“I understand. But Freja has promised her life to Reiya. She is indebted to her. She wouldn’t do anything that would upset Reiya. Please … believe in her,” Chelsie said quietly.
“This is an odd stance for you to take, Chelsie. You normally don’t like anyone.” Hunter frowned slightly. “We’ll be prepared and ready for the demons when the time comes. IF the time comes. And … I guess there isn’t anything that can be done if she’s already on her way here. It looks like you both trust her and have faith in her abilities.”
Chelsie nodded, smiling. “She’ll be here soon, so be on the lookout.” Chelsie took a small step back. “Well, I’m off.” She had delivered her message, and now she was going to get back to Reiya and Brody as quickly as possible.
Hunter looked up at Chasen as Chelsie trotted away. “It’s going to be okay. She won’t touch Jin. I promise.”
Chasen growled again lowly. “I’ll kill anyone who touches her.”
Hunter grinned and bumped his shoulder into his brother. “And look at you. Growing up instantly and marking your mate … and also warming up the bedsheets.”
Chasen’s lips curved up in a smile. “It’s amazing, Hunter. The connection is indescribable. She is so much a part of me. And so instantly.” He then frowned and looked out in the distance. “I can’t lose her, Hunter. I’m worried. Especially with this Freja coming.”
“Hey, it’ll be fine. And if Freja can’t handle it, she can leave. She doesn’t have to stay here. In fact, she doesn’t even have to stay within pack grounds. She can do whatever she needs to do from outside the pack borders. We won’t let anything happen to Jin,” Hunter reassured his brother. “But Reiya wouldn’t send her here unless she really had faith in her. She wouldn’t put us in danger. So try not to worry. Let’s push this from our minds for now. No need to mention this to Jin, either. We don’t want to worry her. Let’s just wait and see.”
Chasen nodded his head and turned to look back at the pack house. It was like he was being pulled to his mate. He would be forever drawn to her, no matter where she was. It was an incredible connection.
Hunter slapped Chasen on the back. “I’m happy for you, Chasen. I really am.” His wide smile was genuine as he looked back at the pack house with him.
“I want this for you, Hunter. You’ll have this, too. It’s amazing, and I can’t wait for it to be your turn. You have someone else out there for you, even if it isn’t your fated mate.”
“I’m not worried about it, Chasen. I have time. Plus, I’m still trying to figure out this whole Alpha King thing. Sometimes I get this incredible rush of intense, feral strength that pours into me. Like an overflow of animal testosterone or something. I’ve been able to control it and rein it in. But still, it’s intense. I wouldn’t want to hurt my mate. In a sense, it’s a good thing that I don’t have a mate right now. I don’t know how powerful the mate bond would be like this. And I don’t know how intense … you know …” Hunter trailed off quietly, not needing to say the rest.
“Oh … ummm … yeah … I’m sure it’ll be okay with your mate. Your natural response is to take care of your mate and protect her. And …” Chasen cleared his throat then. “And during that time … despite how much you, um … you know—you’ll still bethinking about her first. You’ll be able to hold back because you want to make sure she’s okay.”
Hunter chuckled nervously. “I guess this is as far as bro conversations go, right?”
“Hey, I think we did pretty good.” Chasen chuckled back and swung his arm around Hunter’s shoulders. “All I’m saying is don’t let something like that hold you back. You’ll figure that all out.”
Hunter smiled and nodded. He looked up at the moon that had entered the sky. The white light shone brightly, and its beams kissed his face. When the time came, he hoped he would feel more ready.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Hunter poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table next to Sam and Renee. Adam and Winston were already doing patrols. It had been days since Chelsie had told them about the potential demon problems. Since then, Hunter had increased patrols. They’d caught whiffs of the demon wolves, but nothing concrete. It seemed they were close but hadn’t made a move yet, so they were staying very alert and being extra cautious. Pack members were not permitted to leave the pack grounds without obtaining proper permission. Hunter would lead a small patrol outside the perimeter and do a deeper loop in the neutral territory every day as well.
“Chasen and Jin are taking their time this morning.” Sam smirked as he took a bite of his eggs.
Hunter grinned and nodded. Chasen and Jin had announced their relationship to the pack. The moment the pack heard Jin was Chasen’s mate, they immediately accepted her and felt more comfortable around her. The couple had been spending their mornings tucked away in each other’s arms and could barely be separated. He had never seen his brother this happy or so in love. He was very thankful for Jin, who had brought so much into their lives. She was a gift to the Black Ice Pack, one that hewould protect with the might of the pack. Even from the demon huntress, if necessary.
That was another thing. They hadn’t heard anything from this huntress. Maybe she wasn’t coming? That or she still hadn’t arrived. She could’ve run into trouble on the way to the Black Ice Pack. After all, demons were swarming the area. In either case, he was relieved. He and Chasen were both worried about her arrival and what that would mean for Jin. Not wanting her to be worried, they never mentioned a word of it to Jin. The poor girl had experienced enough worry and sorrow in her life and didn’t need them adding to it.
Renee turned her head and whispered, “Here they come.” She giggled quietly, lifting her orange juice to her lips.
Chasen had his arm around Jin as the two of them descended the stairs together. She was giggling at something he said, and he flashed a wide smile down at her. He scooted out a chair, helped her into it, then pushed the chair back in for her. He then took a seat beside her.
“No coffee again today?” Hunter smirked as he breathed in the aroma from his own cup.
Chasen frowned and grunted. “No. If I have any coffee, I won’t get to taste Jin’s lips for hours, and that’s a drug I can’t go without.” He then winked over at Jin as a smile spread over his face again. She never said he couldn’t have coffee, but she refused to kiss him right after he drank it. She couldn’t stand his breath even after he brushed and used mouthwash. For now, it wasn’t worth it for him to go without her touch.
“Aww, so sweet. Sam, would you give up coffee for me?” Renee batted her eyelashes at him.
“Sure would, sweetheart. But you’d have to give it up, too.” He gave her a crooked grin and she giggled.
“Yeah, that isn’t happening. I love you, but I love my coffee more.” Renee giggled harder as Sam grabbed his chest, feigning heartbreak.
“Sam, I’ll be taking patrol three on the extended run today. Please make sure they’re ready to go.” Hunter’s eyes met with Sam’s.
“You think that’s a good idea? There are a lot of young and inexperienced wolves in that group.” Sam frowned, staring intently at his cup.
