Chapter 11: Hidden Alliances
Chapter 11: Hidden Alliances
(Freya’s POV)
The click of the door closing behind Aaron echoed in my ears long after he left. His words, no longer heated but distant, still weighed heavy on my mind.
“You don’t have to go to the pack office today. Rest well.”
Rest. As if rest could erase everything churning inside of me. I sat motionless on the edge of our shared bed, my hand hovering protectively over my stomach without conscious thought.
The small life within me–our cub–was a ticking clock I had no idea how to handle. It dominated my thoughts, yet I couldn’t stand to face the growing truth, not now.
I gritted my teeth, forcing away the image of Aaron’s cold expression. I had responsibilities, duties as Luna, and dwelling on the impossible wouldn’t erase my obligations. With a deep breath, I stood, clean lines of professionalism drawn over the chaos inside me.
But before I could move to my desk, my phone vibrated sharply on the bedside table. I frowned, the name ” Daniel Rivers” flashing across the screen.
I picked up reluctantly, keeping my voice steady. “What’s the matter?”
“Luna,” he said, his tone both respectful and careful. “I need to check in about the message from Beta Thompson of River Creek Pack. Have you received it about the territory negotiations?”
I straightened, flipping open my laptop and clicking on the flagged email. “I did,” I replied curtly. “I was just reviewing it now.”
His pause was brief before the concern seeped into his voice. “Luna… Sarah told me you’ve beer well. It’s
apparent you’ve been overworking yourself. I want to offer–I can handle this negotiation on your behalf.”
The abruptness of the offer made me pause.
Ever since Northern Ridge absorbed Daniel into the pack after Snowfang’s fall, he’d stood by my side with
familiar loyalty. I hadn’t expected it. Many assumed his allegiance would shift to larger opportunities, but
he’d aligned with my new pack with the same quiet focus he always had.
He told me once, “It’s not about you; it’s about the strength of the Northern Ridge Pack.” A practical
explanation coated over a deeper truth I avoided examining too closely.
I cleared my throat, pushing away the memories. “It’s unnecessary, Daniel, Really, I’m fine. It’s just a minor
cold.”
“You’re pushing yourself too hard, as always,” came his response, low and unwavering. “Why such formality?
We aren’t strangers, Freya.”
The informality caught me off–guard. He never dropped the “Luna” title outside of standard decorum.
“Family bonds still mean something, don’t they?” His voice softened, though there was a firmness buried beneath. “Not just as former packmates, but as friends now under the same roof. You’ve done so much, and now it’s time to lean on others for once. Are you saying I’m incapable?”
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“No, of course not,” I said quickly, the protest bubbling to my lips without hesitation. “You’ve never failed me,
Daniel. That’s not it.”
“And you don’t dislike me… do you?” A teasing note danced beneath his question, but there was a weight to
- it.
“You know I don’t,” I said earnestly. “You’re like an older brother to me.”
Silence hung between us before his deep laugh filtered through the line. “An older brother, huh?”
Daniel’s demeanor shifted, lighter now but no less determined. “Even if that’s the case, I still insist. You need
rest, Freya. Passing the torch just this once won’t undo your reputation.”
I exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Only if you promise to keep me updated on every detail.
You’ll have detailed instructions forwarded shortly.”
“A fair compromise,” he conceded. “Be sure to take care of yourself, and consider this my IOU until your promised meal in return for my services.”
The call ended, and I sent over the documents promptly, taking care to outline everything Daniel would need. He was capable–more than capable–and though the shift of responsibility unsettled me, his reliability was a steady reassurance I welcomed.
When his message buzzed my phone a final time, reiterating his insistence that I rest, I decided to listen for
once.
Fatigue pressed at the edges of my mind, but it was nothing compared to the turmoil clawing within. My hand dropped instinctively over my abdomen again.
The cub.
I closed my eyes, inhaling quietly but deeply. I needed guidance, a way to sort through the labyrinth of thoughts spiraling out of control.
My phone was in my hand before I could stop myself, the number dialing the contact already etched intimately into memory. Emily Wright’s voice answered cheerfully, breaking through the haze.
“Freya! Did you miss me?” Her teasing lit a half–smile across my lips.
“I need to meet,” I said softly but urgently. “Are you busy?”
Minutes later, the Birch Tree Café came into view on sleepy sidewalks cloaked under midmorning fog.
Emily barely sat before her bright demeanor faltered under my hesitant words. “I’m pregnant,” I whispered, the weight of it tangible enough to shatter the cheerful energy.
The clinking of her spoon halting against the rim of her teacup instantly drew nearby gazes. She flinched, lowering her voice as her verdant green eyes widened impossibly.
“You’re what?”
“Pregnant,” I repeated softly, tightening my coat around me as if the fabric could shield me from the gravity of saying it aloud.
“When did this… how did this–Wait! No, don’t answer that. I know how it happened!” Emily waved her hands as she sank into her seat, a mixture of shock and excitement dancing across her expression. “Is Aaron thrilled? Do the pack elders know? How’s Bella handling this?”
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She fired question after question, leaning closer with an eager glint. For a moment, her enthusiasm lightened the oppressive air hanging around me. Then her words grew more pointed.
“But what about Aaron?” Emily prompted again. “He must be… cautiously excited? Or do you not know yet?”
I stared blankly into the familiar herbal tea before me, watching the clouds of its heat fade slowly into the
coolness of the room.
“You don’t plan to tell him?” the realization dawned across her expression quickly. “Freya! What are you
thinking?”
Drawing a shaking breath, I inhaled slowly, carefully allowing the words to slide past my guarded throat. “I’m
not keeping it.”
Her spoon clattered audibly again, this time spilling sugar granules across the table between us. “I’m sorry-
what?”
“I’ve already decided. I can’t. Not with…”
“Not with what?” Emily’s voice grew sharper, brimming now with disbelief and urgency. “Freya–You’ve been mates for years now. As much as Aaron’s coldhearted ways drive me crazy, he’s… well, he does care for you.
Whether he shows it or not.”
“Emily-”
“No.” Her voice cut firmly through my weak protest. “You don’t have a say like that without telling him first.”
Tears sung bitterly in my chest, though I swallowed them down with sharp resolve. Emily’s face softened when she caught the storm flickering across my pale expression.
“You’ve been through so much already, I won’t deny that,” she spoke gently, though her conviction never faltered. “But Freya–this is huge. It’s not just about you anymore. If you go through with anything before talking… He’s still Logan’s Alpha. Luna or not, backlash-”
As her voice swept forward, I stilled it finally with the quiet truth. “Caroline is back.”
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