Chapter 55
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
“Hunter! Is everything okay?” Chasen asked cautiously when his brother entered the room.
“Yes, Chasen, everything’s good.” Hunter kept his arm around Freja as he led them further into the room, Alaric and Willa following closely behind.
“So, Jester, are you planning on staying for a while, or are you leaving with them?” Alaric asked, walking up to his brother.
“Actually, I’m planning to stay for good. If that’s okay.” Jester faced his brother and watched his brother's lips curl upward in a big grin.
“Okay with it? You know how many times I wanted to drag you back here? I only didn’t because I thought it was what you wanted.
I didn’t want to force you to live here.
But I missed you every damn day. Hearing that you’ll be staying here for good is the best news.
” Alaric’s eyes were filled with excitement.
“I need to introduce you to your nephew. You haven’t met him yet. ”
“I can’t wait to meet him. This is overdue, but congratulations.” Jester patted his brother on the shoulder. “Also, there’s one more thing.” He turned and motioned for Irene to come closer. “I want her station to be changed. Irene is my mate. She will be moving inside the castle to be with me.”
“You’re stealing my finest assassin.” Alaric turned his attention to Irene. “As Jester’s mate, you can no longer live as our assassin. But we would be honored for you to join us at the castle.” Irene nodded, and Jester wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Honestly, I feel better about Jester living here, too. Especially in the future.” Freja looked at Hunter, who nodded knowingly. Freja trusted Jester and knew he would watch over their daughter when that time came.
“Wait, what am I missing?” Chasen asked as he studied Hunter and Freja’s faces.
“We reached an agreement. We are forming an alliance with the vampires.” Hunter smiled as he looked at Alaric.
“Uh huh. And?” Chasen asked, waiting for the catch.
“And we’ve come to an understanding on how best to solidify this alliance. We’re going to form a union between my son and their firstborn daughter,” Alaric said with crisp authority.
Chasen let out a sigh but kept quiet. He knew this had to have been difficult for Hunter and Freja.
“You have my word that I will look after your daughter here. I’ll even protect her from her mate if I have to.” Jester winked up at Alaric, who clicked his tongue.
“My son will know how to treat a treasured mate. Any missteps and he would have to deal with me directly,” Alaric said, easing Hunter and Freja’s concerns over his son.
“I’m sure this was a tough decision for all of you.
” Jester looked from his brother to Freja.
“I think you've made the best choice possible. It is truly putting your kind first. Your children will grow up knowing they already have a mate. It’ll just be a fact of life for them. Hopefully this will make it easier for them to accept when the time comes.”
“Ultimately, it will be their choice. But we’re going to let them know this is what’s needed for the alliance,” Hunter said quietly.
“Do you guys need me to escort you back to the Black Ice Pack?” Jester asked.
Hunter shook his head. “Thank you, but that isn’t necessary. We can find our way back ourselves.”
Alaric approached Hunter and held out an amulet, placing it in his hand. “Keep this on you. All vampires will know what this crest means. Until the news of this treaty is widespread, keep it on you. It will let them know you are a friend of the Vampire King.”
Hunter smiled and nodded in appreciation. “Thank you. I’m glad we were able to reach an agreement, and I look forward to having a good relationship with you in the future.”
“Quit being so diplomatic. Best to treat each other like family, because that’s what we will be.
The uniting of our children will make us family, and I insist you treat us as such.
” Alaric’s eyes were kind and sincere. Seeing him like this put Hunter more at ease.
A family relationship would be more normal and what he wanted for his family.
Hunter looked over at Chasen. “Ready for the journey back?”
“I’m more than ready, and might I make a suggestion?” Ciana said as she stretched her arms above her head. “I can easily carry two people at a time on my back. I can fly two of you back and then come back for the others. What took us almost two days I can do in a few hours.”
“Yes, please!” Jin said quickly and then shrunk back, a bit embarrassed. Chasen was looking down at her curiously and she gave him a sheepish smile. “I’m dying for my bed and some delicious chocolate.”
“That sounds like a good plan then, Ciana. Honestly, it’s for the best for me to return to the pack quickly. We left things a bit up in the air with the witches. I would like to see how all of that turned out with the Briar Coven.”
Alaric scoffed with a frown. “Their coven leader has been a real piece of work, thinking she is above everyone else. The misuse of her position has been revolting.”
“Their coven leader is dead. They will be putting a new leader in charge,” Freja announced happily.
“Good. I’ll rest easier with that lunatic gone,” Willa admitted quietly.
“Okay, so who am I taking back first?” Ciana was anxious to get going.
“Take Chasen and Jin back first. This will give us a few more hours to get to know each other better.” Hunter felt like this was the most logical decision and could see that Jin was happy to hear that. She seemed anxious to leave.
“I don’t like leaving your side, Hunter.” Chasen frowned.
“Freja and I will be fine here. And you don’t want to leave Jin’s side, do you?
” Hunter raised his eyebrows as Chasen reluctantly nodded.
“Then it’s settled. Go ahead and I’ll meet you back at the house soon.
Besides, this will be your first dragon flight.
Go enjoy it.” Hunter grinned, knowing Chasen wouldn’t be a fan.
Chasen’s gaze met Hunter’s. This plan made sense. His brother would be safe here, and they would only be separated for a few hours. Besides, it was much better than walking for two days. “Alright … be safe.”
Hunter watched Jin, Chasen, and Ciana walk out of the room before he turned back around.
“How about we show you around the castle, since you have some time to kill?” Willa asked with a smile.
Freja nodded. She would like to get a look at the place.
This was the potential home of her future daughter.
“Thank you. That sounds nice.” She intertwined her fingers with Hunter’s, and the two were led on a tour through the castle.
As they were walking down one of the halls, a little boy walked into view, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
The boy had rich brown hair and amber eyes.
He yawned and looked up at the two strangers.
At his side was an older woman, his nursemaid.
“This is our little boy, Derrick.” Willa reached down and picked up the small child. He leaned his head on her shoulder as he continued to look at Freja and Hunter.
“It looks like he just woke up, so he’s still a bit groggy. He may not look like much now, but give him time to grow.” Alaric rubbed his son’s back proudly.
Freja and Hunter smiled at the young child.
They waved at him, and he smiled back at them in return.
They were looking at the child who would one day be promised to their daughter.
He was still just a child. So much could change while he grew into an adult.
They hoped he would grow up to be a fine young mate for their future daughter. Time would tell, though.
“I’m going to go and get Derrick taken care of. In case I don’t see you again before you leave, it was nice meeting you.” Willa smiled as she carried her young child off toward their kitchen area.
“In the future, it would be nice if we could at the very least have your daughter come and visit once a year. Just so they’re not total strangers. Maybe they will eventually develop feelings for each other naturally.” Alaric looked at Hunter, who nodded his head in approval.
“I think that sounds like a good idea as well,” Freja said softly.
Alaric smiled and looked down the hall. “Okay, onward with the tour.”
Ciana lowered herself to the ground in pack territory. Freja and Hunter slid off, and she immediately shifted back into her human self.
“That was amazing, Ciana. Thank you for the lift. We have room at the pack house, if you would like to stay there while you’re with us.” He was thinking she should make herself comfortable if she planned to stay with them for a while.
“Really? Thank you so much. Yes, I would love that.” Ciana beamed happily.
“Let’s see what kind of chaos we have missed out on.” Hunter chuckled and scooped Freja into his side. It felt good to be back in pack territory.
The moment he walked into the house, he could see something was wrong. Sam had worried eyes and Renee was hastily moving about in the kitchen.
“What’s wrong?” Hunter asked and Sam immediately looked up at him.
“I don’t know. Something’s wrong with Jin. Chasen sent a messenger to your parents for your mother to come and check on her. She fainted shortly after they got here and has been dizzy ever since.” Sam frowned.
“It’s probably from all the stress we’ve been under lately. I’m sure she just needs to rest,” Hunter said, thinking there had to be a logical explanation.
“Chasen is worried sick.” Sam looked upward to the next floor.
“Sam, Renee, this is Ciana. Jin’s dragon friend. Could you show her to her room? She can stay in Jin’s old room. Freja and I are going to check on Chasen and Jin.”
“If Jin is sick, I should be there,” Ciana objected with a frown.
“Chasen can be a bit sensitive and overprotective. I’m sure everything’s fine. Go ahead and get yourself taken care of. You need to rest too, after the day.” Hunter nodded his head toward Renee, who was all too eager to take over.
“You’re the dragon! I’m so excited! It’s my first time meeting a dragon.” Renee walked up to Ciana and locked her arm around hers. She began rattling off at a million miles a minute as she led Ciana away.
Hunter and Freja headed to Chasen and Jin’s room. They walked in to see Jin sitting on the bed, pouting at Chasen.
“I just wanted to stretch my legs for a minute. I feel fine right now,” Jin whined.
“Not until mom checks you over. I’ll bring you whatever you need. Just stay put,” Chasen said firmly.
“Jin.” Freja walked into the room and sat on the bed next to her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. I think I was just tired. I’m only a little lightheaded.” She then furrowed her brows and looked at Chasen. “He won’t let me get up.”
Hunter sighed in relief as he walked up to Chasen. “I think she’s okay, Chase.”
“I’ll feel better once mom tells me she’s fine. Until then, I just want her resting.”
“Sorry you’ve been under so much stress lately.” Hunter really did feel bad for everything she’d been through. They went from fighting the witches to thinking Brody was dead to traveling to the vampire kingdom. She was no doubt worn out.
“Don’t apologize. Everything’s fine. I didn’t sleep well the last few nights and I think it’s finally caught up with me.” Jin smiled softly and shrugged.
“Knowing Mom, if they weren’t busy, she should be getting here soon. Honestly, I expect her any minute.” Chasen looked out the window and then back at Jin.
“Well, I’m sure Mom and Dad have news about Brody and Reiya by now, so we’ll get to hear what happened there.” Hunter looked at Jin and smiled. “I have a couple pints of triple fudge ice cream. One of them has your name on it.”
Jin’s eyes widened and a big smile curled over her lips. “Yes, please!”
“Hunter …” Chasen said in a concerned warning.
“Oh Chasen, stop. She’s fine. I’ll bring the chocolate up to her. At least let her enjoy some chocolate while she’s stuck in bed.” Hunter gave Chasen a crooked smile and shook his head. He was always so overprotective. Chasen acted like this even when Hunter would get a simple cold.
Just then, the door to Chasen’s room burst open. Lita had her medical bag and she rushed inside.
“Mom, you’re here!” Chasen sighed in relief.
Asher marched in behind Lita, followed by Grayson. Lita looked at Jin and sighed. “Chasen, your letter said it was an emergency.” She gave him a stern look and raised her eyebrows at him.
“Yeah, but Mom—” Chasen started.
“Out,” Lita said simply as she walked toward the bed.
“Huh?” Chasen looked at his mom, confused.
“I said out. All of you, go. Except you, Freja. You can stay, my dear.” Lita opened her bag and started taking various instruments out.
“Mom, she’s my mate. There isn’t a part of her body that I haven’t seen before.” Chasen chuckled and folded his arms over his chest.
“I know, but you’re a paranoid mate, and I don’t need you hovering.” She then sat her stethoscope down and fully turned toward Chasen. She tilted her head and gave him the “mother” look. “I won’t repeat myself.”
Asher chuckled and wrapped his arm around Chasen. “Come on. Better get out of here before you end up in the time-out chair. I’m sure you want to hear about what happened to Brody, right?”
Chasen let himself be led out by his father. Grayson then left the room, along with Hunter.
Lita smiled and shook her head. “Okay, let’s hear about your real symptoms while I give you a checkup.”