Chapter 65: A Heated Confrontation
Chapter 65: A Heated Confrontation.
(Freya’s POV)
The cold bathroom wall pressed against my back as Aaron’s powerful Alpha presence filled the space. His grip on my shoulders was firm but controlled, careful not to hurt me despite his obvious anger.
My wolf Bella bristled at his dominant display, urging me to fight back. I met his golden eyes defiantly, refusing to be intimidated.
“Is this about what I said downstairs?” I challenged. “Did I strike a nerve mentioning Caroline?”
His eyes locked onto mine, the gold in them intensifying under the harsh bathroom lights. I saw something flicker across his face desire mixed with frustration.
I knew I looked different in this light. My violet eyes, a rare trait even among wolves, seemed to glow. It was a feature Aaron had once claimed to find beautiful.
But that was before Caroline. Before everything changed.
His gaze traced over my features, lingering on my lips. The intensity in his eyes made my heart race traitorously.
Before I could make another cutting remark, he bent down swiftly and captured my lips with his.
The sudden contact shocked me. His scent overwhelmed my senses – pine and winter frost, so familiar yet now tainted with anger.
Bella growled inside me, confused by the conflict between our mate bond and the knowledge that he wanted someone else.
(Aaron’s POV)
I couldn’t stop myself. The sight of her defiant violet eyes, the sharp words on her tongue – something in me snapped.
This kiss wasn’t like our previous encounters. It was forceful, almost punishing. My wolf Logan surged forward with possessive energy as I gripped her face.
I poured all my frustration and anger into the kiss, my breath cold against her skin. I wanted to silence her accusations, to prove… what exactly? That she was still mine? That I had some claim over her despite our impending mate bond severance?
Logan howled within me, demanding I mark her, remind her of our bond. The rational part of me fought against these urges, knowing they came from wounded pride.
Suddenly, Freya’s hands pressed against my chest. With surprising strength, she shoved me back.
The sharp c***k of her palm against my cheek echoed in the bathroom.
I stood frozen, feeling the sting spread across my face. My wolf’s eyes remained fixed on her as she wiped her lips roughly.
A red mark bloomed on my cheek, but I barely felt it. The rejection in her eyes hurt far worse than any
– Chapter 65 A Heated Con
physical pain could.
She attempted to straighten her rumpled clothes, her hands trembling slightly as she moved
My hand shot out before she could escape. My Alpha strength easily pulled her back to me
I couldn’t let her walk away. Not like this. Not with so much unsaid between us.
(Freya’s POV)
Something inside me finally snapped. The weeks of tension, of watching Caroline circle Aaron like a vulture
of hiding my pregnancy – it all boiled over.
“Aaron, what’s wrong with you?” I spat, yanking my arm to break free from his grip. “If you’re in rut, go find the person you should be with. Don’t touch me.”
His eyes flashed dangerously, a growl rumbling from his chest. The sound made Bella whimper instinctively before recovering her courage.
“What did you say?” His voice dropped to a threatening whisper. “Repeat that.”
I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze squarely despite the Alpha power he was deliberately radiating.
“I said, if you’re in rut, go find the person you should be with,” I repeated, each word precise and cutting. “Don’t take your anger out on me.”
His wolf bristled with fury, the gold in his eyes now completely overtaking the human brown. His jaw clenched tight, muscles twitching with barely controlled rage.
“You heard me,” I continued, sarcasm dripping from every word. “Or do you need me to remind you? You spent the night away last time, right?”
The memory of seeing Caroline pick him up from the Silver Moon Bar that night burned fresh in my mind. The way she’d touched his arm, leaned into his space. The way he’d let her.
“Don’t worry,” I added coldly. “You helped my pack when we lost our territory. If you need it, I can cover for you. Elder Katherine will never find out. How about that?”
I saw the shock register on his face. Good. Let him know that I knew exactly what kind of man he was.
(Aaron’s POV)
Her words hit me like physical blows. What night was she talking about? When did she see Caroline picking
me up?
“What do you mean I spent the night away? What have you misunderstood?” I demanded, genuinely confused. Logan paced anxiously within me, sensing something important was happening but unable to understand the human complexities.
I needed to explain. That night wasn’t what she thought. I hadn’t been with Caroline the way she was
implying.
“Things aren’t what you think,” I tried again, desperate to make her understand. “That night-”
“I’m not interested in what happened that night,” she cut me off sharply, her violet eyes cold as winter ice. “You don’t need to tell me.”
I watched as something changed in her expression. The fire in her eyes cooled, replaced by an emotional
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Chapter 65 A Heated Con
distance that made my wolf Logan stir uneasily.
This cold detachment was worse than her anger. At least her anger meant she still cared,
“I wouldn’t do anything with another she–wolf before our mate bond is severed,” I scoffed, offended by her implication. “Do you think so little of me?”
Her face remained impassive, like a beautiful mask. “Does it matter what I think of you?”
The question caught me off guard. Did it matter? Of course it mattered. She was my mate, my Luna.
“Doesn’t it matter?” I repeated, my voice low and intense, willing her to feel something, anything.
A faint smile touched her lips, but it was empty of warmth. “Who knows?”
Then, with heartbreaking gentleness, she reached up to wipe the blood from where she’d bitten my lip earlier. Her touch was feather–light, almost tender.
The sudden shift in her demeanor confused me. One moment fighting like a cornered wolf, the next caring for my wounds.
“Sorry about that. Does it hurt?” she asked softly. “You should put some healing salve on it later.”
Her next words twisted like a knife. “And about you and Caroline… if you need anything, you can still ask me. I can cooperate.”
The implication that I would use her as some kind of cover while pursuing Caroline enraged me. Where had she gotten these ideas?
I grabbed her wrist, my voice tight with emotion. “Must you keep bringing this up?”
“Let go,” she said quietly, not meeting my eyes.
My grip tightened instinctively, my wolf refusing to release her. She was slipping away from me, not just physically but emotionally, and I couldn’t bear it.
She frowned, all the earlier fire gone from her expression. Only weary resignation remained.
“It hurts,” she murmured, struggling briefly before going still in my grasp.
I loosened my grip slightly but didn’t release her completely. I needed her to stay, to listen, to understand that things weren’t as simple as she thought.
A knock at the door broke the tense silence. I ignored it, too consumed by my emotions and my wolf’s possessive instincts.
The knock came again, more insistent, breaking through the bubble of tension between us.
“What?” I snapped harshly, not bothering to hide my irritation.
There was a pause, then Caroline’s soft voice drifted through the door. “It’s… it’s me…”
I frowned, bristling at the interruption. Of all the times for her to appear, this was possibly the worst. Freya gave a soft, bitter laugh. She looked up at me, lightly shaking the wrist I still held captive. “Aren’t you going to let me go?” she asked, her voice eerily calm. “Your Caroline is waiting.”
