My Rise, Her Arrival

Freya’s POV

I didn't expect to see Killian when I opened my eyes. I blinked just to make sure this wasn't a dream.

The last thing I remembered was Rapheal holding me before I passed out.

Where is he?

“Are you awake now?”

That definitely sounded way too deep to be a dream. Narrowing my eyes forward, I realized our hands were locked together and I felt his warmth slip through my veins.

My attempt to scurry off went up in flames when Killian seized my wrist and yanked me forward.

His hazel eyes flashed with that unreadable expression that made my throat dry.

“Why are you avoiding me?” he asked, wrapping his hand tighter. Even though it didn't hurt, it wasn't gentle either.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I hated how my voice faltered midway through the sentence.

Killian didn’t seem like he was buying my excuse as his eyes kept searching for answers.

His next words caught me off guard completely. “What were you doing in the woods? Did you come here to look for someone?”

I froze, balling up my fist.

Did he see me with Rapheal? 

No, If he did then Killain wouldn't be asking.  

“No one,” I said firmly, twisting my lips to the side. “I came out for some air. Can I leave now, Alpha Killian?”

“No.” He retorted as his arm pulled back and he spun me. Once my back hit against his chest, his hand snaked around my waist and his chin teased the line of my neck.

“What are you doing? Let me go.” I thrashed against his hold.

My thighs clenched when his lips brushed against the shell of my ears as he whispered, “I’m tired. Stay here until the sun goes down.”

I panted against his grip as we lowered onto the floor. He pushed closer as the cool breeze from the woods washed over my skin.

“If you’re tired then you should rest here by yourself.”

Silence.

“Alpha Killian!” I wiggled between his grip around my waist but he forced me still.

His mouth found my ear again. “Keep moving if you want to get me hard.”

The last thing I heard was his low scoff before his steady breath. 

I stayed quiet.

If Killian had done this in the past, I would have been over the moon. 

Things had changed, yet my heart still pounded fiercely as his scent filled me with no room to breathe without him.

I’d always craved this peace. The satisfaction of being held, not out of want but need.

 Now it seemed like it, but I knew none of it was real. That small realization drove its claw into my heart.

I shut my eyes, trying to connect with Sea, yet nothing.

 Was it because we couldn’t find our mate? I sighed.

I also hoped to find my fate. He might just be what I need to be truly freed from Killian and this hellhole.

Step. Step. Step.

Turning toward the sound, I saw Beta Hansel approaching. Once he spotted me, he froze and turned his face away.

“Forgive me Alpha. I didn’t know you were occupied.” 

Killian lifted his gaze to Hansel, just once and it was enough to drain the colour from the Beta's face.

“The reason I came here is because Beta Vivian is back after securing a business alliance with the South Territory.”

Killian’s body stiffened against mine, his lips tightened.

He pulled away from me and stood up.

“Hmm,” Killian hummed with a nod.

His eyes seemed to drift into something else.

 He was definitely thinking about Vivian—the woman he loved.

“Let’s go,” Killian said, stretching out his hand toward me.

Disgust made the side of my lips arch. As if treating me like a tool wasn’t enough, he wanted me to accompany him to welcome his mistress.

 Good. Alpha Killian, you are finally acting like the self-centered monster I know.

“I’m tired. You can go by yourself,” I retorted, picking myself off the floor while his hand hung in the air.

Killian’s jaw hardened, but I kept my face straight.

“Walk or I’ll carry you there myself. Choose.”

****

I ended up tailing beside Killian as we moved through the jubilation raging at the entrance of the Pack’s Estate.

 Cheers and chants vibrated through the space.

Killian guided me through the crowd until we saw her—Vivian Lorren.

The one thing I couldn’t understand was why she was here now. Getting the alliance in my past life took a few months after Killian and I got married.

 So why was this different?

“Alpha Killian.” She gasped, her eyes lighting with that same firework I would recognize even if I died all over again.

She strode toward us with the exact same precision as in the past.

 And I knew what would come next.

Instinctively I shifted away from Killian before she butted against me on purpose and blamed it on her headache.

“Ahh,” she wavered, almost crashing before Killian grabbed her jacket with his fingers.

I rolled my eyes yet couldn’t look away as Vivian beamed, though Killian kept his usual stern face.

Letting her go, Vivian chuckled nervously, adjusting her black leather jacket. “Killian, ever since I left the South, I’ve been feeling so tired and my head hurts so much and it makes me dizzy.”

My lips tilted downward as I shook my head. It was the exact same response.

“Beta Vivian, it seems your headache might also be causing temporary blindness.”

The cheers started to fade under the weight of my words.

Vivian tilted her head, her hand still under Killian’s arm. “What do you mean?”

In the past, I tolerated her disrespect because she was one of Killian’s closest friends and everyone in the pack adored her. 

Even my mother-in-law flaunted her to the whole pack, claiming Vivian was the best woman for Killian.

 Looking back, maybe that was why no one ever took me seriously. They all knew I was the other woman. The home wrecker.

I stopped in front of Vivian and leaned in. “You only acknowledged the Alpha. As pack rules, you should do the same to your Luna.”

Killian’s brows furrowed, but he didn’t say anything because he knew I was right.

She turned to Killian, seeking his support.

“Apologize. To your Luna.” Killian’s voice cut through the air. Vivian’s hand slipped from his arm when he stepped away from her side.

Vivian scoffed before giving a slight bow. “Apologies Luna. I didn’t see you there—”

“Then you must be blind.” I snapped, cutting her off before she finished. “If you want to apologize then do it right. With this level of indiscipline, I wonder how you manage the guards under your unit.”

She shot me a feral glance but the smile on my face only brightened.

Even if you will be my replacement Vivian, you’ll have to work for it this time.

I heard Vivian gulp. “I am sorry for not acknowledging you Luna. But I brought something that can make up for it.”

My gaze sharpened. What was this witch up to?

“Alpha Killian, I heard you were looking for the Masked Doctor,” Vivian smugly announced.

…What? Why would Killian know about the masked doctor? 

Killian shifted beside me, his hand resting lightly on my back as if nudging me to pay attention. “How did you know that?”

Vivian lifted her chin. “The moment I heard your order, I traveled day and night. It was difficult at first. I ran into countless frauds pretending to be the doctor. But I exposed them one after another.” She paused. 

“Until yesterday, I confirmed a real doctor who has extensive experience dealing with large-scale epidemics. She is the Masked Doctor you seek.”

The crowd erupted with gasps.

I folded my arms, watching her with quiet shock and actual amusement. “You bring her with you?” 

“Of course,” Vivian replied, chest puffed with so much confidence. “She’s right outside the packhouse, waiting for your highness to grant her an audience.”