A FUCKING TRAP

FREYR'S POV

I slipped into Hanka Island unnoticed, my senses immediately assaulted by the unmistakable scent of the Lycan wolf. The scent ignited something deep within me; my beast stirred, clawing to the surface. I pushed my power outward, letting it guide me as I followed the trail up the mountain.

The climb was grueling, the terrain steep and treacherous, but half an hour later, I neared the peak. That's when the ground beneath my feet trembled. A low, ominous rumble echoed through the air, and I looked up just in time to see snow cascading from the summit in a deadly rush.

"An avalanche," I cursed in anger, my voice barely audible over the roar.

Panic shot through me as I surged forward, my power amplifying my movements. Then I saw it, a blurry figure darting down the mountain, his movements frantic but powerful. My beast recognized him immediately, his essence burning like a beacon in the storm but the massive snow rock barreling toward him, too fast for him to evade.

"Shit!" I roared, unleashing a wave of power and in one fluid motion, I pushed myself forward, my power wrapping around him. I seized his body mid-air, and together we tumbled down the slope. Snow and ice battered us from all sides until, finally, we crashed into a dark cave opening.

I shoved him to the ground, my chest heaving as I scrambled to my feet. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the distant roar of the avalanche as it petered out. I pushed my power outward again, scanning the mountain. Relief flooded me when I caught the sound of water trickling and air streaming faintly into the cave, a way out.

Behind me, the man stirred, rising to his feet. His presence was overpowering, and my beast growled in recognition. Then he spoke, his voice cutting through the dark, low and rough. "It's you."

His words hit me like a physical blow. My body froze, my heart pounding in my chest. My beast growled louder, clawing at the walls I had so carefully constructed. I couldn't face him—not now, not like this. Without a word, I turned and bolted, the sound of his voice echoing in my ears as I fled deeper into the night. I crouched in the trees, hidden by the shadows and the dense canopy. My gaze followed him as he paced around Hanka Island, his frustration evident in every curse that escaped his lips. His power rolled off him in waves, brushing against mine like a challenge, but I held my ground, keeping myself cloaked.

Finally, he gave up the search, his shoulders dropping in reluctant defeat. He turned and stalked deeper into the forest, his movements sharp and agitated. I tracked him, keeping to the treetops, silent and unseen.

He stopped by the entrance of the cave we'd tumbled into earlier and began gathering wood. Sparks flared as he struck a fire, the small flames growing steadily. He leaned against a tree, his head tilted back, and his eyes slid shut.

"How the fuck can he sleep in this snow?" I murmured to myself, watching his chest rise and fall in an even rhythm.

I lingered in the shadows, hesitant. My beast growled softly, urging me to move closer, but I resisted. After a moment, I descended from the trees, landing silently on the ground. My steps were careful, and calculated, as I walked a few meters, trying to keep my distance. Then, without warning, he stirred. His eyes snapped open, and he stood, his movements fluid and deliberate. My heart skipped a beat as he turned, his gaze locking onto the space I'd just crossed.

Panic surged through me. Using vamp speed, I shot back up into the trees, my movements faster than the wind. From my perch, I looked down, trying to calm my racing thoughts. But he had seen it. His footsteps halted abruptly where I had left faint impressions in the soft earth. A rookie mistake, one I had never made before.

I stiffened as he knelt, his fingers ghosting over the footprints. His expression shifted shock first, then realization.

"Impossible," he muttered, his voice low but laced with disbelief. His head snapped up, and his eyes darted around, scanning the forest with precision. His power pulsed outward, seeking me, and I pressed myself against the trunk of the tree, willing myself invisible.

He spun in a slow circle, his gaze sharp and searching. I held my breath as he stopped directly beneath me, his body tense as if he could feel my presence but couldn't quite pinpoint it.

For a moment, I thought he might look up, that he might find me. But he didn't. My beast stirred again, but I forced it back, remaining utterly still. I stayed hidden in the treetops, watching as he seemed to give up. His shoulders sagged slightly, and he turned back to the fire he had made earlier. He extinguished it with deliberate care, scattering the embers until only faint wisps of smoke remained. Then, without hesitation, he made his way into the cave.

I stood in waiting.

An hour passed, the forest around me growing quieter as the sun began to penetrate the heavy fog. The warmth of its rays touched the snow, coaxing it to melt into glistening droplets. Despite the softening landscape, I remained still, my instincts warring with my curiosity. When he didn't emerge, I finally decided to move. Slowly, cautiously, I descended from the trees. My steps were light as I approached the cave entrance, every fiber of my being alert to the possibility of a trap.

The air inside the cave was cool and damp, carrying the faint scent of him,earthy, masculine, unmistakably Alpha rose around me. I pressed forward, the dim light gradually giving way to the sun's rays filtering through an opening above.

And then I saw him.

He stood at the corner of the cave, bathed in the sunlight that illuminated the cavern. His eyes, a deep, piercing golden, locked onto mine with an intensity that made my chest tighten. His sharp jawline and the curve of his mouth were like something crafted by a master artist—perfection given form. His hair was tight into a ponytail and his arms were folded across his chest, his stance confident, commanding, and entirely unyielding. The power radiating off him was palpable, the air of the Lycan Alpha wolf unmistakable.

My steps faltered, and I froze, realization crashing over me.

"A fucking trap," I whispered under my breath, my voice barely audible even to my own ears. I couldn't move, my body betraying me as my beast roared in frustration and need. I had been careless. I had walked right into his trap, and now, face-to-face with him, I was powerless to turn away.