Chapter 372
Chapter 372
Freya’s POV
Kade’s hand tightened around his chopsticks, his knuckles whitening with quiet restraint. Thankfully, the food began to arrive, filling the silence with the soft clatter of plates and the aroma of roasted meat and
herbs.
We are slowly, talking about what had happened in the Capital during my days of confinement on the island. Neither Kade nor Lana asked what had occurred between Silas and me-they were too perceptive, To respectful to touch that wound.
Leard the Bluemoon Pack’s first and second branches have gone to war with each other,” Lana said, sipping from her glass. “Caclum Grafton’s suing Aurora for colluding with others to defraud SilverTech Forgeworks. She’s scrambling for legal help, but no attorney in the Capital will take her case.” Her gaze flicked toward Kade, amused.
Of course. The reason no one would take Aurora’s case was sitting right beside me. His mother’s family- the Ashfords-held half the city’s legal network in their pocket.
“I used to think Caelum adored Aurora,” Lana continued dryly. “Now look at them-blood and betrayal, like every tragic pack saga p>
I said nothing. The mention of their names no longer stirred anything in me. Once, hearing them together would’ve sent fire through my veins. Now, it was only quiet.
Halfway through the meal, I excused myself to the washroom. The mirror above the sink reflected a pale, tired face-and the faint red mark along my neck.
My breath caught. Silas. That was his mark.
Flashes from the previous night flickered behind my eyes: his weight above me, the warmth of his breath against my skin, the desperation in his kiss. I pressed my lips together, hard. If there was a mark on my throat, then there were likely others-hidden beneath my clothes, unseen but felt.
Kade hadn’t said anything earlier, probably hadn’t noticed. But I couldn’t walk around with that visible. Every wolf knew what such a mark meant.
I untied my ponytail, letting my dark hair fall over my shoulders. The strands brushed against my neck, hiding the crimson trace of what should never have been.
As I turned to leave, voices drifted from the main hall. A familiar one froze me in place.
Parker.
He was walking in with a small entourage-among them, a blonde woman I recognized instantly: Jenny Williams. My stomach tightened. I hadn’t expected to see them here, of all places.
I stepped forward before I could second-guess myself. “Mr. Williams,” I called softly. “Could I have a word with you p>
Parker stopped mid-step. Jenny, of course, was the first to sneer. “Well, if it isn’t Freya Thorne. What’s
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next, another little reunion game? Or are you hoping to cozy up to the Williams family this time p>
I ignored her venom and kept my gaze steady on Parker. “Just a few words. In private p>
He studied me for a long moment, the storm-gray of his eyes unreadable. “All right p>
Jenny’s expression hardened. “You’re not serious! You can’t just p>
“She once took a bullet for me in D-country,” Parker interrupted quietly. “I owe her at least a few minutes
of my time p>
Jeany stepped closer, lowering her voice but not enough that my wolf ears couldn’t hear. “If you walk away with her now, I won’t lift a finger to save her. The one in the hospital p>
Parker froze. His entire body went rigid.
Her. Lina. The only person Parker truly cared about-the one who’d once saved his life. I saw the pain flash across his face before he masked it with cold professionalism.
“Apologies, Miss Thorne,” he said finally, voice low but firm. “I’m afraid I don’t have time to talk p>
“Typical,” came another voice-Kade’s, sharp as broken glass. He strode toward us, his presence alone enough to make half the restaurant fall silent. “So this is the Williams family’s gratitude p>
I blinked. “Kade-what are you doing here p>
“You took too long. I came to check.” His tone was mild, but the glint in his eyes was anything but. He turned to Jenny, his words laced with iron. “When your pack’s daughter was kidnapped in D-country, Freya went into enemy territory to save her. She took a bullet in the shoulder and spent a day in a coma. And now you won’t even let her speak to Parker for five minutes p>
He took another step forward, his voice carrying through the restaurant. “Tell me, Miss Williams-since when does a branch family member have authority over the heir of the main house? Or has the Williams legacy sunk so low that its head now takes orders from a cousin with a sharp tongue p>
Jenny’s face blanched. The air in the restaurant shifted-wolves nearby were already watching, curious, murmuring. Even Parker looked uneasy.
Kade wasn’t done. “Perhaps I should have a word with Chairman Everett Williams. I’d love to ask him whether this is the family’s official stance-betray those who saved them and bow to manipulation from their own bloodline p>
Jenny’s composure cracked. Her lips parted, but no words came. She glanced around, noticing the eyes turning toward her, and panic flickered in her gaze. Whatever her status, she knew one thing: if word of this reached her uncle Everett-or the press-the fallout would be brutal, especially with the Whitmors preparing to sign a major contract with their family.
Her gaze darted to me again, and I caught a flicker of something-fear? Uncertainty? She must’ve remembered that in D-country, Silas Whitmor had been by my side.
The realization hit her hard. She forced a strained smile and tugged at Parker’s sleeve. “Fine. Talk if you must. I’ll wait in the private room p>
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With that, she turned and vanished down the corridor.
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Florence
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.