Both Freya and Kiera knelt before Alpha Torin, Luna Athena standing beside the Alpha’s throne. Kiera trembled, and Freya on the other hand found it hard to maintain composure. Not after she was subjected to both physical and mental torture.

Alpha Torin’s eyes lowered to Freya’s hands. Her raw, reddened, shredded palms. His expression that seemed carved from granite almost faltered, but then, he averted his gaze.

“I gave you a task,” He started, “And you dared to share it.” His voice held venom and a promise of punishment. Freya wanted this to end as soon as possible. What was her fate now?

Beside her, Kiera whimpered. Freya looked her way but her gaze didn’t linger there. She hoped, really hoped that Kiera wouldn’t have to be punished because of her. The Omega’s head was lowered so low her nose was almost touching the floor.

“They both deserve to spend a week in the dungeon without food or water.” Luna Athena commented with spite beside the Alpha. Kiera gasped, her hand flying up to cover her lips because she couldn’t stop the way her fear was expressing itself.

Alpha Torin ignored the Luna, his attention on the two kneeling before him. “You, leave,” Alpha Torin commanded, his gaze on Kiera. She looked up on instinct then looked around with wonder as if there was another person he could be referring to.

“W-What?”

“You heard me.” His voice didn’t rise than the tempo it was.

Kiera looked to Freya with wide eyes, but Freya couldn’t even muster a reaction. She was stunned. The Alpha was letting Kiera go? She had wished for that but it wasn’t expected.

“The punishment,” Torin added slowly, “will be hers alone.”

A sharp breath escaped Freya’s lips, her eyes closing for half a second. Relief. Bone-deep, agonizing relief washed through her. Kiera wouldn’t suffer. That was enough. That would make whatever her own punishment would be worth it.

Kiera rose slowly, hesitating as if still waiting for a blow that didn’t come. “Thank you my Alpha. Thank you. Thank you my lord.” Her words came out expressing her disbelief. She bowed quickly and fled. But when she passed the hallway and was sure she was out of sight, she stopped and lingered there, holding her breath to hear what would befall the girl she tried to help.

Luna Athena lips curled in dissatisfaction, as if she wasn’t expecting the Alpha to let Kiera go without punishment. But then, she was more interested in Freya’s.

Alpha Torin refocused his gaze on Freya, who was still knelt on the floor with her gaze lowered. He could tell she was just maintaining composure and was breaking inside, burning outside. Good.

“You have earned yourself a new task,” she said, and she shivered, awaiting the inevitable. If it didn’t kill her, it would make her stronger right?

“She should be sent out to kneel under the sky,” Luna Athena cut in, her voice icy. “Two days with no food or rest. Let the sun blister her skin and the cold at night remind her of her place.”

Freya’s heart sank. The Luna , who had shown interest in her as a man, now detested her like one would detest death. She had driven a knife through her chest and she had woken up by miracle. She didn’t know how that was possible yet, didn’t believe all that she heard about her having powers.

But one thing was for sure. If she ever survived this? Luna Athena would be the second she would go all out to kill. Alpha Torin being the first.

The Alpha lifted a hand to silence his chosen Luna.

“No,” he said. “She comes with me.”

Freya’s head lifted sharply, now confused. The Luna stiffened in place, but didn’t speak.

Torin slowly rose to his feet and signaled for Freya to follow him.

She staggered to her feet, her knees wobbling. Blood dripped silently to the ground from her open palms as she followed him. The pain from it burned but she withstood it. She had to be strong.

They stepped into the castle corridor, leaving Athena behind. Freya fell in steps behind the Alpha, her stomach churning with fear and disgust. Her gaze shifted to the west wing as she heard deep footsteps of boots clicking on the floor.

That was when Beta Caleb emerged, dirt on his boots and his leather coat lined with dust from the wilds. His pretty blue eyes narrowed as they fell on Freya.

And his steps faltered.

His gaze locked on her torn hands. Her blood. Her face, swollen from the Luna’s hit. Freya didn’t look away either. She recognized him. How would she not? He had been on her mind since he presented her good food in the dungeon and asked to be her friend.

He looked like he wanted to speak, but his jaw clenched as he swallowed his words. It was glaring he didn’t like how he met her. Alpha Torin on the other hand didn’t spare him a glance as he led Freya away.

Freya’s eyes held Caleb’s for a heartbeat longer than they should have, then she passed by him.

She said nothing. He said nothing.

Alpha Torin and Freya finally got to a heavy door. He opened it, and a rush of earthy, stale air met her. Inside was a wide, stone-lined storeroom. The scent of grain, dust, and iron filled the air. The space was lowly lit, but Freya could make out dozens of bags stacked against the wall.

There were also two silent guards managing the store room.

One stood straighter when Torin entered.

“Alpha.”

“This slave will count every grain in this sack…” he pointed to one big sack near the entrance “—one by one. She will place them in this basin. If she stops for a moment, you’ll call for me. I don’t care how long it takes her. Even if it’s until next moon. Not one grain less.”

Freya’s lips parted with utter surprise. She was beyond dazed. It sounded unrealistic. It was unbelievable. She couldn’t, she would die.

“You want me to count... each... grain?”

She asked as it dawned on her again, shock pouring through her, swallowing whatever strength she had left.

The Alpha leaned in closer, his gold eyes standing out in the low litted room as he replied to her. “Yes. You will count them with those shredded fingers you earned by being an enemy disguised as a man to deceive me and kill me.” His tone was scary, but his hard expression was even scarier.

Freya’s eyes became glossy, shaking as she held the tears in. She would rather cry when he leaves. She wouldn’t in his presence.

“And you will not leave this room until it is done.”

He turned to leave but paused. “Try to cheat,” he added, “and you’ll be licking the dungeon walls for your next meal.”

At this moment, Freya couldn’t see any beauty he harbored physically. Alpha Torin had really earned his reputation. He was that vicious Alpha. But Freya had a better idea to describe him, he was a soulless monster.