Chapter 32 - Freya
Freya
The next day, the Howling Echo convoy of vehicles wound through unfamiliar Ironwood territory, past construction sites where wolves worked tirelessly to build something new.
I pressed my face to the window, watching crews hauling timber and laying foundations with the kind of determined energy that spoke of new beginnings.
“I don’t recognize any of this,” I murmured, and through the bonds, I felt my mates’ curiosity alongside my own.
“Good,” Gage said from the driver’s seat, his sky-blue eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. “Fresh starts require fresh ground.”
When we pulled into the town square, Thatcher and Lee were waiting for us, their faces bright with the kind of pride I’d never seen from Ironwood leadership before. Thatcher stepped forward as we climbed out of our vehicles, his weathered face creased in a genuine smile.
“Welcome to Three Forks,” he said, gesturing to the bustling town around us. “We’ve relocated our capital.”
With rivers in every direction and rolling mountains far in the distance, it felt completely different from where I’d grown up.
“Good choice,” I agreed, looking around to see the excitement on so many unfamiliar Ironwood shifters’ faces. “And your pack seems to favor it.”
“We hope to make it harder than ever to believe this is the same pack that exiled you, Radiant Freya. Ironwood has changed,” he promised.
Lee stepped up beside Thatcher, his expression equally warm. “The packmates who didn’t fight against Denraider with us have been working on this for the past month. Moving the capital, building something that represents who we want to be instead of who we were.”
“A wise decision,” Rowan agreed.
“The old pack house held too many dark memories,” Thatcher explained for Zak and Tor’s benefit, his voice carrying the weight of past regrets. “Jameson’s cruelty, Luka’s betrayal, the omega competitions… we needed a clean slate.”
“Did we ever!” came a familiar voice.
I turned to find Willow, her reddish blond hair freshly brushed, her skin and posture looking healthier than ever. A huge grin split her face as she looked at me and my mates. She ran to me, and I opened my arms. For a moment, we just hugged.
“I never thought you’d come back to Ironwood,” I whispered to her.
“Right back atcha,” she laughed.
Then she glanced over to Thatcher and Lee, her expression turning mischievous.
“But I want to be here to help rebuild Ironwood. Someone’s gotta make sure these two don’t muck it up.”
I caught the way Thatcher’s hand moved slightly toward Willow before he caught himself, fingers curling back to his side. His scent carried a hint of something warmer, more personal than a pack protector’s interest in one of his packmates.
Then he smirked, regaining some of that typical alpha bravado. His next words ruined it, though.
“I’ll have you know I’ve managed not to muck anything up for at least three whole days.”
Tor moved closer to us, his presence steadying me through our mate bond, his words returning us to business. “What about the wildlands reclamation?”
“Moving faster than we hoped,” Lee said, his chest puffing with pride.
“We’ve integrated two rogue alphas and six lone wolves in the past few days alone.
Those who won’t accept astral pack law have been escorted east on their journey toward the Chicago Collective or to Midnight Path, who helps them reach Canada. ”
Heath joined Zak and Tor, taking in the construction around us. “The scent of this place is different — hopeful instead of fearful.”
“That’s the goal,” Lee said. “Though we know there are still threats out there.”
“Let them come,” Rowan growled, his golden eyes flashing.
Zak agreed. “The Astral Packs are stronger than anything they can throw at us.”
“And you’ll be in contact with the Astral Council at all times,” Gage said firmly.
Lee and Willow straightened at the mention of their new roles.
“We’ll adapt and overcome to help to whatever our allies need,” Thatcher agreed.
Tor added, “Your pack has chosen courage over comfort, and we want to support that in any way we can.”
Thatcher’s smile widened. “Exactly what we hoped you’d understand.”
“Come on,” Willow gestured to our vehicles. “Let us show off the astral house.”
Willow hopped into a truck with the two alphas, and we drove a little farther. When Thatcher popped out of his truck ahead of us, we followed suit.
The astral house rose before us like something out of a dream — three stories of warm stone and timber, with wide windows that caught the afternoon light. It was substantial without being ostentatious, designed for function and comfort rather than intimidation.
“We converted what was supposed to be our new pack house,” Lee explained as he led us through the front entrance. “When we realized you would need a place to stay in every pack’s capital, it seemed like the perfect solution.”
The main floor flowed seamlessly from room to room — a spacious living area with a massive stone fireplace, a dining room that could seat twenty, and a kitchen designed for feeding a large pack. But it was the specialized spaces that made my breath catch.
“Magical practice room,” Lee said, opening a door to reveal a circular chamber with reinforced walls and protective sigils carved into the stone.
Willow grinned. “Brielle helped design the ward anchors.”
My hybrid mate examined the sigils, and then gave me a pleased nod. “It should contain even your most powerful lightning, my dear pupil.”
Willow laughed. “Surely you don’t still consider him your teacher, Frey?”
“Just because she’s a badass doesn’t mean she knows everything,” Heath pointed out, bringing another smile to Willow’s face.
We climbed to the second floor, where Lee showed us a secure communications room equipped for Heath’s future political work, a library that rivaled Hugo’s collection at Moonblessed, and multiple guest suites.
“And this,” Thatcher said, opening the door to the master suite on the third floor, “is the heart of it all.”
The bedroom was breathtaking. A massive bed dominated the center — easily large enough for all seven of us — surrounded by comfortable seating areas and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered panoramic views of the town and surrounding forest but complete with blackout curtains for sleeping in after late night pack runs.
“Reinforced frame,” Lee gestured to the bed with a knowing grin. “Built to withstand… enthusiastic use. In any form.”
Willow grinned, her eyes dancing among all of my mates, taking in their reactions as I struggled for what to say.
Heath’s wry chuckle cut through my embarrassment. “Think they built it strong enough for us, little wolf?” The mischief in his caramel eyes made my cheeks burn hotter, but I couldn’t help laughing.
Through the bonds, I felt my mates’ collective approval and anticipation.
“We might not stay long this first time,” Gage warned. “We still have to travel to the other packs, too.”
Heath kissed the top of my head. “Freya will have the ultimate decision on where to spend her heat.”
“What could be better than this?” Thatcher smiled proudly, taking in the views of the rivers outside.
“I’ve heard New Dawn has hot springs, but I’ve never visited,” Tor pointed out.
“Celestial Alloy is establishing a new pack center as well,” Zak added.
“And Astrid insists she has something special planned at Midnight Path,” Freya said with a wry grin.
“Don’t forget Moonblessed,” Flint added. “Hugo and Idori would welcome us back in a heartbeat.”
“And Elder Forest will try to overshadow them all,” Heath concluded, his voice wry.
“All good options,” I said, running my hand along the smooth wood of the bed frame.
Lee cleared his throat. “We’ll leave you to settle in. Dinner’s at seven if you’d like to join us in town, but there’s a fully stocked kitchen if you prefer privacy.”
“Thank you,” I said, meaning it with every fiber of my being. “For everything. For changing, for growing, for giving the Ironwood pack a new beginning.”
Thatcher’s eyes grew bright. “Thank you for showing us what’s possible. We never would have found our way without your pack’s help.”
Before she left, Willow gave me another hug. “Catch up later?”
“Definitely,” I agreed.
It felt good to imagine a future where she and I could be friends the way we’d always dreamed of, free from the tyranny of oppressive pack hierarchy.
And as I watched through the window at the way Lee held open the door to the truck and closed it behind Willow, I had to wonder who her mate — or mates — might end up being.
Through the Bonded link, I sensed my mates spreading naturally throughout our temporary home.
Flint and Heath headed for the communications room, already deep in discussion about Congressional logistics.
Gage wandered toward the library, his fingers trailing along the spines of books.
Zak made a beeline for the magical practice room, his excitement palpable through our bond.
“From rankless to exile to this,” I murmured.
Through the windows, I could see the town spread out below us — wolves working together to build something better, children playing in streets that had once known only Jameson’s and later Luka’s oppression.
I used to think I was broken because I didn’t fit their mold.
Now, watching this rebirth, I understood the truth — we were all meant for something bigger than they could imagine.
“I can’t believe this is the same pack that once considered me worthless,” I murmured.
“You were never worthless,” Rowan said fiercely. “They were just too blind to see your worth.”
Tor’s eyes found Rowan’s, and something passed between them — an understanding that went deeper than words. Since I didn’t have us connected through the pack mind right now, I couldn’t be sure what it was.
“The view is remarkable,” Tor said, moving to the windows that faced east. “It feels like you can see all of Montana from up here.”