As we waited with Dane already armed, nothing showed.


    “This is definitely getting scary now.”


    Blood & Silver: Rise of the Alpha’s Rejected… 1/7


    FREYA


    “Something doesn’t feel right,” he had said, his voice careful yet firm, leaving a chill in the air.


    The training arena rumbled with grunts and the shing of metal; sometimes there was even cheering from spectators.


    I stood at the edge of the training ground, pretending to watch the trainees, though my eyes barely left Dane’s movements with his precision and weightiness in each movement, with the strength behind each swing of the de.


    “You’re staring again “Piper’s voice cut through my distraction.


    She swept past me, carrying a load of training equipment; her voice was as t as her tone was unmistakably annoyed.


    I grinned, really not bothering to hide it. “Can you me me? He’s impressive.”


    I heard the eye roll and the muttered sound as Piper turned and walked away.


    I didn’t care. It was equally a pleasure and a frust ation to watch Dane because he was everything a leader should be, strong, confident, untouchable.


    And yet frustratingly out of reach.


    I was still lingering at the edge of the training groundster on, after the crowd had all dispersed. Dane was speaking to Warrick low but firm, talking about patrol schedules.


    I waited until just the right moment, stepping forward as Warrick nodded and walked off.


    “You’ve been working hard,” I said then, my voice softening, a hint of admirationced within. Dane barely looked at me.


    “It has been for everyone. Thest few days have been pretty tense.”


    I took another step closer and flicked at imaginary dust on my sleeve.


    “Not everybody’s got the same stamina, though. You make it look easy.”


    He stiffened for a second, then moved back to insert some forced space between us again.


    His face was impassive, but the tone of his voice was adamant. “Keep to your work, Freya.”


    The sting of rejection hit me more painful than I had thought. I forced a smile onto my lips while my chest seemed to beat with frustration.


    “Of course, Alpha. Always.”


    Dane gave a curl nod and looked away, his attention swinging to another group of wolves.


    The day wore on, and with every minute, the bitter feeling of resentment just dug deeper into my heart.


    Evening found me at the packhouse, watching from darkness as Auroraughed with Piper.


    She was so beautiful, so effortlessly, and she fitted with Dane so seamlessly.


    My hands fisted, my nails digging deeper into the skin of my palms.


    This was so unfair. Aurora was to have it all: Dane’s love, respect within the wolf pack, respect and nobility in a state, while I was one of those other wolves in ranks, inconsequential and unconsidered.


    “If I can’t have him,” I muttered to myself, my voice very low and venomous, “I’ll make sure she knows that either she doesn’t have him in all


    I thought about my n the next morning.


    *** *** ***


    During breakfast, with wolves surging in mass into themon hall, I waited near the door, waiting for Dane.


    Finally, he pushed through the doorway, and I moved toward him, walking confidently.


    “Good morning, Alpha,” I said, smiling brightly and warmly at him.


    “Freya,” he replied, his tone polite but chilly.


    “I was hoping to discuss the patrol schedule,” I began, pulling a small notebook from my pocket.


    “I noticed some gaps that might need addressing.”


    Dane nodded, gesturing for me to walk with him. “Let’s hear it.”


    As we strolled down the hall, I made my voice carry just enought to make sure those around us heard me.


    “You’re always so thorough with these things. It’s no wonder the pack feels so secure under your leadership.”


    Dane cast me a look, his brow furrowing. “It’s a team effort, Freya.”


    “Of course,” I agreed quickly.


    “But every team needs a strong leader. And you well, you set the


    standard.


    He didn’t say a word; his eyes shot to a pack of wolves deep in discussion over the day’s duties.


    But I caught the sh of unease crossing his face and it sent an awfully twisted thrill through me.


    By the time breakfast was done, whispers had already begun.


    I was picking up murmurs of conversations as I worked my way through the packhouse.


    “Freya’s around Dane quite often, isn’t she?


    “You think Aurora has an issue with that?”


    “She’s probably just being helpful.”


    I couldn’t help but snicker to myself, the seeds of doubt already growing faster than I had thought.


    That afternoon, I came across Piper near the training grounds.


    She sat cross legged on the ground, running a stone over the length of a de. Her movements almost seemed mechanical.


    “Busy as always,” I said, leaning against a pole nearby.


    Piper didn’t so much as raise an eyebrow. “What do you want, Freya?”


    “What, can’t a shewolf be social?” I asked sweetly.


    Piper shot me a sharp nce. “Not when it’s you.”


    I littered. “You’re always so suspicious. Loosen up, Piper. I’m


    just here to help.”


    She said nothing more, turning back to the de in her hand.


    “Anyway,” I said, my tone casual, “you and Warrick seem. close.tely. It’s sweet.”


    Piper paused for a half second before returning to whatever it was she was working on. “What’s your point?”


    “No point,” I said with a shrug. “Just an observation. Though, if I were you, I’d keep an eye on him. You never know who’s after


    his attention.”


    оп


    The grip the de in Piper’s hand tightened, her eyes. narrowing. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”


    “Maybe,” I said, stepping back with a smirk. “But a little caution never hurts.”


    The day swelled into evening, and I made my way to my cabin. And it was then, really, that the feeling of satisfaction settled.


    The pack had started to notice, to question, to doubt. And Aurora. well, she would soon learn perfection was fragile.


    But as I readied myself for bed, my eye fell to a small drawer on the side of my bed.


    Within it, I’d stashed all the notes and trinkets I’d picked up along the way, moments and choices that’d made me, me.


    Among themy a single folded note. I opened it slowly,


    my breath catching over the words scrawled out in Rowan’s handwriting:


    “If you’re reading this, it means I trusted you once. Don’t make me regret it.”


    My fingers closed on the note like a vice. My head spun. Arrogant, ambitious, naively idealistic but not stupid.


    The fact that he’d leave this here was the surest indication he knew a great deal more than I did.


    Like a storm full of rain, the implication of the note weighed down upon me.


    My ns were well on their way, but the ghost of Rowan was a great dealrger than I had considered.


    I blew out thentern and put the room into darkness. The words of the note zed in my mind a silent warning not to be quenched.