-ALPHA-
The Alpha leaned against the grand desk dominating his office, his gaze fixed on the parchment spread before him. The letters bore the seals of several Alphas, their contents promising tentative alliances. Standing across from him was his Gamma, Victor—a tall, wiry man with a calculating gleam in his sharp green eyes. Unlike George, who the Alpha found too rigidly moralistic, Victor was a man who understood ambition.
Victor smirked, his arms crossed loosely over his chest. “You’ve been busy,” he remarked, nodding toward the letters.
The Alpha’s lips curved into a faint, cold smile. “Ambition requires effort, Victor. These Alphas are finally beginning to see reason. The council is too powerful, too meddlesome. It’s time we reminded them who truly holds the power in our world.”
Victor raised an eyebrow. “And you’re certain they’ll support you? The council isn’t known for leniency, and an open rebellion risks everything.”
The Alpha’s gaze darkened. “The council is a relic—a group of outdated enforcers playing at governance. They claim to ensure peace, but all they do is limit our packs, impose rules that weaken us. They answer to the Alpha King, not to us. They’re a leash around every Alpha’s neck.”
Victor tilted his head. “And you intend to break that leash. Overthrow them all?”
“Exactly,” the Alpha said, his voice firm. “But not openly—not yet. First, we need allies. Alphas who understand the need for strength, for freedom. The council’s laws bind us all, restrict how we deal with rogues, limit the alliances we can form, and dictate pack boundaries. The King has the council enforcing decrees that keep us small, disunited.”
Victor nodded thoughtfully. “And once they’re out of the way?”
“Then we rebuild,” the Alpha said with quiet conviction. “A new order, led by those strong enough to take it. Packs united under true leadership.”
“And the Alpha King?” Victor asked, his tone laced with intrigue.
The Alpha’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “He’s just a man. Even kings fall.”
Victor chuckled softly. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Alpha. But if anyone can pull it off, it’s you.”
The Alpha stepped away from the desk, his movements deliberate. “Arrange a meeting,” he said. “The Alphas who have shown interest—they’ll want assurances. We’ll gather in neutral territory. No pack laws, no council oversight.”
Victor inclined his head. “I’ll see to it.”
As Victor left, the Alpha turned back to the map on the wall, his fingers tracing the neutral zone where the meeting would take place. His eyes gleamed with ambition. Soon, the council would fall, and with it, the chains that bound him.
-FREYA-
The sun hung low in the sky as the group gathered at the training grounds. The air buzzed with anticipation, the weight of their newfound powers still fresh in their minds. Freya stood at the centre, her presence steady yet commanding, the threads turned tattoos visible on her wrist.
Tobias stepped forward, his gaze sharp as he addressed the group. “Today, we start figuring this out,” he said, his voice firm. “These powers aren’t just gifts—they’re tools. And we need to learn how to use them.”
Finn raised a hand with a playful grin. “Uh, question? What happens if we don’t have a clue how our ‘tools’ work?”
Zara rolled her eyes but smirked. “Then you figure it out, genius.”
Finn, placed a mischievous grin across his face. “Alright, everyone,” he said, stepping to the centre of the clearing. “Watch and learn. This is how you impress the Goddess herself.” He winked at Freya, earning a groan from Tobias and laughter from the others.
Finn extended his hands dramatically, summoning his shield. The shimmering barrier materialised instantly, catching the sunlight as it formed a perfect dome around him. He grinned smugly. “See? Easy as breathing.”
“Show-off,” Mira muttered, but her lips twitched with amusement.
“Wait, there’s more!” Finn declared, ignoring her. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he pushed his shield outward, making it grow. The barrier expanded smoothly at first, stretching to encompass a wider area. “I’ve got this,” he said confidently. “I could protect the whole pack with this baby!”
Just as he started to strut inside his expanding shield, the shimmering dome wavered. His expression faltered. “Wait… no, no, no—”
The shield popped like a soap bubble, sending a harmless but surprising shockwave outward. Finn yelped as he was thrown backwards, landing unceremoniously in a patch of mud. The group burst into laughter as he sat up, his face and hair covered in dirt.
Freya tried to stifle her giggles as she walked over, offering him a hand. “You okay, Finn?” she asked, her voice shaking with laughter.
“Yeah,” Finn groaned, taking her hand and standing up with exaggerated dignity. “Just testing the ground’s durability. It’s very… supportive.”
Mira smirked. “Supportive, huh? Looked like it betrayed you.”
Even Tobias cracked a grin, shaking his head. “Maybe focus on perfecting the shield before you start showing off.”
Finn wiped his face with the back of his hand, his grin returning. “Hey, if I don’t test the limits, how will I ever grow?”
George chuckled, clapping Finn on the shoulder. “Get back in formation before we make mud practice a regular thing.”
Finn saluted dramatically. “Yes, sir!” he said, his good humour undiminished as he rejoined the group, drawing more laughter as he pretended to stumble again.
“Enough,” Tobias said, though his lips twitched in amusement. “We’ll pair up. Practice one at a time. Freya, you’ll oversee.”
The group split into pairs, the energy shifting as each person focused inward.
Finn stepped forward again, his shield materialising with a faint hum of energy. He turned to Mira, who darted toward him with lightning speed. Her enhanced agility allowed her to land a blow faster than most could see, but Finn’s shield absorbed the impact effortlessly.
“Not bad,” Mira said, smirking as she circled him. “But can you keep it up?”
Finn grinned. “Try me.” He winked, and she laughed at him, lunging forward and catching him a glancing blow on his shoulder. Yelping he frowned, and turned to face her again, more serious this time.
Zara paired with George, her newfound strength on full display as she slammed into him with bone-jarring force. George grunted but held his ground, his wolf’s resilience a match for her ferocity.
“Impressive,” George admitted, rubbing his shoulder. “But don’t hold back. I can take it.”
Liam watched from the sidelines, his own strength more measured but no less intimidating. He stepped into the ring with Tobias, their clash of power a sight to behold. Tobias’s emotions fuelled his every move, his wolf surging with raw energy as they sparred.
Freya observed quietly, her hazel eyes scanning the group. Her own powers simmered beneath the surface, their full potential still unknown. But as she watched her new friends and allies push themselves, a sense of determination filled her.
A little later, Freya stood off to the side with Tobias, her hazel eyes wide as she watched the team’s powers in action. “They’re incredible,” she murmured, a mixture of awe and pride in her voice.
“They’re your team,” Tobias said, his tone warm but firm. “They’re bonded to you. And they’re learning to be stronger because of it.”
Freya glanced up at him, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. “You think I can lead them?”
Tobias placed a hand on her shoulder, his blue eyes steady and unwavering. “I don’t think—I know.”
Freya smiled softly, her confidence bolstered by his words. “Thank you,” she said quietly.
-DAEMON-
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the training grounds as the team stood in a loose circle. They had spent the afternoon and evening pushing their limits, exploring the depths of their newfound powers. Daemon, however, had been unusually quiet, his grey eyes distant as though he was listening to something no one else could hear.
Freya stepped closer to him, concern flickering in her hazel eyes. “Daemon, are you alright?” she asked softly.
Daemon’s jaw tightened, and he glanced at her before nodding. “I can hear them, I know you can also” he said, his voice low.
“Hear who?” George asked, his brow furrowing as the group stilled to listen.
“The wolves of the past,” Daemon replied, his tone steady but filled with a weight none of them could quite comprehend. “They’ve been whispering to me for days. I think… I think they’re ready to show themselves.”
Finn, brushing off the last of the mud from his earlier mishap, snorted. “What does that mean? Ghost wolves or something?”
Daemon didn’t answer. Instead, he closed his eyes, his hands curling into fists as he focused. The air around him grew heavier, a strange stillness settling over the clearing. The whispers, faint at first, grew louder in Freya’s ears, like a distant chorus of howls carried on the wind.
The ground beneath them vibrated slightly, and a faint, shimmering mist began to swirl around Daemon’s feet. His wolf surged to the surface, not with aggression, but with a commanding presence that seemed to call to something ancient and powerful.
“I summon you,” Daemon said, his voice firm, each word laced with raw energy. “Wolves of the past, answer my call.”
The mist thickened, coalescing into distinct shapes. One by one, translucent figures emerged from the haze, their forms glowing with an ethereal light. Wolves of varying sizes and colours stood before them, their eyes shimmering like stars. They were both solid and incorporeal, their presence a mix of strength and wisdom.
Freya gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as her wolf stirred, recognising the spirits. “They’re… they’re real. I heard them, but….”
Zara took a step back, her usually stoic expression faltering. “What are they?” she whispered.
“The ancestral wolves,” Daemon said, his voice reverent. “Guardians of our kind. They carry the knowledge and strength of those who came before us.”
One of the spirits, a massive wolf with silvery fur and piercing gold eyes, stepped forward, its gaze settling on Freya. Though it didn’t speak aloud, its presence conveyed a sense of calm and power that resonated deeply within her.
“They see us,” Mira murmured, her sharp green eyes wide as another spirit—a lean, dark-furred wolf—circled her, its movements fluid and purposeful.
Finn’s bravado faltered as a small, swift wolf with bright, intelligent eyes darted around him playfully. “Uh… this is not what I signed up for,” he said, though his voice lacked its usual sarcasm. “Is this supposed to happen?”
Daemon stepped forward, his grey eyes meeting those of the silver wolf. “They’re here to guide us,” he said. “Only those chosen by them can see them. They’ll teach us what we need to know.”
Tobias, standing protectively beside Freya, crossed his arms. “Guide us to what?” he asked warily.
“To fulfil the prophecy,” Daemon said simply. “To face what’s coming.”
As the group absorbed his words, the spirits began to move, their ethereal forms interacting with each team member as though testing them. One spirit nudged Zara, its massive paw brushing her shoulder as if urging her forward. Another lingered near George, its gaze assessing and thoughtful.
Freya felt a gentle warmth at her side and turned to see the silver wolf standing beside her. Its gaze held hers, and a deep sense of understanding passed between them. She reached out instinctively, her hand passing through its form, yet the connection was undeniable.
Finn, now more intrigued than scared, laughed nervously as his playful spirit nipped at his heels. “Guess I’ve got a ghost buddy,” he muttered.
Daemon turned to the group, his voice steady. “These wolves are our link to the past. They’ve chosen us for a reason. We need to listen.”
As the spirits began to fade, their forms dissolving back into mist, a quiet resolve settled over the team. The weight of their shared destiny hung heavy, but the presence of the ancestral wolves had ignited a new sense of purpose within them.
Freya glanced at Daemon, her voice soft but firm. “Thank you for showing us this. For helping us understand.”
Daemon nodded, his grey eyes meeting hers. “This is only the beginning,” he said, his tone laced with both hope and warning. “We’ll need their strength, and each other’s, to face what’s coming.”
The group stood in solemn silence, the faint echoes of the spirits’ howls lingering in the air as the training grounds fell still once more.
-FREYA-
The training grounds fell quiet as the last light faded from the sky. Freya stretched her arms, her muscles aching pleasantly. “Let’s call it a day,” she said, her voice light. “Darice will have something left for us, or at least, I don’t mind rustling something up.”
The group began to disperse, their camaraderie evident in the gentle banter and shared laughter. Freya’s gaze drifted to Daemon and Helena, who lingered at the edge of the clearing. They spoke in hushed tones, their hands brushing occasionally, the bond between them undeniable.
Freya approached, her heart warm as she addressed them. “Helena, you share the warriors’ quarters, right?”
Helena nodded, her amber eyes flicking to Daemon. “I do, but…” She hesitated, glancing at him.
“And you don’t have a place here yet,” Freya said, looking at Daemon. Her hazel eyes softened as she made her decision. “Come with me. I know just the place.”
The forest path wound before them, dappled in the soft glow of the rising moon. The air was cool, filled with the scent of pine and earth, and Freya led the way with practised ease. The silence between them was comfortable, broken only by the occasional crunch of leaves underfoot.
They reached the clearing, the cottage standing quietly under the starlit sky. It held a warmth that drew them closer.
“I thought you might like this place,” Freya said softly, her voice carrying a note of nostalgia. “It’s not much, it needs doing up and new windows, etc, but it’s peaceful. It’s safe.”
Helena stepped closer, her gaze sweeping over the modest structure. Her amber eyes softened as a smile curved her lips. “It’s perfect, Are you sure?” she said simply, her voice low. Freya clasped Helena’s hands between hers and nodded, smiling.
Daemon moved ahead, his grey eyes scanning the cottage. The faintest smile touched his lips as he turned back to Freya. “Thank you,” he said. “This… it means a lot.”
Freya hesitated, her gaze flicking between them. “I want you both to feel welcome here, You are my brother and new sister” she said earnestly. “And I know it’s not the packhouse, but…”
Helena interrupted with a playful grin. “It’s better than the packhouse. No constant eyes watching our every move. This feels like… freedom.”
Freya laughed softly, her shoulders easing as a weight lifted. “Then it’s yours,” she said warmly standing back. “For as long as you need.”
Helena touched Freya’s arm briefly, gratitude shining in her amber gaze. “Thank you, Freya,” she said.
Daemon gave a slow nod, his voice low. “We’ll take care of it. I promise.”
Freya stepped back, her heart light as she watched them. The cottage was no longer a place of solitude, it was a sanctuary, a home for her newfound family. As she turned back toward the packhouse, she smiled to herself, knowing she had done the right thing.
————–
In the shadows a figure rushed off silently. Isabelle had been watching for the last part of the sparring and, although not sure of all she had seen, she knew enough to pass on to Magnus. Including the fact Freya, it seemed, had a sibling. Two white wolves to get rid of. She grinned to herself and rushed off to the border.
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