Freya's POV
At night, moonlight poured through the dense forest, its silvery glow stretching the shadows of the trees, creating an aura of serenity.
I stood in an open meadow, my eyes brimming with wonder and excitement.
Before me stood Tucker Short, Gamma of the Dark Moon Pack, who had been training me in various fighting techniques since my childhood and was my most revered instructor.
Tucker walked slowly towards me as he spoke, "Freya, tonight I will teach you how to better control your instincts and utilize your werewolf powers more effectively."
"First, you must attune yourself to the sounds of the forest. Close your eyes and feel the wind rustling through the leaves, listen to the murmur of that distant stream. Connect with nature, and your instincts will sharpen."
I obediently closed my eyes and began to tune in to the sounds around me.
When I reopened my eyes, Tucker smiled and nodded, then said, "Good. Now let's focus on your speed and strength. Try to traverse this meadow as swiftly as you can, feel the wind whistling through your fur, and perceive the texture of every inch of the ground."
With a firm step and a leap, my body unfolded in the air, limbs outstretched, resembling a silver-white bolt of lightning streaking across the grass.
Tucker quickly caught up with me and said, "Now, let's engage in a mock battle."
I nodded, and the two of us began to move swiftly alongside the stream, each encounter brimming with power and skill. Tucker displayed nimbleness and swiftness in his attacks, while I responded with my speed and agility, doing my utmost to evade his assaults.
Following one of my evasive maneuvers, I swiftly pounced on Tucker, using my speed to grab his wrist in a split second, as if the dynamics of the battle had suddenly shifted.
Tucker ceased his movements and nodded with a smile. "Very good, Freya. You are starting to grasp the essence of combat. It's not just about mastering techniques, but also about maintaining composure and seizing opportunities when they arise."
We came to a halt.
"Freya, are you available tonight? Join me for dinner; I'd like to introduce you to a friend," Tucker inquired.
"Sure! But I need to go back to have a change first."
"Alright, I'll send you the address later, then."
After returning back home, I promptly gathered my belongings and made my way to the designated restaurant.
Upon arriving, I spotted Tucker sitting at a table in the distance, waving at me.
"Freya, this way," Tucker beckoned.
I walked over and greeted Tucker. He leaned in and whispered, "My friend won't be here for a while."
I nodded and replied, "That's fine. I'm not hungry just yet."
We exchanged some recent news before the waiter arrived.
Two beers were downed before the waiter even showed up.
Tucker's gaze was fixed on the doorway. When he spotted the other guy, he exclaimed, "Michael, over here!"
Michael?
I turned my head hesitantly and froze the next second.
The "director" Tucker mentioned was none other than Michael Harper, the director for the movie I had auditioned for!
Michael seemed taken aback upon seeing me, then he casually strolled over to greet Tucker.
During their conversation, I learned that Michael was Tucker's senior, and they had been especially close during their school days.
"Michael, let me introduce you. This is one of my seniors. Remember, I've often mentioned the famous figure in our industry, Starry? Well, this is her. And Freya, this is the friend I've told you about, Michael. You two should get acquainted."
I felt a bit embarrassed.
Michael must have recognized me from before, yet he didn't acknowledge it.
I extended my hand and said, "Hello, Mr. Harper."
However, Michael merely nodded without offering his hand, his expression indifferent.
I was caught off guard, my outstretched hand hung awkwardly for a moment before I pulled it back.
Tucker sensed something amiss but didn't dwell on it. He took the lead and suggested, "Let's get our food first, and we can chat as we eat."
As we conversed, it became apparent that Michael rarely contributed whenever Tucker brought up the topic of me.
The situation felt uncomfortable, possibly because Michael still harbored resentment over my audacious entrance during the audition the other day.
Midway through the wine, Tucker pointed at me and said, "Freya's professional skills are quite strong. So, if you have a suitable role in a movie, you should consider her. I promise she won't let you down!"
Michael sipped his coffee and, after a moment of silence, he said faintly, "When I'm searching for actors, many of them are openly recruited. As long as the conditions are suitable, people can come and audition. But if for someone, the audition is merely just for fun, there's no need to waste everyone's time."
I furrowed my eyebrows, sensing something in Michael's words.
As the meal concluded, Tucker headed to the counter to settle the bill, and Michael excused himself to visit the restroom. When he emerged, I was blocking the restroom door.
Michael paused, then said in a low voice, "Excuse me."
Without beating around the bush, I got straight to the point. "Mr. Harper, what did you mean by what you said at the dinner table?"
Michael glanced at me. "You understand it well enough. Why bother asking me?"
"I understand what?"
Growing increasingly perplexed, I continued, "Did you just imply that the way I auditioned that day is just for fun? I can't comprehend why you would say that. If my impolite behavior on the day of the audition, when I entered your room uninvited, upset you, I apologize."
Michael, who clearly had little patience for my nonsense, replied flatly, "It's not my concern. Please move aside."
Taking a deep breath, I felt my good mood fade away entirely.
"Then you need to clarify as well! In what way am I wasting everyone's time?"
Michael appeared taken aback and didn't seem pleased. "Didn't you claim you rejected the role because it was just a small part? Then why did you come to have an audition that day?"
"When did I ever think the role was too small?" I frowned. "I haven't even seen the script. How could I dislike a minor role?"
Michael chuckled. "You never received the script?"
I shook my head. "No one contacted me after the audition."
Michael sensed that something was amiss. He took out his phone and sifted through it for a while before finding a few chat screenshots. "Is this you?"
I examined the Twitter avatar of the screenshots; the nickname was an exact match to mine. However, the words in the screenshot had not been sent by me.
Holding my breath as I read it, I declared in a deep voice, "I can definitely vouch that it wasn't me."
I fetched my own phone and accessed it to demonstrate to Michael that I was being truthful.
Michael furrowed his brow and, after a long pause, finally said, "But that role has already been cast, and the contract was signed this morning."
I hesitated for a moment, then came to the realization that someone played the trick and snatched the role from me.
The feeling of disappointment was impossible to conceal.
I had previously entertained the fantasy that my career would soar after leaving Kingsley, allowing me to triumphantly prove Kingsley wrong. But in reality, the competition was fierce.
Having been under Kingsley's influence for so long, my thinking had become somewhat simplistic. I had never even considered the possibility that someone would underhandedly snatch the role away from me.
Michael's thoughts remained unclear to me, and only after a lengthy silence did he ask, "What's your phone number?"
Caught off guard, I hesitated for a moment before providing Michael with my number.