“I … I don’t know if it’s possible. Because it blends in with his blood, you can’t separate it. You’d have to bleed him dry. I’m sorry. It’s a very cruel potion, one that’s actually forbidden to use.” Erica looked at Reed with annoyance.
Hunter slammed his fist into the table. “I’m not going to be kept away from my mate.” He then glared at Erica and Reed. “The Briar Coven will be destroyed. How dare they mess with me and my mate? They will have the strength of all the werewolves come down on them.”
“Or at the very least the Black Ice Pack.” Grayson interjected. Why would all of the werewolves get involved?
“No … he means all the packs,” Chasen said, giving Grayson a side grin. “Mom, Dad, I’d like to introduce you to the Werewolf King.” Chasen held his hand out to Hunter.
“And as the Werewolf King, I sentence the Briar Coven to obliteration,” Hunter snarled angrily.
“The Bloom Coven will stand with you. We’ll help you purge the coven so it can be rebuilt,” Erica said. “I’m sorry we couldn’t be of more help. We’ll leave you now. Let us know when, and we’ll be ready.” Erica stood along with Reed and walked out. She knew that this news was heavy on them, and there was much to be discussed.
Asher went and put his hands on Hunter’s shoulders. “I know the timing is bad … but I’m proud of you. The Werewolf King? That is something amazing. I’d like to meet your mate. Is she nearby?”
Hunter closed his eyes. Where was his sweet Freja? “She isn’t here … but you can meet Chasen’s mate.” Hunter smiled weakly and nodded toward Jin. They could at least be excited for Chasen. “Jin is my guardian now, too.”
Lita looked at Jin and Chasen. “Wow! Congratulations. I’m so happy you took a mate for yourself, Chasen.” She then glanced at Chasen and whispered, “We will talk more later.” She smiled at the two of them. Under better circumstances, there would be lots of hugs and laughter. They would be getting reacquainted with their old pack members and friends as well. But as it was, the mood was solemn. Hunter couldn’t see his mate, because if he did, he would try to kill her. This was devastating.
She turned back to Hunter. “Let me see if there’s anything I can do.”
She took Hunter’s hand, led him to the couch, and sat beside him, placing her hands on his shoulders. “I’ll do my best.” She met her son’s silver gaze, which was like looking into his father’s eyes. She began to search through his energy, shutting her eyes so she could focus on what she was seeing, searching for anything that didn’t belong. There was nothing weird looking when it came to his energy, so she pushed deeper. The rainbow of colors blurred past her. In his blood, though, she noticed a dark streak intertwined with the others. She let her own energy flow out and smother over the darkness, but it couldn’t be separated. It was bonded to him as if it were just another part of him. Her hands began to tremble as she drained her energy, trying to free her son.
“Lita, baby, that’s enough,” Asher said as he sat down behind her. He didn’t want her hurting herself and knew she was pushing her limit.
Her eyes fluttered open and she let her hands drop onto her lap. “I’m sorry. I can’t separate it.”
Hunter sighed and looked down. “What am I going to do? I can’t be without her.” He looked up at his parents with pleading eyes. “I love her.”
“We won’t give up, Hunter. There has to be something.” Lita took his hand. She was hurting for him. She hated seeing her son in such anguish, hated seeing his torn face and knowing there was nothing she could do about it.
“I need to think of something else,” Hunter said in agitation. Not being with Freja wasn’t an option for him. He wouldn’t live like that. He just needed to change the subject for now. “How is Reiya doing? Have you heard from her?” He watched as both of his parents tensed up. “What?”
“Reiya is fine. We did just hear from Chelsie. Apparently, Reiya was able to pick up Abaas’ scent. But she’s going to be fine. She has the four dragon kings watching over her, plus Leviathan.So don’t worry about her. She has very powerful allies.” Lita smiled at Hunter. “Why don’t you tell us about this whole Werewolf King thing? What happened with that?”
“When do you guys need to get back?” Hunter asked quietly.
“We’re staying here until we get things with your mate sorted out. So why don’t you bring us up to speed on everything we’ve missed?” Asher said. There was no way they would leave Hunter right now. They would stay there to help him through all of this.
He and Lita were devastated. They couldn’t help their son, and he was going to have to part with his mate. He couldn’t risk killing her. There was no other choice. They needed to stay with Hunter while he got his mind straight. He needed to accept that he had to let his mate go. This was going to be Hunter’s most difficult time yet, and they were going to be there to help him through it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Drip. Drop.
Drip. Drop.
Freja scowled as the strong scent of decay hit her nose. She turned and looked at Ciana. “How can you stand to be near this scent?”
Ciana only shrugged. “You get used to it. I’ll wait for you out here, though.” She winked, staying out in the fresh air.
Freja hated coming here. She hated having to seek out the dark priestess. There was only one thing that could ever bring her here, and that was Hunter.
With the scent stinging her nose, she walked into the dark cave. The darkness was overwhelming, but a few candles burned to light the way. There were puddles where water droplets pulled in from the mountain would land occasionally. The air was thick with the nauseating stench of rotting flesh, a putrid aroma that made her curl her lips and wrinkle her nose in disgust.
As she navigated through the oppressive shadows, she reached an opening in the rugged stone walls. There, silhouetted against the dim light, stood a figure beside a shadowy cauldron. The person's hair was as black as a raven's wing, cascading down to contrast starkly against their ivory-colored skin, pale asmoonlight. The woman slowly turned to face Freja, her eyes void of any emotion. They were inky black, glossy in their darkness, as if absorbing any light that dared to approach.
“So, you have finally come to see me in person.” Kali tilted her head as she examined Freja.
Freja scowled and crossed her arms. “You already know why I’m here. I hate games.”
