Freya's POV I didn't plan to linger in Ashbourne. The city was too small to hold a wolf like me, and its streets felt more like cages than paths. "I won't stay in Ashbourne for long," I told Grandfather Ken as I looked out across the estate's manicured grounds. He sighed softly, a wistful sound that carried decades of pride and worry. Small towns, small cities-they could never contain a Thorne, not me, not my brother. "So where will you go next?" Grandfather asked, his voice calm but probing, like a predator testing the wind. "I'll return to The Capital," I said. "My friend Lana has a company there. I'll join her team. And… I need to keep searching for Eric. The borders are vast, but I won't stop until I find him." Ken's sharp eyes softened, but his concern lingered. "That's wise, Freya. But remember to come back and see your old Grandfather every now and then." "Of course," I promised. Then, after a pause, his gaze sharpened with curiosity. "And… what about Alpha Silas? Is this… serious?" I froze, blinking at him. Even now, he had the instincts of a wolf Alpha. He could sense the undercurrents, the unspoken tension that humans would dismiss as trivial. "I saw the headlines this morning, Freya," he said softly. "I want to know the truth. That WolfComm frenzy-is it real?" I shook my head firmly. "Grandfather, Silas and I… we only have a professional relationship. Nothing more. That's all." Ken's expression softened, yet remained layered with wisdom and a hint of amusement. "Good. And just so you know… even if you were to pursue a mate in the future, choose carefully. Our Freya may have divorced, but she deserves the finest Alpha-or any wolf who dares to court her." I smiled faintly. "These things… are left to fate for now. I'm not seeking a mate." Ken nodded, approving. "Good. No rush. And if one day you do develop feelings for Silas… it won't matter. No need to concern yourself with Jocelyn or the pack gossip. That's only the wishful thinking of some, nothing more." I let out a small breath, diverting the conversation to other family matters. We spoke at length, until I sensed his energy waning and realized it was time to leave.Stepping outside the gates of the Thorne estate, the morning sun glinting off the stone walls, I froze. Caelum and Aurora were stepping out of a sleek SilverTech vehicle, and my nostrils flared instinctively. The scent of their pack dominance mingled sharply with the morning air. Aurora's amber eyes snapped toward me, her expression hard as iron. "Freya, what are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice trembling with the threat of territorial challenge. I smirked, letting a faint growl escape my throat. "I'm a Thorne, Aurora. I think I have as much right to be here as anyone." Her face hardened, lips curling into a sneer. "So now that you have Silas Whitmor as your… anchor, you feel you can act without respect? Just divorced, and already wrapped up in another Alpha's arms. You're reckless with your affections." I tilted my head, letting the sun catch the edge of my fangs in a subtle glint. "Reckless? Hah. At least I'm not trying to seduce another wolf while he's still married." Aurora's snarl turned into fury. "Who are you calling-" "Caelum gave you five million in jewelry during your marriage," I interrupted coldly, letting each word strike like claws. "If that doesn't make you a secondary, then what? The necklace on your neck now… it's one of them. When I return to The Capital, I'll call my lawyer. Let's see if you still get to keep them." Caelum's eyes flickered uneasily, and Aurora's chest heaved, but she didn't move. "You're overstepping," Caelum said finally, his deep voice steady but threaded with tension. "The divorce is between us. Freya, I've already explained-Aurora saved my life. If you think there's compensation due, I'll make it right someday." I laughed, low and sharp, letting the wolf in me flare. "Compensation, is it? Fine. Start by removing the necklace from her neck." Aurora's eyes widened, anger flaring hotter than any flame. "Freya, don't be absurd! Do you really think Caelum would-" Before she could finish, a new presence made itself known. "Kade," I said quietly, and my heart thrummed with relief and the familiar thrill of my packmate's unwavering support. He moved with predatory grace, and in one swift motion, the diamond necklace was in his hands, torn from Aurora's neck. She shrieked, utterly stunned, her dominance shattered in an instant.I blinked, momentarily stunned myself. "You… came here?" I asked, incredulous. "I called you earlier," Kade said simply, his gray eyes sharp. "You said you were coming to the Thorne estate. I wanted to make sure you were safe." Ah. That explained it. I had been so focused on Caelum and Aurora that I had almost forgotten Kade had been tracking me from the moment I left The Capital. Caelum's jaw tightened, and his voice rumbled low, like distant thunder. "This is too much. You can't just-steal from me-" Kade's gaze didn't waver. "If she's displeased with what she sees, it's as simple as taking it back. Consider it… enforcing balance." Aurora hissed, rage snapping like a whip. But I simply smiled, wolf's instinct humming in my chest. Today, territory had been claimed. Dominance had been marked. And the world, for once, would bend to those who knew the law of the pack.