Chapter 57

**Freya's pov.**

The pain was building again—wave after wave of fire rolling through my veins, making it nearly impossible to stand straight. Every nerve in my body felt like it was being pulled in opposite directions. My legs trembled as we made our way toward the edge of the compound.

Eira walked beside me, murmuring soft encouragements under her breath. Victor was a few paces ahead, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else but still committed.

"Slow down," I growled. "You’re not the one splitting apart inside."

Victor turned just enough to glance over his shoulder. "Well, you’re the one with the dramatic timing. What kind of wolf decides to come out without warning—

*when Tiberius is gone?*"

"Yeah, well," I hissed, gripping my side, "you try having a beast clawing her way out of your soul. See how much grace you manage."

He snorted, but didn’t respond.

We reached the outer gate. Two guards stepped into our path, eyeing us warily.

"Victor," one said, "this area’s restricted after dark. What’s the rush?"

Victor plastered on his best annoyed face. "You think I’m out here for a night stroll? This one’s having a... situation. Private hunter business."

The younger guard looked unsure. "Still, protocol—"

Victor stepped forward. "You want to be responsible for a containment breach when a half-shifted wolf loses control inside the city? Be my guest. Otherwise, step aside."

The two exchanged a nervous glance and parted.

"Thanks for the support," I muttered as we passed.

"Don’t mention it," Victor replied dryly. "Seriously, don’t."

Eira leaned in and whispered, "Almost there, love. You’re doing beautifully."

I bit down on a whimper. Beautiful wasn’t how I’d describe what was happening inside me.

Once deep in the woods, I collapsed to my knees. My bones ached in ways that defied logic. It was like being broken from the inside out.

Victor paced a few feet away, pretending not to look.

"Gods," I gasped, nails digging into the earth. "Is this how every wolf shifts? This is—*ahhh!*"

Victor turned, eyes wide. "What the fuck? That’s not normal."

Eira was by my side instantly. "She shouldn’t be shifting like this. It’s not right. This isn’t a natural awakening—it’s forced. Her hunter side is resisting. It’s pathological."

"Damn," Victor muttered. He looked at me—truly *looked*—and something in his eyes softened. "I... feel bad for her."

That alone made me want to laugh. Or cry. Maybe both.

Everything burned. My skin itched and cracked, bones popping in sharp, agonizing succession. A scream tore from my throat as I felt myself

*break*—and then rebuild. Over and over.

And then... silence.

The pain stopped.

I opened my eyes—only they weren’t eyes anymore. The world was sharper. Brighter. Alive in a way I’d never felt before.

I was no longer Freya, not entirely.

I was *her.*

The wolf.

My paws sank into the moss. I felt wind in my fur. I was... massive. And pale. My coat shimmered under moonlight, a blinding silver-white.

Victor stared. "Holy shit. She’s... beautiful."

But the admiration didn’t last.

A growl rumbled from my throat as I turned on him. A warning.

Victor raised a brow. "Easy there, princess. We *talked* about this. No mauling."

I paused. He wasn’t afraid. Just... tired. Annoyed. Familiar.

I huffed and turned away.

Then bolted.

The forest was mine.

I ran, the world rushing past in streaks of sound and scent. I wasn’t running from something—I was running

*because I could.*

Because my legs were strong, and the pain was gone, and the wind felt like freedom.

Behind me, I faintly heard Victor’s voice.

"Great. She ran off. What now?"

Eira’s voice was soft. "Now we wait. Let her run. She needs this."

And gods, I *did.*

I needed to remember what it meant to be wild.