The cursed forest welcomed them with a cold mist that blanketed the entire area. They were moving slower now as Freja tried to track the old trail of the demons. Periodically, a twig snapped in the distance, and they all would freeze to analyze what could have made the sound. Once they discerned it was nothing to worry about, they would continue on. The land was barren, so there was nothing to hide behind. The sound of moving water whispered at their ears. At the same time, the scent of other demons wafted in the air, and the trail they were following stopped here. There was also a faint scent of Jin from a spot where she had stood for a moment.
Freja could see Chasen looking around frantically for Jin. Smelling her scent had him more distressed. Usually the scent of your mate relaxed you, but that was when you could get to them. Now it was having the opposite effect. A large silver wolf brushed up against Freja and lifted his nose in the air. He pointed his gaze toward the river and Freja nodded in agreement.
“They crossed the river. From this point on, we’re in Harley’s territory. You’re all hired mercenaries that I’m using to fulfill a job for a client, so don’t act irrationally.” Freja directed her gaze specifically at Chasen.
“How far away do you think they are?” Chasen frowned.
“I’m not sure. They aren’t really close, but they can’t be far either. They will be somewhere in this territory.” Freja could smell the different scents, but none of them were strong. That might change once they crossed the river. “We’ll need to move quietly and a bit slower. I know you’re anxious, Chasen, but we’ll find her soon.”
“I hope she’s alright.” Chasen’s voice cracked slightly, and Hunter shifted back to his human form. He walked up to his brother and wrapped his arms around him.
“We’re going to find her. And she is going to be alright. He was taking her as a mate, so he wouldn’t have killed her. And as long as she’s alive, that’s all that matters, right? She’ll be alive, and we’re taking her back.” Hunter held his brother tightly and felt him nod his head, the small tremors revealing his true anxiety. He really felt for him. It would be hard if something traumatic happened to your mate. Not because of what happened or that they’d be damaged goods, but because you’d feel like you failed as their mate. Your strongest drive and desire was to protect them and keep them from harm.
“Do you think she’ll forgive me?” Chasen choked out.
“Chasen, she would never blame you and you know it. You’re the one who will have to forgive yourself.” Hunter patted his brother hard on the back. “Let’s go get her back, Chase. And then, let’s go home.”
Chasen nodded his head and lifted up his arm to wipe his eyes, mentally preparing himself. It had been hours since Jin had been captured as the demon’s mate, and he just hoped that she was okay and would be okay. His chest hurt. He wasn’t there to protect her, and she was probably very frightened.
He squeezed his hands into fists as Hunter released him from his hug. He looked at his brother and then Freja, gritting his teeth and nodding them onward. They were close. Soon, he would see his sweet Jin, and she would never leave his sight again when they were out. He was going to be the annoying, hovering mate, the one who would heal her wounds and be there to support her. He’d never wanted a mate, or so he told himself, but she was the best mate he could have ever asked for. Falling in love with her was a wonderful surprise, and having a family withher was more than he could have ever hoped for. He needed to see her … his sweet, chocolate-loving, slushy-slaying demon.
Freja led them up to the fast-paced river. It would be challenging for a regular human to cross, but not for them. She forged ahead with the silver wolf at her side. The icy water stabbed at her legs and swallowed her up to her chest. Soon after, she had to swim, the water frothing and splashing into her face. Meanwhile, Hunter was doing his best to be a barrier for Freja against the current. Even though she didn’t need his help, he was still trying to make the crossing as easy for her as possible.
Freja and Hunter waited as each of the others made their way onto the shore before she turned her attention back to tracking. The scent was nowhere and everywhere. Needing to focus on the most recent scent, she took a few small steps away from the others and searched over the land in front of her. There were several tracks, but only one group was the freshest. It matched the scent across the river as well.
She slowly proceeded forward, the others following her lead. She’d never actually seen Harley. She’d run into his goons before, at the informational tavern. He probably wouldn’t be happy to see her if he knew she was the one who’d killed a couple of his men not too long ago. She did give them a choice, though. They were told to let Ciana go or die. They chose death, right? Though Harley probably wouldn’t see it this way. With any luck, he didn’t even know about it.
The leaves and greenery started filling in again as they got farther away from the cursed forest. This would at least give them more cover, but it would also shield their adversaries. Freja went to take another step forward but stopped mid-stride, her body becoming rigid as a stronger scent came into play. She quickly drew her dagger and whipped it out, angling it towardthe bushes. Her knife stopped at the throat of a demon, and behind him were several other eyes glaring back at them.
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
Freja linked the others in her group, telling them to freeze. She would handle this as the demon huntress. The demon in front watched her in amusement.
“Huntress. To what do we owe the surprise of your company in OUR territory?” the demon she had her blade up to hissed out.
Freja smirked and raised her blade, taking a step back. She didn’t want to provoke a fight … yet.
“As always, a job. I think your boss has my target. We’re going to need to negotiate.” Freja’s voice dripped with hard-edged irritation.
The demon scoffed. “Lord Harley may just decide to kill you, little huntress. You have taken a number of our guys.”
“I can’t possibly remember every demon I’ve killed. But yes, I’m sure I have killed your guys. If they get in the way or are on my list. It’s business. And I’ve never failed a client yet,” Freja said, a hint of a threat in her tone.
The demon looked at the wolves and the tall man behind her. His eyes locked onto the abnormally large silver wolf that had a suffocating aura pumping out of him. “I can see you brought some muscle for this job.” He then looked at Freja. “Can it wait?The boss just took a new mate, and he won’t be happy getting disturbed.”
Freja’s green eyes pierced the demons. “Either take me to your master now or enjoy an eternal nap.”
The demon clicked his tongue. “You have no patience. Fine. Doesn’t matter to me if he up and kills you.”
Freja rolled her eyes. “As if I’m that easy to kill. Don’t you think they would have done it already if it was that easy? I’m useful, even among you demons. I have my own value. Let’s get going. We’re wasting time.”
“Easy, huntress. I don’t take orders from you.” The demon growled lowly. “Rhett, run ahead and let the boss know the demon huntress is here to see him. I don’t want us interrupting anything when we show up with company.”
Easy, Chasen, easy,Freja linked to Chasen, who was shifting side to side in agitation.
The demon looked at Chasen, noticing his irritation. “What’s his problem? What is he anyway?”
“Chase, shift,” Freja said coldly. She wanted them to see the werebear. It would definitely make them think twice before trying anything. She watched the demon’s eyes widen as the massive bear formed before their eyes.
