Hunter turned and looked at Freja, who seemed to be pondering something. “What is it?”
“I was just thinking how civil all this is. I’ve never had to drink blood. I can eat normally. But for those who need it as much as I would need water … I was just thinking this is a nice, organized way for it. You know, besides storing it in milk jugsor something.” Freja grimaced a bit and gave Hunter a crooked smile.
Hunter chuckled. “It doesn’t look like there are any issues here. I guess it’s time to move on to what we came for.”
Freja looked over in the distance. “It looks like the welcoming committee is already here.”
A group of ten men walked into view, though these were not just men. They were vampires, and from the looks of them, they were special guards. Hunter pulled Freja so that she was slightly behind him as the men approached. Chasen, Jin, and Ciana also made their way to Hunter.
Jester and Irene quickly walked in front of Hunter and Freja, standing between them and the soldiers.
“We’re here to escort you to the King and Queen,” one of the men said in a clear voice.
Jester chuckled. “Did my brother think I would get lost on my way there? Or is there another reason for the escort?” He looked over the men as he studied them. But true to their elite nature, they didn’t give anything away. He looked back at Freja and Hunter. His eyes met theirs, and they both nodded. “Alright, then. We’re ready. Lead the way.”
Irene walked up past the guards and led the way, Jester’s predatory gaze tracking her as they followed her lead. Meanwhile, Freja sized up every guard and analyzed how strong she thought each one was. She was always preparing, just in case. If they had to fight their way out, she wanted to have some sort of game plan in her head.
They followed a white gravel path that crunched beneath their feet, winding through a sun-dappled clearing where wildflowers nodded in the breeze. The path narrowed as it led into an ancient pine forest so dense the canopy blocked most of the light, casting everything in emerald shadow. Nestled in a perfect circle at the forest's heart stood a formidable castle ofobsidian stone, its jagged turrets piercing the sky like accusing fingers. Twin doors of weathered oak, carved with intricate symbols that seemed to shift when viewed from different angles, dominated the entrance. Bronze handles, tarnished with age and polished only where countless hands had gripped them, gleamed dully in the filtered light. As they approached, two guards, their faces impassive beneath half-helms, stepped forward in perfect unison to heave the ancient doors open.
Freja was surprised with how well-lit the castle was. She’d always pictured vampires living in a dark cave or something. This was nothing like that. The black marble floor sparkled under the bright lights as they entered a large, open room. At the end of this room was another set of doors that were already open, waiting for them. And through those doors, she could feel a strong power. Hunter’s arm tightened around her as they entered, his eyes fixed on the two people standing at the end of the room.
Jester walked up to them and lowered his head, showing respect to the two people. The man reached out to Jester and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him in a deep embrace and whispering, “You’ve been gone too long.”
Jester patted the man’s back. “I’ve missed you too, Alaric.” He then looked over at the woman and nodded his head. “You look incredibly well, Willa.”
“As do you. You’ve been gone for so long. You should really think about sticking around,” Willa said in a serene voice.
“So, who have you brought with you?” Alaric looked past Jester and studied their guests. His eyes swept over each person until they landed on Freja, where his gaze rested. “Well, would you look at what we have here? Gilbert’s daughter.”
Freja felt her breath hitch hearing her father’s name. She had forgotten about her father’s past. She knew he was a vampireand had left his kind to live with her mother, but it just now clicked that this was where he came from.
“There’s a lot of energy emanating off of you. Though I guess, given who your parents were, that makes sense. Still …” Alaric’s eyes focused on her in confusion. “Where did the wolf come from?” His gaze then shifted to Hunter. He stared at him and focused harder until realization hit him. “Now isn’t that something.” He looked over to Willa and nodded his head toward Hunter. “The werewolves have finally gotten their king.”
Hunter was a bit stunned. The vampire king was very perceptive, but it did make sense that, having lived as long as he had, he would naturally be knowledgeable. He didn’t like how Alaric’s eyes were fixed on Freja, though. He could see that he was deep in thought as he looked at her, and Blaze snarled lowly. He didn’t like how intensely his mate was being studied.
“When your father left, it was quite a shock to us. Your father was someone very important in our society. Think of him as a top aristocrat. His departure was a heavy loss. We would have allowed him to stay here with his mate, even if she was a witch.” Alaric held Freja’s gaze. “You have his strength and determination. I see him in you.”
Freja was quiet as she thought about her father. She would never know what he was thinking or his plans for them.
Alaric looked back at Jester. “So, to what do we owe this grand appearance of my long-lost brother and the Werewolf King?” He turned from his brother and met Hunter’s silver eyes.
Hunter took a step forward, keeping Freja behind him. “We are here to seek an alliance with the vampires. I wish for our species to coexist in peace.”
“Oh? And this would have nothing to do with the demons asking us to join the war on their side?” A small smile spread over Alaric’s lips.
“Surely you’re not considering such a thing.” Jester furrowed his brows as he looked at his brother.
Alaric shrugged. “Perhaps I was and perhaps I wasn’t. But maybe I’m considering something else now.” His eyes drifted over to Freja once again. “My mate and I have something to discuss in private. We will summon you once we’ve made a decision.”
“You aren’t even going to let us argue our case?” Freja boldly spoke, taking a step forward. Hunter immediately grabbed her arm and pulled her back to his side.
Alaric smiled as his eyes snapped back to Freja’s. “Such a commanding voice you have there. You will be a good queen for the werewolves to have.” He glanced back at his mate, locking eyes with her. “There is nothing you can argue that I wouldn’t already know. The decision we make will be the one we feel is best. Please feel free to wait in the great room.”
Jester gave his brother a hard look before he shook his head and sighed. “Guess we’re going to have to stick around a bit longer.” He walked back toward Hunter and Freja and placed his hands on their shoulders. “Come on. Nothing else we can do here.” He ushered the group back out into the great room where Irene was waiting for them.
Freja watched Irene and noticed how Jester’s eyes immediately met with hers. It was then that Freja put it together. “She’s your mate!” Freja said with an ah-ha tone. She tilted her head to look at Jester for confirmation.
Jester chuckled and walked over to Irene’s side. “Yes, she is. I’d given up on meeting my mate.” He looked at Irene.
