Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 218

Chapter 218: Chapter 218 The Kite Morning

Xander’s POV

The brisk autumn breeze carried the scent of pine and lake water across Emerald Wetlands Park as I watched my niece Cici run ahead of me, her bright yellow rainboots splashing through shallow puddles. Her delighted giggles were a balm to my wolf’s restless spirit. As Alpha of the Granite Ridge Pack, my days were typically consumed by territory disputes and pack politics—moments like these were precious respites.

"Uncle Xander! Hurry up!" Cici called back, bouncing on her toes with childish impatience, the colorful kite clutched in her small hands fluttering in the wind.

I quickened my pace, scanning the open field for the perfect spot to fly our kite. That’s when my wolf Orion suddenly perked up, catching a familiar scent on the breeze—sweet vanilla with undertones of wildflowers. My eyes followed my senses to a solitary figure seated on a bench near the water’s edge.

Freya.

Before I could decide whether to acknowledge her or simply move to another area of the park, Cici spotted her.

"Look, Uncle Xander! It’s the pretty lady from the big meeting!" Without waiting for my response, my niece darted toward Freya, leaving me no choice but to follow.

Freya looked up, startled from her reverie by Cici’s approach.

"Hello there," she greeted Cici warmly, then glanced up at me with a polite nod. "Alpha Xander."

"Luna Freya," I returned the formal greeting, studying her face. Up close, I could see the faint shadows beneath her eyes, the slight strain around her smile. My wolf’s protective instincts stirred uncomfortably.

Cici, oblivious to the undercurrents, thrust her kite forward proudly. "We’re going to fly this! Do you want to come with us?"

I watched as something shifted in Freya’s expression. "Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude on your time together," she demurred.

"Please?" Cici pleaded, boldly reaching for Freya’s hand. "It’s more fun with more people."

I observed the gentle way Freya’s fingers curled around my niece’s smaller ones, the soft look that transformed her face. In that moment, she appeared younger, unburdened by whatever weight she’d been carrying.

"We’d be happy to have you join us," I found myself saying, surprising even myself with the sincerity behind the words. "If you don’t have other plans?"

Freya glanced down at her simple jeans and sweater, then back at the kite. "I... I haven’t flown a kite in years."

"I’ll teach you!" Cici declared, tugging on her hand.

"Thank you," she murmured as she passed me, a small, genuine smile playing at her lips.

Cici insisted on teaching Freya how to control the string, standing in front of her with small hands guiding larger ones. I stood slightly apart, ostensibly supervising, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the transformation taking place before me.

With each passing minute, Freya’s reserve melted away. Her laughter—bright and uninhibited—joined Cici’s as they navigated the kite through a particularly strong gust. When was the last time I’d heard her laugh like that? Had I ever?

"Uncle Xander! Your turn!" Cici called, breaking my contemplation.

As I stepped forward to take the string, my fingers brushed against Freya’s. The brief contact sent an unexpected jolt through my system that had my wolf stirring with interest. Our eyes met momentarily, and I could have sworn I saw a similar surprise reflected in her amber gaze before she quickly looked away.

The morning unfolded into a series of simple pleasures.

By noon, hunger had made itself known, and we headed to the park’s small café. I deliberately chose a four-person table, sitting across from them rather than beside Freya as Orion was urging me to do. Distance seemed prudent, though I couldn’t articulate why, even to myself.

"What would you ladies like?" I asked, pulling out my wallet.

"Chicken nuggets!" Cici declared without hesitation.

Freya shook her head. "Oh, I can pay for my—"

"Please," I cut her off gently. "It’s my treat." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Something complicated flickered across her face. "A sandwich, then. Whatever’s easiest. And thank you."

As I stood in line at the counter, I glanced back at our table. Freya was helping Cici wipe mud from her hands with a napkin, their heads bent together in conversation. There was an ease between them that spoke of Freya’s experience with children. Of course, she had Isabella—though I realized with a start that I hadn’t seen mother and daughter together at any recent pack gatherings.

When I returned with our food, Freya had already arranged napkins and utensils for all of us. She’d even requested a booster seat for Cici, which my five-year-old niece was pretending to be too grown-up for while secretly looking pleased.

"Would you like to join us?" The invitation slipped out before I could stop it.

Her eyes widened momentarily before she shook her head. "Thank you, but I have... other plans this afternoon." The slight pause told me she was lying, but I didn’t press.

"Uncle Xander, can Ma’am come with us? Please?" Cici pleaded.

"Sweetie, Ma’am has her own plans," I explained gently, watching as Freya’s expression closed off once more, the warmth of the morning receding behind a careful mask.

"But—"

"It’s okay, Cici," Freya interjected softly. "Maybe another time. I had so much fun with you today."

As if sensing the shift in mood, my niece nodded solemnly before brightening again. "Wait! I have something for you!" She dug into her small backpack and pulled out a crystal keychain—a simple piece of quartz she’d purchased at the museum gift shop last week. "So you remember our kite flying!"

The naked emotion that crossed Freya’s face as she accepted the small token threatened to undo me. She closed her fingers around it as though it were precious gold rather than a child’s trinket.

"Thank you, Cici. I’ll treasure it."

We walked Freya back to her car, a modest sedan parked in the far corner of the lot. It struck me as odd—the Luna of North America’s most powerful pack driving herself in such an understated vehicle. Where were her security details? Her driver?

"Thank you both for a wonderful morning," she said, her composure fully restored now. "It was... exactly what I needed today."

"Can we do it again sometime?" Cici asked hopefully.

A shadow passed over Freya’s features. "We’ll see, sweetheart."

As she drove away, I felt a strange hollowness settle in my chest. My wolf whined softly, urging me to follow her.

*No,* I told him firmly. *She’s mated to another Alpha. Whatever’s happening in her life, it’s not our business.*