Chapter 44
Freya
"Freya, congratulations on your moonlight rebirth," Lucas said, his voice warm and sincere.
Moonlight rebirth. The ancient wolf blessing echoed in my mind. It was what our kind said to those who had broken free from a marking bond—freedom from the spiritual chains that had bound me to Paxton for five long years.
"Thank you," I replied. "Though I'm not sure if congratulations are in order when a marking bond breaks."
Lucas chuckled. "When the bond wasn't serving you? When it was limiting your potential? Absolutely." His expression shifted, playfulness giving way to something more serious. His eyes flashed with a hint of gold—the wolf beneath the surface making itself known.
"Freya Welch," he said, his voice dropping to a deeper register, "from this moment forward, I'm formally declaring my Alpha pursuit of you."
"I'll be your protector from now on," he continued, his gaze intense. "I won't let anything or anyone harm you again."
It was a clear challenge directed at Paxton. In wolf society, such declarations weren't made lightly, especially not in the presence of another Alpha.
Paxton's face darkened, his expression becoming increasingly stormy. Lucas's public challenge had caught him off guard, his Alpha pride wounded.
I set down my cup and stood up, feeling strangely liberated. For once, I didn't care about Paxton's reaction. I turned to face him directly, my amber eyes meeting his.
"Paxton Sterling," I said, intentionally using his full name. "I've decided to let go. From this moment on, I will no longer accept your marking scent."
I reflected on the years I'd spent orbiting his life like a faithful satellite. How I'd first sensed his Alpha presence in high school, the way I'd worked to enhance my wolf gifts instead of going to the European Wolf Academy like Lyra. After graduation, I'd joined Sterling Enterprises, hoping to prove my worth. His leverage over me had always been my attachment to his mark—my emotional dependence.
But no more.
"Lucas Morgan," I said, turning away from Paxton's darkening expression, "congratulate me properly. I'm finally free."
I finished my coffee in one long, satisfying gulp and walked toward the door without looking back at Paxton. Lucas shrugged and followed, deliberately allowing his scent to briefly cover my shoulders—a protective gesture in wolf culture that would infuriate Paxton further.
---
In Lucas's Ferrari, I felt my composure crack. My eyes reddened as I turned toward the window, struggling to control the fluctuations in my scent that would betray my emotions.
After driving in silence for several minutes, Lucas suddenly slammed on the brakes, pulling the red sports car to the side of the road.
"So you were crying for him back there?" he asked, his voice sharp but not unkind.
I didn't answer.
"Freya," he said more softly, "an Alpha who doesn't treasure you doesn't deserve your tears."
The engine roared back to life, sounding almost like a wolf's howl as we sped away.
---
Back at Sterling Enterprises, I'd settled into my old office in the strategy department. My desk had been moved out of Paxton's office and back to where I'd worked before our marking. The walls displayed awards for successful projects I'd designed—reminders of my value beyond being Paxton's marked mate.
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Samuel entered, a file in his hand and worry lines creasing his forehead.
"This contract," he said, placing it on my desk. "Lyra signed it, and Paxton approved it, but something feels off."
I scanned the document carefully, my amber eyes catching the issue immediately. "There's a problem."
Samuel leaned against my desk. "What did you find?"
"If I remember correctly, Max was traumatized after witnessing his family killed during the hunter attack."
Samuel nodded grimly. "You're right. He suffered severe mental trauma. He's not qualified as a contracting party. If he loses control and exposes our identity, the entire Sterling Group would face sanctions from the Wolf Council."
He shook his head in disapproval. "I don't understand why Paxton is relying so heavily on Lyra. She's a pure-blood Beta, yes, but she lacks basic understanding of wolf business rules."
"Alphas can choose any mate," Samuel continued, "but company matters should be entrusted to capable people, not just Beta pheromone diffusers."
"I've temporarily withheld the contract," he said. "Could you explain the risks to Paxton?"
I nodded, though the thought of another interaction with Paxton made my mark itch.
---
After Samuel left, I closed the door and photographed the document, sending it to Paxton with an explanation of the taboo and potential risks.
His reply came quickly: [Noted.]
No reprimand for Lyra. No acknowledgment of the serious error. I felt a bitter smile form on my lips as I realized how different things would have been if I had made such a mistake. Lyra truly was the Beta he cherished, even when her mistakes endangered the pack.
---
My office door flew open without warning. Lyra stormed in, her entire body radiating angry Beta pheromones. She pointed her finger at my face.
"Freya, what's your problem?" she demanded.
I turned calmly, amber eyes meeting hers. "What problem would that be?"
"Why did you hold back the contract I signed with Max?"
"The contract violates wolf business taboos," I replied flatly.
Lyra scoffed. "I don't think the contract is the problem. I think it's you, mixed-blood. You're jealous of my pure Beta lineage, aren't you? That's why you're sabotaging me, making me look foolish."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Do I need to deliberately sabotage someone who doesn't understand basic wolf rules?"
I looked her up and down. "What exactly are you proud of, Lyra? Besides your pretty white wolf fur, what makes you better than me? Your business acumen? Strategic vision? Understanding of wolf traditions?"
I stepped closer to her, my voice dropping to a low rumble with unmistakable Alpha undertones. "Or is it your blood purity? What good is pure blood when your ignorance endangers the pack?"
Lyra's face paled. She knew that despite her pure lineage, exposing our kind through her carelessness would bring eternal shame.
She took a step back but rallied quickly. "So what? Pax still chose me, not you. That's why you're trying to undermine me, Freya—you're just a discarded marked mate."
I straightened to my full height. My voice carried undeniable authority when I spoke.
"I'm not undermining you," I said with deadly calm. "If I were truly undermining you..." I paused, letting the power of my gaze and scent fill the room. "If I were truly undermining you, you wouldn't be standing in this territory anymore."