Chapter 41: A Tense Negotiation.
Chapter 41: A Tense Negotiation
(Freya’s POV)
Caroline sat across from me at The Moon’s Shadow cafe, draped in her usual perfection. Her designer coat hung elegantly over her shoulders, and her makeup was pristine, not a smudge out of place. But her carefully maintained facade couldn’t hide the way her fingers drummed against the tabletop, betraying her nerves. That small sign of unease told me everything.
I exhaled softly and pulled the agreement closer, skimming the lines carefully again. The sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the stark black ink, which seemed to demand compliance. Bella, my wolf, stirred uneasily inside me, her instincts prickling at the tension.
“You’ve read it enough,” Caroline said, her voice clipped yet measured. She leaned forward slightly, trying to regain that commanding presence she was known for. “Surely, it’s not a difficult choice.”
I didn’t look up from the document. I’m making sure I fully understand what I would be signing.”
Her lips pressed into a tight smile. “There’s nothing complicated. It’s straightforward. Fair”
“Fair…” I murmured, letting the word hang in the air. My gaze flickered to her hands. Her nails were manicured to perfect sharp points, but her tapping fingers betrayed everything–her nerves, her impatience. It made me wonder why she was so desperate. “You’re tapping,” I pointed out casually, leaning back in my chair to
observe her reaction.
She immediately stilled her fingers, folding them deliberately in her lap. “I’m not nervous, Freya,” she said, too
quickly.
“Are you sure?” I tilted my head. “You seem awfully anxious for someone who holds all the cards.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly, though her painted smile didn’t falter. “I want to make sure…. everything is clear to you. That’s all.”
I met her gaze, unblinking, making sure she saw I wasn’t intimidated. With a soft hum, I turned my attention back to the agreement. I heard her exhale quietly, as if suppressing her frustration.
“Take your time,” she continued after a moment, though the tightness in her voice suggested she wanted anything but that. “This is for your benefit as much as it is for the pack’s stability.”
I made no effort to rush. The document was straightforward, as she said, but the terms weren’t exactly small matters. I would leave Northern Ridge Pack territory for five years. I would avoid any contact with Aaron before my departure. And I would have no claims tied to my cub when it came to pack rights.
it all aligned with what I’d already decided, except for the small detail of settling in a specific pack territory. I hadn’t made that choice yet, and her rush didn’t sit well with me. The more she pushed, the more my instincts raised their guard.
I “It’s generous of you to ensure financial support from Redwood Pack resources,” I finally said, my voice
neutral.
Caroline exhaled sharply, her shoulders relaxing slightly as though she hoped my words meant I was falling into her game. “It’s the least I can do,” she said smoothly, her smile tightening. “The cub- Her voice shifted
Chapter 41 à Tense Nego
faintly before she caught herself. “It deserves proper care.”
A small ember of irritation flared in my chest at her calculated tone. Bella bristled slightly, urging me to tread carefully.
“And once I adhere to the terms,” I said, my voice deliberate and even, “my debt to you will be settled….
entirely.”
Her expression brightened for the briefest moment. She nodded quickly. “Absolutely. Completely settled.
You’ll owe me nothing more.”
She produced a sleek, silver pen from her handbag and handed it to me, her hand steadier now, though her eyes burned with expectation. I accepted it, feeling her gaze coil around me like a snake waiting to strike.
But instead of signing, I rolled the pen between my fingers, letting a small, amused smile tug at my lips as i watched her composure wobble ever so slightly.
Her brow twitched. “Is there something wrong?” she asked, her voice strained with forced politeness.
“I’m just thinking.” I replied, my voice light, keeping her on edge. “After all, you seem very… invested in this.” Her fingers gripped the edges of the table. “This agreement ensures clarity” she said. “For both of us. And for the pack.”
“But why does clarity make you so nervous?” I asked smoothly, still twirling the pen casually, “You appear confident, Caroline, but I can sense hesitation. It almost feels like you’re more concerned about me.” Color drained from her face briefly before she leaned back, feigning indifference. “You’re being paranoid,” she said with a brittle laugh. “You’ve read the document. You know what’s at stake–for everyone.”
My smile widened slightly, but I didn’t respond immediately. The silence seemed to unnerve her further. “Fine,” she snapped, impatience breaking through her mask. “Are you going to sign it or not?”
I set down the pen slowly, deliberately, feeling the shift in the balance of power between us. Tm not signing
this.”
Caroline’s eyes widened, genuine shock flickering across her face. “Excuse me?” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief. “What are you trying to pull here, Freya?”
“I don’t intend to deceive you,” I said, my tone calm. “I’ll fulfill the terms laid out in this document. But I have no intention of signing it.”
“That’s ridiculous!” she hissed, her voice sharp now. “Why refuse to sign if you plan to abide by the terms?” “If this agreement isn’t meant to trap me,” I said pointedly, “my signature shouldn’t matter. Right?”
Her mask slipped further, anger flaring in her vibrant eyes. “This is exactly why you should’ve- She stopped herself abruptly, biting back whatever impulsive words had been about to spill.
Instead, she plastered on a tight smile. “I mean, you should consider the consequences carefully,” she said, her voice taking on a falsely sweet tone. “Not signing leaves… loose ends.”
“Loose ends?” I raised an eyebrow. “I think this is quite simple. Signing or not, I follow the terms. Isn’t that what you want?”
Her eyes narrowed, and I could see the sharp calculations in her head churning. “Without a signature, there’s no guarantee you’ll hold to your word.”
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I tilted my head, letting my wolf’s confidence shine through my gaze. “If I intended to break the terms, a signature would never stop me. You know that as well as I do
Her breathing quickened slightly, the cracks in her composure spreading like fine spiderwebs. For the first time in a very long time, I felt I had the upper hand against Caroline Redwood, and I intended to keep it
“So what’s this really about?” I pressed, leaning forward slightly Is it about protecting the pack? Or is it about safeguarding your own position?”
She stiffened visibly but recovered quickly. “You have no idea what you’re saying”
“Don’t I?” I countered swiftly. “If you were truly as confident in your bond with Aaron as you claim, why would this agreement even be necessary?”
Her knuckles flexed faintly against the table, and for a fleeting second, the hostility in her eyes burned fiercely. She masked it quickly, but I had seen enough.
“You,” she said quietly, her words venomous, “don’t understand what’s at stake”
“You keep saying that.” I leaned back again, deliberately calm. “And yet I keep hearing fear in your voice every time you do.”
“Enough!” she snapped, her control breaking for a moment. “What do you want, Freya? What is it you’re really
after?
“I’ve told you,” I said, my voice firm but calm. “I want to settle my debt to you. Nothing more.”
For a moment, we stared at each other, the tension crackling in the air like static electricity. Her breathing remained steady but shallow, betraying the turmoil she was fighting to suppress.
“And you’ll uphold these terms?” she finally asked, her voice softer now, weary even.
“I will,” I confirmed. “Signed or unsigned, my word remains the same. I have no reason to go back on it.” Silence fell briefly. Caroline stared down at the table, her painted lips pressed into a hard line. When she finally looked up again, it was with reluctant acceptance.
“Then so be it,” she said, voice tight. “But let me be clear, Freya. This commitment of yours… it better hold.” “It will,” I replied confidently. “And after this, Caroline… we’re finished. My debt to you will be repaid in full.” She extended her hand reluctantly. I accepted it, gripping firmly to ensure there was no misunderstanding. I released her hand, my violet eyes locking onto hers. “After this,” I repeated, my tone cold and final, “you’ll
cub. have no claim over me. Or my
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