Third Person’s POV
+8 Pearls
“Exactly.” Ss had said, leaning slightly toward Freya, the faint chill of his presence brushing against her skin. “This body of mine is…. well, not bad. If Miss Thorne ever finds herself in need, I’m at your disposal.”
Freya blinked, still reeling. She had never heard a man speak of such things so… detached, so otherworldly. “No. I don’t need that,” she said firmly.
“Really?” His cool breath whispered across her face, fingers tracing a slow, deliberate path along her arm. The chill shed with the lingering heat from the haze–smoke, weaving together, teasing her senses, igniting a desire she struggled to suppress. With a sharp inhale, Freya’s hand shot out, pressing firmly against the pulse at Ss’s wrist. Her amber eyes locked onto his. fierce and unwavering. “I only need you to take me to the hospital.”
Even as the haze coursed through him, Ss’s body was alive with heat, every nerve sensitive–but her resolve held steady, crystal clear, refusing to bow even a fraction to the pull of desire. His gaze lingered on her face, heart hammering against his chest in a way that hadn’t happened before, something stirring, shifting.
After a long, taut moment, he gave a slow, measured smile. “Fine. I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Meanwhile, Caelum Grafton never imagined he’d end up in the precinct under such circumstances. The two men had confessed quickly once inside, implicating themselves with transfer records on their phones–proof that Eleanor and Giselle had bribed them to carry out the scheme.
Eleanor’s testimony <b>was </b>frantic, insisting she had done nothing wrong; she’d merely given them money, she imed, and hadn’t instructed them tomit anything illegal. Giselle’s defense was to shift me to Aurora, insisting she had only acted to help her friend. Aurora, as usual, denied any knowledge, though inside she seethed, knowing the two women had tried to drag her into their mess.
Caelum slumped into a chair in the precinct’s waiting area, tension knotting in his chest<b>. </b>Tonight had been meant for business<b>–</b>expanding SilverTech Forgeworks, exploring new ventures–but now, even current projects were at risk, and thepany’s <b>stock </b>might take a hit.
“Where’s Freya Thorne? Why hasn’t she arrived?” he asked, voice tight.
“She <b>wasn’t </b>feeling <b>well</b>. She went to the hospital <b>first</b>. Officers will apany <b>her </b>to take her statement<b>,</b><b>” </b>one replied.
Concern coiled in him. He dialed Freya’s <b>number </b>immediately. Whena voice answered, it <b>wasn’t </b><b>hers</b><b>, </b><b>but </b>a man’s<b>, </b>calm and cold.
“Caelum Grafton? Looking for <b>Freya </b>Thorne?”
The tone <b>was </b>familiar<b>, </b>unsettling.
“Ss Whitmor<b>,</b>” he said<b>, </b><b>unease </b>prickling in <b>his </b>veins<b>. </b>
“Freya? Why is her phone with you?” Caelum <b>pressed</b><b>, </b>anxiety sharpening.
“She’s resting. Do you need me to ry a <b>message </b>when she wakes?” Ss’s <b>voice </b><b>was </b>steady, untouched by panic or chaos.
Caelum’s fingers clenched around the phone, the tightness pressing at his chest. He had always thought Ss Whitmor indifferent to Freya, yet now she <b>rested </b>under Ss’s protection. The implication struck deep<b>–</b>territorial, possessive, and undeniably alpha.
Ele barely remembered ending the call before Aurora emerged from the interrogation room.
“Caelum, this really isn’t my doing.” Aurora said, <b>stepping </b>forward, <b>eyes </b>clear and sharp. “I overheard Eleanor <b>and </b>Giselle speaking about separating you and Freya, but I <b>had </b>no idea they would go this far.”
Caelum said nothing, watching her<b>, </b>taking in the resolute set of her shoulders. Aurora’s expression hardened. “<b>You </b>don’t
+8 Pearls
believe me? You think I’d stoop to such vile schemes to end your marriage? Then don’te to me again–it will only leave me open to gossip.”
She turned to leave, but Caelum moved with the precision of a wolf striking, blocking her path.
“I’m sorry, Aurora. Today… so much has happened. My head’s a mess,” he said, his voice low.
Her amber eyes softened slightly, though the steel remained. “Caelum, understand this: I don’t manipte or scheme. If I truly wanted you separated, I would say so openly–not involve others in covert plots.”
Caelum’s guilt deepened. Aurora, always decisive, fearless, a true daughter of the Bluemoon Pack–how could she ever be implicated in petty schemes? It had been Giselle, panicked and reckless, trying to lessen her own punishment by dragging Aurora into it.
“I shouldn’t have doubted you,” he admitted, voice heavy, his wolf instincts stirred by the sight of her integrity, the subtle alpha resonance in her presence.
Aurora’s expression softened. “It’s fine, as long as you truly believe me,” she said, her voice steady yet warm.
Caelum’s gaze met hers, intense and unwavering. “Of course I believe you. You saved my life–how could I ever not trust you?”
Hearing this, Aurora allowed herself the faintest of smiles. She lifted a hand, gently brushing back the strands of Caelum’s hair that had fallen over his forehead. “Exactly. I saved your life… so of course you’d believe me. Caelum, all I need is for you to keep trusting me.”
To trust in her innocence, and to trust that she had–without question–once saved his life.
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