CHAPTER THREE

Chapter 3

I stared at Alexander in shock, wondering what madness had overtaken him again. My wolf sensed the violent turbulence within him, his golden eyes glinting dangerously in the night.

"Freya, we agreed to hold the mate-bond ceremony together with the three of us tomorrow, but when I asked the officiant, he knew nothing about it. Are you planning to humiliate Heidi in front of everyone?" His fury was monumental over the ceremony's apparent lack of a third person presence. I had intended to step aside, allowing them to bond, so there was never a plan for a three-person ceremony.

"Dear sister, I understand you're upset that Alexander chose to protect me, but he truly sympathizes with my plight, wanting to give me someone to rely on. If you don't want me at the mate-bond ceremony, you could have said so directly, rather than creating a scandal tomorrow. The Blackwell family holds wealth and prestige. If mates bicker publicly, disregarding the bigger picture, how will Evereth City’s elite comment on Alexander? How will he show his face afterward?" Heidi's voice was as soft as a breeze, yet eachword struck deep, and then she knelt suddenly.

"Sister, please conduct the ceremony with Alexander peacefully tomorrow. I won't participate, just don't embarrass him publicly. If he trul1y cares for me, the ceremony is just a formality; I won't focus on such shallow titles." Her stubborn, yet plaintive words pierced Alexander's heart with each syllable, darkening his expression. His wolf roared in anger.

"Freya, must you be so aggressive? Are you determined to disgrace Heidi, forcing me to appear heartless and cruel? Who would dare to spend their life with someone as maliciously devious as you?"

Voices from neighboring families, having gathered by the villa's entrance, joined the servants in murmuring:

"The girl knows the Blackwell heir has someone else outside, yet she clings with hopes on their social standing."

"It's typical for a man to have a confidante. Being generous about it could save face at home."

"No wonder Miss Barrow is so fixated. They'vesomething for over a decade. Everyone in Evereth City knows if the Blackwells don't wed her, she'll have to settle into an ordinary family, leaving high society behind."

Those cutting remarks felt like daggers in my chest. Seeing me pale, Alexander assumed I was intimidated and smugly continued.

"Freya, I’m not heartless. As long as you remain calm and accept Heidi, I’ll wed you grandly tomorrow, making you my wife."

But in a past life, he was cruel beyond words, bringing about my father's demise and watching callously as his own son suffocated in the womb. His current pompous manner was more than ironic to me.

Perhaps my expression was too bitter, as guilt flickered across Alexander's face.

"Freya, I spoke rashly and went too far earlier. Believe me, you'll always be my principal wife. Heidi will continue addressing you as sister. I'll spend Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with Heidi, and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays with you. Is that fair? You're favored, so don'tact up."

His arrogance made me want to laugh uncontrollably. He truly thought himself a prize, expecting every woman to crave his company. It's true, in the previous lifetime, his vacations with Heidi angered me to the point of starving myself, crying, and demanding his attention. But this time, his dates and dinners with Heidi didn't concern me anymore. No good comes from trying to force affection from a heart that isn't yours.

"Enough, Alexander, it's late. We should rest to prepare for tomorrow's ceremony."

Seeing my ambiguous response, his face darkened as he leaned closer, menacingly threatening.

"You better stay in line and let Heidi have the ceremony. Otherwise, don't blame me if I call off the wedding and leave you humiliated in the hall."

"Freya, if that happens, it'll be the Barrow family's reputation that suffers. No one will dare to marry you afterward."

His wolf's icy gaze locked onto me.

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