The Rogue Queen

Chapter 11

Freya rubbed her eyes groggily as she looked around her bare room whilst wondering if the last few days had been a dream. They had been so far removed from her usual life that part of her couldn't possibly believe they were real.

Leon had given her a pass on morning training and school, she had returned with Oliver really late last night to find a note from Leon excusing her and requesting that she come join Luna Kate and Alpha Matteo for lunch. She had slept right through breakfast and now was trying to find the least offensive thing in her wardrobe to wear to meet the Luna and Alpha.

Do you think we'll see Oliver today? Hera asked hopefully.

Freya sighed. Don't get your hopes up Hera. I don't know how this is supposed to work. Guys like him promise girls the Moon and the stars and rarely deliver it. We've seen it lots of times.

But he didn't promise us anything. He was honest about what he wanted, and we agreed. Hera protested, and Freya felt a stab of guilt for her wolf. She knew that deep down, her wolf wanted a mate, and it was Freya's deep objection that would prevent it. But they both knew Oliver wasn't their mate, and he would never be.

You're right he didn't promise us anything. Maybe I'm being too harsh on him, but we've witnessed it before, girls draping themselves over him and the other ranked members. I won't be one of those. We aren't a pick me girl Hera, and I won't lower us to that level. So far, everything he's said to us and all the kissing has been done in private. We've got no idea what he'll be like out in the open. And yes, I know what he said to us, but actions speak louder than words.

OK, so we wait, we let him make the first move.

We wait. Freya felt a tug of excitement at the thought that he might seek her out, but she quickly swallowed it deep. If she knew anything, getting her hopes up was a recipe for disappointment.

She fixed her hair and pinched her cheeks slightly to try to bring some colour into them before groaning at how pale and dull she looked.

Normally, you don't care if we look like a mutt that's been dragged through a bush backwards. Hera chortled, and Freya suppressed the urge to make some smart comment back to her wolf. She was already leaving later than she had intended and didn't want to keep the Alpha and Luna waiting.

She walked nervously to the packhouse, all of the other trainees would be having their lunch in the school right now, she began to wonder if that's what Oliver was doing right now before she pushed him out of her mind. She couldn't afford to get distracted. She heard the bustle of the packhouse before she saw it. Pups running and laughing on the grass outside. Various Omegas tended to the gardens and the buildings and even the warriors' footsteps as they walked their patrols.

Luna Kate was waiting at the door to the main building as Freya approached it. She looked incredible, so composed and put together. Her face brightened as soon as she saw Freya.

“Freya, I'm so glad you could make it” Kate said with a genuine warmth that Freya didn't doubt that she was sincere in her sentiment. “Come, Matteo should be waiting for us, I hope you like pulled beef dip subs. They're Matts favourite.” She added as she clasped her arm under Freyas as she led them up the staircase, down a long corridor and then into a small dining room. Freya knew this wasn't the main dining room, which could sits hundreds in the correct set up, no this was likely their informal dining room that few wolves would ever see the inside of.

Matteo was already seated at the round table, Kate took a seat next to him, and Freya took the seat across from them both that had the free place setting. Within moments, the sound of dishes clinking filled the room as bodies flitted in and put down trays of food onto the table, and glasses began to be filled.

“It's good to see you again, Freya.” Matteo said with a smile as he took as he lifted out one of the sub rolls and took a bite before placing it onto his plate. “I won't beat around the bush, I expect you're wondering why you're here?” He said with one brow c****d whilst scanning Freya's face for her reaction.

“Yes Alpha” she responded sweetly. She knew he was trying to read her, and she didn't plan to let it be easy for him. So far, she had survived by playing their game and abiding by their rules, and she didn't plan to stop now.

“I met with Oliver this morning,” he said as he carefully continued to study her.

Freya squirmed a little in her chair deliberately and watched as the corner of the Alpha's mouth twitched in a threatened smile. Her response is what he was looking for. She knew he would assume she was just another dumb Omega who had fallen for an Alpha's bull so he could sleep with her.

Oh you're good girllllll! Hera laughed howling.

“How familiar are you with the history of this pack and the history between the northern and southern kingdoms?” Kate asked. This caught Freya by surprise, causing her to momentarily lose composure, the surprise mapped across her face.

“I'm..not very familiar. Certainly not about this pack, I understand that things were strained between the northern and southern kingdoms.” Freya said meekly.

You just outed us! What sort of Lycan doesn't know their own history! Hera scalded loudly.

The sort of Lycan that wasn't born here! Freya hissed at her wolf before noticing the unspoken words that were being exchanged between the Alpha and his Luna.

Matteo cleared his throat. “Silver Springs has always been the largest, strongest, and arguably the most formidable pack in the North. Its location to the Silver mines has always given it a strategic importance, along with its strong alliance with the Capital and its allegiance to the monarchy. The Red Mountain Pack comes a close second for size and strength followed by the Crimson Shadow Pack, crucially they're our neighbours and the majority of wolfsbane in the North can be found on the borders of our lands.”

That's interesting. Freya mused to Hera.

Very interesting, it's no surprise that the three strongest packs happen to have the greatest weapons at hand to use against both wolf and lycan. But what exactly is the Alpha getting at?

I haven't worked that out yet.

“I suppose you wonder why we're telling you this?” Kate asked as though reading Freya's mind, causing Ferya to smile. “These three packs have an alliance with each other, one that was formed many generations ago when the North was at war with the South. They came to the aid of the capital, and agreement was drawn up that they would be allies, that they would always support the Monarchy and each other. Their weapons could never be used against each other, and they would work together to make the North a better and safer place against all enemies and those who would seek to harm it. The results were that Silver Springs began to mine Silver and eventually created Silver Inc. Red Mountain and Crimson Shadow put all their resources into building a medical research facility where we conduct groundbreaking research but also train all of the doctors in the North.”

And there it is, that's how this pack maintained its status against Silver Inc. Hera muttered.

And that explains why Oliver is forced to have Iain as his Beta. He said it was an agreement his father made.

His father must be the Alpha of the Crimson Shadow Pack. Hera added, sounding pleased with herself, and Freya nodded her head in agreement. Oliver hadn't actually told her what pack his father was Alpha of, just that his brother would take over Alpha, and as a second born, he had been sent to his uncle in Silver Springs. Suddenly, it all made sense to them.

“Red Mountain and Crimson Shadow also became the two biggest training centres” Matteo added, “ in order to keep the balance between the three packs and prevent one becoming more dominant than the others. All three packs get to pick the most promising graduates from the training centres to join their packs and work in their companies in order to preserve that strength.”

Ummmm, are they asking us to join their pack? Hera asked excitedly, or maybe they're offering us a job? Oh, this is exciting!!!

Would you get a grip! I can't think with you bouncing up and down like a pup! Stop before I block you!

“I think we've probably confused things a little” Kate said gently as she placed a hand onto Matteo's.

“To cut to the chase, I know that Oliver has offered you a position at Silver Inc and that Leon agrees with this posting. I have to admit initially that I was sceptical and wanted to offer you a position without our medical research facility. Your aptitude test scores and training assessments are very impressive for an Omega.” Matteo paused once again to study Freya for a reaction, but there was none. Her face remained passive. He had to admit that Leon was right in his evaluation of her. She was extremely good at being guarded and masking her feelings. She had an ability not often seen in Omegas. His mention of Oliver by name earlier had been her only tell.

“Alpha, forgive my ignorance.” Freya interrupted nervously. Her palms felt clammy as the words began to form in her throat. “You keep saying offer, as though I have a choice in the matter?”

Both Matteo and Kate smiled. “You're very observant.” Matteo laughed loudly, “and bold, I admire that. Normally, you wouldn't have a choice in the matter, but then normally you don't have two packs clambering for one Lycan, let alone a female.”

Freya couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the last sentence as she fought down a growl that Hera was trying to force out.

“Not that you being female means any difference to me or to Alpha Oliver for that matter.” Matteo hastily added, noting the change in body language of both Freya and his mate who was now scowling at him and squeezing his hand tightly in a warning fashion. “Leon persuaded me that Silver Inc is, in fact, the correct use of your skills and ability. However, you do have a choice to decline it and come work for me. But you also have another choice to make. I suspect that Alpha Oliver will extend you an invitation to join the Silver Springs Pack. However, Luna Kate and I would be honoured if you joined the Red Mountain Pack”

They're giving us a choice. Hera gasped.

“You want me to join your pack?” Freya spluttered in shock, her hand trembling slightly.