. I washed my face, unable to stand my pale complexion. Once I was done, I entered my bedroom, my skin prickling when I saw Leo was already there. For a second, I panicked, wondering if he'd heard me throwing up. My heart hammered hard as dread tightened my stomach. Leo turned away from the window where he had been standing. He was dressed in a navy suit that complemented his glinting eyes, making him devilishly handsome. His eyes ran over me lazily, and his throat bobbed as he spoke curtly. “I'll be taking the council representatives to see the pack amenities this morning. I promised Madame Claire you would be there. We’ll leave by nine.”Those words rendered me speechless. I had been almost glad he invited me for the event, until I realized it was all because of Madam Claire. I
FREYA My hands shook as I hurried away from Leo. It felt like my whole world came crashing down, and I couldn't breathe. Tears welled up in my eyes. Leo had never initiated a kiss between us before. To say I was shocked was an understatement. What wasn't so surprising was his reaction after. Pushing me away and blaming me for the spark of the mate bond between us was exactly what I'd expected him to do. I couldn't return to the banquet hall, so I walked instead, cutting across the stone path that led from the banquet hall into the gardens. The night air washed on my sensitive skin, making me shiver the same way I had in Leo’s arms. Leo’s reaction had confused me, and I couldn't understand why he would behave that way. Leo had never been jealous or possessive when it came to me, but he had been jealous during the banquet.I could tell by the way he acted around Derek, glaring at him and clenching his fisted hands. It was even more humiliating that he only kissed me because of Der
LEOA heavy silence settled between us. Freya stared up at my face, her eyes wide. “Leo, I swear to the moon goddess, I didn't do anything.” She was pressed against the balcony railing, chest heaving, her lips swollen from my kiss. I shook my head in disbelief. She was really good at this. Freya was the very picture of distress, her entire body language screaming devastation. But I knew she was just a great actress. The anger was sitting so hot and tight in my chest that I could barely breathe around it. “You swear to the moon goddess while telling such a foolish lie?” I said flatly. Freya panted slightly. “I'm not lying, Leo. Whatever you felt just now was real. That was the mate bond. Aurelia…” “Don't lie to me.” I warned, my voice low and firm. My fingers flexed at my sides. How could I allow myself to be conned by her every single time? I scoffed, chuckling derisively. “That was the same trick you tried three years ago. It didn't work then, and it won't work now, Freya.”
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. “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
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







