Steven’s POV
I went back downstairs, my head filled with what happened tonight. My mind was clear, thinking as it pieced everything together. I knew Liam and my sisters were waiting for me, expecting answers from me, but at this moment, I myself was searching. The weight of leading weighed on my shoulders, yet I was calm.
The moment I entered the room, they all turned to me, their faces filled with a mixture of expectations and unease. I didn’t waste any time getting to the point.
“So, how many of our wolves were killed?” My tone was detached and without inflection.
None of them immediately responded. They were all just standing there, looking at me. Their continued silence irritated me.
I glared at them. “I only asked you all one question.” Sharper this time, my words left little to no room for further reluctance.
Liam finally cleared his throat, shifting slightly as if trying to find the right catch-all words. “Oh, I’m so sorry… It was four. The demon wolf killed four of our wolf warriors.
It was a number that felt like a kick to the chest, but I did not show it. Four more lost, four more warriors gone. Their families would grieve, their death adding to the growing fear spreading through the pack.
I exhaled slowly, crossing my arms across my chest, and spoke in a voice calm and even. “That means he only hit the guards we posted at the cottage where Maya was being held.” My mind conjured with implications, my thoughts racing.
Liam nodded grimly in confirmation of my thoughts.
A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I ran a hand through my hair, frustration gnawing at the edges of my patience. I could feel Freya and Freja’s eyes on me, watching my every move. Their intense gazes were distracting, and I snapped at them without thinking.
“Freya, Freja. Quit staring at me like that. I’m trying to think here.”
They both blinked, looking a little amused before saying in unison, “Oh, sorry, brother.”
Liam stepped closer, his face concerned. “Steven, the whole pack is living in fear. The killings are becoming too frequent, and no one is doing anything to put an end to it.”
His words held the ring of truth, but I would not let that truth take over my being. I gritted my teeth and shook my head.
“That’s exactly what he wants. That’s why he’s been nibbling at us in short, unpredictable bursts instead of bringing a full-scale battle to our doorstep. He wants to instill fear, to keep us all on edge, wondering when and how he will strike next. It’s a strategy-one meant to weaken our resolve before the real fight even begins.” My voice was cold and firm, leaving no doubt about my certainty. “But neither should I fall prey to his games, nor for that matter anybody in this pack.”
Liam’s face remained furrowed, a look of deep concern etched upon it. “I know what you’re saying, and I agree completely, but on the other side, our guys witnessed their buddies being slaughtered-their throats ripped open and their bodies mutilated. It’s hard when fear like this doesn’t erase itself.”
I nodded, acknowledging his point. Actually, the seeds of fear had already been instilled in their hearts. No amount of rationale or strategy could delete the sights seared into their brains-the blood, the lifeless bodies of their comrades, the smell of death still hanging in the air.
“The full moon arrives in four days,” I said, my tone heavy with the weight of a decision pre-ordained. “That night, with the entire pack gathered for The Hunt, I will address them. I will make sure they understand what needs to be done. Until then, I want every warrior on high alert.” My gaze hardened as it locked with Liam’s. “Watch your six. Stay sharp. I don’t want anyone letting their guard down. When we face an enemy, we do not run. We do not cower. We do not let fear dictate our actions. We hold our ground. We fight.”
Liam squared his shoulders, determination replacing the uncertainty in his eyes. “Yes, Alpha!” he said firmly.
I smiled and sat up, feeling his response had pleased me, as I prepared to leave. The conversation was taking enough of my time, and there was still more that I needed to handle.
“So, am I done with whatever is going on here?” I asked him, my tone clear that it was time for me to get moving.
Freya merely raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. “Going somewhere?
“I have work at the office,” I said briefly, already taking a step toward the door.
Freja leaned in closer to Freya, whispering just loud enough for me to hear. “Oh, he hasn’t changed.”
Freya let out a dramatic sigh, shaking her head. “Yeah, still a workaholic.”
I rolled my eyes; their words barely fazed me. “You two do realize I can hear you, right?”
They stared at me innocently, as if nothing was wrong in this world, with a clear conscience.
“I thought you had office work?” asked Freya amusedly.
Freja sneered, responding playfully in imitation, “Yeah, shall you be on your way right now? Certainly you can’t afford to take some time?
Then there came, just like a choir of angels with well-rehearsed harmony: “Good riddance, brother!
I let out a sigh and, shaking my head, I turned away from them. “Sometimes I forget just how much of a trouble both of you can be.”
Their laughter sounded behind me while I was leaving, putting on my face that rare and barely noticeable smile.
******
Freja’s POV
With a sigh from my lungs, stretching my arms out to full length, I said, “Then I go too,” and pushed my chair back, rising to my feet. I straightened out my dress after dusting its hem.
Freya sat up from lounging on the couch, looking at me, her head turned slightly to the side, clearly curious. “Where are you going?” The suspicious edge was unmistakable.
I simply smiled, moving along with the little game that was being set up. “That’s a secret,” I said with a sly wink. I was thrilled when her interest visibly grew more pointed.
Freya snorted, crossing her arms, but the glint of mischief in her eyes gave away her true thoughts. “Send him my regards!” she shouted after him teasingly, in a tone filled with humor.
I chuckled and shook my head at her antics, turning on my heels to head out of the house. Sliding into my car, I belted up and started the engine; the soft hum filled the silence of the driveway. The towering mansion gates slid open, and I drove out onto the road headed toward the coffee shop where James and I were to meet.
The drive was smooth, the streets familiar just blurred across the screen until I finally reached the cafe, parked my car, and found that James wasn’t there yet. With a task of exasperation, I stepped inside, found a corner table that suited me just fine, sat down, and every few seconds turned toward the door.
I tapped my impatient fingers on the wooden table and felt frustration close to a simmer. “Doesn’t he know better than to make me wait? James, oh I’ll show him for keeping me waiting.” Whispering low but not so hard, the action of lips brushed into a fine pout.
As if called forth by the mention of his name, the door burst open and James walked in. The second my gaze latched on his, it gave a perfunctory kick at the corner of my mouth.
“Speak of the devil and he appears,” I said as he approached the table and pulled the chair from underneath.
James arched an eyebrow, an amused smirk dancing on his lips. “Am I the devil you are talking about?” he asked in such a smooth, melodious voice that blended amusement and curiosity in equal measure.
I shrugged, folding my arms. “Well, you are the one who just appeared, aren’t you?” I shot back, watching as he chuckled low in his throat.
He leaned forward, his eyes glinting as if he’d already solved me. “I know what this is about,” he said smoothly. “You’re angry because I came late and kept you waiting.”
I snorted, my eyes rolling out. “Oh, I’m sure you weren’t expecting to find me jumping with joy over it,” I returned, irritation slipping through.
James let out a sigh and scratched the back of his neck. “I was busy,” he said.
I had a feeling, with which direction this conversation was headed, and so narrowing my eyes, in frustration-tinged expectation, I said, “And, naturally, it is understood without even saying it aloud that you may not share whatever kept you occupied.”
He pauses for a moment before saying softly, my name: “Freja…”
I breathed in deeply, fighting off that uncomfortable feeling in my chest. “I’m trying really hard not to be that nosy friend,” I said, softer now, “but this can’t work if we’re always concealing and never knowing anything about ourselves.”
James tensed slightly, his face expressionless. “You don’t understand, Freja. It’s dangerous to…”
I lifted a hand, cutting him off gently. “You don’t have to tell me everything all at once,” I said reassuringly. “We’ll take it slow. Each day we meet, you tell me one thing I don’t know about you, and I do the same. One small thing at a time. Is that okay with you?”
James hesitated, his eyes darted aside, shining brightly with uncertainty, but after a few seconds, he nodded. “Fine.”
A bright smile overspread my lips. “Great! Since today’s the first day, let’s do something simple, shall we?” I leaned further forward, setting my elbows on the table. “Tell me your name-your full name.”
James exhaled lightly and gave me a slight smirk. “James Smith,” he replied.
I nodded in approval, a playful glint in my eyes. “Nice to meet you, Mr. James,” I said in an exaggeratedly formal tone. “My name is Freja Blackwood.”
James chuckled at my antics and shook his head.
“See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?” I teased, cocking my head slightly.
He met my gaze, his lips curving into a smile. “No, it wasn’t,” he acknowledged.
Feeling satisfied with our little game, I reached for the menu and scanned the options. “So, what shall we order-apart from coffee in a coffee shop?” I said with a grin, and James laughed at my words, the tension between us easing just a little.
For now, that was enough.
*****
Ashley’s POV
I slowly opened my eyes, my heart racing in my chest. As my surroundings came into focus, I found myself standing before the enormous tree where the shrine to the Moon Goddess was. The air was thick, almost unbearably so, and the night was unnaturally still, save for the full moon above, casting that eerie silver glow across the scene. It was as if time had literally slowed down, and I couldn’t get rid of the strange atmosphere weighing upon me.
“What am I doing here?” I whispered to myself, my voice shaking, barely able to pierce the stillness.
The moment those words escaped my lips, a voice, cold and commanding, laced with chills, reverberated around me and went straight down my spine.
“Every action bears a brunt,
On the night of The Hunt,
When darkness starts to converge,
The Demon Wolf shall appear.”
His voice was ice cold, wrapping around my soul and squeezing tight. The voice completely skipped my heartbeat, and before I knew it, I jerked up with a jolt, gasping. I sat up in bed, soaking wet, my breathing irregular as if I had just finished running a marathon. The cold sweat rolling down my back only made it more real.
What was that? A dream, or something more?