Chapter 44: Strained Bonds
Chapter 44 Strained Bonds
(Freya’s POV)
I woke slowly, the sound of the hum of the medical facility grounding me. Sunlight streaked through the curtains, warm against my skin. For a brief second, everything was peaceful. Then it hit me like a cold rust of water–rd fallen asleep.
My stomach twisted. Elder Katherine had been in the middle of one of her stores. How could I t dozed off like that? She must have been waiting for me to wake, disappointed or worse.
Bella let out a soft, pitiful whine in the back of my mind. She didn’t like the thought either I sat up quickly blinking the sleep away, feeling the flush of embarrassment rise to my cheeks. Then I noticed him.
Aaron.
He was seated a short distance away, his piercing golden eyes locked on me. His face didn’t reveal much, but I could feel his energy filling the space, calm yet unsettling.
“You’re awake,” he said, his tone steady, neither kind nor cold.
“…” My voice caught. I didn’t know what to say Apologies tumbled over one another in my mind, but none made it past my lips.
He stood, approaching me slowly. “Elder Katherine didn’t want you woken,” he said matter–of–factly, as though he could sense my quilt. “She thought you needed the rest
His hand moved suddenly, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face and tucking it behind my ear The simple action froze me in place, my heart skipping uneven beats
Bella perked up immediately, her hopeful energy flickering within me. This small act felt intimate, almost thoughtful, and the sudden warmth in my chest betrayed me.
For a second–just a second–l allowed myself to fantasize. I imagined his hand lingering a bit longer, his expression softening. Perhaps this was the mate bond finally awakening in him.
But reality crushed me just as quickly as the thought formed.
Caroline’s shadow loomed over everything. She was Aaron’s savior, his supposed love and loyalty. He had chosen her every time before. Why would now be any different?
I straightened, shoving the traitorous feelings down and bracing myself. Bella whimpered softly her earl excitement fading under my control
“Thank you,” I said stiffly, my tone colder than I intended. I tried to sit up further shifting to make space
between us.
His brows furrowed lightly. He tilted his head, as though trying to read me.
“What’s wrong?” His voice whispered into my thoughts, probing me through the mate bond
“Nothing.” I replied, walls firmly in place Tm just still waking up”
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, preparing to stand. My movements were slower than usual, and my
body felt heavier.
Before I could push myself up, Aaron was there. His hand shot out, ready to help.
“No need,” I said quickly, jerking back. My reaction was too strong, too obvious.
And he noticed
His hand froze mid–reach, hanging in the air. His jaw tightened subtly, though his face remained carefully composed.
“Is this your idea of a truce?” he asked evenly, his voice carrying a sharp edge. His golden eyes seemed to cut through me, glinting with icy amusement.
“Aaron,” I started, my words faltering under his heavy gaze.
“Speak,” he prompted, folding his arms across his chest. Logan, his wolf, stirred behind those golden eyes. I could feel the rising tension in the room, thick and undeniable.
“I didn’t mean-
“You didn’t mean what?” he interrupted, his tone dipping lower.
Is
“It wasn’t intentional,” I said quickly. “I was startled, that’s all.” My voice sounded weak, even to my own ears.
“Startled?” he repeated, the disbelief clear. His lips quirked, not in a smile but something harder. “Startled by what? Your Alpha?”
“I didn’t mean it like that!”
Logan growled faintly, his presence pressing against mine, testing my reaction. It was as though Aaron was seeing how far he could push before I snapped.
“I told you,” I continued, struggling to keep my voice steady. “I wasn’t expecting it, and I… reacted.” “Masterful excuses,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re certainly skilled in that art, Luna.” The way he said my title stung, like it was an insult rather than a position of respect.
I clenched my fists tightly at my sides, the frustration bubbling over but kept barely contained. “I thought we had agreed to a truce.”
“Is this a truce to you?” he countered, stepping just an inch closer. The tension between us sparked like an electric current.
“I’m sorry,” I bit out, the words sharp and tense. “I didn’t mean to ruin-”
“Ruin what?” He raised an eyebrow, daring me to finish.
The distance between us felt suffocatingly small now, even though he hadn’t moved closer than was proper. Or maybe it was the weight of his wolf pressing against mine, demanding submission or compliance.
I refused to give him either.
“Look,” I said stiffly, lifting my chin. “Elder Katherine will be back soon. And we both know she can sense tension a mile away. Maybe it’s better if you…”
“If I what?” His voice dropped dangerously low, his Alpha presence washing over me like a cold wave. “If you return to pack duties, I finished carefully.
Chapter 14 Strained Bondi
His reaction was immediate. The air between us froze, sharper and even more hostile than Bang
For several heartbeats, he didn’t say a word. His gold eyes burned into me searching questioning Than without warning, he turned sharply, his movements rigid and controller
“Fine,” he snapped, his tone curt and final
The door closed behind him with enough force to rattle the walls, though he hadn’t slammed it
Bella whimpered softly, curling into herself within my thoughts I let out a shaky breath, my fingers brushing against my stomach instinctively
“We just need a few more days, I murmured to myself, though the words felt hollow “Just endure a little longer”
Elder Katherine returned not long after. As always, her presence brought warmth to the room cutting throug the lingering tension like sunlight piercing through clouds
The soft smile on her face made me feel both calm and guilty all at once. She deserved better that better than us and our fractured bond.
“Aaron left, didn’t he?” she asked knowingly as Sarah Parker, one of the nurses, fussed over her blanket “Yes,” I said, forcing myself to smile back. “He said he was called away on pack business”
Elder Katherine chuckled lightly, shaking her head. “Of course, but you know she began, her tone shifting to something more contemplative, “he probably wouldn’t have come at all if you weren’t here”
I froze for just a moment, her words burrowing under my carefully built defenses. Her knowing gaze made clear she saw more than she let on.
She thought his visit had been about me.
That small flicker of hope began to rise again, like a stubborn ember refusing to die cut. But I quickly crushed it, burying it deep where it couldn’t hurt me.
No. None of that mattered.
“You think too highly of me,” I said softly, turning my attention to straightening her bedside table. The smile! gave her was small, but it held a sadness I couldn’t entirely hide.
Elder Katherine didn’t press further, though I could feel her eyes lingering on me, watching as I busied myself with meaningless tasks.
steady
Her quiet presence filled the room, and soothing.
But I couldn’t escape the weight of her words, nor the truth they might hold
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↑ Chapter 45. Pride and Pro
Chapter 45: Pride and Promises
