Freya’s POV
The morning sunlight stread through the windows of my temporary apartnt, casting a warm glow that contrasted with the storm of emotions brewing inside . I carefully applied my lipstick, examining my reflection in the mirror.
After finishing a quick breakfast, I headed to SF AI Solutions, the company where Johnny had given the opportunity to utilize my data engineering skills again. Walking through those doors felt like stepping into a world where I was valued for my mind rather than my status as Luna.
Johnny was waiting for by my office, coffee in hand. "Morning, genius. Ready to revolutionize pack managent systems today?"
I accepted the coffee with a genuine smile. "Always. The Artemis system’s integration tests are showing promising results."
We were discussing the new product developnt when Johnny’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen before answering, then switched to speakerphone when he heard the urgency in the caller’s voice.
"Your company pissed off the Shadow Pack recently?" the voice asked without preamble.
"What?" Johnny’s eyes widened as he looked at .
"Soone from the Shadow pack is trying to cause trouble for your company. We intercepted the attempt."
My fingers curled into tight fists, nails digging painfully into my palms as the implications hit . A calculated business move to punish for daring to stand up to Aurora.
The mating bond on my chest throbbed painfully, but I ignored it. Of course, he wouldn’t bother speaking to directly. Of course, he’d resort to flexing his power to put back in my place. The realization sent a wave of bitter disappointnt through .
Johnny placed a comforting hand over mine. "Don’t worry. We have strong governnt contracts. They can’t touch us."
"Right," I managed, forcing a calm I didn’t feel.
As the call ended, I couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if Johnny’s company didn’t have such powerful connections. Would Silvano have destroyed an entire business just to punish for opposing his precious Aurora? The thought made my wolf growl with indignation.
*"He chooses her over us, always,"* Selene snarled.
The day passed in a blur of etings and coding, the work providing a welco distraction from my personal turmoil. As evening approached and I was preparing to leave, my phone vibrated with Isabella’s face lighting up the screen.
"Mom, when are you coming ho? I’m starving," my daughter’s voice whined through the speaker, pulling at my heartstrings despite my resolution to maintain distance.
"Didn’t Sara make you anything?" I asked, already feeling the familiar tug of maternal guilt.
"But I want your cream of mushroom soup," she pleaded, reminding of the al she’d requested before everything fell apart. Before I’d witnessed yet another example of Silvano and Isabella’s preference for Aurora.
I rubbed my temples, hesitating. The last thing I wanted was to return to that house, to sleep in that bed while my mate’s scent surrounded , reminding of everything I was walking away from.
"Dad’s gone on a business trip," Isabella added. "I’m so bored, Mom. Please co ho."
My heart skipped a beat. Silvano was away? The house would be free of his overwhelming presence, his judgntal gaze.
I sighed, conflicted. While Silvano and I were headed for separation, Isabella was still my responsibility. Until she turned eighteen, I had a duty to care for her, regardless of how she sotis treated .
"Alright," I conceded. "I’ll be there soon."
That night, I cooked Isabella’s favorites—sweet and sour ribs and the soup she’d been craving. I found a strange comfort in the familiar routine, the kitchen that had beco my domain over the years. Even as I prepared to walk away from this life, these small monts of nurturing my daughter felt precious.
The next morning, Isabella was already awake and brushing her teeth when I went to tidy her room. As I picked up her discarded pajamas, I noticed her tablet light up with a ssage.
*"Is Bella awake yet? Auntie will be back this afternoon! We’ll have dinner together, and tomorrow I’ll take you out for fun. How does that sound?"*
Aurora’s ssage was overly familiar, presumptuous. Acting as if she had every right to make plans with *my* daughter. I averted my gaze quickly, carrying Isabella’s pajamas to the laundry without comnt.
When I returned, Isabella was clutching her tablet protectively, angling it away from as if I might confiscate it. The gesture hurt more than I wanted to admit—this secretive bond she shared with Aurora, this complicity in excluding .
Instead of confronting her, I simply announced, "The dumplings are ready. Co down for breakfast."
Her face lit up as she bounced off the bed. "It’s been so long since I’ve had Mom’s dumplings! Yay!"
The weekend passed without a word from Isabella. She was undoubtedly having too much fun with Aurora to rember her mother existed. I tried not to let it bother , focusing instead on preparing for the week ahead at SF AI Solutions.
By Monday, I was back in my elent at work, throwing myself into coding sessions and strategy etings. As the day wound down, Elena called, inviting to dinner.
"I’ve missed you," she said, her voice warm with genuine affection. "Let spoil my best friend for once."
The restaurant Elena chose was upscale but comfortable, reminding of our college days when we’d save up for months to enjoy a single fancy al together. We talked about everything and nothing, carefully avoiding the subjects of Silvano and the pack.
Halfway through dinner, I excused myself to use the restroom. As I was washing my hands, the door opened, and a familiar figure entered. My breath caught in my throat as I found myself face to face with Alpha Xander of the Eastern Ridge pack.
His eyes widened slightly in recognition. "Luna Moretti," he said, his deep voice carrying a note of surprise. "I wasn’t expecting to see you here... especially not alone."
The emphasis on "alone" didn’t escape my notice. In wolf society, a mated Luna was rarely seen without her Alpha, particularly in public settings. I straightened my shoulders, eting his gaze directly.
"It’s just Freya, Alpha Xander," I replied, my voice steadier than I expected. "I’m having dinner with an old friend."
His eyes flickered to my neck, where my mating mark would be visible if not concealed by my blouse’s collar. The question in his gaze was clear, but he was too politically savvy to ask it directly.
"I see," he said, studying with newfound interest. "Well, then... just Freya. It’s been a while since we’ve had a proper conversation, hasn’t it? Last ti was at the Northern Alliance Summit, I believe."
I nodded, rembering how I’d been relegated to entertaining the other Lunas while Silvano and the Alphas discussed important matters. How I’d bitten my tongue when I heard them making strategic errors in their approach to the territory disputes—errors I could have helped avoid with my analytical skills.
"It has been a while," I agreed. "And much has changed since then."
Alpha Xander’s lips curved into a slight smile. "So I’ve heard. Perhaps we should catch up properly soti. The Eastern Ridge pack has been looking to upgrade our resource managent systems. I hear you’re quite the expert in that field now."
My wolf perked up at this professional acknowledgnt of my skills—sothing I’d rarely received within my own pack in recent years.
"I would be happy to discuss it," I replied, trying not to sound too eager. "SF AI Solutions has developed several systems that might benefit your pack’s operations."
"Excellent." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card, offering it to . "My direct number. I look forward to hearing from you... Freya."
As he left, I stared at the card in my hand, feeling a strange mixture of pride and trepidation.
I tucked the card into my purse and returned to Elena, who raised an eyebrow at my extended absence.
"Everything okay?" she asked, her tone casual but her eyes sharp.
I took a sip of my wine, considering my answer. "I just ran into Alpha Xander," I admitted. "He’s interested in SF AI Solutions’ pack managent systems."
Elena’s eyebrows shot up. "Wow, that’s... a significant client. And a direct challenge to Shadow Pack’s authority in the region."
"It’s just business," I said, though we both knew that in wolf society, nothing was ever just business. Every alliance, every contract carried political weight.
"Freya," Elena said softly, leaning forward. "Are you sure you know what you’re doing? If Silvano finds out—"
"If Silvano finds out, he’ll have to deal with it," I interrupted, surprising myself with my boldness. "I’m not his property, Elena. I’m not just an extension of the Shadow Pack anymore."
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