Matteo’s POV

“Why are you suddenly suggesting a friendly fighting tournament, Your Highness?” Alpha Daniel asked, clearly confused.

“I’ve been staying with the pack for a few months now, and I’d like to see how strong the pack members have become,” I explained. “The king asked me to report on the pack’s abilities. He wants to make sure everyone can defend themselves if necessary.” I said this to calm any suspicions he might have.

“I see,” he said. “I’m proud to say our pack trains regularly, and everyone does their best. When were you thinking of holding the tournament?”

“How about a week from now?” I replied.

“That works for me,” he said. That answer pleased me.

“I’d like to announce it personally, so I’ll go to the pack school,” I said as I stood up and looked at Calvin. He nodded and gestured toward the door.

“Before I join you, I’ll tell my beta and gamma to start preparing for the event,” Alpha Daniel added.

“Since it’s just a small tournament, keep the preparations simple,” I reminded him.

He nodded, and Calvin and I headed to the school.

When we reached the locker area, we unexpectedly ran into Eunice.

“There you are! I’ve been looking for you,” she said with a smile.

“I don’t remember inviting you. Why are you here?” I asked.

“As your future mate, I think it’s my duty to be wherever you are and help you with whatever you need,” she replied.

At that moment, I regretted getting involved with her more than ever.

“Don’t give yourself false hope, Eunice. You know how I feel about my mate. I’m waiting for her,” I said firmly.

“Why wait for someone who might never show up?” she asked, trying to hide her frustration.

“She already has. I just missed her,” I answered.

“Are you sure about what you sensed? For all we know, she might already be dead,” she said.

Anger immediately rose inside me, and a growl escaped my throat.

“I’m sorry,” she quickly added. “I was just saying there’s a chance that—”

“Shut the fuck up,” I snapped. “I know she’s alive. I can feel her calling for me. If you want to keep your tongue, you’d better watch what you say.”

Fear flashed in her eyes, but she quickly smiled again.

“Fine. If you want to wait for her, go ahead. While she’s not here, let me make you happy,” she said, slipping her arms around mine as she walked with us.

As we turned the corner, I saw the future beta walking with the she-wolf who had no scent. They looked happy, teasing each other. But I could feel tension coming from her.

Could she smell me?

During the conversation, she kept her head down, hiding her eyes. That wasn’t unusual. I was the Lycan prince and their future king.

The future beta spoke for her most of the time, which made me think they were very close. As I thought about it, my Lycan kept growling in my head.

I kept talking so that she would stay in my sight.

Suddenly, I felt her anger. She said she had remembered something, and the future beta explained that she had been bullied because she didn’t have a wolf.

When Eunice spoke, she only made things worse. My Lycan wanted to hurt her, and he would have if I hadn’t stopped him.

Since they were still in class, the future beta excused them and led her to their classroom. As they walked away, I saw her resting her head on his chest.

Using my Lycan hearing, I heard her thank him.

At that moment, I wished I were in his place. I wanted to comfort her myself.

We continued visiting different classes to check on things and announce the tournament. My thoughts kept drifting back to Freya, and my Lycan suddenly purred.

What was happening?

In the eighty-three years we had been together, he had never reacted like this to anyone—not to a Lycan or a she-wolf.

What was so special about Freya?

Calvin and I continued visiting classrooms, followed by Eunice and the other Lycans. I wondered which class Freya was in.

Since she didn’t have a wolf, I assumed she wouldn’t join the tournament. It would be dangerous for her to fight someone who did.

Every time I announced the tournament, I saw excitement in the students’ eyes. But I was still disappointed in the future alpha. I kept wondering what would happen to the Midnight Pack once he took over.

After we left one classroom, Calvin spoke quietly.

“I don’t think Alpha Daniel should make his son the next alpha. I don’t see any leadership in him at all.”

I completely agreed. I had thought the same thing since we first met him.

Clay seemed like a much better choice. But I doubted Alpha Daniel would ever give him the position, even though Clay clearly cared about the pack and its people.

“Why are you even worrying about this pack?” Eunice said suddenly. “They’re beneath us. They should be our slaves.”

“I don’t think you understand what it means to be a Lycan,” I said, trying to stay calm. “We’re here to protect them and make sure they’re safe. Our job is not to enslave them. Remember that, Eunice.”

She lowered her head and stayed quiet.

Her words only caused trouble. I wondered again why I had ever gotten involved with her.

“Because you’re an idiot,” my Lycan said in my head.

And honestly, he was probably right.

We returned to the hallway where we had seen Clay and Freya earlier. I remembered they had gone a different way to their classroom.

My Lycan grew excited at the thought, and I quickly headed in that direction.

I had heard that this class was louder and more energetic than the others, which made me curious.

I tried to enter quietly so no one would notice me, but the professor spotted me immediately and greeted me.

Freya’s body suddenly stiffened, and I wondered why.

The students turned toward me and respectfully lowered their heads. Freya kept hers down.

For a moment, I considered ordering her to raise her head and look at me, but I stopped myself. I didn’t want to sound arrogant.

Instead, I asked the professor what had been happening in the class. His answer disappointed me.

Apparently, Freya had been distracted because she was thinking about Clay. My Lycan didn’t like that at all.

Before I could stop myself, the words slipped out.

“Maybe he’s her mate.”

The entire class started teasing them, which I found irritating. I looked at Clay, hoping for clarification.

His answer relieved me at first.

But that feeling didn’t last long.

He openly admitted he liked her, and the future gamma said the same thing. Freya still kept her head down, which made it look like she was focused only on Clay.

That only made my frustration grow.

Eunice made things worse with her comments. My Lycan’s anger toward her exploded, and I growled.

“Take her out of here,” I ordered.

“I’m sorry, I was just saying—” Eunice started.

But Calvin quickly escorted her away, knowing my Lycan was about to lose control.

Once she was gone, I addressed the class.

“I have an announcement. Next week, there will be a friendly fighting tournament in the pack. Anyone who wants to participate is welcome.”

As I spoke, I noticed Freya still hadn’t lifted her head.

That made me suspicious. It felt like she was hiding something—from me and from everyone else.

Meanwhile, Clay and Alec asked if she was okay. Her response made me even more determined to deal with the bullying problem in this pack.

A week later, the day of the tournament finally arrived.

I was excited, but also nervous. For the past week, one thought had been stuck in my mind, and I needed to confirm it.

While I was getting ready for the event, Calvin walked in with surprising news.

Freya had signed up to fight.

I was shocked.

I couldn’t understand how she planned to fight without a wolf.