Freya was going to see the Alpha with one mission in mind, to beg to be relieved of tasks as his slave. She was wrong, she couldn’t do this. Is this what she would have to face everyday? Weak body, shredded skins, and going unconscious?

It was only a matter of time before she dies if she continued like this. Fury clawed up her spine as she continued to walk to the Alpha’s hall.

But as she neared, she started to hear voices coming from the hall. He had guests?

She leaned against the wall then crept closer, just enough to peer through the slit between the towering double doors. She immediately spotted Alpha Torin’s frame and that familiar unwanted butterflies formed in her stomach, her entire being yearning to drift forward, to be where he was.

Was this the reason she wanted to see him? It wasn’t to ask him to relieve her of her tasks, it was to be in his presence. To see him, to smell him.

How could she want this with someone she hated with every ounce and whole of her? “I’m damned,” She muttered to herself then suddenly clasped her own mouth with her hand before the wolves would sense her.

“Alpha Silas of the Northern blood pack has declared himself the rightful heir of the Crystal Throne.” One of the guests announced. “He’s challenging your claim, and currently, he’s angry that you are already ruling and haven’t met him yet.”

The Crystal Throne? Freya had once heard about it while his father planned against wolves a couple of years ago. The Crystal Throne was the seat above all Alphas. The title only one bloodline could claim.

The wolf guest’s information was met with a dark and mockery chuckle from Alpha Torin. That was the first time Freya would hear him laugh, and he looked disgustingly handsome doing it even though the laughter wasn’t anything less evil.

The laughter didn’t last. Alpha Torin’s jaw clenched so hard it was a wonder his teeth didn’t shatter.

“Alpha Silas?” Torin called as if the name itself was strange. “So this Alpha Silas wants me to give up the throne for him?” He asked, his tone sounding like it was made of pure steel.

“Our Alpha, he wants a challenge. He’s willing to combat with you and whoever wins, claims the throne according to his words.”

There was a pause then another man spoke. “But if you will take my advice, Alpha, I will say you shouldn’t accept his offer. Alpha Silas uses magic, and according to what we have researched about him, he gets away with everything with the help of the magic he uses. He must have a great sorcerer backing him up.”

As if the man’s words were offensive, Alpha Torin dashed to him within the blink of an eye and grabbed him by his throat. The man choked, eyes widening as Torin’s hold tightened further around his neck.

“Do not insult me with your fear. Don’t you ever underestimate my power or tell me what to do.” Torin warned. “Magic is no shield against me”

The man nodded as far as his restricted neck could move. The other man had his gaze lowered as if it was forbidden to look at the scene before him. Torin finally shoved the man in his hold to the ground.

Freya hadn’t realized that her mouth had hung open all along. The Alpha indeed had a really short temper.

“Tell him I accept his offer to challenge strength.” Alpha Torin finalized, a cold smil settling on his face as he returned to his throne and spreaded his arms on the armrest.

Freya couldn’t help but think…why would he accept such lethal offer when the so called opponent might use sorcery against him?

Well, she hoped he dies while at it. That would save her in achieving this mission faster so she could return back home.

But why did she feel bad? Her gaze didn’t leave Alpha ya Torin as she thought about all this.

“Eavesdropping is a bad habit in our world.” A masculine voice interrupting Freya’s moment had her spun around, almost stumbling back in fear.

“Beta Caleb?” She called out, recognizing the one who had proposed to be her friend. The one who had showed her kindness under this gods forsaken place.

“You will get yourself killed.” He said then within the blink of an eye, his hand shot out to grab hers then pulled her into a corner, away from the entrance.

Having her back against the wall, his hand flew up to cover her mouth, his face right above hers. Freya’s eyes widened, not understanding what he was up to.

“Shhhh” He whispered. Then, movement around the entrance he had just dragged Freya away from caught their attention. They both tilt their heads to look as someone came out to investigate the area. Surely, Freya’s presence had been felt.

After the guard scanned around and saw no one, he returned inside. Caleb slowly looked back to Freya, his oceanic blue eyes meeting her electric blue ones. Caleb slowly released his hand from her mouth, his breath heaving.

His thoughts were swirling with his dead lover, who Freya looked almost exactly like. The resemblance was too much, but he quickly drifted out of that thought anyways.

“You saw that?” He asked, gesturing at the entrance a guard just scanned. “You could have been caught.”

“I wasn’t listening.” Freya defended herself, supporting her lie with a frown.

Caleb’s brow lifted in quiet amusement, though the glint in his gaze was all steel. “You forget how good our hearing is.” He took a slow step forward, letting the silence stretch between them. “You’re lucky it was me who found you and not him.”

Freya said nothing.

Caleb had caught her already, there was no need buttressing her lie.

“But why does he want to challenge someone who can kill him with magic?”

Freya’s question caugh Caleb unaware. Why did she care to know?

Beta Caleb slowly stalk towards her, but she was already against the wall and couldn’t move back.

“Why do you care?”

“Care? I don’t give a… I don’t care. I’m just curious.” Her voice came out lower as she said the last three words.

Caleb studied her for a moment then a small smile appeared on his lips. “Sure” Without answering her question, Beta Caleb stepped aside as if granting her passage.

“You look weak, you should get some rest. And…don’t meddle into the affairs of the Alpha, or any wolf at all again. Unless your opinion or presence is sought, you turn deaf ears.”

Freya was sensitive enough, had seen enough to know Beta Caleb didn’t just give an empty advice. She nodded, then began to walk away to her chambers. She needed all the strength she could get before the Alpha summoned her for another task, which she had no idea what it would be next.

Freya had no idea that as she was walking back to her chambers to rest, Hunter Lucian was approaching the building to look for her.