Chapter 50: A Broken Device and Shattered Trust
Chapter 50: A Broken Device and Shattered Trust
(Freya’s POV)
Aaron’s hands gripped my wrists tightly, his golden wolf eyes glaring down at me. His voice cut through the
heavy air like a blade.
“I’ll ask you one more time,” he growled. “What’s going on with you and Daniel Rivers?”
I shot him a defiant look, refusing to give ground. “Nothing is going on. He’s my pack brother, nothing more.”
Aaron’s sneer deepened. His Alpha energy nearly suffocated me. “A pack brother who is unusually concerned
about you,” he said sharply, his tone dripping with hostility.
My teeth clenched at the accusation in his voice. Anger rushed through my veins, drowning out any fear of his dominating aura. “And what about Caroline? She’s unusually concerned about you too. It’s funny how you
don’t question that!”
The mention of Caroline landed like a direct hit. His grip slackened for a moment, surprise flashing across
his face.
“What does Caroline have to do with this?” he demanded, his tone colder now, eyes narrowing.
I let out a bitter laugh. I couldn’t hold it back anymore. “Are you serious? Maybe everything, Aaron! Have you not noticed? Do you think I don’t see it? Everyone in the pack knows. They’re just waiting for me to step aside
so she can take her rightful place as Luna!”
“That’s not ” he began, but I cut him off.
“Not what, Aaron?” I shot back, my voice rising. “Not true? Open your eyes. The entire pack is practically
celebrating already. They don’t want me. They want her!”
His jaw tightened until his teeth nearly ground together. “Is that why you’re so close to Daniel? Planning on
running to him next, are you?”
The sharp barb hit me straight in the chest. My wolf Bella bristled at the insult, but I didn’t let her rise to it.
“You have no right to question who I spend time with!” I spat, my voice shaking with fury.
“I’m your mate,” he shot back, his voice loud and firm. The words rang with possessiveness, but there was no
warmth in them.
“For now,” I snapped, throwing the words back at him. “But we both know that’s temporary, don’t we?”
His entire body stiffened, tension radiating from him. His wolf eyes sparked, but instead of the fiery anger I
expected, a new coldness replaced it.
“You admit it, then,” he said, his voice quieter now, more lethal. “You’re planning to leave with him.”
“Stop twisting my words!” I yelled, trying to regain control of the conversation. “You’re the one who insisted on breaking the mate bond. Did you forget that?”
His fists clenched by his sides, his wolf energy flooding the room. “Because it’s obvious this arrangement doesn’t suit you anymore!” His words struck with hot anger.
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“And you think it suits you?” I snapped, not backing down for even a second. “Caroline’s been waiting in the wings this entire time, Aaron. She’s been waiting for you, hasn’t she? For us to fall apart.”
Aaron froze, his sharp inhale cutting through the air. His eyes, still glowing faintly gold, locked onto mine. Then, without another word, he let go of my wrists entirely and stepped back.
His movements were stiff, almost robotic, as he turned and left the bed. His shoulders tensed, his broad back to me. When he looked back briefly, I saw that his wolf’s controlled restraint had given way to icy resolve.
The door to the bathroom slammed shut behind him, shaking the walls.
I stood frozen for a moment, my chest heaving. Slowly, I looked down at my wrists, rubbing the faint reddish marks where his Alpha strength had left its impression.
“Bella,” I muttered to my wolf, “he needs to get a grip, literally.” But my attempt to lighten my own mood fell flat. Bella whimpered softly, unsettled by the clash of energies between us.
I turned back toward the bed to gather the scattered papers from earlier, but my elbow bumped something off the edge of the nightstand. I winced as my laptop hit the floor with a loud c***k.
“Seriously,” I whispered, crouching to pick it up. The cracked screen was undeniable. Of course. This just had
to happen now.
Aaron exited the bathroom, fully dressed but his expression unreadable. I didn’t look up at him as I inspected
the laptop.
“What now?” His gruff voice cut through the tense silence.
“My laptop’s broken,” I said shortly, biting back my frustration. “Thanks to everything tonight.”
His brow furrowed slightly, his tone softening by a fraction. “Let me take a look at it.”
I hugged the broken device closer to my chest and shook my head. “No thanks. I’ll handle it.”
His eyes lingered on the laptop, guilt flashing briefly through his Alpha mask. He stepped closer, arms crossed. “At least let me replace it. It’s the least I can do.”
“I said I’ll handle it,” I repeated stubbornly.
“You’re being ridiculous,” he said, a pang of exasperation in his voice. “Just tell me what it costs, and I’ll
transfer the money.”
My lips tightened into a thin line. I exhaled, thinking it over. With my plans to leave and needing to save for the cub, maybe accepting his help made sense.
“Fine,” I finally said. “Transfer me the money through the pack expenses app.”
I expected him to hesitate, but his compliance was immediate. His phone was out in seconds, and I heard ” familiar notification tone. My own phone pinged a moment later.
I opened the app and stared at the transaction.
*$5000?” I looked up at him, eyebrows raised. “The laptop only costs $1000.”
“Take the rest as an apology,” Aaron muttered, already turning away as if that settled everything.
I scoffed under my breath and immediately initiated a return transfer for $4000.
When he checked his phone and saw the notification, he froze, his wolf eyes flickering toward me.
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“Just the cost of the laptop,” I said firmly. “Keep your apology money.”
He said nothing, staring down at his phone for a tense moment. The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken emotions.
Without another word, Aaron walked out of the room. The air he left behind seemed quieter, colder.
(Aaron’s POV)
The notification on my phone remained open, glaring back at me.
$4000. Rejected.
I closed the app with a sharp swipe and stared at the empty space where Freya had been standing. My wolf Logan stirred restlessly, discontent radiating through his presence.
Why did she take only what she needed? Why not accept the rest? Was she distancing herself even financially now? Was this because of Daniel Rivers? Logan growled low within me, his discontent pressing against my chest.
I turned toward the bedroom door but thought better of it. Freya’s defiance wouldn’t be softened tonight. Not
after what had just happened.
Instead, I forced my frustration deep down and headed into my study.
(Freya’s POV)
The next morning, I decided to repair the laptop rather than replace it. Why spend extra when I wouldn’t need it long–term? My departure was coming soon.
At breakfast with Sarah Cooper, I shuffled through some old notes, passing her several sheets for review. She hesitated mid–chew, staring at me as if she wanted to say something.
“Luna…” she started, her tone uncertain. “Are you planning to resign?”
Her question made me stop. I set down my water glass and studied her carefully. “What made you think
that?”
“You’ve been assigning me so much of your work,” she said softly, the worry obvious in her voice. “It feels like you’re preparing me to take over.”
I offered her a small, tired smile. “You’re a quick learner.”
“That’s not an answer,” she pressed, her shoulders slumping slightly.
She deserved honesty. At least now. “Yes, Sarah. I am stepping down.”
Her fork clattered against the plate, her wolf energy bristling with sadness. “Because of Aaron? Because of the mate bond severance?”
“Among other things,” I said vaguely. My hand unconsciously brushed against my stomach, where my cub rested snugly. Bella purred softly at the protective gesture.
Sarah’s lip trembled as tears filled her eyes. “But I don’t want you to go, Luna. The pack needs you.”
I reached out, touching her hand lightly. “Remember what I told you about unnecessary conflicts?” Her tears spilled freely as she nodded. “Yes, but that’s different. It’s not about conflict… the pack won’t be the same without you.”
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Chapter 50 A Broken Devt
I squeezed her hand gently. “Change is natural in pack life, Sarah, Wolves adapt. That’s what we do!
Her sadness lingered, but she sighed deeply, forcing herself to nod. “Il try”
After breakfast, as I walked back to headquarters, something caught my eye in the lobby. The large digital calendar displayed a reminder: Elder Katherine’s surgery–six days remaining.
My hand drifted to my stomach once again, feeling the secret life growing inside me. In six days, everything
would change.
Bella pressed closer to our shared secret, curling protectively. Together, we drew quiet strength from the knowledge that soon, we would leave this behind.
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