“That’s an old man’s job. Besides, Garrett and Caspian can handle things here. I’m coming to look after Asher’s boy. You need someone strong as your wingman, and that’s me. No arguments, young alpha. Let me come.” Caden had been listening to the arrangements and didn’t like that there wasn’t a high-ranking member with the alpha. Hunter might be strong, but he should still have someone strong watching his back.
Hunter smiled at Caden and nodded. “Alright, Caden. I feel like I can’t argue with you about it because I know it’ll only mean me getting lectured by my dad later. Your experience will be invaluable to us.”
“I know it.” Caden winked with a cheesy grin. “Time to show you pups how to really fight.”
Hunter chuckled and took in a deep breath. “Okay, let’s divide everyone else up. Everyone, keep this in mind: These witches have attacked both your alpha and luna. Your king and queen. We cannot appear weak in this situation. Others will be watching, and this will be an example for all. This will be our statement of vengeance of what happens when you mess with the werewolves!” Hunter said in a low growl. The others yelled in agreement, pumping their fists in the air. No one messed with the werewolves without retaliation. And no one dared to touch the Alpha King or his Queen without signing their death certificate.
Hunter’s gaze met with Freja’s. Though everyone around them was shouting and making noise, it was silent for the two of them. Things hadn’t been quiet in their relationship. Hurdles kept being thrown in their way. This was just one more obstacle … one more that they needed to leap over. It would be hard, but Hunter would trust in Freja and her strength. It was time to hunt some witches.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Hunter walked up to Freja immediately after they got out of the cars. They had just arrived at the rendezvous point, and he needed to talk to her before everything started. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her into his chest, clinging onto her tightly and leaning his head into the crook of her neck.
“Please be careful,” Hunter whispered softly. He was fighting against his instincts here. Every fiber in his body was screaming at him not to bring his mate here. She should be safely tucked away in the pack house where he wouldn’t have to worry about her. But that wouldn’t have been fair. To any of them, really. Freja was an experienced fighter, and she was very strong. So while he wanted to keep her safe, they could use her strength now. He breathed in her scent, allowing it to comfort his nerves. He felt her delicate hands wrap around him as she leaned her head into his chest.
“You be careful, too.” Freja’s voice was quiet.
Hunter leaned his chin on her head and saw Chasen was also holding Jin close and talking to her. They didn’t know what to expect, and it didn’t matter that the numbers were on their side … it would be dangerous. No outcomes were ever guaranteed. Hunter raised his head and lifted Freja’s chin with his finger. Heoffered her a gentle smile before he leaned forward and pressed his lips against her. He felt the jolts of electricity spark upon contact. Her sweet lips were intoxicating, and he wished they were back home so he could take advantage of her lips more. The nights should be only for lovemaking. He reluctantly pulled apart and leaned his forehead into hers.
“We will continue this back at the house,” Freja said with a seductive smile, pecking his lips once more. She watched as his eyes darkened slightly, both thinking the same thing.
This was different for Freja. This would be her first time engaging in a fight where she actually cared about others who were fighting. Her desire to protect Hunter and her pack was stirring a new energy inside her, one that had been there since she and Hunter had fully mated but was locked within her. She glanced around, watching as everyone was beginning to converge.
She walked along with Hunter until they reached the witches that were waiting for them. The night air was cold. Little clouds formed from her breath, and a chilling breeze swirled through her hair. Hunter pulled her in front of him and wrapped his arms around her. Maybe he was cold, too? Though it was more likely he wanted to make sure she stayed warm.
“The witches are in position and will put the seal up as soon as you move inside. We’re heading into the village to speak to the other witches. There are a handful of witches at your disposal. They will each trail behind your fighters and assist as needed.” Erica spoke directly to Hunter, since he was the one in charge.
“They know that Meryl is mine, right?” Freja pinned her deadly gaze on Erica.
“They know she is for you guys to deal with. They wouldn’t feel comfortable fighting against her anyway. She is very powerful.” Erica watched the green eyes grow darker.
Freja could feel her blood beginning to boil as she thought about the witch and everything she’d done to her over the years. Her mind began to drift, and once again, she became the huntress. She took a step forward out of Hunter's hold as the wind swirled around her. She tilted her head and closed her eyes, seeking the familiar power. Lowering her hand, she ran her fingers over her daggers. It was a bit primal, but she was reconnecting with her inner killer.
“Freja?” Hunter’s voice was concerned.
This was where working with others would be a problem. She wanted to go off on her own and do what she needed to. She glanced back at Hunter, then scanned over the others. She could do this alone. When it came to hunting, she has done it all. If she was fast enough, she could take out all the weaker witches, then focus all her energy on Meryl. She inhaled the cool night air as she struggled against her learned nature.
You’re not alone anymore, Freja. Even if we can kill them on our own, we don’t have to. You have others here. Our mate is here. We can’t leave him behind.Ember gently reminded Freja that she didn’t need to only depend on herself.
I don’t know if I can just jump into depending on others. I can’t just trust them blindly.Freja had been fighting alone for so long. It would be weird if she did just automatically trust everyone. She did trust Hunter, Jin, and Chasen, but some habits were hard to break. And her bloodlust was one of them. She had always gotten a high when she killed. It was how she knew she was alive. It was this killer nature that had allowed her to survive. And in this moment, right now, her body was remembering the hunt. She looked at Hunter and could see his silver eyes studying her quietly, so she offered him a small smile.
“I was just trying to sense Meryl’s presence. I’m having a hard time getting a read on her energy. She might be blocking it? Or maybe the manor has a type of energy shield.” Freja wasn’tgoing to elaborate further about everything she was feeling. She looked over at Erica, who only shrugged.
“I wish I knew more, but I don’t. She might have something keeping her energy hidden, though. If that’s the case, she’ll be tougher for you to find.” Erica frowned.
“If she is there, I’ll find her. Her tricks might work at a distance on me, but they would never work up close.” Freja rolled her shoulders and tilted her neck to each side as she loosened up. She then stepped back into Hunter’s side, and he was all too eager to hold her close. Inwardly smiling, she relaxed against his warmth. His scent went into her nostrils, and she allowed it to calm the killer inside her, or at least tame it down some. She needed to focus. She would be working as a unit with these people and needed to do her best to try to rely on them. They all had a part to play, but if they messed up their part, she could cover for them.
“You’re sure everything’s okay?” Hunter whispered into her ear. She tilted her head up, her green emeralds meeting with his storms. A small smile rested on her face and she slowly nodded. “Be careful in there. If you get in trouble and need my help, call me. Connect to me, and I will find you.”
Freja’s smile grew wider. “Same goes for you, Hunter. If you need my help, reach out to me.” She felt his hand brush a strand of hair away from her cheek. His hot fingertips made her shiver slightly as they grazed her skin. He leaned in slowly, his eyes lowering to her lips before he gently brushed them with his own.
He straightened up and looked over everyone. “You all know what to do, right?” He watched as everyone nodded. “Alright. Then let’s do this quickly and efficiently. Stay with your groups. Let’s not get careless and have any casualties.”
They started to form their small attack groups. Sam was with Jin and Tony, Adam was next to Freja. Winston stood at Chasen’s flank, who was standing beside Ander, and Caden tookhis position at Hunter's side. The other wolves shifted and took their own positions in their respective groups. Tony and Ander only had members of their own packs in their groups for more convenient communication. The only ones they wouldn’t be able to communicate with would be Jin, Sam, Chasen, and Winston.
“Alright. Let’s get into positions.” Hunter's eyes flashed to Freja once more before he finally shifted into his wolf. The silver beast towered over the other wolves. Even members of the Black Ice Pack were in awe of their alpha in his new tribrid form. He wasn’t as tall, but he was now bigger than half Chasen’s size.
Freja grabbed her daggers, one in each hand. She had decided she wasn’t going to shift for this fight. Not having practiced a lot with her wolf, she was going to rely on the skills she knew. She was faster now, using her tribrid speed, and was also stronger.
