Chapter 3

Chapter III

Freya

I opened my eyes to the sound of the car door opening. Scarlet leaned in and gently carried Theo who was still asleep in his school shorts and t-shirt.

I stepped out of the car, closed the door behind me and followed her into the house.

The moment we stepped inside, I noticed how messy everything looked. Clothes were scattered, plates sat unwashed from breakfast, and dust had settled on surfaces. I was exhausted, but I didn’t know if I should start cleaning or just lay down. Part of me wanted to sleep and run away from the reality I still couldn’t believe was happening.

I watched as Scarlet carried Theo into our small bedroom and laid him down carefully. Then she began tidying up the living room without saying a word. I felt a deep wave of gratitude. Scarlet had been my rock since the day we met.

We crossed paths in a bar shortly after I ran away from the ruins of my pack. I was broken, homeless and lost. The Moon Goddess must have sent her my way. After I told her a little about myself, she didn’t hesitate. She opened her home to me and has been my only real friend ever since.

And my colleagues? My colleagues at the clinic… they barely noticed I didn’t show up today. I picked up my phone to see if there’s any call or text. None. It’s just that… it would affect my pay and I would have less to contribute to this home.

I grabbed a small towel from the kitchen wall and started wiping the surfaces. Scarlet walked over to me and gently took the towel from my hand.

“Freya, you need to rest.”

“I’m okay,” I muttered.

“No, you’re not. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?” She shook her head. “We are of the same age but if you don’t rest properly, you’ll age faster than me. Please, just rest. Theo will wake up soon.”

Tears burned at the back of my eyes, but I blinked them away. “Thank you.”

I walked into our small bedroom. The room we all shared wasn’t big, but Theo had his own little space. I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes, hoping sleep would help me escape, even for a little while.

Seconds passed. Maybe minutes. Maybe hours… but when I woke up it was dark outside. And I didn't wake up on my own accord.

It was the plate crashing sound I heard that woke me up. I stretched my body and stood up. As I walked toward the kitchen area, I saw Scarlet and Theo setting up the small dining table. I checked my watch. 7:31 pm. How had the day disappeared so fast?

“Sorry about the noise,” Scarlet said with a smile. “Theo was just helping me out. We’ve been trying to keep things under control, but we are good now, come sit. Dinner is almost ready.”

I looked at her face. “Have you slept at all, Scarlet?”

“How much sleep do you want me to get? Worry about yourself, not me.” Her words hit me harder than I expected.

“I’ll just take a quick bath, I'll be right back.”

In the bathroom and stripped off my clothes and turned on the hot tap, making the water warm. I sank into the bath tub, letting the heat relax my muscles. As I washed my body and combed through my hair, I tried to push away thoughts of that night… Thoughts of sleeping with a royal wolf… Thoughts of finally meeting the man who kept appearing in my dreams…. Theo’s father.

But fear for Theo kept creeping in. His powers were too strong for a five year old. I didn’t want anyone to harm him or make his condition worse, even if he needed proper training… What if going to Blackmoon made things better? What if it made them worse?

Why didn’t he find me before? Why now? And how? After that night, I woke up alone in that big bed. He abandoned me. He left without a word. He made his decision. And now he suddenly wanted my son??? How did he even know Theo was his? How did he know I was the one? Unless he knew all along and chose to let me suffer alone.

My jaw tightened with anger.

I finished bathing, wrapped a big grey towel around myself, and decided to bathe Theo too.

When I stepped out, they were already eating at the table. I joined them anyway, still in my towel. I would go back to the bathroom later so there was no point in changing fits.

The food tasted amazing, as always. Scarlet owned a restaurant and was an excellent cook. She insisted on being the chef of the house. Tonight she made chicken pasta, one of Theo’s favorites. He was the first to finish off his food and requested for more.

I watched Scarlet eat while keeping an eye on Theo as he gobbled down his food. One can mistake her for his real mother. A small pang of jealousy hit me.

“Don’t forget your water, Theo,” I reminded him.

When everyone was done, Scarlet left the plates for me like she always did. It could be annoying sometimes but tonight, I didn’t mind. I cleared the table and washed the plates off while Theo and Scarlet talked about their day.

“I couldn’t let him get away the second time so I got angry.” Theo said, folding his arms and stomping his little feet.

“Oh yeah?” Scarlet replied, smiling.

“Yeah!”

She tickled his side, making him burst into giggles.

I cleared my throat, “It’s time for your bath.”

“Yayyy!” Theo shouted and ran toward the bathroom door. He always loved bath time.

He was happily playing in the bubble bath when I finished washing him. I scooped some bubbles and blew them gently on his face. He giggled and scooped some himself, blowing them back at me.

“Don’t be a naughty boy,” I laughed.

Theo giggled louder, sending bubbles flying into the air.

“Okay, that’s enough—”

Suddenly his body jerked. The laughter stopped as his small frame started shaking violently. My heart dropped.

“Theo?”

His eyes had turned to bright gold.

“Theo!” I poured water over him to wash the bubbles away and grabbed him quickly. “Scarlet!”