Freya's POV
If someone were to ask me at this point what I regret the most in my life, I would definitely tell them that attending this damn banquet was my biggest regret.
I found myself amidst the party at that moment, my lips twitching as I faced the scrutiny of three men.
"Come on, someone! Say something!"
Mentally, I prayed for someone to break the tension with a few words.
Under Kingsley's angry gaze, I discreetly removed my hand from Finley's elbow and took a step back.
Finley looked at me with surprise.
I was just about to explain when Kingsley suddenly reached out, pulling me into his arms forcefully.
"What do you say, my Luna!"
Kingsley's arm tightened firmly around my waist as he leaned down to my ear, his teeth gritted.
Then, he closed his eyes and inhaled the scent from the nape of my neck.
Gasping, I wrapped my arms around the sides of his head, gently separating him from my neck.
I didn't know if it was just me, but there was something possessive about Kingsley's gesture, as if he was asserting his dominance.
Glancing at him, I noticed his eyes turning onyx. He was on the verge of losing his composure.
Could he be jealous? It seems unlikely.
"It's probably just due to a man's competitive nature!" I rolled my eyes softly.
However, to avoid escalating the conflict, I quickly reached for his clenched fist and began to soothe it with my thumb, calming him and his restless wolf.
Gradually, his fist relaxed.
Fortunately, the mate bond between us was somewhat effective, allowing me to pacify his anger.
Meanwhile, Finley frowned from the side. "Kingsley, what are you talking about?"
Kingsley placed a hand around my waist and spoke solemnly, "Freya, you tell him."
I felt a lump in my throat.
Well, it was hard to explain.
Just as I struggled to part my lips, Finley finally seemed to grasp something and spoke up abruptly, "There seems to be a misunderstanding. Miss Yost had entrusted me with the task of resolving certain disputes before. That's how we became acquainted."
A pang of embarrassment suddenly washed over me.
Mark finally seized an opportunity to interject and hastily clarified the situation, "So, it's a misunderstanding. Let me introduce you guys properly. Freya, meet Finley Sanchez, a close friend of both Kingsley and me. We have been inseparable since childhood."
"Finley, this is Luna Freya, Kingsley's mate," Mark gestured towards me.
Finley cast a glance at my way but remained silent.
Seeing the expression in his eyes, Kingsley grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer possessively.
I furrowed my brows and attempted to free myself from his grip.
Kingsley's gaze darkened as he murmured a threat in my ear, "Don't forget the billion dollars and our agreement."
Reluctantly, I had to stay in his embrace, though inside, I couldn't help but curse him that he was totally a jerk.
Kingsley's grip on my waist was firm, his warm palm seeping through the fabric and teasing my skin.
I tried my best to disregard Kingsley's hand on my waist and turned to Finley with an apologetic expression, "Mr. Sanchez, I'm grateful for your assistance today."
Finley shook his head, replying, "Just lending a hand."
"Finley!" Joyce exclaimed excitedly as she lunged toward him, gripping his arm.
Joyce glanced at me sheepishly, avoiding my gaze as she pretended to greet, "Good evening."
I sneered, saying nothing.
"Finley, care to dance with me?"
Initially inclined to refuse, Finley succumbed to Joyce's persuasion. With Mark's encouragement, he ended up being half-pushed and half-guided into the dancing crowd.
As Finley departed, a sense of relief washed over me.
During the earlier conversation, Kingsley had clearly missed the mention of me entrusting Finley to mediate certain disputes.
If he were to learn later that I intended to take legal action against Tracy's fans, Kingsley would undoubtedly find a way to thwart my plans.
"Where have you been? What's that thing you're wearing? Where are the clothes I originally gave you?" Kingsley's cold voice came from behind me.
I snapped back, "You should go ask your dear sister what she did."
Kingsley pursed her lips and then trailed off, saying, "I want to hear what you have to say."
I froze, pursing my lips.
"Would you believe me if I told you Joyce locked me in the bathroom?"
As I said this, I had already mentally prepared myself for Kingsley not to believe me. However, I didn't expect Kingsley to let out a soft sigh and say, "Then how did you get out?"
I was stunned, feeling that today's Kingsley was behaving extraordinarily strangely, and all of his reactions seemed to be beyond my expectations.
"Through the window."
"Jumped out the window?" Kingsley asked, sounding a bit surprised.
I nodded, "Yeah, I climbed out and scaled down the wall to the adjacent room just as Finley was in the restroom. He helped me."
"What was Finley doing in the restroom?"
"Huh? What do you think people usually do in the restroom? Of course, he was using the bathroom," I replied, feeling a bit baffled.
I looked up and saw Kingsley's grim expression.
"So you saw him using the bathroom?"
"Huh?"
I didn't respond for a moment.
Kingsley looked at me angrily and growled, "You caught him in the act!"
I instantly realized what he was implying and blushed in embarrassment, "No! Why would you even think that? Get your dirty thoughts out of your mind!"
He paused and then said, "Let's go get something to eat."
I nodded and followed him to the buffet table.
Surprisingly, Kingsley pulled out a chair for me thoughtfully as I placed my plate on the table. Unsure of why, I attributed it to some unspoken agreement.
"Maybe he's just trying to keep up the façade of a happy life with his Luna in front of everyone," I thought, with mixed emotions.
Just then, a female voice suddenly called out in my ear, "Kingsley."
I looked up to see Tracy wearing a blue, backless dress that displayed a significant amount of cleavage from both the front and side views.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes and think, "The lengths some women will go to in order to attract the opposite sex."
Her intimate address to Kingsley drew several sideways glances. After all, rumors had been circulating about Kingsley and the popular star Tracy.
The crowd glanced in our direction from time to time, subtly noting Kingsley's and my reactions.
I continued to coldly sip the juice in my hand, as if the person who had arrived was inconsequential.
Surprisingly, Kingsley also looked at her indifferently. "You should address me as Alpha Kingsley," he said.
Tracy blushed awkwardly before returning to her usual self. "Good evening, Alpha Kingsley, Luna Freya," she said.
I nodded slightly in response.
Kingsley casually inquired, "What brings you here?"
Tracy, with her bright smile and soft voice, leaned over, displaying her cleavage as she remarked, "I'm the guest of honor at today's event."
Kingsley didn't respond; a few young men approached to raise a toast with him, and he appeared too occupied to pay attention to this side.
Tracy then glanced at me, took a cocktail, and extended it, saying, "Luna Freya, a toast to you.."
I raised my eyes and declined, "Sorry, I don't drink."
Just then, Mark and Finley walked over together.
The moment he saw Finley, Kingsley put his arm around my waist, resembling a she-wolf protecting her cub.
I chuckled at my own thoughts.
Kingsley gave me a curious look, then turned to them and asked, "Where's Joyce?"
"Out answering the phone," Mark replied.
Finley wrinkled his nose a little but remained silent. He picked up the wine on the table and looked at me, asking, "Would you like a drink?"
I was about to reach for it when Kingsley whispered quietly from beside me, "I thought you weren't comfortable drinking?"
"Well, I never said I wanted a drink!" I lift the juice I just consumed and raise an eyebrow at Finley, "How about juice instead of wine?"
Finley's expression softened a bit, "That's okay."
We engaged in conversation as if Tracy were invisible, completely disregarding her presence. Unable to remain still any longer, Tracy decided to take the initiative, "Mr. Portwell, is this gentleman a friend of yours?"
As if he had just noticed her, Mark froze for a moment and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Tracy smiled, "Didn't my agent inform you? I'm the guest of honor at today's event."
"Oh, okay. This is Finley Sanchez, a friend of mine," Mark responded, introducing Finley, "Finley, she's Tracy, an artist."
Finley, as gentlemanly as always, extended his hand and greeted her, "Hello, nice to meet you."
"Hello, Mr. Sanchez," Tracy maintained a smile and extended her hand to shake Finley's.
However, in the next instant, her hand was forcefully pulled away and she was slapped.
"You bitch, who are you trying to seduce?"