Chapter 330
Chapter 330
Chapter 330
Third Person’s POV
Parker’s gaze lingered on Freya, her tears glinting in the moonlight like scattered pearls. There was something strange stirring within him–a feeling he couldn’t quite name. This woman, this Freya, shouldn’t be crying like this. She should be resolute, fierce, soaring above the world with the freedom of the storm–wind in her veins. She should not be reduced to trembling beneath the weight of the moment.
He sighed softly, almost unconsciously, reaching out with the handkerchief he carried and brushing the tears from her cheeks. Even Parker himself didn’t understand why he did it. Perhaps it was the remnants of instincts long buried, or the echo of a brother’s memory he had never admitted to himself. His fingers were careful, almost reverent, and for a moment the chaos of the gala faded from his mind.
Then a sharp voice pierced the night. “What are you doing?!” Jenny Williams‘ cry jolted him back into reality.
Freya hastily wiped at her face, her hands trembling slightly as she murmured a soft, “Thank you p>
Jenny, furious, lunged at her. “You shamelessly trying to seduce Parker! How dare
you p>
But Freya was ready. One swift motion and she caught Jenny’s wrist in a firm grip, unyielding yet controlled. Jenny yelped in pain, struggling against her hold.
“Miss Thorne, please–be careful,” Parker said, his voice calm but threaded with authority, his gaze unwavering.
Freya released Jenny, letting her step back, her eyes sharp. “Fine. Out of respect for Mr. Williams, I won’t do anything rash. But if she dares to strike me again…” Her voice was firm, the edge of warning unmistakable.
By then, Silas and Kade had approached, having sensed the tension from across the room.
Jenny rubbed her wrist, glaring at Freya with venom. “Silas, your girlfriend—she’s making a play for
my brother right in front of you! Can you really just stand there and watch this p>
“Jenny,” Parker’s voice cut through sharply, a warning in its calm precision, “Freya isn’t trying to seduce me. I won’t hear another word of this nonsense p>
“But–bro-” Jenny’s protest faltered under his icy stare.
“And apologize to Miss Thorne,” Parker added, his tone brooking no argument.
Jenny’s face twisted in disbelief. “Apologize? To her? Why should I p>
“Lies spoken without care often require accountability,” Kade said, stepping closer, his gaze piercing. “If you don’t apologize, Jenny, I guarantee that tomorrow, the Capital’s feeds will be filled with stories about your recklessness. Whether true or not, the damage will be done p>
Jenny’s color shifted violently. Threats carried weight in the wolf packs, and Kade radiated the kind of authority that made even the wealthy pause. Her instincts, honed over years of navigating elite circles, screamed that this wasn’t an idle warning.
“Silas… you agree she should apologize?” Jenny tried to use him to sway the situation, hoping to regain control.
Silas’s expression remained calm, his voice as steady as ice. “If she truly desired Parker, I’d ensure he was at her side–bound if necessary. She’d have him, no matter what p>
Jenny’s jaw tightened, teeth clenched. “You… you’re insane p>
Silas let out a humorless chuckle. Perhaps he was. Or perhaps only those like him and Parker truly understood the lengths some would go for what–or who–they wanted.
“Apologize. Now,” Silas said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
“Jenny, you went too far,” Parker said, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder, guiding her toward the retreat from the balcony.
Reluctantly, Jenny’s scowl softened into a forced semblance of humility. “Fine… I’m….. sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken recklessly today p>
Freya nodded, the sharp sting of tension in her chest easing slightly. “I hope next time, you’ll think before you speak p>
Jenny’s lips pressed into a tight line. She wanted to argue, to strike again, but the presence of Parker and the unwavering gaze of Silas held her back.
“Let’s go, Jenny,” Parker said firmly, guiding her away. But as they passed Silas, he paused, turning toward him with an almost imperceptible smirk. “Silas, not every man can be made to bend. If you want me in front of someone, you’ll have to earn it p>
“Is that so?” Silas replied lightly, his gaze flicking toward Freya. He was testing the waters, evaluating whether Freya’s influence over Parker extended far enough to sway even him.
“Mr. Williams, don’t take him seriously. He’s just joking,” Freya interjected hastily, a nervous
laugh betraying the flustered panic inside her.
“Fine. I’m joking.” Silas said, almost immediately falling in line, as if prompted by her words. The case of it unsettled Parker slightly; he knew Silas rarely bent so readily, yet Freya’s presence seemed to wield that effect.
Parker led Jenny away, his steps measured and controlled. Freya lingered slightly behind, still reeling from the rapid escalation of events.
Kade came to her side, concern evident in his sharp gaze. “Freya… why were you crying just now p>
She blinked, unsure how to explain the flood of emotions that had overtaken her. The rawness wasn’t from humiliation, nor from the confrontation–it was the echo of memories she had thought long buried. Memories of Arthur, of the times he had protected her, and of the helplessness she felt the day she had failed him.
3/3