<Chapter 51 Unexpected A.
Chapter 51: Unexpected Allies
Chapter 51: Unexpected Allies
(Freya’s POV)
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The ambient light seeped through the large window of my office, casting dim shadows across the piles of documents stacked haphazardly on my desk. My pen hovered over the paper as my focus flickered, workload stretching endlessly. Still, Bella, my wolf, remained surprisingly quiet and compliant.
Then, the door creaked open, and an overwhelmingly familiar floral fragrance filtered in, making Bella stir uneasily. I knew the scent too well by now. Caroline Redwood.
My eyes stayed glued to the documents, pretending not to notice her presence. Maybe, just maybe, she’d drop whatever excuse she had for coming and leave on her own.
“Good morning, Luna Freya.” Her high–pitched voice pierced through the silence like an overly sweet melody
grating on sensitive ears.
I exhaled steadily, forcing patience to the surface. With deliberate movements, I capped my pen and finally glanced up. There she was, standing smugly in her designer outfit, sharp heels clacking softly against the hardwood floor as she approached my desk. She carried another carefully packaged container, this one tied
off with a bright red ribbon.
“Caroline,” I greeted neutrally.
She set the container down on the corner of my desk without waiting for permission. Her eyes gleamed with
faux warmth.
“Today, I brought venison soup,” she announced brightly, her tone practically dripping with satisfaction. “It’s made with healing herbs… exceptional for recovery. Perfect for someone who’s been unwell.”
Unwell? That was her new angle today? My brow quirked ever so slightly.
“Really?” I said, my voice calm but edged with subtle disbelief.
“Yes. I heard you weren’t feeling your best lately,” she continued, her heels clicking softly as she paced toward the already set chair across me. Without waiting to be invited, she sat down delicately, crossing her legs. “It’s important to take care of our Luna.”
Her words lingered in the air, and for a moment, Bella growled faintly within me. I let the silence stretch, watching her, trying to understand why she’d go to such ridiculous lengths.
Her smile faltered slightly at my lack of response, but she quickly recovered. “The herbs I used are very rare. They boost energy, clear the mind, and help the body heal faster. I’m sure you’ll find it refreshing.”
This whole display… For whom?
“You want me to eat this here?” I asked plainly, leaning back into my chair.
Caroline tilted her head, sporting an air of innocent confusion. “I thought it would be nice for you to enjoy a hot meal between all your responsibilities. Besides, preparing food for others… it brings me joy. Watching their faces, feeling that bond. One day, you’ll understand. Especially if-”
Her voice paused, her gaze briefly flicking toward my stomach before she smiled again. “-when you find
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someone who truly reciprocates your wolf’s bond.”
The meaning behind her words wasn’t subtle. Bella snarled under my composed exterior, a sharp pang shooting through me. But I kept my expression cool.
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“Thank you for the effort, but there’s no need,” I said with a faint smile, meeting her eyes directly. “Still, I wish you well in experiencing that understanding yourself someday.”
Her lips tightened, the mask of charm she wore faltering briefly. I could smell the faint irritation radiating from her, the sourness mixing faintly with her lingering floral scent.
Before either of us could continue this unspoken sparring, a soft knock interrupted the tension.
“Luna?” Sarah Cooper’s voice came through as she peeked her head inside, hesitating slightly at the sight of Caroline already seated there. “James Morrison would like to speak with you. Should I send him in?”
I gave her a nod.
James entered, his tall and broad frame radiating Beta authority. His sharp brown eyes flicked between me and Caroline, brightening unexpectedly when he saw her.
“Miss Redwood,” he greeted warmly, surprising me with the genuine enthusiasm in his tone. “What a delightful surprise.”
Delightful? That was new.
Caroline’s wolf energy rippled with pleasure, and her smile returned in full force.
“James,” she replied, standing gracefully. “Always a pleasure to see you.” Her voice had taken on that airy tone she used when trying to charm someone.
I observed the interaction silently, noting how Caroline leaned just slightly forward, her hands curling delicately near her sides.
I narrowed my eyes slightly. Beta wolves were rarely so openly welcoming unless there was a clear motive. Trust didn’t come so easily at this rank.
“Is that more of your wonderful cooking, Miss Redwood?” Morrison gestured toward the container she’d placed on my desk. “For Luna Freya, I assume?”
She nodded and flashed a saccharine smile, as though her place at the top of the pack hierarchy had already
been solidified.
I said nothing, merely watching as Morrison turned to me. “Will you eat any of it, Luna?”
“No, thank you,” I declined with the faintest twist of my lips.
“Then, with permission-” Morrison’s gaze moved back to Caroline. “Would it be alright if I took it instead? Your cooking was such a hit with the staff yesterday.”
The faintest twitch crossed Caroline’s face, but she recovered quickly, nodding graciously.
“Good! Excellent!” Morrison clasped his hands together. Then, his expression became more pointed–clearly a calculated move. “Miss Redwood, since your meals have been so well received, might I trouble you with a request?”
Caroline raised a suspicious brow, but her smile stayed intact. “What is it?”
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“Could you perhaps bring food daily for the lower–ranking staff in the pack? Of course, you’d be compensated properly for such a generous contribution.”
There was silence.
My wolf stirred uneasily, Bella didn’t trust this sudden exchange any more than I did.
Morrison’s words weren’t random. His tone wasn’t careless. There was intent loaded in every syllable.
Caroline’s mask faltered under the weight of those words. She blinked once, twice, before slowly tilting her
head.
“You’d like me… to cook for the staff?” she repeated as though she hadn’t heard correctly the first time.
“Exactly! Your food is highly appreciated, after all. I believe the pack staff would say the same, Morrison
answered, all innocence.
Something bitter churned in Caroline’s wolf energy, Bella smirked in the back of my mind, but I kept my face neutral, curious to see how she’d handle this.
Caroline, although clearly insulted, smoothed her expression quickly. The smile she gave was tight, forced.
But she nodded.
“I’ll speak to Aaron about it,” she said through gritted teeth. “We’ll see if it’s feasible.”
It was as polite a response as she could muster, but I could tell her wolf seethed beneath the surface. Seconds later, she plastered on a wider smile, offering a nod to both me and Morrison. “Well then, I should take my leave. Enjoy the meal.”
Her departure was quick, heels clicking sharply against the floor as she exited.
As the door shut behind her, Morrison’s pleasant demeanor dropped. His nose wrinkled as he picked up the container and set it aside, his disgust plain.
“Store–bought ingredients,” he muttered under his breath. “No fresh proteins, no proper hunting preparation. And she thinks she can call that cooking?”
I stared at him, completely at a loss for words. “What are you doing?”
“Protecting you,” he said simply, turning to look at me with unwavering sincerity.
“Morrison,” I started, my voice heavy with warning. “This is dangerous. You’re playing a dangerous game.
Aaron-”
“-won’t do anything about it,” Morrison cut me off, his calm but firm tone surprising me. “I didn’t lift a paw out of rank. I simply made a request to someone generous enough to volunteer.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he held up a hand to stop me.
“Luna, listen to me carefully,” he said, his eyes locking with mine. “You’re the true Luna of this pack. Freya Snow. Not Caroline Redwood, not anyone else the pack wants to replace you with. You.”
I swallowed thickly as his words settled over me like a heavy coat.
“The pack needs you,” he finished, his voice softer but no less resolute.
I looked down briefly, the weight of his loyalty pressing hard against the guilt in my chest.
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“You don’t understand. It’s not simple,” I whispered, my voice barely carrying across the room.
“I understand enough,” Morrison replied with a sharpness I wasn’t expecting. “And I know giving up is not in the Freya Snow I grew up hearing about.”
I stayed silent, unsure how to argue back. His statement hung in the air.
With a respectful nod, Morrison excused himself. But his parting words stayed lodged in my mind long after
he’d left:
Do you know your place, Luna?
Even as Bella whimpered softly in the corners of my consciousness, I couldn’t help but wonder if Morrison
was right.
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