Chapter 3

Freya's POV

I take a deep breath and turn toward the drawer.

I pull it open, and the signet ring sits there, still and quiet.

I take it out and throw it at Grayson without a second's hesitation.

"Take it."

Grayson reaches out on reflex to catch it.

But Lila suddenly lets out a scream and lunges forward.

She falls to the ground, the back of her hand grazing the edge of the suitcase, leaving a thin red scratch.

"Lila!" Grayson's face drains of color, and he drops down to pull her up.

"Grayson, it hurts..." Lila's eyes well up, big tears spilling down her cheeks.

She glances at me, timid. "Freya, if you didn't want to give it to him, fine, but why did you push me..."

I stand there, watching this pathetic performance, and I don't even have the energy to laugh.

Grayson's head snaps around, and his alpha aura slams down like a wall.

"Freya! You've got a death wish!"

He swings his hand up to slap me across the face.

With his strength, if that hand lands, I'll be seriously hurt. But I don't flinch.

Grayson's hand stops half an inch from my cheek.

He looks at my eyes, calm and unreadable, and something about it gets under his skin, a mix of irritation and unease he can't quite place.

"I don't hit women." Grayson pulls his hand back, chest heaving. "But you're going to pay for this today."

He turns toward the guards outside the door.

"Trash it. Trash all of it. Let's see what she's got left to take with her."

The guards exchange a glance and rush in.

They knock over the closet, smash the mirror, tear open the bag I just packed, clothes spilling everywhere.

Lila's mouth curls into a satisfied little smile. "Grayson, come on, leave it. Freya's pretty pathetic as it is..."

"Pathetic? She did this to herself!" Grayson scoffs.

Lila smiles and leans in close, dropping her voice. "Freya, you see that? All it takes is one tear and Grayson's on me like a guard dog. What do you think you are, that you get to compete with me?"

I look at Grayson, and there's a flicker of vicious satisfaction in his eyes.

He's waiting for me to break, waiting for me to drop to my knees, sobbing, begging him to stop.

But I just stand there and watch the guards crush the one photo I have of my parents together, frame and all.

Glass scatters across the floor.

Right then, whatever was left of my heart freezes solid.

Even the last bit of pain in me goes numb.

A few minutes later, there isn't one whole thing left in the room.

The guards stop and step back.

Grayson shakes off Lila's hand and walks up to me.

"You see that? That's what happens when you piss me off."

Grayson reaches out, trying to tip my chin up.

"Admit you were wrong right now, promise you'll go easier on Lila from now on, and I'll pay you back ten times what's in this room."

He's sure I've got nowhere left to go, sure I'll cave and start begging like some kicked dog.

I turn my head away, dodging his hand.

"Alpha Grayson," I look at the wreckage on the floor, my mouth curling into the most mocking smile I can manage. "Did you forget? I already belong to that rogue as his mate."

"And since I'm a rogue's mate now, I really shouldn't be taking any of this with me."

"You!" Grayson's face goes pale with fury.

I step over the clothes on the floor, my clothes, and walk straight for the door.

"Freya!" Grayson roars behind me. "Are you out of your mind?! You'd rather follow some loser who can't even feed himself than bow to me?!"

I stop walking. I don't turn around.

"Yeah." I say it flat. "Because even a stray dog off the street is cleaner than you."

"Fine! Fine!"

Grayson laughs, furious, his voice sliding into something unhinged.

"Keep being stubborn! Walk out that door and you're done with Frostpeak for good! You'll be crying plenty before this is over!"

I don't bother with his empty rage anymore.

I walk out, leaving all that fake sincerity, arrogance, and filth shut behind that door for good.

Kade's leaning against the wall at the end of the hallway.

He's still got that same worn jacket on, an unlit cigarette between his fingers.

He sees me walk out empty-handed, doesn't ask why, just straightens up.

"Let's go." His voice comes out low and rough, but somehow it settles something in me.

"Go where?" I ask.

"To register." He looks down at me. "Since Alpha Grayson handed you off to me, we might as well make it official."