Freya’s POV
I waited impatiently at the sandwich stand, tapping my foot as the vendor prepared my order. Being stuck in the box with Searlett had became nebest abi Ever since I’d announced my pregnancy, she’d been acting strange, alternating between excessive concern and distant coldness, I missed our easy friendship from before.
hoped Scarlett would get pregnant soon too, so we could share this experience together and repair whatever was breaking between us.
While waiting. I let my mind drift to Adryx. God, that man had changed everything for me. Before him, I’d been drowning, in alcohol, in meaningless hookups, in self–loathing. He’d pulled me from that darkness with patient hands and unwavering devotion, never once judging me for my past.
He saved us, Shadow agreed. He gave us a home.
My thoughts drifted to the day that had changed everything.
I was pounding from last night’s drinking, desperate for painkillers from the pharmacy.
The Delta warrior at the pharmacy counter had amber eyes. What started as casual flirtation became something I couldn’t stop. His laugh reminded me of life before Quinn took it away. He made me believe I was more than just a Luna title, I was a woman with value.
I’ll challenge Quinn,‘ he whispered one night, “I’ll win your freedom.”
I told myself not to believe him, but everything changed when I discovered I was pregnant. Quinn had always believed I was barren, Calla’s pregnancy was the only reason he accepted her. Now, I carried another man’s child. This was my ticket out.
We planned everything. On the full moon, he would wait for me at the forest’s edge, and we’d escape to Lakeside. But fate never favors me, he didn’t come.
And that day, Calla claimed she found me poisoning her tea, and Quinn believed her without hesitation. I was dragged back to our room, and as Quinn’s fists came down on me, all I could think about was the baby inside me.
“Traitor,” he growled, his silver ring cutting across my cheek, “You thought you could run?”
My child didn’t survive.
I woke up in a pool of blood, Quinn’s cold voice echoing in the darkness: “Since you enjoy sleeping with others so much, let me accommodate you.”
In the days that followed, I was kept in the basement, different soldiers coming in each day. Quinn called it “special care“.
By the time Clifflands‘ army arrived, I had almost lost myself. Quinn handed me over like discarded clothing. Who would have thought becoming a trophy would be my path to freedom?
“Your sandwich is ready.”
The vendor’s voice jolted me back to the present. I blinked rapidly, pushing away the painful memories. That was the past. My hand caressed my belly again, this was my future.
“Thank you,” I said, reaching for my purse.
“No charge, the woman said with a smile. “For our future Alpha.”
I recognized her now, a Callaway Pack member. She handed me the sandwich with a proud smile.
“Let me get you something to drink too,” she insisted, already preparing a glass of iced juice. “It’s hot today.”
I accepted the drink gratefully, deciding to eat right here.
As I took the first bite, a familiar scent hit my nostrils, making my stomach clench.
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Chapter 217
But it was. Quinn Bradshaw was walking toward me, his gaze fixed on my face with an intensity that made my thin crawl test in M acknowledge him, thought my heart hammered against my ribs.
He stopped directly in front of me, clearing his throat. ‘Freya.”
I looked up slowly, deliberately taking another bite of my sandwich before responding. Quinn
To my shock, he dropped to his knees, right there in the middle of the food court. Please, come back to me, he begged, his voice breaking. I was whing to wrong. I’ll take care of your baby as if it were my own. I was a fool.”
1 stared at him, sandwich forgotten in my hand. Was he serious?
I’m happy now,” I said coldly. “Happier than I ever was with you.”
“I can change,” he insisted. “I’ve already started changing. Please, Freya, I miss you,”
I laughed, “You miss having someone to abuse. You miss having someone to blame for your failures.”
‘You don’t understand,” Quinn said, his voice dropping. “Everything’s falling apart without you.”
“That sounds like a you problem,” I replied, taking another bite of my sandwich. “I’m not trading heaven for a hell I already know.
“I’m sorry about Calla,” he said suddenly. “I’m sorry I let her frame you, make me believe you tried to poison her.”
I was about to respond when a blur of motion caught my eye. Adryx had appeared seemingly from nowhere, grabbing Quinn by the throat and lifting him off the ground.
“You dare speak to my mate?” Adryx growled, his eyes flashing with fury.
The sandwich vendor had clearly alerted him, gesturing frantically toward Quinn when Adryx approached. Part of me wanted to stop him, to prevent a scene. But a darker part wanted Quinn to suffer.
Let him bleed, Shadow snarled in my mind. He deserves it.
A crowd gathered quickly as Adryx pummeled Quinn, each blow punctuated by a grunt of satisfaction. I watched dispassionately, feeling nothing but a cold sense of justice. It wasn’t until Augustin appeared and physically pulled Adryx away that the beating stopped.
‘Stay away from my wife,” Adryx spat.
Quinn, his face bloody and swollen, managed to push himself up to his knees. “She’s not your wife,” he said through split lips. “I don’t see your mark on her
neck.”
I walked toward Quinn, Shadow rising to the surface, lending me her strength. With all my might, I punched him square in the jaw, sending him sprawling back to the ground.
I was never your property,” I hissed. “And you don’t get to walk away from what you did to me.”
I spat directly in his face, feeling a savage satisfaction as my saliva mixed with his blood. Then I turned and walked to Adryx, who immediately wrapped his arms around me, one hard protectively covering my baby bump.
I want you to take his pack, I linked Adryx. I want you to take his title, his territory, everything he has.
Consider it done, Adryx replied, kissing my temple No one hurts you.
The rage that had been building inside me dissipated at his touch, replaced by a sense of security and helonging I’d
1 never known before Quinr
Augustin stepped forward, his voice cold as be addressed Quinn. “You’re in my territory now. Stay away from Freya, or I’d have you arrested for harassment.”
Quinn struggled to his feet, wiping blood from his face.
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Chapter 217
“Remember your place, Augustin continued. I’ll be speaking with Matthew shot this incident
I looked up at Augustin, gratitude warming my chest. “Please tell Matthew to keep him away from me, I said, my wire Meter want to see his face again.”
As Adryx led me away, his arm tight around my waist, I couldn’t help but glance back once at Quien’s pathetic forte. There was a time when the diet of he would have filled me with terror. Now I felt only pity, and the sweet satisfaction of knowing I had escaped, had found happiness he could sees take
The baby kicked again, as if in agreement, and I smiled. This was my family now. This was where I belonged.
Chapter Comments
TR
she is with the gamma… how will her child be an alpha?
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