CHAPTER 9

OCTAVIA'S POV

"Don't… please!" I screamed, beads of sweat rolling off my temples and falling to my chest. I pushed my eyes open to meet the judging look of Nikolai, who seemed to have seen a new toy that caught his fancy.

I swallowed hard, heat rising to my cheeks as I blushed from embarrassment. It was killing me, realizing how much of a fool I was. I had made myself into one; just why?

"Are we there yet?" I asked, and he raised his head a bit towards the window before averting his gaze back to his phone. It seemed to be just a few words, but I felt almost as if there was a spark in his eyes and a pull when I tucked my hands in his.

Or probably not; I wasn't in the best spot to go about making drastic decisions. Yet still, my lips were assorted and my mouth was agape as soon as I caught sight of the scenery before me.

The car pulled up by the garage, and I highlighted it, although still wary of this new identity and world of mine. But most importantly, something was different about me. I could feel a difference in my aura, unlike before, and now energy surged through me.

It was as if my powers were still there. I knew it was making no sense, especially when I knew so well I had given them up to be with Zachary. But here I was, alive again, in some other girl's body.

"Freya!" A voice called out. I glanced behind to catch sight of who had been mentioned, and then it struck me: I was Freya. I am no longer Octavia in this lifetime; I am Freya now.

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Memories of my death, the betrayal, and the massacre of my people flooded back. I had to grip the car door to steady myself. How was this possible? The Moon Goddess had actually answered my dying plea.

"Oh my… Father wouldn't like this," Nikolai muttered before gritting his teeth. I watched as he made his way past me. I remained skeptical about him. Was he my stepbrother? Why wasn't he worried about me? If anything, he seemed worse than a bully.

Although he hadn't passed me any hateful remarks or heartbreaking speeches yet, it was all in the eyes. I would pin my first impression on them- they all seemed to see me as a dunce.

"Goodness, aren't you coming!" He asked, stopping to a halt. I watched as he adjusted the writing on his shirt before I picked up my pace behind him.

He was handsome, whoever this was. Freya was indeed lucky to have such a handsome brother as this. But I couldn't let his looks distract me from my purpose. I needed to gather information, to understand this new world I'd been thrust into.

"I'm sorry, I won't intrude, but... could you fill me in on the entire thing again? I mean, with the accident and all, I don't remember too much; in fact, I don't remember getting hurt, so if you could just help with it- " He stopped abruptly, way too fast for what I expected. I ran into him, ramming my head into his back.

He turned to face me, simply displeased.

"It's not my fault you went into a coma, sister. It's not my fault you don't remember this; besides, you had all the time in the day to do this, and you chose now. But for the sake of humanity, I'll tell you this: you are nothing special."

The words had been dashed down to me without any form of preparation. Taken by shock, I stared plainly at him, my perspective about him changing on the spot.

"How dare you?" I asked, wishing I was the former woman I was, back in my body. No one would dare talk down to me; after all, I was the high priestess of the witches, the head of the coven.

"How dare me? Don't get all saucy now just because father had asked for your return; he needs to put on a show, that's all. You are the illegitimate daughter of the family, and as it pains me to rub it in, no one wants you. Perhaps losing your memory may have made you forget these, but you and I, we hardly spoke; we are nothing, not enemies nor friends; pretty much nothing existed between us."

"Enough!" I retorted, balling my fists. For some reason, I felt a sense of emotion. Was this because I was in Freya's body? Were all these her emotions? I wasn't too sure what was going on, but I knew I wasn't going to tend to some high and mighty real brother and listen to more insults.

"Don't cry now, sister; I'll actually feel bad. It is, after all, your first day in your new home. Although you will settle into your status soon enough, it doesn't mean I want you dead or gone or anything else. Enjoy it while it lasts because this place is my home and only one can be crowned. I would not let the likes of an illegitimate blood hinder my destiny."

I could see the veins protruding right around his temples while he clenched his fists. Now that I understood it all, he was worried that their father may have brought in his sister to inherit the throne.

But then, why on earth would he be bothered? Why would the Alpha King call for a daughter he had locked away for more than seventeen years back into the palace? What's the bigger picture that I want to see clearly yet can't?

As we approached the entrance, I felt a surge of nervousness. This was it- I was about to meet the most powerful Alpha in the region, the man who was now my father. I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. I needed to play this role perfectly if I was going to survive and eventually get my revenge.

"Announce our arrival!" Nikolai commanded, and he reached for my hand, a wicked smile on his lips while I took it.

"Remember, you don't belong here," he complained again; this time I passed him a light wink.

"We shall see, right? Who knows, the throne might be mine," I responded, not willing to take a backlash from a man.

"His royal highness Nikolai and her royal highness Freya are here!" A bald blonde man who stood by the entrance announced while I made my way easily through the entrance.

It was time to see Freya's father, my father, the most fearless and ruthless Alpha of all times, and welcome him into my new life.

As we entered the grand hall, my eyes widened at the opulence surrounding us. Crystal chandeliers hung from high ceilings, and plush red carpets lined the floors. Pack members lined the walls, their eyes following our every move. I could feel their curiosity, their judgment, and in some cases, their hostility.

At the far end of the hall, seated on a throne that seemed to be carved from a single, massive tree trunk, was Alpha Kole Bjorn. His presence was overwhelming, filling the room with an aura of power that made my knees want to buckle. His eyes, piercing and gray like storm clouds, locked onto mine.

For a moment, I forgot to breathe. This was the man I'd heard whispered about in fearful tones, the Alpha whose reputation for ruthlessness preceded him. And now, in this new life, he was my father.

"Freya," his deep voice rumbled across the hall. "Welcome home, my daughter."

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to take a step forward. This was it- the moment that would set the tone for my new life. I had to be strong, had to be cunning. I may have lost everything in my past life, but here, now, I had a chance to build something new. A chance for revenge, yes, but maybe something more too.

As I approached the throne, I felt a strange mix of emotions- fear, determination, and an odd sense of belonging. Whatever came next, I knew one thing for certain: my second life had truly begun, and nothing would ever be the same again.