Ashley’s POV
“Welcome to our new home, Ashley,” Mom said, standing next to me as we looked at an old, dilapidated cottage situated near the woods and the lake.
“Isn’t it serene? It’s away from the busyness of the town, the breeze feels invigorating, the lake is only a short stroll away, and you can hear the birds singing so clearly,” she continued with a smile.
I couldn’t conceal my annoyance. “Why did we have to leave our lovely house in the town for this spooky place?” I retorted.
“Because… because this place is quiet. It’s secure,” she answered, her voice soft and uncertain.
“I don’t like it!” I shouted, my frustration bubbling over. “I want to go back to our old house. I refuse to live here!”
“Why not?” she asked, her eyes filled with worry.
“Because we’ve been relocating constantly since I was little! Every time I make a friend, you move us again. I’m tired of it! And now, you expect me to live in this dumb cottage, all by myself in the middle of nowhere?” My voice trembled as I yelled, “I won’t do it! I won’t continue living like this!”
Mom took my hands, trying to soothe me. “I know this is difficult, Ashley, but we have no option. This place… it’s the only safe refuge for us at this moment. I wish I could explain everything, but you’re still young. I don’t want to burden you with the truth. Just know, everything I do is to keep you safe.”
“I despise you!” I pulled away from her, my tears stinging my eyes as I ran toward the lake.
I found a secluded spot by the water, wiped my face, and noticed a boy sitting there, gazing at the lake. I quickly sniffed away the remnants of my tears.
“Hey,” I called out, my voice unsteady. “Who are you?”
The boy turned his head slightly, as if he didn’t expect to be interrupted. For a moment, we just looked at each other. His expression was calm, yet there was a depth in his eyes that made me feel like he comprehended something I couldn’t quite express.
“Just passing through,” he said softly, his voice nearly lost to the sounds of the birds above.
I nodded, uncertain of what to say next. I was meant to be angry with my mom, upset with this entire situation, but somehow, conversing with him felt different. It was as if his quiet presence allowed me to exhale.
You never truly understand how much someone means to you until they’re gone.
I discovered that lesson the hard way.
I used to resent my mom for making decisions without consulting me, for always uprooting our lives. But now? Now, I would do anything to have her back. She wasn’t merely a mother; she was my protector. Everything she did, every move she made, was for my safety. And yet, I couldn’t appreciate it until it was too late.
Now, I was alone. She had left, and there was no one remaining but me.
—
The door creaked open, interrupting my thoughts. Freya and Freja entered, their faces full of concern.
“It’s been days, Luna,” Freya said, her tone gentle yet firm. “You can’t keep lying in bed, avoiding everything. You need to be strong.”
Freja nodded. “We understand how much you loved your mom. We do. But no one can bring her back. You have to keep moving forward.”
They placed a meal in front of me, but I pushed it away without even looking at it.
“Please, Luna,” Freya pleaded. “Just take one bite.”
But the agony inside me was overwhelming. “Leave me alone!” I yelled, my feelings pouring out like a broken levee.
Freja sighed, speaking softly. “Let’s go, Freya. She’ll come around in her own time.”
*******
Freya’s POV
“Poor Luna,” I sighed as we made our way down the stairs. My heart felt heavy for her.
“I know,” Freja responded, her voice filled with compassion. “Her mother was her only remaining family.”
“But we’re family too,” I argued, feeling exasperated. “Why won’t she accept our help?”
Freja paused for a moment, then replied thoughtfully. “Luna is resilient. She will face this in her own way. I believe she will eventually open up.”
Just then, Steven and Liam entered, both looking a bit exhausted from their time with the wolves.
“I tried to talk to her,” I told Steven, my voice tinged with worry. “She still refuses to communicate with anyone. She won’t even eat.”
Steven shrugged, seemingly unfazed. “Maybe she just isn’t hungry.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “What? She’s your wife, Steven! The Luna of Oakwood Pack! And you don’t even seem concerned about her well-being? Look at you. You’ve turned so… cold.”
Freja raised an eyebrow. “Whoa, don’t throw him onto me, Freya. He’s your brother too.”
“I get what you’re both saying,” Steven interjected, his tone icy. “I pity Luna, I really do. But maybe she just requires some solitude. Besides, I’m kind of enjoying the peace around here. I don’t miss her chatter.”
I gaped at him, appalled. “Steven, that’s… that’s heartless.”
“Maybe,” he replied bluntly, “but I have business meetings to attend. I’m getting ready and heading to the office. Luna can tackle her issues on her own. Maybe I’m just not good at comforting anyone.” He turned and walked away, his footsteps resonating through the hall.
I felt a surge of disgust wash over me. “I can’t believe he’s my brother,” I muttered before bolting out of the room.
—
I almost collided with Liam as I got to the door.
“Oh… I didn’t see you there,” I said, my voice somewhat unsteady. I attempted to leave, but he reached out, grasping my arm.
“Freya,” he said, his tone low but firm.
I froze. “What is it, Liam? What do you want?”
He stared deeply into my eyes, his expression intense. “What’s going on, Freya? You’ve been avoiding me since… that night.”
I gulped hard, striving to maintain my composure. “What night? I don’t know what you’re referring to. I need to go. I’m busy.”
“Stop pretending, Freya!” he snapped, irritation clear in his voice. “Is this about my past? Is that why you’re distancing yourself from me? Is it because of what I did… before, when I didn’t know better?”
My heart raced in my chest. “Yes!” I shouted, the anger I’d been bottling up bursting forth. “Yes, Liam! You murdered your own mother! Who in their right mind would want to be around someone like you? I want nothing to do with you, Liam! Nothing!”
Without saying another word, I turned and ran, not stopping until I was outside the mansion.
Roy stood there, his face full of concern.
“Are you okay, Freya?” he asked gently.
I wiped my face, forcing a smile. “Yeah… yeah, I’m okay.”
Roy lifted an eyebrow. “Then why are there tears streaming down your face?”
I quickly hurried to wipe them away, attempting to hide my feelings. “Oh, it’s nothing… just some dust irritating my eyes,” I fabricated, and Roy chose not to inquire further. He merely nodded in response.
*****
Freja’s POV
After everything that happened, I realized I needed to escape for a bit. The mansion felt stifling, as if its walls were closing in on me, and I could no longer endure the silence.
I quickly got dressed and drove over to the hospital, craving a distraction.
Upon entering James’ office, he looked up with a grin. “Well, look who it is! You’re practically a fixture here now.”
“I don’t have anywhere else to turn,” I answered, taking a seat opposite him. “You’re the only friend I’ve managed to make in this city.”
“And here I thought I had a knack for attracting the unusual,” he bantered. “But, honestly, it’s not bad. At least you’re persistent. Not many stick around for me.”
“Let’s face it, I’m not like most people,” I replied, offering a small grin. “And admit it, that’s why you keep coming back. You’re far from normal yourself.”
He reclined in his chair, looking contemplative. “You’ve got a point. We’re both unique, just in our own ways.”
“So how do we differ?” I inquired, intrigued.
“Well, you’re headstrong, unyielding, and you rarely take advice,” he chuckled. “As for me… let’s just say I’m the perilous kind of unusual.”
“You keep saying that,” I noted, raising an eyebrow. “What makes you so dangerous?”
“More than you realize, Freja,” he replied, his demeanor shifting to seriousness. “A typical person would steer clear of me once they learned the truth. But you? You stayed. That tells me… you’re not typical, and you’re certainly not entirely human.”
I looked at him, perplexed. “What on earth does that mean?”
He leaned closer. “It signifies that I’m dangerous. And you, Freja, have a tendency to gravitate towards men like me.”
“Is that right?” I retorted, leaning back in my seat, arms crossed. “What brought you here today? Tired of an ordinary existence?”
“Not exactly,” he said, a mischievous grin appearing. “I needed to get away as well. My family… let’s just say they’re a handful.”
I nodded in understanding. “You think your situation is rough? You haven’t met my family yet.”
He chuckled, but it sounded empty. “Perhaps, but believe me, meeting mine would be far from pleasant.”
I leaned forward, curious. “Is your family really that dysfunctional?”
“Not something I’m willing to discuss,” he replied sharply. “I have no intention of sharing anything about them. Ever.”
“Alright, keep your secrets,” I teased. “I hardly know anything about you. Your name and where you work are all I have.”
“Same applies to you,” he said, giving me a knowing glance.
“Well, I could reveal more,” I said, playfully.
“No need for that,” he responded, his expression turning icy. “It’s safer this way. If we divulge too much about each other… you might not live through it.”
“Wait, what?” I asked, bewildered.
“I’m being serious, Freja,” he said in a low voice. “Keep it to just my name and where I work. And perhaps, just perhaps, you’ll be the first to survive a friendship with me.”
With that, he rose, his tone conclusive. “I have rounds to make. Catch you later.”