جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

(Freya's POV)The memory of my father's recovery replayed in my mind as I sat quietly in the corner of Birch Tree Café. I could still hear the strain in his voice, the weight of our family’s defeat thick in the air back then."Freya," my father had said, his voice remarkably steady despite his broken body lying in the hospital bed. His pale face had contrasted sharply with the strong Alpha he'd once been. "We must repay Caroline Redwood for what she has done."I had stared at him in disbelief, gripping the side of his hospital bed tightly. His breathing had been strained, but there was fierce determination in his eyes. A determination that refused to accept the reality of our situation."Father," I had replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "We’ve lost nearly everything. How can we talk about repayment when we have nothing left to give?"My father's expression had hardened, his gaunt face drawn with the pride of a once-feared Alpha. "We haven’t lost everything," he had shot bac

(Freya's POV)Aaron’s voice was relentless through the mate mind link. He was clearly seething. "*Move closer, Freya,*" his tone was sharp, controlled, but laced with unmistakable irritation. "*You're making it too obvious.*"I swallowed the lump in my throat. My feet felt rooted to the ground, but I forced myself to step closer to him. Each step felt heavier than the last. Bella whimpered uneasily inside me, her mistrust mirroring my own feelings.Reluctantly, I moved close enough for him to reach out. He wasted no time grabbing my hand, his grip firm, almost possessive. The contact made my chest tighten. I didn’t want this, didn’t want to feel him right now—not after everything. The faint trace of Caroline’s scent still lingered on him, subtle but sharp enough to cut right through me.Elder Katherine immediately noticed and her face softened. Her sharp eyes sparkled with satisfaction as she saw us walking hand in hand. “Ah, now this is better,” she said warmly, her voice full of

(Freya's POV)Back in Elder Katherine's room, I redirected my focus to discussing her upcoming surgery. Despite the emotions simmering under the surface, years of practice allowed me to maintain a light, cheerful tone.“You’ve been taking the wolfsbane tea regularly, right? I heard it’s been helping you sleep better,” I said, placing a bouquet of fresh daisies on her bedside table. “That’s a really good sign for the surgery.”Elder Katherine’s face softened into a warm, genuine smile. “Yes, Freya. It has helped some, but honestly, I think your visits help me rest even more. Being around you always puts my mind at ease.”Her words made my chest warm, but I didn’t want her to see my inner struggle. I smiled and straightened the flowers. “Then I’ll just have to visit more often, won’t I? It might be the secret to you bouncing back even faster.”“You spoil me too much.” Her chuckle was soft, but her voice held so much affection I felt the weight of it settle in the room.Though I sta

(Freya's POV)"For Elder Katherine," I repeated firmly. My voice didn’t waver, but inside, my stomach twisted itself into knots. This needed to stay clear, professional, impersonal. There could be no misunderstanding. "We do this for her sake. We can’t afford to mess this up right now."Aaron’s golden wolf eyes were fixed on me, unblinking. His jaw was tight. I could feel the weight of his stare, the way he was trying to read beyond the words I had just spoken."And what exactly are you suggesting?" he asked after a long pause. His tone was calm, but I could hear the tension beneath it.I lifted my chin, refusing to look away. "We return to what we were before," I said, each word carefully measured. "Cordially distant. Polite. Focused."Aaron tilted his head slightly, his lips pressing into a thin line. His wolf was close to the surface—I could feel Logan’s simmering energy bleeding into the atmosphere between us. He was angry. Or confused. Or both."And after her surgery?" His v

(Freya's POV)"You need to understand, Freya," Caroline said, her voice sharp and insistent, leaning forward slightly. Her usually calm tone was laced with frustration now. "This pregnancy... it complicates everything."I pulled back slightly but kept my gaze on hers, cold and unwavering. My hand moved instinctively to rest over my stomach. I felt Bella stir defensively inside me, her presence a reminder of my resolve. "My wolf cub is not up for discussion, Caroline," I said evenly, though my tone carried the weight of finality.Caroline’s lips pressed together in a thin line. Her fingers tapped the edge of the table, betraying her inner agitation. "Think about the pack. About Aaron," she pressed, her voice dropping as if she wanted to sound reasonable, but it felt more manipulative.Her words hit a nerve, but I stayed composed. "The decision about my cub," I said firmly, my voice rising just a little, "is mine and mine alone. Not yours. Not Aaron’s."Caroline’s eyes darkened, her