CHAPTER 231: CHAPTER 231 TRUTH AND THE PRICE PAID

Freya’s POV

Victoria stepped from the shadows, her elegant figure radiating the quiet power that had made her a formidable Luna in her time. "I’ve been following you for weeks, Aurora. Did you really think I wouldn’t recognize the stench of dark magic on my son? The same magic that clings to you like a second skin?"

"And I’ve been monitoring the energy fluctuations," I added, gaining confidence. "Every time you’ve been alone with Silvano for your so-called ’treatments,’ the curse intensifies. You haven’t been helping him—you’ve been killing him slowly."

"They’re lying," Aurora hissed, desperation creeping into her voice. "Everything I’ve done has been for you, Silvano. For us."

"You speak of tradition while plotting to harm my heir?" he asked, his voice deathly quiet. "You speak of understanding while betraying your Alpha’s trust?"

Aurora’s hand darted into her jacket, pulling out something that glinted in the fading daylight—a small crystal vial filled with dark liquid. "I didn’t want to do this here, but you leave me no choice."

I reacted instantly, pushing Isabella behind me. "Victoria, take her!"

Silvano lunged forward, but stumbled mid-step, a spasm of pain visibly racking his body—the curse responding to his proximity to me. The momentary weakness gave Aurora just enough time to uncork the vial.

"One drop of this," she threatened, "and the curse accelerates beyond control. Not even your precious mate’s research can save you then."

"But mine can."

Johnny’s voice came from my phone, which I’d subtly activated during the confrontation. I’d left the call connected to his lab computers.

"I’ve been recording this whole interaction," he continued through the speaker. "And I’ve just completed a molecular breakdown of the compound in that vial based on its energy signature. It’s a catalyst for the curse, alright—but I’ve also identified its counteragent."

Aurora’s face contorted with rage. "You’re bluffing. There is no counteragent."

"There is when you combine synthetic compounds with Isabella’s genetic markers—without needing a drop of her actual blood," Johnny replied. "We completed the formula simulation ten minutes ago. Xander is already at the lab picking it up."

As if on cue, the sound of tires screeching against pavement announced Xander’s arrival. The Granite Ridge Alpha emerged from his vehicle, his imposing figure blocking Aurora’s path to escape.

"It’s over, Aurora," Silvano said, straightening despite the obvious pain. "Drop the vial."

For one terrible moment, I thought she might throw it at him out of spite. Instead, her shoulders sagged in defeat.

"You could have had everything," she whispered, her eyes locked on Silvano. "We could have ruled the northern territories together, restored the ancient bloodlines to their rightful glory. Instead, you chose her—this half-human who divides her loyalty between our world and theirs."

"I didn’t choose Freya," Silvano replied, his voice softening as he glanced at me. "The Goddess chose her for me. She is my mate, my Luna, the mother of my child. There was never any choice to make."

Something in his words, in the way his eyes held mine across the distance, made my breath catch. Despite everything—the secrets, the distance, the hurt—our bond remained unbroken.

Xander stepped forward, taking the vial carefully from Aurora’s unresisting hand. "Under the Interpack Treaty, I’m placing you under custody for attempted harm against an Alpha’s heir and conspiracy against a sovereign pack."

"What will happen to her?" Isabella asked softly from Victoria’s arms, her little face solemn.

"She’ll face the Council," Silvano answered, moving closer to us despite the visible strain it caused him. "Justice will be served according to our laws."

As Xander led Aurora away, I finally allowed myself to close the distance between Silvano and me. We stood facing each other, so close yet separated by months of misunderstandings and pain.

"You knew," I said quietly. "About the curse. About what happened when you were near me."

He nodded, anguish evident in his eyes. "Every moment with you caused physical pain—but being away from you hurt far worse."

"Why didn’t you tell me?" I asked, fighting back tears. "We could have faced this together."

"I thought I was protecting you," he admitted, his voice rough with emotion. "The witch said if you learned of the curse, it would transfer to you and Isabella. I couldn’t risk that."

"So instead you pushed me away," I whispered, understanding finally dawning. "Every cold word, every dismissal—it was to keep me at a distance."

"It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done," Silvano confessed, reaching out hesitantly before dropping his hand. "Watching you believe I no longer wanted you when in truth, you are everything to me."

Isabella wiggled free from Victoria’s grasp and ran to us, wrapping her arms around both our legs, creating a physical bridge between us.

"Are you going to fix Daddy now, Mommy?" she asked, looking up at me with complete faith in her eyes.

I knelt down to her level, brushing a dark curl from her forehead. "Yes, baby. We’re going to fix him together."

I rose and faced Silvano, summoning my courage. "No more secrets between us. No more noble sacrifices. From now on, we face everything as what we truly are—mates, partners, equals."

For the first time in months, I saw a genuine smile spread across my husband’s face—the smile that had first made my heart race when we met.

"I promise," he said solemnly, then winced as another wave of pain hit him.

"The treatment," I said urgently, looking toward Xander who held the vial Johnny had prepared. "We need to administer it now."

Victoria stepped forward, taking Isabella’s hand. "I’ll take our little one for ice cream while you attend to Silvano. Perhaps Johnny would like to join us?"

Johnny, who had arrived with Xander, nodded enthusiastically. "I could definitely use some sugar after all this excitement. Plus, I want to hear all about how Isabella knew something was wrong with Aurora."

As they walked away, I turned back to Silvano, reaching for his hand despite knowing the contact would cause him pain. He flinched but didn’t pull away.

"Let me help you," I said softly.

His fingers intertwined with mine, and for the first time in too long, I felt our bond pulse between us—strained by the curse but unbroken.

"Always," he murmured, and in that single word was every promise we had ever made to each other.

Together, we would heal what had been broken—not just his body, but the trust between us. And this time, nothing would tear us apart.