Freya's POV
Tracy was left dazed by the slap, blacking out for a second before she could identify the person who had struck her - Kingsley's sister, Joyce.
"Nice one!" I couldn't help but inwardly applaud Joyce. Never had I found her so adorable.
Tracy was unsteady on her feet and crashed directly into the table beside her.
The pyramid of wine glasses she hit tumbled over, clattering noisily. Tracy fell to the ground, her skirt's hem covered in red wine and glass fragments.
The party was abruptly interrupted by the loud commotion, drawing the attention of the crowd.
Joyce was in the midst of her rage, not yet realizing the trouble she was in.
She pointed at Tracy's nose and cursed, "You damn bitch! If you can't control your horny wolf all over the place, you'd better see a doctor!"
Saying that, she even moved as if to approach Tracy. Finley hurriedly restrained her, asking, "What are you saying?"
"She's practically throwing her boobs in your face, seducing you shamelessly! Let go of me! I need to teach her a lesson today!"
When Joyce got angry, no one could contain her. I had experienced this firsthand; it appeared that Tracy would face her wrath today.
I discreetly moved away, fearing I might get involved.
But in the next moment, the furious Joyce herself was slapped.
I stood stunned for a moment, then turned my gaze toward Kingsley.
His face was tense, his eyes cold and fixed on Joyce with an icy gaze. The usual indulgence he held for Joyce was nowhere to be seen in his red eyes.
Joyce was also clearly shocked. "Kingsley... You're hitting me over this bitch?"
"Shut up!" Kingsley's expression twisted unpleasantly as he ordered Mark, "Get her out of here."
Kingsley then bent down, lifted Tracy, and left the scene.
Mark arranged for someone to take Joyce away, while others swiftly cleaned up the mess.
I was the only one left in place, watching Kingsley's departure, a bitter laugh escaping me.
Little did I realize that, in the end, I was the biggest joke. My wolf let out a mournful howl.
The night's party continued as if the incident had never occurred, the crowd's whispers drowning out my thoughts.
My Alpha left me behind, walking away from the scene with another woman in his arms.
What could be more ironic than that?
This was what happened when one was born into the wrong family. How could I, from a small pack, dare to think that I would be loved by the future Lycan King?
I picked up the wine from the table and drank it down with little emotion.
Just as I reached for my fourth glass, a hand gently grasped my wrist.
"Would you like to dance?" Finley's voice was gentle.
Kingsley had never spoken to me in such a gentle manner before.
Suddenly, it became incredibly difficult for me to speak, and my eyes teared up for a moment.
After a long pause, I said inarticulately, "I'm not a good dancer."
Finley smiled and replied, "Neither am I."
Somewhat reluctantly, I nodded, placed my hand in his, and walked onto the dance floor with him.
As it turned out, he was lying; he was actually a skilled dancer.
Each step he took was in perfect harmony with the melody, not slowing down to match mine.
It was a connection that Kingsley and I had never shared.
I used to always step on his feet, and Kingsley was not a patient teacher.
"Miss Trace just got hurt," Finley suddenly said, his tone turning cold.
I was taken aback for a moment.
He explained, "When she fell just now, her arm hit against the glass. Since she is a public figure, her appearance is very important. If the media were to capture it, it would be hard to explain."
I looked up at him; he was helping Kingsley with the explanation.
I lowered my eyes and chuckled, "I don't understand. Why do you men usually cover for each other and treat women like fools?"
Finley shook his head, "I didn't mean to make excuses for him; I'm just telling you what I saw."
At that moment, a tall figure appeared out of nowhere and hurried over, interrupting our dance and pulling me behind him.
Kingsley growled at Finley before giving a menacing warning, "Stay away from her."
Kingsley's sudden appearance caught me off guard.
"Why is Kingsley appearing out of nowhere? Shouldn't he be with Tracy?" I thought suspiciously.
My view was obstructed by his tall frame, so I turned slightly sideways and observed what was happening.
Finley cleared his throat and spoke in a smooth voice, "I'm sorry, Kingsley. I meant no harm. I was just talking to Freya."
Kingsley stepped forward, locked eyes with Finley, and growled, "If you lay a hand on her again, I'll tear your body apart, even though you're also my friend! She's mine!"
Kingsley's words made me frown in displeasure.
"What does he think I am? Something he possesses? It's absurd that he's obviously involved with another woman, yet he's dictating my interactions in a normal relationship with someone else," I thought in anger.
Suddenly, I was fed up with everything!
Screw the billions. Screw the agreement!
I pulled away from his grasp, looked at Kingsley, and stated coldly, "First of all, I've already expressed my willingness to reject you, and you've been slow to accept it. In fact, you repeatedly neglected your duty to protect and respect me, your Luna, because of other women and ignored the fact that your wavering feelings hurt me. I can tell you that a mate is the last thing I desire right now. I'd rather spend my life alone than risk betrayal or abandonment again."
I paused briefly before continuing, "I would never hinder anyone's pursuit of happiness, including yours, my Alpha. However, your happiness shouldn't come at the expense of my pain, and I shouldn't be a victim of you and your true love. I fail to comprehend why you'd employ the mate bond to forcefully keep me with you when your heart doesn't truly belong to me. Don't tell me that..."
I locked eyes with Kingsley's icy stare and sneered, "You have some peculiar fetish for this kind of persistent love triangle."
"I was never exclusively yours. And I don't desire someone who desires another."
Kingsley's eyes widened as he glared at me and growled with anger, "Freya, what are you saying? You're so eager to leave me? Well, let me make it clear, I won't ever allow it!"
I met Kingsley's furious gaze and replied numbly, "Gaining your permission has never been my priority. I ceased trying to please individuals who'd abandon me regardless. If I was never the foremost in your heart, then I wouldn't have accepted you as my Alpha with all my heart!"