Chapter 4
Freya
I tried to hide my burn by pulling my sleeve down, but Lucas's Alpha senses were too keen. His eyes narrowed as he studied my wrist, his nostrils flaring slightly—wolves always smell before they see it.
"What happened to your wrist?"
"The business cooperation agreement?" The sleeve slid back as I reached for the document, revealing the angry red mark. Lucas caught my arm with surprising gentleness, turning it to examine the burn.
"You're hurt." His eyes flickered, a hint of silver-gray wolf irises appearing momentarily. "On Sterling territory, no less. You're his marked mate—who would dare?" His jaw tightened. "Unless..."
I fought to keep my face neutral, though I could feel the heat of embarrassment rising to my cheeks. My eyes were working overtime to suppress the wolf irises that threatened to emerge with my emotions.
"It's just a minor burn," I said, withdrawing my arm. "I can handle it."
"Well," Lucas continued, a challenging glint in his eye. "So your mate is bringing his Beta girlfriend into your territory? And then what—she burned you and he let it happen?"
I said nothing, my lips pressed tightly together. There was no point hiding it—he'd already connected the dots.
"You're just going to take it?" He leaned closer, his voice dropping. "If you can't handle it, let me know when that Beta comes around next time. I'll help you defend your territorial dignity."
My nails dug into my palms, nearly transforming into claws. "She got hurt worse than I did!" I snapped, immediately regretting revealing even that much.
Lucas's eyebrows shot up, and I saw appreciation flash in his eyes. For a moment, my amber eyes reflected a hint of gold—the wolf inside me responding to his approval.
"I need to get this treated," I said, changing the subject.
Lucas nodded. "I'll come with you."
"It's a second-degree burn," the doctor said. "This is concerning timing with the full moon approaching. The transformation could aggravate the injury. I recommend you limit your activities during the change."
I nodded. A werewolf's healing abilities are remarkable, but transformations tax our bodies. Wounds that haven't fully healed can reopen or worsen during the change.
"You look pale. Let's get something to eat after this," Lucas suggested. "My treat."
"I'm not hungry," I replied automatically.
"It's not about hunger," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle for an Alpha. "You need strength for the full moon."
He was right, of course.
"Whatever, anywhere is fine," I sighed.
"Alright, you decide then," Lucas said with a slight grin.
As we prepared to leave, I realized I felt oddly comfortable with Lucas. Perhaps it was because, unlike Paxton, he seemed to see me as more than just a convenient Omega.
As we walked down the corridor toward the exit, I was just beginning to relax when a familiar scent hit me—Paxton's distinctive Alpha musk, followed by the light floral notes that belonged to Lyra. My stomach dropped.
I saw the exact moment Paxton registered Lucas's presence beside me. His eyes narrowed, nostrils flaring as he caught the scent of another Alpha so close to his marked mate. His gaze flicked between us, taking in our proximity, the easy comfort between us.
"Pax," Lyra's sweet voice broke the silence. "Isn't that Freya? Who's she with? They look... intimate." Her tone dripped with false concern. "I feel bad for you—this seems like such a betrayal of the marking bond."
I watched a storm gather in Paxton's eyes, the human irises rapidly giving way to golden wolf eyes as his territorial instincts surged.
"Freya!" His voice was a controlled growl, vibrating with Alpha command. "Don't forget you still bear my mark! Until the dissolution ritual is complete, you belong to Sterling territory. You should keep your distance from other Alphas when you're outside!"
I stood frozen, momentarily shocked by the sheer audacity of his accusation. Here he was, with Lyra practically hanging off his arm, accusing me of impropriety for simply walking with another Alpha.
"And what about you?" I finally managed, my voice surprisingly steady. "Have you forgotten that you've marked me, yet you're escorting Lyra to the medical center?"
Paxton's jaw tightened. "She's my destined mate." The words cut deeper than they should have. "And you injured her."
I almost laughed at the absurdity. Did he even notice my bandaged wrist? Did he care?
"Don't worry," I said, surprised by the steadiness in my voice. "I'll sign the dissolution contract. Then I won't belong to Sterling territory anymore, and which Alpha I choose will be none of your business."
Paxton's brows furrowed deeply, his wolf eyes now fully manifested, glowing with the peculiar mixture of possessiveness and annoyance that marked our entire relationship.
"Pax, it hurts!" Lyra's sudden cry drew his attention. She was clutching her arm dramatically, her eyes wide with performative pain.
"Freya," Paxton growled, "I can overlook your insolence toward me, but you will apologize to Lyra right now!"
Something in me broke at that moment. The mark on my neck throbbed painfully, the bond transmitting his anger directly into my system.
"And if I refuse to apologize?" I asked softly.
I saw something flicker in Paxton's eyes—discomfort, perhaps even confusion. He could sense the Alpha energy stirring within me, challenging his dominance.
"A marked mate apologizing to a third party? Has your brain short-circuited, or have I gone insane? Is this how Sterling Alphas maintain their territorial dignity?" Lucas interjected, his voice cutting through the tension.
I could feel their dominance pheromones filling the hallway, causing the few humans present to instinctively step away, sensing danger they couldn't consciously identify.
I continued, "She injured me, so shouldn't she be the one apologizing? If you care so much about your Beta, why don't we check the security footage?"
"Excellent idea," Lucas added smoothly. "The Wolf Council takes attacks on Alphas—even potential ones—very seriously. Blood oath punishments could be in order."
Lyra's face suddenly drained of color. "Pax," she said quickly, "it doesn't really hurt that much. It wasn't entirely her fault. I was careless too."
The abrupt change in her story was almost comical.
I couldn't help the cold smile that formed on my lips. "If you knew you were wrong, why didn't you explain from the beginning? Does your pure-blooded Beta pride not allow it?"
Lyra's eyes flashed with genuine anger before she quickly composed herself. "I was in too much pain to think clearly," she explained sweetly. "I'm sure Pax won't hold it against me. After all, we've been the closest playmates since childhood."
Paxton's wolf eyes gradually returned to human form as he processed the situation. "In that case, we'll let the matter drop," he said, his voice reverting to its usual controlled tone.
I observed the stark contrast in his behavior—the gentle way he stroked Lyra's hair versus the hard, commanding presence he directed at me.
"Let's go," I said to Lucas, turning to leave.
"Wait!" Paxton's Alpha command voice stopped me in my tracks.
Despite everything, my heart leapt treacherously at his call. The mark connection sent a flutter of anticipation through me—perhaps he'd realized his mistake, perhaps he'd finally see what was happening...
"Don't forget the mark dissolution contract," he said coldly. "We'll conduct the ritual at the next full moon."
The last flicker of hope died in my chest.