Chapter 17: Protective Instincts
Chapter 17: Protective Instincts
(Daniel’s POV)
I watched Freya from across the restaurant table. Her face was calm, but her eyes told a different story. The strain, the quiet exhaustion–they were glaringly obvious to me. Even now, her natural beauty couldn’t be hidden by the minimal makeup. I couldn’t help but notice how the sunlight from the window highlighted the softness of her features.
But beneath that elegance, there was something else–pain she was trying to hide. She always did that. Always kept it inside.
“You’ve barely touched your food” I finally said, breaking the silence. I gestured lightly to her plate. “You should eat, Freya. You need your strength.”
She gave me a small smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m not very hungry,” she said softly. Her voice was tired, almost detached,
I paused, gripping my water glass, I hated seeing her like this. It gnawed at the edges of my focus, bringing back old memories I’d tried to bury,
The downfall of the Snowfang Pack was still fresh in my mind, even years later. I remembered how powerless I had felt then. Everything crumbling around us, and we couldn’t stop it. Pack alliances dissolved. Rivals took advantage. And the mighty Snowfang lineage became nothing but whispers in the wind.
“You look even more tired than usual,” I said carefully, watching for her response. “Why not tell me what’s really going on?”
She averted her gaze, focusing on her cup of untouched tea. “There’s nothing to tell. I’ve just been busy.”
Busy. That was her excuse for everything, even now. Just like back then.
Images from back then clashed into my thoughts. I clenched my teeth as memories filled my mind. Bitter
memories. Like when I found her cornered in the ruins of the Snowfang estate.
Beta Thompson of the River Creek Pack was there, holding her by the arm like she was some prize to claim.
His face was smug, laced with cruelty. “Think about it, Princess,” he had said, his voice oozing with mockery. “If you offer yourself willingly, maybe we’ll help your pack. Otherwise? You should kiss that territory goodbye.”
I could still hear his laughter as his subordinates jeered, My wolf had wanted to leap forward, rip them apart. But I hadn’t been strong enough, I wasn’t an Alpha. I wasn’t powerful enough to stand up to them.
All I could do was watch them humiliate her until…
Until Aaron arrived,
Aaron, always commanding. Always larger than life. He’d stormed in like a predator unleashed, his Alpha dominance sweeping through the room. Thompson hadn’t even had time to react before Aaron had him by the throat. The scene had been over in seconds. No rivals dared to stay when Aaron Steele entered the
picture.
After that, Aaron claimed her. Declared her as his mate. I’d been relieved that she was safe, yet that relief
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was tinged with bitterness. He had the power to stand at her side, and I didn’t.
Now, years later, here we were. And once again, Aaron’s actions–or inactions–were breaking her. I wasn’t Alpha, but maybe I could protect her in ways Aaron seemed incapable of.
“Daniel,” Freya said gently, pulling me out of my thoughts. “You’re staring again.”
I blinked, forcing a smile. “Just thinking,” I said lightly.
Her lips quirked, but it wasn’t a real smile. “About work, I assume,” she said softly.
“I was thinking about you,” I admitted.
Her gaze flickered to mine sharply. “I’m fine,” she said quickly. Her walls came up in an instant. “You don’t
need to worry about me.”
But how could I not? I watched how she held herself. Her hands were tense even as she tried to keep still. I
could sense the turmoil churning inside her, but she wouldn’t let me in. She never let anyone see the cracks.
“Freya,” I said evenly. “You know I’d help if you needed me to, right?”
Her brows furrowed, but she kept her voice polite. “Thank you, Daniel. But I handle things my way.”
I nodded slowly, though it killed me to do so. I wouldn’t push her. Not now. But I’d be damned if I stood by and
did nothing.
(Freya’s POV)
We arrived back at headquarters in silence. I couldn’t shake the discomfort in my chest after lunch. Daniel always managed to pry deeper than I wanted him to.
As we stepped out of the elevator, I glanced toward Aaron’s office wing. “He shouldn’t be in his office nov mumbled mostly to myself.
Daniel caught my words quickly. “Why not?” he asked, his curiosity plain.
“He usually takes a walk after lunch,” I explained. “It’s part of his routine.” The statement came out more
bitter than I intended.
Daniel gave me an unreadable look as we headed toward my office. He pushed open the door, and, as usual, Sarah Cooper was already inside. She greeted us with her usual bright smile. “Luna! Beta Rivers! Would you like coffee?” she asked warmly.
“I already told her I don’t want it,” I cut in before Daniel could answer.
Sarah hesitated, sensing my foul mood. But Daniel responded smoothly, “Coffee would be wonderful, Sarah.
Thank you.”
The room fell silent as she placed the tray on the desk. Daniel leaned back slightly in his chair, studying her. “Sarah,” he began conversationally, “you spend a lot of time bringing things to this floor. Have you noticed Alpha Aaron visiting Luna’s office more frequently?”
Sarah blinked, caught off guard by the question. “Uh…” she began hesitantly. “The Alpha only comes occasionally, sir. I wouldn’t really know.”
“And when he does come,” Daniel persisted, his tone even, “is he usually alone?”
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Sarah glanced at me nervously, but I didn’t say anything. I just sat stiffly at the desk.
“I don’t really… notice those details,” she said eventually, looking anywhere but at him.
Daniel hummed thoughtfully, clearly not convinced but unwilling to press further. “Thank you, Sarah,” he said
simply.
“Yes… of course,” she mumbled, quickly excusing herself from the room.
Once the door shut, I glared at Daniel. “What was that about?” I demanded.
He shrugged casually. “Just curious.”
“About my office? Or about Aaron?” I couldn’t hide the sharpness in my voice.
“Both,” he admitted without hesitation. “You never seem to know where he is. Shouldn’t a Luna know these
things?”
I stared at him, my mouth opening and closing as I searched for a response. But I had nothing.
Daniel stood abruptly. “The lunch break is over. I need to see Aaron.”
“Now?” I asked, my heart tensing at the thought. I didn’t want to face Aaron or Caroline–not today.
Daniel paused at the door, giving me a pointed look. “Come with me.”
I stiffened. “I have work-”
“You’re his Luna,” Daniel interrupted firmly. “This concerns pack duties. You should be involved.”
I hesitated, Bella whining uneasily within me. But his stare didn’t waver. “Fine,” I said flatly, standing
reluctantly.
We walked toward Aaron’s office, the air thick with tension. When we reached his double doors, I froze. “What are you waiting for?” Daniel asked, knocking firmly before I could object.
“Enter,” Aaron’s commanding voice rang out.
I took a steadying breath and followed Daniel inside. The moment I stepped in, I felt the weight of Aaron’s gaze. His golden wolf eyes locked on us, sharp and unyielding.
He looked… displeased. His wolf Logan stirred within him, sending chills down my spine.
Daniel greeted him evenly, wasting no time launching into the territory report. Meanwhile, I stood silently, watching. My throat tightened as I took in Aaron’s demeanor.
He was all Alpha King now–cold, detached, terrifying in his authority. Nothing like the boy I had grown up with. Nothing like the man I thought I knew.
But what hurt most was the way his gaze lingered on me. Not with warmth or recognition, but with something frostier. Something that made Bella huddle deep within me, whimpering.
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