Mated to My Intended's Enemy-Chapter 196 Banquet Summons

Freya’s POV

When Professor Nolan eventually excused himself to greet other guests, I took a measured sip of my champagne, letting the bubbles settle on my tongue. As I lowered my glass, I caught Levi staring at me from across the room, his expression hovering somewhere between amusement and challenge.

When Levi noticed my gaze, he raised his eyebrows and lifted his crystal tumbler in a mock toast.

I frowned, trying to decipher the message. Why would Levi, Granite Ridge Alpha’s son and supposedly one of Silvano’s closest friends, be giving me loaded looks across a crowded room?

Then it clicked.

*He thinks we bullied Aurora,* Selene growled, her instincts sharper than mine. *As if that ice queen couldn’t hold her own.*

Of course. In their eyes, Johnny and I had cornered poor, precious Aurora—the perfect she-wolf who could do no wrong in their circle. And now Levi was silently promising retribution on her behalf.

I narrowed my eyes slightly. Let him try.

Half an hour later, our host—Mr. Thompson, a beta with connections throughout the Eastern territories—finally circled back to us after greeting what seemed like every guest in attendance.

"Mr. Nakamura," he addressed Johnny after exchanging pleasantries, "do you know Miss Howlthorne well?"

Johnny’s smile was careful. "Somewhat. Why do you ask?"

"Fascinating woman," Thompson said, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I’ve been making inquiries. She’s originally from Northern Territory, not from here in Central. Her family holds significant sway there—quite powerful within their region, but here in the capital?" He made a dismissive gesture. "They barely register compared to packs like the Morrisons or the Blackwoods."

Johnny raised an eyebrow. "And your point is?"

"Families like hers typically struggle to penetrate our inner circles," Thompson continued, clearly enjoying playing social analyst. "The established bloodlines wouldn’t normally give them a second glance. Yet somehow, Miss Howlthorne has seamlessly integrated herself into the core power structure. Quite remarkable, wouldn’t you say?"

I kept my face neutral, though Selene was growing restless beneath my skin.

"I wondered why Alpha Moretti would grace my humble gathering," Thompson mused, "but now it makes perfect sense—he was personally introducing Miss Howlthorne to key contacts. Had he brought Adrian and Levi with him specifically for that purpose..."

He sipped his drink, eyes gleaming. "When an Alpha of Moretti’s caliber personally facilitates someone’s social connections, it speaks volumes. He wouldn’t expend such effort for a casual acquaintance. The Howlthorne pack is undoubtedly poised for significant advancement within our hierarchy."

Johnny maintained his poker face, offering neither confirmation nor denial.

Thompson sighed, a hint of envy coloring his tone. "To have a daughter like that—the Howlthornes must have been blessed by the moon goddess herself. Truly fortunate."

I bit the inside of my cheek, tasting blood. Selene’s anger rippled beneath my skin, a low growl building in her consciousness.

When I lifted my gaze again, I noticed Silvano’s group had already departed. They’d slipped away without so much as acknowledging my presence—as if I were a stranger rather than the mother of his only child.

Thirty minutes later, Johnny and I also made our exit. The night air felt cool against my heated skin as we walked to our separate cars.

Just as I reached my vehicle, my phone vibrated. Silvano’s name flashed on the screen.

I paused, my finger hovering over the answer button.

*He’s calling to lecture us,* Selene predicted darkly. *To defend his precious Aurora from our "attack."*

After a steadying breath, I answered with practiced neutrality. "Hello."

"Come back." Silvano’s voice was ice—the Alpha tone he never used to direct at me.

I hesitated, steeling myself. "If you have something to say, just say it."

"Isabella has a fever. She’s asking for you."

The line went dead before I could respond.

My heart clenched. Not bothering with goodbyes to Johnny, I grabbed my keys, slammed my car door, and peeled out of the parking area, my tires squealing against the asphalt.

I arrived at the villa in record time, rushing upstairs without even looking for Silvano. Isabella’s room was my only destination, my only thought.

My daughter lay small and fragile in her oversized bed, an IV drip attached to her tiny arm. When she spotted me, her fever-bright eyes widened.

"Mom," she whimpered, reaching for me with her free hand, the one without the needle mark.

My heart fractured as I carefully gathered her into my arms, mindful of the IV line. "How high is her fever?" I asked Aunt Sara, the nanny who’d been with us since Isabella’s birth.

"It spiked to 103 about an hour ago," Sara explained, worry etched into the lines of her face. "She’s eaten a little, but couldn’t keep anything down."

I frowned, consulting with the pack doctor hovering nearby about her condition before turning my attention back to my daughter, who nestled against me as if I were her anchor in a storm.

"Are you hungry, baby?" I murmured, stroking her hot cheek. "Mommy will make you some of that special porridge you like. You can have it once the medicine is finished, okay?"

"Mm," she hummed weakly against my chest.

This was our ritual—whenever illness struck, only my porridge would do. Other pack members had tried, but Isabella insisted it "tasted wrong" unless it came from my hands. It was one of the few things that remained exclusively mine in her world.

She wrinkled her little nose, her eyes searching the room. "Where’s Daddy? Isn’t he back yet?"

"Working, Bella. But I’m here now." I held her tighter. "Have you taken your medicine?"

She nodded weakly. "Hurts, Mommy."

"I know, baby." I rocked her gently. "I’m going to make you that porridge now, okay?"

Isabella nodded again, her eyes drifting closed. I laid her back against her pillows and hurried downstairs to the kitchen.

Hours later, when Isabella’s fever finally broke, I heard the front door open downstairs. Silvano’s scent—pine and winter frost, powerful and unmistakable—drifted up the stairs. My wolf stirred within me, Selene’s awareness prickling along my skin at the proximity of our mate, even as my human side struggled to remain indifferent.

*Stay calm,* I told myself as his footsteps moved through the house with that confident stride that once made my heart race for entirely different reasons.

As I reached the second floor landing, I caught sight of Silvano standing at the end of the hallway by the window, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the night sky as he spoke into his phone. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Her fever’s broken now," he said in that deep, commanding voice. "No need to worry."

I froze mid-step. Was he talking to Aurora?