Chapter 10

Freya

“Would you do me the honor of this first dance?”

I stared at Kael’s outstretched hand with barely concealed disgust. It wasn’t just his presumption that I’d actually want to dance with him that bothered me—although that was certainly part of it—but the sight of the ring on his finger and the watch on his wrist.

I had already gotten rid of everything related to Kael, purging my life of all reminders of our relationship. I’d thrown away the photos, donated the clothes he’d bought me, even redecorated the parts of my house that reminded me of him.

But he still held onto the past, wearing each item like a badge of honor.

The engagement ring was one I had picked out myself, a simple platinum band with a tasteful diamond. I’d had our names engraved on the inside, along with the date we became mates. The watch—I had designed it personally, working with a jeweler to get every detail right. It had patterns inside symbolizing eternal love, small moons and stars that I thought represented our bond under the Moon Goddess.

At 18, I believed meeting Kael was fate, that it was the Moon Goddess who brought us together. He seemed to embody everything I had imagined in a partner: a gentleman, handsome, kind, and elegant. He’d courted me properly, bringing flowers to my door, taking me on romantic dates, winning over my parents with his charm and ambition.

I had once believed that he loved me just as much as I loved him.

What a fucking joke that turned out to be.

“I don’t dance,” I told Kael flatly, ignoring his outstretched hand. “And if I did, it certainly wouldn’t be with you.”

Kael’s smile didn’t falter. “You used to love dancing with me.”

“I used to love a lot of things about you. Then I found out who you really are.”

He glanced down at the ring on his finger, turning it slightly so the diamond caught the light. It was too small for his ring finger, since it was my ring, so he wore it on his pinky. Honestly, it looked ridiculous on his bigger hand. “I still wear this, you know. To remind me of what we had. What we could have again. But you can wear it now; it belongs on your finger, after all.”

“Throw it away,” I said coldly. “It doesn’t prove anything anymore. Neither does the watch. They’re just things, Kael. They don’t mean we belong together.”

“They mean something to me,” Kael insisted. “And I think they still mean something to you, too. Otherwise, why would you be so upset seeing them?”

“I’m not upset. I’m annoyed. There’s a difference.” I tried to step around him, but he shifted to block my path again. “Move, Kael. I’m here to speak with Alpha Anderson.”

“He won’t see you, Freya.”

I rolled my eyes. “Let me guess—because you’ve poisoned him against me, just like everyone else?”

“No,” Kael said, shaking his head. “Because Anderson and Ezren have a poor relationship, and you, by coincidence, have been linked to rumors about Ezren…”

“I’m not linked to rumors about Ezren,” I snapped. “Ezren confirmed we slept together. That’s not a rumor, it’s a fact.”

“Either way, Anderson won’t risk angering Ezren by doing business with his… whatever you are to him.”

I refused to let Kael see how his words affected me. The thought that my connection to Ezren—a connection I hadn’t even wanted to make public—was now preventing me from making the business connections I needed was infuriating, to say the least.

“I’ll take my chances,” I said, finally managing to step around Kael.

He didn’t try to stop me this time, but his voice followed me as I walked away. “You’re wasting your time, Freya. But I’ll be here when you’re ready to admit it.”

I ignored him and made my way toward Anderson, who was still engaged in conversation at the bar. As I approached, I noticed his Beta—a tall, stern-looking woman—subtly shifting to intercept me.

“Alpha Freya,” she greeted in a cool and professional tone. “What can I do for you?”

“I’d like to speak with Alpha Anderson. I have a business proposition I think he’ll find interesting.”

The Beta glanced over her shoulder at Anderson, who had definitely noticed me by now but was studiously pretending he hadn’t. She turned back to me with an apologetic smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“I’m afraid Alpha Anderson’s schedule is quite full this evening. Perhaps you could email his office to set up a meeting for another time?”

“I’ve been emailing his office for weeks,” I said. “I’ve left messages, I’ve sent proposals. I’ve received no response.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll make sure to mention it to him.”

She was brushing me off, and we both knew it. But I didn’t give up. I went around her, sidestepping her attempt to block me and approaching Anderson directly.

“Alpha Anderson,” I said, extending my hand. “I’m Alpha Freya Thornhart of Silvermoon Pack. I’ve been trying to reach you about a potential partnership opportunity.”

Anderson, a distinguished-looking man with silver hair at his temples, finally turned to acknowledge me. His expression was carefully neutral, but I could tell that he was frustrated by the glint in his eyes.

“Alpha Freya,” he said, ignoring my offered hand. “I’ve heard a great deal about you recently.”

“Not all of it good, I imagine,” I said with a tight smile. “But I was hoping we could discuss business, not gossip.”

Anderson glanced at his Beta, who had followed me. “Marissa, would you please escort Alpha Freya back to her table? I’m afraid I’m in the middle of an important conversation.”

“Actually, I don’t have a table yet,” I said quickly. “I was hoping to join you for a moment to discuss—”

“Another time, perhaps,” Anderson cut me off, already turning back to his conversation partner.

I stood there for a moment, embarrassed and angry. I hadn’t expected it to be this difficult just to get a few minutes of Anderson’s time.

Marissa, the Beta, placed a hand on my arm, clearly intending to lead me away. I shrugged it off.

“When would be a better time?” I insisted. “I’m very flexible. We could make an appointment right now.”

Anderson sighed, finally turning back to face me fully. “Alpha Freya, let me be frank. I’m not interested in doing business with someone as controversial as you. My pack values stability and discretion.”

“The controversy isn’t my doing,” I argued. “And it has nothing to do with the business opportunity I’m proposing. If you would just hear me out—”

Anderson exchanged another look with his Beta, and something seemed to pass between them. She nodded, and before I could finish, she took me by the arm and led me away. When I looked up, Anderson was already moving to another part of the ballroom with the man he’d been talking to.

“I just want to talk,” I insisted, yanking my arm away.

“If you’re so determined,” Marissa said, gesturing to a nearby table where several glasses of various liquors were arranged, “Alpha Anderson will meet with you on one condition.”

“What condition?” I asked warily.

“If you can drink all the alcohol on that table, he’ll give you fifteen minutes of his time.”

I looked at the table. There had to be at least ten glasses there, ranging from what looked like whiskey to clear liquors that could be vodka or gin. It was clearly a dismissal, a challenge they didn’t expect me to accept or complete.

“Is this how he treats all potential business partners?” I scoffed. “Or just the female ones?”

“It’s your choice, Alpha Freya. Take it or leave it.”

I knew I should walk away, because that was far too much liquor for a woman of my stature to consume. But I was desperate, and sometimes, desperation leads to stupidity.

“Fine,” I said, moving to the table. “I’ll do it.”

Marissa raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised that I’d accepted the challenge. A few nearby Alphas noticed what was happening and drifted closer, curious to see what would unfold.

I picked up the first glass, which contained what smelled like bourbon, and downed it in one go. The alcohol burned its way down my throat, but I didn’t flinch. I’d never been much of a drinker, but I wasn’t a lightweight either.

The second glass—some kind of tequila—followed the first. Then the third, and the fourth.

By the fifth glass, a small crowd had gathered, watching with a mixture of amusement and disbelief as I steadily worked my way through the drinks. I could hear their whispers as I drank.

“Desperate move, isn’t it?”

“First Kael, then Ezren, now she’s trying to hook Anderson too?”

“Cold on the surface, but apparently quite willing to warm certain beds…”

“Ezren doesn’t even care about her. Just used her to get at Kael and moved on to that model…”

I ignored the gossip, focusing on the task at hand. My head was starting to swim, the alcohol hitting me harder with each glass, but I persevered. Seven glasses. Eight. Nine.

The room was spinning slightly by the time I reached the last glass. I picked it up, a clear liquid that smelled like pure rubbing alcohol, and looked directly at Anderson as I raised it to my lips.

He was back now and watching me with an expression I couldn’t quite read—surprise, certainly, but also something that might have been begrudging respect.

I drained the final glass and set it down with a decisive clink.

“I want to see Alpha Anderson,” I slurred. “I’ve fulfilled your condition.”

Marissa stared at me, clearly shocked by my behavior. She hadn’t expected me to actually do it. None of them had.

But as I tried to stand up straight, the full effect of all the alcohol I’d consumed hit me at once. The room tilted sharply, and I felt my knees buckle. Darkness started creeping in at the edges of my vision, and suddenly, I was no longer standing on my own two feet.

Just before losing consciousness, I felt someone catch me, strong arms wrapping around my waist to keep me from hitting the floor. And through the alcoholic haze, I smelled Ezren’s scent…