Chapter 3

Freya's POV

Before I could force myself to look away, a pack soldier hurried into the grove.

"Alpha," the pack soldier called out. "Urgent dispatch from the eastern border."

Zander's entire demeanor shifted, "What's the situation?"

"Rogue activity, sir. They've been testing our defenses for the past week. Beta Morrison requests your immediate presence."

Zander was already standing. "How long?"

"Could be several hours, Alpha. Possibly overnight if negotiations are required."

His jaw tightened. His gaze moved to Susanna, who immediately placed one delicate hand against her throat, looking concerned in exactly the right way.

"I hate to leave you so soon after your arrival," he said, taking her hand in his.

"Duty comes first," she replied softly. "I understand completely."

Her face was gentle. Her voice was perfect.

But from where I stood in the shadows, I caught the faintest flash of annoyance in her scent before she buried it beneath sweetness again.

Zander lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.

“I'll have one of my guardians escort you back to your quarters. Freya is extremely capable. You'll be safe with her.”

My blood went cold.

“Freya?” Susanna repeated, her voice still honey-sweet.

“My personal personal guard,” Zander said. “She's been with me for ten years. Completely trustworthy.”

Then he was gone, shifting into his massive black wolf form and disappearing into the forest.

For exactly thirty seconds, Susanna maintained her sweet, helpless act. Then, the moment Zander's scent faded completely from the clearing, her entire demeanor shifted like a mask being ripped away.

Finally, she stood and smoothed her skirts. "Freya?" she called sweetly. "I know you're there. Your Alpha asked you to escort me, didn't he?"

Shit.

I stepped out of the shadows, falling into the neutral stance I used when on guard duty. "Luna Susanna. Sorry for keeping you waiting."

She studied me with those green eyes, taking in everything from my practical leather clothing to the weapons I wore as naturally as jewelry. When she smiled, it didn't reach her eyes.

"So you're the famous Freya. Zander speaks of you often."

I doubt that. "I'm here to ensure your safety, Luna."

"How wonderful." She started walking toward the pack house, her movements graceful and deliberately slow. "Tell me, how long have you been... serving... my future mate?"

"Ten years. How devoted." We'd reached the main entrance, but instead of heading toward the guest quarters, Susanna stopped. "Actually, I find myself quite thirsty. Would you mind terribly escorting me to the kitchens first?"

It wasn't really a question. "Of course, Luna."

The kitchens were largely empty at this time of day, most of the staff preparing for the evening meal in other parts of the complex. Susanna moved through the space like she owned it, finally settling herself delicately in a chair near the large hearth.

Where a coal fire burned hot and bright.

"You know," she said conversationally, "I've heard so much about the loyalty of Zander's guards. How they'd do anything for their Alpha. Suffer any hardship."

I didn't like where this was going. "We serve the pack, Luna."

"The pack. Yes." She studied her perfectly manicured nails. "But I'll be Luna soon. Which means you'll be serving me as well."

"Of course."

"I'm so glad you understand." Susanna's smile was sharp as winter Freya. "Because I have a small concern. You see, I know about ambitious Omegas who get... ideas... about their place in the hierarchy. Who forget that proximity to an Alpha doesn't make them special."

My jaw clenched despite my best efforts. "I'm not sure what you're implying, Luna."

"Oh, I think you do." Susanna stood, moving closer to where I stood at attention. "You see, I have an excellent sense of smell. And right now, you absolutely reek of my future mate."

The words hit like a physical blow, but I forced myself to remain still.

"So here's what's going to happen," she continued, her voice never losing its sweet tone. "You're going to kneel in front of that fireplace and show me exactly how sorry you are for overstepping your bounds. And you're going to stay there until I'm satisfied that you understand your place."

“Luna—”

“That wasn't a request.”

Her voice cracked through the room like a whip.

“Kneel.”

The command hit my wolf like a silver chain, but I resisted. "I take orders from Alpha Zander, not—"

"Not from his Luna?" Susanna's eyes flashed dangerously. "How interesting. I'll be sure to mention your insubordination when he returns. I'm sure he'll be fascinated to hear how his 'trustworthy' guard refused to obey his mate."

The threat was clear. She would twist this into insubordination. She would make me look jealous, unstable, dangerous. And Zander, with his perfect Luna standing beside him, would believe what suited him best.

Slowly, fighting every instinct I had, I sank to my knees in front of the blazing hearth.

"Closer," Susanna ordered. "I want you to really feel it."

I moved forward until the heat rolled over my face and arms. It was close enough to sting, close enough to make the leather at my sleeves warm almost immediately.

"Perfect." Susanna settled back in her chair, looking supremely satisfied. "Now we wait. And while we do, why don't you tell me all about your... service... to my mate?"

I said nothing.

That only made her smile wider.

An hour later, my knees felt raw against the stone floor, and sweat had soaked through the back of my shirt. The heat from the fire crawled over my skin in waves, turning every breath dry and painful. The smell of singed leather rose around me, followed by something sharper when the skin along my arms began to burn.

Susanna seemed to find it pleasant.

“You know,” she said lazily, examining her nails again, “I think you're finally starting to understand. An Alpha's whore has no place in a proper pack. Once Zander and I are mated, I'll make sure you're transferred somewhere more suitable.”

I kept my mouth shut.

Speaking would only give her more to use.

“Nothing to say?” she asked. “Good. I was worried you might be one of those delusional Omegas who thinks being used makes her special.”

My fingers curled against my thighs, but I forced them still.

At last, Susanna rose and smoothed her skirts.

“I think we understand each other now. You may go.”

I tried to stand and nearly collapsed when my knees refused to hold me. Pain shot up my legs, sharp enough to blur my vision for a second, but I bit the inside of my cheek and forced myself upright.

I would not crawl in front of her.

I bowed stiffly.

“As you wish, Luna.”

By the time I reached my quarters in the guard barracks, fever was already creeping through me. The burns were worse than I had thought, and without proper treatment, infection was a real risk.

But the pack medic would ask questions I couldn't answer, and Beta Morrison would want to know why I looked like I'd been used as kindling.

I collapsed on my narrow bed, shivering despite the heat radiating from my injuries. My emergency medical kit had basic supplies, but nothing strong enough for burns this severe.

Still, I cleaned what I could with shaking hands.

This is fine, I told myself as the room began to tilt.

In a few days, none of this will matter anyway