Chapter 38: A Fragile Truce
Chapter 38 A Fragile Truce
(Freya’s POV)
“For Elder Katherine,” I repeated firmly My voice didn’t waver, but inside my stomach twisted itself into knots This needed to stay clear, professional, impersonal. There could be no misunderstanding “We do this for her sake. We can’t afford to mess this up right now?
Aaron’s golden wolf eyes were fixed on me, unblinking His jaw was tight I could feel the weight of his stare the way he was trying to read beyond the words I had just spoken
“And what exactly are you suggesting?” he asked after a long pause. His tone was calm, but I could tension beneath it.
I lifted my chin, refusing to look away. “We return to what we were before,” I said, each word carefully measured. “Cordially distant. Polite. Focused”
Aaron tilted his head slightly, his lips pressing into a thin line. His wolf was close to the surface–l could feel Logan’s simmering energy bleeding into the atmosphere between us. He was angry. Or confused. Or both
“And after her surgery? His voice dropped lower, a soft growl curling into the edges of his words.
“After her surgery, you’ll be free,” I replied, my tone clipped yet steady. I made sure not to hesitate “Completaly free. You’ll be able to live your life as you please, without pretending–without me.”
There. I said it plainly. I hoped he understood.
For a fleeting moment, something shifted in his expression. It was quick–like a flicker of pain–but it was gone the moment I noticed it. Aaron straightened, crossing his arms, his wolf posture rigid and
confrontational.
“Freedom,” he repeated, his voice low “That’s what you think I want?”
I nodded simply. What else could he possibly want from me by now?
Aaron was silent for a long time after that. His jaw flexed, his hands curling into tight fists at his sides. I
could feel Logan move behind his eyes, restless and unsettled.
pray still rippled
“Fine,” he said finally. His shoulders rose and fell in a controlled breath, though his wolf energy
faintly through the room. “If it’s for Elder Katherine, I’ll agree to your truce.”
A dull ache settled in my chest, but I pushed it aside. There was nothing left to say. I turned from him and walked toward the closet, retrieving the long pillow that used to separate us in bed.
It felt heavier in my hands than it actually was. My fingers grazed the fabric, memories chasing each other through my mind before I shook them away.
–
I laid it down in the center of the bed like it belonged there, like it hadn’t been cast away months ago
Aaron’s sharp inhale cut through the silence. “Is this really necessary?” His voice was rough, deeper than usual, laced with something unspoken.
I didn’t look at him. I focused on smoothing out the pillow instead. “It worked before.” I murmured, keeping my
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and
and him cuff, the bed creaking softly under his weight. The tension in the room thickened
prassing against my fungs
I
“You should sleep, I said firmly as I climbed into bed, pulling the blankets around me I stayed on my side, my back to hum “We both have a long day ahead”
Aaron didn’t respond, but i could feel his eyes burning into my back for what felt like an eternity His body heat radiated faintly across the space between us, but neither of us moved closer
Sleep didn’t come easily
(Aaron’s POV)
The faint scent of jasmine lingered in the air, soft yet unmistakable. It was Freya’s scent, mixed with something faintly soothing and infuriating all at once. Logan paced inside me, his growls barely restrained The pillow between us felt like a wall, like a deliberate symbol Freya had placed to separate herself from me entirely. Logan hated it. He hated the distance, the barrier. And maybe I did too.
I stared at the faint outline of her back, her form curled tightly on the other side of the bed. Her breathing told me she wasn’t really asleep, but I didn’t think she would say anything either.
This truce of hers–it wasn’t peace. It was surrender. To her, at least. She didn’t care what happened after Elder Katherine’s surgery. She just wanted out.
Logan growled his displeasure again, low and simmering. My mind wandered, picking through the words she had said earlier. “You’ll have your freedom.” She said it like I was trapped.
Was 17
No. This was her choice, wasn’t it? She was the one drawing these lines. She was the one pretending
didn’t matter.
this
After what felt like hours of lying awake, I sat up abruptly. Freya didn’t stir. Her stillness annoyed me almost as much as her words had earlier.
I ran a hand through my hair, shaking off the restless tension building in my chest. I hated this. I hated the
silence.
By dawn, I was still wide awake, frustrated and hollow.
(Freya’s POV)
When I wake, Aaron was already up and moving. His sharp features looked even more tense than usual, his golden eyes shadowed by exhaustion he clearly wasn’t hiding well.
“You” I started, hesitantly holding up a hand. “Your tie isn’t straight. Let me fix that.”
I stepped closer instinctively, reaching for his collar. For a moment, he just stared at me, his eyes unreadable. Then, as my fingers barely grazed the edge of his tie, he stepped back abruptly.
“Don’t act like you care,” he snapped, his tone cutting, “We’re alone. You don’t need to put on a show for the
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I
mid | 1 from reach my expression faltering before quickly masked it. He was right. Of course he was. I
should known better then to offer anything that strayed outside the limits of our truce
“Of course I murmured softly, retracting my hand. Without another word, I turned on my heel and left the
My chest tightened as I descended the stairs, the echoing sound of my footsteps drowning out whatever
notions threatened to bubble up
The pack house was already alive with activity Omegas and Betas bustled about, their hushed whispers following me as entered the dining area
The moment Aaron walked in, silence rippled through the room. His Alpha aura burned cold, unsettling anyone within its radius. Every wolf within earshot lowered their heads slightly, careful not to meet his gaze. He slid into the seat next to me without a word. The tension laced in his movements was impossible to
ignore
1kept my face neutral, pretending not to notice the way the staff exchanged curious glances. Speculation hung thick in the air around us, a silent undercurrent I didn’t dare address.
Leaning forward, I picked up the coffee pot and filled Aaron’s cup, my movements slow and deliberate. The liquid poured smoothly, its dark surface steaming faintly.
“Good morning, Alpha,” I said with practiced cheerfulness, keeping my tone as falsely light as possible. Aaron’s jaw clenched at my tone, his wolf eyes flashing gold. The cup rattled slightly as he set it down, betraying his anger at my apparent nonchalance.
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