Freya
The elevator chid open,and I stepped into Stone Lake headquarters for the last ti.
One month. That was the deal—thirty days to tie up loose ends,smooth over trade negotiations,and clean up the ss Mia had made pretending to be Luna. Today,my contract expired. Today,I walked away for good.
The thought should have made feel nothing but relief. And it did—mostly. There was a restaurant reservation waiting for tonight,a silk dress hanging in my closet,and a man who actually wanted for who I was.
Still,my chest tightened as the familiar glass doors ca into view. Old habits die hard.
The perfu hit first. Sickly sweet,cloying. I didn’t even need to see her to know.
"You scheming bitch," she hissed,her eyes flashing amber as her wolf pushed forward. "I knew you couldn’t be trusted."
Artemis growled deep in my chest,but I kept my expression neutral. After eight years as Gamma,I’d perfected the art of not revealing my emotions.
"Good morning to you too,Mia," I replied coolly,walking past her toward my office. "I have reports to file,so if you’ll excuse —"
She grabbed my arm,her claws partially extended,pricking through my silk blouse. "Don’t you dare walk away from ! You think I don’t know what you’re doing? You sent those pictures to Jasper,didn’t you?"
I blinked,genuinely confused. "What pictures?"
Mia laughed,the sound brittle and unhinged. "Playing innocent? The club footage of with Reed! "
Ah. So soone had finally exposed her affair.
"I didn’t send anything to Jasper," I said honestly. "But don’t kid yourself—he could’ve dug it up on his own. You weren’t exactly subtle,Mia."
Her face contorted with rage. "LIAR! Who else would have motive? Since your pathetic resignation stunt,everything’s fallen apart! Jasper barely looks at ,he’s restricted my access to pack finances,and he’s questioning every decision I make!" Her voice rose to a shriek. "He’s treating like I’m nothing—all because of YOU!"
Artemis snarled,but I held back. This drama wasn’t worth my energy anymore.
"Your relationship problems with Jasper aren’t my concern," I said,my voice steady. "If he’s upset with you,perhaps you should examine your own actions instead of blaming others."
"You’ve always wanted him for yourself," she spat,stepping closer. "Eight years panting after him like a desperate bitch in heat. Did you think your little resignation would make him realize he loves you? Did you think he’d co running?"
Her words stung,but not the way they once would have. The ache was familiar,almost dull now. Silvano’s scent still lingered on my skin from this morning. His ring caught the light as I lifted my hand.
"I’m engaged to be married,Mia," I reminded her,holding up my left hand where Silvano’s impressive ring caught the light. "Unlike so,I don’t chase after other won’s mates."
Her eyes narrowed to slits. "You expect to believe you’re suddenly over him? After eight pathetic years?"
"Believe what you want." I shrugged. "By sunset,I’ll be gone. I don’t have the energy to care what you think anymore."
"You ruined EVERYTHING!" she scread,lunging for .
I easily sidestepped her attack—my combat training was far superior to hers—but she managed to grab a handful of my hair,yanking hard enough that I felt strands ripping from my scalp.
Artemis roared within ,demanding release. With practiced control,I allowed just enough of my wolf’s strength to surge through my arms as I grabbed Mia’s wrist,applying precise pressure to force her to release .
"Don’t touch again," I warned,my voice dropping to the dangerous tone that had made pack enforcers tremble during training sessions.
"Or what?" she challenged,raising her hand again. "You’ll—"
"ENOUGH!"
The Alpha command hit the room like a thunderclap,making both of us flinch instinctively. Jasper stood in the doorway,his broad shoulders filling the fra,his expression thunderous.
I braced myself for the inevitable. This was how it always played out—Mia caused problems,I defended myself,and sohow I ended up being the villain in Jasper’s eyes.
Except...sothing was different this ti.
"Mia," Jasper’s voice was dangerously quiet. "My office. Now."
Mia’s mouth fell open in shock. "But Jasper,she—"
"NOW." The command vibrated through the air,heavy with Alpha authority.
The word cracked through the room like a whip. Mia froze,then stalked off,but not before throwing a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
When she was gone,Jasper turned to . His eyes softened,just slightly. "Are you alright?"
That threw more than Mia’s claws had. I smoothed my blouse. "I’m fine."
He stepped closer. Too close. That pine-and-spice scent wrapped around like a ghost,and Artemis whimpered at the mory.
"Your trip," he asked,his voice rough,"was it successful?"
"Yes." I kept my tone professional. "All three packs renewed their agreents. The papers are ready for your signature."
He nodded,running a hand through his dark hair—a gesture I knew ant he was struggling with sothing. "Have dinner with tonight," he said finally. "To discuss the agreents."
I blinked in surprise. "We can discuss them now,in your office. It won’t take long."
"Freya," he said,my na sounding different sohow on his lips. "Please. Just dinner."
Once,those words would have broken . Once,I’d have said yes before he finished asking. But that girl was gone.
"I can’t," I said softly but firmly. "I already have plans."
His jaw clenched. "Cancel them."
"No." I t his eyes,steady. "You should focus on your mate. She seems... unsettled."
"Mia is not your concern," he growled.
"Exactly." I let a humorless smile tug at my mouth. "And my fiancé is not yours."
Sothing dark flashed in his eyes. "Your fiancé," he bit out. "Alpha Silvano Moretti."
"Yes." I lifted my chin. "We’re going to dinner tonight. To celebrate. So if you’ll excuse ,I have a few last reports to finish before I leave—for good."
I walked past him,heart pounding,but my steps never faltered.
The sharp crash of glass against the wall rang out behind . I didn’t have to look back to know—it was the crystal paperweight I’d given him years ago,shattering into pieces.
A slow smile curved my lips as I entered my office.
Let him rage.
By tonight,I’d be free.
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