Freya
Aurora.
Of course the mysterious "Eos" was Aurora Howlthorne. Why was I even surprised?
Selene growled low in my mind, bristling with territorial awareness. My wolf had recognized her scent earlier, had tried to warn , but I hadn’t connected the dots.
I’d heard whispers that Aurora excelled at extre sports, but I never realized she was also a professional racer with a devoted following. Looking around at the crowd’s rapt expressions—n and won alike—it was clear she had everyone under her spell.
The dark red racing suit hugged every curve of her tall, athletic fra perfectly. She exuded a wild elegance that demanded attention—graceful yet powerful, sophisticated yet untad. I couldn’t deny she was breathtaking, even as my chest tightened with sothing that felt dangerously like inadequacy.
As I adjusted the focus on the binoculars, my gaze accidentally drifted to the VIP stands across the track. My breath caught painfully.
Silvano was there, his powerful fra unmistakable even from this distance.
My mate—my husband—was watching Aurora with such intensity that it made my blood run cold. I’d rarely seen that expression on his face, that complete and utter focus.
Selene whimpered, confused by the mixture of emotions cascading through . My grip tightened on the binoculars until my knuckles whitened.
"The race is starting!" York exclaid, practically ripping the binoculars from my hands.
I barely noticed, my eyes still fixed on Silvano across the track. As my vision adjusted, I realized he wasn’t alone. Our daughter Isabella was there too, practically vibrating with excitent. Several of Silvano’s closest friends—including Adrian and Levi—were also present, all clearly there to cheer for Aurora.
My family had co to support her. Without . Without even ntioning it.
The roar of engines filled the air as the race cars shot forward, disappearing around the first curve in seconds. The crowd erupted in screams and cheers around us.
"Freya, look!" York thrust the binoculars back at monts later. "My idol drives so boldly yet so skillfully! She’s beyond amazing! You have to see this!"
I took them chanically, finding Aurora’s car again just in ti to witness her execute a hair-raising overtaking maneuver at a dangerous curve. It was reckless, brilliant, and perfectly tid.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Even I, with zero interest in motorsports, could appreciate the stunning display of skill and courage.
I stood frozen, suddenly understanding why everyone—including my mate—was so captivated by her. She wasn’t just beautiful and intelligent. She was fearless. Extraordinary.
Looking back toward the VIP stands, I caught Silvano’s normally stoic expression transford by unmistakable admiration. Even little Isabella and usually reserved Levi had jumped to their feet in excitent.
York reclaid the binoculars as the race reached its climax.
When the cars paused briefly between laps, with Aurora firmly in first place, I asked York to return the binoculars. He handed them over with a grin.
"You’re hooked on my idol too, aren’t you?!" he crowed triumphantly. "I knew it—no one can resist her! Man or woman, everyone falls under her spell!"
I offered a small smile but said nothing, lowering my eyes.
The urge to call Silvano suddenly overwheld . I wanted to hear his voice, to remind him of my existence. I wondered what he would do if he saw my na on his screen right now—probably reject the call without hesitation, as he so often did these days.
The thought made pause. What was the point? Why did I keep reaching out when he clearly preferred Aurora’s company to mine?
But sothing in —either stubbornness or masochism—made take out my phone anyway. Just one last ti, I told myself. One final test.
I dialed his number as I raised the binoculars again, watching him through the lenses.
Through the magnified view, I saw Silvano glance at his phone, his expression shifting to sothing like annoyance. Without a mont’s hesitation, he declined the call and returned his attention to Aurora on the track, his focus absolute.
Selene howled mournfully inside , but outwardly, I remained calm. I took a deep breath, smiled faintly, and handed the binoculars back to York with steady hands.
I didn’t watch the rest of the race. I didn’t look toward Silvano again. What would be the point?
When Aurora crossed the finish line in first place, York’s excitent was boundless. He and his friends imdiately began discussing how they might get her autograph.
"I heard Eos isn’t just so rich heiress—she has a PhD from CMU," one of York’s friends said reverently. "Racing is just her hobby. She doesn’t care about fans and never plays to the crowd. Usually leaves right after races without signing anything."
"This is a private event though," another friend argued. "The chances might be better. But they’ve got that VIP passage we can’t access without connections..."
Their voices faded into background noise as my phone buzzed with a text from Maria, demanding to know when we’d be ho. I told York we needed to leave, ignoring his pleas to stay longer.
Before we left, I needed to use the restroom. The facilities were crowded with excited fans discussing Aurora’s victory, their voices grating against my frayed nerves.
As I exited the stall and washed my hands, I kept my eyes down, focused on getting through the mont. Just get York, go ho, and figure out what to do with the broken pieces of my life.
Stepping out of the restroom, I collided with soone walking briskly past.
"I’m so sorry—" I began automatically, then froze as familiar amber eyes t mine.
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