Chapter 23 - Freya
Freya
The first thing I became aware of was warmth. Not just the delicious heat of six powerful bodies surrounding me, but a soul-deep contentment deep in my chest.
I slowly opened my eyes, savoring the moment.
Opening my eyes a sliver, I could see Gage’s muscular arm was wrapped possessively around Heath’s waist while his calloused fingers traced lazy patterns against my hip bone. Heath’s leg was thrown over mine, his breath warm against the sensitive spot on my ear where Tor had claimed me.
The scent of our combined pleasure still lingered in the air — a musk and magic that was uniquely ours. I became aware that someone had left the bed and just returned, probably to relieve nature’s call.
Laying on the bed above my pillow, Flint’s gentle fingers combed through my hair in slow, soothing strokes, occasionally catching on the tangles we’d created during our post-battle passion and intimate claiming.
Near my feet, Rowan’s wolf rumbled in contentment, his massive head resting against Zak’s calf like he refused to leave our beta unguarded even in sleep.
Zak was nestled against my side, his dark skin carrying hints of sapphire undertones in the afternoon light.
Tor’s quiet presence radiated heat from Zak’s other side, his hand splayed across Zak’s ribs in a loose, unconscious claim.
Mine, my wolf purred with deep satisfaction.
All mine, I agreed. The sacred seven.
Mentally, I mapped out all of the claiming bites on my body — Gage’s dominant mark where my neck met my shoulder, a declaration of possession I’d once feared would limit my connections with the others.
Heath’s bite on my breast, claiming me while revealing his playful nature.
Flint’s mark on my other shoulder, perfect in the time-honored spot.
Rowan’s primal claim on the nape of my neck, wild and untamed.
Zak’s unique mark on the meat of my thumb, the perfect position to drive me wild when he kissed my palm.
And Tor’s newest bite on my ear, so intimate and gentle, making me shiver every time anyone’s breath ghosted across it.
For someone who’d been exiled, unwanted, treated as rankless trash by Ironwood — to be so utterly cherished and desired by six powerful wolves was the ultimate vindication.
The suffering girl who’d been rejected by her fake fated mate was gone, replaced by a woman who commanded the devotion of dominant alphas, powerful hybrids, and wise Odinswolves alike.
What struck me most was the complete absence of jealousy or competition between my mates.
There had been an unspoken understanding last night that my happiness meant their happiness — even with each other.
When all of them had found pleasure together, it had only strengthened us, our bonds becoming transcendent.
This is what I was meant for. Not just to be someone’s mate, but to be the center of this incredible constellation of love and bring us all together.
After what we’d shared together, I could no longer separate the feeling of our Howling Echo pack bond, the Bonded link, or the mate bonds in my mind. They had fused together, bringing us all closer together, no matter who claimed whom as mate.
“She’s awake,” Tor murmured against Zak’s ear, making my fellow hybrid shiver as Tor’s lips nearly touched his mate mark on Zak.
I smiled without opening my eyes. “Is it still morning?”
“Well after noon,” Flint chuckled softly. “We’ve been letting you sleep. You needed it after last night.”
The understatement made me laugh. “Last night was…”
“Perfect,” Gage finished, his voice rough with sleep and satisfaction.
I finally opened my eyes to find six pairs of eyes watching me with expressions of such love and devotion that it stole my breath. These incredible males had chosen me. Not because I was perfect, but because we belonged together.
And now, with our bonds entwined as they were, I doubted anything could ever tear us apart again.
The contentment deepened, pulling me back towards sleep with the certainty that my mates would always watch over me and keep me safe.
But just as consciousness began to fade, something else crashed into my awareness.
A vision hit me like lightning.
Valkyrie.
My sister, older than me but unmistakably family.
Her white hair, a stark banner against the muted surroundings, whipped in the wind as guards flanked her, forcing her from one building to another.
Her skin a touch darker than mine, weathered from years outdoors or perhaps because we had different fathers, I didn’t know.
But those uniquely colored eyes — my own snow-blue eyes stared back at me from her gaunt face, burning with the same defiant fire I recognized in my own reflection.
A haunted, desperate plea flickered in her gaze.
The vision was blurry, disorienting, but the urgency was crystal clear. Something was happening. Something was changing.
I gasped, sitting upright so suddenly that my mates all tensed around me.
“Freya?” Gage’s voice carried immediate alpha concern as his hand found my back. “What is it?”
“My sister,” I breathed, my heart racing. “I saw Valkyrie. They’re… taking her somewhere.”
Rowan was instantly alert, still in wolf form, his golden eyes sharp. “Denraider spoke of moving her when I was there. But that was days ago…”
“So they’re moving her again?” Flint asked, his brow furrowing with concern.
Tor’s eyes went distant for a moment, and I felt him reaching out through whatever connection he shared with his ravens. The sensation was fascinating through the bonds we shared.
“Let me check with Dream,” he said, his voice tight with concentration. “He’s been following your sister specifically.”
The moment he connected with his raven, I sensed the bird’s sharp intelligence and fierce loyalty. Then Tor’s expression grew grim.
“Dream saw them loading her into a convoy heading east,” he said. “Closer to Idaho. They’re bringing her toward the front lines.”
Closer to us, I realized with shock. “That’s… unexpected. Why bring a prisoner closer to a potential battlefield?”
“Unless they plan to use her,” Gage growled, his protective instincts flaring through our mate bond.
“Kevin must have told Lydell about your sister,” Rowan growled.
The thought made my blood run cold. “I need to dreamwalk to her. Tonight.”
Tor warned, “Freya, it might be possible to reach a blood relative due to your shared Odinswolf heritage, but it’s not guaranteed. And dreamwalking to someone beside your mates could be dangerous.”
“In what way?” Heath asked.
Tor’s eyes remained locked to mine. “She is blood, but not bonded to you. It will take immense focus, and her terror could pull you under.” He paused, then added with quiet confidence, “But if anyone can forge such a path, it is you.”
The faith in his voice made my chest warm, but my other mates were less convinced.
“I don’t like the risk,” Gage said firmly, his alpha protectiveness radiating through our bond.
Heath laid a hand on my knee. “What if something goes wrong?”
“We’ll be with her,” Tor said, his hand finding mine. “Zak and I can join the dreamwalk, anchor her with our combined magic.”
Zak nodded immediately, his expression serious with determination.
“You once told me your aunt forced herself into your dreams, remember? That wasn’t Odinswolf work — that was witchcraft based on your shared blood.
” His gaze flicked to Tor. “Between my witch magic and Tor’s Odinswolf abilities, we should be able to build something similar.
If your blood can reach Valkyrie and our magic can shape the path, we at least have a real shot. ”
Gratitude swelled in my chest for both of them, but I sighed. “It’s past noon, and I’m wide awake. Whatever we try needs to be at night, when dreams come easier.”
Heath’s fingers curling around Zak’s in quiet support. “If anyone can unravel Freya’s hybrid magic, it’s you, Zak.”
His voice held rough affection rather than his usual teasing.
Zak’s mouth quirked. “Careful, alpha. Keep complimenting me like that and I’ll think you want to stay in bed all day.”
“With both my hybrid mates, definitely,” Heath shot back, no hesitation, and a pleased hum moved through the Bonded link from Zak.
“What about your other mates?” Gage stretched, his muscles rippling in a way that made my mouth water despite everything. “Wait, don’t answer that. We should head back to camp. I want to check on the packs, make sure everyone’s settled after the battle.”
When Gage and I began untangling ourselves from our living knot, the rest of our mates soon followed.
As we dressed and prepared to leave our temporary sanctuary, I found myself thinking about the fight against the witches.
Watching Heath and Rowan try to defend Zak and Brielle as the witches drove them back, only for Zak and Brielle to try shielding them in turn.
My heart had been in my throat the entire time.
And then for them to target Rowan, to try to take his wolf?
My memory from that point onward was a little hazy. I just remembered pulling together everything I could to try to save him. But something had changed.
Ever since Tor had joined us, the Bonded linked had strengthened, as though having the magic of two witches combined with two Odinswolves had opened ancient power between us.
And there had been a moment during the battle when I’d felt something extraordinary — a connection that went beyond our usual bonds.
It reminded me of the dream-vision of Odin telling me the gods’ magic had become ours, but I couldn’t quite make the connection.