Freya’s POV
<b>Just </b>as I opened my mouth, a familiar voice rang sharply behind me.
+8 Pearls
“Looks like I came just in time. If Alpha Whitmor wants to move against me, go ahead. But don’t even think about using Freya as leverage!”
My body froze. I turned, and there he was–Kade ckridge, striding across the range with thatmanding wolf–born presence.
Kade? Here? My brows lifted in surprise.
He reached my side in a few strides. “Freya, I heard from Lana that you were here. So I came to get you. Returned the coat?” “Yeah… it’s returned,” I said, realizing immediately that Lana must have told him.
“Then let’s go.” He tugged my hand free from Ss’s cor and turned to face the Irond Alpha. “Mr. Whitmor, if you think you can move against me, use my sister as a ything, be my guest. Try it.”
Ss’s frown tightened, his gaze narrowing at the sight of Kade and me side by side. The image stabbed like sunlight into his chest–just like the scene he’d witnessed at the hospital, me held close by Kade.
“There’s nothing in this world that’s absolute. You may think you’re the hunter, but perhaps… unknowingly, you’ve be prey,” Kade said, gripping my hand, and then we left.
In The Capital, few had the audacity to confront Ss Whitmor head–on. Fewer still survived such encounters unscathed. “Wren,” <b>Ss’s </b>voice cut softly behind us<b>, </b>cold as ice, “tell me… could I ever be the prey?”
Wren stiffened. “Impossible. Who in The Capital would dare?”
Even Kade, a notorious small–scale Alpha in the city, could notpare to Ss in sheer authority and reach.
“Yet,” <b>Ss </b>murmured, his <b>gaze </b>lingering on the pistol I had just used, “what if… someday, I truly be prey? Who do you think the hunter would be<b>?</b><b>” </b>
The thought <b>was </b>chilling. Who in this world could, or would, hùnt Ss Whitmor?
I followed Kade out of the shooting range<b>, </b>still gripping his hand. “Were you not afraid of what you <b>just </b>said to him? That you’d provoke him?<b>” </b>
<b>Kade </b>smirked, calm <b>as </b><b>ever</b>. “Since I said it, why would I be afraid?”
“But Whitmor isn’t like anyone <b>else</b><b>. </b><b>Even </b><b>if </b><b>you’re </b>strong-<b>” </b>
<b>“</b><b>You </b>think I’m that <b>weak</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>Kade interrupted<b>, </b><b>a </b>predator’s grin tugging at the corner of his <b>lips</b><b>. </b><b>“</b>I’m no longer the reckless pup from <b>the </b>Iron Fang Recon Unit. If Ss wants to strike, he better prepare for mutual destruction.”
His confidence made <b>me </b>pause. There was no use arguing further. Whatever happened, we’d face it together.
“And… you, Freya,” he added, teasing <b>yet </b>earnest. “Weren’t you the <b>one </b><b>speaking </b>boldly for me back there? Didn’t you feel <b>fear</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
I let out a bitterugh. “<b>Me</b><b>? </b>This is <b>my </b><b>fight</b>, too. And Kade… unlike you, I have no family watching over me. If something happens <b>to </b>me, no one will mourn. I am alone. Even <b>if </b>dangeres, 1-”
never finished my sentence,
“How you think no <b>one </b>would mourn you?” Kade’s <b>grip </b>tightened, his amber <b>eyes </b>zing. “If something happens to <b>you</b>, <b>I </b>cannot speak for others–but I swear, I will carve my way through fire and blood to avenge you!”
I stared at him, unsteady. <b>The </b>boy who once needed my guidance, my protection, <b>had </b>grown into <b>this </b>unwavering Alpha-
+8 Pearls
mature, decisive, dangerous. His expression left no doubt: if harm ever came to me, he would act, without hesitation.
“I… won’t fall so easily. You forget what I can do,” I said, my throat tight but voice steady.
Kade’s grin deepened, wolfish. “Of course. And I will not let anything happen to you, either.”
We climbed into the car.
“I want to go pay respects to your parents,” he said. “Would that be alright?”
I blinked, touched by the thoughtfulness in his voice. “You don’t have to. They’re still at the funeral home, waiting to be interred.”
Kade nodded. “If I’d known you were retrieving their ashes, I would havee with you.”
I felt the sting of tears but smiled faintly. “Your intention is enough. They are safe, for now.”
When we arrived, I knelt before the casket holding my parents‘ ashes. The national g draped across it shone bright, the same red my parents had once fought to protect with their lives.
pressed my hands together in silent prayer. “Mom, Dad… just a few more days, and I’ll bring you home.”
I opened my eyes and saw Kade bowing sincerely before the casket. “Uncle, Auntie… rest assured. I will protect Freya. She will never be hurt again.”
The determination in his posture<b>, </b>the heat of his wolf–born aura–it made my chest tighten. In this city of power and predators, I was not alone.