Chapter 4

Freya found herself surrounded by sneering packmates. Their faces showed clear contempt as they moved closer.

"The demoted omega," someone said mockingly.

"Pathetic little runt," another voice added.

She attempted to escape, but hands pushed her back to the center. Her breathing became rapid as panic seized her.

Jonas appeared through the crowd with worried brown eyes and extended his hand. "Freya, come with me."

Before she could reach for him, everything changed. She stood outside her family home alone. Court officials were posting foreclosure notices on the door. Papers listing debts covered the ground.

"You won't be homeless. I'll give you a home," a cold voice stated behind her.

She turned to see icy blue eyes staring at her. They were nothing like Jonas's warm ones. These eyes belonged to someone powerful and dangerous.

Freya woke with a sharp gasp. Her heart pounded violently. The surroundings confused her momentarily. Then she heard water running, and last night's memories returned.

The party. The mate bond. Alpha Niklaus bringing her to his suite.

She held the sheets against her chest. Her body felt pleasantly sore. Heat rose to her face as she recalled his touch and how his body had felt.

After they made love, he was gentle. He cleaned her up, held her close, and whispered soft words. Before her father's scandal, she never imagined catching an Alpha's attention like Niklaus. He wasn't Jonas, her expected mate, but perhaps the Moon Goddess knew better.

"Vicki, what should I say to him?" she whispered to her wolf.

"Be strong. Don't show fear, "Vicki responded.

The bathroom door opened. Steam poured out as Niklaus stepped out with a towel wrapped around his waist. Water still clung to his muscled chest. His wet hair was pushed back, emphasizing his sharp features.

His expression made her stomach sink. Last night's passion had faded completely. His blue eyes were cold, his jaw rigid.

Freya pulled the sheet higher, feeling suddenly vulnerable.

"Good morning," she said carefully.

He ignored the greeting. Instead, he walked to a chair and sat down. Even wearing only a towel, he radiated authority.

"Let's be direct," he said without emotion. "Name your price."

"What do you mean?" Freya asked, confused.

"I'm going to reject you," he stated plainly. "Last night was an error. My wolf, Flex, lost control when he sensed our bond. I brought you here to talk, but things went too far."

This wasn't the whole truth. Niklaus had planned to reject the mate bond quietly when he first felt it. Flex had reacted violently to that idea. But everything afterward, every touch and kiss, had been his decision. He had wanted her, even while telling himself he shouldn't.

"I'm willing to be generous," he continued in a matter-of-fact tone. "Name your price for accepting my rejection. We can both move forward."

Freya felt as if he had struck her. She thought after last night, he would accept her as his mate. But he still wanted to reject her. His sudden change caught her off guard, leaving bitterness in her heart. Her family had abandoned her, and now her fated mate was rejecting her. Once, she might have accepted the rejection quietly, grateful for any money he offered.

But not anymore.

Her current situation couldn't be solved with money. Her house faced repossession. After last night's scene, rumors were spreading through the pack. If she accepted Niklaus's rejection, she would become the center of a scandal. She had already disrupted Jonas's welcome ceremony. The pack would never forgive that. They would banish her, making her packless. No werewolf survived well as a rogue.

"No," she said quietly.

Niklaus looked surprised. "No?"

"I won't accept your rejection." Her voice grew stronger. "I can't."

He leaned forward, his eyes becoming dangerous. "What do you mean, you can't? "

"I want to be your Luna, in name only." she said, raising her chin.

Niklaus laughed harshly. The sound was mocking. "You want to be my Luna? You're just another gold digger."

"That's not true."

"Absolutely not," he interrupted, standing quickly. "Do you understand how ridiculous that sounds? I already have a chosen mate. She's accomplished, well bred, perfect for Luna. Last night was a mistake. My wolf responding to the mate bond. Nothing more."

Freya winced but remained firm. "I understand you don't want me, but I need this," she admitted. She hated sounding desperate. "My father left me with only debts. I'm losing everything."

"That's not my problem," he said coldly.

"What if we made a deal?" she asked, finding her courage.

Niklaus raised an eyebrow. "What kind of deal?"

"A contract marriage," she suggested. "Three years. I'll be your Luna in name only. I'll handle pack affairs and play the role publicly. You can find your chosen mate after the contract ends. I'll accept your rejection then without questions."

"Why would I agree to this charade?"

"Because rejecting a fated mate is scandalous, even for an Alpha," she explained. "The pack will gossip. Your reputation will suffer. This way, you get time to prepare and control the story however you want."

Niklaus raised an eyebrow. This woman was indeed clever. She was actually convincing him. But he didn't like keeping women around when her affections lay elsewhere.

Niklaus opened his mouth to refuse when a his mother sent a mind-link.

"Niklaus! Is it true?" His mother's voice filled his head.

He grimaced and turned away from Freya.

"Mother, this isn't a good time," he replied.

"So you did find your mate! I've been hearing rumors all morning. The Frostwood Pack's Beta daughter? Why haven't you brought her home yet?"

Niklaus rubbed his damp hair in frustration. "It's complicated. What about Rebekah?"

"Rebekah left for Europe last night," Margaret informed him. "She packed her bags and took the first flight out. Honestly, son, you never had real feelings for her anyway. She was the Council's choice, not yours."

His mother spoke the truth. As the Alpha of the Whitecrown Pack, finding a Luna was his duty. At 26, the pressure had grown stronger. The Council had presented Rebekah as the perfect candidate. She was beautiful, accomplished, from good bloodlines. He had agreed more from obligation than desire.

"A fated mate is a blessing from the Moon Goddess herself," his mother continued. "You'd be foolish to reject such a gift. Bring her home, Niklaus. I want to meet her."

Before he could respond, his mother ended the mind-link.

Niklaus turned back to Freya, who sat waiting on the bed. Despite her vulnerable position, her green eyes showed determination. Flex moved restlessly inside him, growling at the thought of rejection.

"She's OURS," Flex snarled.

Niklaus told his wolf to be quiet, but the pull toward her was undeniable. He studied her more carefully. The delicate curve of her neck. The soft golden hair falling over her shoulders. Those full lips that had moaned his name hours ago.

Maybe a temporary arrangement wouldn't be terrible. It would satisfy the Council, calm his wolf for now, and give him time to find a permanent solution.

"Three years," he finally said. "No more. After that, we divorce, and you accept my rejection. No drama, no demands."

Freya's eyes widened slightly, as if she hadn't expected his agreement. "Yes."

"And during those three years, you'll act as my Luna completely. Handle pack affairs, attend functions, maintain appearances."

She nodded.

"One more thing," he added, his voice becoming harder. "This stays between us. No one else knows about this arrangement. As far as everyone knows, we're a regular mated pair."

"I understand," she whispered.

Niklaus walked to the closet and pulled out fresh clothes. "Get dressed. We're going to my pack house today. My mother is expecting us."

As he turned his back to her, he wondered if he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.