The Howl of Claim | COMPLETED

XLVII | F r e y a R u t h

примамлив ( E n t i c i n g )

To Darius' luck, Kendrick had escaped somehow. After Darius had ripped his arm out, he retaliated without being affected by the fact that one of his limbs was just pulled out.

He scratched Darius in the face and escaped from somewhere like a ghost that no one was able to see him or catch him.

He definitely had planned all this.

While I had grabbed Darius who was slightly blinded at that moment and helped him up the stairs to enter the main house, Darius just kept cursing after being scratched.

I myself had a bleeding neck but it was starting to heal already. Paramedics of the pack had already approached us and helped us to get recovered quickly.

I noticed the fact that Darius was getting angry by every passing second the way he snapped at everyone and anyone. I did nothing and let him vent off his anger.

Why wouldn't he? He just let his enemy who is a threat to him and his pack escape.

Kendrick was a Lycan too and his attack on Darius and me was not a light one. Darius didn't like it but he didn't say anything to me either.

Hell, he didn't even say a word to me! What was going on in his mind?

I felt oddly tired and closed my eyes the second my back touched the bed of the MI Room.

...

The next day had started and we all were sitting in the dining room. To my surprise, the room was completely repaired.

The fact that I had sort of broken most of the things while tossing Marco.

This time, Kamri's brother, Keith was also sitting with us with his hands calloused in front of him.

He had just taken a shower after he had returned from his long trip that was spent in trying to locate the females with Beta and Asher.

They were not that successful but got to know somethings. I was sort of satisfied by the fact that Keith was helping us.

"Keith," Darius called and I looked up at Darius who was still in a bad mood.

Can someone dump a bucket of cold water on this guy to cool him off?

"Yes, King." I noticed the fact that Keith hadn't raised his eyes that were cast down on his calloused hands, also, he called Darius King!

"Did you know that your brother Kendrick was brainwashing females?"

"I did."

"Were they reversible?" Keith finally looked up at Darius and then looked at me.

"If the memory is lost of only a small period of time, they will remember it in a matter of few days or by a remainder of the memory that is lost but, if they have lost their memory completely, it might not be possible to retrieve it."

I looked at Darius who seemed slightly relieved now.

"Okay, are you going to set out for the journey again?"

"Yes, this time we will find them."

"Inform Alpha Asher that we will be coming there." Darius nodded and I slowly chewed on the first bite of my food.

"Yes, King."

"But why, if you don't mind me asking?" Avalon cuts in and we all look at him.

"Because she has forgotten that she ever was an Alpha." Darius points at me and I look away.

It's not like it's my fault.

"What!?" Everyone exclaims except Keith who remains quiet. Marco even stood up.

Why?!

"So what's the big deal!?" I slam my fists on the table, getting annoyed. Why is everyone making such a deal out of it? Even I am not worried to miss out on a chunk of my life.

Was I seriously missing something?

"You seriously do not care, about the title you bragged so much about? The same title because of which you were willing to kill your erasthai!?" Marco asks surprised and I shrug.

"Why should I care for something like that?"

"She will have this reaction, the machine was designed this way. After the person loses their memory, they will have no will to recover it." Keith says and I shrug again, biting into a piece of pineapple.

God! They were delicious.

"You seriously do not remember my iconic line, 'How's my favorite Alpha doing?'" Everyone looks at me expectantly after Klepto speaks.

When was it again? Oh yeah -

"I remember you speaking 'How's my favorite Wolf doing.'"

"Well damn," Klepto mutters and shakes her head.

"Will you remember if I punch you?" Marco asks mischievously.

Darius growl and I smirk, "I will break your arm."

...

"Why are we going there? Do we have to?" I whine like a brat. Yes, I was happy that I would get to see Beta and maybe Asher but I wanted to be back at my home sleeping soundly or doing something with the Kendrick problem.

Not come on vacation here.

"We are already here, get out," Darius mumbled as he got out of his side and I too got out. It was only me and him who had come with Keith.

I had my arms crossed over my chest as I walked stubbornly inside the pack followed by Darius and Keith.

I looked around and Darius quickly caught up to me.

"Do you remember anything, Love?"

"No." My reply is stern. Why is he so hellbent on reminding me of what I was, I don't remember anything as such. "Why do you want me to remember anyway?"

Darius places his hand on my shoulders and pulls me towards him and I immediately stiffen.

"I cannot live knowingly a memory of your life is missing, I want you to remember what you once were, it is what makes you, you. I want that Freya who had Fire burning in her eyes, not the one who is lost. Understood!?"

I am only able to nod.

Darius gives me one last nod before pulling me by my hand and in the direction of the packhouse.

We are greeted by Asher and Beta.

"Asher! Beta!" I immediately hug them both but before they can hug me back, Darius had pulled me away from them.

"How are you!?" I exclaim, ignoring the fact that Darius had stopped them from hugging me.

"We are good, what about you?" Asher asks and I smile.

"I am good too!" Why the fuck am I being so chirpy?

I smile anyways and tangle my fingers together.

"So, we will go as planned, Beta will stay here while I and Keith go and rescue the females. Please take care of the pack Freya." Asher tells us and then nods at Darius who nods back.

"You think I can do that?" I snort. I can't look after myself and he wants me to look after the pack!? Hilarious.

"Yes, and I am counting on you. Take care."

Soon Asher goes out of the packhouse with Keith after discussing a few more things and then we see them off.

They leave and Beta makes it his mission to make me recall my memories.

He knows about me losing my memories too.

Darius stands with his arms crossed while I and Beta take a walk on the pack grounds, remaining in Darius' sight.

"So, how come I don't know your name yet. I know your brother's and sister's, why don't you tell me yours." Beta laughs and I raise my brow.

"No seriously, I want to know. Stop laughing before I punch you." He immediately stops laughing.

"Well?"

"I'll tell you if you don't tell anyone else about my name."

"Why would I?" He just whole his head and I groaned.

"Come on, tell me already."

"Haha, okay, it's Ace." He finally says and I stop walking.

"Ace," I say quietly. Where have I heard this name before?

"Also, why don't you ask Ace what he did, he was the one after all who gave me your directions."

No!

"Ace?" I was frozen.

"What happened? Are you okay? Do you finally remember somethin-" I cut him short.

"I do."

"Rea-"

"Did you know Kendrick? And don't you dare lie, I'll know." Ace stops and looks at me wide-eyed.

"I- I-" He stops as if he himself did not know what to say.

"Yes?"

If this is true - that I think it is - I don't know what I will do?

"It was years ago, before you became an Alpha-" I shrug the fact off that he called me an Alpha, "- Asher and I met Kendrick and Keith. They were looking for food and water, we gave them some and we sort of became friends. Asher and I were lost as well and in return, they helped us with directions to this pack."

"It was not until a few weeks ago that Kendrick had contacted me, asking me if I knew someone from the Lycan pack. I for the sake of friendship told them that you are there mated to a Lycan. It was me who told them that you were in heat and was staying at the she-"

I punch him straight in the face, feeling angry and agitated.

"You traitor!"

"I didn't know they were after you! Look, I am sorry. I didn't mean to put you in danger or anything. I am truly sorry. Please don't tell anyone!"

Ace was begging me and I watched him.

I glanced back towards Darius who was watching like a hawk and when he met my eyes, he started to come closer.

I looked back at Ace. I wonder if Darius heard us.

"Okay."

"What!?"

"I forgive you, now go before Darius finds out and rips you to shreds."

"I am truly sorry." And just like that, Ace ran away.

I only watched as he ran.

"What were you both talking about?" Darius speaks up as he came closer with long strides.

"Nothing to concern you, let's go inside," I mutter, ignoring Darius and walking towards the packhouse. I hope he doesn't chase Ace - even if he did hear us.

Darius didn't ask me again and I appreciated it.

When I walked into the packhouse, a lot of things looked changed in here but I shrugged it off and went to sit on a couch of the lounge.

Darius who was quietly following me sat beside me.

"Darius?"

"Yeah?"

"What will happen when all of this ends?" I ask and look at him.

"Well then, you and I will rule together in peace with a lot of pups." At the mention of pups, I look away.

I was too flustered at his words that I couldn't look at him again but Darius pulled my chin to look towards him as I try to suppress a smile.

Since when did I act like my wolf?

"A lot of pups."

Darius move in to kiss me and I followed his lips but then I spotted something. A picture to precise and I pull away from a leaning Darius with puckered lips.

"Wait!"

Immediately getting off the couch, I walk to the wall which held multiple pictures on it.

One with my parents when I was young and when I stood in front of a hundred people, taking some oath.

"Your new Alpha." I smile at everyone as I stood up. I was trying hard to not show that I had cried just a few hours before this ceremony.

I look at my Beta and Gamma who nod at me and I smile at them too.

I was young and stupid but I knew what I had to do.

I move down the platform to join them. The oath I took was long with a lot of promises but I meant every one of them. Now I will protect everyone as long as I was their Alpha.

I was their Alpha and no man could change that!

"I remember," I whisper.

Now that I look back at it, I am so fucking stupid. Like so stupid. How could I let a stupid lanky machine take away my memory?

I turn around with my eyes bright gold.

"Darius -" I stop as I find him with a weird smile on his face while he faces the ceiling with his hand trapped in his hair.

"What are you smiling at?"

"Thank God no one was here to see how I was just ignored."

Ha!

"Well, I am sorry." I walk towards him and grab his chin.

"I think I owe you now."

"Oh, you do." I smile and kiss him.

...

Sigh. Hello Wolfies ♥️

Stay safe, love you.

P R O Q U E E N