Chapter One

Freya’s pov

The Omega servants giggled excitedly amongst themselves as they leaned against the doorway, watching me bustle around the kitchen.

“I'm dying to know what has put our Luna in such good mood tonight.” One said, Mercy, my personal hand maiden.

“At least let us help you.” another offered, her smile bright as she reached for a tray, curiosity shone in her eyes.

I chuckled, shaking my head in that gentle way they teased me about. “You are not allowed to touch even a spoon here. And this is something I'd like to share with my husband, the Alpha first.”

They groaned dramatically, laughing as I waved them off with the wooden ladden of my spoon. The air was fragrant with spicy herbs, grilled meat, simmering broth and freshly baked bread sitting on the counter to cool. I was making Ryan's favorite tonight.

“The Alpha is the luckiest man on earth to have you as his mate. I'm so jealous, I hope to find a mate as loving as him too.” They sighed.

My smile faltered for the bleakest moment as I stirred over the pot, but it brightened instantly as I laughed.

Ryan and I were not fated mates.

He was the treasured Alpha's son while I? Was his Mother's hand maiden. We grew up together, became close; childhood friends. He had pursued me relentlessly when I turned eighteen, claimed me before anyone else could. Back then I hadn't even cared enough to find my mate, because I truly believed he and I were fated already.

People were soon to forget that we weren't bound by the Moon Goddess herself. He made them forget, made me forget even. With him I hadn't cared about mates or destiny or anything else. I was content with him.

And he had promised to be by my side forever, didn't bother to go in search of his mate after much pressure from the Council and made it clear he was settling with me and me alone.

Everything in our marriage was perfect. I took on the role of the perfect Luna. Modest, kind, strong, resilient, I worked years proving several people who perceived my Omega status before me as a person wrong. It hsdni been easy, but standing here five years after, reliving the moments, I was glad I prevailed and most of all, Ryan loved me through every moment.

The only problem was that I couldn't give him a child. We had gone to all the healers, pack doctors possibly existing and they all said nothing was wrong with me and we would have to just wait on the Moon goddess. Many who had always resented me claimed it was the Moon goddess punishing me for stealing the Alpha from his fated mate.

My hand gentle pressed against my stomach, where weeks of growing life stirred softly beneath my palm. Our child. A secret I had nurtured in silence with our family healer, in fear it was all a dream, a fluke. Until now. He would finally know, a beautiful baby girl- and I had already given to her, his precious Late mother's name. Kayla. It was all he's ever wanted.

The table was set in time just as I heard the heavy tread of boots across the hall. My heart leapt, nerves buzzing with anticipation. I could feel my wolf strain against the restraints of my mind, more excited than I am to meet him.

I quickly took off my apron, dusted the baking powder off my cheeks and smoothed down my gown as I rehearsed the words in my mind. You're going to be a father, she's a girl and she already loves you as much as I do.

When he entered the hall, my smile bloomed instinctively. His appearance soothed me instantly, taking my breathe away. Piercing blue eyes found mine, almost concealed by damp black hair from the rain that fell over them.

However, my smile suddenly froze.

The scent hit me first. Not his. This one was foreign. With dread I recognized it as female. And not just any female. Else, the realization wouldn't come with so much hurt. It clung to him like smoke to fire.

My wolf recoiled inside me snarling, howling with repulsion. My stomach lurched as I staggered several steps back, my hand slipping from the table’s edge.

Big mistake, because I found myself almost toppling to the ground still from shock. He was quick and his strong arms wrapped around me before I could fall, his lips brushing the top of my hair.

I hoped I was mistaken, but his actions said otherwise.

“I'm sorry Freya,” he murmured. “But let me explain. Please, I didn't mean for it to happen this way.”

“You're lying. This has to be some sort of joke.” My voice cracked, confusion tumbling through me like a broken glass as I fought, pushing him away from me.

The hurt in his eyes was palpable, but it was nothing compared to my heart shattering into pieces.

And behind him, she walked in. I almost laughed, instead, what left my lips sounded more like a throaty, pained chuckle. He actually brought her here.

My breath left me in a single, sharp gasp as I took her in. She was radiant, beautiful, but unmistakably pregnant. Heavily pregnant. Her belly was well rounded beneath her silk gown, heavy.

I tried to ignore it but the bond between them flared so strongly that I could feel it seeping into my skin, my nostrils, even from across the room. The spark in his eyes as he turned to her, the way her wolf’s aura melted into his- it was undeniable.

The pain was instant, like a spear driven through my chest so hard I nearly blacked out. My vision blurred with tears I refused to fall.

Her small frame hid behind his and I sneered, jealousy and fury burning inside of me so hot I was shaking.

“Freya- “

“How long?” My voice was a whisper but It cut across the room. I swallowed, watching her fingers curl around his hand, like she was scared, but everything about her screamed malicious. I wanted to cross the room and rake my claws over her eyes.

“How long have you been lying to me!” I hurled the words out in a scream.

He flinched, shutting his eyes. The guilt overshadowed his features. He couldn't deny it.

“Freya let's sit down and talk about this. You understand that I would never hurt you of all people. This was a difficult decision for me to make. I- “

“A difficult decision?” I was more atonishment to be angry at this point. I shook my head.

“I love you, but she is my mate, Freya. Don't be Inconsiderate right now. I promise you whatever you and I have will never change, you know that. But she's pregnant- with my heir.”

It stung. His words. But I couldn't trust not to say more hurtful things so I moped at him, speechless.

Suddenly, she approached me, her hands rubbing her belly delicately, her lips trembling like she wanted to cry.

I hated her. I hated her so much.

“You have to believe him. And I would never want to come in between you two, I mean it. Please don't hate me Freya, I hope we can get along.”

I almost laughed. I was bitter, broken. I swear I could see the triumph flowing behind that fragile mask. She knew she had won.

It didn't matter how much he promised nothing would change. It already did the moment he brought her here.

No. The moment he claimed her.

I couldn't breathe. The walls were closing in, suffocating me with the stench of betrayal and her scent. My wolf raged inside me, demanding we leave before there was bloodshed. For the sake of the unborn child, I didn't want to hurt her.

Stumbling back, I shook my head, my hand discreetly pressing over the fragile swell of my own. The one he just said without words that I couldn't give him.

“Freya!”

I ignored him, stumbling back and turning around. And I fled.

The rain outside welcomed me, cold and harsh, soaking through my clothes as my wolf fought to break free. Pain ripped through me. Betrayal, raw and bleeding echoed in my very bones as I cried loud into the night hoping the Moon goddess could hear me.

I willed my wolf to shift but she wouldn't even though her howl was laced with agony.

“Please… please I just want to get out of here,” tears dropped on my cheeks but she wouldn't budge. And then it hit me. She did want to, but she couldn't. Because of our child. It would be precarious to even shift in my condition.

But still I ran, not in the mood to even look at Ryan. I still loved him, and that's probably why it hurts so much. Barefoot and fast, I ran straight into the storm. Lightning split the sky as I treaded the muddy path. I ran for hours.

Suddenly, it felt like a shadow was following me, fast and stealthily between the branches of the trees towering above me.

Even my instincts knew it wasn't Ryan. This thing felt like a wild animal, but I couldn't get a wiff of a scent. It chilled me to my bones. I felt like I was watched. Like someone was monitoring my moves, running with me in the wild. I ignored the feeling but it was perturbing by the second.

By the time I returned, I was drenched but I didn't care. The Omegas stood at the door offering me a blanket. By their expression they probably were aware of what took place. I dismissed them and went straight for my room.

I didn't miss the fact that Ryan was absent as I walked in. He had his own room, but we spent our nights together. Infact, on nights I went for runs, he would be on his spot on the bed, in nothing but a robe, waiting for me. Sweaty and breathless I would fall into his arms and he would make love to me till I forgot my own name.

Now my room lay cold as my heart, my bed bare. He hadn't even come in to check on me, I'd have known.

After changing into my robe, I lay down and tried to sleep. But it was hard. Not when I missed him, not when I kept trying to forget thinking about them together. It was obvious he was with her.

Barely a night she was here and I already knew my place.

What seemed like hours passed before I heard the creak of my chamber doors. I felt him before the bed shifted under his weight. My back was to him but when he reached for me, I shrank back.

My heart felt like it was being cut through with a knife, the pain was unbearable and tears rolled down my cheeks again. I could feel his hurt through the mate bond but I couldn't care less.

“Freya I love you. I love you that this hurts. It hurt me to do this. To accept my mate.. I know I promised, but- “

“There is no excuse for a broken promise.” I hated the crack in my tearful voice.

“I hate myself for doing this,” silence. I shut my eyes feeling the shards of my broken heart pierced my chest. “I hate that I hurt you. Please believe me. Freya you are my first, you are my wife, my Luna. My only love. She will only just bear my hair. Nothing will change what we have.”

I sneer. “Is that another promise?”

Silence.

This wasn't something he expected me

to just forgive. He lay down next to me, quiet, but without touching me, and as much as I resented his presence, I still feel asleep.