Chapter 3

Freya’s POV

The forest was slanting its morning sun in all directions, all over the dirt. I was sitting on a broken log, and my arm was sore as I was still feeling the dull ache in it. Lucian was cowering just around, at a small fire which he had made. He is still a bit strange with me, yet he rescued my life, and I cannot turn a blind eye to that.

You are too quiet, he said without looking up, and disturbed the heavy silence. Keep interested in the questions that are swirling in your head, I guess.

I hesitated, biting my lip. "Why did you save me, really? And why do you know so much of me?

The fire was crackling, and Lucian poked another stick of wood into it. Due to the fact that I followed your pack all these years. I am familiar with Kane, his leadership and the legends he created during his rule.

I stiffened. "You hate him, don’t you?"

His eyes were silver, and there was a brewing emotion. "Hate is too weak a word. Kane killed my life, my family, my pack. He's no Alpha, Freya. He's a tyrant."

My heart wavered, and I scowled. His rejection had come like a blow to Kane, but when Lucian talked of him so bitterly, it woke something up within me. "Why should I believe you?"

Lucian smirked, sharp as ever. "You don’t have to. But tell me, Freya--has he never handled you like you were so? Or does he not know you have ever been to him as a mere instrument to his Blueblood Pack?

I gulp; his words cut even deeper than I would like to admit. You do not know what it is like... to be turned down.

"Oh, but I do," Lucian said darkly. I can get thrown away by people I thought could be trusted. And I shall ensure that they pay all, beginning with Kane.

At the Blueblood Pack, Kane was sitting in his office, gazing upon the territory map on the wall. His mind had not been on boundaries or documents; it was on me.

His hands gripped his frustration rising within him. The pack made the correct decision of rejecting me, right?

Something seemed to bother you, you do look troubled, said a low voice behind him.

He looked around at Sophia with her fair features, radiant with golden hair. She came round to his side and touched him on the arm. "Is it about the girl?"

Kane jerked back, his jaw set. "Freya is none of your concern."

Sophia smiled with her lips, yet her eyes were flashing icily. "You did what you had to. She was not worthy to stand with her, Kane. You must have a strong person, a person like -.

I do not need advice, Sophia; I do not need advice, Kane interrupted her. When she went, he sat in his chair and had his head in his hands. He could never get the picture of my face with streaming eyes off his mind, however much he attempted to defend his deeds.

Small, prudent strides took Sophia through the thick trees to some lonely spot. Liam stood waiting, propping himself against a tree. His black eyes shone with her approach.

About time, he said, and then he pushed himself off the tree. I was just starting to wonder why you were chickening out.

Sophia glared. "Don’t be ridiculous. I am as glad that Kane will fall as you are.

Liam chuckled, arms crossed. Oh, I do not think you take any interest in Kane falling. You simply want to be queen, whoever you have to walk over on the way.

She didn't deny it. Instead, she gave him a little vial containing a misty, dark fluid. "This will weaken him," she said. That will do your rogues well enough to have a blow when it comes.

"And the girl?" Liam asked, tone serious.

"Freya?" Sophia scoffed. "She’s no threat. Let her rot wherever she ran away.

Liam smirked and put the vial in his pocket. "We’ll see about that."

Lucian made his way to me, in sure and steady steps across the wood. I trailed on, yet with doubts whether or not I could trust him.

"Where are we going?" I asked, breaking the silence.

To some uncanny spot where no man is, I said, and with unfocused eyes.

I glanced around nervously. The trees were overshadowing, and the branches were skeletal fingers, twisting. And why do you take so much concern about me?

Lucian gave a sudden stop and looked up at me. Freya, because you are more than you think, Freya. Kane has turned his back on you, but he does not know what he has lost.

I was twisting at what he said. "What are you talking about?"

He moved to come nearer, with silver eyes staring at me. "Your lineage. Your power. It is not visible, but it is deep inside, and I can feel it. And I can help you unlock it."

I shook my head, backing away. "I don’t understand. I’m just… me. A servant, a reject—"

You are so much more, I interrupted, and you know it. And then tell me why you think you were attacked by the rogues, not because I do not believe you? Why are they hunting you?"

I froze, his words sinking in. The ferocity of the rogues, their unremitting chase... it was not to be understood. Unless...

They knew, I said to myself in chills of realisation. "They knew who I am."

Lucian nodded. And so does Kane, whether he likes it or not. That was the reason why he turned his back on you, Freya. He fears you."

I was heart racing with confusion and fear in my heart. "What am I?"

Lucian lost his scowl and mumbled in a low voice. You are an heir of something, something strong and forgotten. And to live, you will have to accept it.

I had no time to answer when the ground shook violently, with deep rumbling in the forest. Lucian tightened his eyes and went on alert.

They discovered us, he said to himself, in a hurry.

“Who?” I asked, panic rising in my chest.

Lucian’s gaze darkened. “The hunters. And they won’t stop until they’ve taken everything from you.”