The Contract with the Alpha

es rustled softly in the breeze, and somewhere in the distance, a brook babbled quietly. It was peaceful here, a stark contrast to the storm raging within her mind. Freya

mind that she almost expected to see him materialize before her. But it wasn't him. The man who emerged from the trees was younger, leaner, with dark hair and sharp features. His eyes, however, held the same predatory intensity she had seen in Ethan's all those years ago. "You must be Freya," the man said, his voice smooth and calm, though there was a dangerous edge beneath it. Freya didn't relax her stance. "Who's asking?" The man smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "My name is Lucas. I'm a friend of Ethan's." Friend? Freya doubted that. Ethan didn't have friends-he had allies, subordinates, and enemies. She kept her expression neutral, but her mind was racing. If this man was here on Ethan's behalf, it couldn't be good. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice cool. Lucas tilted his head slightly, studying her as if she were a puzzle he was trying to piece together. "Ethan sent me to find you," he said, confirming her suspicions. "He needs to speak with you." Freya's eyes narrowed. "If he has something to say to me, he can do it himself." "Normally, I'd agree," Lucas said, shrugging. "But circumstances are...complicated. He thought it might be better if I approached you first. To prepare you for what's coming." "And what exactly is coming?" Freya asked, her patience wearing thin. Lucas hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. It was enough to put Freya on edge. This wasn't just a casual visit-whatever had prompted Ethan to send someone after her had to be serious. "The prophecy," Lucas finally said, his voice dropping to a near-whisper, as if speaking it too loudly would summon something dark and dangerous. "It's about to be fulfilled." Freya's heart skipped a beat. The prophecy again. Darren had mentioned it, but he hadn't given her details. Now, faced with this stranger who spoke of it as if it were a living thing, she felt a surge of fear she couldn't quite suppress. "I don't believe in prophecies," she said, more to convince herself than him. Lucas gave her a knowing look. "That may be true, but the prophecy believes in you." Freya frowned, irritation flaring up alongside her unease. She didn't like the cryptic nature of his words, the way he seemed to know more about her than she was comfortable with. "What the hell does that even mean?" Lucas stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "It means that whether you like it or not, you're involved in something much bigger than yourself. Something that's been in motion for a long time. And if you don't face it, it could destroy not just you, but everything and everyone you care about." A chill ran down Freya's spine at the ominous tone in his voice. This was no idle threat-Lucas believed every word he was saying, and that made it all the more terrifying. But she wasn't about to let fear dictate her actions. "What does Ethan want from me?" she demanded,