Steven’s POV
I went downstairs, my mind churning with thoughts of the chaos that awaited us. Tonight was the night for The Hunt, and though we had spent many hours in preparation, there was always that feeling in the pit of my stomach-the feeling that something might just go wrong, something none of us could ever predict. My eyes scanned the familiar surroundings as I walked through the halls, but my mind wasn’t really in the Mansion. I barely noticed the way the old wooden steps creaked in protest beneath my weight with every step, or the slight chill in the air clinging to the walls. Everything just seemed so. normal. Too normal for what was to come.
I turned at the bend and almost ran into Liam at the foot of the staircase. Liam stood so tall, squared to face me with that glint in his eyes-more than just noticeable.
“Good morning, Alpha,” Liam said to me in a low, even voice. To me, he showed respect, yet I knew, beneath the facade, that he, too, was anxious, as were we all.
I nodded and gave him a small smile, though it was forced because the weight of my responsibilities felt heavy upon my shoulders. “How’s the preparation for tonight going?”
He let out a deep breath, running a hand through his dark hair. “It’s going really well, actually. You know, with all the killings recently, it’s nice to have the wolves finally back together again like we used to.” There was almost an undertone in his voice, as though this alone held him together.
But I couldn’t allow myself to relax just yet. There were still so many unknowns in the air, so many dangers lurking in the shadows. “Right,” I said, my voice more serious now. “But you shouldn’t relax just yet, Liam. The Demon Wolf can appear at any time. We have to stay vigilant. Always on our guard.”
By the tensing of his shoulders, I knew he understood the weight of my words. He nodded, his expression grave, yet something else lurking there-a trace of impatience.
I could almost read his thoughts before he said them. “Is there anything else?” I asked, cocking an eyebrow, as if to say he clearly wasn’t done speaking.
Liam shifted upon his feet, obviously wrestling with his next words. Finally, he let out a sigh. “The race,” he said, quieter, almost as if he did not want to mention it. “You promised to approve of Freya and me if I emerge victorious. When is the race going to be held?
The softness and urgency in his tone made me understand how much it meant to him. The tension between him and Freya had been thick for a while, like a fog that refused to lift. He was determined to prove his worth to her, and I could see the weight of it on his shoulders.
I studied him for a moment longer, allowing the silence between us to build and build. “You sound very impatient,” I said quietly and teasing, even though it sounded wrong; bad timing with joking.
But Liam wouldn’t let go. Wasn’t going to, until he got what he wanted. “Anyway,” I said, letting his impatience blow over for now, “Let’s survive tonight first. We’ll talk about the race tomorrow.”
He let out an exasperated breath but nodded-better that than argue with me. “Fine,” he said quietly, turning as if he was about to leave.
But before he could take another step, I called out to him. “Liam.”
He froze, turned back, and faced me, his brow furrowing slightly in curiosity.
“You really love Freya, don’t you?” I asked, my voice steady but inquisitive. It wasn’t something I’d directly asked him before, but I needed to know if his feelings were real.
Liam didn’t hesitate. His eyes softened as he spoke, his words full of sincerity. “From when we were kids up until now, I’ve always loved her.”
The simplicity of his declaration caught me harder than I had prepared for. No doubt in his voice, no wavering-just certain. And in that moment, a realization came at just how much he had grown, how far he had come since those early days when first I brought him into the fold.
I paused, letting the weight of his words settle before responding. “If we survive tonight, then I’ll approve of you too.”
His face lit up, flipped on by a switch that I had turned. And when his eyes opened wide in amazement, it became a world turned round for him, all upside down in his favor. However, all of a sudden a shadow of doubt crossed his features. “Really?!,” he said, practically beaming with hope. “But. are we. are we expecting an attack tonight?”
I couldn’t answer him then and there because I couldn’t promise anything. All I did was hold his gaze, my eyes deadpan, my voice serious. “Just be on your guard. And make sure everyone else does, too. The Demon Wolf can appear at any minute, and we need to prepare ourselves for anything that happens.”
Liam nodded quickly, his jaw set hard in determination. “Okay, Alpha.” But his voice softened at the surge of emotion. “Thanks so much. You’ve. you’ve done so much for me, Steven. You spared my life years ago when you could’ve killed me. My parents killed your parents and made your life miserable, yet you spared my life and brought me under your care. You treated me like your brother. And now, you’re really giving Freya and me your approval? Thanks so much, Steven.”
The words came at me harder than I’d expected. All along, I had viewed Liam as a brother-somebody who had been through as much pain and loss as I did, yet he’d still stuck by my side. But I couldn’t let him see how much his gratitude affected me.
“Stop, Liam,” I said in a rush, even as my voice came out softer than I intended. “Don’t get all teary-eyed on me. I haven’t said yes just yet.” I turned and walked backward up the stairs, a slight smirk spreading across my face as I fought the swell in my chest.
As I reached the top, I heard him call after me, “Thank you, Steven!” His voice was pure gratitude.
I couldn’t stop the smile that kept tugging at my lips, though I tried to hide it. “Don’t thank me yet,” I muttered to myself.
She was already waiting in my room when I entered. A sight of her was like balm to jangling nerves. Only her smiles could soothe the tension that had now become continuous.
“You ready?” I asked, and my voice was firm, but tired.
She grinned at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Yeah, let’s go training.”
And with that, we left the room together, ready for whatever the day-or the night-might bring. We would face it all, side by side, because that was what mattered.
*****
Freya’s POV
I sat on the edge of my bed, rubbing my temples in an attempt to soothe the pounding ache in my head. The sleeplessness of the previous night was finally catching up with me; my body was heavy, like some invisible weight pressed down on my shoulders.
But even worse than the exhaustion, my mind kept going back to the words of the priestess, playing on repeat-the cruel melody that I couldn’t turn off. “One of you will die without ever having a mate… and the other will live without a mate.”
No matter how hard I tried to push the prophecy out of my head, the words dug deep into my psyche, refusing to be forgotten. I wished I could tell myself that she was wrong, that it was just a vague prediction, not set in stone. But she was the priestess. She doesn’t lie. She doesn’t make baseless statements. Her words hold power, drawn from a source so far beyond our understanding.
I let out a sharp exhalation, running my fingers through my hair as frustration built inside me. *Stop thinking, Freya. You’re only making your head ache more.*
As if the universe decided to interfere in my spiraling thoughts, there was a knock at my door that pulled me out of my daze.
“It’s not locked,” I said, or at least, tried to.
The door opened with a groan, and Liam came inside, his face practically shining. He was energetic enough to alleviate the weight at my chest, even if just for a second.
“What’s gotten into you?” I asked him as I lifted my eyebrow towards him, wondering from where this exceptionally bright glow came. Did you win some lotteries big time or what?
“Oh, I won more than that,” he said, his grin stretching from ear to ear.
I raised an eyebrow at him. “And what exactly did you win?”
He leaned in, barely containing the excitement. “Steven’s approval!” he exclaimed proudly. “He said he’ll give us his blessing tomorrow. He’s finally allowing us to get mated!”
I froze, my eyes blinking in shock. “Really?” My voice barely rose above a whisper.
Liam nodded avidly. “So no more races,” he reiterated.
For several moments, I just sat and stared at him in disbelief. It felt surreal-almost too easy. After everything, after all the waiting, after thinking that we’d have to prove ourselves, Steven had simply… agreed?
It was what we had been waiting for, what Liam had been fighting for. And yet, instead of relief, a tight knot started to form in my stomach.
Before I could figure out what was wrong with me emotionally, another sharp pain shot across my skull and I winced, instinctively pressing my fingers against my forehead.
Liam’s face changed from excitement to alarm in a millisecond. He was right next to me the next second, sitting beside me and taking my hand softly. “Are you okay, Freya?” he asked, his brow furrowed. “Is something wrong?”
I forced a small smile, shaking my head. “Nothing,” I murmured, hoping he would drop it.
But he didn’t. He leaned in, peering into my face, his eyes with concern. “Maybe… you feel like I’m rushing this?” His voice was softer, uncertain. “I don’t want to pressure you. If you’re not ready, I can slow down with the mating stuff. I just…” He broke off, releasing a breath. “Maybe you haven’t fully given me your approval, and I should be more patient.”
No, Liam,” I hastened to reassure him, reaching for his hand and squeezing hard. “Don’t stop. Don’t slow down.”
He looked at me, slightly surprised by the insistence that came out of nowhere.
I swallowed, trying to find my words. “I heard some things yesterday… things that made me realize how short and fickle life can be. We never know what’s going to happen next, and we have no control over fate. So what’s the point of waiting? What’s the point of holding back and denying ourselves happiness?”
I took a shaky breath, my heart thumping as I forced myself to say it out loud. “So I give my permission now. From now on, all I want is to live the way I want. No regrets anymore. When I die soon, I don’t want to die with regrets.”
Liam’s face altered; his eyes jerked furiously, going back and forth with confusion. “Why would you die soon?” The serious tone of his voice relayed the concern lacing his words.
I hesitated, my throat tight. I couldn’t tell him. I couldn’t tell him what the priestess had said-not when he looked at me with so much hope. Not when he had just gotten the approval he had been dreaming of.
“Nothing, Liam,” I whispered instead. “Just… you have my approval.”
For a moment, he looked like he would pursue it, but then, wordless, he pulled me into a firm embrace. His warmth enveloped me, his heartbeat steady against my ear, holding me tight, his arms protective and reassuring.
I don’t know what’s bothering you, Freya,” he murmured, his voice soft and unyielding at the same time. “But no matter what happens, I will always love you. I will get bonded to you, and I will make you my mate, Freya Blackwood. I swear it.”
His words were so full of conviction and dedication that something inside me ached.
I closed my eyes and let myself melt into his arms, wanting, for one swift moment, to believe that I could believe in a tomorrow when his promise would be a fact.