Chapter 21 - Freya

Chapter 21

Freya

The next day, food filled the house. Heath had the fridge and pantry stocked, and delicious food was available for every meal even though I hadn't seen a single servant. None of us had to lift a finger.

I'd gone to bed alone last night, thinking through all of what Heath had said. We hadn't argued again, but we also hadn't resolved everything yet either. I was trying to trust he meant what he said, but I remembered everything he'd done before.

For the last several hours, Flint exercised with me in the backyard. With his help, I would rebuild my muscles after my wolfsbane-induced coma and kidnapping. He even had me practice breaking a few holds, not that it would have stopped that particular kidnapping.

"What I really need is someone to teach me about my magic," I grumbled as I broke his hold for the tenth time.

"Not much I can do about that, moonbeam, but I promise I'll help in any way I can."

"I know you will," I huffed. "Where's Rowan?" With my heat drawing closer by the day, I felt itchy and irritable with Rowan gone. I hadn't seen him since we got here, and I couldn't help but feel he was avoiding me.

"If I had to guess, he's still hung up on the mission he abandoned, despite what Dryden said. Rowan wants to know why Elder Forest wolves kept going missing, whether we're getting paid for the mission or not."

"Did they always disappear while in wolf form?" I asked, wondering how safe we really were here.

"I'm not sure, but I believe I remember Rowan mentioning them getting snatched in either form."

"All the more reason to train, I suppose," I grumbled as Flint and I fell back into another round of practice.

Rowan remained scarce, but every time I went into the house for water or a bathroom break, Heath was there with some new treat to feed me. I was still annoyed at him for talking about the witch wanting "her own kind" in front of his father, but his attentiveness was certainly helping him back into my good graces.

And this time, it was strawberry shortcake.

Given the variety of fruits and other delicacies he'd prepared for me, it seemed Elder Forest was a much more sophisticated pack than Ironwood had been. It made me want to explore the town, but that led to a realization. Heath was doing his best to bring the perks of Elder Forest to me, because…

"You're not going to let me leave this house until after my heat, are you?" I asked.

Heath's half-lidded gaze fell to my lips as I took another bite.

"Not if I can help it," he admitted. "You're safe here, my sexy prisoner."

I shook my head as his playful words made me smile against my will. "Safe from Ironwood and Luka, or safe from my aunt?"

"Both, hopefully."

"Aren't you worried that being here puts you farther into your father's debt?"

Heath shrugged. "I may have to do something in exchange, but I won't bond with anyone but you, my little witch-wolf."

He leaned forward to steal a kiss, but I leaned back, staring into his eyes.

"It doesn't bother you that I'm half witch and not a full wolf-shifter like you?" I asked, watching for any telltale sign of a lie.

"Freya, you could be part vampire, and I'd still let you bite me."

I laughed at the mental image, then sobered. "What if my wolf never shows up and I never get to bite you?"

This time he captured me in his arms, pushing me against the closed door behind me. "Your wolf is in there. We just need the right catnip to draw her out."

I laughed and rolled my eyes, pushing on his chest, but he didn't budge.

"Tell me how to make your life better, Freya, and I'll do it. Whatever it is."

I sighed in his arms, knowing there wasn't an easy answer. Too much was hanging over us, with all that had happened since the fight with Nira. War with Ironwood, unrest within Frost Fang. My spiteful aunt lurking in the shadows. Now Heath's slimy father causing trouble for us here at Elder Forest.

"I promised to make Luka bleed, and I didn't get to keep that promise," I grumbled.

"You will," Heath said with certainty. "It's only a matter of time before his foolishness puts him in our sights again. And even if he miraculously wises up, we know where he lives — I'll make sure you get the chance," he joked, teasing another reluctant smile from me.

"I wanted to fight against my aunt, but I couldn't do anything to stop her. My magic wouldn't come out, not even when I needed it most," I added, to see how he'd dispel that concern.

"The moment we come across another witch, we'll find out how to unblock your magic," Heath promised. "But we won't find one here, because Elder Forest only allows wolves as packmates."

"And I'm your ‘sexy prisoner' here until…" I leaned into him, taking comfort in his presence.

"Until Gage says he's purged all the troublemakers from Frost Fang, or until your heat ends. One or the other."

He twisted, cutting off another bite of cake and bringing the fork to my mouth. I took it, reveling in the look of sinful delight in his caramel eyes as he watched my lips close around the fork and he slowly withdrew it.

As soon as I swallowed, I said, "You're just trying to plump me up so I can't run away again."

The amusement in his eyes and the grin on his face delighted me. I loved seeing this side of Heath.

"If you run, you know we'll give chase, little wolf," Heath's wry voice possessed an underlying power, just waiting to be unleashed.

Just then, my stomach rumbled, and we both laughed.

"I think I'm properly hungry," I said. "A little cake isn't what I'm craving." I raised a playful eyebrow to turn it into an innuendo, but Heath put my health even above flirting.

"Then I'll have the servants bring in dinner."

This time he let me push past him, leading him into the massive kitchen. The industrial oven looked untouched, and I'd never heard or smelled anyone cooking here, despite the amazing chef-quality meals that appeared as if by magic.

"Surely there's leftovers we could eat."

"Surely you'll eat those and then a proper meal," he said, following me to the fridge. "I'll always pamper you, Freya. Your wish is my command."

I smiled at the sentiment, but it just made me feel antsy. "I like your pampering… But I hate that I'm stuck here just stuffing my face, while Gage is far away from us doing all the work," I admitted while piling stuff on the counter.

"Hey." Heath squeezed my shoulders from behind as I started making a sandwich. His breath warmed my ear as he said, "I don't like that part of it either, you know I don't. But now isn't the time to worry about that. Don't think about it like you're some kind of princess waiting in a tower while your prince rids the kingdom of the bad guys. Your job is to heal, to get strong again. Then, when you're ready, we'll join the fight."

I twisted around to smile at him. He was right — my job right now was to recover. Just as it was his and Flint's as well. The three of us had suffered, and Gage was giving us the opportunity to push pause on life and rest. Still, I couldn't help thinking about what awaited us when we eventually left Elder Forest packlands behind. Maybe it came from my childhood, where I always had to stay one step ahead of my tormentors, but I would feel much safer if I knew what they were planning.

"Hopefully that will be soon… Luka will probably show up at the most inconvenient moment. We don't know where my aunt is or if she'll bother me again. She hates wolf shifters, apparently." I glanced over at Heath again. "Do witches and wolves normally hate each other?"

Heath shrugged and started typing out a message on his phone. "Some believe that wolves and witches shouldn't mate because it dilutes both their powers. Their children may have less magic, or they might be weak wolves. On the other hand, others believe their offspring could be an abomination. But in recent years, more witch covens seem interested in moving past old prejudices. Mainly, I think, to form alliances and prevent vampires and fae from taking over our country like they have in Europe."

I took a giant bite of the sandwich, and my stomach began feeling better.

"And that's why your father wants to marry you off to a witch coven. To solidify those alliances."

"Exactly. But I already met with him and told him to forget about it. He'll figure out another way. He always does."

I scarfed down the sandwich while Heath tapped away on his phone. It made me wonder if he was talking to Gage. Or perhaps he was making dinner arrangements.

A noise in the hall drew my attention, and I looked up, for some reason expecting to see Rowan, even though he'd disappeared shortly after we'd arrived here. I longed to go back to when Rowan and I had been alone in the woods, in his element, and he finally let down his walls to kiss me. But here, on another pack's territory, with his packmates around… It felt like my future with Rowan was less certain than ever.

Flint appeared in the doorway, carrying a stack of towels. "Ready for a post-workout shower?" he asked me.

"How about something even better… a post-workout soak?" Heath asked with a grin.

"Even better," I said, setting down my empty plate.

Together, the three of us made our way through the veritable mansion. Heath led us to his suite and started running the water to fill the giant tub in his room.

When I started to wrestle out of my tight, sweaty workout clothes, both men stepped forward to help me. I felt like a goddess under their gazes, as they stripped me of my shirt, then my sports bra. Heath hooked his fingers in my shorts and panties, pulling them both off at once as I steadied myself on Flint's muscular arm. As Heath straightened, his nostrils flared as he sniffed me.

"You smell delicious enough to eat, my warrior wolf," he murmured, his lips going to my nipple.

"I'm sweaty and gross," I disagreed, stepping away from him toward the shower. "Let me at least rinse off before we get in the tub."

Only once I was under the spray did I realize it was probably my heat making him think I smelled good, even after a workout. Flint joined me in the shower, his dark eyes burning with desire, but he did nothing more than help lather me up.

"Thanks for helping me get back in shape," I murmured as the water purged me of all sweat.

My muscles ached, but in a good way.

"Of course, love. We should take advantage of the time we have."

My heart melted at hearing him call me that. I'd never in my wildest dreams imagined someone like him would love someone like me.

Overcome with emotion, I tilted my face up, and Flint obliged me with a long kiss that told me just how deep his feelings for me went.

Together we stepped out of the shower to find Heath already naked and relaxing in the giant tub. It was more than large enough for two more to join him, and Flint took my hand to steady me as I lowered myself into the warm depths.

I let out a moan as the hot water soothed muscles I hadn't realized were sore until now.

"The lady approves," Heath laughed as he gestured for Flint to join us.

"It would seem so."

With Flint and Heath settled on either side of me and the hot water relaxing me, I let my head rest against the smooth edge of the tub. My eyes drifted closed, and then four strong hands found my legs and began massaging me.

I let out another moan as they helped my muscles relax after the workout Flint had put me through.

"Can we do this after every workout?" I groaned.

Both of them just laughed. For a long moment, everything fell silent except the sounds of water moving as my two mates rubbed away my pain. It made me want to stay like this forever. I'd never felt so pampered in my life.

Soon their strong fingers massaged further up my thighs and buttocks, and I opened my eyes to find them both devouring me with their eyes.

"Would you like a different type of massage?" Heath grinned as his knuckle brushed between my legs.

"Yes," I breathed, letting my body relax into their ministrations.

Flint's hands came around behind my bottom, easily lifting me, and the water kept me buoyant. Goosebumps rose on my skin as my thighs broke the surface, but then a surge of heat enveloped me as Heath eagerly indulged in pleasuring me.

Flint took the opportunity to massage my back, relieving the muscles there even as Heath made me tense with pleasure. The first orgasm crested lazily over me, and I pulled back from Heath to push Flint down in a sitting position on one of the benches beneath the water.

I straddled Flint, teasing us both with his tip on my clit. The look of pure affection and love in his eyes nearly undid me as I slowly pierced myself with him. I feared the water would wash away too much of my slick, but apparently my oncoming heat provided more than enough to make this feel good.

Bouncing on him felt so easy in the water, not taxing my already-tired muscles at all. As I moved, my breasts broke the surface of the water, and Flint's gaze devoured me, making me feel powerful and beautiful all at once.

From behind, Heath's hands wrapped around me, his lips finding my shoulder. He teased kisses right along the edges of Gage's mate mark, and I gasped in surprise.

"Why does that feel so good?" I asked.

As hands drove me down onto Flint's cock, Heath's tongue slid along Gage's mate mark, and I shattered. The pleasure felt like it came from every direction, and my moans echoed around the large bathing chamber. My inner walls clamped down on Flint, bringing him with me as he kissed along the other side of my neck.

My brain went haywire, desperate for Flint to bite me, too, which extended my climax. He didn't, but the mere thought of it brought me so much pleasure. My inner walls were still pulsing when Flint eased out of me and Heath tugged me over to straddle him. I slid easily onto his hard length, crying out with the joy of it as Flint came up behind me in the water.

My thighs squeezed Heath's hips as he drove up into me, his hands pulling my hips tight against his. Flint's hands slid along my wet skin, and as my breasts crested above the water again, his warm hands teased my nipples. I moaned and arched my back, enjoying the feel of it, draping my hands behind Flint's neck. He kissed my temple as Heath drove up into me again, the water making it easy to stay suspended between them.

Through the bond, I felt Gage's longing and desire. I had a feeling he knew exactly what we were doing and might be touching himself right along with us. Had he felt Heath lick his mate mark? If so, had it driven him as wild as it had me? I groaned, my arousal amped up to impossible heights at the thought of a horny Gage masturbating to Heath's mouth on me.

I was gushing all over Heath's length even before Flint let his nimble fingers drift down between my thighs. In no time at all, he had me panting, right on the edge again.

"That's right," Heath whispered. "Let us take care of you, sweet girl."

"Ready?" Flint asked.

I didn't know what he meant, specifically, but with them? I was always ready.

"Yes," Heath and I answered at once.

As Heath drove up into me once more, Flint's blunt human teeth latched onto to Gage's mate mark on my shoulder. Pleasure tore through me like lightning, making my toes curl and my hands scramble for purchase. The pleasure whited out my world, and I lost myself to it all, even as the bond surged with desire and affection right with everything else.

As I came back down, uncountable moments later, I sighed with contentment. "Gage felt that, I'm sure of it."

"He did," Heath agreed, his voice rough with heady desire. "And he liked it. His lust was flooding the pack bond while you were coming. But we're not done with you yet."

"Let's drive them both wild," Flint whispered into my ear.

His fingers found my clit, sending me right back up again. I moaned at the loss of control, my limbs moving of their own accord as the two men held me between them and Heath's hard cock continued driving into me.

"Come again," Heath commanded, his voice rough with need.

I dropped my chin so I could look at him, about to snark about how things didn't work like that. But with Flint's fingers moving even faster over my clit, the commanding look in Heath's eyes was enough to send my inner walls clamping down, and I came again. This time, I could feel every sensation as Heath pulsed within me. His unwavering gaze and his innate dominance drove me and my wolf wild.

It felt like he was promising something to me, giving himself to me completely. And in that moment, with the two of them, I felt perfectly content. Heath slipped out of me, and Flint wrapped me in his arms, trailing kisses all over me and whispering how beautiful I was and how he would never get tired of watching me come.

And all the while, my eyes remained fixed on Heath. Something had happened here in this moment… a new door had opened, and he looked shaken. I smiled at him, reaching out to him, and he took my hands, kissing the tops of them while looking up at me.

Flint moved from behind me, tugging me back to sit beside him. He nuzzled my temple until I turned to kiss him.

"I should go spend some time in wolf form, my love," he whispered along my lips.

Pulling back to look him over, I gasped, to find a dark bruise along his ribcage. Feeling like an asshole for not taking notice of their wounds while we were having sex, tears came to my eyes.

"Shhh," Flint wiped the tears from my eyelashes before they could fall. "Heath and I are fine. With a few more days in wolf form, we'll be good as new."

"I hope I didn't hurt you. Just now or during our training session earlier."

"Never, moonbeam." Flint sealed his words with a kiss, and I believed him.

He and Heath had taken charge of this entire afternoon, and they wouldn't have let me do something that would've upset me, like letting me hurt them in any way.

Flint pulled away, and the love in his eyes filled me with joy. Even when he rose from the water to towel off, I felt… safe. Like things between Flint and I would never change except to deepen over the years. He didn't bother getting dressed. With one last lingering look, Flint disappeared out the door, leaving me alone with Heath.

He looked… uncertain. I waded across the short distance to him, settling on his lap again, but this time without any sexual urgency. I wrapped my wet arms around his broad shoulders, meeting his eyes. For a moment, we stayed like that, gazing deeply at each other, our breaths synchronizing.

Then he leaned forward and rubbed noses with me, breaking my gaze.

"I never thought I would say this," he whispered, his voice soft, softer than I'd ever heard it.

I didn't know whether to ask what or to stay silent and let him find the words himself. So, I brushed one hand up the back of his neck to comb through his hair, letting him feel my affection for him. My feelings for him weren't just sexual. I realized during our stint in the Ironwood prison that I'd fallen for Heath and Gage somewhere along the line, just like I loved Flint. All three of them were so different, just as my connection with each of them was so different. Our love would be different, too, I felt sure.

"Freya, I think I'm falling for you."

I tilted my head to kiss him gently on the mouth. "That's good," I said lightly. "Because I love you, Heath."

His breathing hitched, then he wrapped his big arms around me and kissed me like he'd just come up for air and needed me to survive. His tongue met mine in powerful strokes, and his wide palm spread out across both my shoulder blades as if he would never let me go.

But at last, he broke the kiss so we could both breathe, and I smiled at him with all the joy in my heart. It had taken Heath a long time to come around, but at last, I felt like we were finally walking down the path together. Where we might take it together, I wasn't sure. But I felt sure it would bring us both joy.

"I misspoke, earlier," he said, clearing his throat. Then his eyes met mine, and they were filled with certainty. "I've already fallen for you. I love you, too, Freya."

I grinned, giving him a light peck on the lips. "Was that so hard?"

"For me?" he laughed. "Very. But I realized recently that I don't ever want anything to come between us. And now you know that no matter what happens, I will always find you. You're mine… and I'm yours."

Mine, my wolf piped up helpfully.

I laughed. "My wolf agrees."

He grinned. "I can't wait to meet her."

And for once, Heath's certainty filled me with assurance that one day, he really would.

Unwilling to lose the moment, I traced a finger along his jawline. "Why was it so hard for you to admit you love me?"

Heath sighed, his hold on me loosening as he looked away.

"Is it because your father?"

He shrugged one bulky shoulder. "That's part of it, I'm sure. He made it clear he wanted to use us to ally with witches or fae, so I did my best to piss him off by running around with other wolf shifters. I've also never really had any long-term relationships… more like friends with benefits. But… that's not the whole reason."

I ran my hands over his skin under the water, waiting. Just like it had taken him some time to find the words earlier, I knew he was searching for them again now. Seeing him struggling to connect with me recently, I was realizing just how much of his cocky behavior was a fa?ade that hid a very cautious — but sincere — man.

"It's hard for me because… I've been hiding from my heart for so long." He seemed to brace himself before continuing, "Because I knew that the other person would never reciprocate my feelings. Not that it stopped me from being hung up on him."

His lips twisted into a rueful grin, but no amusement lit his caramel gaze. Instead, I saw only pain there, and my wolf whimpered. We both wanted to ease his pain, though I wasn't sure how.

"Him?" I asked quietly.

Heath shook his head, his eyes widening with concern. "Look, Freya, I didn't mean… What I feel for him will never be like what I feel for you. I love you, Freya, never doubt that. Besides, like I said, I know that Gage will never share my feelings."

I gasped in surprise. My heart ached for him as the story wrote itself before my eyes.

Heath's hands soothed up and down my back, and he looked away, his eyebrows drawing down. "I've ruined the moment, haven't I?" He shook his head in an angry motion. "I'm terrible at this, I'm sorry."

"No," I soothed, and this time, I was the one to put my hand on Heath's cheek and turn his face toward mine. "I understand, Heath. Your heart is so much bigger than you think it is."

His gaze searched my face, as though trying to find assurance that he hadn't ruined things between us. So, I leaned in and kissed him gently again, softly, as though not to hurt him.

"Just as I can love you and Flint, I know you're capable of loving both me and Gage."

"You're going into heat," he pointed out. "You're not jealous?"

I checked with my wolf to be sure, then shook my head. "Now, if you'd confessed your love for someone outside of the Howling Echo…"

My wolf snarled inside of me, her fur standing on end.

Heath chuckled. "Never, my love. But it doesn't matter, anyway. Like I said, nothing will ever go anywhere with my feelings for Gage. They're one-sided."

I tilted my head, considering. "I wouldn't be so sure of that."

They were a team in a way I hadn't seen with any other two alphas who weren't mated.

I went on, "I think Gage cares for you more than you know… maybe more than he knows. And, besides, Gage is capable of change — he hated women, remember? And yet somehow… he gave me this."

I gestured to the mate mark on my shoulder. Gage may not have told me that he loved me, but that mark proved he wasn't going anywhere.

Heath shrugged. "That's different. Gage has never once expressed interest in a male wolf." He shook his head with finality.

Then he cocked his head to the side. Faintly, I thought I heard something from downstairs. Heath's nostrils flared, and he grinned at me as he pulled the plug to let the water drain.

"Dinner has arrived. Let's get you dry and dressed, my little wolf."