Love In Disguise: Rebirth of the Heiress
Chapter 126 - 125

Chapter 126: Chapter 125

Freya’s POV

"Mates?" The word came out before I could stop it, my voice dripping with disbelief. "That’s impossible. No way. That’s... that’s crazy."

Ronan raised a brow, clearly unimpressed with my reaction. "It’s not crazy. It’s fate."

"Fate?" I crossed my arms, stepping back slightly. "Is that what you call it when a random mark just shows up on my neck and some guy decides we’re destined to be together? Sounds more like a weird prank."

He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "It’s not a prank, Freya. It’s a bond. When two wolves are fated to be together, the mark appears. It’s nature’s way of sealing the connection."

I blinked at him, my mind spinning. "But... I’m just an omega. How could I be... your mate?"

His jaw tightened, his gaze boring into mine. "Do you think fate cares about rank? About status? I know for sure I don’t."

I opened my mouth to argue, but he held up a hand, stopping me.

"Listen," he said, his voice softer now. "There’s a ball tomorrow night at the packhouse. I want you to be there. I’ll be introducing you as my mate."

My jaw dropped. "Wait—what? You can’t just—"

"I can and I will." His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

"No wonder you felt that... pull to me," I muttered, mostly to myself. My head was a mess of thoughts, too many to process all at once.

Before I could say anything else, he stepped closer, his presence overwhelming.

I froze as he reached for me, his hands gently resting on my arms.

"Freya," he murmured, his voice low and raw. "I didn’t know either. Not until I saw you again. But now that I do, there’s no denying it."

His words sent a strange warmth coursing through me, melting some of my defenses. I didn’t know if it was the bond or just his presence, but for the first time in days, I felt something other than despair.

He guided me backward, and before I realized what was happening, we were on the soft grass.

The stars overhead twinkled faintly, but all I could see was him, yhe way his lips curved into the faintest smile as he leaned in.

His kiss was slow at first, testing, as though he was afraid I might push him away. But when I didn’t, it deepened.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt... happy.

"I’m sorry," I whispered against his lips when we finally broke apart, my voice trembling. "I didn’t know we were mates. I mean, omega and all, I—"

He cut me off with another kiss, silencing every word I was about to say.

****

I hummed as I twirled around.

I had never looked this beautiful.

The dress shimmered like liquid moonlight as I smoothed my hands over the fabric for the hundredth time.

It clung to me perfectly, as though it had been made with only me in mind. The soft silk cascaded down to the floor, the subtle sparkle catching the light every time I moved.

Ronan had picked this dress, his golden eyes sparkling as he handed it to me yesterday.

"You’ll look beautiful in this," he’d said, his voice warm.

And now, standing in front of the cracked mirror in my room, I almost believed him.

Almost.

The faint murmur of music drifted in through the open window, the sound of the ball at the twin center was in full swing.

My heart thudded in time with the rhythm.

This was it.

My moment.

He would be introducing me as his mate.

For once, I wouldn’t be the girl hiding in the shadows, scrubbing floors while Nina and Greta basked in the spotlight. Tonight, I was here as Ronan’s mate, his choice. The memory of his words warmed me, even now.

"I’ll introduce you to everyone," he’d said, his hand brushing against mine. "You’ll finally take your place where you belong, Freya."

I clung to that promise like a lifeline as I slipped out of the house, the worn soles of my shoes silent against the dirt path. Greta and Nina were already at the ball, but I didn’t care. Because tonight I will be Luna.

---

I hesitated at the entrance, suddenly overwhelmed.

Eyes flickered in my direction, some curious, some dismissive. I tugged at the hem of my dress, my confidence faltering for a moment. But then I remembered Ronan’s words, the way he’d looked at me like I was the only person in the world.

He’d see me.

He’d find me.

I stepped inside, my heels clicking softly against the floor.

For the first time, I felt... seen.

I wandered through the crowd, my head held high, scanning the room for Ronan. My heart raced as I spotted him near the stage, his dark hair catching the light, his broad shoulders unmistakable even in the crowd.

He looked every bit the Alpha’s son, commanding and effortlessly elegant in his tailored suit.

He turned, his golden eyes locking onto mine, and my breath caught. His smile was faint but warm, and for a moment, the rest of the room faded away.

"Freya," he said softly as he approached, his hand brushing against mine.

"You look... incredible," he murmured, his gaze roaming over me like I was something precious.

My cheeks burned, and I couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at my lips. "You’re not so bad yourself."

He laughed, a low, melodic sound that made my chest ache in the best way. "Come with me," he said.

I let him lead me closer to the stage, my heart pounding with every step. The room blurred as we weaved through the crowd, their faces melting into an indistinct sea of color.

"Ronan, what’s going on?" I asked, breathless.

"You’ll see," he said, his voice warm with promise.

We stopped at the edge of the stage, and he turned to face me, his hands resting lightly on my shoulders. "Stay right here," he said, his gaze steady. "I’ll call for you when it’s time."

"Time for what?"

He smiled, his thumb brushing against my cheek. "Trust me."

I nodded, my chest tight with anticipation.

Ronan climbed the steps to the stage, the crowd quieting as he took his place at the center. He stood tall, his presence commanding, and I couldn’t help but feel proud.

"This is it," I whispered to myself, my fingers clutching the fabric of my dress.

He raised a hand, silencing the last murmurs of conversation. "Thank you all for being here tonight," he began, his voice strong and clear. "As you know, this ball is a celebration of new beginnings, of unity."

The crowd watched him with rapt attention, their gazes flickering between him and the Alpha, who stood at the side with a proud smile.

My heart raced as Ronan’s eyes scanned the crowd, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before he continued.

"There’s someone very special I want to introduce tonight," he said, his voice softening slightly.

This was it.

The moment stretched, my breath catching as he turned toward me.

But then, his gaze shifted. His expression changed, a flicker of something I couldn’t place crossing his face.

"Nina Hunter, my soon to be Luna," he said, his voice steady but distant. "Please join me."

The world tilted, the words ringing in my ears like a death knell.

Nina.

I stared, frozen, as my stepsister emerged from the crowd, her golden gown shimmering as she ascended the stage. She smiled brightly, her hand slipping into Ronan’s as though it belonged there.

No.

This couldn’t be happening.

Ronan’s voice continued, but the words were drowned out by the roar of blood in my ears. My chest tightened, my breaths coming in short, sharp gasps.

"Freya?" someone murmured beside me, but their voice was faint, like it was coming from far away.

I took a step back, my vision blurring. My heels caught on the hem of my dress, and I stumbled, the sharp pain in my ankle barely registering.

And then, I ran.

The sound of my heels against the floor echoed through the hall, mingling with the gasps and whispers of the crowd.

Ronan’s eyes found mine as I fled, and for a split second, I saw it—the regret, the pain.

But it wasn’t enough.

"Freya!" someone called, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.

The cold night air hit me like a slap as I burst through the doors, my chest heaving.

Tears blurred my vision, but I didn’t wipe them away.

I ran and ran and ran.

The words played in my head like a cruel joke.

Nina Hunter, my soon-to-be Luna.

Everything he’d said to me, the promises, the warmth in his eyes, the kiss that had made me believe I could be something more, all of it had been a lie.

"Beautiful," he had called me. "Special."

I choked out a bitter laugh as the tears streamed down my face. How could I have been so stupid? So naive?