CHAPTER 174: CHAPTER 174 GOODBYE,ALPHA

Freya

As I gathered my things to leave,my phone buzzed again. A text from Aurora: *Isabella left her medication at my house last night. I’ll bring it to the office today.*

Last night. Isabella had been at Aurora’s house last night.

The knowledge burned like silver against my skin. Of course Silvano would take our daughter there the moment I was gone. Of course Aurora would seize the opportunity to play mother to my child,to whisper stories of elven magic and ancient bloodlines in her ear.

My wolf snarled,territorial rage surging through me. *Mine,* Selene growled. *Our pup. Our mate.*

But were they? Truly? Or had I simply been keeping their places warm until someone more suitable—someone like Aurora,with her perfect breeding and her understanding of pack politics and her connection to the elven bloodlines—came along?

I texted Beta Timothy back: *I’ll be there. Preparing the counterproposal now.*

Then,before I could change my mind,I texted Isabella: *Good morning,sweetheart. I hear Grandmother wants us for dinner tonight. Looking forward to seeing you. I love you.*

I stared at the screen,waiting for those three dots to appear,signaling she was typing back. One minute passed. Then two.

Nothing.

Swallowing my disappointment,I slipped my phone into my pocket and headed out to my car. I had a pack to help run,territory negotiations to manage,and a dinner with the Elder Alpha to survive.

My personal crisis would have to wait.

---

The Shadow Pack headquarters occupied a gleaming high-rise in the heart of downtown,its tinted windows reflecting the morning sun. As I pulled into my reserved parking space—still there,despite my absence—I spotted Beta Timothy waiting for me in the lobby.

"There you are," he said,relief evident in his voice as I approached. "I was beginning to think you’d gone rogue on us for real."

I forced a smile. "Just taking some personal time."

Beta Timothy’s expression told me he wasn’t buying it,but he was too professional to push. "We’re in the main conference room. Jasper’s already here with his team."

My step faltered slightly at the mention of Jasper,Alpha of the Stone Lake Pack. We had history—complicated,painful history that I’d rather not revisit,especially not today.

"Any particular reason he came himself instead of sending representatives?" I asked as we stepped into the elevator.

Beta Timothy shrugged. "Territorial disputes always bring out the Alphas. You know how they get—all posturing and chest-thumping."

I did know. I’d spent years navigating the minefield of pack politics,learning to anticipate the moves of temperamental Alphas and soothe bruised egos. It was one of the reasons Silvano had valued me so highly as his Luna—I knew how to make peace where he would have preferred war.

"Silvano’s not here,though," I noted as the elevator climbed.

Beta Timothy glanced at me sideways. "He’s handling things up north. Left me strict instructions to consult you on all territory matters."

The north. Where Aurora was stationed with her security detail,overseeing the expansion of Shadow Pack territory into what had once been disputed lands. Of course that’s where Silvano would be focused.

"I see," was all I said.

When we entered the conference room,all heads turned toward me. I recognized most of the faces—Stone Lake representatives,our own pack lawyers,and at the head of the table,Jasper himself.

His eyes met mine,and for a moment,I was transported back in time—back to when I was just a Gamma in his pack,desperately in love with an Alpha who would never choose me over his destined mate.

"Freya," he acknowledged with a slight nod. "It’s been a while."

"Alpha Jasper," I replied formally,taking my seat at the opposite end of the table. "Let’s get started,shall we?"

The meeting dragged on for hours,debates over hunting rights and border security protocols growing heated at times. I kept my focus professional,presenting the counterproposals I’d drafted and mediating when tensions rose too high.

This was what I was good at—what I’d always been good at,long before I became Silvano’s Luna. Strategy,negotiation,finding the middle ground that benefited everyone involved.

When we finally called a break,Jasper approached me as I was refilling my coffee.

"You look good,Freya," he said quietly. "Life as a Luna suits you."

I stirred my coffee slowly,buying time. "Does it? I’m not so sure anymore."

He raised an eyebrow. "Trouble in paradise?"

"Nothing I can’t handle," I replied evenly.

Jasper leaned against the counter,too close for comfort. "I heard rumors,you know. That the mighty Luna of the Shadow Pack has moved back to her family home. That she hasn’t been seen with her Alpha in weeks."

My grip tightened on my cup. "Pack gossip. You should know better than to listen to it."

"Is it just gossip?" His eyes—golden-brown and still capable of making my heart beat faster,despite everything—searched mine. "Because if it’s true,if you’re finally free—"

"I’m not free," I cut him off. "I’m figuring things out. There’s a difference."

"Is there?" He echoed Raven’s earlier question with eerie similarity.

Before I could respond,Beta Timothy appeared at my side,his body language deliberately creating space between Jasper and me.

"We should get back to it," he said,his tone deceptively casual but his eyes warning. "Silvano just texted. He wants an update by end of day."

Jasper stepped back,a knowing smile playing at his lips. "Of course. We wouldn’t want to keep the Alpha waiting."

As we returned to the table,my phone buzzed with a text. I glanced down,expecting it to be Silvano or Beta Timothy.

Instead,it was Isabella: *Miss you too,Mommy. Can you sit next to me at dinner tonight?*

My heart swelled and broke simultaneously. She missed me. But Aurora was already trying to replace me—in my daughter’s life,at my place at the table,perhaps even in my mate’s bed.

I typed back quickly: *Nothing would make me happier,sweetheart. I’ll be there early just for you.*

For the rest of the meeting,I found myself checking my phone constantly,hoping for another message from Isabella. But there was nothing more—just a text from Silvano,terse and businesslike: *Driver will bring Isabella to the estate at 6. Don’t be late.*

As if I would ever willingly miss a moment with my daughter. As if I hadn’t spent every night for the past sixteen days lying awake,aching for her small body curled against mine,for the sound of her laughter echoing through our home.

By the time the meeting concluded,I had a pounding headache and a knot of anxiety in my stomach about the evening ahead. Dinner with Victoria Moretti was never a simple affair.

"You ready for the lion’s den tonight?" Beta Timothy asked as he walked me to my car.

I managed a weak smile. "When am I not ready?"

Beta Timothy’s expression turned serious. "Freya,whatever’s going on between you and Silvano... the pack needs you. Both of you. Together."

"The pack has survived worse than a Luna taking some personal time," I replied,unlocking my car door.

"This isn’t just about the pack," Beta Timothy said quietly. "Silvano’s... different when you’re not around. Harder. Colder."

Good,I thought viciously,even as guilt threatened to choke me. Let him feel a fraction of what I’ve felt,watching him grow distant,watching him turn to Aurora instead of me.

"He’s an Alpha," I said aloud. "He’ll manage."