Chapter 2

Freya’s POV

My name is Freya Collins. I’m an 18-year-old she-wolf from the Midnight Pack. No one in the pack knows I have a wolf because I don’t have a scent, and I plan to keep it that way. I was raised by my adoptive parents, Dad Lucas and Mom Rica. They are both respected pack warriors, and they’ve always given me love and support. What the rest of the pack doesn’t know is that my parents have been training me since I was a kid.

My adoptive parents found me near the pack border, but no one knows how I got there. I don’t remember anything before waking up in the pack hospital. My parents told me I had serious injuries, which might be why I lost my memory. Because I love them and trust them, I never pushed to learn more about my past.

They did tell me one important thing about who I am. I’m the daughter of an alpha, but they asked me to keep that secret from the pack. My biological mother, Lexi—the Luna of the now-extinct Howlers Pack—once saved my adoptive mother, Rica. Before she died, my Luna mother told Rica to go to a certain spot at the pack border at a specific time. That’s where they found me. Rica promised to take care of me. Even though it was risky, my adoptive parents—who didn’t have children of their own—agreed.

When I learned about my biological parents, I asked my mom why I didn’t have a scent.

“I don’t know either,” she said. “Your mom had a cinnamon scent, and I’m sure your father had his own scent too. I never met him, though—he was the alpha.”

“Sweetie, don’t worry about it,” my dad added. “Maybe not having a scent actually protects you. If people think you’re wolfless, they won’t see you as a threat.”

I agreed with him.

Because no one could track me by scent, I often roamed the pack borders without anyone knowing, practicing everything my parents had taught me. No one in the pack could ever figure out where I was, and that made me feel safe.

That lasted until the Lycan convoy arrived.

Four months ago, seven black SUVs drove onto the park grounds. The whole pack spent a week preparing for their arrival. Even though he tried to hide it, Alpha Daniel looked nervous and worried.

At first, we thought only Lycans were visiting. We didn’t know the Lycan prince—the future king—was with them.

When he stepped out of the SUV, a powerful scent filled the air. Pi and I were thrilled. I had just turned eighteen, and we thought we had found our mate.

I looked up, expecting him to look around for me too.

But he didn’t.

Instead, another SUV door opened, and a female Lycan stepped out beside him, acting like she was his mate. The sight hurt more than I expected. The pain hit me immediately.

He can’t smell us. He doesn’t know we’re his, Pi said sadly.

Next to me, another she-wolf whispered for me to bow my head before they thought I was being disrespectful.

Since that day, every time I saw him, I walked the other way. Luckily, I was sure he still had no idea who I was because I had no scent. Whenever he was present for announcements, I kept my head down and avoided looking at him.

For the past four months, it felt like a long game of hide-and-seek.

Sometimes I wanted to claim him, but Pi always stopped me, reminding me that he didn’t know the truth. I tried to be patient and hoped that one day he would discover who I was.

But every time I saw him with that female Lycan, the pain came back. Part of me wanted to reject him for not waiting… for not searching for me.

“Freya, are you so bored in my class that your mind is somewhere else?” my professor, Ms. Lalyn, asked when she noticed I wasn’t paying attention. “Would you like to share what you’re thinking about?”

I looked around and saw everyone laughing, including Clay and Alec. Even though I was a year older than them, they had skipped a grade because they were so smart, which put us in the same college class.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Lalyn. I was just—” I started to explain, but she cut me off.

“So you were thinking about our future beta?” she said, glancing toward the door behind me.

I noticed her bowing slightly, and then I realized my mate had walked in. Fighting the urge to look around like everyone else did, I slowly turned my head. I kept my eyes down so I wouldn’t meet his gaze. Everyone in the room stood up out of respect.

“Please sit,” he said.

We all sat down. I kept my head lowered.

Then that voice spoke again.

“Looks like the wolfless girl is in this class too,” Eunice said mockingly.

“Will you ever stop, Eunice?” my mate growled. “What’s going on here?” he asked Professor Lalyn.

“Nothing, Your Highness,” she said. “I’m just surprised Freya was distracted. When I asked her why, she mentioned our future beta.”

I wanted to see his reaction, but I was too afraid to look up.

“I see. Maybe he’s her mate,” he said, and several people started teasing us.

In our class, no one dared bully me—not only because Clay and Alec protected me, but also because I did well in class, which earned some respect.

“Is that true, Clay?” he asked.

“Not exactly, Your Highness,” Clay said. “But if it were true, I’d be happy. Freya is everything I’d want in a mate.” He winked at me.

“That’ll only happen if she isn’t my mate, rookie,” Alec added, rolling his eyes when Clay groaned.

“It looks like the future beta and gamma both have their eyes on the same she-wolf,” my mate said.

I still didn’t look up.

“Any good wolf would want her as their mate,” Clay replied. “We’re no different.”

Alec nodded.

“What’s so special about a wolfless bitch?” Eunice snapped.

Growls immediately came from my mate, Clay, and Alec.

“Take her out of here!” my Lycan prince ordered.

One of the Lycan warriors stepped forward and tried to escort Eunice out.

“I’m sorry, I was just saying—” she started, but my mate ignored her. She was dragged out of the room.

“I have an announcement,” he said. “Next week, there will be a friendly fighting tournament in the pack. Anyone can join, and I’d like to see many of you there.”

Then he left the room. As he walked out, I could feel his gaze on me.

After he was gone, I finally took a deep breath. Clay and Alec quickly came over.

“Are you okay?” they asked.

I smiled.

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be? I’m used to hearing things like that. It doesn’t bother me anymore.”

“Alright, everyone, focus,” Ms. Lalyn said. “As you heard, it’s just a friendly fight. If you want to test your strength, join the tournament. The Lycan prince will be there to make sure everything stays safe. If anything goes wrong, he’ll step in.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

I thought about joining, but I quickly dismissed the idea. If I fought, I might reveal too much about myself.

Instead, I decided I would just watch—and maybe learn a few new techniques from the fighters.