Semua Bab The Pregnant Luna Rejected Her Alpha: Bab 161 - Bab 170

(Caroline's POV)"You misunderstood," I said, reaching across to hold Rebecca's hand with what I hoped looked like genuine sisterly affection. "How could I possibly scheme against you?"The touch made my skin crawl, but I maintained my pleasant expression. Rebecca's eyes narrowed slightly, suspicious of my sudden warmth."After your incident, I wanted to help, truly I did," I continued, infusing my voice with practiced sincerity. "But Aaron hasn't been responding to me lately, so I've been too distressed to think of anything else."I watched as Rebecca's expression shifted, her eyes widening slightly at this revelation. It was a calculated risk sharing this information, but I needed her to believe I wasn't deliberately abandoning her."What do you mean Aaron isn't responding to you?" she asked, her voice sharp with interest.I allowed my carefully constructed mask to slip, revealing the genuine anxiety underneath. This wasn't an act – Aaron's recent coldness had truly unsettled m

(Freya's POV)I sat on Emily's worn couch, turning Marcus's question over in my mind. His words seemed to hang in the air between us: "Once you go to European territory, it will be difficult to return."The dim light of Emily's apartment cast long shadows across the room. I smiled faintly, my hair falling forward to partially hide my eyes. I didn't need to see Marcus's expression to know he was studying me intently."I've long had no way to turn back, nor have I ever thought about turning back," I said softly.My wolf Bella whimpered quietly within me, a sound of mourning for what we were leaving behind. The weight of my decisions—the mate bond severance, walking away from the Northern Ridge Pack, choosing to raise my cub alone—pressed down on me like physical things.The atmosphere in the small apartment suddenly felt heavy, charged with unspoken emotions. Marcus's golden eyes remained fixed on me, his expression unreadable behind his glasses. After a long silence, he sighed and

(Third-person's POV)Aaron Steel stood motionless, his face ashen and drawn. What had started as a dull ache in his stomach hours ago had escalated into knife-like pain. His normally commanding presence seemed diminished as he struggled to maintain his composure, one hand gripping the edge of the desk to keep himself upright.The glamorous she-wolf who had been chatting animatedly with James Morrison suddenly paused mid-sentence. Her carefully applied lipstick curved downward as she noticed Aaron's pallor."Alpha Steel?" she asked, her flirtatious tone shifting to concern. "Are you feeling unwell?"James stepped forward immediately, his Beta instincts on high alert. "Sir, perhaps you should sit down."Aaron tried to wave them off, but the movement sent a fresh wave of pain through his abdomen. He swayed dangerously, almost slumping to the ground.The she-wolf—sent by their partner pack as what they considered an appropriate "gift" for the unmated Alpha King—moved quickly to Aaron

(Freya's POV)I handed the elegant auction invitation back to Marcus, who took it with his long, slender fingers. Instead of withdrawing his hand immediately, he pinched the invitation's cover between his thumb and forefinger, his golden eyes fixing on mine with unusual intensity."The gift that the old Alpha would want the most is probably a granddaughter-in-law," he said, his voice casual despite the weight of his words.My breath caught in my throat. Was he implying what I thought he was? Bella stirred uneasily within me, sensing my sudden tension.Before I could formulate a response, Marcus continued with a hint of regret coloring his tone, "Unfortunately, I can't fulfill that wish for now, so I'll have to settle for an antique moonstone he likes instead." He pulled the invitation card away as he finished speaking.I stood frozen in place, my mind racing to process his words. Was this another gentle reminder of his feelings, or simply an offhand comment about family expectatio

(Freya's POV)The clatter of dishes filled my kitchen as Marcus rolled up his sleeves, his gold-rimmed glasses catching the soft evening light. "Let me wash the dishes," he offered, already gathering plates from the table."No need," I protested, reaching for a stack of plates. "Just put them in the dishwasher."But Marcus moved with surprising speed for such a tall wolf, collecting the dishes before I could get to them. "I insist," he said.Emily smirked from her perch on the barstool, nursing the last of her wine. "Come on, Freya, if this Alpha wants to help, let him! How else will he ever prove himself to you as a potential mate?"Heat rushed to my cheeks as my wolf Bella stirred uncomfortably within me. I shot Emily a warning glance, but she just winked in response."Yes, let me show what I can do," Marcus chimed in, his voice light though his eyes were serious.Their combined teasing left me little room to object. With a small sigh that turned into a reluctant smile, I step