Thorne’s P.O.V

There was something about that woman that I just couldn’t wrap my mind around—something both captivating and dangerous, yet maddening in a way I couldn’t explain.

Never in my wildest dreams had I ever imagined someone else carrying my child, but the thought of becoming a father... strangely, it excited me.

If it weren’t for Celeste dragging me into this mess, I wouldn’t have cared about the curse or the consequences. Celeste was all I needed. But then Freya came into my life, and suddenly, a dangerous spark ignited in my chest.

It was like a wildfire—reckless, consuming, threatening to tear everything apart in its path.

From the moment I first laid eyes on her, I hated the way she seemed so fragile, so uncertain. I doubted she could ever break the curse, and I honestly didn’t want anything to do with her. The last thing I needed was for thoughts of her to invade my mind, to make me question everything I knew.

But I couldn't control it, I couldn't control the times I stared at her dancing in the rain, times when she had climbed a tree to save a stray cat that found its way to her quarters.

She must have thought she was invisible, slipping by unnoticed, but she wasn’t invisible to me.

I saw her every single day—so much, it was starting to drive me mad.

And now, I was filled with hatred for myself because while my beautiful bride Celeste walked down the aisle, the only woman whose thoughts filled my mind was no one other than Freya.

She wasn't special. Not in anyway so why was this happening?

Amidst the thoughts that coursed through my mind, I locked eyes with my brother Enzo who raised a brow as if trying to enquire what could be going on in my mind.

I forced out a smile, nodding at Enzo who sat right next to my sister Sadie who was busy taking pictures on her phone.

Enzo returned my smile while I fixed my gaze back on the aisle as a small smile played on my face. As Celeste reached down the aisle shooting me a wink, Freya flashed through my mind again for the umpteenth time.

I should be focused on Celeste! Not Freya.

Guilt twisted in my gut because Celeste didn’t deserve this treatment from me. She was the woman who stood by me at my fucking lowest. She remained with me despite the things the curse did to us.

Squeezing my eyes shut in a bid to get rid of the thoughts of Freya for good, Celeste stood before me on the altar, clutching a bouquet as she beamed with a smile while I mouthed. “You are beautiful!”

Celeste’s face flushed red and I was glad that she didn’t notice anything concerning my change of attitude.

Celeste mouthed at me back. “And you look so handsome. Most of the groom cry on their wedding day but with you…”

I chuckled at her words, her light-hearted comments bringing back a fleeting sense of normalcy to the moment, reminding me that she was the woman that I loved. The woman that I would do anything for.

The priest cleared his throat. “The ceremony is about to begin.” He announced and now that I thought about it, Freya wasn’t here.

I was relieved that she wasn’t here. I couldn’t wait for her to have the babies and just get out of my territory.

But just as I exhaled sharply in relief, my gaze shifted back to the crowd, scanning the guests in a bid to search for some of my business associates. I was about to fix my attention back on Celeste when I swung my head back.

Freya stood behind the crowd, dressed in a velvet gown and simple black shoes. My heart raced in my chest and desire pounded in my chest as I gaped at her in awe.

I shouldn’t be staring at another woman that I barely knew on my wedding day. I should be focused on Celeste, the only woman that my heart would ever beat for.

But still, I couldn’t pull my gaze from following her. I watched as she tried to find a seat and the way she looked around, she seemed more like she was trying to avoid pulling the crowd’s attention.

However, at that moment, she crashed into the waiter, carrying a tray of champagne flutes, sending them crashing to the ground in a loud shattering mess as silence enveloped the whole place.

Good! She was such an attention seeker who knew how to make the day about her. I don’t like this lady and would never like her.

Enzo and Sadie stood up before Enzo exchanged fleeting glances with me, mouthing. “Who is she?”

If Enzo and Sadie ever knew that the woman that I had chosen as a breeder attended the wedding, then they would throw a huge fit. Even the idea of Freya attending the wedding never made sense to me.

But what could I do? Celeste was too nice. She wanted her there and being the woman whom I would do anything for, I had to accept it.

“You are the reason why she is here.” I hissed while Celeste reached her hands for mine, squeezing it gently. “You shouldn’t treat someone who averted the curses on our head like that. Plus, she is a nice girl and I like her.”

“Whatever...” I mumbled, trying everything in my power to not steal glances at her because if I did, I was going to stare daggers at her.

The priest cleared his throat again, pulling everyone’s attention back to him. “Let’s begin. We are all here to witness the wedding ceremony of the Rogue King, Thorne Frost, and his bride, Celeste Langley.”

The wedding began with Celeste and I exchanging vows while I forced myself to focus on her and remind myself of how she was the woman who ticked all my boxes.

I looked forward to our honeymoon in Italy. I looked forward to exploring her body and showering her with all the love in the world that she deserved.

I reached my hands for that of Celeste and kissed her knuckles while assuring myself that I was in love with this woman.

As gasps echoed through the entire crowd, I glanced up at the love of my life as she stared back at me in adoration.

In this world of ours, there was no Freya. It was just us.

When it was time for us to exchange rings before we were pronounced as husband and wife, I stared deep into Celeste’s eyes, trying to find that spark that always warmed my earth.

Her eyes were empty, cold, and almost soulless.

It didn’t matter, I loved her.

While I slipped the ring through her finger as applause echoed through the crowd, Celeste took mine and she was about to slip the ring through my finger when an excruciating pain exploded in my chest.

It was brief, painful, and almost choking.

My hands slipped away from Celeste’s grip and a gasp left my lips while Celeste rushed towards me. “Angel, what is going on?”

Then the pain stopped and a scent of fresh freesia wafted through my nostrils. It was warm, brought a different kind of peace to my soul, it was like the moth to my flame and it was possessive.

I had never felt this way before and my heart had never beat this fast for someone.

As I swung my head in the direction that the scent emanated, my heart skipped a bit, my eyes widening in shock as Freya and I locked gazes.

Freya’s eyes widened in shock as she pointed at me, her expression frozen in disbelief. At the exact same moment, we both blurted out:

“Mates!”