~TOBIAS~
Tobias paced outside the packhouse, his muscles taut with frustration after the meeting. Nothing had been decided yet and every second they wasted felt like a betrayal to Freya. His wolf growled low in his chest, demanding action, demanding their mate. But the Alpha’s words kept ringing in his ears—charging in blind would only make things worse. Still, it didn’t stop his mind from racing, replaying her screams, the fear he could feel through their bond.
“Tobias.”
He turned to see George stepping out of the packhouse. His sandy blonde hair was tousled, and his sharp hazel eyes carried the weight of the situation. Calm and steady as ever, George was the picture of control, the perfect counterbalance to Tobias’s barely contained fury.
“We need a proper plan,” George said. “And we need help.”
Tobias stopped pacing, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t need help. I need to go after her.”
“And get yourself killed?” George shot back, his voice firm. “Think, Tobias. Freya needs you alive. We don’t know where they’ve taken her. We need warriors who can fight and strategists who can track. You can’t do this alone.”
Tobias’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. He hated admitting George was right.
George nodded, sensing his reluctant agreement. “I’ve already spoken to Liam. He’s waiting in the training grounds. Zara volunteered too.”
“Zara?” Tobias asked, a flicker of surprise cutting through his frustration. “She’s usually more concerned about following the Alpha’s orders.”
“She believes in protecting the pack,” George said simply. “And whether you like it or not after the way she was treated by some, Freya is pack.”
Tobias grunted, his wolf pacing beneath his skin. “Fine. Let’s meet them.”
Liam was leaning against a wooden post in the training grounds, his arms crossed as he watched a few younger wolves spar. His broad shoulders and lean frame exuded a quiet strength, and his dark blue eyes followed every movement on the field with sharp precision. A mop of sandy brown hair fell slightly into his face, but he didn’t seem to notice or care.
He straightened as Tobias and George approached, his sharp gaze immediately locking onto Tobias’s tense frame.
“Tobias,” Liam said in his usual calm tone. “You look like you’ve been through hell.”
“I feel like it too,” Tobias admitted, running a hand through his dark hair. “George says you’re in.”
Liam nodded. “You know I am. Besides, someone needs to make sure you don’t get yourself killed rushing in like an idiot.”
George chuckled, and even Tobias managed a small smirk. That was Liam—always steady, always watching. He might not have been the loudest wolf in the pack, but his presence commanded respect.
“Good,” Tobias said. “We’ll need your head for strategy.”
“And my teeth for the fight,” Liam added with a faint grin.
The sound of boots crunching on gravel made them all turn. Zara strode into the training grounds, her long, dark braid swinging against her back. Her piercing green eyes, flecked with gold, locked on Tobias, her expression cool and assessing. The faint scar cutting across her cheek only added to her intimidating presence, a reminder of the battles she had already fought and won.
“Tobias,” she said, her tone even but firm. “You’ll need more than brute force if you’re planning on going after the rogues. You’ll need discipline. Precision.”
“And you think you’re the one to provide it?” Tobias asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zara met his gaze without flinching. “You know I am. You need someone who can keep their head in the field, not just react on instinct.”
Tobias studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Fine. But this isn’t just another mission, Zara. Freya’s my mate. This is personal.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” Zara replied. “But if we’re going to succeed, we’ll need more than emotion driving us.”
“Then let’s get started,” Tobias said. “We don’t have time to waste.”
As Tobias and the group moved toward the packhouse, Helena stepped into their path. Her long, dark hair was tied back in a sleek ponytail, and her light brown eyes flashed with a mix of anger and frustration. She crossed her arms, blocking Tobias’s way.
“I want answers,” she demanded, her voice sharp. “You walk back into the packhouse covered in blood, barely say a word, and now you’re rounding up warriors? What the hell is going on, Tobias?”
Tobias growled low in his throat, brushing past her without a word, but Helena stepped in front of him again, her glare locking onto his. “No. You don’t get to ignore me. You owe me an explanation.”
“Helena,” George said, stepping forward. “Not now.”
Her eyes darted to George, then back to Tobias, her frustration growing. “Don’t give me that, George. I’m not blind. This is about her, isn’t it? That girl from the cottage.”
Tobias froze mid-step, his fists clenching at his sides. His wolf stirred, bristling at the mention of Freya.
“She’s my mate,” Tobias said, his voice low but firm. “And she’s been taken. That’s all you need to know.”
Helena’s mouth opened slightly, her expression shifting between disbelief and fury. “Your mate?” she hissed, her tone dripping with venom. “You’re telling me that reject is your mate?”
Tobias turned, his dark brown eyes blazing. “Yes, Helena. She’s my mate. Not you. Not anyone else. Freya.”
The words landed like a blow. Helena flinched, then quickly masked her hurt with a sneer. “You’ll regret this, Tobias,” she spat. “Mark my words.”
Liam, who had been watching silently, finally stepped forward. His sharp blue eyes locked onto Helena, his tone calm but firm. “Enough. Walk away, Helena.”
She hesitated for a moment, her fists clenching at her sides. Then, with a glare that could cut glass, she turned and stormed off toward the packhouse.
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