Betrayed By The Pack

Chapter 3: A Dangerous Alliance

Freya's POV

Like pieces of a dream, the world returned to me in bits and pieces. I opened my eyes and noticed the faint flickering light of a fire close by. Maybe I was lying on blankets or something convenient. Even though I felt weak, and my body hurt, it wasn't quite as severe as it had been.

A voice from the darkness remarked, "Ah, you're awake." It was slow and deep, and it made me shudder.

I carefully pushed off the blanket and looked around as I sat up. There was only a fire and a few strewn-about goods in the tiny camp. Then I noticed him, seated across from me, observing with a look that was impossible to read.

When I had almost given up, it was the man from the riverbank who came to my aid.

"Where am I?" Trying to speak steadily, I asked.

His keen, sharp eyes studied me as he tilted his head. "My camp," he said plainly. "You appeared to need assistance."

My nerves were not calmed by his tone. I sensed that this man was an Alpha; he had the same strong energy as Finnick, but it was different.

"Why... why did you assist me?" I looked him in the eye and asked.

His lips curled in a cunning smile. Because I think you have potential, Freya. The potential that others have overlooked. His eyes were shining as he leaned forward. "I wish to strengthen you."

I was at a loss for words. I was getting just what I had been longing for from this man, Kade, as he had introduced himself. Power. Strength. However, I was unable to ignore the questions that were brewing in my head. I had no idea who he was or what he wanted in exchange.

"What makes you want to assist me?" With a stronger tone, I asked. "You're not even familiar with me."

Kade's smile never wavered as he lifted an eyebrow. Freya, you don't realize how much I know. I am aware that your pack abandoned you and cast you out. I am aware that you were rejected by the Alpha you believed to be your mate.

His comments made my heart tighten, but I maintained a composed face. You feel sorry for me, then? Is that it?

"Sorry?" He chuckled. "No. Freya, I don't feel sorry for you. You have my admiration. You made it through alone, didn't you? Even when you had nothing left.

Feeling the weight of his stare, I swallowed. I had survived, and he was right. Just almost. He was now allowing me to transform that into something more.

"What do you have to offer?" I crossed my arms and asked. "What do you want in exchange for me?"

Kade's smile dimmed a bit, and his face became grave. "I'm looking for an ally. Someone with a personal connection to the Whiteclaw Pack and a motive to bring them down.

I felt a mixture of sadness and rage when the pack was brought up. They would disregard me as if I were unimportant. I had been publicly rejected by Finnick. But was I truly prepared to turn on them? To abandon everything I had ever known?

With a gentle yet convincing tone, Kade went on, "I'll teach you how to harness the strength inside you." "I'll teach you how to be strong." And I only ask for your commitment in exchange.

For a while, we sat quietly while the sound of the fire crackled around us. My thoughts were racing as I glanced down at my hands. Did I want this? To have the strength to never feel helpless again? To be brave enough to confront Finnick and make him feel bad for ever judging me?

"You'll make me stronger?" Quietly, I asked.

Kade gave a nod. "I'll provide for all of your needs. But Freya, it's not a simple journey. Sacrifice is necessary for power.

Despite my hesitation, my heart was already making up its mind. I was left with nothing and no one to turn to. I was going to seize the opportunity if it meant that I would finally be more than simply the odd one out.

"All right," I answered, looking him in the eye. "I'll carry it out. I'll be on your side.

There was a brief flash of satisfaction in Kade's eyes. He held out his hand and I accepted it, enjoying the warmth of his hold. His strength and the knowledge that someone saw potential in me were reassuring.

He whispered, "Good choice, Freya," and released my hand. "You won't be sorry."

Over the next few days, Kade started teaching me things I never would have imagined. His pack differed from Whiteclaw in that they prized loyalty and tenacity in addition to strength. He clarified that there has long been a rivalry between Whitelaw and his pack, the Blackfang Pack.

As we exercised by the fire one evening, Kade remarked, "Finnick's pack may seem powerful, but they've been resting on their power for too long." While my pack has been honing our talents and waiting for the ideal opportunity, they have become complacent.

As I listened, I became aware of how intense the rivalry was. To increase Whiteclaw's territory, Finnick's father had previously challenged the Blackfang Pack. Although Blackfang's story had not ended well, they had been preparing for a comeback ever since.

"You want retribution?" I inquired.

Kade shrugged. It goes beyond simple retaliation. The goal is to survive. Whiteclaw and other packs believe they can control everyone. It's time they understood that their haughtiness has a price.

I nodded, realizing the stakes were higher than ever. I got excited at the thought of Finnick, and his pack being humbled. If I could participate in that and show him that I wasn't weak...

Will you, Kade, show me how to be resilient enough to confront them? With hardly more than a whisper, I asked.

His eyes were a little proud when he gazed at me. Indeed, Freya. But keep in mind that it involves more than simply physical prowess. You must possess intelligence to recognize your advantages and disadvantages.

Kade's tone changed one evening as we sat by the fire; it became calmer and almost reflective. "I've known something about you since the day I found you, Freya."

I gave him a questioning glance. "What do you mean?"

Kade leaned forward, staring straight ahead. "No one in Whiteclaw informed you of your ancestry. They most likely concealed it from you out of concern for its potential consequences.

My heart raced, and I felt a mixture of exhilaration and bewilderment. "What are you talking about, exactly?"

He kept a close eye on me. "Freya, you have strength in your blood. A heritage that includes some of the strongest wolves this region has ever seen.

I gasped at what he said. I had never heard this before no one in Whiteclaw had ever spoken of anything like it.

"Why would they keep that information from me?" With a tinge of resentment, I inquired.

Kade's eyes grew softer. Those in authority occasionally worry about the ascent of others. Perhaps they believed that if you found out, you would pose a threat.

Anger, betrayal, and a strong want to learn more were among the many emotions that swept over me. I had always felt different and out of place, and this was the aspect of myself that I had never fully comprehended. Kade was telling me the truth now.

With a cunning smirk, Kade went on, "But I won't just tell you everything right now." "You will have to demonstrate your loyalty if you wish to learn about your heritage."

I felt the weight of his words as I tightened my hands. Demonstrating my allegiance would require me to abandon everything I knew and devote myself entirely to his pack.

"What are you expecting me to do?" Despite my feelings of uneasiness, I asked in a steady voice.

Kade's eyes gleamed in the firelight, and his smile grew. "Remain with me, Freya. Learn from me and train with me. And you'll have the answers you're looking for when the moment is right.

I nodded slowly, my worries obscured by the excitement and the prospect of power. I would remain with him, absorb as much information as I could, and perhaps one day I would discover my true self.

However, a tiny bit of uneasiness began to creep into my thoughts as I met Kade's focused gaze. There was no going back from the decision I was about to make, which may alter everything.