Chapter Four
Freya's pov
The days passed by like spilled ink.
From Mercy who kept tabs on what was happening, I was informed Shirley was okay. She had practically glued herself onto Ryan, claiming she healed faster with skin to skin contact with her mate.
Ryan hadn't talked to me, barely even bothered knowing why I hadn't left my room all day to the next day for almost a week.
My wolf whimpered in the shadows of my mind, but I forced her down. I could not afford to break down each time the thought of them together came to mind, or replayed the hurtful things Ryan said to me.
Every morning, Mercy and the Omegas came in with breakfast, strict orders from Ryan that I eat. I hated the pitying glances they gave me as they set it down before leaving.
I smirked ruefully. He knew he was making a mistake taking Shirley as his Luna to the soiree tonight, and to help feed his ego that there was nothing wrong, he was trying to appease me.
But I ate. Not for him. Not for the worrying Omegas. But for myself. For my child. I will never have to punish my unborn girl for the unfortunate situation I found myself in.
For once I made a decision within. I was not available. Not to him. Not ever again.
Once, his absence had hollowed me. I used to ache when he left me untouched, wondering if I was no longer enough. Now all I felt was disgust. Resentment. And the slow steady burn of resolve.
Tears burned my eyes as I scooped food in my mouth. Despite my appetite loss I knew I had to eat. I had to survive. Shirley would be thrilled if I died from starvation, I will never let her have that satisfaction of seeing me vulnerable.
Night came as quickly as the days passed. I finally emerged from my room, casually curled on the couch in the living room, my nose buried in a book.
More than ever, I’d loved to be cooped up in my room and not have to watch them leave, but I would appear weak. The guilty Luna who almost tried to kill her co-wife hidden in her room while the Alpha brandished his new woman. Not me. Not Freya.
From the couch, I side glanced them. My heart clenched tight in my chest, my fingers curled around the book trembling. They descended the stairs together looking every bit perfect. Both were draped in fine black and gold embroidery, Shirley's hair was done, her smile sweet and wide, the mask of an innocent woman.
If they noticed me, they didn't acknowledge it. Smiling lovingly in each other's faces, Ryan looking enchanted by her, they both exited the room.
The moment the door was shut, a smirk found its way to lips. Cruel. Didn't match the tears glistening in my eyes.
Mercy alighted the stairs and bowed.
“Is it ready?” I set the book down as I approached her to inquire.
She looked up at me with a triumphant smile. “Yes Luna.”
I followed her to my chambers. For years I had stayed submissive, careful, sweet. Always his good little Luna. Always what he wanted.
Not tonight.
Two weeks ago, I had overheard him on a call with Shirley's father, Alpha Godric. It was a secret call, because I knew he wouldn't want me to know they were planning a mating ceremony between he and Shirley. It sounded in earnest, like they planned it before the birth of her child. There, they would name her Luna.
Over the call, he reinstated that I would remain his first wife, but I knew. Those were only words. Compared to Shirley, one with true Alpha's blood running in her veins, the true mate, I didn't stand a chance.
I gave him many chances to open up to me about it but he never did, and I despised him even more for it.
On my bed lay a gown. Red like fire, immaculate, beaded with crystals that pooled like the Moon goddess tears.
Shirley’s Luna coronation gown.
I knew about the preparations they were making behind my back. And I had planned to not play a role in it, much less interfere. But the moment Ryan showed me my place in his life, I moved.
The dress was my first target as the Soiree was close. It had beenkept in her walk in closet, sent from her father's best royal seamstress, finishing touches yet to be made before the ceremony, but I had the pleasure of taking it myself.
They hadn't noticed, down the stairs having their breakfast routine assuming I was sulking in my room still.
I had given Mercy and my trustworthy Omegas the task of adding the finishing touches to the dress, and they had truly outdone themselves.
I slid into the gown. A type of garment I had never dared to wear. The color was obviously clashing with the color theme of the soiree but I didn't care. It cut dangerously low, clinging to every curve. I felt like sin itself staring at my expression.
When I stepped out moments later, about to step into the carriage, Daniel was there, armed with guards and a stern glare.
“You're making a mistake.”
Midway getting into the carriage, I reward him a faltering smile.
“The mistake I made was ever thinking your Alpha was man enough to do the right thing.”
“What makes you I can just let you leave here? You hold no power anymore. From the dress, you're already aware where you stand.”
I pause, turning to face him. I impose my aura on him, watching the gleam of my crimson red eyes reflect in his, seeing him struggle under my aura.
Satisfaction clouded my features as I stare at him. “You forget I'm your Luna still. Don't interfere and you won't have to face my wrath.”
I barely pay him another glance, signalling to the guards to ready the gates to open. He doesn't do a good job of hiding his rage, sadly tonight I had no intention of pleasing anyone.
“Luna Freya. Apologies, but- “ The guards at the mighty double oak doors of the ceremony stuttered upon seeing me approach them.
“Is there a problem?” I feign ignorance, lowering my lashes as I subtly meet their gazes. They swallow, their eyes darting.
“If I'm not mistaken my husband just walked in moments ago, this is the soiree is it not? I am his Luna, you have to let me in.” I imply innocently, not giving them the slightest idea I knew he walked in with that two faced bitch.
They hesitated for a moment, but after a silent battle of conflict, they opened the doors to me.
The hall was already alive as I walked in. Music sauntered across the room, people dancing across the floor in sync to the orchestra. The scent of wine blending in with the scent of wolves filled the room.
I grab a glass of wine from an Omega passing by with a tray. With poise, I walk across the room. I tilted it back and set it aside. I grab another, drink every drop and set it aside too.
The air shifted. With a smirk, I take a sip of another glass, aware of the conversation breaking Midway as I walked in.
Heads turned as expected, I felt it. The gaze crawling over me. Fawning.
The whispers travelling across the room became quite hard to suppress, but I ignored them, heading straight for my target.
“She’s shameless, how could she even think of showing her face here?“
“My goodness! Who is she? She's just as beautiful as the moon goddess herself. Is she here Alone?”
My gaze was on the coutncil table where the Elders and high table Alphas sat. However, they had noticed me. I could smell their apprehension and annoyance from where I stood. The Elders mostly. They were clearly not happy to see me.
Mixed emotions ran across the room.
A hand suddenly curled around my arm, tight. And I was flung around to meet Ryan's Blue eyes, cold and narrowed.
He tried to hide it, but his instincts betrayed him. I could scent the jealousy and Infatuation on him as his eyes travelled over my body before meeting my eyes again.
Shirley is beside him, and despite her usual feigned appearance, the annoyance is evident in her eyes when she runs them down her gown on my body, brimming in rage.
“What the fuck do you think you're doing?” He growled.
I wrung my hand from his grip before flashing him a tight lipped smile. “Why? I'm here for the same reason as everyone else, Alpha. Is there a problem?”
“Stop it. Stop it right this instant!” His eyes darted around, to the obvious stares I was receiving, mostly from the Alphas. Curiosity, lust. And I could tell it was riling him up.
“I don't answer to you anymore.” With that, I spun around, heading straight for the Council.
My eyes fell on him instantly. He wasn't exactly hard to find. Brooding. Magnetic. Like a shadow pulling me in, I found myself insanely drawn to the Dark Alpha of the North.
The one no she wolf dared approach during gatherings like this. He barely spoke, showed complete disinterest in interactions but tonight, as I closed the distance between us, there was a glint in his eyes. A challenging one.
Something about the way he stared at me, made me tremble, my body heated, like we've met before. He was watching me now.
I strode towards him and horrified gasps travelled around the room as I grabbed his tie, pulling myself to him across the table.
His presence swallowed everything, an aura of power that even made the Alphas around him shrink back.
His violet eyes locked onto mine in a heated stare, and for a fraction of a moment, I could see the surprise in them before they're swallowed by something else that causes my lower belly to form knots. Amusement.
“Alpha Godric. I saved you a dance specially.”
His gaze traveled across, plunging down my neckline before assessing every inch of me curled over the table, leaning into him.
“You have my daughter's dress on. Ryan didn't exactly say you were a daring type, Freya Kahn.
” His voice was low, rich, dangerous and his arm quickly wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
