DORA

Freya's POV:

The ceremony started once the sun set and the moon rose. It was a full moon and from what Sopgie had told me they held this ceremony whenever there was a full moon.

“Sit here and don't move around unnecessarily,” Sophie had instructed before she joined the procession.

I was currently obeying her instruction although I was getting weird glances.

At first I wondered why until I realised that all slaves sat behind.

I wanted to move but for some reason, it felt like Sophie had her eyes on me from where she was seated.

“Who gather here to worship the loon goddess,” the Alpha started.

He seemed to have a limp that wasn't obvious if he didn't move around a lot.

The elders were right behind him while the Alpha's family sat in front.

I didn't recognise any other person apart from Duncan and Sophie.

Bruno wasn't here.

It was as if he didn't exist and everyone seemed to find it normal.

I had waited for one of the side gossips but it never came.

“We worship her for giving us victory and protecting us,” the Alpha's continued and the people chanted in response.

“Hail the moon goddess.”

I didn't know if I had the right to say it as the slaves kept quiet.

Time soon passed and the actual ceremony began. The noise started to get to me at some point so I left.

A part of me wanted to stay because of Sophie's instruction but even the slaves weren't there anymore.

It was past midnight now and the only source of light seemed to be the bright moonlight. I couldn't help but constantly glance at it as I approached the pack house.

My feet involuntarily stopped in front of Duncan's house. I stared at it long enough for a thought to occur in my head.

“Hell no,” I muttered to myself and tried to move but my legs refused.

Duncan was obviously not home so sneaking in shouldn't be much of a problem.

With that assurance in mind, I looked around and when I was sure no one was watching, I opened the door.

Surprisingly, it opened without resistance and I took it as another sign.

Shutting the door behind me, I couldn't do much but pray it wouldn't backfire.

“It's all good,” I said to myself, placing a hand on my chest to calm my thumping heart.

The scent from Duncan was the first thing to hide before I took in the surroundings. I've been here just once or twice but never got the chance to look around.

The house looked nothing like the owner of a hamster which wasn't much of a surprise since he was hiding the pet.

I walked up the stairs, pausing a bit when it creaked. I went still for a minute, waiting for someone to pop out but I was met with silence.

Letting out a sigh of relief, I continued my journey. There was nothing exciting here.

Just several empty rooms so I went back down the stairs, putting an end to my little excursion.

I had barely placed my feet on the last step when a body slammed into me.

I let out a groan when my side hit the whole, my whole bones resonating.

I heard quick movements as the person came closer making me panic.

I tried to run but I could only crouch in pain. For more than a second, my vision was unfocused.

Was this how I was going to die? As an intruder. The thought made my hands shake in fear.

The attackers grabbed my head before I could plead for mercy and said, “Freya?”

I could recognise that voice anywhere and glanced up to confirm.

It was indeed Duncan. Although he was half-naked.

My shoulder slouched in relief as tears flowed.

“I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were the one,” he said, crouching to meet my eyes.

I nodded as I wiped the tears away and tried to move but ended up slumping back.

My bones still ached and couldn’t imagine what it felt like for anyone who picked an actual fight with Duncan.

“Let me help you,” he said and before I could resist, I was already in his arms.

I pressed my head into his naked chest, trying to relieve the pain I felt in my left shoulder.

It felt like it was dislocated even though I was sure it was intact.

Being constantly abused by my father made me know basic injuries without checking them out.

“Were you looking for me?” Duncan asked after placing me on the couch, his eyes scanning my body.

I was close to nodding but I paused for a second. If I lied, wouldn't he ask why I wanted to see him?

I didn't want to give him the impression that I was ready to have that conversation with him.

“No,” I replied, barely audible.

Duncan frowned, placing his hands on his waist. My eyes followed the movement and diverted to his partially visible V line.

Out of embarrassment, I looked away and felt my cheeks get hot.

Why did he lack normal decency? I had to be grateful that he even wore trousers.

“Then what were you doing?”

I looked at him briefly, resisting the urge to glance down before I looked away completely.

“Exploring,” I whispered.

I knew i wasn't audible so when he asked me to come again, i would only pick on my dress.

Clearing my throat, I said again, “Exploring.”

Duncan paused for so long I had to glance up. His eyes were narrowed at me as if he was suspicious.

It was clear he had something to hide but asking me questions would only lead to keep asking my own questions.

“If you say so,” he said in a breath.

Without warning, Duncan sat right next to me with his full attention on me.

I felt my whole body stiffen as I stole glances at him, getting caught most of the time.

Having him this close made me feel so hot that I wanted to get on my feet.

Maybe I should…

“Freya,” he called my name out of nowhere and I jolted.

Duncan let out a chuckle as if he knew exactly what he was doing.

His left hand stretched behind me and I couldn't help but turn to a complete statue this time.

Why was he doing this?

I could feel my heart in my throat when I took a huge gulp of air.

“Do you have anything in particular you want to talk about?” He said.

I didn't know if he was talking about that specific conversation so I turned to him.

His eyes were closed and he seemed so relaxed for someone who was half-naked.

My eyes trailed from his hair all the way to his lips and paused there for a second. His face seemed so perfect and I couldn't help but be jealous.

I let my eyes go astray and paused on a chiseled chest, my grip on my dress tightening as I stared at his hard abs.

The urge to touch them grew so I decided to go further south and that was when I noticed.

A second passed and the only thing I could hear was the ticking of the wall clock somewhere and a pulsating feeling somewhere in my body.

I let out a shaky breath and swallowed my saliva.

I couldn't take my eyes from what they were staring at while wondering how Duncan was comfortable with this being so obvious.

He didn't just manspread but also did it on the table.

“Maybe he isn't expecting you to stare at his hard on,” a voice in my head sneered.

I let my eyes travel back to the first spot and felt my heart stop working for a second when I met Duncan's eyes.

He had caught me staring at his hard on.

The silence was deafening as I stared at him while he had a smirk on his face.

I didn't have anything to say and I couldn't look away either.

Just as I cleared my throat to give a stupid excuse, Duncan said, “Looks like something might have caught your interest after all.”