LOGINFreya’s POVThe next day, Ryker left the South.But that wasn't the end.Starting the third week, he began appearing outside my apartment building every weekend.He didn't knock. He didn't call. He didn't make a sound.He just sat there quietly, from dusk until dawn, and then he would leave.The first time I saw him, I looked through the peephole and saw him curled up in the corner.The second weekend, the third, the fourth...I never opened the door.The doorman asked if I wanted to call security. I just shook my head. "Let him be."That was his choice.And my choice was to pour all my energy into my work.In my first year in the South, I proved my worth completely.I redesigned the Alliance's crisis response protocols and successfully resolved three diplomatic disputes that could have led to war.My office became the busiest place in the Alliance, with representatives from various packs seeking my advice.Gabriel often joked, "Freya, you're the best thing we ever stole from the North
Freya’s POVThe sun in the South was warmer than in the North.The moment I stepped off the plane, a humid sea breeze hit me. It smelled like freedom."Welcome to the Southern Lands, Ms. Blackwood."Gabriel Moreau, the Alpha leader of the Southern Alliance, had come to the airport to greet me personally.He was an elegant man in his late forties, with wise gray eyes."It's an honor to serve the Alliance," I said with a smile as we shook hands.It was the first genuine smile I’d had in three years."I'm sure you'll like it here," Gabriel said. "The South welcomes all talented individuals, no matter where they come from."No matter where they come from.Including the North. Including Ryker's former mate.As the car drove through the city, I saw a world completely different from the North.The buildings were more modern, the streets more vibrant, and the wolves' faces were full of life and hope.There was no oppression, no rigid hierarchy, no fragile "Alpha pride" to tiptoe around.Even t
Ryker’s POVIt was four in the morning when I got home.The house was empty, silent as a tomb.I walked to the fireplace and knelt in the ashes, picking up the broken pieces of the Blood Amber, one by one.Eight years ago, I had placed this stone on her wrist myself."Freya, this is my promise," I’d said, down on one knee, watching the joy in her eyes. "No matter what happens, I will always protect you."She had cried, happy tears streaming down her face."I believe you, Ryker. I'll wait for you to achieve all your dreams, and then we'll build our future together."Promise.Protect.When did those words become empty lies?Was it when I became Isla's "mentor"?I held the sharp fragments in my palm.They were like our bond, shattered beyond repair.I needed proof. Proof that I had once loved her right.I walked into Freya's dressing room. Her faint scent still lingered in the air.Her jewelry box was there, but it was half-empty.I opened the remaining boxes, looking for the gifts I’d gi
Each word was a lash across my face."You don't understand. Isla needed my help. Her situation is special...""Special, my ass!" Sophia finally exploded. "Did you know Freya submitted her request to leave the pack two days ago? Did you know she wanted to tell you herself, but you were too busy with your 'special student' to even give her five minutes of your time?"I froze.Two days ago?What was I doing two days ago?I was at the academy with Isla, helping her practice her shift, calming her down when she cried, holding her hand when she said she was scared…And Freya had wanted to tell me she was leaving. But I never even gave her the chance to speak."No... that's impossible..." I shook my head. "If she really wanted to tell me, she could have...""Could have what?" Sophia cut me off. "Waited for you to grant her an audience, like the other thirty-three times? Begged for your attention like a stray dog?"Thirty-three times.She was talking about the thirty-three postponed bonding ce
Ryker’s POVMy mind was a warzone as I sped toward the werewolf academy.I was torn.Freya's chillingly calm eyes haunted me.But Isla's panicked sobs echoed in my ears."Freya will understand," I told myself. "She always puts the pack first. This is a pack crisis. Elder Walter's fury has to be contained."Still, a cold dread I'd never felt before settled in my gut. My wolf was clawing at the inside of my chest.I reached for her through our Mind Link, a desperate, unconscious habit.I hit a wall of ice.She had sealed herself off from me."She's just angry," I reasoned. "I'll deal with this, then I'll make it right. Tomorrow... We will go to the Moon Temple tomorrow."When I burst into the academy's infirmary, Isla was sitting on a hospital bed, her wrist bandaged, her eyes red and swollen.Elder Walter's son lay on another bed, pale as a ghost.Standing beside him was a furious Elder Thomas."Ryker! You finally show up! Look at the mess your 'special student' has made!" Elder Thomas
At midnight, of all times, Ryker came home.I was lying in bed, my back to the door, pretending to be asleep.I heard him tiptoe into the bedroom, then stop short."Dammit, what the hell..." he muttered.He'd seen the shattered Blood Amber on the mantel."Freya?" He walked toward me, his voice tight with panic. "Are you awake?"I turned over and opened my eyes. "What's wrong?""The amber... how did it break?" He crouched by the fireplace, carefully picking up the pieces."It fell," I said calmly. "Maybe it was just old."He let out a breath, but I could still see the guilt in his eyes."It's okay, I can have a craftsman fix it," he said, pulling a fine box from his suit pocket. "This is... a little something as an apology for last night. I saw it at the Alliance auction today and thought of you."I sat up and took the box.Inside was an obsidian bracelet, beautifully designed and sparkling.But one glance was all it took. I froze.It was identical to the one he'd given me last year.A







