A Warrior Luna's Awakening (Freya and Caelum) novel Chapter 374

Trapped in You by Morrison Lee: Shadows of Our Love 374 Summary

Freya is deeply troubled as she holds a card bearing the name Parker Williams, a false identity for her brother Eric Thorne, who once promised to protect her from darkness. The weight of his hidden identity and the distance growing between them causes her pain. Kade finds her lost in thought and reveals he saw Eric leave, showing concern for both Freya and her brother. Freya explains Eric’s desire to remain Parker Williams, possibly out of a sense of debt to the Williams family, despite knowing they are not his true blood relatives. Kade urges her not to lose hope as they prepare to return to Lana.

A tender moment unfolds when Kade helps Freya free her hair caught on his jacket, and he quietly probes about her relationship with Silas Whitmor. Freya confesses she has ended things with Silas, though she only sees Kade as a friend and comrade. Despite her rejection, Kade expresses his willingness to wait for her, showing a deep, loyal love that contrasts with the betrayal she experienced from Silas. Their interaction is charged with unspoken emotions, but Freya turns away before her heart can betray her feelings, leaving Kade watching her retreat.

Meanwhile, at the Williams manor, Everett Williams meets with Parker—Eric’s assumed identity—who confirms he will remain Parker Williams, not reclaiming his true name. Everett coldly affirms that the Council and the family matriarch accept Parker as one of their own, emphasizing the importance of his new identity over his past. After dismissing Parker, Everett reveals a rare moment of vulnerability as he gazes at an old photograph of two children, likely Eric and Freya in their youth. He silently apologizes for failing to protect them, his grief and guilt breaking through his otherwise stern exterior.

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Chapter 374

Freya’s gaze was fixed on the card she held, the printed name burning into her skin as if it carried a personal sting.

Parker Williams.

The letters shimmered faintly beneath the warm glow of the amber lantern, each curve and line of ink feeling like a sharp blade slicing through her heart.

Yet, that wasn’t truly his name.

He was Eric Thorne.

Her brother—the boy who once vowed he would never let the shadows consume her.

Her vision blurred momentarily. The subtle scent of wolfsteel mingled with the chill drifting in from the half-open window. The distant murmur of voices from the Silverveil Lounge faded away, swallowed by the ache growing deep within her chest.

Suddenly, a voice pierced through the haze.

“Freya.”

She turned to see Kade standing just inside the doorway, his tall silhouette filling the frame. His storm-grey eyes were clouded with concern, while beneath his skin, his wolf remained silent but alert.

“You didn’t go back to the booth?” she asked softly, surprised.

He shook his head. “No. I stayed outside. I saw him—Eric—leave. Thought I’d check on you.”

A bitter smile tugged at Freya’s lips. “He doesn’t want to be Eric anymore. He wants to stay Parker Williams.”

Kade’s brow furrowed, his voice deepening with worry. “Did he say why?”

“Maybe…” She hesitated, eyes dropping again to the card. “Maybe he feels like he owes them something. He told me his life was saved by the Williams family—even though he knows they aren’t his blood.”

Kade clenched his jaw. “Or maybe there’s something else—something he can’t bring himself to say yet. We’ll figure it out.” His tone softened, a quiet promise hanging between them. “Don’t lose hope just yet.”

Freya nodded faintly, the need to uncover the truth burning inside her—the secret that tied the Williams family to her brother, the invisible chains that kept him from remembering who he really was. “Let’s go back. Lana’s probably waiting.”

As she turned, her long silver-black hair brushed against her shoulders—and caught on one of Kade’s jacket buttons.

“Hold on.” He gently gripped her arm. “Your hair’s caught.”

Freya froze, cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “Ah—sorry.” She stood perfectly still, feeling his fingers carefully working near her shoulder to free the delicate strands from the silver clasp.

“You usually wear it tied up,” he said quietly as he worked, the warmth of his breath grazing her temple. “What happened?”

“The tie snapped,” she replied quickly, fabricating a small excuse. “It’s nothing.”

“Is it?” His voice deepened, almost unreadable. His gaze drifted to a stray lock of hair that slipped down the side of her neck.

There, just above her collarbone, a faint mark bloomed—an unspoken reminder of something she wasn’t ready to explain.

“Freya,” he murmured softly, his voice low and steady. “Tell me the truth. Have you really ended things with Silas Whitmor?”

Her hand paused at the edge of her cloak. Silence stretched between them before she finally whispered, “Yes. It’s over.”

He studied her intently, the dim light catching in his eyes like liquid silver. Then, simply, he said, “Good.”

She blinked, startled by the quiet finality in his voice. When she turned her head too quickly, the hair tugged painfully against the button still holding it captive.

“Careful,” Kade murmured, steadying her. “It’s not free yet.”

Freya inhaled slowly, forcing herself to remain calm. “Kade.” Her voice gained strength. “Don’t waste your time on me. I see you as a friend, a comrade, a brother-in-arms—but not someone I could ever love.”

—

Once the door closed behind him, Everett leaned back in his chair and exhaled slowly. For a long moment, he stared at the dark screen of his WolfComm before unlocking it. A single image filled the display—a photograph yellowed with age.

Two children.

A boy of seven or eight, holding the hand of a small girl barely four years old. Both smiled brightly, sunlight tangled in their hair, the world around them simple and full of promise.

Everett’s cold facade faltered. His eyes darkened with grief born from years of silence and guilt. His fingers brushed the boy’s face on the screen.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, voice cracking like brittle glass. “I should have protected you. It’s my fault you were lost.”

His voice softened further, barely audible now. “Forgive me. Forgive your brother.”

Conclusion

The chapter delicately unveils the tangled emotions binding Freya and Kade, their unspoken feelings simmering beneath a veneer of friendship and loyalty. Freya’s guarded heart and Kade’s steadfast devotion paint a poignant portrait of love waiting patiently in the shadows, underscored by the pain of past betrayals and the fragile hope of healing. Their connection, marked by gentle touches and quiet confessions, offers a tender counterpoint to the turmoil surrounding Freya’s brother and the secrets that threaten to unravel their world.

Meanwhile, the cold, calculated atmosphere of the Williams manor contrasts sharply with the warmth of Freya and Kade’s interaction, illuminating the heavy burden of identity and sacrifice carried by Eric—now Parker. Everett’s sorrowful reflection on lost innocence and fractured family ties adds a layer of melancholy and regret, deepening the emotional resonance of the chapter. Together, these intertwined threads explore the complexities of loyalty, love, and forgiveness, leaving readers suspended in a moment of fragile hope amidst the lingering shadows of the past.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of identity and loyalty that binds Freya, Kade, and Eric—now Parker Williams. As Freya grapples with the painful truth of her brother’s chosen path and the secrets that keep him tethered to a life he no longer fully claims, the emotional stakes rise. Kade’s unwavering devotion and quiet strength offer a glimmer of hope, yet the tension between friendship and something more lingers palpably in the air, hinting at unresolved feelings and difficult choices ahead.

Meanwhile, the chilling atmosphere within the Williams manor hints at darker forces at play, with Everett Williams’s cold authority and hidden regrets casting long shadows over the unfolding drama. The weight of past mistakes and unspoken guilt threatens to unravel carefully constructed facades, setting the stage for revelations that could shift alliances and challenge loyalties. Readers will find themselves on edge, eager to see how these intertwined fates will collide and what sacrifices will be demanded in the pursuit of truth and redemption.