Freya's POV
In the afternoon, I noticed from a distance that Jeremy had brought someone to meet Kingsley. Despite my hesitation, I walked over to join them.
"What a surprise! I didn't expect to see you here, Alpha Kingsley," remarked the man named Renee, standing in front of Kingsley. His eyes darted around, making me feel uneasy.
"Renee, huh? I assume my Beta have briefed you on the partnership. Does your visit imply agreement?" Kingsley asked coldly, a frown on his face and a subtle flicker of disgust in his eyes.
"Of course. Nobody would decline a partnership with you, Alpha Kingsley. I just want to understand your motivation for helping me," Renee inquired cautiously.
"The answer is evident, isn't it? Grace is my enemy, and naturally, I want her to face consequences. You'll have control of the entire Black Wolf Pack, and I get to deal with my enemy personally. It's a fair trade, isn't it?" Kingsley responded.
"Indeed. Then you will come with me." Satisfied with the response, Renee dropped his guard and led us into Blackland.
Upon reaching Blackland, Renee guided us to the lodging he had arranged and departed.
"He reeks of deceit, and it's repulsive," I grumbled.
Kingsley, wiping his hand with a handkerchief after shaking hands with Renee, retorted, "Who says he doesn't? Freya, get some rest; we have a mission tonight."
Loyalty was the most esteemed quality of a werewolf. When confronted with a traitor like Renee, it often required all our strength to resist the urge to tear his throat out when in close proximity.
Finally, the evening arrived, and I prepared for tonight's mission.
Suddenly, I felt a surge of power from deep within me—so potent that I couldn't ignore it.
I had to follow it.
Before I knew it, I had trailed it through the town, between the trees, over the hills, and along the outskirts of other properties and homes. I found myself standing near the complex where my target resided.
However, I wasn't in front, near the mansion; I was behind it, and the pull was stronger than ever. It was like a strong tug on my internal organs, urging me to climb the wall in front of me and find the missing part of my soul.
I took a deep breath.
Jeremy did say that the back of the manor was our best bet, perhaps with less security.
Since I was alone, I was confident I could climb the wall without being noticed. Darkness is always helpful for a mission like this one.
I listened carefully for patrols, and when I was sure the coast was clear, I scaled the wall and found myself in a garden, near a small cottage.
Whatever had dragged me to this island was in that hut. Could it be him? I thought of my child that Grace had taken.
Then... I heard it.
A familiar wolf howl, accompanied by a baby's giggle, reached my ears first. The sound was faint, muffled by the walls, but I would recognize it anywhere.
I was sure it was my child's voice. All the oxygen left my lungs, and my heart stopped beating as if encased in stone.
How was this possible? I stood there motionless—waiting, listening.
A few minutes later, I heard footsteps at the cottage door and realized that someone else was in that cottage.
Could it be Grace?
With every cell of my being, I tried to listen to their conversation. She was reading him a bedtime story, and she was kissing him on the cheek.
My heart froze.
I couldn't see Grace from where I stood, but I could hear her.
As she walked to the window with my child in her arms, my mind raced at a thousand miles an hour, calculating the odds that I could strike, kill my target, and get my child out of there safely.
I was about to mind link with Kingsley for reinforcements and prepare my attack— but my feet didn't move.
Grace was too close to my child, and I was afraid that my impulse would put my child in danger.
My eyes were locked on Grace's face.
Anger seeped into every pore. I wanted to pounce on her and tear her limb from limb without even having to shift into wolf form. To think of everything she'd ever done, and for what? Because she hated Kingsley's father, hated Kingsley, hated me?
I was so filled with rage that I saw red.
How could she do that? Not to mention the fact that she stole my baby from me—my own flesh and blood.
I would have killed her. There was no doubt that I would have accomplished that task anyway.
But I realized that if I acted in that moment, I would be doing so in an out-of-control situation, and my attack would most likely not be successful.
I needed to wait until the time was right and I could think things through instead of acting out of anger. Otherwise, things are going to get really bad. I had to stay rational for the sake of my child.
Through the window, I saw her leave the window with my baby in her arms and sit back down on the bed.
Then, from the house, I heard Grace's familiar voice.
She was singing a nursery rhyme softly for my child, in a gentle tone I had never heard before.
But it was my child—mine and Kingsley's—pulling me closer, calling me nearer.
The closer I approached, the larger and stronger the bond between me and my child seemed, intensifying the pull.
A sense of calmness spread through my body, and I felt a wave of happiness envelop me. Despite my eagerness to rush through the door, confront her, and rescue my child, I knew I had to be strategic. I had to take my time and make careful choices.
For the moment, I simply stood there quietly, gazing out the darkened window, imagining my child peacefully sleeping with Grace's soothing presence.
"What a coward!" I scoffed at myself.
"Freya!" It seemed I heard Kingsley's voice.
I turned my head to meet the tall figure of Kingsley, whose eyes were also fixed on the house Grace was in at that moment.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" I asked, unsurprised.
"Yes," Kingsley said softly. "But for now, we have to go back."
I nodded, then cast one more glance at the distant house's window before departing silently with Kingsley.