Chapter 9 - Freya #3
Heath’s groan caught my attention, and I blinked to see through my own eyes. On his knees beside us, Zak’s hands glowed with healing magic, and I noticed belatedly that he was siphoning magic from the giant reservoir that I’d pulled into myself.
“Gently,” he said quietly to me when I tried to help transfer some of the magic to him.
Brielle had shifted back to human form, her expression a mixture of shock and revelation.
“You weren’t affected by his command at all,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The wonder in her voice reflected what I saw in many faces around us.
Brielle had once seemed so astronomically powerful compared to me. Having her looking at me like that almost burned, and I glanced away just as the last of Dryden’s witch allies disappeared into the tree line, dragging their broken human ally with them.
Their retreat was only temporary. They had mentioned Trella, who would no doubt bring reinforcements. The storm remained on the horizon.
“This isn’t over,” I said, more to myself than anyone else.
Brielle nodded grimly. “They’ll regroup, come back at us with the power of their coven.”
Through the Bonded link, I felt my mates’ agreement of her assessment. With our strange newly deepened bond, I sensed Gage already working through defensive strategies.
Gage skidded to a halt next to Heath’s prone form, shifting back to lay a hand on our mate’s shoulder, his other hand taking mine. Heath smiled up at him.
“I’ll be fine, just give Zak a minute.”
And when Gage gazed at my fellow hybrid, the appreciation in his eyes felt deeper than that. Through the Bonded link I sensed his feelings shifting, deepening.
“Thank you,” he told Zak.
Anytime,” Zak replied with a wink at our pack alpha.
Hugo and Idori had arrived alongside Gage. The two Moonblessed pack alphas donned their clothing from the sling bags before approaching my mates and me.
“Freya,” Hugo said carefully, “what you just did… It changes things. For all of us.”
He was right. The old balance of power had shifted the moment I’d torn Dryden’s wolf from him.
The weight of that realization settled on my shoulders. The whispers would start immediately — an Odinswolf who could strip the wolf from a shifter would become both the most feared enemy and the most sought-after ally overnight.
Wolves everywhere would look to me for leadership, far beyond anything I’d imagined. Not because I demanded it, but because I’d proven I had the power to protect them all.
And my allies, my friends, my pack would have to face the consequences with me.
Artemis caught my eye, and I saw the same recognition there. She understood what it meant to carry more responsibility than you were ready for.
“We have your back.”
I nodded, feeling the truth of her words settle into my bones.
Then, a familiar voice cut through the tension. “Excuse me! Best friend coming through!”
Shante elbowed her way past several awestruck wolves. Fortunately, all I could see in her gaze was fierce pride and the same warmth she’d always shown me.
Her declaration came loud enough for everyone to hear: “That was the most badass thing I have ever seen.” She reached for my hand with her own — nails painted a vibrant, battle-ready crimson today — and squeezed it tight.
“Even from the wall, it was amazing to watch. They say you ripped his wolf right out!”
The way she claimed her connection to me in front of everyone sent a wave of gratitude through me. While others were still deciding how to react to what I’d done, Shante had already made her choice. She was standing with me, just as she always had.
“Thanks, Shante.” My lips curled up in a smile.
But as I looked at the faces surrounding me, seeing their expectant, hopeful, trusting expressions, I knew there would be no simple life for me after this.
I’d crossed a line today that couldn’t be uncrossed. And I had just become an even bigger target for the witches, because now they would want to know how I’d taken Dryden’s wolf, even though there was no way they could do the same.
The Denraider wolves who’d survived would report back to Lydell. Kevin would no doubt tell him all about me, though at least they hadn’t stayed long enough to see what I’d done to Dryden. Regardless, Lydell would decide when and how to attack again. We’d won this battle, but we were far from safe.
I leaned into Flint’s strong arms and squeezed Gage’s hand, still twining my magic with Zak’s to finish healing Heath.
I made my choice. I wouldn’t be controlled by this power. I would control it, direct it like the lightning I commanded, to help us build the world we deserved.
“Everyone okay?” Tor asked.
“The packs suffered some casualties, but there are more injuries than anything,” Gage answered. “And you?”
“My ravens have shown me the way,” Tor said vaguely. “I’m almost in place.”
I glanced at Gage, who gave me a triumphant smile. I only hoped Tor would reach Rowan in time. As desperate as I was for news of my sister, I couldn’t stand the thought of losing Rowan in the process. And if Lydell recognized him…
“Jasmine and her mates are with you?” I asked, knowing the extra numbers would increase their chances.
“Yes. We’ve managed to use the distraction of their attack and retreat to sneak past,” Tor said proudly. “We hope to meet you all very soon.”
“You’re sure you can get to Rowan before—”
“That’s the plan,” Tor said with forced certainty.
Flint tightened his arms around me as I glanced at Zak, then Gage and Heath.
“Rowan will come back to us,” Heath promised. “He always has.”
I hoped he was right, but I couldn’t stop worrying. Being helpless to do anything didn’t help.
“Rowan and Tor will be here soon,” Zak said with a reassuring smile.
As everyone began the trek back to their respective resting places, I found myself gazing toward the northwestern mountains. From somewhere beyond those peaks, Tor and Rowan would make their way to us.
The thought sent a thrill through me. I knew from the Bonded link that all of us were curious about my sixth mate. My fellow Odinswolf.
As darkness fell, the stars began to emerge overhead. Six points of light pierced the sky first, soon becoming seven. Our constellation was almost complete.