Freya’s POV


    Finished


    After leaving the hospital, I found myself back at Ss Whitmor’s sprawling estate. The air was thick with the scent of pines. and polished stone, a faint reminder of the Irond Coalition’s power and control. The halls seemed quieter now, almost serene, yet I could feel the tension humming just beneath the surface–Ss’s presence was enough to keep even the walls. alert.


    adjusted my jacket and looked at him. He sat casually on the edge of the marble staircase, hands folded, eyes scanning the estate grounds as though he could sense any threat before it even materialized. The faint scuff of my boots against the polished floor drew his gaze, and I felt that odd mix offort and apprehension that always came with him being near.


    “I guess this means I don’t need to serve as your bodyguard anymore?” I asked, watching him closely.


    His eyes, dark as onyx, met mine. There was no mockery, no hesitation. Only certainty. “No,” he said. “It’s no longer necessary


    I raised an eyebrow. “Because I got hurt this time?”


    No,” he corrected softly, yet firmly. “Because there’s no reason for you to protect me anymore. When the Iron Fang Recon Unit assigned you to me, it wasn’t just about my safety. There were people in the Whitmor family opposed to my sitting at this position. They feared it would disrupt Coalition projects. But now, there’s no opposition left. No threat. I won’t be in danger, Freya.”


    I studied him, my wolf instincts sniffing out the subtle undercurrent of truth in his words. There was more than just professional reasoning here, but I didn’t push. I had learned long ago that when Ss spoke with such calm certainty, it was unwise to doubt him.


    “You forget,” he added, his voice softening, “I promised you once, I would never lie to you. I never will.”


    Before I could respond, my WolfComm buzzed in my hand. The screen lit up, disying the name of Aldred–the oldmander, my mentor, my anchor in the chaos of my past missions.


    “Aldred!” I answered, a touch of relief threading through my voice.


    “Freya, I heard you were hurt,” his tone immediately thick with guilt and concern. “You’ve already retired from active duty, and yet I pulled you back into this… <b>I </b>should never have asked it of you. I’m responsible for this injury.”


    “It’s a minor wound,” I replied, brushing off his words. “Nothing I can’t handle.”


    “Regardless,” Aldred said firmly, “you must take care of yourself. And starting now, your bodyguard duty is over. You won’t need to watch over Ss Whitmor anymore<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    I froze. That was an official order, unmistakable and decisive. The oldmander’s voice had no room for negotiation. When the call ended, Iturned to Ss, eyebrows raised.


    “You went to the Unit about this<b>?</b><b>” </b><b>I </b>asked.


    “Yes,” he admitted simply. “Orders carry more weight when theye from the Chain of Command than from me. But Freya…” He took a step closer, his gaze steady and unwavering, “you don’t need to protect me anymore. From now on, I will protect you.”


    The words stirred something primal in me–the deep, instinctual relief of a wolf who no longer has to shoulder danger alone. He would rather bear any risk himself than see me fall. I felt that old, steady thrum of something beyond loyalty, beyond mere duty.


    Before I could respond, my WolfComm buzzed again. This time, the name shing on the screen was Kade. My stomach tightened, a subtle warning rolling through my wolf senses.


    As I reached for the phone, Ss’s hand moved over mine, gentle but firm, a silentmand not to answer.


    “What is it?” I asked, curiosity tinged with concern.


    12:25 AM P <b>P </b>


    Finished


    He pressed his lips together, then withdrew his hand. “Nothing,” he said casually, though I could feel the tension radiating off him. His wolf instincts had already sensed the danger Kade posed–more than Caelum Grafton ever could. Even though Ss had used every tactic in his arsenal to keep Kade away from The Capital, the sudden call had sent a ripple of unease through


    him.


    I answered the call anyway. “Hello?”


    “Freya, your bodyguard duty… it’s finished?” Kade’s voice was smooth, tinged with that familiar edge of amusement and challenge.


    How did you find out?” I asked, brow furrowed.


    “I happened to be at the militarypound,” he said casually. “Heard the news.” There was a pause, and then his voice shifted, almost eager. “Now that your assignment is over, when are youing back to The Capital?”


    I hesitated. Of course. My mission here wasplete. My next move would be to return.


    “Not just yet,” I said. “There are still matters here I need to wrap up. When I return, I’ll let you know.”


    There was a faint sigh on the other end, almost human in its disappointment. “Fine. I’ll wait for your message. When youe back, we’ll meet properly. I have a lot to say to you.”


    “Understood,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral.


    As I ended the call, Ss’s gaze met mine. “You’ll be heading back to The Capital soon?” His voice carried that rare softness, the kind that made the air itself feel heavy with unspoken promises.


    I nodded slowly. “Yes. Once everything here is settled.”