Chapter Two
Weeks Later
Ryan's pov
The morning light crept over the ivory walls of the chambers. Groggily opening my eyes, I reached out, but again, I grasp empty sheets. They're cold, barely any of her warmth is there.
I sigh as I wrap my robe around my body before exiting her room. I almost run into Mercy who happened to just walk in, holding a basket of laundry. She bows in greeting.
“Where is she?”
“She went for a run, Alpha.” She replied, although her gaze is wary. It's like she's judging me with just her eyes. It's the way it's been these past few weeks.
Just as people felt blessed I had been united with my mate, others were clearly not happy.
Even without words I could feel it- the way they looked at I and Shirley when they thought I wasn't watching. Respect laced with fear- and disapproval. They pitied Freya. They resented us.
A run. Alone. My throated burned as I walked past her, raking my fingers through my hair. We always ran together in the mornings, we did a lot of things together, but of late, she seemed to be doing fine doing it on her own.
She had every right to hate me, to not even want to look at me. Even though it was tearing me apart. I clenched my fists, anger curling through me, not at her, but me.
I should have never listened to them.
Now it was too late, and I couldn't turn back the hands of time.
When I’d first met Shirley, on one of my travels to witness a pledged alliance, she had certainly captioned my attention. At first glance we both knew.
She was the only daughter of Alpha Godric, one of the powerful Alphas of the North who earned himself a seat on the high table of the council. I was making a big mistake thinking I could fumble her.
I was staying a few days at the pack where Alpha Godric hosted his guests. I thought I could fight it- I tried hard to turn away for the sake of Freya. I had wanted no bond but hers, the woman I already claimed.
That night after, I had called her into my chambers, hoping to reject her and end things quickly. What a fool I was.
What feigned as a conversation led to more. I had her to the wall, clothes ripped, our breaths ragged and I took her right there, marking her instantly and sealing our fate.
I had only come to my senses the next morning. She was tearful, heartbroken when in my state of realizing what I had done to Freya, I accused her of seducing me. Seeing the state she was in, that I put her, I was heartbroken. The mate bond was strong, every minute with Shirley, as it grew, I barely even thought of Freya.
Shirley and I agreed that we would enjoy the moments we had before I was to go back with Freya. I promised I wouldn't lay a finger on her, only enjoy the bond simmering between us, but I was only fooling myself.
And when the elders found out, they pressed me over and over again, reminding me that Freya was barren, an Omega who would weaken me and the status of my pack.
Rejecting Shirley was not an option, especially when Alpha Godric found out the little affair between us in his own place.
He was angry, furious, stating his daughter would not live like a mistress. They had me cornered in a trap I set for myself. And the forced me to acknowledge what I had been denying.
Shirley was beautiful, strong, the only daughter amongst six other brothers so she had been trained well. She moved with a poise and regalia that made me effortlessly fall for her.
I would be lying if I said I wanted nothing to do with her.
So with her father's blessing I took her out the pack with the promise that I would break the news to Freya after given some time.
That was almost months ago.
And since then I lived a double life. It was something I wasn't proud of. But In Freya's arms, despite the guilt, I forgot about the treacherous day I would have to break the news to her. With Shirley, I forgot about Freya completely. And when she found out she was pregnant, as happy as I was, finally, an heir, I knew the day would come when I would take her back.
And that night…
I closed my eyes, the memory slamming into me. Her face, broken. The betrayal in her eyes when she smelled the truth in me before even setting her eyes in her. I had promised I would never hurt her. And I had torn her apart with my own hands.
I'd told myself that it wouldn't matter. That love would outweigh destiny. Freya and I have been building that for five years. She and I would always find a way. But how could I deny what the Mon Goddess herself had bound?
How could I deny the child growing inside my mate?
My mate.
And I couldn't keep up with lying to Freya anymore. Having to make love to Shirley, scrub myself clean of her scent before going to meet Freya with a bouquet of flowers which Shirley had personally picked, and make love to her as well.
Shirley.
I found her in the hall. She was in a similar robe and her violet eyesit up once she saw me. I led her to the kitchen, the same routine we've been up to the past few days.
As the day grew close to when she would birth my child, I grew extremely anxious and excited, in anticipation to hold my baby girl in my arms.
She leaned against the counter as I cooked her breakfast, her soft brown hair falling about her shoulders like a silk curtain. I needed my hands busy immediately, needing something to do other than think of the hollow in my chest, imagining Freya on the same counter, her golden blonde hair falling about the same way, her emerald green eyes gleaming as she watched me.
“I think watching you cook us breakfast is my favorite activity of the day,” she said softly, leaning forward to bite a grape I offered her before starting on a bunch.
“Us?” I chuckle before giving her an inquisitive glance.
She rubbed her belly, beaming.
“Miu and I.”
I chuckled again before cracking eggs into a bowl. “Miu huh?”
“You think Freya would like the name? Oh I wish she and I could talk about things like this,” she hesitated before adding. “I- I think she hates me. The way she doesn't even want to breath the same air as me- it cuts me. I wish she knew I didn't want to come between you two. My father- .”
I could hear the tremble in her voice, see the way her eyes glossed with tears.
“Shirley,” with ease, I lifted her over the counter before coming between her legs, wrapping her arms around my neck to kiss her. I claimed her mouth in mine like it belonged to me before peering into her eyes. “Freya is the most gentle, kind hearted soul I've ever met. She'll come around, so you don't have to overthink it.”
Soon, the atmosphere got lighter and we sat, laughing while I fed her.
Suddenly, Freya walked in and it got tense. Even Shirley shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
Her hair was damp with sweat, and the moment her eyes found us instantly, it grew so cold I didn't realize it could darken to almost black.
With a face unreadable, almost like it was carved of stone, I felt the coldness pierce through me.
“Don't stop on my account.” She grabbed a cold sandwich from the fridge, didn't bother heating it and began leaving.
“Freya, please join us.” Shirley quicky stood to her feet, already gesturing to the table.
“The offer is quite tempting. I'd have to decline, sorry.” Her voice was sharp, clipped. I hate the hurt in Shirley's eyes.
“Don't act immature right now. She's being nice.”
Freya blinks at me like the words didn't leave my mouth. “It's apparent you don't want my immature ass joining you two so please, carry on without me.”
With that she walked past us without another glance, her chin lifted, her back rigid. And it hit me hard, even more so when I noticed she'd left her cold sandwich on the counter.
I moved, wanting to follow her, but Shirley fell into my arms before I could stand, sobbing. My heart aches for her and I immediately drew her into my arms.
“I told you she hates me. I hate that I have to come in between you two like this I feel like such a horrible person.”
Later in my office, my Beta set down the invitation card before me.
“She'll come around,” he added. “The Luna is strong headed sometimes but she loves you, she'll come to realize Shirley is a blessing in disguise.”
“Easy for you to say.” I groan, running a hand through my face in exasperation.
He tapped on the card, laying amongst a pile of other documents I have to get through.
“Just so to remind you, the soiree is in a week's time. All Alphas from across the nations would be in attendance with their respective Lunas and you can't afford to miss it.”
“I don't plan to, just keep it with the rest, I'll get to it later “ I wave it off, barely giving the card a glance before I focus on the pile on my table.
Several seconds go by and I notice he's still standing before me and hasn't moved.
I glare at him. “What?”
“You can go with only one.”
I stare at him like he's said the most stupid thing. “Daniel, I'm going with
Freya.’
He looked like he wanted to say something but he didn't. If he wanted to hide his displeasure, he didn't bother.
