CHAPTER 186: CHAPTER 186 EOS UNMASKED

Freya

Aurora.

Of course the mysterious "Eos" was Aurora Howlthorne. Why was I even surprised?

Selene growled low in my mind, bristling with territorial awareness. My wolf had recognized her scent earlier, had tried to warn me, but I hadn’t connected the dots.

I’d heard whispers that Aurora excelled at extreme sports, but I never realized she was also a professional racer with a devoted following. Looking around at the crowd’s rapt expressions—men and women alike—it was clear she had everyone under her spell.

The dark red racing suit hugged every curve of her tall, athletic frame perfectly. She exuded a wild elegance that demanded attention—graceful yet powerful, sophisticated yet untamed. I couldn’t deny she was breathtaking, even as my chest tightened with something that felt dangerously like inadequacy.

As I adjusted the focus on the binoculars, my gaze accidentally drifted to the VIP stands across the track. My breath caught painfully.

Silvano was there, his powerful frame unmistakable even from this distance.

My mate—my husband—was watching Aurora with such intensity that it made my blood run cold. I’d rarely seen that expression on his face, that complete and utter focus.

Selene whimpered, confused by the mixture of emotions cascading through me. My grip tightened on the binoculars until my knuckles whitened.

"The race is starting!" York exclaimed, practically ripping the binoculars from my hands.

I barely noticed, my eyes still fixed on Silvano across the track. As my vision adjusted, I realized he wasn’t alone. Our daughter Isabella was there too, practically vibrating with excitement. Several of Silvano’s closest friends—including Adrian and Levi—were also present, all clearly there to cheer for Aurora.

My family had come to support her. Without me. Without even mentioning it.

The roar of engines filled the air as the race cars shot forward, disappearing around the first curve in seconds. The crowd erupted in screams and cheers around us.

"Freya, look!" York thrust the binoculars back at me moments later. "My idol drives so boldly yet so skillfully! She’s beyond amazing! You have to see this!"

I took them mechanically, finding Aurora’s car again just in time to witness her execute a hair-raising overtaking maneuver at a dangerous curve. It was reckless, brilliant, and perfectly timed.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Even I, with zero interest in motorsports, could appreciate the stunning display of skill and courage.

I stood frozen, suddenly understanding why everyone—including my mate—was so captivated by her. She wasn’t just beautiful and intelligent. She was fearless. Extraordinary.

Looking back toward the VIP stands, I caught Silvano’s normally stoic expression transformed by unmistakable admiration. Even little Isabella and usually reserved Levi had jumped to their feet in excitement.

York reclaimed the binoculars as the race reached its climax.

When the cars paused briefly between laps, with Aurora firmly in first place, I asked York to return the binoculars. He handed them over with a grin.

"You’re hooked on my idol too, aren’t you?!" he crowed triumphantly. "I knew it—no one can resist her! Man or woman, everyone falls under her spell!"

I offered a small smile but said nothing, lowering my eyes.

The urge to call Silvano suddenly overwhelmed me. I wanted to hear his voice, to remind him of my existence. I wondered what he would do if he saw my name on his screen right now—probably reject the call without hesitation, as he so often did these days.

The thought made me pause. What was the point? Why did I keep reaching out when he clearly preferred Aurora’s company to mine?

But something in me—either stubbornness or masochism—made me take out my phone anyway. Just one last time, I told myself. One final test.

I dialed his number as I raised the binoculars again, watching him through the lenses.

Through the magnified view, I saw Silvano glance at his phone, his expression shifting to something like annoyance. Without a moment’s hesitation, he declined the call and returned his attention to Aurora on the track, his focus absolute.

Selene howled mournfully inside me, but outwardly, I remained calm. I took a deep breath, smiled faintly, and handed the binoculars back to York with steady hands.

I didn’t watch the rest of the race. I didn’t look toward Silvano again. What would be the point?

When Aurora crossed the finish line in first place, York’s excitement was boundless. He and his friends immediately began discussing how they might get her autograph.

"I heard Eos isn’t just some rich heiress—she has a PhD from CMU," one of York’s friends said reverently. "Racing is just her hobby. She doesn’t care about fans and never plays to the crowd. Usually leaves right after races without signing anything."

"This is a private event though," another friend argued. "The chances might be better. But they’ve got that VIP passage we can’t access without connections..."

Their voices faded into background noise as my phone buzzed with a text from Maria, demanding to know when we’d be home. I told York we needed to leave, ignoring his pleas to stay longer.

Before we left, I needed to use the restroom. The facilities were crowded with excited fans discussing Aurora’s victory, their voices grating against my frayed nerves.

As I exited the stall and washed my hands, I kept my eyes down, focused on getting through the moment. Just get York, go home, and figure out what to do with the broken pieces of my life.

Stepping out of the restroom, I collided with someone walking briskly past.

"I’m so sorry—" I began automatically, then froze as familiar amber eyes met mine.