Ss‘ POV


    “Freya,” I murmured, “if you ever want to kiss me again, you know you don’t have to ask.”


    +8 Pearls


    Her sigh was soft, amused, teasing. I could feel her wolf’s pulse against mine–curious, wary, but yful. Outside, the streets of Ashbourne blurred past, the city waking, unaware of the storms that prowled its shadows. Our trip here was supposed to be simple: deliver my parents‘ ashes to the Legion’s Hall of Martyrs, perform the ceremonial rites, and fulfill the military escort obligations.


    Yet, as always, the universe seemed intent on testing me.


    The car descended into the underground garage of Whitmore Ashbourne. I allowed my eyes to close for a moment, but my wolf stayed alert. And then—the tires screeched. A violent jolt threw me upright. My senses screamed before my human mind could catch up.


    “Collision–another vehicle!” Wren, muttered as he opened the door. I barely caught the flicker of movement from the corner of my vision—a white car, positioned to force us into a corner.


    Instinct took over, My ws flexed beneath my gloves; my wolf coiled, ready to spring. Freya shifted slightly, sensing it too, though she didn’t need me to tell her anything. Her wolf red, eyes bright.


    Then I saw it–Wren stiffened unnaturally, back to me. My teeth clenched. A dart, a subtle glint–I caught the reflection of needle being injected into his neck. He crumpled, consciousness stolen in an instant. My wolf snarled, rage and warning fused into a single vibration that rolled down my spine.


    a


    Freya reacted before I could. Agile, precise, lethal. She rolled from the vehicle, ws flexed, wolf ring in the primal instinct of survival. The Rogue female who emerged from the white car–predator scent heavy, wolf–stench of violence thick–was trained, calcting<b>, </b>dangerous.


    I followed instinctively, not to interfere but to dominate the field. My wolf surged, powerful, aware of every movement, every breath, every shift of air.


    Freya struck first. The Rogue barely had time to react before her ws ripped through leather, opening the first crimson streak. The Rogue hissed, snapping teeth. My wolf’s growl echoed, low and possessive, warning the intruder that she was mine to protect.


    The first exchange was a blur of motion–shing ws, snapping jaws, and primal yelps. Freya kicked against the half–open car door, using leverage to knock the Rogue off bnce. Blood streaked her arm, bright and urgent, but her focus never wavered. Every strike precise, every move calcted to end the fight before it escted further.


    ! intercepted a second Rogue attempting to nk her, ws tearing through shoulder and side. The Rogue yelped and fell back, but my eyes never left Freya. My wolf was coiled around her, protective, alert, ready to erupt at the slightest threat.


    She dove toward the main attacker, rolling and twisting, the grace of her wolf–essence in every motion. The Rogue sneak attack, but Freya was faster–flipping, shing, striking with teeth and ws. Her arm bled freely, the crimson marking her strength, her resilience<i>. </i>


    I stepped in only when she needed an opening, biting at a Rogue’s nk to ensure he wouldn’t rise again. Freya’s wolf red beside mine, synchrony perfect, a dance of ws and instinct. Her breathing was sharp, shallow, but eyes alight with the fire


    of battle.


    Finally, the female Rogue faltered. I lunged, powerful and controlled, pinning her to the concrete. Teeth sank into shoulder. ws held her fast. My wolf’s growl filled the parking garage–a deep, resonant warning that none could ignore.


    “End it!” My voice, low andmanding, reverberated through the chaos. The Rogue froze. Freya’s eyes flicked to me, relief washing over the primal tension.


    I released her shoulder but kept the Rogue pinned, eyes scanning, wolf ring. She had bled on her sleeve; crimson streaks vivid, alive. “You hurt yourself?” I asked, concernced with frustration.