Freya's POV
I had a very long dream.
In the dream, I saw my mother when she was young. She was gently holding me, telling bedtime stories, taking me shopping hand in hand, and patiently comforting me when I cried.
Every day, it was so joyful.
In this dream, I felt like an outsider, observing my mother and my younger self.
The scene then shifted, and my mother suddenly appeared beside me, gazing at me with a gentle smile.
"Mom, I miss you so much."
"Child, you've endured a lot, but from today onwards, you'll find happiness. There's someone who will be with you in my place, someone who will love you just as I did. My daughter, you've done a great job; you're my pride."
"Go back, return to your friends and loved ones; they're waiting for you."
"Mom, please don't go..."
I watched as my mother slowly became blurry and disappeared in front of me, and everything around me faded into darkness.
I opened my eyes in horror and found myself in a hospital room.
"Freya, are you okay? Do you feel any discomfort?"
Someone firmly held my hand, and I turned to see Finley, looking at me nervously.
"How did I get here?"
"Alpha Kingsley informed me of everything through the mind link just before losing consciousness. When I arrived at the scene, I found you both collapsed outside the rubble, so I brought you to the hospital."
As Finley spoke, I was reminded again of the massive fire that had consumed everything.
"What about Kingsley? How is he?"
"Alpha Kingsley is outside. I'll fetch him for you."
"No, please..."
I rushed to call out to Finley, "I-I haven't figured out how to face him yet..."
"Are you still trying to avoid me, Freya?"
A low voice resonated through the room.
Both Finley and I turned our heads simultaneously to see Kingsley standing in the doorway. His handsome face displayed little emotion but exuded a commanding presence.
"I'll step out first," Finley said, nodding to Kingsley before leaving.
Once Finley had left, Kingsley closed the door and approached the hospital bed.
I glanced at Kingsley as he entered, my breath catching slightly.
Kingsley approached the edge of the bed and stood on his feet, gazing fixedly at me. We stared wordlessly at each other, and the atmosphere became a bit eerie.
"Are you thirsty?" Kingsley's low voice broke the room's silence.
My eyelashes fluttered, and my dry, pale lips parted. Before I could respond, a cotton swab soaked in warm water was pressed against my lips. It felt warm and moist to the touch. My breath hitched as I gazed at him.
Kingsley, at this moment, lowered his eyes, focusing on my lips.
The cotton swab gently moved back and forth across my lips, a droplet of water slipping between them. The temptation of that little bit of water proved irresistible to my parched mouth, and I subconsciously extended my tongue to claim more.
Kingsley paused abruptly, and I saw his eyes flash amber in an instant.
I winced and whispered, "I'd like a sip of water."
Frowning, I fixed my gaze on the glass of water in Kingsley's hand and licked my moistened lips.
"You can't have water right now."
"Just one sip," I pleaded with a few glances. "I'm really thirsty."
"Kingsley," I didn't even realize what I had just done was wrong. All I felt was my thirst and my desire for water.
"Alright..."Kingsley responded stoically, taking a deep breath before sighing heavily in compromise. "Just one sip."
"Okay."
Kingsley retrieved a straw. I bit down on it and took a long sip.
Kingsley watched me, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Freya."
I paused.
Kingsley promptly took the straw from my mouth and looked at me, his brows slightly furrowed. "It's not that I won't let you drink water, but you should follow medical advice. This life of yours is what I managed to save from the clutches of the death, so please be obedient."
I swallowed the saliva in my mouth. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to." My tone was warm and soft, and my apology was sincere.
Perhaps Kingsley thought he was too harsh. He cleared his throat and softened his tone, "I'm not blaming you."
"I know." I offered a faint smile. "You're just concerned about me."
Kingsley froze.
I gazed at him with sincere eyes and said, "Thank you."
"I don't want your thanks. I just want you to stay safe."
He frowned and scolded, "You're being reckless!"
"Why did you come back when you had the chance to escape? Do you realize that if you had been any later, you might not have survived?"
"I..." I stammered.
Kingsley interrupted me sternly, "Why did you return because of me when you had decided to start a new life, when you had already chosen to become strangers to me? Why?"
I froze, not expecting him to be so angry.
I stared at him in a daze, unsure of how to react to his emotions.
"Say something!" Kingsley grabbed my shoulders with both hands and leaned in, his handsome face close.
It closed the distance between us, our noses almost touching, our breaths intermingling.
It was an unmistakably ambiguous moment, but the atmosphere was indescribably heavy.
Looking at the angry Kingsley in that moment, my heart ached and swelled.
"I..." I began.
Kingsley suddenly bowed his head, burying his handsome face in the nape of my neck.
"You're really driving me crazy... I thought I was going to lose you...." Kingsley's husky voice trembled.
Warm tears moistened the nape of my neck.
I froze, hearing the sorrowful whimper of the wolf inside Kingsley.
Kingsley was... crying?
I recognized his familiar scent—the scent that was uniquely his, but now was filled with sadness.
My nose tingled inexplicably, and I tightly pressed my lips together to suppress the sudden surge of emotions.
The room fell into silence, and if it weren't for the dampness on the nape of my neck, I might not have even noticed Kingsley's tears.
I had no idea how to respond and could only passively endure Kingsley's actions.
My perception of Kingsley had been that of someone brash and far from delicate, not the type to wear his heart on his sleeve. But in hindsight, I realized that maybe Kingsley had a tough exterior but a tender heart—a heart that he struggled to express.
I closed my eyes, wrapped my arms around Kingsley's neck, and gently stroked his head in a soothing gesture.
"Kingsley... I'm sorry."
I didn't win this game of love, but I'd caused you to lose completely.
Kingsley's wolf purred contentedly as I comforted him, which brought me solace.
After a while, Kingsley released me, his deep eyes gazing at me earnestly. "Freya, I, Kingsley Wright of the Shadowmoon Pack, hereby accept you as my mate, Freya Yost of the Moonlight Pack."
Kingsley's deep gaze settled on me as moonlight streamed through the curtains, illuminating his handsome face.
My wolf urged me to say yes, but...
With a mischievous grin, I replied, "I'll accept if you can catch me."
As soon as the words left my mouth, I transformed into a white wolf and gracefully leaped onto the windowsill, slipping through the window and into the moonlight.
A high-pitched, excited wolf howl filled the air, and I glanced back to see a powerful black wolf chasing after me.
I knew it was Kingsley.