Freya :The return of the rejected Luna

Freya’s POV* I stared at myself in the mirror for what felt like the hundredth time. My bright smile reflected the excitement I felt bubbling in my chest. Two whole months. That’s how long it had been since Rowan left for another of his so-called business trips in the human world. Every day apart had felt like a year, and now that he was finally returning, I could hardly contain myself. I couldn’t complain—I wouldn’t. His job paid well, and we needed the money. Not just for us... but for the life growing inside me. Our unborn pups. I smoothed the creases on my red sleeveless bodycon dress—his favorite color. The dress hugged my curves in all the right places, and the red diamond earrings he had gifted me last birthday sparkled as I tilted my head. My long, wavy blonde hair was pinned into a messy bun that framed my face in just the right way. Perfect. Tonight had to be perfect. I headed to the dining area and turned on his favorite playlist—classic jazz. I’d prepared a romantic dinner, poured my heart into every detail. The soft lighting, the warm scent of his favorite dish wafting through the air—it was all for him. The door opened. My heart skipped. There he was. After twelve years together, Rowan Vale still managed to make my heart flutter like a teenager’s. His broad shoulders carried the weight of royalty and power. Scottish blood ran through his veins, but he had the presence of a Greek god—strong, commanding, magnetic. And somehow, impossibly… he was mine. “Hey, darling. Welcome home,” I greeted, walking up to him and placing a gentle kiss on his cheek, trying to suppress my joy so I wouldn’t overwhelm him. He smiled faintly and hugged me, though his touch was brief. Tired. “You look extra lovely tonight. What’s the occasion?” he asked. My heart fluttered. He noticed. “Oh, nothing really. Just wanted to do something special for you,” I replied with a shy smile, grateful he could still see me. “You didn’t have to, Frey,” he said fondly. “But thank you.” My wolf sensed something. A tension. A shadow behind his eyes. Still, I kept the smile on my face. “You cooked?” he asked, sniffing the air with curiosity. “Yes. Your favorite.” I beamed, guiding him to the dining table. There it was—Aberdeen Angus beef, garlic mashed potatoes, wild mushrooms sautéed to perfection, and Cranachan for dessert. It might’ve seemed over-the-top to anyone else, but for Rowan, it was never enough. “Wow. This looks amazing. You spoil me, Freya,” he said with a soft chuckle. “What would I do without you?” My heart soared. “My pleasure, Your Majesty,” I teased with a mock bow. “Now eat.” We ate together, talking about his trip and my day. But my wolf remained uneasy. He wasn’t all there—his eyes kept flicking away, his shoulders tense. He’s tired, I told myself. Just tired. After dinner, I poured us both wine, determined to lighten the mood. “I have something to tell you,” we both said in unison, and laughter burst out of us. “You go first,” I gestured, still smiling. But when I looked into his eyes again, something inside me turned cold. His expression was heavy—guilt-ridden. “I met Daphne on this trip,” he said. My heart paused. I blinked. “Oh, that’s great. How is she?” He looked away. “She’s coming back... and I think it’s time we got a divorce.” The room fell silent. My breath stopped. “I can’t stay away from my mate,” he added softly. Divorce. The word echoed in my ears like a scream. My hands went cold. My smile faded. All I could do was stare. “Freya?” he said, voice laced with concern. I forced a nod. “Sure.” My voice came out too sharp. Cold. Foreign. “I know it’s a lot. But I’ll make it easy. I still want to support you—as a brother, a friend…” “Bullshit!” The laugh that escaped me was harsh, twisted. “When do we sign?” He flinched. “Wow. That was fast. You do remember we signed an agreement, right? This was always going to happen.” Of course. How could I forget? Our marriage had always been a contract—a pawn move to appease his grandmother. But I had allowed myself to hope. Stupidly. Especially after that night before he left… the night that had changed my life. “That night meant nothing to you, did it?” I whispered, more to myself than to him. He said nothing. “Let me know when the papers arrive,” I said flatly. “My assistant will drop them off tomorrow,” he murmured. “Let me know if you need anything.” He turned toward the hallway. “I’m going to bed.” I didn’t follow. I turned toward the guest room instead. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, blocking my path. “To the guest room. We’re getting divorced, remember? I wouldn’t want to sleep beside someone else’s mate.” “Don’t be dramatic, Freya.” I tried to sidestep him, but he grabbed my wrist. “Rowan, let go.” “No. I’m still your husband. And until the papers say otherwise, you belong to me.” My heart thudded painfully. “Ye… yes,” I stammered, stunned by his sudden dominance. “Good girl,” he said. Before I could protest, he scooped me into his arms and carried me to the master bedroom. I tried to take the couch. He pulled me back, pinning me to the bed. “Don’t move another inch,” he growled, his voice thick with his wolf’s energy. “You don’t want to know what I could do.” I froze. I could feel his wolf’s dominance wrap around me like a snare. I didn’t want to trigger it. I didn’t want to provoke what I’d seen buried deep in his soul. Eventually, his breathing slowed behind me. He fell asleep. I was alone now. Alone with the weight of everything I couldn’t say. My hand slid to my stomach. Our child. Fresh tears slid down my cheeks. What do I do now? Do I tell him? Would he even believe me? Would he think I was trying to trap him? That I planned this? I curled tighter under the sheets. No. I wouldn’t tell him. I wouldn’t beg a man who loved someone else to stay. My child deserves better than to be a second option. Better than a cold, distant father. Better than a mate who never truly chose me. I wiped my tears. He may have rejected me… But I would not reject myself. I would rise. For me. For this child. Even if I had to walk through fire. Even if it meant never looking back. Because tonight… I buried the Freya who loved him.** And tomorrow, the world would meet the woman he should never have underestimated.