**(Freya’s POV)**Aaron’s golden wolf eyes pinned me as I stood in his office. The displeasure was clear, even in the way he tapped his fingers on the desk. His gaze had a weight that made my chest tighten. Bella stirred uneasily inside me, but she stayed quiet for once.I couldn’t stop thinking about seeing him with Caroline earlier. Her presence had put me on edge, even though she wasn’t here now. Where had she gone?I wasn’t sure why my thoughts wandered there, but Aaron’s sharp knock on the desk had me jolting like a startled rabbit. His voice broke through the fog clouding my mind.“The territory report, Luna?” he asked, his tone clipped and stern. His gaze didn’t waver, and my wolf bristled faintly at the perceived challenge.“Of course, Alpha,” I replied quickly, forcing composure.I dove into my Luna duty report, focusing on the quarterly updates for the pack’s finances and territory status. Every few minutes, my words faltered under the pressure of his steady gaze. His g
(Freya's POV)Emily tightened her grip on my hand as we sat in the bustling Moonlight Cafe. Her concern was obvious, her eyes locked on mine with a desperation I didn’t want to face. Her voice trembled as she spoke, raw with emotion.“Freya, tell me you’re not serious about this,” she begged. “You can't mean it!”I stared at the teacup in front of me, avoiding her gaze. The tea had long gone cold, its surface still as glass, yet I continued to stir it aimlessly.“The appointment is tomorrow,” I said softly. My voice wavered, betraying the composure I was clinging to.Emily leaned closer, her hands trembling slightly. “Tomorrow? Freya, you can’t... Please don’t go through with this.”“What choice do I have?” I asked, my tone heavier than I intended. I set the spoon down with a soft clink, still refusing to meet her eyes. “This is the only way.”She shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. “That’s not true. It’s not the only way. Please, listen to me.”“I tried,” I said, my vo
(Freya's POV)The Crescent Moon Medical Facility loomed before me, its white walls gleaming under the late morning sun.It stood as a symbol of clinical detachment, far removed from the warmth or familiarity of the United Council of Werewolves hospital where I had received my initial pregnancy report.That hospital was not an option—it was too close to Elder Katherine and her allies. Someone would recognize me.Beside me, Emily squeezed my arm tighter as we walked toward the doors. Her grip felt both grounding and suffocating. "Freya," she said softly, her voice filled with doubt. "Are you absolutely certain about this?"I kept my face neutral, my shoulders squared. "Yes, Emily. I’ve already made up my mind."Emily didn’t let go of my arm. Instead, she tugged me to a stop just outside the entrance. "This... It's a cub. A part of you, Freya. Do you really want to go through with this?" Her voice cracked on the last word, and her eyes searched mine.Staring back at her, I found my
(Freya's POV)Margaret Hunter stood in front of me, her smug expression etched across her sharp features.Just as she prepared another verbal assault, a sound caught both of our attention. The faint creak of a door opening.Turning instinctively, my breath hitched. Grace Hunter, Margaret’s daughter, slowly emerged from one of the examination rooms. She looked pale, her shoulders slumped under some invisible weight. A trembling hand clutched her stomach protectively while the other held tightly to a stack of crumpled medical papers.Her scent hit me before the sight fully sank in, a familiar mix of distress and the same hormonal changes I was experiencing. My throat tightened. There was no doubting it—Grace had come to this hospital under a circumstance much like mine.Margaret’s smugness vanished. Her sharp posture faltered almost instantly as worry overtook her. She hurried to her daughter’s side, her hand reaching for her arm.“Grace!” Margaret’s voice was unrecognizable, softe
(Freya's POV)The protein shake sat heavy in my stomach as I took another reluctant sip. It wasn’t as though I had much of an appetite to begin with. Emily eyed me from across the clinic waiting room, her expression filled with concern."Come on, Freya," she prodded softly. "Just a few more bites of the meat. It'll help."My stomach churned at the thought of another bite, and Bella whimpered in agreement. The faint pangs of nausea hadn’t left me since the morning, and the events of the day had left me emotionally drained on top of everything else.I shook my head, pushing the container away. "I can't. Please, Emily, don’t force me."Emily’s lips pressed into a thin line. She sighed but began packing the remains of the meal into her bag. Each movement was deliberate, almost like she was trying to reign in her frustration."Alright," she relented, though her words were heavy. "But don’t think I’m letting you skip dinner tonight. You need your strength. For the cub, if not for yours
(Caroline's POV)The nerves hadn’t left me since I deleted the text from Freya’s phone two days ago. My mind kept replaying the moment, over and over. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.Why would Freya text Aaron instead of telling him face to face about the pregnancy? Was she afraid of him? No, it wasn’t fear. It was manipulation. I was sure of it. She didn’t have the courage to confront him directly, and that made me laugh bitterly to myself.But I couldn’t take a deep breath. Instead of feeling relief, my anxiety only grew each hour. What if Aaron somehow found out? What if someone slipped and told him about the cub?I hadn't been able to rest.Over the past two days, I stuck to him like glue. Every chance I got, I made sure I was nearby. Whether it was showing up at evening runs or sitting in his office while he worked, I stayed close."Caroline," he said yesterday, glancing at me as I typed at the desk across from him. "You should relax. You’ve been at all the meetings this
(Freya's POV)Caroline's sharp eyes swept across the sitting room, her perfectly arched brow lifting in faint disappointment. She reached up, delicately brushing an invisible speck from her white blouse.“Can we speak somewhere more private?” Caroline’s tone was soft, almost musical, but there was a forced charm behind it. Her lips curved into a poised smile, but her golden eyes held a silent challenge. “The main house feels… a little crowded today.”The room wasn’t crowded at all. A few pack members passed through with polite greetings, their footsteps light and distant. But I knew exactly what she meant. The presence of others unsettled her.I hesitated, my wolf Bella stirring uneasily within me. Bella rumbled her disapproval. She didn’t trust Caroline, and neither did I.Yet, I couldn’t outright refuse her. Memories of the past flickered through my mind—images of Aaron as a young wolf, wounded from battle, and Caroline’s hand pulling him from danger. She had saved his life.“A
(Caroline's POV)My chest tightened as I watched Freya push the territory rights document to the side without even a glance. The silence between us was almost unbearable. I had rehearsed this interaction in my mind countless times, carefully planning every word. This... this wasn’t how I imagined it would go."You haven’t even carefully reviewed the terms," I said, unable to keep the hint of frustration from my voice. Still, I masked it with a smile. "These hunting grounds are among the best Redwood Pack has to offer. Surely you’d want to take a look."Freya remained composed, her calmness unsettling. There was no anger, no outburst. It was like I wasn’t even phasing her."I appreciate the effort," she finally said gently, her voice steady. That gentleness only made me feel worse. She sounded like she pitied me."You have no idea the opportunities included in this offer." I pushed the envelope closer to her across the small table. My own hands were trembling slightly, so I quickly
(Freya's POV)I stepped out of the Northern Ridge Pack headquarters, frustration still simmering inside me. My conversation with Caroline had left me with more questions than answers, and Aaron's sudden refusal to sever our mate bond made absolutely no sense.My phone buzzed in my purse. I pulled it out, surprised to see Marcus Cross's name on the screen."Hello, Marcus," I answered, trying to keep my voice neutral despite my turbulent emotions."Hello, Little Snow," his warm voice replied. "I see you're at the pack headquarters. Just leaving?"I froze mid-step, glancing around the parking lot. "How did you know I'm here?"A soft chuckle came through the phone. "Look to your right, near the oak tree."Following his directions, I spotted a familiar black SUV parked a short distance away. Marcus stood beside it, phone in hand, waving at me.I ended the call and walked toward him, my wolf Bella curious but cautious within me. "This is unexpected," I said as I approached. "Why are
(Third-person's POV)The tension in Aaron's Alpha office was palpable as the two she-wolves faced each other. Caroline stood with her chin raised slightly, her posture radiating confidence despite the bandage still visible on her forehead. Freya remained seated on the leather couch, her violet eyes calm and observant."If I remember correctly, you two were supposed to sever your mate bond after Elder Katherine's surgery, weren't you?" Caroline asked, her voice dripping with contempt. Her lips curved into a mocking smile as she continued, "It's been so long since Elder Katherine's surgery, why aren't you severed yet?"She paced a few steps closer, her designer heels clicking against the hardwood floor. "Freya, could it be that you're coveting the position of Luna of the Northern Ridge Pack and want to break our agreement by not severing the mate bond?"Unable to find Aaron, Caroline had clearly decided to taunt Freya instead. If Caroline hadn't helped her family keep their ancestral
(Freya's POV)I paced back and forth in Aaron's Alpha office, my heels clicking against the hardwood floor. The sunlight streamed through the large windows, illuminating the space that carried his scent everywhere."I know you're avoiding me, Aaron," I said firmly into the phone. "We had an agreement."His silence on the other end only fueled my frustration."We agreed to sever our mate bond after your grandmother's surgery," I continued, trying to keep my voice steady. "Then you changed it to after her recovery. She's better now, so what's your excuse this time?"I heard him exhale sharply through the phone."I'm busy with pack business, Freya. This isn't the right time."I stopped pacing and gripped the phone tighter. "Not the right time? When will it be the right time? Next week? Next month? Next year?"My wolf Bella stirred inside me, sensing my rising emotions. I placed a protective hand over my abdomen where our unborn cub grew, hidden from Aaron's knowledge."I don't un
(Caroline's POV)Father's expression grew increasingly grave as we continued our conversation in his private den. The firelight cast deep shadows across his face, making him look older and more concerned than I'd seen him in years."This won't work, Caroline," he said, leaning forward in his leather chair. "From what you're telling me, I'm deeply worried about your situation with Aaron."I could see the calculation behind his eyes. As Alpha of the Redwood Pack, my father rarely showed vulnerability, but now his concern was evident."What do you mean it won't work?" I asked defensively.He sighed heavily. "I had assumed you and Aaron were already a sure thing—that you were just waiting for him to sever his mate bond with Freya. But now you tell me you haven't even established a physical connection?"His words stung because they highlighted my own fears."If Aaron truly desired you," Father continued, "how could he have spent years in your company without making any advances towar
(Freya's POV)After saying goodbye to Grace Hunter, I headed directly to the wolf medical facility. My mind was still replaying our conversation, particularly my declaration about keeping my cub and severing the mate bond with Aaron. Saying those words aloud had solidified my resolve.The medical facility corridors were quiet as I made my way to Elder Katherine's room. I paused outside her door, adjusting my cardigan and taking a deep breath before entering with a warm smile."Look who's here," Sarah Steel announced, turning from her position beside the bed. "We were just talking about you, Freya."Elder Katherine's eyes brightened when she saw me. Despite her recent surgery, the elderly she-wolf looked remarkably improved, her complexion rosier than before."My dear," Elder Katherine extended a slightly trembling hand toward me. "Come sit by me."I moved to her side, gently taking her hand in mine. "How are you feeling today, Elder Katherine?""Much better," she replied, pattin
(Freya's POV)I stared at Grace Hunter, completely caught off guard by her direct question about my pregnancy. Her eyes held a mixture of challenge and vulnerability as she awaited my answer. The café suddenly felt too warm, too confined."How did you..." I began, then stopped myself. Of course she knew. She'd been at that same specialty clinic with her mother.Grace leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Luna Snow, I may not have known you before, but I've heard rumors. The Alpha in your life has others besides you. Can you even manage your own affairs?"The words hit me like a physical blow. My wolf Bella growled defensively within me, protective of both our dignity and our unborn cub."You're suggesting I have no right to advise you because my own mate bond is problematic," I stated flatly, meeting her gaze.Grace's expression shifted instantly, the boldness fading as quickly as it had appeared. Her shoulders slumped, and regret flashed across her face."I'm sorry,
(Grace's POV)Mother's grip on my arm tightened, her manicured nails digging into my skin. I winced but didn't pull away. Her eyes narrowed dangerously."Not going to see him?" she hissed, disbelief evident in her tone. "Do you think I was born yesterday, Grace? The last time you said that, I found you in that Delta's apartment!"I felt heat rising to my cheeks at the memory. Mother had tracked my scent across half the pack territory, bursting into Caleb's small apartment while we were together. The humiliation of that day still burned fresh in my mind."Mom, please," I pleaded, conscious of other wolves passing by us at the medical facility entrance. "It's not like that this time."She released my arm but kept her penetrating gaze fixed on me. "Then what exactly is it like? Where are you going in such a rush?"I hesitated. Telling her I was meeting Luna Snow would only raise more questions—questions I wasn't prepared to answer. But lying again would only deepen her distrust."I
(Aaron's POV)Mother's accusatory tone rang through the phone, making me wince. I could almost see her expression—eyebrows raised, lips pursed in that way that always made me confess as a young wolf pup."I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, keeping my voice even.I nearly blurted out that Freya and I were planning to sever our mate bond, but caught myself just in time. Mother had always been skilled at extracting information from me. When I was younger, she'd catch me off guard with rapid questions until I revealed whatever mischief I'd been involved in."Aaron Steel," she said, emphasizing my surname the way she always did when displeased. "I've known you since before you could shift. Don't think you can hide things from me."I drummed my fingers against the polished surface of my desk. Though she might still be the same perceptive mother, I was no longer the same easily manipulated pup."Look, Freya and I have had some minor conflicts recently," I said carefully
(Margaret's POV)I kept my pleasant smile firmly in place while inwardly seething at the sight of Freya Snow. If I hadn't encountered her at that small wolf medical facility weeks ago, I wouldn't be so cautious now. But that chance meeting had given me dangerous knowledge—knowledge I couldn't freely use without exposing my own family's vulnerabilities.My eyes narrowed as I assessed the Northern Ridge Pack's Luna. She looked healthier today, her cheeks carrying more color than when I'd spotted her at that specialized fertility clinic. Was she still pregnant with the Steel heir, or had she gone through with the termination?The Hunter family name carries significant weight in our pack. For generations, we've maintained our prestige through careful alliances and strategic matings. My daughter Grace deserved the most advantageous match possible—and who better than Aaron Steel, the Alpha King himself?"Margaret?" Sarah's voice broke through my thoughts. "You seem distracted.""Not at