Low whimpers fell from Freya’s lips the next morning. She was in pain, her whole body ached, especially her tied arms, feeling weak and sore all over.

She was wrong. The Alpha was more cruel than she thought. She wasn’t even sure she knew the extent of his cruelty. She was still chained. How she made it in that position till this morning was a mystery to her.

Her head had snapped up in hope during the two times the dungeon’s door opened since the previous night. She had hoped he would come and she would plead with him to at least let her off the chain and lay on the floor, but he never came after the one time he did.

Evening came. No food. Nobody showed.

Her vision was already blurry. At this point, she was desperate to be freed or else, death would be better than this torture Alpha Torin had subjected her to.

“Just kill me!” she screamed, her voice hoarse. “If you’re going to do it, do it! I’m done playing your sick games!”

But no one answered. Her head fell in disappointment. Maybe she would die here all by herself. No one is coming to save her.

As if on cue, she heard footsteps but she was too weak to look up or speak. She didn’t flinch. She couldn’t. But she felt another being growling within her. She didn’t know what it was. All these were strange to her, she used to be just human. A werewolf Hunter.

Drool fell from her lips and she couldn’t even feel ashamed. Her breaths were shallow, rasping like sandpaper dragged across her lungs.

She wasn’t scared of death anymore, but if she would die, she only wished she was able to take the Alpha along with her for causing her this much pain.

“Oh my goddess, she’s dying.” The woman who just stepped in with Alpha Torin commented, scanning Freya closely with her transparent bluish lenses. She was the Alpha’s private witch.

Alpha Torin’s expression barely shifted, ignoring the strong pull he was feeling toward Freya again. “I don’t know what she is, but this much I know…She’s a threat to my kingdom, and I’m having a hard time refraining my hands from snapping her neck.”

Elira stepped forward, ignoring him, and crouching in front of Freya. Her fingers brushed Freya’s collarbone, and immediately, the witch recoiled, as if she’d touched fire.

“What in the name of the First Flame…” she hissed, her breath catching in her throat.

Torin’s brow lifted, waiting for her to say more.

Elira’s eyes bore into Freya like they could peel her apart. “This girl… she’s powerful.” She breathed in wonder.

Torin folded his arms. “I figured. But what exactly is she?” He growled with impatience.

The witch shook her head. “You don’t understand. Her power is ancient, like a product born of dusk and fire. There’s a presence inside her…it’s wild, untamed…” She grabbed her arm and accessed the Sigil.

“You will be offending the gods if you kill her. She’s a hybrid, and she’s no ordinary hybrid.” Elira informed, meaning every word she let out.

Alpha Torin’s face darkened further, his gaze flicking to Freya’s weakened and chained form again. “And you are telling me now that she’s some sort of gods’ favorite?”

“She’s a miracle.” Elira snapped, her voice trembling in wonder. She seemed way too intrigued by Freya than scared. “A dangerous one, yes. But power like this doesn’t just exist. You will need to keep your eyes on her.”

Freya’s voice cracked, barely audible as interrupted their discussion. “Please… just end it…” Torin was having a hard time acting like her scent wasn’t affecting him and driving him crazy. But he masked it so well.

Elira looked from Freya to Torin.

“Alpha, her wolf is starving for connection. It’s yearning to belong. And I’m afraid she needs to find her mate soon or she’ll combust from the inside.” She whispered urgently.

“Then bound her,” He spat.

“What?” Elira blinked. She clearly wasn’t expecting such a response.

His gaze hardened as he laid emphasis on his words. “I want her power bound. All of it.”

“But you should…”

“Do it.” His voice cut like a blade.

Elira looked stricken, she had other suggestions. “We can weaponize her, train her powe…”

“She’ll be bound. Now.” His Alpha authority tone left no room for arguments.

The witch’s face straightened. There was no going back in Alpha Torin’s words whenever he made a decision. She knew better than to drag it.

Then, with a sharp nod, she extended her hands and began chanting.

Ancient words split the air like thunder. Runes lit the cell walls in a fiery glow. The moment the spell hit Freya’s chest, she screamed. A broken, bloodcurdling sound that no human throat should’ve been able to make.

Blood gushed from her nose. Her back arched. Her chains rattled violently. Alpha Torin felt a sudden desperate pull towards her and he reached for her but quickly withdrew his hand, his own emotions shocking him at that moment. Their bond was so alive he could feel every ounce of it in his body. He jerked his head away from her, and the spell went on.

Elira faltered mid-chant, crying out as a blast of energy punched through her chest. “She’s…she’s fighting me!”

Freya’s eyes rolled back, her voice breaking into whimpers, but she didn’t stop resisting. Power surged from her like a final breath of defiance.

Elira continued, lips trembling, hands shaking as she forced the spell deeper.

With a sharp cry, the witch collapsed.

Torin crouched to the witch’s form on the floor and asked, “Was it done?”

Elira didn’t answer right away. She was on her knees, panting, staring at Freya like she was something carved from a nightmare.

“It was done,” she whispered.

*

The chains were finally removed and Freya crumpled to the ground, barely conscious. A tray was shoved toward her by Torin, containing three pieces of sliced bread and water.

Torin looked down at her frame and said, “You will be in here till I decide what to do with you” He walked away after.

Freya dragged herself to the tray and firstly chugged down the water then started devouring the bread like an animal, ravenous and wild-eyed. Then, shaking, she crawled back to the wall and let the cold cradle her.

She couldn’t comprehend what had happened earlier, but the fact that the chain was removed and she was able to eat something even though it didn’t satiate her hunger, made her feel slightly relieved. And there was something else, she didn’t feel like she had powers again. Her body felt normal, only the wolf in her was alive—Weakly.

Sleep came and she was ready to embrace it when a voice broke the tender moment.

“Hey.” Her head jerked to the side. It wasn’t Alpha Torin’s voice. This one was tender. It was the warmest voice she had heard since she met herself in the dungeon.

The male figure leaned against the bar, sharp blue eyes looking down at her. She had seen the face before but couldn’t place it. Then it clicked.

“You…”

“I’m Caleb. I never got the chance to meet you properly.” Why was he being warm to her? Are they all not the same? Beastly and heartless.

Despite herself, a low sad chuckle escaped her lips. “The cruel Alpha’s beta is here to gloat too. Are you here to toss your insult before they cut my throat?”

Her voice was weak. She just wanted to sleep and maybe… just maybe get to have a bath.

Beta Caleb’s lips twitched. “Not exactly.” Amusement reflected in his tone, but his gaze held empathy and interest. What did he want?

“Then what do you want?” she snapped, her voice barely projecting like she wanted it.

Stepping closer, and crouching to level with her weak figure on the floor, he locked eyes with her and said,

“I want to be your friend.”