15. Freesia
FIFTEEN
FREESIA
Sunlight flooded through the large windows of Izei's bedroom, painting golden stripes across the rumpled black sheets where Freesia lay wrapped in her mate's arms. The completed mate bond hummed between them, warm and electric and absolutely perfect.
She could feel his emotions so powerfully now—his contentment, his fierce protectiveness, the way his love for her seemed to fill every corner of his soul.
This is what home feels like, she realized, breathing in his scent of sandalwood and rain.
Not a place. Not even safety. Just this—being completely known and completely accepted by someone who chose to stand beside her.
The mate mark on her left hip tingled pleasantly beneath the sheet, the pink scratches already healing but still tender to the touch, and the sensation reminded her of last night on the hilltop, of the moment she'd finally stopped running from the bond and embraced it completely.
She felt stronger and more focused this morning.
As if sharing the burden of protecting the Waverly Compact had somehow multiplied her strength rather than diminished it.
The power of their completed bond sang through her veins, giving her clarity she hadn't possessed in months.
And with that clarity came a decision she'd been avoiding for far too long.
Her gaze drifted to the small leather satchel resting on the nightstand beside her pillow, where she'd placed it after their return from the hilltop.
The Waverly Compact with its four hundred years of history and responsibility that she'd carried alone since the night her family died.
The weight of it had become so familiar she sometimes forgot it was there—until moments like this, when she remembered what it represented.
Peace and hope for a future where three species could coexist without more bloodshed.
Everything she and Izei were fighting to protect.
But also everything that had made her a target, had cost her family their lives, had forced her to run instead of fight when every instinct had told her to stay and protect those she loved.
Izei stirred beside her, his arms tightening instinctively around her waist as consciousness returned to him. When his dark eyes opened and found hers, the smile that spread across his face was so brilliant it made her heart skip.
"Good morning, my queen." His voice was rough with sleep and satisfaction, the endearment carrying new weight now that their bond was complete.
Through their connection, she felt the rush of his emotions—love so fierce it took her breath away, joy at waking up beside her, and beneath it all, a desire that made her blood heat despite their activities the night before.
"Good morning."
She traced lazy patterns on his bare chest, admiring the way his muscles rippled beneath her touch. The mate mark on his hip was visible above the sheet, and the sight of it filled her with primitive satisfaction.
Mine.
But as much as she wanted to lose herself in the heat building between them, in the intoxicating pull of their completed bond, she knew they had work to do.
Cassian and Mareth were still out there and still plotting.
Her scattered pride members were still in hiding and still waiting for someone to bring them home.
And she was still carrying a burden that belonged to both of them now.
"Izei." She sat up, the sheet pooling around her waist as she reached for the satchel.
His gaze followed the movement, appreciation flickering in his dark eyes before he registered the seriousness in her voice.
"What is it?" He pushed himself up, instantly alert.
She turned to face him fully, the leather satchel cradled in her hands like the precious artifact it was.
For three months, it had never left her side.
She'd slept with it, showered with it within arm's reach, and carried it without a second thought.
Letting go of it felt terrifying and liberating in equal measure.
"I want you to put this in your safe." The words came out steady and certain. "I'm ready to share this responsibility with you."
The shock that flashed across his face was quickly replaced by something deeper—respect, relief, and a fierce protectiveness that caused her tigress to roar with approval.
"Freesia." His voice was rough with emotion. "Are you certain?"
She nodded, holding his gaze. "For three months, I've carried this alone because I thought that's what being the Keeper meant.
But last night, when we completed the bond, I realized something.
" She paused, letting herself feel the truth of the words before speaking them.
"Queen Valeria didn't create the Compact to be carried by one person. She created it to be shared."
Izei sat up straighter, his full attention focused on her with a piercing intensity.
"The burden was never meant to be mine alone," she continued. "And now that we're mated, now that our future is tied together, it belongs to both of us."
He reached out slowly, his large hands covering hers where they held the satchel. "I am honored to share this responsibility with you." His voice carried the weight of a vow. "I swear to you, Freesia—I will protect this with my life, just as I will protect you."
The sincerity in his words, the absolute certainty flowing through their bond, made her eyes sting with unshed tears. For the first time since her mother had pressed the Compact into her hands and begged her to run, Freesia felt like she could breathe fully.
"I know you will." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek, soft and lingering. "That's why I'm ready to let you help me carry it."
He accepted the satchel with the careful reverence of someone handling a priceless relic, which technically he was. The original peace treaty that had ended centuries of war, signed by Queen Valeria Waverly and the founding Alphas of the Callel and Vael prides.
"I'll put this in the safe immediately," he promised.
She glanced toward the window, where the sun was climbing higher. "I have a feeling today is going to be eventful." She smiled and turned to look at him, finally allowing herself to fully appreciate his naked form as he stood and stretched.
Izei noticed her appreciative gaze and grinned, the expression transforming his usually serious face into something boyish and devastating. "Enjoying the view, my queen?"
Heat flooded her cheeks. "Maybe." She forced herself to look away and reach for her clothes on the floor. "But we don't have time for that right now."
"We will later," he promised, his voice dropping to that low, commanding tone.
Focus, Freesia.
She pulled on her panties and bra, hyperaware of his gaze tracking her every movement. When she glanced up, she caught him staring at the mate mark on her hip, and the possessive satisfaction in his expression made her blood sing.
"Like what you see, Alpha?" she teased.
"Always." The simple honesty in his voice made her heart race.
She pulled on her cargo pants and long-sleeved black shirt, the familiar comfort of practical clothing grounding her after the emotional intensity of the morning.
When she laced up her boots, she realized this was the first time in months she'd gotten dressed without immediately reaching for the satchel.
The freedom was intoxicating.
"I'll meet you downstairs once you get dressed," she said, heading toward the door.
"Freesia."
She turned back, her eyebrows raised.
"Thank you." His voice was quiet. "For trusting me with this. For trusting me with everything."
The love flowing through their bond was so intense it nearly staggered her. "Thank you for being someone I can trust."
Then she stepped into the hallway, pulling the heavy door closed behind her, and immediately froze.
Luka and Kenia were pressed against the wall just outside Kenia's guest room, locked in what was clearly not their first kiss of the morning. Luka's hands were tangled in Kenia's dark hair, and she was practically melting against him with a soft sound of contentment.
"Oh, sorry," Freesia said, unable to keep the amusement out of her voice. "Didn't mean to intrude."
They broke apart quickly, both looking slightly dazed and thoroughly rumpled. Luka's hair was sticking up at odd angles, and Kenia's cheeks were flushed pink.
"No worries," Luka said with his characteristic grin, though his voice was rougher than usual. "We were just... waiting for you and Izei. Passing the time."
Kenia swatted his arm, her blush deepening. "Luka!"
"What? It's true." He winked at Freesia. "We've been up for an hour already."
"Come on," Kenia said, grabbing his hand and tugging him toward the staircase. "Let's get downstairs before you embarrass us both further."
Freesia followed them down the corridor, unable to suppress her smile. After months of loss and grief, seeing her best friend find happiness—seeing all of them find reasons to hope—felt like a small miracle.
They descended the staircase together, their footsteps echoing in the grand foyer. As they turned down the corridor toward the living room, Freesia could already hear voices—Reth's steady baritone and Aldric's familiar cadence.
When they entered what had become their makeshift operational headquarters, she found both men hunched over maps and documents scattered across every available surface. Reth looked up first, his expression brightening when he saw her.
"Perfect timing," he said, straightening. "I have news."
Freesia's heart leaped. "About my pride members?"
"Yes, twenty of them are en route as we speak. They should be here by dusk." His smile was genuine. "Your people are coming home, Freesia."
Home.
After three months of not knowing who was alive, who was safe, who was still scattered across Southeast Asia with nowhere to go, twenty of her people were finally coming home.
"Twenty," she whispered, sinking into the nearest chair as the magnitude of it washed over her.