Chapter 64: A Night of Tensions
Chapter 64: A Night of Tensions
(Freya’s POV)
Martha Wilson had outdone herself with Elder Katherine’s healing meal. The aroma of specially prepared venison and herbs filled the dining room, carefully following the dietary restrictions for recuperating pack
elders.
I watched anxiously as Elder Katherine took a few small bites. My wolf Bella stirred with concern when she set down her spoon after barely touching the food.
“Thank you all for your thought “Elder Katherine said warmly, though her voice carried a hint of
fatigue. “But I think I’d like to clean up now.”
I immediately stepped forward. Let
me help you, Grandmother.”
She shook her head gently. “No need, dear. I can manage on my own.”
My heart ached seeing her so frail, but I respected her wishes. Elder Katherine had always been fiercely independent, even in her weakened state.
Before I could protest further, she turned to Caroline, who had been hovering at the edge of our family moment like an unwanted shadow.
“Caroline, why don’t you stay the night?” Elder Katherine suggested, her words making my stomach knot instantly. “It’s quite late.”
I fought to keep my expression neutral. Why would she invite Caroline to stay? Bella growled deep within me, bristling at the thought of having Caroline in our territory overnight.
I watched Caroline’s face carefully. She played her part perfectly, hesitating with just the right amount of
uncertainty.
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly,” she demurred, blinking those innocent eyes. “It wouldn’t be appropriate, given pack protocol…”
“Nonsense,” Elder Katherine insisted, waving away her concerns. “Freya can have Martha prepare a guest den
for you.”
I felt Caroline’s eyes on me, gauging my reaction. The satisfaction in her scent was unmistakable. I kept my expression neutral, though Bella snarled within me, wanting to bare her teeth at this intruder.
“Martha,” I called smoothly, never letting my mask slip, “please arrange accommodations for Ms. Redwood.” Aaron remained conspicuously silent throughout the exchange, his golden eyes unreadable. Not once did he object to Caroline’s presence or support it. His silence felt like another betrayal.
After Elder Katherine retired and the pack staff discreetly withdrew, only the three of us remained in the living room. The tension was thick enough to cut with claws.
(Caroline’s POV)
I could taste victory on my lips. Staying the night at the pack house was a bold step forward in my plans.
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Chapter 64 A Night of Te
Elder Katherine had invited me herself. It couldn’t have worked out better.
I turned to Aaron, carefully arranging my features into an expression of concern. Are you sure it’s eingent l
me to stay?”
When he didn’t immediately respond, I shifted my attention to Freya. It was time to twist the knife a little
“Luna, if my presence makes you uncomfortable…” I let the words hang, dripping with false consideration.
“Not at all!” Freya’s voice dripped with equally false enthusiasm. “I’m delighted you’re staying.”
Her next words caught me off guard. “Should we rearrange the bedrooms?”
I blinked, confusion momentarily replacing my smugness. What was she implying? Aaron’s eyes flickered with warning, a golden flash that made my wolf cower slightly.
Freya’s smile turned razor–sharp. “understand eventually.” She rose gracefully from her seat. “I’ll be
available if needed.”
I watched her leave, frustration building in my chest. How dare she speak to me that way? As if she knew something I didn’t.
“Aaron,” I said softly, injecting hurt into my voice, “I should go 1 seem to have offended her somehow…”
I made a show of gathering my purse, waiting for him to stop me. He had to stop me. My plan depended on staying close to him tonight.
(Freya’s POV)
Aaron’s voice stopped Caroline before she could reach the door. “Stay. Don’t mind her words.”
His dismissal of my feelings stung, even though I should have expected it. Bella whimpered inside me, hurt despite our resolve to remain strong.
Martha’s timing was impeccable as she announced, “The guest den is ready, Ms. Redwood.”
I heard this from my position near the stairs, satisfaction curling through me at how quickly the room had been prepared. Clearly, Martha understood my intentions perfectly. The guest den was in the west wing – as far from the Alpha quarters as possible.
Heavy footsteps behind me indicated Aaron had abandoned his conversation with Caroline to follow me. His Alpha presence filled the corridor, his scent growing stronger as he closed the distance between us.
I quickened my pace, not wanting another confrontation. Not tonight when my emotions were already raw and my wolf was so on edge.
In my private quarters, I allowed myself a small smile. It felt good to give Caroline a taste of her own
medicine for once. Let her wonder about the bedroom arrangements. Let her feel the uncertainty she so often inflicted on others.
“Serves her right,” I whispered to myself, running a hand protectively over my still–flat stomach where our cub grew, hidden from everyone.
My moment of triumph was short–lived. The door burst open with such force that it slammed against the wall. Aaron’s massive frame blocked the exit, his shoulders nearly filling the doorway. His Alpha energy immediately made the room feel claustrophobic.
“What was that about?” he demanded, his eyes flickering gold with anger.
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I maintained my innocent expression, though my heart raced. “What was what about? I merely offered to accommodate your guest.”
“You know exactly what you did,” he growled, taking a step forward.
His presence was suffocating. I needed to escape. I moved toward the door, but he shifted, blocking my path.
I tried the other direction, and again he mirrored my movement, his wolf Logan radiating dominance.
“Let me pass, Aaron,” I demanded, my voice stronger than I felt.
“Not until you explain yourself,” he countered.
I tried again to slip past him, but his reflexes were too quick. After several failed attempts to dodge around
him, my patience snapped.
“What do you want?” I demanded, anger finally breaking through my careful facade. My cheeks burned with frustration. “Why are you here instead of downstairs with your precious guest?”
His jaw tightened at my tone.
“If you’re so bored,” I continued, my voice rising, “why don’t you go find Caroline? I’m sure she’d be happy to-”
My words cut off as Aaron’s hands gripped my shoulders, pushing me roughly against the cold wall. His eyes blazed pure gold now, his wolf fully present and furious.
“Enough,” he growled, his face inches from mine.
The sudden aggression startled Bella, who cowered within me. I could feel her instinctive urge to submit to the Alpha, but I fought it. I wouldn’t bow to him, not anymore.
“Take your hands off me,” I hissed, struggling against his grip.
His fingers tightened slightly, not enough to hurt but enough to assert his dominance. “Not until you tell me what game you’re playing.”
“Game?” I laughed bitterly. “I learned from the best. You and Caroline have been playing games with me for
months.”
Something flashed in his eyes – confusion? Anger? I couldn’t tell.
“What are you talking about?” he demanded.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know,” I shot back. “Everyone in the pack knows you’re just waiting for our mate bond severance to be with her. The least you could do is be honest about it.”
His breathing grew heavier, his chest rising and falling rapidly. The tension between us was electric, dangerous.
“You think I’m the one playing games?” he asked, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “You’re the one who couldn’t wait to sign our severance papers. You’re the one who’s been acting strangely for weeks.”
I tried to turn my face away, unable to bear the intensity of his gaze. His hand shot up, gripping my chin and forcing me to look at him.
“What are you hiding, Freya?” he demanded.
Panic flared in my chest. Did he know about the cub? Had someone told him?
“Nothing,” I insisted, trying to keep my voice steady. “Let go of me, Aaron.”
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“Not until you tell me the truth,” he growled.
My patience shattered completely.
“What do you want from me?” I demanded, anger finally breaking through my careful facade. “If you’re so bored, why don’t you go find Caroline? I’m sure she’d be happy to-”
My words cut off as Aaron’s hands gripped my shoulders, pushing me roughly against the cold wall. His eyes blazed pure gold now, his wolf fully present.
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