A Glacial Silence

FREYA’S POV

The way he moved felt like a wolf going for the kill.

“Killian, you must have misunderstood… I was only—”

Killian snapped,”Not a word from you.”

Why was he pissed off? In the past, he didn’t mind.

His eyes narrowed on me, holding me—nailing me to the spot so hard that breathing became strained.

“Get up. Let’s go.”

I blinked, my hands loosening their grip on my dress.

Did I just hear Killian correctly?

“Did you hear me?” he snapped again.

Before I could respond, he grabbed my hand. His veins stretched over his arms as he yanked me up.

“Killian, what are you doing?”

Killian exhaled, then slowly shifted his gaze from me to Lady Maeve. He was always soft when it came to her. 

She was his greatest weakness, and she didn’t hesitate to use it—twist it as she pleased.

“I want to speak with my wife,” he said stiffly. “Is that also a crime now?”

I stared at our joined hands, my heart racing. I clenched my teeth as his musk scent masked my senses.

Too close for me to breathe.

“Killian, why are you getting mad? Vivian was only telling the truth. This family needs an heir.” Lady Maeve cast a quick glance at me, one that felt as if she were trying to peel me off the earth. “She’s wolfless. How can she carry your seed—”

“That’s our problem to worry about. Not yours.”

I shot my gaze up at Killian.

He was defending me?

This had to be some sort of trick. He just didn’t want a divorce.

I grabbed his wrist, trying to free myself, but he only tugged me closer.

Cupping the back of my neck, he dipped his head so he could reach my ear.

“Don’t test me, Freya.”

His breath was hot against my skin. It didn’t stop the tingling sensation that started building from my stomach.

I pressed my lips together, ready to give him a piece of his own attitude, when Vivian broke the tension with a soft whimper.

“Killian, please, I didn’t mean it.” She rushed closer, grabbing Killian’s arm and giving it a small shake.

Her eyes didn’t hold that menacing glare anymore. They were soft. Warm.

She bit her lip, tightening her grip like she wanted nothing more than for Killian to believe her.

“I didn’t know Luna Freya was going to be upset. You know I tend to say things the wrong way.” Her lips pursed as she batted those long lashes.

Killian’s jaw tightened. His refusal to give her a response, only making Vivian more relentless.

“Alpha Killian, if you don’t forgive me, then I’ll leave. If my brother were still here, then—”

Tears were already threatening to well up in Vivian’s eyes.

“Vivian, dear, don’t cry. Please.” Lady Maeve, who couldn’t bear to see her precious Vivian in pain, hurried to her side.

She pulled Vivian close and lost it. “Killian, you know how much the Lorren family has sacrificed for the Greymarks. Elijah left his only sister in your care, and you treat her like this? She already apologized.”

Elijah was one of Killian’s Betas and also his bestfriend. He died protecting Killian from a rogue attack a few years back.

Vivian’s lips quivered as she shook her head. “Mom, don’t blame Killian. It’s my fault… I—”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Killian said, voice dropped in a low tone.

Once his hand slipped from my wrist, I forced a bitter smile and slowly pulled my hand back.

I brushed my fingers over the spot—his warmth still lingered—even as I watched him wipe a tear from Vivian’s cheek.

Watching them made something tear painfully in my chest.

It should have been easier, because I knew how it was all going to end.

But no one said reliving the same experience would hurt less.

Feelings don’t just disappear into thin air.

I turned to leave when Lady Maeve’s words made me halt, all eyes fixing on me.

“Freya, dear, join us for lunch.”

My brows knitted briefly, then smoothed out as I took a deep breath.

I straightened, even as my fingers trembled at my side.

Meeting Killian’s hazel eyes, he wore that long face I had grown used to.

“Stay. We’ll leave together. We need to talk.”

A ray of hope shone inside my heart.

Maybe he was finally thinking straight and wanted a divorce.

The smile barely moved on my lips as I mumbled, “Okay.”

**

We got to the main dining hall. Vivian glued herself to Killian’s side while Lady Maeve stayed with me.

“They look good together, don’t they?”

I pursed my lips. Lady Maeve disliked me. The only reason she made me sit beside her was because she didn’t want me disturbing them.

Freya—always the outsider.

“Yes,” I said calmly. My shoulder moved carefully as I sliced through my meal with my cutlery.

Lifting the fork to my lips, I caught Lady Maeve’s gaze.

“Alpha Killian and Vivian look good together.”

Taking the bite, I chewed with a smile.

I could already feel everyone’s gaze—sharp and suffocating—yet I forced my spine straight.

“Freya… what are you saying…?”

Vivian chuckled, tucking her hair behind her ears.

Killian’s eyes darkened. The chill clawed into my soul, cold and unforgiving. I drew in a measured breath, swallowing the sting before it could show, and narrowed my gaze at Vivian.

Resting my elbows lightly on the table, I murmured. “Vivian.”

I paused.

“How does it feel to be Luna… seeing as you’ve already assumed the role?”

The silence that followed was glacial.

Even Lady Maeve stiffened, her head tilting beneath the implication.

I leaned back, my jaw working in an unhurried chew, savoring every second of it.