CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVEN - CAPTIVE SHADOWS

Freya nodded, her eyes distant. "It is. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever find someone who can understand the weight of my responsibilities, someone who can stand beside me as an equal partner." "You will," Anna said with conviction. "Someone as strong and compassionate as you, Freya? How could you not?" Freya's eyes met Anna's, a look of gratitude passing between them. "Thank you, Anna. Your friendship means more to me than you know." As the night wore on, their conversation drifted to lighter topics. They shared dreams of travel, swapped embarrassing stories, and speculated about what the future might hold for Ulfheim once the blizzard finally passed. "You know," Anna said as the fire began to die down, "I'm glad we had this chance to talk. To really talk, I mean. Without the pressure of a crisis hanging over our heads." Freya nodded in agreement. "So am I. It's nice to be reminded that we're more than just the roles we play. Luna and outsider, werewolf and human... at the end of