<Chapter 55 A Bitter Waiting
Chapter 55: A Bitter Waiting
Chapter 55: A Bitter Waiting
(Freya’s POV)
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The Pack Council Office was abuzz with activity, wolves coming and going, their voices blending into a low hum. The waiting area was crowded with pairs preparing for their mate marking ceremonies. The atmosphere was almost festive, filled with excitement and laughter.
And then there was us.
I sat quietly in one of the stiff plastic chairs, staring down at my hands as tension wrapped around my chest like a heavy chain. The seat beside me, though empty, felt like it carried its own weight.
Aaron stood a few feet away, towering and sharp like a blade, unmoving as always. His powerful frame blocked the pale morning sunlight streaming through the large windows, his arms crossed tightly over his
chest.
“You can sit,” I offered softly, glancing at the empty chair next to me.
“I prefer standing,” he replied coldly, his gaze fixed somewhere far beyond the room.
I nodded a little, more to myself than him. He didn’t want to interact with me. I understood. Soon, he would no longer have to. He’d be free. Free to be with Caroline.
The thought should’ve brought relief. Instead, it churned cold bitterness in the pit of my stomach. My wolf Bella stirred weakly inside me, her presence a faint echo. Even she had resigned herself to our fate, her usual spirited growl reduced to a low, resigned whimper. The tiny spark of life within my belly–the only real warmth I had left–offered small comfort.
We weren’t staying here. This wasn’t our place. Not anymore.
Around us, the voices of other wolves wove a tapestry of whispers, hushed conversations carrying across the waiting area. My enhanced hearing picked up every word, and I knew Aaron was attuned to them too.
“They look perfect together, don’t they?” a woman murmured somewhere nearby. “You’d never guess they’re here to sever their mate bond.”
“What a waste,” a man sighed. “Such strong bloodlines. Imagine their cubs… they could’ve become legendary.”
My breath hitched. The mention of cubs sent my hand instinctively to my stomach. I forced it back down before anyone could notice.
Aaron’s reaction was harder to gauge. He still stood stiffly, his golden eyes hard and unfocused. But w next voice chimed in, I caught the faintest shift in his demeanor.
the
“Even after severance,” an older wolf said, “it’d make sense to have at least one cub. For the pack’s legacy, of course. That kind of bloodline is too rare to let go to waste.”
Aaron’s jaw clenched. The muscles in his neck rippled, and for a brief second, his eyes gleamed with dangerous gold.
I stared down at my lap, trying to focus on the numbness that had crept over me. It was better this way–to
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<Chapter 55 A Bitter Waiting
feel nothing.
But I couldn’t tune out the whispers.
“Do you think they already had a cub?” someone asked. “They’ve been mated for years, haven’t they
A young she wolf giggled. “Hard to imagine them discussing anything like that. He’s so stoic. And she’s,
well, quiet.”
“Caroline would’ve been a better match,” another voice added in a hushed whisper. “She saved his life, after all. The pack already sees her as the real Luna.”
The bitterness crept higher, curling like smoke in my throat.
“Are you hungry?” Aaron’s voice suddenly sliced through the whispers, startling me.
I blinked and looked up at him. His gaze was steady, locked on mine, and there was an edge of impatience in
his tone.
“Are you… talking to me?” I asked hesitantly,
“Who else would I be talking to?” he snapped, though there wasn’t much vigor in it. “You haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
“I’m fine,” I said quickly, the automatic response leaving my mouth before I could think it through.
His eyes narrowed slightly, his lips pressing into a thin line. “You should eat. There won’t be time later. Not on the way to the medical facility.”
The dismissal of my protest was clear. Before I could argue further, he turned and headed for the exit. His broad shoulders cut through the gathering crowds easily, and like magic, the wolves that had been eavesdropping moments ago gave way to let him pass.
I let out a shaky breath, unsure how to interpret his sudden concern. Was it genuine? Or just the Alpha side of him playing its part?
It didn’t matter. Nothing about his actions today could change our reality.
The moment Aaron disappeared out the door, the wolves that had been too afraid to approach earlier suddenly filled the space he left.
“Luna Freya?” one of the junior wolves, Amanda Wilson, began hesitantly, stepping closer with a tentative smile. “I hope we’re not intruding, but… is it true? Are you really severing the mate bond with Alpha Aaron?” My wolf, Bella, bristled at the intrusion, but I kept my composure, straightening in my seat. “These matters are pack business,” I replied evenly, choosing my words carefully. “I’m sure you understand.” The young wolves exchanged embarrassed glances, but Amanda persisted.
“We mean no offense,” she added quickly. “It’s just… you two have always seemed so perfect for each other.” Rachel Thompson, a Beta wolf beside her, nodded in agreement. “The pack always admired your strength as a Luna. A lot of us looked up to you.”
The faintest twinge of guilt twisted in my chest. They meant well, I supposed. Still, their words scratched at
old wounds I’d tried so hard to numb.
“Thank you,” I said softly, my tone carefully polite. “That means a great deal.”
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< Chapter 55 A Bitter Waiting
The conversation shifted to lighter topics–territory runs, upcoming training sessions, wolf traditions. I
smiled when appropriate and added the occasional comment, but my thoughts were elsewhere.
With every word, the weight of Elder Katherine’s surgery, the mate bond severance, and my unborn cub pressed heavier on my shoulders.
The distinct sound of Aaron’s footsteps silenced the group instantly. His return was heralded by the quick dispersal of the curious wolves, their nervous glances over their shoulders betraying their discomfort under
his Alpha glare.
Aaron’s frown deepened as he stopped in front of me, his piercing eyes scanning the now–vacant space
around me.
“What did they want?” he asked sharply, his voice low but edged with authority.
“They were curious,” I replied simply, meeting his gaze with all the calm I could muster. “About why we’re
here.”
His jaw tightened, his golden eyes scrutinizing me for any signs of deception. But there was no lie in what I’d
said.
And so the silence returned, heavier and colder than before.
I folded my hands neatly in my lap, staring down at them to avoid meeting his eyes. The weight of this moment–of everything we had lost, of everything we were about to sever–pressed down on us both. The waiting room buzzed with life around us, yet it felt as though we were locked away in a bubble of isolation. Two wolves once bound, now waiting for the final act of their unbinding.
Bella stirred faintly within me, her presence a soft echo of the tiny spark of life we carried. I steadied my breathing, grounding myself in the knowledge that soon, this would all be over.
Soon, I would be gone.
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