Chapter 10
Freya
Lucas's words hung in the air like a challenge. "Marking bonds deserve respect. That's a principle all wolf packs should uphold."
I stood frozen between Samuel and Jackson, painfully aware of how pathetic I must appear to everyone at William's celebration—the marked mate abandoned while her Alpha paraded around with another woman. The mark on my neck throbbed with a dull ache that matched the hollow feeling in my chest.
"The Sterling certainly knows how to throw a birthday celebration," Lucas continued. He turned to me, his silver-gray eyes glinting. "Care to show me around the rest of the Manor, Freya?"
Jackson stepped between us. "She's not in the mood for your games."
Lucas ignored him, his eyes fixed on me. I remained silent, my amber eyes dimmed with hurt, my eyebrows slightly drawn together.
"What's wrong, Freya?" Lucas pressed, his voice carrying a hint of mockery. "Not feeling chatty tonight?".
"An Alpha escorting his favored Beta around, while his marked mate entertains suitors. Quite the modern arrangement, isn't it?" he continued, his voice dropping to a whisper.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it. "You know what? Maybe a walk would do me good." I needed air, needed to escape the suffocating pity and curious glances from other pack members.
Samuel looked concerned. "Freya, you don't have to—"
"I know," I cut him off. "But some fresh air might help clear my head." In truth, I just needed a distraction—something, anything to keep from dwelling on the image of Paxton's hand on Lyra's back as he led her away.
Samuel and Jackson exchanged a look.
"She's right," Jackson admitted reluctantly.
Samuel nodded slightly. "We'll be nearby if you need us," he said quietly before guiding Jackson away, leaving me alone with Lucas.
"Shall we?" I gestured toward the garden doors, my voice steady. "Alpha Lucas."
Lucas offered his arm with exaggerated formality, and I deliberately ignored it as we stepped out into the cool night air.
The Sterling estate gardens were awash in moonlight, the nearly full moon casting everything in silver. As we walked in silence along the stone path, I could feel Lucas studying me.
"I hear you're heading the renewable energy project at Sterling," he said, his tone shifting to something more businesslike.
I nodded, feeling a flicker of professional pride cut through my emotional haze. "Yes. We're developing sustainable energy solutions specifically designed for pack territories."
Lucas's expression changed, the playful mockery replaced by something more serious. "The Morgan pack is also looking to expand into renewable energy," he said. "We have the capital and the connections, but we need someone with vision to lead the initiative."
I slowed my pace, suddenly wary of where this conversation was heading.
"I want you to join Morgan Enterprises," Lucas said bluntly. "As Vice CEO, with complete autonomy over the energy division. You'd have your own residence within our territory."
The offer caught me off guard. "What?"
"You heard me," Lucas continued. "Once your marking with Paxton is dissolved, there's no reason for you to stay at Sterling. You'd have more freedom, more power, and no need to watch your ex-mate parade around with his Beta."
I stopped walking completely, turning to face him. "I appreciate the offer, but I have no intention of leaving Sterling Enterprises at this time. Thank you for thinking of me."
Lucas's brow furrowed in genuine confusion. "I don't understand. Why would you want to stay at Sterling? After everything Paxton has put you through?"
When I didn't answer, he pressed further. "What has Paxton given you? I'm offering you control of an entire division."
His golden wolf eyes flickered in the moonlight. "Or is it that you still can't let go of that cold-blooded Alpha, even though he's dissolving your mark?" The question hit too close to my heart.
I met his gaze steadily, keeping my amber eyes calm despite the storm inside. "My reasons for staying at Sterling have nothing to do with interfering in Paxton's relationship with Lyra. I have unfinished business there."
"What kind of business?" Lucas asked, his voice sharp with curiosity.
"That's not something you need to know," I replied firmly.
My mind drifted to the real reason I had stayed at Sterling all these years. I was trapped in the underground safety room during a hunter attack. A young Alpha, not much older than me, had protected me. For twenty-four hours, we remained locked together as hunters swept the building, searching for wolf children.
When hunters fired silver-laced gas into the ventilation, the young Alpha covered me with his body. As he weakened, something awoke in me—a surge of power that shouldn't have been possible for a mixed-blood. For a brief moment, I had manifested Alpha traits.
"How will I find you again?" I had asked as rescue teams finally reached us.
"I'll be here," he had whispered. "I'll be waiting for you to come back."
Lucas's voice yanked me back to the present. "Look over there," he said, pointing toward a secluded part of the garden. "Isn't that your Alpha and his precious Beta?"
I followed his gaze reluctantly. Through the trees, I could see two figures close together. Paxton and Lyra. Their necks were pressed together, Paxton's face buried in the crook of Lyra's neck in what appeared to be a scent-marking ritual—an intimate precursor to a formal marking.
The pain that shot through my existing mark. I couldn't breathe for a moment, my wolf howling in anguish inside me.
"Freya, there's a fascinating moonstone formation over there," Lucas announced loudly, placing his hand on my shoulder and deliberately intensifying his Alpha scent. "Let's take a closer look."
I was too numb to protest as Lucas guided me forward, his hand remaining possessively on my shoulder.
Paxton
I felt it immediately—another Alpha's scent strengthening in my territory. I turned from Lyra to see Lucas Morgan with his hand on Freya's shoulder, his voice deliberately carrying through the night air.
My golden wolf eyes emerged instantly. How dare he touch my marked mate on Sterling land?
"Pax," Lyra's voice interrupted. "My neck still feels strange where those hunters left silver residue. Are you sure you got it all out?"
"I think so," I managed, eyes fixed on Lucas and Freya. "We should have the pack doctor check before we leave for Moon Shadow Island."
Lyra followed my gaze, her scent shifting with displeasure. "Is my sister getting so close with the Morgan Alpha now? Your mark is still on her neck."
I felt my face harden, territorial instincts screaming to intervene.
"She's not respecting the Sterling pack's dignity," Lyra continued.
"Pax, you don't need to worry," she placed her hand on my chest. "I would never let another Alpha near me like that."
Her voice dropped. "Perhaps we should move forward with dissolving your mark with Freya sooner. She's wearing your mark while getting close to the Morgan Alpha—what message does that send?"
"I won't give her another chance," I said coldly. "At the next full moon, we'll hold the dissolution ritual."
What troubled me most wasn't just Freya's disrespect, but how strongly my wolf still reacted to it.