“I’m coming back to him. Tell him if I find out he’s been slacking, we won’t be sharing rooms for a while.” Freja grinned and Chasen chuckled.
“Well, that’ll motivate him for sure.” Chasen gazed at Ciana as she shifted into a snow-white dragon and marveled at thebeauty of the beast in front of him. He watched as Freja climbed on her. She nodded to him and Jin, giving them a small smile. Then the wings of the dragon began to move, creating gusts of wind underneath it. Soon, the dragon was in the air and flying off in a certain direction, one that would hopefully be one more step in getting rid of this blood curse.
Chasen held onto Jin’s shoulders. “I didn’t want you to go. I couldn’t bear for you to leave me.”
“I know. I wanted to protect Freja for Hunter, though. Yet, she’s still protecting me.” A couple of tears trickled down Jin’s face. “She’s going to be facing something dangerous. That’s why she won’t let me come.”
Chasen squeezed her shoulders. Jin had realized what Freja was doing, too. “I’m sure she’ll be fine. She’s one of the best, right?” Chasen said, trying to make Jin feel better. “Come on. Let’s get back to Hunter. I’m sure he needs us now.”
Hunter sat at the table by himself, listening as his family and pack members laughed and reminisced over old times. Caspian was joking about how much Asher didn’t like Grayson in the beginning, and Kristen was talking about how Asher had turned into a lovesick puppy when Lita was first brought to the pack. They were all having a good time, and Hunter couldn’t be part of it. How could he possibly have a good time when he was missing half of his heart? He had just realized that he was in love with her, and now she couldn’t be by his side. He hadn’t even had the chance to tell her how he felt yet.
A dark jealousy crept into his heart. Everyone in there was happy with their mates. They couldn’t possibly understand how he felt. And why the hell was this stuff always happening tohim? How could he be surrounded by all these people and be this lonely? He felt like no one understood him. Even his parents were telling him to move on from Freja. They kept telling him his relationship with her couldn’t work, that it would be too dangerous.
He squeezed his fists in anger. His parents never would have separated from each other. They would have found a way to be together. And that was what he was going to do with Freja. If they couldn’t cure him, they would find another way. There was no one else for him but her. There couldn’t be anyone else for him but her.
“Hunter.” Chasen pulled out a chair next to his brother and sat beside him. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. And I’m always behind you. I’ll support your decision.” He then sighed as Hunter turned his head to look at him. “So don’t lock me out. Don’t shut down on me. Promise?”
Hunter smiled and nodded his head.
“Besides ... Freja said if she finds out you’ve been slacking, she won’t be sharing rooms with you for a while.” Chasen grinned and nudged his brother’s shoulder.
Hunter chuckled. “It’s cute that she thinks she actually has a choice.” He gave his brother a crooked smile. He couldn’t wait to hold her again and share their nights together.
“Eh, we let them think they have a choice, right?” Chasen laughed, knowing that their women had them both whipped.
“Do you think she’s safe?” Hunter asked, staring out the window into the darkness.
“Your mate is a wrecking ball, man. Not only is she safe, but she’s out there taking names. She’s amazing. You’ve got a great partner in her.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?” Chasen tilted his head and looked at his brother.
“For talking about her like she’s still my mate. Mom and Dad … well, they don’t think I should stay with her if we can’t fix this.” Hunter frowned. He cared what his parents thought, and it hurt him that they disagreed with his choice.
“She’s your mate. I would do the same thing, Hunter. I’d rip my eyes out for Jin, too. I told you. I will support you, no matter what you choose. And Mom and Dad are just worried. They’ll accept your choice.” Chasen glanced over and looked at their laughing parents. They were wonderful, loving, and supportive. They would accept Hunter’s decision … right?
“I hope so. My decision is that I won’t live without her. So whatever that ends up meaning …” Hunter trailed off quietly.
“I told you, Hunter. I will protect her for you. Even if it means protecting her from you. You might be a big bad Alpha King, but I’m a guardian, pup.” Chasen smirked as he emphasized the p.
“I’m glad I have you, Chasen. You’re probably one of the few people who can actually stop me in a rage.” Was there an alpha out there who could stop him with his new power? Not likely. He figured it would take a guardian to hold him off.
“Try not to worry. Let’s just take it one day at a time, okay?” Chasen looked out the window into the darkness. If anything, this would give his parents a couple of days to come to terms with Hunter’s decision. He felt guilty. This was the second time Hunter had something bad happen when it came to his mate. He was betrayed by his first mate, and this time, he was cursed with trying to kill the second. And then here he was, the guardian, who wasn’t supposed to have a mate.
He looked over to the couch where Jin was giggling with Lita. His heart hurt for his brother. Freja should be in there, too. No wonder Hunter was sitting in here all alone.
“Don’t worry, Chase. I know my role and position. I’ll lead the pack through training tomorrow. Besides, I have to do a good job, right? I can’t have Freja coming back disappointed.” Hunterstood up from the chair. “I’m going to turn in early tonight.” He patted Chasen’s back and slowly walked up the stairs toward his room.
Chasen watched him leave with a frown. He glanced over and saw his father was also watching Hunter leave, an unreadable expression on his face. He watched as he noticed Asher’s hands ball up at his sides, his face rigid for a moment. Then, that quickly, it disappeared, and he was interacting normally with everyone else. His dad must have been worrying about Hunter, too.
Chasen sighed and got up to join Jin. Once again, there was nothing he could do to help his brother.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Freja hopped off of Ciana, She turned to look at the white dragon. “This is where I leave you. I’ll meet you back here when I’m done. Under no circumstances should you follow me.”
“Pffft. I’m a dragon. I’m not exactly weak.” Ciana scoffed at her in her dragon form, since dragons were one of the few feral animals that could speak in either form.
