Chapter 9 The Vault 16 ) Finished With twenty - five days until the Blood Moon Conclave , I find Jax on patrol near the courtyard , his scar catching torchlight , his eyes as watchful as ever . " Beta , " I say softly . He stops but doesn't bow . He hasn't bowed to me in a while . " Why have you come here ? " " I need your help . " His gaze hardens . " Then you've come to the wrong wolf . " " No , " I say . " I've come to the one wolf who still remembers his vows . " His shoulders shift , uneasy . " Don't start with oaths , Freya . I swore mine to him ." " And to me . " I step closer . " The day Kade claimed me , you bent the knee and pledged to protect his Luna . You might have forgotten , but I haven't ." " That was years ago ." " I am still Luna , " I say sharply , surprising even myself . " My marriage bond with Kade still exists even though he might have named Izel as the lady of the house . " He studies me for a long , silent beat . Nyx growls within me , projecting her power , using her authority . His wolf flickers in his eyes , restless . Finally , he exhales through his nose . " What do you want ? " I hold my chin high . " My crown . I want you to help me break into his study ." It was easier that night . There were no protective enchantments . But Kade probably put them in place after I demanded he return my crown . If there's anyone I know who'll have access , it's Jax . His beta . His jaw tightens . " That's treason . " " So is poisoning a Luna to silence her wolf ! Don't tell me you don't see it . Don't tell me you don't smell it . " He curses under his breath . " Damn you , Freya . If the Alpha finds out- " You warned me once ," I remind him . " You said I was being pushed out . Help me stop it . Ten minutes . That's all I need ." A muscle ticks in his cheek . He mutters something low and profane , then jerks his head toward the east wing . " Ten minutes . After that , you're on your own . " 1/3 21:32 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 9 The Vault ( 116 ) Fiolshed " You'll need to hold my arm to gain access , " Jax tells me as we stand in the open doorway leading to Kade's study . I glance at the threshold , trying to spot any glimmer that reveals an invisible barrier , but to my eyes , there's nothing but plain air . With a nod , I reach out and place my hand over his arm . He gasps , flinching . His alert gaze flicks to me . " What happened ? " I ask . He shakes his head , though his brows furrow . " Nothing . Your wolf . She's stronger ... " he hesitates before the words scrape out of his mouth , " Luna Freya ." I swallow the sudden emotion that strikes me . I can't let myself be overwhelmed now . I tilt my head at the study , and he starts walking , tugging me along . We pass through the threshold . This time , nothing pushes me back or electrifies my senses . Jax steps back . " Do it fast . " I press my palm against the cold metal of the safe . It hums under my skin , and with a groan , the door swings open . The diadem lies within , a silver circlet studded with sapphires , glowing like frozen fire . My fingers tremble as I lift it . ' The vault ,' Nyx says with urgency . ' You need to see the vault .' I turn to Jax . " Open the vault . " His lips part as if he's going to protest , but then he moves . His hand presses along the carved panel at the far wall until it gives way with a click . It opens to reveal shelves after shelves filled with parchments . " That one on the right , Nyx guides , urging me . I move with hesitant steps before examining the shelf she indicated . I gasp when I see broken seals , my name scrawled in ink I never wrote , Contracts . Land . Wealth . All signed by " Freya Vale - Thorne ." My stomach twists . " Goddess . She forged everything ." Before Jax can answer , the door slams . We both whirl . Kade fills the doorway , shadows crawling at his back . I can sense his anger , his fury . His gaze goes first to Jax , then to me , then to the diadem in my hands . 2/3 21:32 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 9 The Vault " Out , " he orders . : . ៩៩ ( 16 Finished Jax bows his head and slips past him without a word , leaving me alone with the Alpha . Kade steps into the room , closing the door behind him . His eyes lock on mine . " How , " he says quietly , " did you open that safe ? " I tighten my grip on the crown . " Don't you understand ? It's mine . It knows me , so it obeys . It opens . " He circles me slowly , like a predator . " It was yours . Once . You lost the right to it . " " No , " I bite out . " I did nothing to lose my right ! It was you who got swayed by another woman ! It was you who couldn't remain faithful to me , Kade ! You locked my crown away, but that doesn't change who I am ." " You are what I decide you are ," he snaps through gritted teeth . I feel Nyx recoil under his power , but I force myself to meet his gaze . " Then decide carefully , Kade . This crown was forged for me . Take it from me now , and you make yourself a thief in your own house . " For a heartbeat , I think he'll strike me , or rip it from my hands . Instead , something flickers across his face - something sharp , almost pained . He exhales slowly . " Keep it , " he says at last . My breath stutters . " What ? " " Keep it . Wear it in your chamber , polish it if you like . " His tone sharpens . " But you will not wear it in court . Not before the pack . Not before the Council . " Anger burns hot in my chest . " You parade her in white silks , crown her lady of the house , and I am forbidden to even stand with what is mine ? " " You are forbidden ," he repeats , colder . " Defy me , and I'll take it back myself . " Neither of us moves . The crown feels heavy in my hands , heavy with everything he's stolen , everything I've lost . Finally , I lift my chin . " One day , you won't be able to stop me . " His eyes darken . " Try me ." I push past him , crown clutched to my chest , and walk out . Send Gifts a ( i ) 3/3 21:32 Wed , Oct 15