“Yeah, I’m still working on the crowd thing. But I want to follow protocol, too, so I’ll manage.” She wanted to do right by being Hunter’s mate, and even though he would hold off for her, she wanted to do what was necessary. A picnic wouldn’t be that bad, right?
Sam led Freja through dense brush to a large training field. “Do you see any of them there?”
“In the back. The small group in the back right. It was them.” Freja felt like a snitch. She wasn’t the tattletale type. Of course, she didn’t need to be. She usually dealt with things on her own, but the way she normally dealt with things wouldn’t be appropriate.
Sam nodded his head. “Those were the ones I had in my head. Thank you for the confirmation.” He looked at Freja. “So, what are you doing walking around alone? And does Hunter know where you’re at?”
“I just wanted to take a quiet walk. Have some time to process everything.” Freja smiled and tilted her head. “Guess that can’t happen in a werewolf pack. And I left while Hunter was taking a nap.”
Sam let out a sigh and ran his hand through his hair. “He isn’t going to like you walking about alone. I’ll walk with you, if you still want to walk.”
Freja giggled. “It’s really silly. I’m basically a demon assassin. And I’m even stronger now than I was just a couple of days ago. I’m pretty sure I can handle myself.”
“Oh, you don’t have to convince me.” Sam winked at her. “How about I show you around our little village here?”
Freja nodded. “Thank you. That sounds nice.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Sam showed Freja all the different accommodations they had, including the indoor gym and pool, as well as the different training areas. He was showing her the flower garden that Lita, Hunter’s mother, had put in when they ran into Jin and Chasen.
“Freja!” Jin bounced toward her. “I didn’t know you were out here. I thought you were still resting with Hunter. You look amazing, by the way.”
Chasen frowned a bit and looked in the direction of the pack house. “Does Hunter know you’re out here?” He already knew the answer. There was no way Hunter would not be by Freja’s side right now.
Freja sighed. “No. I didn’t want to wake him. Like I told Sam, I’ve been taking care of myself for years. I’m perfectly capable of walking around on my own.”
Chasen chuckled. “That doesn’t matter to Hunter.”
Freja’s smile suddenly left her face. She took a few steps closer to Jin, and her eyes lit with fury. A flash of white under Jin’s camisole had caught Freja’s eye, and she reached out, grasping Jin’s shoulder. Jin had told her what had happened to her, but seeing the scars was different. “Let me see.” Jin held still as Freja pulled her shirt out of the way to look down her back,wincing when she saw the scars. She stepped back to look at Jin, her eyes darkening in anger.
“Names.”
“Freja, it’s okay. It’s been years now. I’m not taking vengeance.” Jin smiled at Freja, trying to calm her friend.
“Oh … you won’t be. I am. Names.” Her green eyes darkened even more as she waited for Jin to answer.
Jin looked up at Chasen, who tilted his head. “I want them dead, too. Only I think I should get to snap some necks as well.” Jin was his mate. He should be allowed to kill whoever hurt her.
Freja looked at Chasen for a moment and then shook her head. “I have no doubt that you’re strong. But killing demons is my expertise. Especially hunting them. Now … names.”
“No, I’m not telling you. You aren’t going off and leaving here. I won’t have you risking your life, Freja. Just let it go. I am, and you should, too. Please, Freja. Just be happy here,” Jin pleaded.
Freja smiled. “Do you think I’m not strong enough to take down your captors?” Her brows furrowed. “Unless … that’s exactly what you’re saying.” Freja squeezed her hand into a fist, causing her fingernails to bite at her skin. She knew who was behind it. Maybe not each demon who had lashed her, but the one who’d kept her imprisoned. “That son of a bitch.”
“Freja, please …” Jin reached out and grabbed her friend’s hand.
Freja squeezed her eyes shut and nodded her head. “I’m not going anywhere, Jin. He’s going to die anyway. I just didn’t think he would have bothered to keep you around, even as a pet. I figured one of his followers just kept you for fun.”
“Okay, who is it?” Chasen said feeling a bit out of the loop.
“The same demon you’re after. Leoric. He was behind our parents’ deaths. I just didn’t think he would have kept Jin alive.” Freja sighed and then smiled at Jin, seeing her worried eyes.“It’s okay. I promise I won’t leave. When this war comes to a head, we’ll be seeing him.” She wondered, since she was a tribrid now, if she would be strong enough to take out Leoric. Another thought in her mind, though. When she marked Hunter, if her vampire side was strong enough, it might turn him into a tribrid as well. She could sense he was stronger than her already, and that would make him even stronger. He would probably have the strength to take Leoric down.
Chasen pulled Jin back into him, leaning his head down onto hers. He looked up at Freja, who gave him a slight nod, letting him know that Leoric would end up paying for what he did.
Freja, where are you?Freja heard the slightly panicked voice of Hunter sound off in her head.
I’m up near the garden with Sam, Chasen, and Jin. Relax.She smiled gently. “Hunter is awake.”
