Run! The Lost Princess of the Black Wolves

Chapter 19 - Hot and cold

The next morning, Freya barged into Chloe's room without even bothering to knock, practically prancing with energy. She leaped onto Chloe's bed, startling her.

"Good morning, sunshine. Time to wake up!" Freya exclaimed. Her voice was way too loud for Chloe's ears at this time of the day.

“Freya,” Chloe groaned and reached for her pillow, pressing it over her head to muffle the noise. "I was asleep," she protested.

But Freya was undeterred. "Well, that's great news! It means you'll be well-rested for our adventure. We're going to have so much fun!"

"A long car ride is not my idea of fun," Chloe grumbled sourly. She had only fallen asleep a few hours earlier, spending most of the night tossing and turning, consumed by her thoughts about Marcus.

"Don't be sour, honey boo-boo," Freya cooed, her tone playful. "You'll be delighted once you see the breakfast I've prepared for you."

Reluctantly, Chloe stepped out of bed and followed Freya to her quarters. As she walked in, the delicious aroma of coffee and chocolate pancakes wafted into her nostrils, making her mouth water. She was relieved to see only two cups on the table, with no sign of Marcus in sight.

”So, no nightmares last night?" Freya asked between bites of her pancakes, devouring them as if she hadn't seen food for days.

"No, as a matter of fact, I didn't," Chloe mused, just realizing it. She guessed it was because she had been so caught up in her emotions and thoughts regarding Marcus's proposal that her mind didn't have time to think about anything else... And apparently, neither did the ghost.

Chloe wished she could confide in Freya about her feelings, but she didn't dare. She knew Freya would disapprove of the idea of her and Marcus becoming a couple, primarily because she wanted Chloe to be single just like herself. Besides, discussing her physical attraction to Marcus with Freya would be awkward.

"Awesome," Freya said, taking a sip of her coffee.

"So, do you think all of our bags will fit in the car?" Chloe arched a brow, eyeing Freya's pile of bags with a chuckle.

"Absolutely," Freya grinned mischievously. "Marcus has a huge car! You know what they say. Big car, small ----"

"Marcus! Good morning," Chloe interrupted her, noticing Marcus standing in the doorway.

“Good morning,” he hesitated before entering the room. “I just wanted to make sure you’re both up and ready to go in half an hour?” he continued, avoiding making eye contact with Chloe.

“Half an hour?” Freya gasped. “No way! Why so early?”

“The weather is really unpredictable,” Marcus explained, gazing out the window. “We have cleared away the snow from our roads, but I’m not sure the road will be as merciful further up north. I don't want to risk getting stuck in some snowdrift while driving in the dark.”

“We’re going to need at least a couple of hours to get ready,” Freya objected. “Right, Chloe?” She turned to Chloe for support.

“Well… I…” Chloe hesitated for a moment, feeling caught in the middle.

Before she could voice her opinion, Marcus interrupted her with a firm tone. "One hour, tops," he said, cutting off any further discussion. He then turned around and left without even looking at her.

Chloe stared after him with her mouth wide open. What just happened? Why was he behaving like that?

Freya, however, seemed unfazed by Marcus's tone. "One hour it is," she said cheerfully, wiping some chocolate off her mouth. "Let's get cracking."

Chloe forced a smile, trying to shake off her feeling of unease. It would be a very long and strenuous car ride if Marcus kept behaving like this?

She knew deep down that Marcus had good intentions, but his mood swings were tiresome. It was exhausting trying to keep up with him, never knowing if he would be hot and friendly or cool and distant. Last night, he proposed to her. Today, her could barely look her in the eye?

Hastily, Chloe assembled her bags and got ready for the car ride. She found herself longing to hear her mother’s voice, so she retrieved her phone and pressed the call button. After only one ring, Rebecka picked up.

“Chloe!” Rebecca's voice was laced with worry. "How are you? Are you okay?"

“Don’t worry, mother,” Chloe chuckled. “I'm fine.”

"How could I know? You barely answer my calls," Rebecca replied, sounding a bit sour.

“Sorry, mother,” Chloe grimaced. “I've just had a lot on my mind.”

“It’s alright, I've been living on your little texts,” Rebecca snickered, making Chloe feel guilty. “So, how's the Emerald Lake pack?”

“It's nice!” Chloe tried to sound enthusiastic. “Everyone is very friendly…”

"Good to hear... And Marcus?" Her mother's voice sounded more than just a little hopeful. Chloe suspected she was secretly hoping for her and Marcus to become mates.

“Marcus… is a good friend,” Chloe sighed. She didn't know how to tell her about the conflicting feelings she had for him.

“That's good, my love,” her mother's voice was soft and reassuring. “Take your time. When are you leaving for the Winter's Ball?”

“Soon,” Chloe eyed her luggage standing ready on the floor. “I’ve just finished packing.”

“And Marcus and Freya will be with you at all times, right?” It was impossible to miss the worry in Rebecca's voice.

“Yes, of course,” Chloe nodded. “Finding Freya's mate is my top priority right now.”

“Well, your safety is my top priority,” Rebecca sighed. “Please be careful. Make sure Marcus can watch over the two of you at all times. Don't go anywhere without him.”

“I'm sure we'll be fine,” Chloe smiled. “We'll be staying at your own brother's house, for Goddess' sake! I'm sure my uncle will watch over us.”

“He better,” Rebecca murmured. “I spoke with your grandmother yesterday. She promised to look after you as well.”

“I look forward to seeing her,” Chloe bit her lip. She could barely recall her grandmother on her mother’s side, it was so many years since the last time she saw her. “I know you don't like talking about her, but…”

“I will let you make your own judgment of her,” Rebecca's voice was stiff. “But she gave me her word, and saying one thing about your grandmother, she keeps her promises.”

“Speaking of grandmother,” Chloe felt a pang of longing. She missed her other grandmother, who had always been there for her, ever since she was born. “How's Nana?”

“Aerwhyna is alright,” Rebecca sighed. “Just very tired. But she's glad you're doing your own thing, even if she's just as unhappy as me about you going to the North.”

“Don't worry, mother,” Chloe reassured. “I can take care of myself.”

Just then, two male omegas barged in, bustling about as they collected Chloe's bags and ushered her toward the door.

“I'm sorry, mother, I have to run,” Chloe quickly wrapped up the call with a rushed tone. “Love you!”

“Goodbye, Chloe,” Rebecca's voice trailed off with a hint of concern. “Please call me every day when you're up there, will you?”

“Sure, I'll keep in touch,” Chloe replied with a reassuring smile before ending the call and walking out of her room.

“OK, all set?” Freya grinned brightly as Chloe descended the stairs. Freya was dressed in an elegant set of wide pants, a blouse, and impressively high heels, and her pretty auburn locks fell down her shoulders like copper waves, gleaming in the light.

“Yep,” Chloe looked down at her own outfit - a pair of black jeans, a knitted sweatshirt, and leather boots. “But I don’t look nearly as stylish as you.”

“Well, I want to make a good impression when we arrive. One never knows who will open the door for you! It’s better to dress to impress,” Freya grinned.

“But we have a long car ride ahead of us! Don’t you want to be comfortable?” Chloe protested.

“Oh, but these are super comfy!” Freya nodded enthusiastically, obviously lying.

“Whatever,” Chloe laughed. “Let's go. Is the car here yet?”

Before Freya could respond, Marcus appeared at the main entrance wearing jeans and a thick winter coat lined with fur.

“Freya,” he eyed her up and down. “You look like you’re going to a bar. You do know we’re going to be driving for hours?”

“I’ll be fine, brother,” Freya scoffed.

Marcus sighed and shook his head, a weary smile on his lips. “Are you ready to go?” He suddenly gazed at Chloe and extended his hand to her, beckoning her to join him outdoors.

Chloe accepted his arm with a shy smile. At least, he wasn't giving her the silent treatment. Maybe he was just nervous?

“I've arranged for you to have plenty of space in the back, Freya,” he said over his shoulder to his little sister, who was walking behind them. He quickly moved to the car and opened the front passenger seat door, motioning for Chloe to take a seat.

“No, no, no,” Freya exclaimed, grabbing Chloe's hand. “What are you thinking, Marcus? Chloe isn't going to sit in the front with you and leave me alone in the back!”

“Oh, but she will, sister,” Marcus insisted, furrowing his brows. “Chloe will be more comfortable in the front. There is more space for her… legs. She’s taller than you, you know.” He gestured for Chloe to use the front door.

“In your dreams, Marcus,” Freya scoffed and dragged Chloe with her to the back seat door. “Girls in the back, woohoo!” she yelled as she threw them inside and closed the door.

There was nothing Chloe could do but shrug apologetically when she met with Marcus gaze.

“Oh, wait!” As soon as she had closed the door behind them, Freya lowered the window to look at Marcus, who was still standing with his brows furrowed. “I want some champagne here in the back as well,” she smiled. “Can you please ask May to bring us some?”

“Forget it,” Marcus huffed and slammed the front door shut, making Freya giggle, and Chloe had to bite her lip to refrain from laughing as well. With a frustrated look on his face, Marcus walked around the car and got seated in the driver’s seat.

As they drove away from the Emerald Pack Mansion, the snow spraying away from the car's tires as they moved forward, Freya asked Marcus to put on some music to liven up the journey.

“What do you want to hear?” he asked, fiddling with the car's speaker system.

“Surprise us,” Chloe suggested, meeting Marcus's gaze in the rearview mirror. Her heart skipped a beat as his eyes flashed bright blue.

“Sorry, Chloe, but Marcus has terrible taste in music,” Freya wrinkled her nose in disapproval.

“I’ll put on a classic from my teenage years,” Marcus suddenly lit up, giving Chloe a sly smile.

Oh no… What he was up to?

And then, the lyrics started to blare out of the speakers and Marcus happily sang along. "You and me, baby, ain't nothing but mammals, so let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel."

Chloe's face turned as red as a lobster, not believe what she was hearing. Was Marcus really singing along to this song in front of her and Freya? She couldn't help but burst out laughing, while Freya looked on in disbelief.

“What is Discovery Channel?” Freya finally asked.

“Of course, you don’t know,” Marcus mocked her. “You've never been interested in anything that requires more than two brain cells. All you care about are those mind-numbing soap operas and cringe-worthy reality shows!”

“It's a TV channel that airs some of the most breathtaking nature documentaries you'll ever see,” Chloe explained, trying to ease the tension between the siblings.

Marcus grinned, "What do you think of this one, then? It's from around the same time." Without waiting for a response, he pressed the play button, and the car was immediately filled with a catchy guitar riff, accompanied by energetic drums and bass that played into an upbeat tune.

"What's this?" Freya wrinkled her nose at the raw, nasal sound of the singer's voice, but Chloe's heartstrings were immediately pulled by the song, instantly recognizing the melody.

"I know!" Chloe smiled brightly, but her smile faltered when she caught Marcus's eye in the rearview mirror as he mouthed the lyrics, "and she doesn't give a damn about me," with a wry smile on his lips, and she couldn't help but blush at his insinuation. But no, he was not just a teenage dirtbag, and he knew it.

Freya groaned. "Do you only have music from before I was born, or do you actually have anything more modern for us, brother?"

Marcus let out an exasperated sigh. "As you wish," he said, rolling his eyes playfully before switching the track to some contemporary pop.

"Now you're talking!" Freya exclaimed, immediately dancing in her seat to the beats.

As the car was filled with upbeat sounds, they all began tapping their feet and swaying to the rhythm while driving north. Faced with heavy snowfall, it seemed challenging for Marcus to keep their jeep on the road at first, and Chloe was immensely grateful for the four-wheel drift that helped them stay on track. However, as they traveled further up north, the intensity of the snowfall and the wind reduced, and their journey became slightly less daunting.

After several hours of driving through the snowy white landscape, they finally reached the Northern-Western pack border. As they approached the massive gates, two burly, heavily armed guards suddenly emerged from a nearby house, blocking their path... And they looked anything but friendly.

Marcus swore under his breath. “Let me do the talking,” he muttered through clenched teeth. "These guys are complete assholes." He rolled down his window, facing the guards. "Good day, gentlemen," he smiled politely. "We're on our way to the Winter's Ball."

“No Southerners are allowed to pass these gates,” one of the guards hissed menacingly.

“We’re obviously no Southerners,” Marcus objected. “Look at us. We’re from Emerald Lake pack, and we have an invitation.” He brought out an envelope from his pocket, revealing the invitation for the Winter's Ball. “See here. This is Argen Crassus's signature, right?”

One of the guards squirmed a bit under Marcus' intense gaze, but the other sturdier one was not impressed. “That girl in the back," he growled as he eyed Chloe suspiciously. "She looks like a Southerner to me," he continued and spat on the ground. "Show me her documents.”

“Alright, alright,” Marcus held his hands up in a submissive gesture.

But Chloe’s blood boiled with anger. "Seriously?" she snapped, flinging open the car door. "Who do you think you are?" She jumped out of the car, lifting her chin high. "Judging people based on their appearance... Do you even have a clue of who I am?" The wind whipped her black hair around her face as she spoke, standing up to the massive guard with her eyes gleaming. She despised bullies and these two clearly fit the description! Despite their arrogance, she refused to be intimidated by them.

The guard towered over her, extending his claws menacingly. "Watch your tongue, girl," he warned, his eyes glowing and his fangs bared. "Or I'll cut it out for you…"