CHAPTER 1

The entire Blue Moon Packhouse was on fire. Bodies littered like the messy deeds of a child. This was unfair. A total massacre by the Blood Moon Pack. The attack led by the leader of the Blood Moon Pack, Alpha Hero Ian, was unreasonable and a show-off of his power.

Kill whatever that has life in it! Spread the fear! The 6ft string man had roared to his followers, charging them more to carry on with their madness.

Cries of the innocent and vulnerable were heard. It sounded like animals in pain. Of course, they were in pain. Children, men, and women were all killed. Houses were set on fire and every other thing brought to the ground.

Alpha Hero stood firm, still maintaining his human form, with his son Dante by his side. Both watched the entire place burn to ashes.

Alpha Hero's pack was much stronger. Half of his army was made up of Alphas and Betas. Why won't they win, since they were battling the omegas? The bitches and everyone's enemy.

The little boy, Dante, watched with unease, his golden hair curly atop and his blue eyes glistening with moisture. He was uncomfortable watching the chaos.

His father noticed that he was closing his eyes, a way to block out all the chaos and unease. Hero bent to Dante's level so that he was on eye level with him.

Son, one day my reign will come to an end, and you are the rightful person to sit on the throne. A weak King can never survive. This is a way of molding you into a strong man. Forge you with fire and, from the ashes of the Blue Moon Pack, born you anew. Gripping his left shoulder, I want you to watch. Open your eyes! He commanded, and the poor, shivering boy jerked his eyes open. Dante, you must watch until the end. Witness the supremacy of a great king like me, he said proudly.

Satisfied that Dante was watching the sight even if it wanted to make the seven-year-old boy, puke. Hero stood once more and rose his blade.

By now, they had wiped out the entire packhouse, leaving only metals, ashes, and smoke. The wailing and crying had died down and everywhere was like the early hours of a big city when everyone was still asleep.

You hear that, son? That is the sound of victory. Hero proclaimed.

His men began to circle him, chanting victory in unison. Blood dripping from their swords, the corners of their mouth, their protruding fangs and claws. Some of them were still in their wolf form, while others had turned into humans.

Today, Alpha Hero began. His voice rumbled like thunder. His stand was firm, and his hazel eyes were sharp and alert. Today, you have marked a new era in my reign.

The soldiers cheered happily before keeping quiet.

You showed the rest of the packs that there is no room for the weak and vulnerable. Only the strong have a place in the wolf kingdom. . . Alpha Hero continued his victory speech while his bored and uninterested son slipped out.

Dante had no idea where he was headed or why he left the safety of his people, but a tiny voice kept calling him.

Among the rubble and lifeless bodies, the boy scrunched his nose and kept following that small, faint voice in pain until he arrived at a heap load of bodies. A sight too ugly to behold, he could no longer hold back the contents in his stomach. He hurled everything out to the floor, almost puking his life out. When he was sure that nothing else except his heart remained in his system, he turned to leave. Why was he drawn here? Who owned that voice?

Help me, the small voice shrieked again. You could tell that whosoever that owned it, was using her last strength to speak. H-help-me, it stammered, the voice becoming more real and audible.

Who is there? Show yourself! Scared, Dante shouted as he took unsteady steps back, away from the pile of bodies before him.

A shaking, small hand stretched from the pile of bodies. From the looks of it, it belonged to a child. Bruised, weak and almost pale.

Shooting to his feet, Dante scrambled to the hideous scene and began moving the bodies to the best of his ability. He was not just moving the bodies, he was crying, wailing and hyperventilating. If his father could see this, it would not go unpunished. He desperately wanted to rescue whosoever that was trapped there.

After tirelessly trying his best to keep it together, he succeeded in pulling the hand until the entire body of a small girl came.

The little girl was barely alive. Covered in spatters of blood and stains of ashes, making it difficult to differentiate between her original skin color and that which all the dirt has left on her.

Are you alright? Dante asked, his voice betraying his confidence.

Shit! That was a stupid question to ask, but, Dante had no idea what else to ask. Of course, the girl wasn't alright. She looked limp and the blood drained. It was difficult to tell if she was injured.

Hey, boy! What are you doing there? A harsh voice asked from behind, Dante had his back to the man questioning him and at the same time, he was thinking so fast about what to answer. He couldn't make it look like he had just rescued the child of an enemy or else, he might be severed the same punishment as a traitor.

There is someone here. I think one of the weakening survived, he said sharply, desperate to protect himself and, somehow, protect the girl.

As soon as the man saw Dante's face, he bowed. I am sorry, your Majesty. I didn't realize it was you. What are you doing in the open? You could have endangered yourself, the man ranted fast, baring his fangs and changing his upper body into his wolf.

He stepped forward and made Dante stay behind him. He only relaxed when he saw that it was nothing more than a child. Abruptly, he changed back to his human form.

The Alpha must see this. He is the one to pass the final judgment.

As the man led the little girl away, she said with her mind, help me, which only Dante could somehow hear her even without her talking.

Her eyes were weak and almost closing, but pleading with Dante as tears streamed through her frail face. She was frightened and sobbing like an injured pup.

I want my mommy, she finally protested, trying to get away from the man's firm hold.

The man ignored her pleas and wails, dragging her away like a piece of rag.

CHAPTER 2

The Blood Moon packhouse was in total ruin. Dirt and countless chores to do. The previous night, the pack had held a party for the Alpha's beloved son, Dante. Every other wolf or human in the wolf pack was allowed to attend except the 'lucky girl,' who 'merciful' Alpha Hero spared her life years back.

Hurry, you piece of trash! The future Luna of the Blood Moon pack roared at Freya.

Ever since Freya was spared as a little child fourteen years ago, she has witnessed hell. In fact, hell, was even a kind word to use in describing her experience so far.

As Alpha Hero had given the order to kill her when she was discovered, she passed out. Already, she was weak and couldn't take it anymore. People who surrounded her thought that she was dead. Left behind to die while she was unconscious, they discovered that she was now awake. Alpha Hero got to discover that she could neither remember what had just transpired nor speak. Instead of wasting her like that, according to the 'smart suggestion' of Dante, she was taken back home with them and turned into their maid.

While she has remained in a terrible condition, subjected to the most degrading and humiliating responsibilities by the Blood Moon pack, Freya has had her mind focused on freedom. That hope alone has been her drive.

Although Freya had four pairs of clothes in whole, three mostly rags and fed so poorly like an animal, she was still the most beautiful girl in the entire pack. This drew envy from all the other girls because searching the entire kingdom, Freya was the most pretty, well-mannered, kind, compassionate, truthful and loving. Despite her good qualities, it still didn't earn her any favors or likeness from any of the other kids or their parents. Apart from being from the Omega lineage, she was out of this world beautiful, which even made most of the other wolves think that Freya was an existing abomination. Most of them asked, 'how can someone be so beautiful?'

With no hope of ever having what the other kids had; loving parents, experiencing fun, having good clothes, eating good food and just being cared for, she held on.

Her Amazonian figure sat well on her wafer-thin body. She had a decanter shaped waist and her complexion had an impeccable, ochrous hue. Her full honey-dark eyebrows eased down gently to her black, beetle's-leg eyelashes. A sculptor could not have fashioned her seraph's ears and pixie's nose any better.

When she broke into a smile, her beguiling, oyster-white teeth lit up the room. It could jolt you like an electric current when that megawatt smile gave you her full attention. Filed to perfection, her long and smooth fingernails ran through her nougat-brown hair. Spools of it plunged around her photogenic face and hid a swan's neck, elegant and smooth. Her nebulous, glistening-blue eyes were a sparkle of life and hope. They were like two blue diamond jewels melted onto the snow. Her calamine-pink lips looked like fresh rose petals. They were plump. Most people rumored that she was a goddess found in the body of a girl.

Freya ran at the fullest speed possible for any human and got to Ariel. She stood with her eyes fixed on the floor, panting. She wore a blue, worn-out and oversized gown. Wounds around her head and throat. Her feet were bare and numerous bruises that has turned into purple scars covered them.

You pig! Ariel smacked Freya across the face. How could you allow me to wake up and met all this dirt? Now I am going to have a bad day, she whined.

Alpha Hero had his late Luna, the mother of Dante, handpicked by his father, Dante's late grandfather. At least that was the lie they told the pack. Hero followed suit. He did the same as his father by choosing Ariel, the young daughter and only child of the Pure Crescent pack. By birth, she was to take over the pack once her father died. That was the rule of her pack. But getting united in marriage meant that Dante would rule both packs.

Ariel was a cruel and disrespectful sixteen years old girl. Long-white-haired, green eyes and beautiful. She was one of the lucky kids that were privileged to have been selected by Alpha Hero as the future Luna of his pack, betrothed to Dante. The entire pack was just waiting for her eighteenth birthday so that the official bonding of souls ceremony could be carried out between Ariel and Dante. Due to this fact, she was treated like a queen and everything else she did, was overlooked.

Although Ariel was a year younger than Freya who was seventeen, she failed to acknowledge that Freya was a human being like her, since both of their wolves were to reveal themselves. For the females of the packs, you must turn eighteen and above before your wolf could reveal itself.

Ariel had woken up early to go hiking with her other privileged friends and decided to make poor Freya's day a bad one before she left.

The party that was held last night wasn't witnessed by Freya, nor did she eat any of the sumptuous meals they prepared. Yet, she had to clean the entire mess. Freya wasn't even allowed to eat from the same pot as the other kids. She was to wait until they were satisfied, and the leftovers tossed into the trashcan. She would then scavenge and whatever spoils she gathered, would be her food. However, Freya still ate happily out of the bins and tried to stay as invisible as possible until the Golden Rule of the Blood Moon pack which held her freedom once she turned eighteen happened.

Every day, she counted the date, minutes, and seconds in her head, removing it from how many more days she had left to earn her freedom.

Freya held her cheeks where Ariel had smacked and suppressed the tears threatening to escape her eyes. Most times, she desperately wanted to beat the crap out of the rude, spoiled, little girl in the person of Ariel, but couldn't. If the thought was even somehow discovered to be existing in her mind, that would be an excellent excuse to have her head chopped off. All the Aloha was waiting for was one mistake from her. One, tiny mistake. And Freya made it her life mission until she was freed not to make any mistakes. If her calculation was right, she had three more weeks, two days, five hours, twenty minutes and seven seconds before she turned her freedom age, eighteen.

I am sorry, I was still cleaning the Alpha's mansion, she said.

You must be stupid! You only chose to spend forever in the Alpha's mansion so that you can get a good look at my husband.

Ariel began to circle Freya like a predator would its prey. Well, too bad, he has eyes for no one else but me. Now get to cleaning this place. I will finish up with you later.

Yes- Freya left the response hanging.

Glaring at her, yes, what?

Yes, Luna.

Better.

Ariel still had two more years before she could be coronated as the Luna, but, she liked parading herself as the Luna already. When you didn't address her as the Luna, she made sure that such people were severely punished.

Freya ran off to gather her cleaning supplies from the Alpha mansion back to the packhouse to carry out Ariel's order. Hopefully, the Alpha and his son wouldn't wake up until she was done cleaning the packhouse and resumed with the Alpha Mansion or else, today might just be her death day.

CHAPTER 3

As if the day was even against Freya, immediately she started cleaning the packhouse, Dante woke up. Every morning before every other person even nurture the idea of opening their eyes, Freya would scramble off her bed, which was nothing more than pieces of rags and worn-out sheets thrown out by the others. She would often go around to gather whatever they weren't using, tossed into the bin, and select the ones she could make use of.

Before the others, Freya would rush to the packhouse to bathe. She dare not use the convenience made for the others, or she would get beaten and locked up. Freya was instructed to use the convenience made for the 'Tahilas.' Tahilas were people who committed one offense or the other and were awaiting their execution day. Those were who saw Freya as a person with flesh and blood like them. She befriended them and, before their execution, would spend so much time with them when she wasn't running around. Whenever she learned of their death, she would run deep into the woods and wail bitterly because she had lost a friend.

After Freya's quick shower, she would wear one of her rags and begin the day's chores. From cleaning to cooking to running all manner of errands, you name it, Freya would attend to all of them until her body could hardly keep up.

Dante Ian, the Alpha's only son and future Alpha of the Blood moon pack, had risen from his bed in all his glory. Dante wasn't an ugly boy for a boy his age. In fact, he had taken after all the beautiful physical features of his father. The previous night, his induction into the twenty-one years of age cycle was held. The big party left poor Freya cleaning everywhere. Since his wolf had revealed itself, some adjustments were made to his appearance. First, his hair was cut low. He also grew taller, now at 6'4ft. Trim build, not overly muscular. His golden curls which he often stretched to give it a sleek texture lashed over bright blue eyes. A straight nose and strong jaw. He was the lucky few whose wolf revealed itself immediately after he turned eighteen. A true son of his father like Alpha Hero would always brag.

Dante had the physical features that every girl lusted after in the pack. But his character was terrible. Dante wasn't always an egocentric, annoying, power tasty and merciless boy. To impress his father, who didn't want to see any sign of weakness in the future Alpha, Dante became this way. Unfortunately, the one victim that suffered his abuse of power the most was Freya. He made sure that her childhood was filled with ugly memories of being bullied. He got worse over time. Losing all traces of love or the possession of a heart.

Humming to the melodic tune that was the only thing she remembered from her childhood, Freya mopped the floor of the packhouse absentmindedly. Suddenly, she crashed her back into a hard figure which made her jolt forward, accidentally kicking the bucket she was using to clean.

Whirling around, she saw who it was, Dante, she bowed. I am sorry. I didn't know you were there. Forgive my carelessly. She said, squeezing her eyes shut and praying so hard that Dante wasn't in the mood to serve punishments.

Furious, Dante heaved a heavy sigh and rubbed his temple. Get me breakfast, he ordered. Not looking twice at Freya, he stomped away.

If only Freya could have shouted out of joy, she would. What happened to Dante? Did he wake up from the right side of the bed? Or, did something uplifting happen? It was so unlike him to let her off the hook so easily. Whatever might have been the reason for his 'kind pardon,' Freya was grateful to it.

Now Freya was torn between three duties. Making breakfast, cleaning the packhouse and the Alpha mansion. Which was most important? If she didn't make the breakfast within the next minute, that might double the punishment for her, and she wouldn't be feeling so lucky anymore. Secondly, if she wasn't back to cleaning the Alpha house soon, Alpha Hero would shred her into pieces if his sight fell on any of the chores she hadn't completed there. Lastly, she needed to be in the packhouse before Ariel returned, or it would be an entirely different episode of taunting her and whining in Freya's ears all day long.

Making her decision, she decided to fix breakfast, finish up with the packhouse and go back to cleaning the Alpha's mansion, in that order. 'Few weeks left, Freya. Just a few weeks left' kept ringing in her head.

What even annoyed Freya the most was that when she initially arrived, the place used to have a delegation of responsibilities. Especially the Alpha's mansion. There were no maids. Everyone was equal. Until she came. The Alpha decided to make her the Alpha's house personal maid. Who was he kidding? She did not just become the Alpha's house personal maid, but the maid of anyone who cared to use her. Freya couldn't complain. Of course, who was she going to complain to?

Taking a few refreshing breaths, Freya walked to the Alpha's mansion, straight to the kitchen to make breakfast. On the menu were pancakes, cheese, and fresh fruit juice. Easy-peasy. She should be in and out of there without anyone noticing and back to her chores.

Tirelessly working in the kitchen, she was able to finish. Cleaning up immediately so that she would only have the dishes to wash. Although she made the breakfast, she was never allowed to eat it. Whatever she ate was the leftover of every other person's food. What they discarded after they might have had their fill.

Staring at the different plates for breakfast on the table that she had set up, Freya counted the plates all over again, making sure that no one was left out. Making sure it was complete, there were still two pancakes left in the frying pan. Freya was so tempted to smuggle it out and, when she had her privacy, eat them.

She was drooling over the two pieces. 'Don't do it, Freya,' her conscience pricked her. She knew that nurturing such thought was a bad idea. She would land in serious trouble.

Staring at the pancakes once more, she moved to the kitchen's window and surveyed. No one was watching. She equally checked the door and no one was there. Heaving a huge sigh of relief, she carefully took out two napkins and wrapped the two pieces, hiding them in the pocket of her oversized gown. No one would suspect that such a thing was even there. Good.

It was not even the missing pancakes that would have given her away, but her body language. She was trembling and looking pale like someone who just saw a ghost. She tried so much to caution herself and get her attitude under control. Before she could take her last successive breath, Dante strolled into the kitchen.

Sighting him, she bowed. Breakfast is ready, she mumbled and hurried to leave.

Where do you think you are going? Where is my coffee?

Coffee? She asked surprised. Ever since she worked in the house, Dante was caffeine intolerant, so he didn't take things like coffee and energy drinks. But she wouldn't even dream about questioning the change in order.

Straight ahead, without wavering, she began fumbling with things to make the coffee, her hands shaking.

Stop! Dante commanded. What did you do?

She didn't respond. Instead, she stopped what she was doing and bowed her head.

Don't forget that I have turned. My wolf senses are stronger than my human senses. And I can hear your heartbeat hammering like crazy in your chest. You are guilty of something. Tell me now and I might spare you.

Shit! She had forgotten about that. Dumb her. Dante could sense, hear, see and feel a hundred times better than any other wolf. He was the strongest. And it skipped her mind to put into consideration that there was no way she would have successfully gotten out of that place without being caught by Dante unless he wasn't around.

Did you just become deaf and dumb? Don't make me repeat myself.

Freya's palms became sweaty, and an alone sweat trickled down by the side of her forehead. Should she tell him? Or, wait for him to discover it? Whichever way, her punishment wasn't going to be mild. The only thing she would plead so much for, was for Dante to take matters into his hands than to report to Alpha Hero, his father.

CHAPTER 4

Staring at Freya for a full minute without her saying anything, Dante reached for her pocket and retrieved the pancakes.

Hmm, you are not only a daughter of the weak pack but also a thief. How should I punish you? Tell dad? Or--

Kneeling, please, sobbing, do anything else to me, but don't tell your father. Please, Dante. He will kill me.

And what makes you think that I wouldn't kill you?

She didn't respond.

Okay, since I am feeling great today. Carry on with your house chores. I will look for a befitting punishment to serve you later.

Freya kept kneeling, not moving an inch. She didn't like the sound of that. It was better for Dante to take out his anger and do whatever he felt like to her; pull her hair, multitask her, have her stay outside in the cold or just take her to a corner where he would beat her up. But not just later. Later meant that he might have something mischievous. Something worse, and he wouldn't be the only one carrying it out. His friends would be there.

Didn't you hear me? Get out!

Not having much of a choice, Freya stood and ran off.

From one chore to the other, the day finally came to an end for Freya. Not having anything in her stomach since morning made her stomach grumble loudly. She carried out her routine check to see if there were leftovers and to her dismay, not even a piece of bad bread was left. All the bins had been cleared out. This must be Dante's doing. He knew very well that was where Freya ate from.

With a tired body and a hungry stomach, she dragged herself back to the attic, which was where she slept.

Her body could hardly carry her as she dragged her feet, one step at a time with her eyelids weak, finding it hard to stay open. Finally, she was able to get to the only quiet space she had. No one came to the attic because of the stories that made rounds within the wolves. It was nothing more than a rumor. But, it was believed that the Luna, Alpha Hero's Luna, had died in the attic. The cause of her death was still a mystery. So many things about the late Luna were a mystery. Maybe that was why they gave Freya the space. Because it was rejected and held a sad memory.

Immediately she made her way up to the squeaky ladder and switched on the light, it was a nightmare before her sight. She slouched to the floor, her palms covering her face, and began weeping. It turned out that the entire place had been tampered with. Tampered was even a kind word. Her place was destroyed.

The cracked mirror that she often used to fix herself and check where she had sustained injuries was broken to pieces. Her clothes were shredded and so was her sleeping sheet. The few books she used at school were ripped apart, page by page. The entire place was covered with water as if the roof had been taken off, and it rained directly into the room.

Now her problems were doubled. No food to eat and no place to sleep in.

Too tired to continue crying, she curled into a ball despite the cold water slapping against her skin as she tried to sleep off.

*********

Three years later...

Hurry, honey, you will be late! A male voice urged the female still trying to fix herself one last time. You look great already. Remember, this deal is important.

Comfortable with her looks, she dragged her purse and gave her boyfriend a quick kiss on the lips. I love you as big as those fat checks I am going to receive today.

Really? Freya Parrish, your love for me is equivalent to a check. Such material comparison.

Oh, spare me, babe. You know I love you load," she gave him a floor-sweeping smile and hurried out of their luxurious apartment.

Take the Lamborghini with you, he shouted.

********

No, no, no, no, not today. You can't do this to me today! But the car died anyway. It throbbed onto the shoulder of the empty highway, bucked twice, and gurgled to silence.

Aw, damn it. Freya's four-inch heels landed on the pavement, followed by tanned legs and a long-tight-black dress. She glared down at the car, the Oklahoma wind tugging her light-brown hair out of its careful loose-wavy bun.

Of all days, the Lamborghini for no reason decided to mess up. Freya jammed her hands on her hips and skewered the car with her enraged stare. 'Take the Lamborghini,' her boyfriend, Jake, had said. It was a big day and Jake wanted everything to be perfect for her.

Freya, who would on a normal day, had refused, only agreed because the client who flew in from Russia liked exotic cars. And if she secured this deal, her commission could be enormous. If she could get there.

Freya kicked one of the tires in rage and then danced back. Her shoes were expensive, but that still hurt.

Perfect. Jake could be generous-and he had the filthy richness to do it-but he also forgot little details like making sure that cars were in good condition.

His adorable highness can just come and get me, then. Freya went around to the passenger side of the car and leaned in through the open window to grab her cell phone from her purse.

Today. This had to happen today. Still bent into the car, she punched numbers with her thumb, but the phone made the beeping noise that indicated it was out of range.

No freaking way. Freya backed out of the car and raised the phone high. Come on. Find me a signal.

Oddly, she felt uneasy. Like someone was behind her and when she turned, no one was there. Was she being watched? That felt so creepy.

As she got out of the car, he saw him. The man stood about twelve feet from the car, not on the road, but in the tall Oklahoma grass beside it. The grass had flowers growing in a line and this being summer, the grass was also a nice vivid green.

It wasn't every day that a girl with trouble had the liberty of seeing someone with a T-shirt standing by the side of the road, watching her.

Really watching her. His eyes were fixed on Freya, not in an abnormal way, but looking at her intensely. Like mind readers, would focus when they wanted to read minds.

He wasn't scruffy like a creepy person, either. His face was shaved, his body and clothes clean, jeans mud-free despite his having walked through the field. And he must have walked through the field because she sure hadn't seen him on the road.

His hair. . . Freya blinked as the strong sunshine caressed his sleek hair, reminding her of a certain boy who used to have the same hair. Only that, this one was a bit longer. No freaking way. Could this be him? Dante Ian?

CHAPTER 5

She knew she should be afraid. A strange guy giving her the chilly remembrance of one person she would do anything to have his memory erased from her head. 

This guy with his stupid perfect hair popping out of nowhere, staring at her like he was about to devour her, should terrify her. But it didn't.

He hadn't been there when Freya had first stopped and climbed out of the car. He must have arrived when she'd bent over to get the phone, which meant he'd seen every bit of her round backside hugged by her skintight dress.

This stretch of road was deserted. Eerily so. The streets in this area were always packed, but once outside the city, it was possible to find long stretches of highway empty of traffic, such as the one Freya drove down to get to the company every day.

There was no one out here, no one speeding along the straight road to rescue

her. No one but herself in a now-rumpled dress that wouldn't make quite the impression she had hoped on her business partner. And, the tall man staring at her from the grass.

Hey! Freya shouted at him. You know how to fix a car? not having much of a choice, she either approached the stranger or, sacrifice, her big day.

Getting no response from the fine stranger, Freya gathered all the courage she had left and began stomping toward the stranger. 

Getting to where he stood, the images of Dante flashed through Freya's head. 

It was no joke that this weird stranger gave her a worrying feeling and reminded her so much of Dante. 

She could still recognize the Dante in question when she sets her eyes on him. Or, could she not? Has it been that long already that his face had slowly begun fading away with each day that passes by? Maybe Freya was doing a good job of forgetting everyone who caused her pain.

Hi. She said sharply. Do you know how to fix a car? She asked again.

The stranger gave her a scrutinizing look from her hair to her toes. Instead of a response, his eyes seemed to have been penetrating Freya's soul, baring out what she was thinking.

Okay, I think I just encountered a deaf and dumb person, she mumbled to herself, careful not to say it to the hearing of the composed stranger.

Meanwhile, the stranger was neither deaf nor dumb. He was just mesmerized by such beauty and shocked to have met someone on the lonely road.

This was his favorite spot to get away from all the noise. 

He would often lay on the grass, taking time to appreciate nature while inhaling the cool air and listening to absolute quietness. Not until it wasn't so quiet anymore.

The fierce lady with a broken car had stirred something in him. Something like hope, connection, and power. Why it happened, he still couldn't tell.

Freya threw up her hands in annoyance and hurried back to her car. 

She had no idea what to do and whom to call. Walking to the company wasn't even an option. Beyond the car angering her, she was more infuriated by the quiet stranger.

Although, he'd left his clothes hidden behind a little rise at the side of this road. He was supposed to head back to join the others soon

He'd dressed, walked around the rise to the road. . . and saw a fine backside sticking out of a bright, beautiful car. The backside was covered in tight expensive fabric, showing off nothing but beautiful long legs. Shoes that rose made those legs even shapelier.

Not able to take it anymore, the stranger walked to Freya, earning an astonishing look as he did so.

He wanted to get a closer look at her. He couldn't get enough of her fresh scent. A mixture of Vanilla and seductive cologne that intoxicated him.

Can you pop the hood for me? he spoke for the first time, his voice very deep and hoarse.

For a couple of seconds, Freya just stared wide-eyed. Oh, he could talk. And she regretted making the comments she made earlier.

I don't know, she said, frustrated. This car is different from anything I usually drive. Hang on, let me check. Her voice was a sweet little melodic sound, not too heavy. A light touch, enough to make warmth crawl through the stranger's veins and go straight to his cock.

Freya found a catch and worked the hood open, then dusted off her hands and peered at the inner workings without comprehension. Expensive car, my ass. She scowled at it. Expensive just means more trouble.

The stranger looked inside. The layout was much different from the cars he was used to. Not that he had seen many anyway. But, he knew a thing or two about different cars.

Got a socket wrench?

When he looked up at Freya, he saw her staring at him from behind the sunglasses. Your eyes, she said. They're. . . Beautiful. Not able to contain her doubts, have I seen you before? You look oddly familiar. She blurted out.

Oddly familiar, he chuckled. You know me, he said almost in a whisper.

Know You? Elaborate, she pressed.

In time. Just with time, he said, with a distasteful look on his face that quickly disappeared as soon as it appeared on his face. It was so fast that Freya barely noticed.

The stranger turned away before her scent convinced him to press her back against the side of the car and hold her to himself. That fantasy would be short-lived because she looked like someone who could very well handle herself.

She opened the back of the car and found a toolbox, which did have a set of socket wrenches. 

He took one and reached inside the car, looking for the silence within himself that would lead him to the problem. He seemed to be able to sense what was wrong with engines, and how to coax them back to life. He couldn't explain how he did it-he only knew that cars and trucks didn't watch him or fear him, and he could see what was wrong when others couldn't.

Hopefully, he can also see what others don't see in Freya.

CHAPTER 6

As he worked, the neckline of his T-shirt slid down, baring the deep cut that ran around his throat that had healed up.

Freya unintentionally bent over to him, the top of her dress dangerously open, the warmth of her touching his cheek.

Holy shit, she said. You're a warrior. A werewolf at that.

Yes. How did you know?

Let's just say my intuition is sharp, Freya said, covering up her shocked expression.

Of course, she knew. Years of staying with werewolves of different breeds made her familiar with all the species, even if they took human forms. Why would a werewolf be in Oklahoma City? Why would she be seeing one after all these years? The presence of one was eerie to her. 

She lifted her sunglasses and stared at him. Her eyes were clear blue, flecked with a little brown.

She stared at him frankly, in open curiosity, and fear that made her heart drum.

Of course, she was afraid of a tribe that drove her out of her home. She wanted nothing to do with her past. The presence of them here was absolute bad news for everyone.

The stranger met her gaze, unblinking. 

Her eyes widened the slightest bit, as though she realized something had happened between them, but she didn't know what.

She restored her sunglasses and straightened up. "I've never seen your breed around

before. I didn't know that you were allowed out of the pack house to roam around freely. Or, has the rules changed?"

The stranger picked up the wrench with one hand and moved the other to the timing belt chain, which had come loose from the gear. We're allowed.

The repair needed both delicacy and strength, but the stranger finished quickly, leaning all the way inside and letting his fingers know what to do. He backed out and closed the toolbox. Start it now.

Freya eagerly rushed to the car, slid inside, and cranked it to life. She emerged again, leaving the car running, while the stranger scanned a few more things.

The timing belt will hold for now, but the whole shaft is worn out and could break. Take the car home and don't use it again until it's fixed.

Terrific. Jake is going to kill me.

The stranger didn't know who Jake was and didn't much care. He carried the toolbox to the back for her and closed the small trunk, then returned to close the food.

He found her smiling at him on the other side of the trunk as it came down.

You're somewhat amazing, you know that? she asked. So what were you doing out in that field? Being far from home could be distressing. Does your Alpha know of your absence?

He let his lips twitch. I doubt that, Stranger simply said.

Very funny. I've never met a wolf with such boldness. I like rule-breakers. Call it a clue, but, I think you are one. A badass at that. Anyway, you're a lifesaver. I'm Freya, by the way. She stuck out her hand, then pulled it back from his now-greasy one. Hang on. I think there are some wipes in here.

Freya leaned in through the passenger window again. The stranger stood still and enjoyed watching her, and when she straightened, she knew he'd been looking.

Like what you see? she asked, her voice holding a challenge.

The stranger saw no reason to lie. Yes, he said.

You are straightforward. Freya pulled out two damp wipes for him.

The stranger took them and wiped them off his hands. Wet wipes were unfamiliar to him. He got into the city to find someone, and this was his second day of being exposed to unimportant things. Not that he didn't know about the basic things, but, he was hardly used to them. 

You need a ride into Oklahoma? Freya asked. It's still two hours from here to my company, so I'd better take this car back to Jake's and not risk it. Jake loves this car.  My boss is going to kill me, but I'm so late now, it's not going to matter.

Yes.

Freya sent him a wide smile. Yes, you want a ride? Or are you just being polite while I rant?

The ride. He hadn't intended to go further. Just stay at a safe distance and observe the city while laying in wait for his destined mate. He wasn't going to risk losing her over protecting himself since he was unfamiliar with the environment. 

Man of few words. I like it. Jake, my boyfriend, can talk on and on and on about his family, his business, his day, his life-Jake. His favorite topic. He keeps the environment lively.

Stranger stopped. Boyfriend.

"Yes? You