Chapter 75
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE
“Did the King and Queen of the Vampires come?” Reiya asked as Alice took the barrier down around them.
“No, they didn’t. But they did send their army to fight.” Freja glanced backward to see Hunter looking over at her, and she gestured to Reiya with her eyes. “Thanks for the pep talk, Lita. Don’t worry, we promise to visit more after all this is over.”
Lita smiled and bit her bottom lip. “And if my son is rough on you for any reason, you just let me know. He might be the Alpha King, but I am still his mother,” she said, acting stern.
Freja chuckled. “Thanks. But I’m not worried about Hunter. I can easily handle him and his moodiness.”
“Oh gosh he is moody, isn’t he?” Reiya giggled. “Sorry! I should have given you the warning label to read first.”
“Eh, it wouldn’t have mattered. These Chain men don’t follow the manual at all.
You have to learn them as you go, unfortunately.
They can be intense but they are extremely loyal.
When I first met Asher … wow. I tried to run away from our bond.
He chose me long before I believed I was worth choosing.
I wasn’t ready for a mate then. I had to untangle my own doubts before we could truly work, but Asher never stopped fighting for me.
Never stopped telling me how lucky he was to have been blessed with me as a mate.
” Lita smiled and shook her head. She looked up to see the men all looking their way now.
“Uh oh, Dad knows you’re talking about him,” Reiya teased.
“Let him know. There isn’t much he can do about it.
He might be the King of the Fairies but I am the Queen.
The king has no real power here.” Lita giggled and raised her gaze to Asher.
When he was the alpha, he had the ultimate say.
But in the fairy world, it is the queen who is the top ruler.
Though none of that mattered. The two of them always made their decisions together, which was best since they knew each other’s thoughts.
“Alright, Mom. Better get back into the safety of Elysia and back to Dad. You know he’s probably a nervous wreck, knowing you’re even out here.” Lita hugged her mother tightly.
Alice looked over the three women one more time.
“I expect to see you all soon.” She quickly turned around and headed back into the barrier around Elysia.
The truth was that she was really worried.
She was afraid they were going to lose Reiya and Hunter.
And if that happened, the fairy magic would work to secure the child in Freja’s stomach.
That child would be next in line. But that would be complicated, since it would also be the Alpha King’s heir, and mated to the future vampire prince.
She stopped for a minute, hidden in the pine trees, watching everyone head back to their mates.
They would wait and sort out the future when it got there.
It was Reiya and Hunter that her visions couldn’t pick up clearly.
She hoped it was just because of the nature of the black hole and not because their lives were uncertain.
“Let’s go back and join the guys.” Lita walked up to Reiya and Freja, smiling at both of them and nodded her head.
They could do this. All of this. They would win this war, and Reiya and Hunter would make it back out of the black hole.
They had to make it. She would trust in her family.
In battle, you had to. You couldn’t worry about protecting everyone.
You just had to trust in their skills and that they were competent enough to handle their opponents.
Otherwise, you could easily end up in a life-or-death situation of your own.
“Your mother is giving Freja the scoop on Chain men and how intense they can be ...” Asher chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.
Hunter laughed. “I think Freja already understands what she’s gotten herself into. But even if she wanted to leave, I’d chase her down. I would end up being the one who hunted the huntress.”
“That was incredibly cheesy, Hunter.” Freja let out an airy laugh as she walked into his outstretched arms.
“I am still the luckiest man in the world to have been given you as a mate.” Asher wrapped his arms around Lita and pulled her into his chest. All this time, and they were just as much in love. They adored one another. Asher kissed Lita on the forehead.
“Thank you for never giving up on me.”
“Thanks for making my life magical.”
“Now you see where the cheese comes from in our family?” Reiya giggled and stepped into Lee’s outstretched arms.
“Hey, young lady.” Asher furrowed his brows at Reiya.
“She isn’t wrong, though,” Lita added, and Asher grinned down at her.
“It’s another thing you love, though.”
“Maybe,” Lita said with a small smile.
“What are they doing?” Reiya asked, looking back at the dragon royalty who were with Brody and Chasen.
“They are going over the demons they have scouted. Remember how the scout had come to us earlier? Well, another scout just arrived, and another horde of demons have joined up. As far as numbers go … the demons have the advantage.” Lee sifted his fingers through Reiya’s long silver strands.
He was worried about having her here. He wished he could lock her in Elysia, too.
Reiya leaned against his chest. “Don’t worry.
We’ll all be just fine.” It was as if she could read his mind right then.
She knew he was worrying, and she knew that he would be beside himself if he knew she was pregnant.
For the first time, she was finally able to keep something huge a secret.
She felt bad about it, but she had to be there.
She had to fight in this war. Better to ask for forgiveness than permission, right?
What were you guys talking about? Hunter mindlinked to Freja, curiosity in his gaze.
I believe it would be considered girl talk. I’m a bit new to the concept, but I believe those conversations are confidential. Freja playfully nudged him with her shoulder. She felt relief when he gave her a wry smile back. At least he didn’t seem to suspect anything.
“Tony and Ander are here. They have joined their packs with the others and are talking with Drew and Ace right now.” Hunter pointed in the distance to Freja, who nodded her head with a smile.
“It looks like my old friend Reed is here as well.” Lita nodded toward the isolated group of witches.
“Yes, they agreed to assist us by fighting against the witch doctors in the war, to at least try to even out the playing field the best they can.” Freja looked over toward the vampires.
They had briefly spoken with Jester and Irene earlier but then had to leave.
They wanted to greet the arriving dragons and most importantly Reiya and Brody.
“This is quite the army we’ve assembled here,” Grayson said breathlessly, looking over everyone.
“This is the best we can do. Let’s hope it’s enough,” Asher said quietly.
The wind began to blow, and with it, the soft sound of tapping arose.
They could hear the sound of drums. A promise of the army that was soon to come.
Everyone in the grassy knoll fell silent as they listened to the sound.
It was still far away, but it was proof that by tomorrow, the demons would be upon them.
This is the moment that everyone, every species, recognizes their creation.
Their lives. It’s this moment that they’re called to awaken inside and understand what they’re fighting for.
This was the reality they were all facing. This wasn’t just something they were talking about anymore. This was the time to embrace what was coming. They needed to wake up every being and dormant power within them in order to save themselves. In order to save the future.
Hunter pulled his arms tighter around Freja, who leaned back into his chest. This would soon be a battlefield.
A strategic chess board had been placed right here, in this field, and all the players were finally arriving.
Every pawn had been assembled in order to secure the desired future.
Each side was certain of their victory. Each side was certain they were the ones who were right.
Freja was different from most of the ones here, though.
She understood both sides the best. She herself had fallen into darkness and knew how they felt.
Most of them were being manipulated, and they justified their actions by following the higher-ranking demons, since surely this would secure them a place in the future.
But she was someone who had also felt the bitter sting of the dark side.
She didn’t let herself become poisoned by it.
Instead, she stayed true to herself and unknowingly continued to search for the light.
She had found it. Her light was Hunter and the Black Ice Pack.
And Reiya and the Chain family. They were her light.
And this was her destiny. Her years of experience fighting against demons had prepared her for this moment, so that she could protect her light and finally snuff out the dark.
She smiled as she looked over everyone. They were all worth fighting for.
And this wasn’t a battle worth dying for …
no. It was a battle worth living for. Inside of her, she carried the future.
And she couldn’t wait to let Hunter in on the good news.
She knew better than telling him now, though.
If Hunter knew, he wouldn’t allow her to fight, and she couldn’t risk that.
They would need her strength. Like Reiya said, they were two strengths needed in the war.
“Reiya.” Xander walked up to her and Lee.
“I think you and I need to fight a bit farther back. Now, let me finish.” He smiled, seeing her getting ready to object.
“The two of us together can put up a protective barrier around everyone, but we can’t concentrate on keeping that up if we’re fighting constantly.
We don’t know what powers we’re going to be up against. Even having the witches, it may not be enough to hold off the demons’ magic.
I’ll be in my dragon form and have you ride on my back.
Then you can still use your elemental skills and I can use my skills. ”
“But Lumi is a powerful fighter, and I’m not sure we should take her off the front lines.” Reiya felt a bit hesitant, though she knew her Gemini power could benefit everyone.
“Let’s see how it goes first. See how much magic arsenal there is. If the witches can handle it, then go and rip out some throats. But as a whole, if the magic is strong, we can protect more people this way.” Xander could see her coming to terms with the idea.
“Reiya. I think he’s right.” Lee held her close, lifting his finger to point in the distance.
“Look out there. Look at everyone. If they have a lot of witch doctors or other magical demons, that will cause major problems for the fighters. None of the werewolves can protect against magic. A single witch doctor could subdue a whole pack.”
Reiya looked over all the warriors who were making camp.
“Okay, but if there isn’t a lot of magic on their end, I’ll be joining in.
You’re right. And this way, I can keep an eye on all of you while fighting.
” Reiya smiled. In her premonition, the dragons weren’t there and Chelsie was, but she was standing in the back, away from the fighting.
She wondered if this was a sign of what she should be doing.
If she and Xander could shield them, that would be more valuable than her being up close and fighting.
“So who’s cooking? I’m starving?” Brody grinned as he and Chasen walked back toward their family.
“When aren’t you hungry?” Reiya giggled.
“The fairies will be bringing out food for everyone. It’s the least we can do. There are so many in Elysia who either can’t or won’t fight. So this is their way of helping.” Lita looked at her children. “Can we all stay together tonight?”
“Sure can, but you two better go and see Caden, Caspian, and Garrett before they freak out.” Hunter chuckled and motioned toward the Black Ice Pack.
“Well, why on earth are they staying down there? I thought those old men stayed behind.” Asher chuckled. “Come on, Leet. Let's go get the rest of our family.”
“Hey Dad, tell Sam, Adam, and Winston to join us, too. The pack will be fine. We’re still close to them.
” Asher nodded, and he and Lita walked down toward the pack.
Tomorrow would be intense for them all. They should spend this time with all their loved ones, just in case …
they would leave nothing unsaid. They would keep their friends and family close.
And just in case … tell them all farewell.