Lucian walked like a ghost through the fancy parts that led to Alpha Torin’s main building. The Alpha’s main grounds were crawling with guards of tight ranks.

He couldn’t help but anticipate seeing Freya emerge from those walls. The desperation he felt, hence, why he was now stalking toward the guard at the gate.

He knew this was risky, he was just an ordinary man with stubborn veins, and Hunter’s instinct, and a man who was dying to see and save his betrothed.

He darted across the path leading toward the eastern corridor, aiming to get past it but was suddenly stopped by a voice.

“Hey!” The voice was like a guttural snarl, causing Lucian to whip his head towards it.

The guard started to stroll towards him, thick brown brown furrowing with curiosity as his pale gray eyes scanned Lucian as he approached.

Lucian took in his features, gauging his large size and height, to have an idea on how to take him down in case a fight breaks out. The guard had a blade strapped to his body.

“What’s a human slave like you doing in the royal vicinity?”

The guard sneered, eyes narrowing like he could pin him down anytime soon. “You think the Alpha’s halls are a stroll ground for your kind?”

Lucian’s mind scrambled for something to say. His mouth opened but nothing came out.

“I…”

“Oh there you are! I’ve been looking for you.” A feminine voice caught both of their attention. Lucian’s eyes snapped wide but he quickly recomposed.

A girl approached from the dirt trail, dropping a heavy sack of grain with a loud thud. Her dress was patched, her hair stuck to her damp forehead, and her cheeks were dusted with effort.

She strode up, feigning breathlessness, and flashed the guard a crooked, sweet smile. “This is my brother. Head cook sent me to bring grain for the lower kitchen, and he was just trying to help. Right?” She looked to Lucian with wide, pleading eyes.

Lucian blinked, then caught on. “Y-Yeah. She asked for help. That’s all. ”

Then he looked her way. “Amelia, you should have waited for me to come, now you will complain all night of back ache from carrying all these sacks”

The guard looked between them, unimpressed. “You don’t tell her what to carry or not to carry. Your sister is a slave, so she will do the job slaves are meant to do.” The guard growled. Lucian’s hands were already itching.

If they were outside here and he had his Gun filled with bullets of blood wolfsbane or had his lethal arrow, he would have struck this one’s neck with it.

“Don’t mind him. He cares for me a lot and that often clouds his better judgment.” Amelia said softly, bowing to the guard.

A low growl rumbled in the guard’s throat. “Next time, your brother better wait in the slave quarters where he belongs. If I catch him here again without reason, I’ll rip his neck clean off.”

Lucian nodded quickly. “Understood.”

The guard spat near Lucian’s boot, then turned away.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Amelia grabbed Lucian’s wrist and yanked him around the side of the storage wall, where the old grain bins lay unused.

“Are you crazy?” she hissed, eyes wide with disbelief. “What the hell are you doing here? Do you want to die?”

Lucian didn’t answer.

She shoved him once in the chest, but not so hard. “Tell me you didn’t sneak past the gates, all these wolves just for some suicide mission.”

His jaw clenched tight. “I came for Freya.”

Amelia paused before another sentence could form. The words hit her like a slap across the face.

Everything inside her…her breath, her heart, her hope, just… paused.

Freya.

That name had become poison in her thoughts. Why did Lucian still care about Freya? She had tainted her to them, even gave herself to Lucian so he could withdraw totally from Freya, but…he had risked his life to come look for her?

Lucian didn’t notice the subtle tremble in her lip or the way her gaze darkened.

“I told the team she was fine,” she said softly, trying not to let the tremor betray her. “That she was… safe. Living like a queen in the Alpha’s lair. You’re wasting your risk.”

Lucian looked away. “I don’t care what she’s living like. I just need to see her. Know she’s okay. Her father is worried too. She has to leave with us.”

The dagger twisted deeper in Amelia’s chest.

She said nothing for a long moment. Then, with a soft, fake smile, she said, “You will. Maybe not today. But I’ll find a way to get you a moment. Just don’t be stupid again. Promise?”

Lucian nodded, still distracted.

She hated that look. The way his heart wasn’t with her even when she was the one saving his life. He didn’t even convey being scared for her too. Lucian didn't care about her?

Maybe it was time Freya learned the cost of staying in the Alpha’s lair.

And now that Lucian was here, she would make sure she owned all of his attention. Freya must die.

*

Meanwhile, Freya in her small chamber was having a deep missing moment. The memories of her father, hunter Garrick, filled her head.

Even though most memories with him weren’t fancy ones, she missed him alot. It was way better going through those hunting trainings, receiving scold from her father than being here.

It had only been weeks, yet she felt like she had been suffering here since forever. She was already tired, yet there lays the mission to bring the Alpha to his knee. How would she do that?

Breaking into silent sobs, she drew her blanket to cover her, wipe her tears, and closed her eyes. She just wanted to sleep it off and pretend that this harsh reality of her never existed.

Half-trapped in a restless sleep, she heard the sound of the door creaked across the room. She didn’t move. A slant of cold air slipped in before the door closed back.

She didn’t open her eyes as she heard heavy footsteps closing in. She didn’t need to, she could feel him. Her heart clenched in her chest. What was he doing in her room?