Chapter Three

Shame and Pride

~Freya~

"Where am I and why am I naked?" I wondered aloud, my voice trembling with both confusion and embarrassment. This was not good. I almost screamed when I turned around to see a man by my side, completely unclothed and with his back turned towards me.

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks—I had slept with a stranger. Panic and shame washed over me, knowing how scandalous it would be if my father found out that his daughter ended up in a strange man's bed.

As the sharp pain throbbed through my head, I felt lightheaded from the excessive drink I had consumed the previous night. I had indulged myself despite Emelda's pleading and warnings. Where was Emelda now? Did she abandon me here with this man, or worse, did she betray me and sell me out? The anger boiled within me, and thoughts of confronting her filled my mind. She had some explaining to do.

Without wasting another moment, I hastily gathered my clothes, refusing to look at the man still lying on the bed. I didn't care who he was—I just wanted to distance myself as far as possible from this situation. It was utterly embarrassing, and I fervently wished that he would forget my face in a hurry. This was nothing more than a regrettable one-night stand, a shameful act for a maiden like me to engage in. Huh!

Slipping on my shoes, I stealthily crept out into the dark night, my heart pounding as I ran home. Countless thoughts raced through my mind, but the events of the previous night were hazy and difficult to recall. It all started after my stepmother, Mira, slapped me for a mishap that wasn't my fault. Sofia, my half-sister, had bumped into me, causing her dress to be soiled. In tears, she accused me of deliberately ruining her outfit out of jealousy. Mira always took Sofia's side, and her punishments were relentless whenever Papa was away on his merchant travels.

Mira made sure to threaten me with even harsher consequences if I dared to reveal her cruelty to Papa, who loved me dearly. But Klaus, my half-brother, often came to my defense, shielding me from her blows. Sofia, on the other hand, was a wicked soul, and I could only imagine how much worse she would become as she grew older, mirroring her mother's wickedness.

At twenty-two years old, I was the outcast in my own family and the laughingstock of Moonstone Haven. The reason? I had yet to experience the transformation into a werewolf that most individuals accomplished by the age of sixteen or seventeen. Other maidens would mock and ridicule me, casting me aside as the black sheep. It was because of this constant humiliation that I rarely ventured outside, preferring to find solace in the forest or singing at the tavern. I yearned for the day the Moon goddess would grant my wish and deliver me from this living hell.

As I contemplated returning to the place I dreaded most in the world—my home—I couldn't help but dwell on the mess I had gotten myself into. Was this what my depression had reduced me to? Engaging in casual encounters with strangers? I needed to put this behind me before I completely lost my sanity.

I sprinted home, my heart pounding in my chest. If my stepmother asked about my whereabouts, I would lie and claim that I had fallen asleep at Emelda's place. It seemed like the easiest way to avoid further trouble.

Four days passed, and I found myself in the marketplace, purchasing oil. Mira had warned me not to stay long, as she needed to prepare a special meal for Papa. But even without her warning, I would never linger because I missed my father immensely. He had returned from his trip just the day before, presenting me with a beautiful golden hairpin as a gift. Papa was always full of praise for me, and he never failed to shower me and my siblings with presents upon his return. He ensured I lacked nothing, even while he was away. Unfortunately, Mira, who received money from Papa to provide for my needs, never fulfilled her obligation.

Returning home, I was taken aback by the presence of the last person I expected to find in my humble abode. I had noticed four horses outside, signifying the arrival of visitors.

What was he doing here? It was already late in the day, and my family and the visitors had evidently noticed my presence, their eyes turning towards me.

Instinctively, I yearned to flee, but as I made a dash for the door, a tall, imposing figure intercepted me, blocking my path. Dread washed over me—was he here to report my escapade to my father?

"I am dead! I am dead!" I repeated silently in my mind, fearing the worst.

To my surprise, however, he spoke, and his voice sent shivers down my spine. "Why are you running?" he inquired, his eyes fixed on me with a mixture of surprise and intrigue.

"Umm…," I stammered, scratching my head and averting my gaze, my mind racing with confusion. This wasn't good, three days ago Emelda had told me she had to leave me at the tavern with the Alpha after realizing he wasn't a stranger after all. This was after I confronted her about how she abandoned me in the hands of just anyone.

Although I never mentioned to her what happened between me and the Alpha that night. Knowing who I had spent the night with after her revelation further made me want to put the experience behind me because it was so shameful.

"Do you know why the Alpha is here?" my father asked, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"No," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Freya, how are you? I have been waiting for you," Alpha Orion said, his voice softer now as he approached me with a warm smile.

"Huh? Me?" I stammered, unable to comprehend his words.

"Yes, you," he said, leaning closer and speaking softly into my ear. "I have been searching for you, Freya. Since that night, you have consumed my every thought."

My heart fluttered with a strange mixture of fear and excitement. "Please," I pleaded, whispering and my voice trembling, "did you tell my family what we did? They will kill me if they find out."

"No, honey. I would never do that," he reassured me, his thumb gently brushing against my cheek.

Why was this man treating me as if he knew me? My family stared at us in amazement, their eyes wide with astonishment. They were wondering what we were saying to each other.

"So, what do you want from me?" I mustered the courage to ask, my voice quivering.

He grinned, pulling me close to him, and then turned to face my family. "Now that she's back, the waiting is over. I'll announce why I'm really here."

Silence filled the room as everyone's attention fixated on the man who everyone knew and didn't need to introduce himself as the Alpha, the Lycan King of Moonstone Haven.

"I am here to take Freya as my mate," he declared boldly.

"What?" Papa exclaimed, his voice filled with shock. Even I was taken aback by his response. The Alpha wanted me?

"Yes, she is the one I want. Do you have any problem with that?" he challenged, his gaze unwavering.

"Not at all, Alpha," Papa replied, his tone carrying a hint of surprise. "I am just astonished that you would come to my humble home to ask for my daughter's hand in matrimony."

"Well, don't be surprised. I have been watching her from afar," Alpha Orion said, turning back to wink at me, a gesture that sent my heart racing.

Gratitude overwhelmed me for my father's response. Despite facing the formidable Alpha, he wanted to know my choice—to be the Alpha's mate or not.

"I will go with him, Papa. I agree," I found myself saying, fully aware of the eyes fixed upon me. To hell with Mira and Sofia—I would escape this torment, and find my peace. Though Orion was known as a beast, that night a man had slept beside me, not a monster, and I had survived.

This was the break I had yearned for. It seemed that, finally, the Moon Goddess had answered my prayers. But becoming Luna was overwhelming—a reality I struggled to comprehend.

"Not so fast," my stepmother interjected, her voice filled with malice.

"What is it, Mira?" Papa asked, a coldness settling into his eyes as he sensed her intention to cause trouble.

"Alpha, forgive me for interfering, but as Freya's mother, I am concerned for her well-being. I worry that Freya has not been able to wolf out even at this age. Don't you think it will be a problem?" Mira questioned, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.

Oops! She had done it! She was about to sabotage my chance of escaping this hellhole. He would surely reject me now.

Heartbreak loomed over me—an imminent rejection after being claimed as a mate.

The room fell into a suffocating silence as everyone anticipated the Alpha's response. My father stared at Mira with an icy glare, fully aware of her intentions to harm me.

"Well, that's unfortunate," Alpha Orion finally spoke, his voice calm and unwavering. "But it doesn't bother me. I will marry her just as she is. Freya is the one I want."

No one dared utter another word, sensing the gravity of the Alpha's tone. The tension in the room was palpable.

"Thank you all for welcoming me into your home. The ceremony will take place in a week. Be prepared," Alpha Orion announced before flashing a smile in my direction and leaving with his guards.

My heart pounded in my chest. What had just happened?

The Alpha had accepted me with all my flaws. I couldn't fathom whether this man loved me or not, but if he was my only ticket out of this hellhole, I would follow him anywhere before I mentally crumbled beneath the weight of my stepmother's wickedness.