Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 228

Chapter 228: Chapter 228 Solitary Research

Freya’s POV

The minutes crawled by after Silvano left the bedroom. Every fiber of my being ached to follow him, to curl against his body regardless of the consequences. My wolf, Selene, whined mournfully inside me, unable to comprehend why we were voluntarily separating from our mate.

*It’s to save him,* I reminded her silently. *To save us both.*

I packed methodically, selecting clothes and essentials with the precision I typically reserved for my research.

By dawn’s first light, my suitcases stood ready by the door. I’d barely slept, my mind racing with questions, theories, and the terrifying implications of what lay ahead. The curse’s progression rate from my analysis gave Silvano weeks at most if we continued on our current path. Complete separation might buy us time, but at what emotional cost?

I slipped quietly to Isabella’s room, needing to see her one more time before leaving. She lay curled on her side, dark hair fanned across her pillow, looking so much like a miniature version of Silvano that my heart clenched.

"Mommy?" she murmured, eyes fluttering open as I brushed hair from her face. Her fairy bloodline senses had always made her unnaturally aware of her surroundings, even in sleep.

"Hey, baby," I whispered, sitting on the edge of her bed. "I need to tell you something important."

Isabella pushed herself up, instantly alert. "Is it about the black lines on Daddy’s neck?"

I froze, shock coursing through me. "You... you can see them?"

She nodded solemnly. "Sometimes they move, like snakes under his skin. They hurt him."

"Yes," I confirmed, deciding honesty was best. "Daddy is... sick. And I need to go away for a little while to find medicine to make him better."

Her small brow furrowed. "Is that why you and Daddy don’t hug anymore? Because the black snakes get angry?"

My throat tightened. "Yes, sweetheart. The closer I am to Daddy, the stronger they get."

Isabella processed this with a wisdom far beyond her five years. "That’s why auntie Aurora keeps coming over. Because the black snakes don’t get mad around her."

Something cold settled in my stomach. "What do you mean, honey?"

"She touches Daddy all the time," Isabella said matter-of-factly. "And the black snakes get quiet. Not gone, but quiet."

I struggled to maintain a neutral expression despite the jealousy and suspicion suddenly roaring through me. "Does Aurora know about the black snakes?"

Isabella nodded. "I heard her talking to Daddy. She said she can help make them go away if he lets her."

If Aurora could temporarily suppress the curse’s effects... was it possible she knew more about its origin than she was admitting? Or worse—could she be connected to it somehow?

"Isabella," I said carefully, "this is very important. I need you to watch Aurora when she’s around Daddy. If you see anything strange—anything at all—I want you to tell Grandmother Victoria right away, okay?"

Isabella nodded solemnly. "Are you coming back, Mommy?"

I pulled her into my arms, breathing in her sweet scent. "Of course I am. Nothing could keep me away from you for long."

"Promise?" she whispered against my shoulder.

"I promise," I said firmly. "And while I’m gone, I need you to be brave. Can you do that for me?"

She pulled back, her small face serious. "I’ll protect Daddy from the black snakes."

I smiled despite my fear. "Just be careful, okay? The snakes are dangerous."

After kissing her goodbye, I made my way downstairs, dragging my suitcases behind me. Victoria waited in the kitchen.

"The car is ready," she said softly. "Silvano asked me to tell you he’s handling an urgent pack matter but will see you before you leave."

I nodded, accepting the cup of tea she offered. "How long have you known?"

Victoria’s lips thinned. "Since it began. Eight months ago, after his visit to the southern territories."

"And you didn’t tell me?" I couldn’t keep the accusation from my voice.

"It wasn’t my secret to share," she replied calmly. "And Silvano was convinced isolation was the only way to protect you."

"Did he tell you about our plan to separate completely?"

Victoria nodded. "It’s a calculated risk. The curse feeds on your bond—severing contact may slow its progress, but it also puts tremendous strain on your mating connection."

"Is there a chance our bond could... break?" The question had haunted me all night.

She studied me carefully. "True mate bonds don’t break easily, Freya. But they can be damaged, sometimes beyond repair."

"And if that happens?"

"The curse would either dissipate, having accomplished its purpose..." She hesitated.

"Thank you," I said, looking around at what would be my home for the foreseeable future.

Johnny hesitated by the door. "Want to tell me what’s really going on? Because ’extended research project’ doesn’t explain why you look like you’re attending your own funeral."

I sank onto the sofa, suddenly exhausted. "Silvano is dying."

To Johnny’s credit, he didn’t bombard me with questions. He simply sat beside me and waited.

"Someone put a curse on him," I continued. "It feeds on our mate bond. The closer we are, the faster it progresses."

"So you’re staying away to slow it down," he deduced. "While you look for a cure."

I nodded. "The Granite Ridge Alpha is sending their ancestral archives. There may be precedent, something we can use."

Johnny’s expression turned thoughtful. "Xander? The one who couldn’t take his eyes off you at the tech summit last year?"

"This isn’t about that," I said firmly.

"Maybe not for you," Johnny muttered. "Just be careful. Werewolf politics are dangerous enough without adding curses and rival Alphas to the mix."

I managed a weak smile. "I’ve got more immediate concerns than Xander’s potential interest. Like figuring out why Aurora can apparently suppress the curse’s symptoms."

Johnny’s eyebrows shot up. "The one who looks at Silvano like he’s the last steak at a barbecue?"

"She’s his fourth cousin through his mother’s lineage," I corrected automatically. "But yes, that Aurora."

"And she can affect the curse? That’s... convenient." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Too convenient," I agreed. "Which is why I need to dig deeper into her background while analyzing the curse pattern."

Johnny nodded. "What do you need from me?"

"Cover at the company. Make sure the board knows I’m working on something groundbreaking but confidential. And..." I hesitated. "Keep an eye on Isabella for me? Victoria will be with her, but having another set of eyes wouldn’t hurt."

"Consider it done," he promised. "And Freya? We’ll figure this out. We always do."

After Johnny left, I stood alone in the silent apartment, the weight of separation already pressing on my chest.