Chapter 3

Freya’s POV

Later, as I accepted congratulations from pack members who had once whispered behind my back, I caught sight of Kaelin Brooks standing alone near one of the tall windows. She wore a silver dress that highlighted her pale beauty, her expression unreadable as she watched the celebrations. Our eyes met briefly across the room, and I expected to see hatred or resentment.

Instead, she smiled and began walking toward me.

"Freya," she said, her voice soft and melodious as she approached. "I wanted to congratulate you."

I tensed, uncertain. Kaelin and I had never been friends. Her possessiveness of Thorne had been a significant obstacle in my pursuit of him. The last time we had spoken directly had been three years ago, when she'd coldly informed me that Thorne merely tolerated my attention because my family's backing was politically useful.

"Thank you," I replied cautiously. "That's... unexpected."

"Thorne has made his choice, and I respect that," she said, her expression serene. "We've all known each other since we were children. There's no reason we can't be civilized."

I blinked in surprise. This was not the reaction I had anticipated. In fact, Kaelin had been notably absent from pack functions since Thorne and I had become public with our relationship. Rumors suggested her moon phase syndrome had worsened, requiring her to rest frequently.

"I'd like to give you something," she continued. "A traditional gift from the Brooks family to the future Alpha's mate."

"That's very kind of you," I said, still uncertain.

"I've left it in the garden pavilion behind the Howling Hall," she explained. "It's a family heirloom, quite valuable. I'd prefer to give it to you privately, away from all these prying eyes." She gestured at the crowded room. "Could you meet me there in twenty minutes? I know it's your special night, but it would mean a lot to me to do this properly."

Something in her tone made me hesitate, but I pushed the feeling aside. This was her way of accepting defeat gracefully, of showing the pack she held no ill will. It would be petty to refuse.

"Of course," I agreed. "I'll be there."

She smiled, the expression not quite reaching her eyes, and disappeared into the crowd. I watched her go, then turned to find Thorne approaching, his tall frame moving easily through the guests who parted before him.

"Everything all right?" he asked, reaching my side.

I nodded. "Yes. Kaelin just wanted to congratulate us."

He looked surprised but pleased. "That's good. The Brooks family's continued support is important. Her father mentioned her condition has been worse lately."

I squeezed his arm lightly. "She seems to be accepting it well. In fact, she wants to give me a traditional gift. I'm meeting her in the garden pavilion shortly."

Thorne frowned slightly. "Are you sure that's wise?"

"She's making an effort," I said. "I should meet her halfway."

He didn't look convinced but nodded. "If you think it's best. Now, shall we?" He offered his arm, leading me toward the center of the hall where guests waited to speak with us.

Twenty minutes later, still floating on the euphoria of the pack's approval, I slipped away from the celebration and made my way through the manicured gardens behind the Howling Hall. The stone pavilion stood in a secluded corner, partially hidden by flowering bushes. A single lamp glowed inside.

I pushed open the glass door. "Kaelin?"

She stood in the center of the pavilion, a small wrapped package in her hands. Her smile seemed strained, almost predatory.

"You came," she said. "How predictable."

I stiffened at her tone but kept my expression neutral. The glass door of the pavilion closed behind me with a soft click that suddenly felt ominous in the quiet garden. Inside, a single lamp cast long shadows across the stone floor, illuminating Kaelin's pale features and the small, elegantly wrapped package in her hands.

"You said you had something to give me," I reminded her, staying near the door. Despite my words to Thorne about meeting her halfway, caution made me maintain my distance.

Kaelin's demeanor shifted suddenly, her shoulders slumping as vulnerability replaced the flash of hostility I'd seen. She looked down at the package, her fingers trembling slightly as she held it out.

"This was a gift from Thorne," she said softly. "For my birthday last year. I thought... I thought you should have it. I can't bear to keep it anymore."

I hesitated before taking a few steps forward to see better. The package was wrapped in silver paper and tied with a blue ribbon—Thorne's signature colors. It looked expensive and personal, the kind of gift that carried meaning.

"I don't understand," I said carefully. "Why would you give me Thorne's gift to you?"

Kaelin's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Because every time I look at it, I'm reminded of what I've lost. I thought I could handle seeing you two together tonight, but..." She trailed off, her voice breaking. "Please, just take it. Give it back to him. Tell him I don't want any reminders."

The vulnerability in her voice seemed genuine, catching me off guard. For a moment, I saw her not as my rival but as someone nursing a broken heart. My earlier suspicion faded into sympathy.

"Kaelin, that's not necessary," I said, my voice gentler now. "Thorne gave that to you. It was a gift, and it belongs to you. There's no reason to return it."

She looked up, surprise crossing her features. "You're being... kind."

"Sending back gifts won't change anything," I said with a small shrug. "What's given is given. Keep it, or don't—but that should be your choice, not because you feel obligated to return it."

A strange expression flickered across her face—something like disappointment, quickly masked by a grateful smile. "That's... very generous of you."

I noticed then that her free hand kept drifting to her stomach, fingers spreading protectively across her abdomen. Her complexion seemed paler than usual, her movements careful and measured. The gesture was subtle but unmistakable to any female wolf.

"Are you feeling all right?" I asked, concern momentarily overriding our complicated history. "You look pale."

Kaelin froze, her eyes widening slightly before she looked away. "I'm fine," she said unconvincingly.

"You keep touching your stomach," I pointed out. "Is it your moon phase syndrome? Should I get someone?"

Her shoulders sagged further as a tear slipped down her cheek. "No, it's not that. I just..." She looked up, meeting my eyes directly. "I didn't want to tell anyone yet. Especially not tonight."

A chill ran down my spine. "Tell anyone what?"

Kaelin took a deep breath, her hand firmly pressed against her abdomen now. "I'm pregnant," she whispered. "With Thorne's child."

The world tilted beneath me. "That's not possible," I said automatically, my voice hollow. "You and Thorne aren't—"

"We were," she interrupted, her voice strengthening. "We've always been close, Freya. Did you really think he just suddenly stopped caring for me? That years of connection just vanished because you decided you wanted him?"

My wolf stirred uneasily within me, her senses heightening as she took control of our shared perception. I instinctively inhaled deeply, searching for the telltale scent change that would confirm her claim.

But my wolf hesitated, confused. There was something different about Kaelin's scent, but it wasn't quite right—a sweetness that seemed artificial, applied rather than emanating from within. Before I could process this discrepancy, Kaelin continued.

"It happened two months ago, before he announced his intention to choose you. We'd been together for years, on and off. It wasn't... it wasn't planned."

"Two months ago," I repeated numbly. "The same time he told me he was considering me as his mate."

Kaelin placed the package on a nearby stone bench and approached me slowly. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way," she said, not sounding sorry at all. "I tried to stay away, to let him make his choice. But I can't hide this forever."