Chapter 20 #2
Hunter reached forward and grabbed her face between his hands, gently but firmly.
His eyes bore into her and flickered between dark and light.
“You’re already who I need, Freja. Just you.
” His eyes softened as he gained control of his beast. “You’re afraid of us, aren’t you?
” He could see her irises twitch in uncertainty.
“Freja, we’ll navigate through this together.
Just rely on me. Let me help you. I’m your other half …
your fated partner. Remember that I’m here, waiting for you.
” It was hard for him. He naturally wanted to cling to his new mate.
He wanted to seal their bond together and feel the closeness of her.
What he did to her wasn’t fair, though, and he would give her some time.
To be honest, he needed the time. After Blaze had taken over and marked her, he was afraid of him taking over again.
Being the Alpha King made a surge of dominance flow through Blaze, and Hunter needed to challenge him back into submission.
Blaze was his partner, but Hunter was the one running the show, not him.
He thought back to a few days ago when he’d forcibly marked her, not anticipating the overwhelming surge of dominance coursing through Blaze.
Hunter had battled with his wolf before, but never with this newfound intensity, and Blaze had counted on that.
Seeing his mate in the midst of battle enraged his wolf.
She had positioned herself between the pack and the demon wolves.
The instant she landed, he recognized her unmistakable, heavenly scent, and the scent of his mate triggered his feral instincts.
Hunter struggled against Blaze, managing to shift back, believing it was the only way to regain control.
He was mistaken. Blaze remained a constant presence in his consciousness.
Seizing control of Hunter’s body, Blaze stormed forward and seized Freja.
A fierce internal struggle had ensued in Hunter’s mind as he fought against his wolf, but Blaze had no intention of losing another mate.
The moment Blaze could feel Hunter winning control over his body, he moved with striking speed to mark Freja.
After marking her, he lost the battle and Hunter took back over, but it was too late.
Blaze had already forced himself on her.
He would never have forced his mark on her.
Even if it was Blaze and not him, it was his fault.
It was his job to control his wolf. He’d failed Freja.
He hoped she would forgive him … but he would never forgive himself.
Hunter gave Freja a small smile as he stared into her perfect emeralds.
He should have been able to control his wolf.
He should have asserted his authority over him immediately.
It never would have happened if he had. A strong wolf needed a strong leader.
Their partnership was only as strong as the trust between them.
He was going to have to put Blaze in his place, reasserting who was really in charge.
He and Blaze have already had a few talks, and Blaze was slightly tamer now that he marked his mate, but Hunter was still going to make sure he had full control of his wolf. There would be no more accidents.
Hunter let his eyes wander over his mate.
She was stunning. Her auburn hair flowed behind her shoulders, and he was able to see his mark on her neck.
His gaze lingered over her body and then back on her face.
When he looked into her eyes again, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
He needed at least that much. She didn’t seem to mind, though.
He actually felt her leaning into his kiss.
The mate bond was pulling them together.
He pulled apart from her and smiled. “The pack will be able to recognize you as their luna. You’re connected to them. But if you want, I’ll wait for the official announcement until you’re ready.” She nodded her head in appreciation.
“Well, Chasen and Jin are taking too long. Let’s go get something to eat?
” Hunter stood up and offered his hand to her.
She reached her hand out and he lifted her into his side, wrapping his arm around her and gently whispering into her ear.
“You have to at least permit this much for me. Otherwise, I’m afraid my beast might break free and ravage you.
You are too delicious-looking … and smelling.
” He saw the slight rose color that seized her cheeks, and he squeezed her shoulders.
Others feared who she was. He didn’t. He thought she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen.
Freja could feel the heat on her cheeks. Her body had never reacted like this before. She felt like she didn’t even know herself. She was feeling feelings and urges that she didn’t even know existed. His arm was wrapped around her, and she instinctively interlaced their fingers.
She squeezed his hand as she heard the sound of other voices coming from downstairs.
Hunter secured his hold around her, letting her know she was safe, and she leaned into his side as they went down the stairs.
They entered the kitchen, and she could see Jin and Chasen preparing something together.
There were others there, too. They all turned their heads and rested their gazes on her.
Most of them seemed excited, but one of them seemed a bit wounded.
The girl seemed to be studying her harder than the others.
Her eyes traveled over her, then onto Hunter and his hold on her.
“Everyone, I would like to properly introduce you to Freja, my mate and your luna,” Hunter said proudly as he looked down at Freja with a wide grin.