Chapter 26
At first, I thought it was Lucian–my heart started pounding, fearing I might have to deal with that burden again. But instead, standing before me was Alpha Theron, his presence commanding as always.
“Alpha Theron?” I said, surprised.
“Call me Theron, Freya,” he replied smoothly, his tone carrying a hint of familiarity that caught me off guard.
I blinked, shocked by his words. We‘ d only met once at an event, and now he was acting like we were already close?
“Oh…” I managed a small smile, unsure how to respond.
Darian, who had been seated across from me, stood up, his presence immediately exuding cold authority. “What are you doing here, Alpha Theron?” he asked, his voice sharp and edged with frost.
85% 12:43
1/6
Chapter 26
Theron smiled, entirely unfazed by Darian‘ s tone. “Oh, I’m here because of Freya,” he said casually, his eyes meeting mine briefly before turning back to Darian.
“She’s the one who convinced me to agree to the alliance between the Stormhoods and my bloodline.”
I gasped softly, caught off guard. I hadn’t realized my involvement had been that significant.
Theron continued, his tone light but his words pointed. “I was skeptical, despite the Stormhoods‘ power. The last time her father approached me, he failed to follow through on his promises to secure an alliance. But Freya?” He glanced at me again, his expression softening. “She’s the reason I changed my mind.”
I felt my cheeks warm under his gaze.
Darian crossed his arms, his icy demeanor unwavering. “Is that so?” he said, his voice low and deliberate.
85% 12.43
2/6
12:43
Chapter 26
Theron’s smirk deepened as if he’d been waiting for the perfect moment. From behind his back, he produced a single, vibrant red rose, its petals flawless and glistening as if freshly plucked. He held it out to me with a flourish, his intense gaze never wavering from mine.
“Speaking of extraordinary,” he said, his voice soft yet deliberate, “this reminded me of you. Strong, beautiful, and
commanding attention without even trying.”
I froze, my breath catching in my throat. The rose felt like it had a gravity of its own, pulling me closer. “I-” My words
stumbled over themselves as I hesitated, unsure if taking the flower was the right thing to do.
Darian stepped forward quickly, his hand brushing against mine as if to stop me, his glare fixed firmly on Theron. “A little over the top, don’t you think, Theron?” His voice was laced with irritation, his jaw
85% 12 43
3/6
Chapter 26
tight.
Theron, unfazed, tilted his head slightly, the smirk still playing on his lips. “Is it? I think Freya deserves the best. And sometimes, the simplest gestures speak the loudest.” He gently pushed the rose closer, urging me to take it. “I’m so glad that she’s free from her ex mate so I could make my move. I know I’ll like her from the moment I see her.”
My fingers trembled as I reached out, brushing against the velvety petals.
“Thank you,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. The gesture, though unexpected, felt strangely sincere.
Darian‘ s jaw tightened even more, and he turned to me, his eyes searching mine for some unspoken answer. “Freya, we don’t have time for distractions. We should go.”
Theron chuckled, the sound low and amused. “A rose is hardly a distraction,
Darian. Unless, of course, you‘ re worried about something?”
85% 12:43
4/6
Chapter 26
Darian’s glare could have cut through
steel, but Theron only smiled wider, clearly enjoying the tension.
Darian smiled, extending his hand to me.
“Let’s go, Freya. I want to show you something.”
Before I could take his hand, Theron smirked, his voice calm but sharp. “So the rumors are true?”
I raised an eyebrow, confused.
“Rumors?”
“That you’ve already found someone else after severing your bond with your former Alpha mate,” he said smoothly, hist words calculated, his eyes glinting with
subtle amusement.
Darian chuckled, his laugh laced with amusement and a hint of warning. “Why are you speaking to her like that, Alpha Theron? You act as though you didn’t just hand her a flower.”
Theron’s smirk deepened, his tone almost
85% 12:43
5/6
Chapter 26
playful. “Well, it’s not as if I’m some pitiful man trying to steal another‘ s woman,” he said with mock indifference.
I was about to respond when an overwhelming wave of dizziness hit me. My vision blurred, the edges of the room tilting and distorting. My heart began to race as I struggled to stay upright, gripping the edge of the table for support.
Something was wrong.
Then it struck me–the flower.
The faint, sweet scent that had seemed harmless before now lingered in the air, thick and suffocating. My mind raced as I realized the truth: there was something in the flower. Its fragrance wasn‘ t just innocent—it was meant to incapacitate me.
85% 12:43
