Freya's POV
The camp was in the shadows, and the night was silent. I felt the weight of my thoughts and strayed from the fires, desiring space. But as soon as I heard voices nearby, the tranquillity I had hoped for was abruptly broken. That steady, quiet voice was Kade's, and I recognized it.
With a note of delight in his voice, he declared, "Freya will be our strongest weapon against Finnick." "She will be forced to face him when the time comes."
My blood ran cold, and my heart fell. A weapon? To Kade, was that all I was?
However, what if she refuses to comply? Another voice, one of the fighters I had trained with, inquired.
Kade's laugh was a sinister, menacing sound. Yes, she will. She will be motivated solely by her loathing of Finnick. She will stop at nothing to establish her superiority over him.
My mouth was filled with a harsh taste. I had believed that Kade had given me a genuine opportunity to grow stronger all along. However, he didn't consider me a valuable ally or even an equal. I was only a tool to him, a way to get what he wanted.
With my heart racing, I turned to go, but my foot scuffed against a rock and skittered across the floor. Kade was sufficiently alerted by the sound. He said in a harsh voice, "Who's there?"
I froze in the hopes that he wouldn't approach me, but I was not lucky. When he saw me standing there, Kade came into view and narrowed his eyes.
"Freya," he continued, his eyes as cold as ice and his voice calm. To what extent did you hear?"
"Enough to know that you're planning to use me against Finnick," I said, forcing myself to look him in the eye while suppressing the hurt and rage that was building inside of me.
Kade cocked his head and grinned amusedly as he observed me. "And, Freya, what's wrong with that? Isn't that what you wanted?"
Trying to maintain a steady voice, I folded my arms. "Kade, I craved strength. I desired to be respected. I refused to be used as a pawn by anyone.
Kade's face became stern. And how do you believe Finnick perceived you? He didn't even allow you to establish your worth. Without hesitation, he tossed you aside.
I still felt the anguish and humiliation of being rejected by the people I believed to be my family, as well as the memories of that day. Of course, Kade was aware of that. He was aware of how much I was troubled by that memory.
Sucking back my resentment, I responded, "Finnick was wrong." However, that does not imply that I must submit to your authority.
Kade took a step forward, his eyes demanding and furious. "Manage you? When no one else had faith in you, I was the one who did, Freya. I gave you the ability to be more because I recognized your potential.
Trying to control my rage, I balled my fists. "Kade, believing in me does not entail taking advantage of me for your benefit."
His voice lowered as he grinned. "Aren't you still faithful to him? Despite everything that he accomplished.
With a stronger tone than I meant, I yelled, "I'm not loyal to anyone." "However, I won't allow you to use me to settle your scores."
Kade remained silent for a while, his unfathomable eyes examining me. "Freya, do you still not understand? You were betrayed by Finnick. I'm allowing you to defend yourself and prove to him that you are stronger than he will ever be.
The comments struck a deep chord with me, reminding me of the wrath I had suppressed. On one point, Kade was correct—Finnick had ignored me, thrown me out like I was nothing. But was that justification sufficient to allow me to be duped once more?
I woke up that night and looked up at the sky, the stars far away and cold. Kade's comments stuck in my head, rekindling the hurt and rage I had worked so hard to overcome.
Why was I still plagued by the recollection of Finnick's rejection? Why was I unable to let it go? Kade might have been correct. I might have wanted retribution. Perhaps I wanted Finnick to see me so he would realize what a horrible mistake he had made.
However, I wasn't comfortable with Kade's intentions for some reason. Was he truly any better than the pack I'd left behind if he was prepared to use me to achieve his goals? Did he vary from Finnick in any way?
I was caught between suspicion and rage. I had power because of Kade, a chance to be more than an outsider. But at what price?
The following day, I discovered Kade by himself, lost in contemplation. I took a deep breath and walked up to him, intent on getting answers.
"Kade," I remarked in a firm voice. "Be honest with me. Why are you so determined to destroy Finnick's pack?"
With a trace of amusement in his eyes, he gazed at me. "Freya, why are you concerned? Do you not also want that?"
I refused to get sidetracked and shook my head. "I'm curious about your motivations. It's only fair since you are aware of mine.
Kade's face darkened as he moaned. "Finnick's family has always believed that they are in charge and have absolute authority. Because they are scared to challenge them, they have kept other packs weak. Someone needs to change that.
It was evident from the anger in his speech that he harboured a strong and personal dislike for Finnick's pack. However, I couldn't get rid of the impression that he was withholding something from me.
"How about me? I inquired. "Am I merely a means to your retribution?"
There was a glimmer of sadness in Kade's eyes as they softened. "Freya, you are more than that. I've done everything I can to strengthen you, even though I know you don't trust me.
Something in me was touched by the words, a mix of doubt and thankfulness. Yes, Kade had been helpful, but could I trust him? Or had I simply stepped into another trap?
The silence was broken by Kade's words as I stood there trying to make sense of things. "Freya, you should be aware of something. Something about your rejection by Finnick.
His remarks took me by surprise, and I scowled. "What are you saying?"
Kade's voice was low and his eyes were focused. "Finnick didn't have complete control of his refusal. Your authority was feared by his family, particularly by Luna Margot. They wanted you to stay away from him.
My heart was racing, and I was feeling confused and angry. "You're saying that Finnick was forced to reject me by his family?"
With a stern grimace, Kade nodded. "Freya, they recognized your ability. They were aware of your uniqueness and strength. And they couldn't risk their prized Alpha being around someone like you. Consequently, they ensured that he would never accept you.
The discovery was more of a betrayal than I had anticipated, and it felt like a kick to the belly. Although Finnick's rejection had been painful, I was devastated to learn that his family had planned it and had been afraid of me.
"So, they know all this time? I uttered a barely heard murmur.
Kade gave a nod. Indeed. Additionally, they aimed to keep you weak so you would never recognize your power. But Freya, I see it. I can see what they were trying to conceal from you.
I was so furious that I balled my fists. How could they have harmed me like this? How could they have deprived me of everything to maintain their control?
I whispered, more to myself than to Kade, "They tried to keep me weak." "However, they were unsuccessful."
Kade had a contented, dark smile. "Exactly. They have no idea how strong you are. And now that you're with me, you can prove to them how mistaken they were.
I stared at him, feeling conflicted between uncertainty and rage. Was he someone I could truly trust? Or was he merely seeking retribution on me?
However, one thing was for sure. I wouldn't allow Finnick's family to get away with betraying me and taking everything away from me.
The truth burned within me, fueling a new determination. Finnick's family had tried to keep me down, but I was stronger now. And one day, I'd make them regret ever underestimating me.