Freya’s POV
Twenty minutes later, as we approached the restaurant, a child darted past on the stairs. Stepping back to avoid collision, I lost my balance. Johnny quickly caught by the waist, preventing what would have been an embarrassing fall.
As I regained my footing, my heart stopped. Standing just yards away were Silvano and Levi.
Silvano’s piercing gaze locked with mine, his body going completely still. My bond mark tingled intensely where his teeth had once claid , and Selene whined with longing inside .
Levi’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, his expression calculating as he assessed the scene.
I broke eye contact first, gently pushing away from Johnny’s supportive hold.
"Did you twist your ankle?" Johnny asked, oblivious to the pair watching us.
"No, I’m fine," I assured him, carefully avoiding looking in Silvano’s direction again.
"Good. Let’s go in then."
"Yes," I replied softly, following Johnny inside without another glance back, though every fiber of my being scread to run to my mate.
Silvano’s POV
The words hung in the air as Levi’s incredulous voice broke through the evening sounds: "That was definitely your wife, right?"
I remained silent, unable to form a coherent response. The sight of Freya—*my* Freya—with another man’s hands on her waist had sent my wolf into a frenzy. Rage and possessiveness surged through my veins, my inner beast clawing desperately to break free and reclaim what was rightfully ours. The bond mark on my chest burned with an intensity I hadn’t felt in months.
"The way she pretended not to see us, walking so closely with Johnny—is this so new strategy to make you jealous?" Levi continued, his voice tinged with amusent. "To make you pay attention to her?"
A derisive laugh followed. "She’s certainly full of ideas."
"Let’s go," I managed, my voice flat despite the turmoil inside . My eyes remained fixed on her retreating form, morizing the confident sway of her walk, so different from the reserved manner she’d adopted in recent years.
Yet as we walked to the private dining room, my mind replayed the image of Freya in that sleek business suit, her hair styled in a way I hadn’t seen in years, looking more like the fierce gamma I’d fallen in love with than the quiet, withdrawn woman she’d beco.
When we reached the private room, Aurora and Isabella were already there, chatting animatedly. My heart clenched at the sight of my daughter, a perfect blend of Freya and myself, with that unmistakable spark of elven blood that made her both magnificent and fragile.
"What’s so funny?" Aurora asked, noticing Levi’s amused expression.
Levi smirked. "Nothing important. Just ran into soone interesting."
I shot him a warning glance, silently communicating that this wasn’t sothing to discuss in front of Isabella. He nodded imperceptibly, understanding my concern.
Throughout dinner, I found myself distracted, my mind constantly drifting back to Freya. The confident way she’d stood next to Johnny, the professional attire that highlighted her natural elegance—it was like seeing a glimpse of the woman I’d first t, before the complications of pack politics and Isabella’s health had worn her down.
After dinner, Isabella and I returned ho. The mont the car stopped, she bounded toward the house, her excitent palpable.
"Mommy, Mommy!" she called out, racing up the stairs with childish enthusiasm that made my chest ache.
Sara housekeeper, erged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. "Luna hasn’t returned yet," she inford Isabella gently.
"What?" Isabella’s small face fell, disappointnt evident in every feature. "Why is Mom always so busy lately?"
Complaining under her breath, she trudged upstairs, her earlier excitent completely deflated.
Sara turned to , concern etched on her features. "Sir?"
I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak. The bond mark on my chest throbbed with a dull ache, a constant reminder of the distance growing between Freya and myself. "It’s nothing," I finally managed, before following Isabella upstairs.
That night, as I lay in our bed that suddenly felt too large, too empty, I stared at the ceiling, acutely aware that Freya hadn’t returned. My wolf paced restlessly within , urging to find her, to bring her back where she belonged. But the Alpha in knew I needed to respect her space. Whatever ga she was playing, I would not be the first to break.
The next morning, Isabella bounded down to breakfast, clearly expecting to find her mother’s carefully prepared al waiting for her.
Her face fell when she saw the simple spread Sara had prepared instead of Freya’s loving creations. "Mom didn’t make breakfast today?" she asked, brow furrowed in confusion.
"Madam isn’t ho," Sara explained gently.
Isabella looked puzzled, her young mind trying to make sense of this disruption to her routine. "Where did Mom go? Did she visit Grandmother again?"
"Probably," Sara replied, though her uncertain tone suggested she knew as little as the rest of us.
Isabella turned to , her eyes wide with questions. "Dad..."
I continued eating thodically, maintaining the calm deanor expected of an Alpha despite the storm raging inside . "If you want to know, call her yourself," I suggested, keeping my voice even.
"I’ll ask her tonight then," Isabella decided, though the worry in her eyes mirrored my own unspoken concerns.
As I sipped my coffee, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was just another of Freya’s attempts to gain attention, or if sothing fundantal had changed. The confident woman I’d glimpsed last night seed capable of walking away permanently—and that thought terrified both the man and the wolf within more than I cared to admit.
Reviews
All reviews (0)