“Mother… Daddy must be working,” he murmured, trying to comfort her. “But I’ll stay with you. I’ll never leave.”
Even so, regret flickered in his golden eyes.
Freya said nothing. She didn’t stroke his hair or tell him he was a good pup, as she once would. She only pulled the blankets over him and stared blankly at the ceiling.
When the sound of Riven’s carriage echoed from below, she curled into herself, covering her ears.
Maybe if she blocked out the noise, maybe she could pretend he truly was working and not wrapped around another she-wolf.
Riven never returned that night. Nor the next morning.
As Freya sat for breakfast, her crystal-comms chimed with a message.
[I instructed Jane to prepare warming chicken broth for you. Make sure to drink some. Let the nanny take Kael to pup school. You should rest more and avoid tiring yourself.]
Riven had arranged every detail of her day, the perfect image of a caring mate.
Yet, this kind of care was nothing more than a guilty conscience—an empty, pathetic gesture to cover up his infidelity.
Every time Rick cheated, he drowned Freya with attention, as if flowers and sweet words could erase the scent of another woman on his skin.
Those late-night messages, they always came at odd hours. Maybe he sent them right after finishing with her—while adjusting his clothes.
Or perhaps…
The thought made Freya’s stomach twist violently. She bolted to the bathchamber and vomited until her knees trembled and her body felt hollow.
When she finally stepped out, Kael had already finished his breakfast and was waiting by the door, backpack in hand.
The moment he saw her, he hurried over and instinctively grabbed her hand. “Mommy, if you don’t take me to school soon, I’ll be late.”
Freya pulled her hand away, her voice flat. “Jane will take you today. I’m tired.”
“I want you, Mommy.” Kael’s eyes widened, pleading. “Please.”
“No. I said I’m tired.” Her tone was cold—uncharacteristically sharp.
Kael froze. His little mouth clamped shut, confusion and hurt flickering in his eyes.
His mother never denied him before. He swallowed hard, forcing back tears.
Jane sensed the tension immediately and quietly ushered Kael out of the house.
Freya didn’t even have the strength to comfort him. She couldn’t. Not today.