Lee and Xander had now inched closer to Reiya, and everyone was all ears waiting to hear what she knew.
“A lot of different species have fated mates. But years ago, the alpha dire wolf was able to create a mate connection. This connection could only be formed when there were natural feelings of attraction present. Hunter, as the Werewolf King, has a similar gift. You knew that Chasen wouldn’t accept Jin on his own, but you knew he liked her. You created the fated mate connection between the two of them. Basically, you willed it to happen, and it just developed differently.” Reiya giggled a bit. It was for the best, since Chasen was so stubborn. And he already liked Jin, or else it wouldn’t work.
Hunter stood there, pondering for a second. “So, I can create it among different species, then?” He looked at Freja. “Whatabout in the case of our daughter? Could we create a fated mate link with the vampire prince?”
“They would both have to develop feelings for each other first. And the connection isn’t right away. It takes a different amount of time for each person. You can’t force it. It can only happen if the two start to have feelings for one another that go beyond friendship.” Reiya relayed Lumi’s explanation. “Is it possible? Yes. But it would first depend on the two of them. By that time, you should understand the power better. And instead of subconsciously willing it, you would know how to actually will it.
“However,” Reiya said quietly. “If either of them meets their fated mate first, then you won’t be able to create a new connection.”
Hunter and Freja felt a bit better hearing this. If they could get their future daughter and the vampire prince to develop feelings for one another, then they could pair them up as mates. They had to hope that the kids wouldn’t meet their fated mates first and would develop feelings for each other. It was at least a chance that they could secure happiness for them. But a lot would have to go right.
“So anyway.” Reiya looked between Hunter and Freja. “How shocked were you when you found out you two were mates?”
“Um … given the fact that your brother force-marked me, I would say I was very shocked.” Freja smirked over at Hunter, who winced.
“You WHAT?!” Reiya looked at Hunter in complete shock. “How could you?”
“I didn’t mean to. Blaze did it. He took control. I wasn’t prepared for how strong he would be to fight off, what with my new powers.” He looked at Freja sadly, frowning. “You know I didn’t mean for it to be that way.”
Freja giggled and looked at Reiya. “Despite how I was first marked, it was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You accepted me immediately, Reiya. You saved my physical life. And your brother … he rescued me entirely. I have a life worth living now. He is my happiness.”
Hunter walked over to Freja and wrapped his arms around her. Hearing how she felt was touching. Just hearing how happy she was now meant the world to him. “I love you, Freja.” He kissed the top of her head. “Thanks for sending her my way, sis. However, she can no longer dedicate her life to you. I’m sure you understand.”
Reiya nodded with a small smile. “I’m happy for the both of you.”
“Hey, Hunter force-marking Freja is kind of what Levi did to you,” Xander said, and several dark sets of eyes landed on Levi.
Levi chuckled and ran his hand through his hair. “Thanks for that, Xander.”
“You forced yourself on my baby sister?” Chasen said with a low growl. “And where were you?” He turned and glared at Brody.
“Eating,” Brody said with a shrug and a crooked grin.
“Hunter, relax.” Freja elbowed him in the side. “Let’s not be hypocrites.”
Reiya giggled and hugged Lee. “I wouldn’t say he forced his mark on me. I just didn’t know he was marking me. But I wasn’t an unwilling participant.”
“La la la, that’s my sister, la la la,” Hunter said, squeezing his eyes shut.
“Ha! That’s nothing. I ended up walking in on Brody and Chelsie! I was ready to burn a hole in my eyes,” Reiya said, and Brody’s face heated up red.
Chasen laughed. “You went in his room without knocking?”
Reiya smirked. “Try the kitchen, and on the table.”
“Brody, you aren’t a bear, you’re a dog!” Chasen chuckled and slapped his brother’s back.
“Yeah, that’s a mental image that no one needs,” Hunter said, grinning at Reiya. “Except you have it, and I bet talking about it makes you remember again.”
“Hunter! STOP!” Reiya reached out and shoved Hunter as he caught her wrist playfully. The two started laughing, and he roughed up her hair some.
“Feels like old times.” Hunter smiled at Reiya.
“It’s hard to believe how much life has changed for all of us since we had to separate.” Reiya looked at her brother. She had missed him and Chasen so much. It was great being back in the Black Ice Pack. But it wasn’t her home anymore.
“To the next chapter in our adult lives.” Hunter nodded at Reiya knowingly. She would always be his sweet sister, but their paths were headed in different directions. At least they would always be able to see each other and visit, but it wouldn’t be like it was. They grew up together, part of the same pack. And now they would be ruling very different kingdoms. Now more than ever, he realized their time living together was officially over. Reiya and Brody would always stay together, and he and Chasen would always be together. But it would never be the four of them again.
And while the moment had some bitter stings, there was also excitement in this new stage in life, specifically new families and the next generation. Chasen and Brody were going to be fathers. And one day, he and Reiya would also be parents. Plus, he had Freja now. The other half of his soul. As much as he missed the times when all four of his siblings lived together, he wouldn’t trade having Freja for that. He looked at Levi, who had a loving arm around his sister. Levi looked at Reiya like she was the most precious gem he had ever seen. It was probably the same way he looked at Freja, the way Brody looked at Chelsie, and theway Chasen looked at Jin. Each one of them had found their life partners.
