Chapter 12 - Freya

Chapter 12

Freya

I startled awake in the middle of the night from a strange dream. Sitting up, I put one hand out and felt Flint in bed beside me.

The dream had involved witches, and this moment, here in this same bed with Flint, reminded me of the last time I’d been on Frost Fang packlands. My aunt had entered my dreams and convinced me to leave packlands and walk straight into her trap. She’d even made me believe Flint had come with me.

Except in this dream, there’d been lots of witches. They’d been hunting me, driving me into a trap. Not just me, though… other wolves had been there.

Not shifters, I remembered.

Fear shivered up my spine, and when I curled my knees up in bed, I suddenly realized that fear hadn’t come from me. It had leaked to me across the pack bond.

That had me throwing back the covers and pushing out of bed. Gage and Heath had stayed up late to start putting the pieces in place for what we planned to do, but surely they were asleep by now.

I padded down the hallway to peek into the other two bedrooms. Thankfully, both their doors were open, so I didn’t have to risk waking them up. Heath was fast asleep, but when I went to the third room to peek in at Gage, he sat up to look at me.

“Sleepwalking?” he whispered.

“No… I sensed something. Something bad. It woke me up.”

Gage patted the bed beside him. “Come here, princess.”

As always, his words brooked no argument. I came and cuddled up next to him in bed. I’d never taken Gage for a cuddler, but he wrapped his muscular arm around me and pulled me close.

“You sensed fear in the pack bond?” he asked, clearly aware of what was going on.

I nodded. “I woke up from a terrible dream, so I thought it was my fear… until I woke up enough to realize it wasn’t.”

“What did you dream?”

“I dreamed of witches… they were hunting me and… some wolves. Not shifters, though, I mean like real wolves.”

Gage’s eyes widened, the whites of his eyes catching the dim light. “You shared Rowan’s dream.”

I gasped, then shook my head. “No… before, I always dreamed of Rowan. This time… if you’re right, then in the dream, I was Rowan.”

“The pack bond shows the fear comes from Rowan,” Gage agreed.

He hesitated, and I wished I could figure out what he was thinking, and whether it was about the dream, the pack bond, or something else. Did this newfound power worry him?

But more importantly… “Can you tell where Rowan is? Is he safe?”

“Of course he’s safe, princess. If there were a threat, I would’ve yanked all of you awake, and we would’ve been at his side in moments.”

“Then…”

“As mate to the pack alpha, you should have a deeper connection with the pack bond, which will no doubt deepen even further once our mate bond is mutual.”

“Gage…” I prepared to defend my reasons for not biting him right away.

“I won’t rush you, princess. I rushed into biting you, but I won’t force you to do the same. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”

I sighed and melted into him, and he squeezed me tighter.

“But for you to dream Rowan’s dream…” He whispered the words as though in awe.

I reflected on how I’d once dreamed of Rowan long before I met him, how I’d dreamed of him during my heat, before my magic had been unsealed. That must mean this magic came from my Odinswolf, not my mage half.

“Does Rowan often have nightmares?”

He nodded against my hair. “Normally, I do a better job of keeping his fear out of the pack bond if I’m awake.”

“So… Rowan’s nightmares have leaked into the pack bond before?”

“To my knowledge, the rest of us have never shared his dreams, my love. But we’ve never had an Odinswolf in the bond before. Nor a witchling.” He kissed the top of my head.

“I want to go comfort him,” I decided. “Where is he?”

“He’s right outside the front door,” Gage admitted. “But I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. Have you ever heard the expression to let sleeping dogs lie?”

I laughed and shoved on his shoulder. “Not the same.”

“Just be careful,” Gage warned. “And give me a kiss first.”

I rose up on my knees, staring at my pack alpha sitting shirtless at the head of his bed, the sheets pooled at his waist. Leaning forward, I pushed my lips to his, and Gage’s powerful arms wrapped around behind me, crushing me to him and supporting my weight. He immediately sought access, and I let him in, our tongues dancing until my body heated with need.

Gage groaned as he loosened his grip on me enough so I could pull back. With my upcoming heat, my body ached for his attention.

“Go,” he growled, his voice rough. “Before I keep you here all night.”

I grinned at him, glad the effect on him was just as powerful as it was for me. “Rowan needs me more than you do.”

“I know,” Gage grumbled. “Now hurry, before I change my mind.”

I laughed and headed for the front door, not hurrying. If I ran, Gage’s wolf might decide to give chase. On any other night, I would have enjoyed tempting him, but I needed to see if he was right about Rowan. Had I somehow accidentally dreamed his nightmare?

I opened the front door to find a massive black wolf lying just beside it. My breath puffed into the cold air, and I shivered as I peeled off my thin night shirt and shorts. Then I shifted as slowly and quietly as I could. Flint and Rowan had been teaching me to speed up my shifts, so slowing it down hurt a bit. It was worth it, so I could quietly curl up next to Rowan’s warmth.

For a few minutes, his deep breathing seemed undisturbed by my presence. But a few minutes later, the giant wolf whimpered in his sleep, his front paws twitching. His legs jerked as though he were trying to run. And through the pack bond, I felt the telltale traces of fear, though this time I knew Gage was intentionally letting it leak through. He wanted me to sense it.

I leaned against Rowan, hoping his wolf could draw strength from my presence. When he whimpered again, my wolf responded in kind. I wanted to wake him up and end the nightmare. Acting on instinct, my wolf licked his muzzle, trying to reassure her mate.

As dawn broke and the first rays of light came up behind the mountains, I licked Rowan again. The dark wolf twitched, then huffed and sniffed, his great head moving as he blinked awake. He jerked when he saw me so close, then froze.

“Freya?” His voice sounded clear in my mind.

“It’s me. I thought you might be having a nightmare.”

His massive frame rose as he inhaled a deep breath. “I was. What you did was dangerous.”

“I couldn’t let you keep reliving that night.”

“Sometimes I wake up from nightmares like that and I don’t even recognize my own packmates,” Rowan growled in my head. “Sometimes my wolf wakes up already feral.”

“Even when you’re feral, your wolf always recognizes me. You won’t hurt me.”

“You’re right,” he murmured. His tongue snaked out to lick me in return. “I wouldn’t.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“What? The dream?” Rowan asked.

“Do you dream about them a lot?”

Rowan’s mental voice sounded suspicious. “Dream about… them?”

“Your wolf family.”

Now he lifted his head, as though coming fully awake. “How did you know…”

“Because I think your dream leaked into the pack bond. I woke up from a nightmare. Tell me if this sounds familiar.” Then I described everything I could remember.

“You… had the same dream.”

“I think I got pulled into your dream. And I think it must be an Odinswolf thing, because I dreamed of you before I ever met you… before my curse was broken.”

I hoped my words would reassure him that this wasn’t my witch magic acting against him somehow while he slept.

“You’re probably right,” Rowan said. “And… for what it’s worth, I know I’ve been afraid of nothing.”

“What do you mean?”

“I knew all along that you're nothing like the witches who killed my wolf family. I just couldn’t admit it to myself.” He licked me again. “Even waking up from that nightmare, I recognized you as my fellow packmate. My… mate.”

If I had lips, I would’ve smiled. As it was, I settled for licking him back. Did this mean he was finally coming around?

“I see the others with you, how well they work with you… I want that too,” he whispered in my mind.

“Me too,” I said, leaning against him, my smaller wolf’s body curled up next to his. “I know we barely know each other, Rowan, but it’s like… when you’re not around, I miss you. I know I’ve been impatient with you, and I don’t want to push you too hard, but…”

“I understand,” Rowan said. “It’s like I’m the missing piece, and you’re frustrated that I won’t fit into place.”

“Exactly. I know you will when you’re ready, though.”

Rowan sat up on his haunches, looking down at me even though I sat up as well. Even sitting up like this, his wolf towered over mine.

“Since I’ve made you wait so long, how about if I make it up to you,” Rowan said carefully, his words tentative.

“What do you have in mind?” I asked, trying to keep my mental voice as neutral as possible. If I got too hopeful, I feared scaring him off.

“Let me take you on a date.”

That was the last thing I expected Rowan to suggest. Rowan, the feral wolf, who was far more beast than man. It showed his dedication to making this work between us.

“Rowan, you know you don’t have to do things like the others right?”

“I want to court you properly.”

I chuffed out a laugh, remembering how he’d bent over my hand and kissed the back like a gentleman of yore. He leaned away from me, and I realized what an idiot I’d been, to laugh at him.

“I would love that, Rowan. Let’s go on a date.”

“We’ll go to dinner at a restaurant in town. Heath already told the entire pack you have multiple mates. No one will be surprised to see you out with another of us.”

“True. But my heat…”

“You’re twice marked, and you’ll be with another alpha. Anyone who comes onto you will deserve what they get.”

The threat in his words sent a thrill down my spine despite myself.

“Okay. Then I’ll get dressed up tonight. Shall we go out at six? Seven?”

“Just after dark,” Rowan decided. “I’ll need time to pick up a proper outfit.”

“Do you want me—”

“I can handle it. For now, how about a run?”

Rowan and I loped through the middle of the town together, heading for the outskirts. My footsteps slowed when I realized Rowan was leading me alongside the forest path I’d taken to go meet my aunt for the first time.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, slowing along with me.

“Can we run somewhere else?” I asked. “I don’t have good memories of this path.”

“Of course, little lightning bolt. I know Frost Fang about as well as you do. If you lead, I will follow.”

The idea charmed me, because on a normal pack run, it was always the alphas who led the way. Not that I’d ever been on a pack run aside from the ones with my alphas.

I soon found the boundary blaze along the trees and took off running alongside it. As soon as Gage had taken over as Frost Fang pack alpha, all his Howling Echo packmates could use the Frost Fang pack bond as well. Including me, now that I could finally shift.

So, when we passed a couple of wolves patrolling the border, I called a good morning to them.

“Good morning, alphas,” they answered along the Frost Fang pack bond as we passed, bowing their heads to us.

Through the pack bond, I could sense when they were being respectful, and when the respect was superficial at best. I had a feeling some of them would talk behind our backs again. We had stirred up a lot of talk with me having multiple mates, and the pack alpha being one of them. The rune on their faces probably didn’t help the gossip.

I shook off the weird way people referred to me as alpha as well, deciding to enjoy the run with Rowan. He kept pace with me, and my wolf felt whole and fulfilled with him by my side.

The earth thrummed beneath my paws as we raced through the forest, my muscles bunching and stretching with each powerful stride. Pine needles scattered in our wake, their sharp scent mingling with the crisp mountain air. Beside me, my companion's dark coat flashed between the trees like a piece of night come alive in the daylight. Thanks to the snippets of thoughts and intentions we could so easily share through the pack bond, our bodies moved in perfect synchronization as we navigated the rugged terrain.

The slope rose gently before us, then fell away into a shallow ravine thick with undergrowth. Without breaking stride, we leaped from rock to rock, our shared exhilaration flowing between us like electricity. We ran together in silent companionship for what must have been over an hour.

By the time we turned back, the day had heated up. Our run back to our den felt just as good and natural, and my hope soared that Rowan had finally accepted me. I hoped this run showed him I could enjoy my time with him in wolf form just as much as in human form. I would never ask him to stay in his human form longer than he felt comfortable.

Rowan left me at the entrance to our den and told me he would return at dusk.

“I’m looking forward to it,” I assured him as the door opened to reveal Heath.

I shifted, not feeling a drop of embarrassment as both of their eyes devoured me. Rowan’s golden eyes gazed up at me.

“I can’t wait for tonight,” I told him, wishing to prolong our time together for a moment more.

In response, he ducked his head under my hand, letting my fingers slide into his thick fur for a moment before he pulled back.

“I’ve laid out your outfit for tonight, little wolf,” Heath said, pulling my naked body to him and sliding his hands down my back to cup my butt.

I let out a sound of protest. “What if someone walks by?” I hissed.

“Let them see me kissing my mate,” Heath growled, claiming my mouth in a scorching kiss.

Even through his clothing, I felt him lengthening against me. My body heated with need, but he tore our mouths apart with a groan.

“I wish I could stay, but duty calls. We all have a lot to get done to prepare for your heat, my warrior wolf.”

I sighed and glanced back, only to find Rowan was also already gone. He probably didn’t want to stand around and watch Heath pawing me.

“What did you mean about my outfit for tonight?” I asked as I came inside. I pulled my clothes from my sling bag and put them on.

“Rowan let me know he has plans for you,” Heath grinned.

“Heath…” I took his hand, and the feel of his thick fingers on my palm made me wish he’d finished what he started with that kiss. I wanted his hands all over me.

“Nope, I’m not gonna put my scent all over you before Rowan has his chance.”

My eyes widened. “Do you think… Is he ready to claim me?”

Heath shrugged. “I guess you’ll find out.”

“Will it bother you—”

Heath interrupted me by leaning in and kissing me.

“Flint always knew you would choose all of us. He told us that from the beginning.”

“That’s not an answer.” I raised an eyebrow, daring him to admit it might just bother him after all.

He gave me his best playboy grin. “I’m trying to tell you that I’m doing what I do best… playing Rowan’s wingman.”

Now both my eyebrows shot up together. “You two… used to share?”

He shook his head. “No, Rowan has always been finicky. Worried about his scars. I didn’t want to give him any performance anxiety.”

I growled, imagining Heath and Rowan on the prowl for women.

Heath grinned. “There’s my sexy mate. Don’t worry, now that he’s scented you, you’re the only woman Rowan wants.”

“You’re really okay with this?” I put my hand on his forearm and listened closely to the mate bond.

It revealed nothing more than Heath’s full-hearted acceptance. I nodded when he didn’t answer, knowing I was totally using the mate bond to spy on his emotions.

“Maybe I should’ve mentioned I helped pick the restaurant.”

I laughed. “That would’ve helped, yeah.”

“Too bad I won’t get to go with you this time.” He gave me another peck on the lips, then pulled away. “Gage, Flint, and I will be busy carrying out your brilliant bait and switch plan.”

I grinned, my body lighting up with the praise. “I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

“Don’t even worry one bit about it, little wolf. Tonight, enjoy your time with Rowan. And if you go for another run, remember to take a blanket.”

He gave me a sly wink and headed for the door. I chuckled on my way to see what outfit Heath had procured for me. Then I took a nice, long bath. The day seemed to go by so slowly, and I found myself checking out some books in the little sitting area.

I longed for the library in our Moonblessed den, smiling when I realized I’d thought of my pack’s things as mine, too. Having any possessions at all was such a foreign feeling to me, but knowing my mates would share anything of theirs with me made me feel like I belonged.

Selecting a mystery, I plopped down on the couch to read, noting the well-loved pages were worn along the edges. I flipped to the front pages, wondering if I might find any sign of who had loved this book so much. My heart froze in my chest when I saw the inscription from Heath, written in tiny, perfect letters.

To Gage,

I hope you’ll lose yourself in these pages like I did. Let’s see when you guess who the real culprit is. Bet I figured it out at least one chapter before you did!

All my loyalty,

Heath

Except when I looked closer, the “a” of “loyalty” looked like Heath had misspelled it at first, then drawn the “a” over top of an “e” to correct himself. I also noticed the upper part of the “y” was a lot darker than its curled tail.

I gasped. Had Heath accidentally written “All my love” before overwriting it with the word “loyalty”?

The book’s well-worn condition took on a new meaning. Heath had given it to Gage, who had clearly reread it again and again.

I closed the cover, my heart racing. Gage had failed to recognize Heath’s feelings toward him, but now I suspected he’d also failed to notice his own toward Heath, even after all these years…

Voices outside the den startled me. When I looked up at the clock, I realized I better get moving if I hoped to be ready before dark.

I wouldn’t want to make my big, bad wolf want to blow the house down looking for me.

Chuckling at my secret joke, I made my way to the bathroom once more to do something with my hair and to use the makeup Heath had somehow found time to purchase for me. Time to show Rowan what a real date looked like.