Chapter 48: A Bitter Meal and a Stern Lesson
Chapter 48: A Bitter Meal and a Stern Lesson
(Freya’s POV)
48 Points
Caroline held out the elegantly wrapped lunchbox again, her smile unwavering. The yellow ribbon caught the light, almost as bright as her determined expression.
“You really should eat,” she said, her tone laced with concern that felt too calculated to be genuine. “These are specially prepared. Balanced meals, good for your… condition.”
Her eyes flicked briefly but pointedly toward my stomach. Bella, my wolf, growled softly within me, unsettled by her behavior. I tensed, inhaling sharply through my nose.
“I’ve already eaten,” I replied, keeping my tone flat but firm. “And, as I said earlier, unnecessary gestures won’t change things, Caroline.”
For a split second, the corners of her mouth tugged downward. The c***k was barely noticeable before her mask of politeness returned, but I saw it.
“Freya,” she began, softening her voice even more, as though I were being unreasonable. “Aaron would be
upset if you weren’t taking care of yourself. I know how busy you’ve been, but this… this is important.”
I tilted my head, studying her carefully. I saw desperation in her wolf’s energy and an uncomfortable
determination she was trying hard to disguise as affection.
“It’s not Aaron’s health you’re worried about, is it?” I said quietly, my words cutting into the air between us like a blade. “Let me guess. This meal, this little act of care, it’s all a show. For him. You’re hoping he’ll notice your effort.”
Her composure wavered slightly. Her hand gripped the handle of the lunchbox tighter. “That’s not fair,” she retorted, her voice shaking just enough for me to catch it.
“But it’s true,” I replied without hesitation. I leaned back in my chair, my eyes not leaving hers. “You don’t do anything without expecting something in return, Caroline. Is it attention you’re after? Reassurance? Or perhaps gratitude for saving him years ago?”
Her face reddened visibly. Anger flashed in her eyes for the briefest moment before she forced her lips into another tight, practiced smile.
“I brought this as a gesture of kindness,” she said, her voice low, steady, and unnervingly calm. “For you. Why must you twist it into something ugly?”
I met her words with silence, watching her squirm under the weight of my unwavering stare.
She laughed softly, bitterly, shaking her head. “You’ve always been so difficult, Freya. Why can’t you just see that I’m trying to help? Like…“–she hesitated for barely a heartbeat-“like a sister would.”
“A sister,” I echoed quietly, the disbelief evident in my tone. I let out a hollow laugh, one that carried no humor. “Is that what we’re pretending to be now? Sisters?”
Her jaw clenched. For a split second, her wolf’s frustration rippled through her composed facade, making her reaction more genuine than I expected.
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“You don’t have to make this so complicated, she muttered, her voice still lined with a brittle insistence.
+ Points >
“I’m not,” I said simply, standing and walking around my desk until I was face–to–face with her. ” I see your intentions clearly, even when you try so hard to hide them. The problem is you don’t like when wolves call you
out for what you are.”
Caroline’s breath hitched, and I smiled faintly, taking satisfaction in her discomfort as I watched her internal
struggle play out in her expression.
“Fine,” she said finally, each word laced with a bitterness she couldn’t fully suppress. She clutched the rejected lunchbox close to her chest, her movement stiff with anger. “I won’t bother you again.”
Barely waiting for my response, she spun on her heel, the sharp click of her shoes echoing loudly in the silence. She slammed the door harder than necessary as she left, her polished image shattered.
I exhaled deeply, releasing the tension in my shoulders.
“Luna!” Sarah nearly stumbled into the room, her eyes wide with concern. Her protective instincts were shining brighter than ever now, and her sharp ears must have picked up every word exchanged between
Caroline and me.
“That woman,” Sarah hissed, pacing angrily in front of my desk. She didn’t even try to hide her wolf’s irritation. “What does she think she’s doing? Walking in here like she owns the place, pretending to care about you? She has no right.”
“Sarah,” I started, but she continued, her anger firing so fast I could barely stop it.
“She disgusts me.” Sarah’s fists clenched tightly at her sides. “She keeps showing up, acting so sweet and generous when we all know what she’s after.”
“Stop, Sarah,” I said louder this time, my voice hard enough to finally get her attention.
Her mouth shut, but her wolf eyes stared back at me, still simmering with frustration. “But Luna, I need to say
“You need to remember your place,” I interrupted sharply, stepping to stand directly in front of her.
Sarah flinched slightly but didn’t back away.
“Do you have any idea what you’re doing?” I snapped, my tone cold. My words were deliberate and firm, meant to sink in like teeth. “Caroline isn’t just another wolf you can badmouth without consequence.”
“I know-”
“No, you don’t,” I bit back before she could finish. The frustration in my chest boiled over. “Did you forget who she is? She’s from the Redwood Pack. She’s Aaron’s future. She will replace me as his mate. And you?” I let my eyes rake over her trembling figure. “You’re a junior assistant. A lower–rank wolf openly disrespecting someone far above you in status.”
Her wolf whimpered audibly this time, their energy deflating at my scolding. Tears welled in her eyes, pooling visibly at the bottom of her lashes.
“I was only trying to protect you,” she whispered shakily, her voice breaking.
“And I don’t need your protection,” I said harshly. “What I need is for you to stay in line. Do you understand?” The tears spilled over, rolling silently down her flushed cheeks. She nodded, her lips trembling as she
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Chapter 48 A Bitter Meal
struggled against the overwhelming emotion radiating through her.
“Get out,” I finished coldly. “And think before you act again.”
+ Points>
She turned almost immediately, her sobs echoing faintly in the hall as she fled the room.
The heaviness settled in the air immediately after her departure, and I collapsed silently into my chair, Bella whimpered quietly in my mind, unsure if she felt more guilt for Sarah’s departure or disgust over Caroline’s
actions.
“Harsh,” a familiar voice chimed in from the doorway.
I turned to see Daniel Rivers leaning against the frame, his arms crossed lazily over his chest. His easy posture didn’t match the sharpness in his tone.
“I don’t remember you being so cruel before,” he added, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him.
“She needed to hear it,” I said defensively, not bothering to mask the edge in my voice.
“Did she?” he countered. He tilted his head slightly, his sharp brown eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Or did you just need someone else to feel as miserable as you do right now?”
I shot him a glare, but he didn’t flinch. He never did. Unlike Sarah, Daniel had enough dominance and rank to stand toe–to–toe with me when needed.
“The pack will talk,” he added, making his way toward the chairs opposite my desk. He dropped into one with exaggerated ease, like he had all the time in the world. “They’ll say you’ve changed.”
I sighed heavily, forcing myself to look away from his knowing expression.
“It doesn’t matter what they say. I won’t be here much longer anyway,” I replied bluntly.
His brow lifted slightly at that. “So it’s true? You’re leaving after the mate bond severance?”
“Yes.” I didn’t elaborate further.
Daniel watched me closely, his usual teasing demeanor dimming for once. He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the armrest of his chair, the seconds stretching between us.
“Doesn’t that seem a bit… defeatist?” he asked suddenly.
I blinked at him. “Defeatist?”
“Yeah,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “It’s the kind of word I wouldn’t have used to describe you before you and Aaron were mated.”
My chest tightened at his observation.
“So,” he continued, his voice softer now, “why are you just letting Caroline win? Why give her the satisfaction of seeing you walk away so… easily?”
His words struck a nerve deeper than I expected. I stiffened, my hands curling into fists in my lap.
“It’s not about her,” I said quietly, but Daniel wasn’t buying it.
“It’s always about her,” he countered. “And Aaron. And this pack.”
I didn’t respond, couldn’t respond. I stared blankly at the desk in front of me, my mind racing with thoughts I didn’t want to confront.
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“You’ve changed Freya Daniel said finally. His tone wasn’t acousing, but it wasn’t soft either. “You’re not the strong Alpha female I remember from before. You’re… something else now. And I don’t think that’s a good
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