Freya’s POV
+8 Pearls
Lana shrugged as she watched the tall, imposing man fumble like apdog, opening the car door for me. If the heirs of The Capital, familiar with Kade’s reputation as a “little tyrant,” saw him acting so obediently in front of a woman, they’d probably choke on their wine.
Kade drove me to the gate of my vi.
<b>“</b><b>You </b>live here? Not far from me,” he said.
And yet, despite being so close, the past three years hadn’t offered a single crossing of paths.
“The Capital isn’t that big,” I replied.
“Then I’lle find you here,” Kade said.
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Pragers
“Don’t.” I felt the low rumble of his wolf stir. Hisposure faltered for only a moment before I added, “I’m nning to move anyway.”
His expression brightened. “Fine. When you do, call me–I’ll help with the move.”
I waved goodbye<b>, </b>stepping into my vi.
Inside, Caelum Grafton stood by the door, his cold gaze pinned to me. “Who just brought you back? Ss Whitmor?”
I frowned. “No. A former colleague from the military.”
“Military colleague<b>?</b><b>” </b>Caelum’s brow furrowed, suspicion shing. “Since when are your colleagues that rich? That car didn’t <b>cost </b><b>less </b>than a few million.”
I ignored him, heading to the stairs to wash away the sweat and fatigue clinging to me. But Caelum grabbed my arm before <b>I </b>could pass.
<b>“</b>Can’t answer me? Freya, you keep using Aurora and me of betrayal<b>, </b>but you… when exactly did you and Ss <b>get </b>involved?<b>” </b>
<b>I </b><b>stiffened</b>. Ss? He <b>was </b><b>a </b>predator in his own right, but <b>we </b><b>weren’t </b>involved.
“I <b>have </b>nothing to do with <b>Ss</b><b>, </b>Caelum. <b>Stop </b>projecting your own filth onto others,” <b>I </b>spat, voice icy.
His <b>face </b><b>flushed </b>red, then he bellowed, “Then <b>why </b>did <b>Ss </b><b>answer </b>my <b>call </b><b>to </b>you? Why did he say you <b>were </b><b>asleep</b>? Were <b>you</b><b>… </b>in his bed?<b>” </b>
<b>I </b>shrugged off his hand. “I don’t <b>need </b>to prove <b>my </b>innocence <b>to </b><b>you</b>. If Ss answered your call, it’s thanks to your mother and sister’s underhanded schemes. Were it not for them using <b>vile </b>methods, I wouldn’t have <b>needed </b>him to escort me to the hospital for sedation!”
“What<b>?</b>” Caelum froze<b><i>, </i></b>stunned<b>. </b>
I didn’t wait for <b>a </b><b>reply </b><b>I </b><b>went </b>upstairs, letting the <b>shower </b>wash <b>away </b><b>sweat</b>, <b>fear</b>, and rage.
When I emerged, dressed andposed, Caelum <b>sat </b>on <b>the </b>edge of the bed, looking as though he’d swallowed <b>a </b>bitter pill
“Freya… I’m sorry<b>. </b><b>I </b>shouldn’t <b>have </b>doubted you. I was just… worried,” he murmured.
“Worried?” I let out a bitterugh. “Do you think I could ever trust your words again<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Embarrassment flickered across his features. <b>“</b>Regardless, I know my mother and <b>sister </b>caused you harm. But, we’re family. If you forgive them<b>, </b>this could all <b>pass</b>.”
I <b>lifted </b>my chin, eyes cold as winter steel. “I will not <b>forgive</b><b>, </b>Caelum. Some things cannot be pardoned.”
His <b>jaw </b>tensed. “They are my mother and sister!”
+8 Pearls
“So what? Just because they are, I must forgive them when they’ve harmed me? Do you even realize what I could have suffered yesterday?”
<b>“</b>You-” His voice faltered.
“Two strangers would have toyed with me, stripping me bare while your mother watched, savoring every moment. Giselle would film it, spread it online, all to see me ruined. And you–what? You’d just stand by?”
I saw the color drain from his face. His chest heaved, wolf instincts shing with human guilt.
“I… I promise. It won’t happen again. Just this once–please forgive them! My mother is old, fragile. Giselle is young, can’t have a record,” he pleaded.
I lifted my red–stained lips in a cold smile. “So… I’m supposed to be the one sacrificed?”
His wolf bristled at my words, heart pounding in panic. My indifference was a razor at his throat–threatening, absolute.
“Freya… I will treat you well. I’ll make it up to you, double… triple,” he rushed forward, trying to wrap me in his arms.
Neaned against him briefly, recalling the same words he’d whispered when he proposed. Promises made in warmth, now empty. I had been foolish to believe.
I pushed him away, my voice firm, unwavering. “Caelum, I’m moving out. Until our divorce is finalized, we will see each
other no more.”
The room seemed to chill, the wolf in both of us bracing for territory, distance, and the inevitable reckoning toe.
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