-FREYA-
The forest was quiet as the rescue team crossed into pack territory, the moonlight casting an eerie glow over the familiar paths. Tobias kept Freya close, his arm firm around her waist as they walked. She was exhausted, her steps faltering, but her determination to keep going held her upright.
The packhouse loomed ahead, its warm lights spilling onto the clearing. A small group of wolves lingered outside, their chatter dying as the team approached. Eyes turned toward Freya, their expressions a mix of curiosity, disdain, and confusion.
“Why would they risk so much for her?” someone murmured.
“She’s just a reject,” another scoffed. “What does Tobias see in her?”
Freya’s chest tightened. The weight of their stares pressed against her, but she kept her head down, refusing to let them see her falter. Tobias growled low in his throat, his blue eyes flashing as he shot a warning glare at the onlookers.
“She’s with me,” he said, his voice a quiet threat. The murmurs ceased, but the tension lingered, palpable and heavy.
-TOBIAS-
Inside the packhouse, the Alpha stood waiting. His sharp gaze swept over the group, lingering briefly on Freya. His expression was unreadable, but Tobias didn’t miss the flicker of calculation in his eyes.
“You did well,” the Alpha said, his tone calm and measured. “The pack owes you a debt for bringing her back.”
Tobias stiffened at the words. They sounded more like an obligation than genuine gratitude. “It wasn’t for the pack,” he said evenly. “It was for her.”
The Alpha’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “Of course.” He turned to George, his tone shifting to something more formal. “I want a full report in the morning. For now, get some rest.”
George nodded, but Tobias didn’t move. His instincts bristled at the Alpha’s quiet scrutiny of Freya, the way his gaze lingered just a moment too long. There was something in his eyes—something calculating.
“Freya needs rest,” Tobias said, his voice firm. “I’ll take her to my quarters.”
The Alpha’s smile didn’t falter, but his gaze sharpened. “Do that,” he said smoothly. “She’ll need her strength. We’ll talk more about her…place in the pack soon.”
Tobias didn’t reply. He placed a protective hand on Freya’s lower back, guiding her toward the stairs.
-HELENA-
Helena stood in the shadows of the hallway, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she watched Tobias lead Freya away. Her jaw clenched, and her sharp green eyes narrowed with anger.
She waited until George passed by, then stepped into his path. “Why her?” she demanded, her voice low and biting. “What makes her so special?”
George sighed, his patience already wearing thin from the long night. “Helena, let it go.”
“No,” she snapped, her eyes blazing. “She’s been nothing but trouble since she got here. And now Tobias risks everything for her? Why?”
George hesitated, then said carefully, “She’s his mate. You know how the bond works.”
Helena’s laugh was cold and bitter. “The bond? That’s just an excuse. He deserves better. Someone stronger. Someone who actually belongs here.”
George’s expression hardened. “This isn’t about you, Helena. Tobias made his choice. Respect it.”
But Helena wasn’t listening. Her mind raced, her jealousy simmering into something darker. “She doesn’t belong here,” she said quietly, more to herself than to George. “And I’m going to make sure everyone sees that.”
George frowned, his gaze sharp. “Don’t do anything stupid, Helena.”
But she had already turned away, her thoughts swirling with resentment and determination.
-FREYA-
In Tobias’s quarters, Freya sat awkwardly on the edge of his bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The room was warm, filled with the scent of cedarwood and earth, a stark contrast to the cold stone of her cell. Yet, despite the comfort surrounding her, she felt out of place. Tobias’s presence filled the room with a steady, grounding energy that only made her own unease more pronounced.
Tobias crouched in front of her, his piercing blue eyes searching her face. His movements were slow and deliberate, as though trying not to startle her. “You can rest here,” he said gently, his voice low and calming. “You’re safe now.”
Freya’s throat tightened, her emotions threatening to spill over. “Why did you come for me?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “No one else would have.”
Tobias reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against her cheek as he tucked a loose strand of auburn hair behind her ear. His touch was warm and reassuring, lingering just long enough to make her breath catch. “Because you’re my mate,” he said simply. “And I’ll always come for you.”
The sincerity in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. Freya’s chest tightened, her emotions swirling in a chaotic whirlwind of doubt and longing. She wanted to believe him, to lean into the safety he offered, but the wounds of her past ran deep.
“I don’t even know what that means,” she admitted softly, her hazel eyes dropping to the floor.
“It means I’m here,” Tobias said firmly, his tone unwavering. “And I’m not going anywhere.” He placed a hand gently over hers, his palm large and steady against her smaller, trembling fingers. “It means you’re not alone anymore, Freya.”
The bond between them hummed with a quiet intensity, a warmth that Freya couldn’t fully comprehend but couldn’t deny either. She looked up at him, her gaze meeting his. There was no judgement in his eyes, no impatience—only a deep, unspoken promise.
Slowly, as if testing the waters, Freya allowed herself to relax slightly. Her fingers uncurled beneath his hand, and she shifted closer, drawn to the quiet strength he exuded. Tobias noticed the small movement and responded in kind, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles in a soothing rhythm.
“You’ve been through so much,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “But you’re stronger than you realise.”
Freya felt a lump rise in her throat. “I don’t feel strong,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Tobias’s hand moved to her shoulder, his touch firm yet comforting. “You don’t have to feel it,” he said softly. “You just have to keep going. And I’ll be here to help you.”
Freya hesitated for a moment before leaning forward, resting her forehead against his shoulder. Tobias stilled, his arms hovering as if unsure whether she’d accept the embrace. When she didn’t pull away, he wrapped his arms around her gently, his warmth enveloping her like a shield against the world.
Freya closed her eyes, the steady rhythm of his breathing grounding her. She felt the tension in her body begin to ease, replaced by an unfamiliar sense of safety. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice muffled against his shoulder.
Tobias pressed his cheek against the crown of her head, his hold tightening ever so slightly. “You don’t have to thank me,” he said softly. “This is where I’m meant to be—with you.”
They stayed like that for a long moment, neither speaking, the silence filled with unspoken emotions. When Freya finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, but she felt lighter somehow, as if a small part of the weight she’d been carrying had lifted.
“You should rest,” Tobias said gently, his hands lingering on her shoulders before he released her. He shifted on the bed, sitting beside her and offering silent comfort as she lay down. Her movements were hesitant at first, but exhaustion soon won out, and she settled against the pillows.
As Freya drifted off, Tobias stayed close, his hand resting lightly over hers. The bond between them thrummed softly, a quiet promise of safety and belonging. For the first time in what felt like forever, Freya allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t alone anymore.
-TOBIAS-
At first light Tobias and George stood before the Alpha, the faint glow of the fireplace casting flickering shadows across the room. The Alpha leaned back in his chair, his sharp green eyes fixed on Tobias with an unreadable expression. His hands were steepled in front of him, his calm demeanour betraying none of the thoughts swirling behind his gaze.
“You did well bringing her back,” the Alpha began smoothly. “Freya is…unique. The rogues clearly knew what they were doing, targeting her specifically.”
Tobias bristled, his wolf surging beneath the surface. “She’s not a target,” he growled. “She’s mine.”
The Alpha raised a brow, his lips curling into a faint smile. “Of course. A mate bond is sacred. But you must understand how precarious this situation is, Tobias. Freya isn’t just any wolf.”
George shifted uncomfortably beside Tobias, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied the Alpha. “With all due respect, Alpha,” George said cautiously, “Freya has been through enough. What matters now is her safety, not…anything else.”
The Alpha’s gaze flicked to George, his expression tightening for a split second before his mask of composure returned. “You misunderstand me, George,” he said softly. “Her safety is my priority. It always has been.”
Tobias’s fists clenched at his sides, his wolf pacing restlessly within him. “If that’s true,” he said sharply, “why haven’t you done more to protect her from the pack? They still see her as nothing, and if they knew the truth—”
George stepped forward quickly, cutting Tobias off with a sharp glance. “Tobias,” he said firmly, his tone a quiet warning. “That’s enough.”
The Alpha tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing. “What truth, Tobias?” he asked, his tone almost playful. “That she’s your mate? Or that she’s far more important than anyone realises?”
Tobias’s jaw tightened, his anger barely contained. George placed a steadying hand on his arm, his own expression carefully neutral. “We’ve already ensured no one else knows,” George said, his voice measured. “Freya’s status is…safe.”
The Alpha nodded, his gaze flicking between the two men. “Good,” he said, his voice deceptively light. “Because if word were to spread, it would bring trouble far beyond the rogues. You both understand that, don’t you?”
Tobias glared at him, his wolf growling low in his chest. “She’s not a tool,” he said, his voice cold. “She’s not something to be used.”
The Alpha’s smile didn’t falter, but his eyes hardened. “No one is suggesting she is,” he said evenly. “But she’s part of this pack, Tobias. And every wolf in this pack has a role to play. Even Freya.”
The tension in the room was palpable. George’s hand tightened briefly on Tobias’s arm, a silent plea for restraint. Tobias exhaled sharply, forcing himself to remain silent. The Alpha’s words were calm, but Tobias could feel the weight behind them—a reminder that Freya’s power, her very existence, was both a gift and a threat.
Just as the silence grew unbearable, the door burst open, and the Luna swept into the room. Her auburn hair was perfectly coiffed, but her sharp blue eyes burned with fury. Isabelle followed closely behind, her arms crossed and her expression a mix of disdain and smugness.
“This has gone far enough,” the Luna declared, her voice sharp and commanding. She didn’t spare a glance for Tobias or George, her attention fixed solely on the Alpha. “Bringing her here after what happened? It’s reckless, Alpha. You should have left her where she was—or better yet, sent her away.”
Isabelle stepped forward, her gaze flicking to Tobias with a sneer. “She’s a menace,” she said coldly. “The rogues came for her, didn’t they? If she stays, they’ll come again.”
Tobias stiffened, his wolf pacing restlessly beneath the surface. His jaw tightened as he fought the instinct to growl. Instead, he stepped forward, his voice low but steady. “Freya didn’t bring the rogues here. She’s their victim, not the cause.”
The Luna turned sharply toward him, her eyes narrowing. “Do not presume to lecture me, Tobias,” she said, her tone icy. “She is not one of us. She never has been.”
Tobias clenched his fists at his sides, but he held her gaze without flinching. “She’s my mate,” he said firmly. “That makes her part of this pack, whether you like it or not.”
The Luna’s expression darkened, and Isabelle let out a derisive laugh. “Mates can be rejected,” Isabelle said smoothly, her tone filled with venom. “Maybe you should think about that.”
George stepped forward, placing a steadying hand on Tobias’s shoulder. His voice was calm but firm. “Enough, Isabelle. This isn’t your call to make.”
The Alpha, who had been watching the exchange silently, finally leaned forward, his presence commanding the room. “That’s enough,” he said, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. His gaze flicked to Tobias, a subtle warning flashing in his eyes before he turned back to the Luna. “Freya stays. That’s final.”
The Luna’s lips pressed into a thin line, her fury barely concealed. “You’re making a mistake,” she said quietly, her voice tight with frustration. “She doesn’t belong here, and she never will.”
“She belongs as much as any wolf in this pack,” the Alpha replied smoothly. “More, even, if she proves herself.”
The Luna’s eyes narrowed further, but she nodded stiffly. Isabelle scowled, her frustration clear as she turned and stormed out of the office. The Luna lingered for a moment longer, her sharp gaze sweeping over Tobias and George. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” she said coolly before turning on her heel and leaving.
As the door closed, the room fell into a heavy silence. Tobias exhaled slowly, his wolf still restless beneath the surface. George’s hand remained on his shoulder, a silent reminder to keep his composure.
The Alpha leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze settling on Tobias and George. “The Luna has her concerns,” he said calmly. “But they don’t change anything. Freya stays. And you, Tobias, will ensure her transition back into the pack is…smooth.”
Tobias’s jaw tightened. “I’ll protect her.”
The Alpha’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “I’m counting on it.”
George shifted beside Tobias, his expression troubled. He gave Tobias a quick look—a mixture of confusion and warning—but said nothing. Tobias didn’t reply either, his wolf simmering just below the surface.
“Dismissed,” the Alpha said finally, his tone clipped. Tobias and George turned to leave, the weight of the Alpha’s words hanging heavy between them.
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