Chapter 24

Freya's POV

Ivy stood at the entrance of my tent, her expression a strange mix of excitement and discomfort. She clutched two folders to her chest, shifting her weight from one foot to the other like she couldn't decide whether to rush in or run away.

"I have news," she announced, stepping inside. "Good news and bad news."

I set aside the silver wire I'd been working with, my fingers still cramped from the delicate crafting. "Give me the good news first," I said, gesturing for her to sit.

Ivy's eyes sparkled with excitement as she handed me the first folder. "Shadow Collection has officially decided to collaborate with Moonlight Crafts," she said, barely containing her enthusiasm. "I heard that Blackwood Enterprises showcased works from multiple designers at the meeting, including the proposal we submitted. As a result, Mr. Sebastian took a particular liking to your 'Rose Winters' series, which is why he specifically chose to collaborate directly with us."

I took the folder with trembling hands, unable to believe what I was hearing. Opening it, I saw the detailed terms of collaboration and figures that made my eyes widen. The commission would be enough to support me and my baby for years, even without Ethan's financial backing.

"This is..." I whispered, scanning the documents. A sense of validation washed over me—my work, my designs, recognized not just locally but internationally. For a moment, I allowed myself to feel pure, uncomplicated joy.

"I know!" Ivy beamed, but then her expression fell. "However..."

She handed me the second folder with obvious reluctance. I opened it, expecting contract clauses or timeline constraints.

Instead, I found myself staring at an official appointment letter. Riley Hayes, newly appointed Director of First Design Department at Moonlight Crafts, effective immediately. She would be directly overseeing the Shadow Collection project—my project.

My fingers tightened on the paper, crinkling the edges. "She can't even tell the difference between sterling silver and fine silver," I said, my voice dangerously quiet. "This is clearly Ethan giving her a backdoor entrance."

Ember growled inside me, and I felt a flash of fury so intense it momentarily took my breath away. After everything—the trap in the forest, the poisoned spikes, the accusations—Riley was being rewarded with authority over me and my work.

"Moonlight Craft is a subsidiary of Blackwood Enterprises, and he does have the authority to do so. However, we can also choose to decline collaboration with Moonlight Craft," Ivy said, anger flashing in her eyes. "This is an insult to your professional abilities. We can find other buyers for your designs."

I stared at the appointment letter, my initial impulse aligning with Ivy's suggestion. But as my fingers gently touched my abdomen, I forced myself to think rationally. The contract with Shadow Collection through Moonlight Crafts would provide stability—something I desperately needed now.

"We gave Moonlight Crafts our verbal agreement," I said finally, setting the paper down. "We haven't signed contracts yet, but I believe in honoring commitments."

A small, vindictive smile curved my lips. "Besides, watching Riley flounder in a field she knows nothing about might be its own reward."

Ivy studied my face for a moment, then nodded. "Your call. But if she makes your life miserable, we're pulling out, contract or no contract."

I appreciated her loyalty, but the weight of reality settled heavily on my shoulders again. Another battle to fight, another front to defend myself on. Sometimes it felt like the universe was determined to test exactly how much I could endure before breaking.

Ivy must have seen the darkness creeping into my expression because she suddenly brightened. "Don't forget, we have plans with Noah this afternoon. A short trip into the forest to relax before the second trial."

At the mention of this, my mood lifted slightly. "I almost forgot. Yes, I need that, especially now."

I tidied my workstation, carefully putting away the silver wire and half-finished designs. "Let me change. I'm not spending a rare afternoon off in my work clothes."

---

The forest looked different in daylight—less threatening, more welcoming. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, creating dappled patterns on the forest floor. Noah, Ivy, and I walked along a narrow path, following a small stream deeper into the woods but still well within the boundaries of Moonshade territory.

"I never thanked you properly for helping me after the hunt," I said to Noah as we navigated around a fallen tree.

Noah smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You'd do the same for me. Though I hope you never find me impaled on silver spikes."

"I'm curious about your recovery," he added, his tone shifting to that professional doctor voice I recognized. "As your physician, I should verify my patient is healing properly."

I smiled and did a small twirl on the path, my arms outstretched. "Thanks to your excellent care, doctor, I feel fantastic."

We continued along the path until we reached a small clearing beside the stream. Ivy spread out a blanket and unpacked the food she'd brought—sandwiches, fruit, and bottles of sparkling water.

"No alcohol for you," she said pointedly to me, and I rolled my eyes, grateful that Noah already knew about my pregnancy so we didn't need to dance around the subject.

As we ate, Noah regaled us with stories from the hospital, including one about an elderly werewolf who had eaten too much chocolate and couldn't shift back to human form.

"His grandson brought him in wrapped in a blanket," Noah said between bites of his sandwich. "Kept insisting his grandpa wasn't normally so furry. I had to explain that theobromine affects werewolves differently than humans."

Ivy and I dissolved into laughter, the mental image too ridiculous to resist. For the first time in weeks, I felt the knot of tension in my chest begin to loosen.

I leaned back on my elbows, looking up at the clear blue sky visible through the gap in the trees. The air smelled of pine and earth and flowing water—clean and uncomplicated. I drew a deep breath, savoring it.

"This is the most relaxed I've felt in ages," I admitted, closing my eyes briefly against the dappled sunlight.

After we finished eating, we packed up the remains of our picnic and began making our way back along the path. Noah playfully fashioned a crown of twigs and leaves, placing it on my head with a flourish.

"All hail the Forest Queen," he proclaimed with an exaggerated bow.

I laughed and pushed his hand away, but Ivy had already snapped a photo with her phone.

"Blackmail material," she declared with a wicked grin.

We were still laughing, the three of us jostling and teasing each other like carefree teenagers, when a cold, familiar voice cut through our merriment.

"Freya, is this how you spend your time away from your Alpha mate? Frolicking in the woods with another male?"