Chapter 14

Ethan's POV

The weight of Riley's words filled the car as I drove her back to the Hayes family compound. She hadn't stopped talking since we left Silver Moon Manor, detailing elaborate plans for our future together, speaking with such certainty that anyone listening would believe we'd already completed our mating ritual.

"I was thinking we could redecorate the east wing," she said, her fingers lightly touching my arm. "It's always been so dark and dreary. Don't you think lighter colors would make it more welcoming?"

"Mmm," I mumbled, my thoughts drifting back to the manor, to Freya. The image of her stumbling out of the car, face pale and body trembling, kept replaying in my mind. The scent of her distress had been unmistakable.

"Are you even listening?" Riley's voice sharpened.

I forced myself to focus. "Sorry. Pack business on my mind."

"That's exactly why you need me," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I can handle the social obligations while you focus on leadership."

Rowan paced restlessly beneath my skin. He'd been unusually agitated recently, especially whenever Riley spoke about our future. I couldn't understand it. For three years, I'd believed Riley was my true mate, cursed from my recognition by the witch's spell. It made perfect sense – she was a pureblooded werewolf from a respectable Alpha line. But whenever I touched her, that emptiness in my chest remained unfilled.

"When are you planning to dissolve your arrangement with Freya?" Riley asked, her tone casual but her scent betraying anticipation. "I mean, now that I'm back, there's really no reason to wait, is there?"

Rowan snarled so violently at the mention of Freya's name that I had to grip the steering wheel tighter to maintain control. These reactions were becoming more frequent, more intense.

"Soon," I answered, keeping my voice neutral. "These things take time."

"But the papers are ready, aren't they? All she needs to do is sign."

I nodded, remembering the folder I'd placed on Freya's bedside table, now sitting untouched in her room. Something twisted uncomfortably in my chest.

The Mist Valley Cottage came into view, Marcus already waiting at the entrance. His eager expression as he spotted my car was telling – the ambitious Alpha saw me as his ticket back to prosperity. His pack's territory had been shrinking for years, his resources dwindling. A formal union between his daughter and me would give him access to Blackwood wealth and influence.

"Ethan," he greeted warmly as I helped Riley from the car. "Won't you come in? Elena has prepared a special dinner."

"Thank you, but I need to get back," I said firmly. "Pack matters require my attention."

Riley pouted, leaning heavily on her cane. "Just for a little while? We barely had any time together today."

"Another time," I promised, though the words felt hollow. As I watched Marcus guide Riley toward the house, I felt an unexpected wave of relief. The moment they disappeared inside, I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with the evening air, free from the cloying scent of Riley's perfume.

Back in the car, I pressed my forehead against the steering wheel, trying to make sense of my conflicting emotions. Why was I feeling like this? Riley was everything I should want – pureblooded, beautiful, from a respected lineage. Yet my thoughts kept returning to Freya, to the way her honey-and-wildflower scent had changed subtly in recent days, becoming somehow sweeter, more compelling.

My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. Victor's name flashed on the screen – my grandfather, the former Alpha of Moonshade Pack.

"Grandfather," I answered.

"Ethan." His deep voice carried the weight of his years and wisdom. "How are the preparations for the hunting ritual coming along?"

I winced. The ritual. With everything happening with Riley and Freya, I'd completely neglected my duties. "They're... in progress."

"Which means you haven't started." Victor's disapproval was clear. "This is not like you, Ethan. The ritual is less than a month away."

"I know. I've been distracted with personal matters."

"Personal matters should never interfere with pack responsibilities." His tone softened slightly. "The hunting ritual has been our tradition for generations. All adult female wolves from our pack and neighboring territories must be notified."

"I'll see to it tomorrow."

After hanging up, I sat motionless, Victor's warning echoing in my mind. Then a thought struck me – the hunting ritual could provide the perfect excuse to delay dissolving my agreement with Freya. Wolves participating in the hunting ceremony and trials must belong to a pack. Three years ago, she was expelled from the Starscar Pack. If the agreement is terminated, she will have no pack affiliation and will become a rogue wolf. It would give me time to sort through these confusing feelings, these inexplicable reactions from Rowan.

Of course, Freya stood virtually no chance of winning the Zeta position. As a half-blood competing against purebred females, many with years more experience, her defeat was all but certain. Still, the delay would serve my purposes.

Rowan growled in disapproval, pacing anxiously within me. My wolf had never reacted this way before – it was as though he knew something I didn't, something about Freya.

When I finally arrived back at Silver Moon Manor, the air felt charged with tension. Olivia greeted me at the door, her expression carefully neutral.

"Mrs. Blackwood is in her room," she said quietly.

As I walked past Freya's door toward my study, a scent stopped me in my tracks. Something different emanated from her room – her usual honey-wildflower fragrance, but underneath it, a strange sweetness I couldn't identify. I leaned closer to the door, inhaling deeply.

I heard soft murmuring from inside, Freya's voice gentle as though speaking to someone. Curious, I knocked.

"Come in," she called, her voice instantly shifting to a more guarded tone.

When I entered, Freya was at her desk, hastily gathering sketches. She looked up, her face carefully composed but her fingers trembling slightly as she tucked the papers away.

"Ethan," she acknowledged me, her posture stiffening.

An awkward silence stretched between us. I noticed dark circles under her eyes, her skin paler than usual.

"About the dissolution papers," she started, her voice steady despite the slight quiver in her hands. "I'm ready to discuss the terms whenever you are."

Something inside me rebelled at her words, a fierce resistance I couldn't explain. I cleared my throat, changing the subject. "I heared you'll be participating in the hunting ritual next month."

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "What does that have to do with our dissolution?"

"Everything," I said, seizing the opportunity. "Werewolves without a pack affiliation cannot participate in the hunting ceremony and trials. And without pack protection, you'd be vulnerable. Do you know what happens to lone female wolves, especially mixed-bloods?"

"Enlighten me," she said cautiously.

"They become targets. Rogue werewolves hunt them down, force them into submission, or worse." I watched her face carefully as I continued. "Some rogues specifically seek unmarked females, forcing them to bear pups or keeping them as sexual slaves."

Fear flickered in her eyes before she masked it. "And this relates to our situation how?"

"If you win the Zeta position during the hunt, you'd have standing in the pack regardless of our bonding status. You could remain under Moonshade protection." I didn't mention how unlikely her victory would be. "I propose we wait until after the trials to finalize our dissolution."

Freya studied me, suspicion evident in her gaze. "And if I don't win?"