Freya was wandering through the packhouse, unable to sleep. Gray’s words echoed in her mind, and the weight of her visions pressed down on her like a stone.
As she passed by the dining hall, she overheard hushed voices.
“…if we let her stay, she’ll destroy us,” Lyra said, her tone dripping with venom.
“She hasn’t done anything yet,” another voice argued.
“Yet,” Lyra repeated coldly. “She’s a ticking time bomb. We need to get rid of her before it’s too late.”
Freya clenched her fists, her heart pounding. She stepped into the room, her presence immediately silencing the conversation.
“Talking about me again, Lyra?” she asked, her voice sharp.
Lyra’s silver eyes narrowed. “If the shoe fits.”
“I’m not your enemy,” Freya said, keeping her tone steady despite the anger bubbling inside her. “But you’re so blinded by your hatred that you can’t see that.”
“You don’t belong here,” Lyra shot back. “And you never will. Gray even wants to make you his Luna. You are unworthy of him. Sapphire should be his Luna, not you.”
The other wolf glared at Freya and she wondered if she was Sapphire. She hadn't even agreed to become the Alpha’s Luna yet.
“Enough,” Gray’s voice cut through the tension as he entered the room. He glanced between the two women, his expression stern. “We don’t have time for petty squabbles.”
Lyra opened her mouth to argue but Gray stopped her.
“You need to control her,” Freya said to Gray. “She’s going to get someone killed.”
“You’re poisoning his mind. Everyone sees it, Freya.” Lyra’s voice rang out.
Gray’s sharp gaze flickered between Lyra and Freya.
“Care to explain what you mean by that, Lyra?” Gray’s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a warning not to push too far.
Lyra’s silver eyes gleamed with triumph. “She’s manipulating you. Twisting her so-called ‘visions’ to suit her agenda. First, she claims to see our destruction. Then, conveniently, one of her prophecies comes true just as we start doubting her. It’s all too perfect.”
Freya took a step forward, her voice steady but laced with frustration. “Do you honestly think I want to be here? That I’m enjoying this? My visions are a curse, not a weapon.”
“Convenient words for someone who’s gained Gray’s ear,” Lyra snapped back. “How long until she tears this pack apart with her lies?”
The murmurs grew louder, and Freya could feel the weight of their stares. Some held curiosity, others fear.
Gray stood abruptly, silencing the room. “Enough.” His voice carried the authority of an Alpha, and even Lyra shrank back slightly. “Freya has proven herself useful. If her prophecy hadn’t warned us of the Shadowfangs’ movements, we would’ve been caught unprepared.”
Lyra narrowed her eyes. “And how do we know she’s not working with them? Ever since she arrived, this pack has been on edge. She’s dangerous, Gray.”
“And yet you’re the one sowing division,” Gray retorted, his gaze cold.
Freya bit her lip, torn between gratitude for Gray’s defense and frustration at being the center of such chaos.
She didn’t want to cause trouble, but trouble seemed to follow her like a shadow.
Lyra glared at him and stormed off.
Gray sighed, and looked at Freya, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ll handle it.”
“Good,” Freya said, brushing past him.
“Freya,” Gray called after her.
She stopped but didn’t turn around.
“For what it’s worth… I don’t think you’re a curse,” he said quietly.
Freya's throat tightened, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she walked away, her thoughts a tangled mess.
****
Later that night, Freya sat by the window in her small room, staring out at the dark forest. The events of the day replayed in her mind, Lyra’s accusations cutting deeper than she cared to admit.
A knock at the door broke her thoughts.
“Come in,” she said softly.
The door creaked open, and Finn stepped inside, his expression a mix of concern and awkwardness. “Hey. You okay?”
Freya managed a weak smile. “You mean after being called a manipulative liar in front of the entire pack? Just peachy.”
Finn chuckled, pulling a chair over to sit across from her. “Don’t let Lyra get to you. She’s always been... intense.”
“Intense? She practically wants my head on a spike,” Freya muttered.
“She’s threatened,” Finn said simply. “You’re new, different, and Gray listens to you. That’s enough to make her feel like her position is slipping. Besides, Sapphire is her best friend.”
Freya sighed, resting her chin on her knees. “I don’t want her position. I just want to survive.”
Finn leaned back, his gaze thoughtful. “Then you need to be careful. Lyra’s not the type to let things go. Watch your back.”