Freya’s POV
The warm soapy water slid over my hands as I scrubbed the last of the dishes, the workers chatting quietly around me. Their voices created a comforting hum in the background, but my thoughts felt heavy. The morning had been quiet, almost too quiet, and I welcomed the simple task of cleaning to distract myself.
Just as I dried my hands, I turned to leave the kitchen and bumped into Roy. His broad frame blocked the doorway, and his expression was lighter than usual, almost mischievous.
“You’re dressed. Are you going somewhere?” I asked, my eyes trailing over his casual but practical outfit.
“It’s been ages since I stepped beyond the woods. I figured it’s time to go out for a bit, stretch my legs,” he replied, his tone easy and relaxed.
I nodded, understanding the restless energy that seemed to hum around him. The woods were his retreat, his escape.
“You know,” he added, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought, “maybe you should come with me. You’ve barely gone out since you got here. Freja’s always the one running around outside.”
A soft laugh escaped my lips. “Thanks, Roy, but I’ll pass. Freja and I might look the same, but we’re polar opposites. She thrives outside, chasing adventures. I’m more of an inside girl. I like it indoors-it feels safe.”
Roy shook his head with a chuckle, his boyish grin making him look younger. “Alright, suit yourself. Later, then,” he said, stepping past me and out of the house.
I lingered in the living room, letting the stillness of the mansion settle over me. The quiet was comforting, but it also left too much space for my mind to wander.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps. Turning, I spotted Williams striding through the hallway, his usual brisk pace and serious demeanor intact.
“Williams,” I called, halting him in his tracks.
He turned, his sharp features softening slightly at the sight of me. “Yes?”
“Where’s Liam?” I asked, curious about the alpha’s absence.
“He’s working out in the woods,” Williams replied, his tone curt but respectful.
“Working out?” My brow furrowed. “Maybe I could use a workout too,” I said with a small smile.
Without waiting for a response, I headed to my room. Stripping out of my gown, I pulled on a pair of jeans and a snug top, tying my hair back into a loose ponytail. Excitement mixed with a touch of nervousness as I stepped out of the mansion and into the fresh, earthy scent of the woods.
The towering trees loomed overhead, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth.
“Liam!” I called, my voice cutting through the stillness as I ventured deeper into the forest.
It didn’t take long to find him. His broad back was to me, muscles rippling under the strain of his movements. He was raining punches on a large oak tree, each strike landing with a resounding *thud* that echoed through the woods. The bark splintered under his relentless assault, pieces flying off with each impact.
“Liam,” I called again, my voice softer this time.
He froze, his shoulders tense, before slowly turning to face me. His eyes were dark, a storm brewing behind them. Anger and something else-something raw and unspoken-etched lines across his handsome face.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice rough, almost hoarse.
“I heard you were working out. Thought I’d join you,” I said, offering a tentative smile.
His lips twitched, though it was hard to tell if it was a smirk or just a muscle spasm. “Then you’re welcome to join me in punching trees. It’s therapeutic,” he said dryly.
“Are you okay?” I asked, ignoring his sarcasm.
He turned away, his fists clenching at his sides. “Of course, I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?”
I stepped closer, watching the tension in his shoulders, the way his breathing was just a little too fast. “Today’s that day, isn’t it?”
“What day?” he snapped, though his voice faltered slightly.
“The day your parents died,” I said gently.
His entire body stiffened, and when he turned to face me, his eyes burned with barely restrained fury. “They might have given birth to me, but they aren’t my parents.”
“They will always be your parents, Liam,” I said firmly, holding his gaze.
“They were traitors, Freya!” he roared, his voice echoing through the trees. “They stopped being my parents the moment they betrayed me and the entire Oakwood Pack. If anything, I’m glad they’re gone.”
I watched as he turned back to the tree, his punches growing wilder and more desperate. Each strike seemed to carry the weight of years of anger, pain, and betrayal.
Walking up to him, I placed a hand on his shoulder. His body froze at the touch, his breathing ragged and uneven.
“You’ve always been the strong one, Liam,” I began softly. “You carry the weight of the pack on your shoulders, making sure everything runs smoothly. You deal with Steven’s moods, everyone’s problems, always putting yourself last. But sometimes, Liam, it’s okay to stop being strong. It’s okay to cry.”
He shook his head, a choked sound escaping his lips.
“Your parents made mistakes, yes,” I continued, “but they’re still the ones who gave you life, who raised you. It’s okay to miss them. It’s okay to grieve them.”
I wrapped my arms around him, holding him tightly as his body trembled. And then, to my surprise, I felt his tears soaking into my shoulder. He sobbed quietly, the sound breaking something inside me. I held him tighter, letting him pour out the grief he had buried for so long.
******
Steven’s POV
The ancient temple loomed ahead, its weathered stone walls shrouded in mist. The air felt thick with power, each step toward the entrance like walking against an invisible force. Inside, the priestess sat in quiet meditation, her aura calm yet commanding.
“What brings you here, Alpha?” she asked without opening her eyes.
I didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Is the Demon Wolf still alive?”
Her eyes opened slowly, piercing blue meeting my fiery gaze. “And how would I know that?”
“Don’t test my patience,” I growled. “Ask your goddess. Is the Demon Wolf still alive?”
“She’s your goddess too,” the priestess said, her voice calm but firm.
“She is not my goddess,” I spat. “I denounced her years ago.”
The priestess tilted her head, studying me with a mixture of pity and disappointment. “If you denounced her, why are you here, seeking her guidance?”
“Because she won’t stop meddling in my life,” I said, my voice rising. “She twists and manipulates everything to drag me back to her.”
The priestess shook her head. “The goddess has never manipulated you. Everything she’s done has been to guide you, to help you. One day, you’ll see that. My only fear is that it may be too late.”
I scoffed, my hands curling into fists. “Help me? By bonding me to a weak human? How does that help me?”
The priestess’s expression hardened. “Your Luna is far from weak. She is special-more than you can imagine.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Special? She’s a human. How special could she possibly be?”
“Patience, Alpha,” the priestess said, rising gracefully. “In time, you will see.”
She turned to leave but paused at the doorway, her voice dropping to a grave tone. “A war is coming, Alpha. One that even someone as powerful as you may not survive. Prepare yourself.”
Her words lingered like a dark cloud as I stood alone in the temple, my mind racing. A war was coming, and I would face it head-on. No one-and nothing-would stand in my way.