Hunter smiled and continued to hold onto her hand. Just touching her made his heart beat faster. “Take your time. I’m here, and I’ll help if I can. I’m still working on myself, too. This is all new to me. I only just recently became the Alpha King, and I’m still figuring that out.” He lifted her hand up to his lips and gazed into her eyes, pausing for a moment to see if she would object. When she didn’t, he lightly pressed them onto her hand.
She felt the jolts of electricity ripple through her in strong currents, as if lightning had struck her very soul. The magnetic pull between them was intense, an irresistible force drawing them together. No wonder he was having a hard time fighting it. She was also struggling, wanting more. He gently lowered her hand but kept it nestled in his, a simple gesture that brought a sense of warmth and connection. Her skin tingled withanticipation at his touch, a paradox of sensations that both drove her to the brink of madness and enveloped her in a soothing calm. She observed as a gentle, almost shy smile graced his lips, directed solely at her. That small, yet profound gesture filled her heart with happiness. He was smiling for her, because of her, and it was as if her heart, dormant for so long, was finding its rhythm once again, learning to navigate the world once more.
Hunter's voice flowed easily as he began to talk about his life. She appreciated what he was doing. He wanted her to know more about him and who he was. Encouraged by his honesty, she also opened up, sharing stories of her past. She spoke of her parents, the demons that had taken them away, and the coven that had cursed her, weaving a tapestry of her dark life and existence.
She wanted him to see her true self, a rose with thorns. To her surprise, he seemed unfazed. If anything, he seemed more captivated by her. His thumb traced gentle patterns on her hand, a silent reassurance that he was with her, listening and accepting all that she was.
“You know, Freja … we can mindlink now. Since you’re also a werewolf, you can link with the pack. And … when you allow me to, I can accept you as my fairy mate. This will allow you to link with Jin and Chasen, too. Of course, me taking a mate is different from my sister. Her mate will become the first fairy prince and future king of the fairies. Me accepting you doesn’t make you a fairy princess, but you will still be granted the link to my guardians. However, you are my luna, and the Queen of the Werewolves.” Hunter watched her nod her head.
“Yes, Ember did mention that last part to me already. Honestly, it’s a lot. I’m not sure if I’m meant to be someone in a position to lead others. I mean, I’ve been avoiding others.” She smiled wryly, but Hunter gazed at her lovingly and continued to rub her hand in his.
“You are meant for this. You’re my mate. You’re the one who is meant to be by my side. The person who is going to fill this void I have inside of me. You’ll fill mine and I’ll fill yours.” Hunter’s eyes changed slightly as his gaze trailed down to her lips. He wanted to taste them. He let them linger there for another moment before he returned his gaze to her eyes. At her pace this time, not his. He would wait for her.
What was it with this family? Both Reiya and Hunter accepted her regardless of who she was and what she’d done. Did she deserve their benevolence? She had to admit it … Hunter seemed very nice, regardless of the fact that he’d forced his mark on her. It didn’t seem like that was really in his nature. Hunter has explained his whole life to her, including being betrayed by his first mate. Maybe that devastation was what made his wolf more aggressive about marking her. He was afraid of losing her, so he didn’t give her the chance to reject him. But would she have? Because she’d just assumed he was going to reject her, she hadn’t thought about what she actually wanted.
She looked at their hands locked together. The gentle warmth that flowed between them filled an emptiness inside her. It scared her, too. What if she lost his light? What if his energy disappeared? It was already too late. She was dependent on him, and she knew that if something happened to him, she would be devastated, and that scared her. At the same time, did she dare accept this completely? She would hold off marking him for now, but it was probably alright to get closer to him, right? How else would she really know what she wanted? Maybe it was her, or maybe it was the mate pull, but she gently tugged on his hand, guiding him toward her. She watched as he stood and sat on the bed next to her, his stormy eyes glued to hers as he waited.
Her green emeralds studied his face. She squeezed his hand and then leaned her forehead into his chest. He released herhand, placing both his arms around her. She soaked in his warm embrace. Hugs, particularly his hug, was feeling less foreign to her. Less foreign and more desired. She breathed in his scent and felt her body ease. The tension she was holding onto left her as she felt herself being washed with a sense of security. Okay … if she was going to have a mate, then she guessed being mated to the Werewolf King was probably one of the best options out there for her.
“Hunter, are you sure? Are you sure you want me?” Freja whispered into his chest. How was she good enough for him? She felt his grip tighten around her as he drew her deeper into his embrace.
“You’re all I’ve ever wanted, Freja. Am I sure? Baby, I’m so sure that it scares me. I need you. Can’t you feel it? More than the mate bond. Can’t you sense this between us? It never made sense to me. The reason I suffered with my first mate. It does now, though. I was betrayed in order to meet you, my true mate. Knowing an ounce of the pain of betrayal and loneliness helps bring me closer to you. Helps me understand you. This was all planned out, and I’m so thankful now that I was given you.”
How could he say all the right things to make her melt in his arms? She was a fierce demon huntress. But in his arms, she felt like just a girl being taken care of and protected.
The power that flowed from him and around her set her at ease. She smiled as she rested on his chest and smelled his scent. He did make sense to her. She felt an odd sense of comfort being next to him, like the troubles of the world no longer existed. The problem now was with this mating bond. A tale as old as time … a self-preservation method to keep the gene pool flowing. The bond was there to link a couple together for the purpose of strength and continuing on. It wasn’t that she didn’t want Hunter, but she needed to sort some things out first. Maybe sheonly needed a few hours? Maybe days? Maybe weeks? She didn’t know. But she didn’t want to mark him back yet.
She lifted her head and looked into the set of eyes that could see into her soul. His perfect, stormy eyes were mesmerizing. She reached up and gently rested her hand on his face.
“Hunter. I’m here. I’m going to figure things out with me and see if I can be someone who can lead by your side. Likewise, take this time to figure yourself out.” She felt her fingertips tingling and she let out a soft chuckle. “This mate bond is really strong on my end. Is it this strong for you? Or is it because I’ve been marked and have two species inside of me claiming you as my mate?”
Hunter smiled and leaned his cheek into her hand. He brushed her palm with his lips while staring into her green pools. “It’s strong for me as well. It was strong before I marked you, and it’s even stronger now. But I’m glad you’re feeling this too. I’m going to try my best to control it, but you may have to use some of your new tribrid strength on me if I can’t.” He gave her a wry grin.
“You really marked me too soon. You have no clue what kind of person I am. What if I can’t be who you need me to be?” Freja was afraid he had some unrealistic expectations for her. She would never be the doting little woman who tied an apron around her waist and baked cookies.
Hunter reached forward and grabbed her face between his hands, gently but firmly. His eyes bore into her and flickered between dark and light. “You’re already who I need, Freja. Just you.” His eyes softened as he gained control of his beast. “You’re afraid of us, aren’t you?” He could see her irises twitch in uncertainty. “Freja, we’ll navigate through this together. Just rely on me. Let me help you. I’m your other half … your fated partner. Remember that I’m here, waiting for you.” It was hard for him. He naturally wanted to cling to his new mate. Hewanted to seal their bond together and feel the closeness of her. What he did to her wasn’t fair, though, and he would give her some time. To be honest, he needed the time. After Blaze had taken over and marked her, he was afraid of him taking over again. Being the Alpha King made a surge of dominance flow through Blaze, and Hunter needed to challenge him back into submission. Blaze was his partner, but Hunter was the one running the show, not him.
He thought back to a few days ago when he’d forcibly marked her, not anticipating the overwhelming surge of dominance coursing through Blaze. Hunter had battled with his wolf before, but never with this newfound intensity, and Blaze had counted on that. Seeing his mate in the midst of battle enraged his wolf. She had positioned herself between the pack and the demon wolves. The instant she landed, he recognized her unmistakable, heavenly scent, and the scent of his mate triggered his feral instincts. Hunter struggled against Blaze, managing to shift back, believing it was the only way to regain control. He was mistaken. Blaze remained a constant presence in his consciousness. Seizing control of Hunter’s body, Blaze stormed forward and seized Freja. A fierce internal struggle had ensued in Hunter’s mind as he fought against his wolf, but Blaze had no intention of losing another mate. The moment Blaze could feel Hunter winning control over his body, he moved with striking speed to mark Freja. After marking her, he lost the battle and Hunter took back over, but it was too late. Blaze had already forced himself on her. He would never have forced his mark on her. Even if it was Blaze and not him, it was his fault. It was his job to control his wolf. He’d failed Freja. He hoped she would forgive him … but he would never forgive himself.
Hunter gave Freja a small smile as he stared into her perfect emeralds. He should have been able to control his wolf. He should have asserted his authority over him immediately. Itnever would have happened if he had. A strong wolf needed a strong leader. Their partnership was only as strong as the trust between them. He was going to have to put Blaze in his place, reasserting who was really in charge. He and Blaze have already had a few talks, and Blaze was slightly tamer now that he marked his mate, but Hunter was still going to make sure he had full control of his wolf. There would be no more accidents.
Hunter let his eyes wander over his mate. She was stunning. Her auburn hair flowed behind her shoulders, and he was able to see his mark on her neck. His gaze lingered over her body and then back on her face. When he looked into her eyes again, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. He needed at least that much. She didn’t seem to mind, though. He actually felt her leaning into his kiss. The mate bond was pulling them together.
He pulled apart from her and smiled. “The pack will be able to recognize you as their luna. You’re connected to them. But if you want, I’ll wait for the official announcement until you’re ready.” She nodded her head in appreciation.
“Well, Chasen and Jin are taking too long. Let’s go get something to eat?” Hunter stood up and offered his hand to her. She reached her hand out and he lifted her into his side, wrapping his arm around her and gently whispering into her ear. “You have to at least permit this much for me. Otherwise, I’m afraid my beast might break free and ravage you. You are too delicious-looking … and smelling.” He saw the slight rose color that seized her cheeks, and he squeezed her shoulders. Others feared who she was. He didn’t. He thought she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen.
Freja could feel the heat on her cheeks. Her body had never reacted like this before. She felt like she didn’t even know herself. She was feeling feelings and urges that she didn’t even know existed. His arm was wrapped around her, and she instinctively interlaced their fingers.
She squeezed his hand as she heard the sound of other voices coming from downstairs. Hunter secured his hold around her, letting her know she was safe, and she leaned into his side as they went down the stairs. They entered the kitchen, and she could see Jin and Chasen preparing something together. There were others there, too. They all turned their heads and rested their gazes on her. Most of them seemed excited, but one of them seemed a bit wounded. The girl seemed to be studying her harder than the others. Her eyes traveled over her, then onto Hunter and his hold on her.
“Everyone, I would like to properly introduce you to Freja, my mate and your luna,” Hunter said proudly as he looked down at Freja with a wide grin.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Hunter introduced Freja to everyone in the room, explaining to her that these were his closest group of pack members.
“That was some amazing fighting the other day,” Sam offered, with Renee at his side. He wanted to make their new luna feel welcome, and he was very impressed with her skills.
