Chapter 6

Chapter VI

Freya

My eyes fluttered open to the feeling of cool silk against my skin. For a few seconds, everything was blurry. A thick fluffy blanket pressed down on me, and above my head hung an ornate chandelier with crystal spikes that looked like iron claws ready to strike.

Where am I?

I blinked again and then, the answer slammed into me like ice water. The Alpha King’s palace. This room looked exactly like the one that had haunted my dreams for five long years. My eyes moved round in search.

Theo.

Fear shot through me. I bolted upright, heart hammering against my ribs, and rushed to the massive wooden door. I pushed hard. It didn’t budge. Panic rising, I slammed my fists against it repeatedly.

“Let me out!” I shouted, voice cracking. “Let me out right now! I need to see my son!”

The door finally swung open. Two towering guards stood there, faces like stone, swords strapped to their sides. My wolf surged forward violently, claws pressing under my skin, desperate to fight her way to Theo. I forced her back down. I couldn’t risk endangering my son. “Where—“

“Follow me,” one of them ordered gruffly.

I had no choice. I trailed behind him through the magnificent hallways of the palace. Crystal chandeliers cast golden light across intricate tapestries depicting ancient battles and silver banners of the Blackmoon Kingdom. The floors were so clean they reflected my worried face back at me.

We didn’t walk far. The guard stopped before an open doorway. My heart leaped when I saw them inside.

“Theo! Scarlet!”

I rushed forward, but a powerful, intoxicating scent hit me like a wall. It smelt like dark pine, cedar smoke, and raw, commanding dominance. My wolf whimpered, then howled inside my chest, clawing desperately to get closer.

Mate.

Seated across from Theo and Scarlet was him.

Unmistakably thé Alpha King, Damon Voss.

It couldn’t be. Our eyes locked. His soft gaze was now cold as ice, filled with pure disdain. He looked even more imposing than the scattered memories I carried, broad shoulders, sharp jawline, and an aura of absolute authority that made everywhere feel suffocating.

“Mom!” Theo cried happily dragging me back to reality, but his voice cracked. His small body started shaking violently.

“Theo!” I dropped to my knees beside him and pulled him into my arms. His bright blue eyes suddenly flared gold. A symbol blazed across his chest, pulsing with unstable power. Patches of golden fur began rippling along his arms.

“Shh, baby, I’m here,” I whispered, rocking him desperately. “Mom’s got you.” But the shaking only grew worse, his little body burning hot against mine.

Damon rose. His powerful alpha aura filled the entire room as he stepped closer. My heart beat went so fast for no absolute reason. “It’s okay, little one,” he commanded with a low tone.

The moment the words left his mouth, Theo’s tremors stopped. The golden glow faded from his eyes. My son looked between us in confusion and fear, then buried his face in my neck, hiding from the man who had calmed him so easily.

“He is my son,” Damon growled, his voice rough with possession. “Come here, boy.”

Theo only clung tighter to me. I glared up at Damon with every ounce of hatred I had. How dare he? Theo peeked at Damon for a second before hiding again.

Damon stared at my son for a long moment, something emotional moved behind his eyes. “Why was my son hidden from me?” he demanded, his eyes burning with accusation and rage.

I wanted to scream the truth. How he had left me pregnant and alone after that passionate night at the masquerade, how I woke up in an empty bed with nothing but fading memories, but Scarlet squeezed my shoulder tightly in warning.

Damon’s jaw clenched so hard I thought it might crack. “Guards. Take them to their quarters. We will speak later, Freya.” He spat my name like it disgusted him.

I scooped Theo into my arms and followed the guards without another word, Scarlet close behind. I could feel Damon’s furious stare burning into my back the entire way down the hall but I cared less about that.

My wolf continued to whine and pull toward him, but I shoved her down viciously. I refused to let the mate bond cloud my judgment… not after everything.

“Mom, this isn’t home,” Theo whispered.

I squeezed his hand softly, “I know, my child.”

Two maids hurried over. “We’ll take over from here.” The blonde one said.

The guards left with respectful bows.

“My name is Tasha,” the blonde continued, “and this is Diva. We are the maids assigned to take care of your needs.”

I could practically feel Scarlet rolling her eyes.

The dark-haired maid, Diva, spoke next. “Would you like to share the same room?”

“Yes,” I said.

“No,” Scarlet said at the same time.

I turned to look at her. “Why wouldn’t you want to share a bed with me and Theo?”

“That bed wouldn’t fit three people,” she replied. “You and Theo can have it.”

“I can take the floor,” I said, already growing frustrated.

“I would like to have my own room,” Scarlet insisted. “I can visit anytime, and you can visit me. Hopefully it’s close by.”

“Oh yes, it is,” Tasha replied. “Just the room right after the one you woke up in earlier.”

“Whatever,” I muttered.

“Don’t be a bummer,” Scarlet teased.

“I’m not. It’s just that…” I sighed. “Please give us a minute,” I told the maids and pulled Scarlet aside with Theo. I leaned closer and whispered, “This place is dangerous. We can’t trust anyone yet.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Scarlet whispered back. “Freya, I’m not a baby. I can handle my own shit.”

I let out a frustrated breath. “Why are you so stubborn?”

“Calm down.” She squeezed my shoulder and kissed my cheek. “You worry too much, Freya. I’ll be fine.”

I held her hands. “Don’t get into any trouble, please.”

“I won’t.”

“Okay, fine.”

Theo hugged us both, clearly worried by our argument. I drew him closer. “Everything is okay, sweetheart.” At least for now.

We followed the maids. Diva led Scarlet to her room while Tasha guided Theo and me to ours.