Chapter Four: The Fruit Of The Traitor's Seed
1296 Words
Freya Grey
A glowing red rose floats midair in the supposed pitch-dark room. A breeze flows past, and one by one each petal falls. With it comes a deep loneliness, instability, and despair. Until there's one left.
When I'm near, I hear overlapping voices. "You suffer because you're a fighter. You dwell in pain because you can withstand it. Submit. Follow the Oracai."
I wake up to a bedside lamp warming my face. I'm tucked into a bed which leaves a deep frown on my brows.
'Where are we?' my wolf asks inwardly.
"Brother, I heard what Mother did. I understand your anger but sending her out of the kingdom is questionable: something you must answer for." A feminine voice sounds alarmed.
And I recognise Nicklaus's voice. Weirdly. "To whom?"
"Your council. They'll question your actions."
"I make the rules, Cat, and I can break them anytime I want. I can also remake them."
"You never listen."
"Mother hurt her. For what?" Nicklaus sounds highly pissed off.
Who are they talking about? I'm curious but I daren't open my eyes or move an inch. They sound very close, so I pretend to be asleep.
"I understand, but there are ways to do things when you hold the power." The lady says and Nicklaus scoffs. He's not buying anything she's saying. If I were called to the conversation, I'd advise her to stop.
Apparently, Nicklaus is a stubborn goat. He's proven that since our first confrontation.
"Oh, spare me a speech of politics, sister. Of all people in this castle, you should understand me."
When did Nicklaus have a sister? Oh, my... being an Omega really does restrict one from many information.
"Of course, I'm the only one in the family who gives two shits about Omega wolves, even when no one would listen to me. In fact, I am most curious. Why are you agitated when it comes to her?"
"What?"
She pries deeper. "Don't. Your heart races faster when we talk about her."
"No, f**k off!"
"The girl. Freya." She pins Nicklaus even further. "Why do you care for her?"
'Yes, I want to know too!' my wolf is eager but if anything, I am highly disinterested. My wolf is paying more attention but I guess that messes things up.
"You are awake, wolf." Nicklaus's voice sounds more direct. Oh, s**t! I've been caught.
I waste no time opening my eyes and sitting up. My back leans against the headboard as my eyes dart from Nicklaus to his sister. She's elegant in a green dress. It flows wonderfully down her body, her curves adding spice, and her cleavage adding richness.
Her eyes are green but oceanic and she uses it to... communicate with Nicklaus. They are mind-linking. I just can't prove it.
"Hm," comes rumbling from Nicklaus's throat.
When he's out of the room and the girls are alone, his sister folds her hands into the sleeves and speaks.
"What do you call him?" With each question, she steps closer. "A sinister beast? Four-horned monster from the pit of hell? You know, many people call him many dehumanising names. He finds no offense in them, but when I call him petty, he gets angry. That's what's called family, isn't it?"
When she's close to the bed, she asks for permission to sit. I have no idea how she did it. All she did was to look at me and read my eyes. I think so.
"Do you miss yours?" She asks. I have no idea what to say. "Not because they were fair to you, but because you miss home?"
"No, not particularly. But that doesn't mean I want to be here either."
"I expected the response. My brother is many things but not particularly a liar. Said they mistreated you. That is very unfair. They deserve to be punished."
"Are you patronising me? Is this some sort of game?" I cut her off with my own words. I don't expect myself to sound hurt but I can't help it.
"Your distrust is valid. After what our mother did to you, I understand." She shoots up to her feet all of a sudden, sounding all bubbly. "Forgive me, I never gave a proper introduction. My name is Princess Cathwulf of Wildwood, sister to the Alpha."
She adds a forced laugh when I show no expression. "No yay? Well, expected. I have little public recognition. I prefer to stay in my library, which by the way, I shall like to introduce you to. Please, follow me."
She starts to walk towards the exit but turns around when I don't move from the bed. She sighs heavily as she claims. "I promise I'm the least likely person to hurt you here. You're safe with me."
The next minute, we are heading down a hallway. It's large and spacious with many portraits hanging on the walls. All of them captivate me, but because of how fast she walks—and in heels—I am barely able to admire them properly.
"Do you like pancakes? They are my favourites, by the way."
"Mine too."
Even when my family locks the kitchen when they are away, I learned to pick locks. I'd steal the necessary ingredients and secretly make pancakes. That moment used to be the best because I'm alone and I can enjoy something in peace.
"Really?" Her voice increases in pitch as we arrive at the library.
Not a minute later, a maid, escorted by a guard brings in a bowl of pancakes with chocolate syrup. My jaw is practically on the floor at the blissful sight.
My tongue salivates, immediately reminding me of how much I'm starving. But I refrain from touching the pancakes, remembering her mother was the one who had me locked away.
"What do you want from me?" I ask and she raises her brows. "Everyone always want something."
"Then I want your peace of mind."
"Or to make me trust you so you can hurt me."
There's a silence between us for sometime.
She chuckles and goes to pick up a book. "There's a short story of a girl at seven who learned how to cut a man's head with an axe and a boy at fifteen who murdered many men on the battlefield. They were both taught by their father. A tyrant who wants nothing but destruction. But that is not a life, Freya. My brother and I weren't born a monster, neither was our mother. For my father, though, I'm not sure. We all react to pain in a certain way."
She passes the book to me and adds. "Yours reflects hatred and distrust, but I want to turn it off before, with power, you grow into chaos someday."
I swallow hard; my heart is beating fast. She's right. I'm angry, and I wish to destroy things. And if I have power, I'd have killed everyone.
"I'm sorry. I have to leave."
Scurrying away from the library, I race towards my room. My wolf releases heat waves that makes us want to tear our clothes and run into the woods.
My thoughts are cut short when a large wolf appears at the far end of the hallway—a full-fledged she-wolf!
"Stop her this instant!!" I hear Nicklaus's voice in the distance.
Her roar seems to glue my feet to the ground as the wolf races towards me. With wide eyes, I accept my fate... accepting death.
"Freya! No!!" From behind, Nicklaus screams as the wolf lunges at me, pinning my weak shoulders against the harsh ground.
But instead of attacking me, she turns back to human, a shock lingers in her voice.
"You... carry her scent, but you also carry the fruit of the traitor's seed. What are you?"
- Writer
