Chapter 5
Freya
So that was how it was. Lyra was the one who truly held Paxton's heart. Only by dissolving our mark could he mark her as quickly as possible. So of course he was this impatient.
Five years of trying to maintain our bond meant nothing compared to a single moment of Lyra's smile.
I couldn't help but tremble slightly, but I didn't turn back.
My voice was steady, without a ripple of emotion, as I simply said: "Okay."
Without another word, I walked away with Lucas by my side. No hesitation, no lingering looks, no final plea.
I could sense Paxton's emotions through our weakening bond—confusion, a strange sense of loss. Perhaps he had expected me to beg, to cling, to make this harder for him.
I felt his gaze boring into my back, but I didn't give him the satisfaction of looking back.
"Pax, I'm getting a little hungry," I heard Lyra's sweet voice drift behind us. "Should we go eat something?"
"I have a meeting soon," Paxton's voice carried a hint of fatigue. "Another time."
"We could just grab something on the way," Lyra persisted. "I know this place that makes them perfect for Alpha tastes. It's right on our way back to the company."
Her voice was so sweet, so accommodating.
Back in my office, Lucas handed me the contract documents. "Do you want to review the previous agreements first?" he asked, settling into the chair across from my desk.
"I'll look at it now." I kept my voice professional, grateful for work that could distract me from the chaos in my personal life. This was the one area where I knew my worth, where even Paxton couldn't diminish my value.
I scanned the document methodically, my trained eye catching problems immediately. "This clause isn't right," I said, pointing to a section halfway down. "Morgan pack agrees to provide resources as needed, but there's no specific timeline. What if you don't have these materials for a year? Are we supposed to wait indefinitely?"
The flaw was glaring once you looked for it. They could delay delivery indefinitely while Sterling Group remained bound by the agreement.
"My recommendation," I continued, "is to change this to a one-month deadline. If Morgan pack fails to deliver on time, you should pay triple compensation according to pack law."
Lucas leaned back in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Freya, you're incredible. Without someone of your caliber, Sterling Group wouldn't have the influence it does in the human world today. You and Samuel really are the strategic twin stars of the company."
I slid the document back across the desk. "Please make those changes and bring it back."
After giving it some thought, I said, "When this is all wrapped up, dinner's on me."
"Absolutely. Exactly as you've requested." His eyes held that deeper interest again. "And dinner afterward? It would be my honor to dine with such a talented Alpha female."
"Whatever you need, feel free to contact me anytime," Lucas added, his voice dropping slightly. "My phone stays on for you."
By evening, most of the human employees had gone home, leaving only a handful of pack members finishing up reports. I rubbed my aching temples as I gathered my things.
"Still working?" I asked the remaining staff as I passed their desks.
"Just a few more documents to process, Alpha Freya," one of the Omegas replied, his posture automatically respectful.
"Don't push yourselves too hard," I said gently.
The title 'Alpha Freya' still sent a small warm pulse through me. Few recognized my potential, but those who worked closely with me could sense it—the way my presence calmed Omegas, the strategic thinking that came naturally, the authority I wielded even without Paxton's backing.
As I rode the elevator down, I reflected on how much I'd given to this company, to his territory. But he seemed utterly indifferent to it all.
I drove to my own apartment rather than the territory mansion we'd shared. This space was mine alone—no lingering scents of other wolves, no constant reminders of my status as a marked mate soon to be unmarked.
Moreover, Paxton certainly wouldn't want me staying there now.
I was completely drained. When I got back, my mind went blank—I quickly showered and crashed straight into bed.
For several days, Paxton was consumed with business, apparently forgetting about the dissolution contract entirely. As an Alpha, he genuinely had numerous responsibilities.
I was almost grateful for his busyness. If things could just keep getting delayed, maybe we wouldn't have to go through with it at all?
But five days later, as I returned home from work, a wave of nausea hit me. I doubled over, dry heaving, feeling like something acidic wanted to come up from my stomach.
I leaned against the wall, retching for several minutes, but nothing came up. Between my irregular eating schedule and constant work stress, my stomach problems had become chronic.
Probably just my ulcer acting up again, I thought.
That was when my phone rang, the sharp sound cutting through my discomfort. Paxton's name flashed on the screen.
"Where are you?" His voice came through immediately, impatient and commanding.
"At my place." I emphasized the words deliberately—my place, not ours.
"Come to the territory mansion."
His tone brooked no argument. This wasn't a request—it was an Alpha command.
"I see." My voice came out flat as I hung up.
So he finally had time. Today it would all end.
My heart clenched involuntarily, but I forced myself to face reality. What had to happen would happen.
The territory mansion loomed before me, every stone and window holding five years of memories. I'd lived here as his marked mate, tried desperately to win his love, built a life that was about to be dissolved.
When I entered, Paxton was already seated at the dining table. My eyes immediately caught sight of the papers beneath the coffee table—the dissolution contract with its harsh, glaring title.
Just as I was about to reach for it, Paxton spoke.
"Grandfather's birthday is the day after tomorrow. We need to pick out a gift together."
I'd nearly forgotten about Grandfather William's birthday in all the turmoil. He'd always been kind to me, one of the few who appreciated my abilities.
"Of course," I nodded.
"You'll attend the celebration with me as usual," he continued. "I don't want to tell Grandfather about our dissolution yet. He's getting old, and I don't want to upset him unnecessarily."
"No problem." The relief that flooded through me was unexpected and unwelcome.
Some small, foolish part of me felt grateful for the delay. If there was a birthday celebration the day after tomorrow, surely I wouldn't have to sign today?
I stood up, ready to escape before that hope could be crushed. "Is there anything else?"
That was when Paxton's eyes flashed with golden light. He pulled the dissolution contract from beneath the table and placed it deliberately on the surface between us.
"Did you forget what you came here to do?"