Heart of the Auburn Wolf

Her name is Freya

POV: Elijah

"We were so afraid not to be late, that we arrived early. Five full hours earlier, for that matter. Who could have predicted that there would be no traffic jam on the highway?!" Raoul, my Beta, pouted. He's usually punctual and organized, meaning that wasting time is a crime in his eyes. There's a difference of only two months between us, so we were childhood friends. However, our parents always reminded us of our ranks and what they meant to our friendship. Raoul embraced this fate with his whole heart; hence he tried his best to perform in whatever I was lacking, that being time and space management. With that said, I trust him more than anyone else in this world.

"I'm sure we could turn up there a bit earlier and everything will be fine." Colby, my Gamma, replied. Colby is also one of our childhood friends, despite being three years younger. He's mostly the quiet type unless something or someone really bothers him. Good Goddess have mercy on that person.

"But maybe they're preparing and we're going to intrude."

"I'm sure they will welcome the Lycan King with open arms either way."

"Yes, Him, but what about us, Colby?!"

This bickering has been going on for thirty minutes, starting when we found out that we would be early to the yearly Alpha reunion. We even stopped in the city nearby to visit around and waste some time. Vilk, my wolf, went to a far corner of my mind and covered his ears with his paws, saving himself the trouble of hearing them. I, on the other hand, do not have that luxury. I've heard all of their arguments, going back and forth, and I've quite had enough:

"Guys, stop it." I say in a calm voice while pinching the bridge of my nose and stopping in my tracks. Both Raoul and Colby, who were walking behind me, side by side, bumped into my back. That ought to attract their attention:

"Look, there's a café right there, one minute walk." I say, pointing towards it. "How about we go drink a coffee to win some more time and then head to the Raven Moon Pack? Alpha Tommen will surely receive us warmly, no matter when we would arrive."

Both my companions nodded, while holding on to their noses. Their silly faces just made me laugh:

"I can't believe that bump hurt you. And you call yourself the Lycan King's Unit? Haha"

Raoul quickly put his hand down and blushed: "O-Of course it didn't! I was about to sneeze, that's all!"

Colby just chose to chuckle.

I teased them some more until we reached the café. We entered this cozy, warm space and sat at a table nearby. My companions were still laughing at the previous situation when I noticed this waitress approaching us. Her hair was flowing from one side to another, like a pendulum. Her face was beaming with concentration, making her eyes sparkle. Vilk was also tilting his head in bewilderment. I smell the air, in any case, but I can only feel coffee and a floral perfume, not my taste. Colby and Raoul went quiet, feeling my and Vilk's reaction. She is not my mate, yet I feel like I could watch her all day and not get enough of it. What's going on? I decide to pull her closer and smell her once again, just to make sure, but to no avail. She's not even a werewolf.

"Wha-... What are you? Why do you look... so dazzling?"

Her face betrays confusion. Then pure anger. Next thing I knew, she slapped me. Of course, it didn't hurt, and the fact that it didn't enrage me nor Vilk made the whole situation even more complex. Werewolves are not attracted to humans by default. Hell, it's usually the other way around. There's something about her... I must find out:

"Who are you? What's your name? Tell me NOW."

Then I hear a bystander calling their police. By reflex, I let go of her hand as I realize things like touching others is frowned upon in their cities. Vilk lets out a soft growl at the simple man with the audacity to interrupt us. Without noticing, I was giving the guy a death stare.

"Elijah, let's leave for now." My Beta says and touched my arm, in an attempt to calm us. When I look again at the girl, she looks horrified. "Have I really scared her like this?" I think, as I feel a wave of sadness pouring over me. I allow my Beta to pull me away from the café.

Colby says something and then he closes the door. In that moment, Vilk picks up another female's voice saying: "Are you alright, Freya?"

Freya. Her name is Freya. I'll find you again and figure you out, Freya.

POV: Freya

My body sits on something very soft. I can tell, since there's no back pain, for a chance. But this cannot be home, as my mattress is old and its rusty springs take a toll on my frail skin and bones. The sudden realization wakes me up in an instant.

I was right, I'm not home. This is an unknown room, its walls made of wood logs. There's a crackling fire in the fireplace and there's a tea set on the table in front of the sofa that I am laying on.

"Oh, you're finally awake, thank god!" A familiar voice says from behind me. When I turn my head to look, I see Nicholas entering from what seems to be the kitchen.

"You've been sleeping for 8 hours!" he says with a chuckle. "How are you feeling?"

"I-I'm fine, I think... wait... 8 hours?! What time is it?!" and my heartbeat increases again as I do the math in my head. "I should have been at home by now, cooking dinner and making the beds. Oh sh*t. Oh sh*t. Oh sh*t" A wave of anxiety washes over me and gives me a headache.

A warm touch brings me back from my thoughts. Nicholas had touched the back of my palm with his fingertips. He looks genuinely worried and quickly retracts his hand, sitting down on the armchair opposite the sofa. He reaches for the tea pot and pours some tea in two cups. There's steam coming out of them. Then he pushes one cup closer to me and grabs the other for himself. The crackling of the fire fills the room.

After a moment, I decide to break the silence: "Why... am I here?" I ask, though I am afraid of the answer. Last thing I remember was Clare and Hilda bullying me when we got into a fists and claws fight. I guess I lost. But what did he see? What does he know? Why was he there? I have to find out.

"I was taking a walk in the woods when I heard some fighting noises. By the time I got there, you were unconscious near the river. I didn't know where you lived, so I brought you here." Nicholas says calmly, after taking a sip of tea. He follows to arrange one stray lock of his blonde hair.

"I see. Thank you. However, I have to head home. My parents are going to be worried." I say kindly as I get the blanket off me and put my feet down.

"You're welcome. It's already late anyway, just drink some tea to calm down."

I smile and pick up the cup with the intent to chug it down.

"A girl as frail as you shouldn't go around fighting monsters like them." Nicholas says and he chuckles softly.

My heart stopped for a second.

"F*ck" I halt my movement just before the tea touches my tongue. The atmosphere around the room makes me uneasy. I must get out of here. But first, pretend to be normal: "Haha, they are bullies indeed but at the end of the day, we're just kids and we make up." I try to maintain a somehow relaxed facade.

Nicholas then puts his tea cup on the table and says, with a straight face now:

"You shouldn't make up with werewolves, Freya."

"F*ck. F*ck.” I put the tea cup down and look at him confused. "What are you talking about, Nicholas?"

"You know what I’m talking about."

"No, I don't. This is making me uncomfortable. I am very grateful for your help, but I'll take my leave now." And I get up and head towards the door. Nicholas also gets up, but he doesn't try to stop me.

"You don't have to go. I can protect you." He says, while I swiftly put on my shoes.

"Thank you again for your generosity." I reply. But when I finish and lift up my head, Nicholas' expression turned to sadness, or pity. He was visibly hurt by something. Nevertheless, I exit and close the door behind me, hearing a muffled:

"I'll figure you out, Freya."