Ascension 54_A Warrior Luna's Awakening

Third Person’s POV

 Lana’s amber eyes widened as Freya’s terms hung in the air. “You’re really giving him the patent?”

 +8 Pearls

 Freya’s lips curved into a slow, wolfish smirk. “Whether Caelum can wield it or not… that’s another matter.” There was a predator’s edge in her voice, subtle but unmistakable, as if the steel in her gaze could cut through SilverTech’s reinforced walls.

 Lana rxed slightly, sensing the coiled strategy beneath Freya’s calm exterior. “And the divorce… what’s your price?” “1.53 million.” Freya said, steady, precise–her words marking territory like a lone wolf staking a im. Every syble carried weight, every pause measured.

 It was before leaving Caelum Grafton’s penthouse that she hadid down her demand.

 “What? Only 1.53 million?” Lana blinked, disbelief coloring her tone. “You helped Caelum push SilverTech to go public. By rights, you should get half his assets in a divorce.”

 Freya’s amber eyes narrowed, her fangs barely showing in a faint snarl. “His properties are tied up with the banks, and SilverTech is strapped for cash. Even if I wanted more, he simply can’t give it. And… I just want to sever the tie cleanly. I don’t want to stay bound to him anymore.”

 Lana tilted her head, sensing the precision behind Freya’s calction. “Then why 1.53 million? That’s oddly specific,” she asked.

 Freya’s gaze darkened, eyes glinting with a flicker of fire. She pursed her lips bitterly. “1.53 million… it’s my parents‘ deathpensation. I used that money to help Caelum start SilverTech. Now… if I am to cut ties, I need at least this back. The scales have to be bnced.”

 Lana’s jaw tightened. “Caelum truly is despicable. Taking your parents‘ money to build his empire and not even collecting their ashes? If Eric were here… he would tear him apart verbally. And you… you’d probably get scolded too for getting involved!”

 A small, bitterugh escaped Freya, low and almost wolfish. “Yes… if Eric knew, he’d certainly give me one of his legendary scoldings.” 

 Her mind drifted briefly to her brother–Eric Thorne. The man who scolded not with venom, but with precision. The words cut deep, leaving invisible marks that shaped her discipline and instincts. Back then, she had feared his voice, his judgment. But now… she longed for that rity, the grounding presence of a pack’s discipline.

 “Don’t worry,” Lana said, her hand brushing Freya’s shoulder–a silent gesture of solidarity. “Soon enough, you’ll get that scolding. Not long now.” 

 Freya’s gaze lowered, amber eyes fixed on the floor, but her wolfish instincts remained alext. Once the divorce was finalized, she would return her parents‘ remains to their resting ce in their hometown, honoring their memory properly. Then… the hunt would resume–she would track Eric to wherever he had vanished, no matter the distance.

 “That may dy the start of your work at SkyVex Armaments,” Lana said softly, reading the tension in Freya’s posture, “but the drone research can wait. You’ll find him first.” 

 Freya nodded slowly, her jaw set. The wolf within her prowled, restless, sniffing the trail, sensing the territories yet to reim. Amber eyes reflected determination, the kind that would not be denied. She would find Eric. She would reim her legacy. She would not allow Caelum or anyone else to stake a im over her life or her intellect again.

 Meanwhile, across town at the Cloud Horizon restaurant, Aurora watched Caelum Grafton with cautious curiosity. “She really agreed to give you the patent?” 

 Caelum exhaled, tension knitting his brow. “Yes. As long as I hold the press conference to announce the divorce, she’ll hand it over.” Even he felt a pang of disgust at himself. He had never imagined divorce could be a weapon, a transaction to secure survival for SilverTech. Yet the patent was crucial; without it, thepany’s path through the current financial storm would be blocked.

 +8 Pearls

 “And… did she ask for anything else?” Aurora’s concern was genuine. Any increase in Freya’s leverage meant a decrease in his own future gains with her.

 “She only requested 1.53 million in cash as a divorce settlement.” Caelum replied, carefully choosing his words.

 *1.53 million?” Aurora frowned. “Why that number?”

 He shrugged, a flicker of difort crossing his features. “Who knows? Perhaps it was offhand. I’ve long since lost track of the first capital she lent me when SilverTech was barely breathing.”

 Will you give it to her?” Aurora pressed. A sum of 1.53 million was not massive, but it would allow him to clear the legal path and resume his life. 

 Caelum hesitated, feeling the sting of pride and the pull of responsibility. “Aurora… I need to discuss something with you. You know SilverTech’s cash flow is tight. Paying 1.53 million in one go… it might be difficult. Could we…” His face betrayed a hint of awkwardness–he was ustomed to giving rather than taking, especially money, even more so to those he had wronged or owed.

 Aurora’s brow creased. “I just became a co–pilot; I don’t have much liquidity. My parents‘ wealth isrgely tied in antiques, real estate… very little cash.”

 A shadow of disappointment crossed Caelum’s features.

 “I have around 100,000 in cash. You can borrow that first,” Aurora offered, voice steady, her wolfish practicalitying through.

 “Never mind, I’ll find another way,” Caelum said, dismissing it. 100,000 wouldn’t cover the debt anyway.

 Aurora’s expression softened, tinged with guilt. “Sorry, Caelum. Can’t help much.”

 “It’s fine,” he said.

 “Actually,” Aurora added thoughtfully, “you don’t have to give her cash immediately. You could offset it with your shares when the lock–up period ends. That way, no immediate cash ouy.”

 Caelum’s eyes flickered. “The shares are currently in the lock–up period–they can’t be traded yet.”

 Aurora smiled faintly, wolfish cunning glinting in her gaze. “Then she can wait. If she truly wants the divorce, she’ll ept that. Trust me.”

 Caelum nodded slowly, feeling the weight of inevitability settle over him like a wolf pressed against the wind–resistant, but ultimately trapped in the hunt.

 Caelum hesitated for a moment, the weight of pride pressing against him. Fine… let it be for now,” he said finally. He wasn’t the type to stoop to borrowing money, and his wolfish pride bristled at the thought.

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Ascension 54