Freya's POV
As soon as Eric's words left his mouth, Mavis walked in.
Next to me, Henry's body tensed for a moment when he saw Mavis, and I gave him a weird look.
Mavis walked up to me with a smile, "Freya, long time no see."
I arrived with a cup of coffee for Mavis. "Have a seat, Mavis. How did your conversation with Alpha Craig go?"
Mavis sighed, her eyes a little forlorn. Instead of directly answering my words, she spoke, "You're right, Freya. I just need an opportunity."
I looked at her, a little puzzled as to why Mavis would say that all of a sudden. However, I didn't say anything more; I just took a sip of my coffee and waited for her to continue.
Kingsley, who was still a wolf, plopped down as well and looked at her.
"You've been here in Snowland for so long. I'm sure you already know a lot about Snowland," Mavis suddenly spoke faintly.
"As you can see, this place has been frozen for years. It is impossible to grow crops, and even animals rarely survive here. But we, the Snowwolf Pack, are different. Our special physique gives us a unique advantage that allows us to survive in such a barren environment. However, it has also become our constraint. The scarcity of resources has made us small, and the pack has not been able to grow. The Alpha of the pack is even more responsible and stressed."
"You know what?" Mavis continued with a sigh. "One winter was exceptionally cold. My father led the members of the pack out in search of supplies but did not return for many days. My mother froze to death that winter. In the last moments of her life, my mother held me tightly in her arms, and I survived by being protected in her arms, holding on until my father returned."
I looked at the sad Mavis in front of me and inwardly felt sorry for her. Eric was also beside me in quiet silence, full of sadness.
To my surprise, my brother Henry suddenly stepped forward and gently patted Mavis on the shoulder as a sign of comfort.
Mavis went on to say, "I still remember when my father took me out of my mother's arms, who was already dead. He said to me that he would never let me be hurt in any way again. But I don't know when my father changed."
After uttering those words, Mavis offered a bitter smile and lowered his head to stir the coffee in front of him with a spoon.
I remained silent for a moment, then raised my head to gaze at Mavis and asked, "So, do you regret it?"
Upon hearing my question, Mavis paused briefly, then looked up at me and responded firmly, "No, not at all."
"Do you know what my father just told me?" Mavis hesitated for a moment before continuing, "He actually wants Robert and me to be mates. The reason is simple: Robert is now the Alpha of the Shadowmoon Pack. Once again, he betrayed me for the good of the pack."
After expressing this, Mavis covered her eyes in pain, and I observed tears streaming from her fingers. It must have been challenging for Mavis to accept that her father, who had once promised to protect her for the rest of her life, would now repeatedly sacrifice her for the welfare of the pack.
Before I could offer any words of comfort, Henry exclaimed angrily, "How could he do that? You can't be someone else's mate."
His words were loud yet somewhat peculiar.
Mavis, Eric, and I all exchanged strange looks simultaneously.
"What do you mean, Henry? What are you talking about? I don't think you're in a position to decide who should be Mavis' mate." I playfully looked at my brother Henry, as if I had just realized something.
Mavis and Eric awaited his response as well.
"I..." Henry's face turned the color of a pig's liver, and he stammered, "Of course, I'm eligible! I'm..."
"Idiot!" I suddenly heard Kingsley's familiar voice.
Startled, I turned towards Kingsley, who was sprawled on the ground but still was a wolf, except his eyes were now fixed on Henry with contempt, as if Henry were a fool.
"Oh no! Or a fool in heat!"
Kingsley's voice continued, and then he turned his gaze away from Henry.
I suppressed my shock and froze, gazing at Kingsley.
"Enough!" exclaimed Mavis, rubbing his forehead before glancing at Henry, who was promptly silenced.
I observed this with interest, contemplating Kingsley's recent words.
"Tomorrow night, my father would like to invite Alpha Henry for dinner, and he would also like Eric and you to attend as well," Mavis said.
I furrowed my brow, wondering why Alpha Craig wanted to see me. Did he suspect something? Regardless of his suspicions, tomorrow night's gathering might be an opportune moment for us.
I met Mavis' gaze, and there was an determined expression in her eyes.
Mavis stood up. "I'll leave, then," she announced, then left.
Henry hesitated for a split second before standing up. "Well, there's something I need to discuss with Mavis."
He explained, and I gave him a meaningful look before nodding.
After Henry departed, I recounted to Eric what had transpired.
"You mean you heard Kingsley's voice?" Eric inquired.
"Yes, but only for a moment," I replied with a frown.
"Great!" Eric pondered for a moment, then exclaimed, "It looks like Kingsley's powers are recovering, and that's why he was able to create a psychic link with you."
I froze momentarily at Eric's words, and then a seed of hope began to sprout in my heart.