Chapter 17

Freya Rose I awoke back in the real world and promptly sat up.

“Freya! Thank the Goddess. You made it through the transition. We'd lost you there for a bit. It's a miracle,” Linda said as she helped me sit up more comfortably in the bed.

“Where's, Tristan?”

I was expecting him to be by my side when I woke up.

“Um, he just popped out for some fresh air. I'll get, Aiden to call him back.”

I noticed that she sounded a little flustered or nervous. She left the room and I could hear whisper's downstairs in the living room. I didn't know if I was strong enough yet, but I wanted to know what was going on. I got out of bed and felt surprisingly okay, so I continued and crept to the top of the stairs to listen in.

“She's asking where, Tristan is. I told her he'd gone out for some fresh air. After what she's just been through, I didn't want to tell her that she'd died, and in his grief, he shifted then run off into the woods,” she spoke quietly but I was able to make out most of what she'd said.

Did she just say that I fucking died?

“I’ve been trying to link Tristan. He's either too far away, or he's switched it off. Either way, I can't get in touch with him. I've sent some trackers out to find him and tell him that Freya's alive and to let him know that he needs to get back asap,” Aiden replied.

He tried keeping his voice down, but he had such a booming tone, that I think it would be impossible for him to actually whisper.

“We need to ask her if she remembers anything about the moon realm. We haven't had any humans go through the transition in over twenty years, and we need to document everything she saw. I for one, really want to ask, Freya about, Selene,” a young man's voice spoke. I think I recognized his voice, but I couldn't place where. He didn't make any attempts to be quiet, and quickly got hushed by the other two. I used the opportunity to make my entrance. I strolled down the stairs with my arms crossed and an angry look sprawled across my face.

“I think we have some things to discuss, don't you?”

I eyed each and every one of them, before striding past them to sit down in the armchair. I crossed my legs then pointed at the young guy.

“You. Make us some coffees,” I ordered before directing my digit toward, Linda and then, Aiden. “You two, sit!”

Linda obeyed without saying a word, but Aiden growled and folded his arms like a defiant teenager. I stood up and glared at him, illuminating my eyes just enough to let him know that I meant business. He huffed, and as slowly as he possibly could, he strode around the couch and finally sat down. The young guy had finished with the drinks and placed them down onto the coffee table for us.

“Thank you, um..?” I hesitated, realizing that I didn't know the guy's name. He smiled at me while holding his hand out for me to shake.

“Hello. I'm, Danny. It's nice to meet you.”

I shook his hand, then sat back down. The guy tried his best to squeeze himself in between the doctor and Aiden. I didn’t know how I managed to keep my giggles inside, because watching him shuffle his ass around trying to fit between them was hilarious. Aiden huffed and moved over just enough for Danny to sit down. I struggled to keep my stern face on point.

“Right. So, Tristan's disappeared because he thinks I'm dead. Is that about, right?” They all nodded in unison. “Well, the mate bond has gotten stronger. He knows I'm alive and he will be back soon,” I stated while picking up my coffee.

I was lying. I wasn't sure if he'd sensed that I was alive or not. To be honest, I was petrified that he would've done something stupid, but I couldn't let them see my fear. I came back from the moon realm with a new purpose. I was done being seen as a liability within the pack. I knew that I would eventually be their Luna just like Clara said and If I was going to be their Luna then I need to start acting like it. So, no more nice girl, Freya. I needed to be cool, calm and collected from now on. No one was going to question my intentions any longer. I took a sip of my coffee, while I built up the courage to confront them.

I am Freya Rose, the first hunter to become a werewolf. I will be the strongest Luna, this, or any other pack has ever seen.

After my little pep talk, I peered over my cup and saw that all three of them had amazed looks on their faces.

“What?” I asked them with a casual shrug of my shoulders.

“How do you know? You can't possibly know that you're his mate. You haven’t even had your first shift yet and there is no way in hell that you’ve had any mate bond feelings. You can’t feel those until you’ve both marked each other!” Aiden snapped.

He was so angry that he almost lunged at me. Luckily for me, Danny placed his hand on his shoulder and Aiden instantly gained his composure. I put my coffee down on the table and sat back. Placing both of my hands on the arms of the chair, I closed my eyes and prepared for my next move.

I didn't know if it was going to work, but Selene told me that she would be watching over me. I guessed that she could still hear my thoughts now that I was her new favorite child. It was worth a shot at least and if I could pull it off, then none of them would question anything I had to say in the future. It would show them that I was different, special even. Let them know that I was strong. Strong enough to be their leader alongside, Tristan.

“Selene? Are you there?” I called out in my head.

“Freya my dear. Miss me so soon?”

“Sorry to disturb you. I know that, Tristan and I aren't mates yet, but I was wondering if you could possibly allow me to mind link with him? He ran off when he thought I was dead and I'm scared he might do something terrible,” I begged her.

I knew if I could just talk to him, he would know I was okay and come home. I didn't hear anything for a few seconds and began to panic.

Did I just make a huge mistake by asking her a favor?

“Freya, I don't talk to many of my children. Only oracle's get to enjoy my company, but as you are my special child, I will allow you to contact me. But, be warned, I tire easily. I am here to observe you. Not to be at your beck and call. Do you understand?”

Her voice was stern and somehow, I could feel her irritation at my request.

“Yes, of course, Selene. I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to do. I won't do it again, I promise.”

I'd hoped that it convinced enough for her to help me.

“Well, I do enjoy your company. So, for that reason I’ll allow you to contact me any time you'd like. Just make sure you don't ask me for any more favors. I can't have my other children thinking they can call out my name whenever they want and demand I do things for them. Right, I will do this one thing for you, but you have to do something for me in return. Deal?” She asked me, then paused, waiting for my response.

“Of course, anything,” I replied, hoping it wasn't something that involved slaughtering someone.

“Ah good. I'm glad you agreed, because I was wracking my brain trying to figure out how to get him out of there.”

“Sorry, who and out of where?”

“Leonard. He's been left in the basement to rot since Landon found his new mate. I don't even get to watch the torture anymore. It has become so tiresome. The poor boy just cries and begs me to kill him. It's quite irritating, like a gnat buzzing around in my brain. I don't really care what you do to him. Kill him, set him free, the choice is entirely yours, but please just shut him up!”

I could hear her getting more infuriated the longer she spoke about it.

“Yes, of course. I'll let him out as soon as I can. You have my word.”

I felt a little guilty that I'd forgotten about Leo too. I was happy to have an excuse to set him free, he'd been through enough with Landon. The guy deserved his freedom.

“Yay!” Selene squealed like a banshee. “Okay, you will be able to mind link, Tristan once you open your eyes. I look forward to speaking to you again, Freya Rose.”

With that said my mind became silent once more and I gradually opened my eyes.

I jumped back in my seat, startled when I saw three faces, way too close to mine. They were just staring at me, unblinking and hypnotized with fascination. When I scowled at them, they promptly sat back down in their seats.

“Were you just talking to Selene?” Danny blurted out with excitement.

His eyes were fit to burst right out of his skull.

“Um yes. How did you know?” I inquired with shock.

I thought our chats were private?

“You called out her name, then you went into some sort of trance. We couldn't snap you out of it,” Linda declared.

I didn't know how to reply, because I didn't want them knowing that I’d just asked her to let me mind link, Tristan, because they'd then know that I'd lied.

“Are you an oracle?” Aiden asked with a furrowed brow.

“No. I'm not an oracle, but yes I was talking to Selene. I have only just come out of the moon realm and we still had that link. She has severed it now, because she was furious that I called her. I just wanted her to ask her to speed up my shift so that I can complete the mating bond with, Tristan. She said no and threw me out of the realm.”

I tried to sound as convincing as possible. I couldn't let them know I had a speed dial button to Selene. It would be absolute mayhem. Werewolves and vampires would be coming from all over, to make me ask her questions, or ask her for favors. I bet a few would even try to kidnap me if they had the chance. Try to keep me as their own personal link to Selene.

It looked like they'd bought it because they all sat back in their seats. The excitement and hope faded from their faces, before being replaced with disappointment. I took the silence as an opportunity to try and call Tristan.

“Tristan? Are you there?” I called out over the link, well at least I hoped I'd done it right. It was all new to me.

“Freya? Is that you? How? You're dead!” I heard him loud and clear and my heart nearly jumped right out of my chest. He was alive and safe.

“I'm alive, Tristan. Come home and I will explain everything. I love you.”

I was so excited that it had worked.

“I don't understand it, but I don't care. I'm so happy right now. I'll be back in ten minutes. I love you too, Freya.”

He sounded so relieved and happy.

“Can you mind link your dad in about thirty seconds? Tell him that you'll be home in ten minutes. I'll let you know why when you get home.”

It was going to be entertaining to see his dad's face. I stood up and casually strolled over to the stairs then began to gradually walk up them.

“Where are you off to?” Aiden asked with his eyebrow raised.

“I'm going to get, Tristan some clothes. He will be home in about ten minutes,” I replied as I turned around to face him.

He went to say something but then his eyes looked up to the ceiling like he was listening to something. His eyes came back down and met mine. A cheeky grin grew on his face and he chuckled. I smiled back and carried on up the stairs, feeling relieved that he knew that I could mind-link, Tristan.

That should help the rest of the pack accept that I'm, Tristan's true mate.

I know Selene said that she had already made a mate for, Tristan and I needed to make sure that she didn't stand a chance with him, or the pack. I needed to do everything I could to prove to them all, that picking me was the best option.

I grabbed some boxers, jeans and a t-shirt for, Tristan then went to the bathroom to check myself in the mirror.

“Wow you look like crap.”

My hair was stuck to my head where I'd sweated and it had then dried again. I had black lips from the sludge, I guessed, and I just looked a hot mess. Deciding to take a quick shower, I stripped and jumped into it to have a wash. After finishing my shower, I picked up a towel to dry myself off before wrapping the it around myself. I walked into the bedroom and opened the closet to get my clothes out.

I grabbed a t-shirt and reached up to get some jeans when two familiar hands slid around my waist and pulled me back into his chest. He spun me around and gazed into my eyes. I could tell that he had been crying, because they were all puffy and red. I raised my hand up to hold his face then stroked his cheek with my thumb. He smiled and began to cover my face in tiny kisses. When his plump lips reached my lips, I giggled.

“Ah, Tristan it tickles,” I squealed.

He stopped and pulled back from me to gaze into my eyes again. He furrowed his brow and spoke to me in our mind link, “I thought I'd lost you. I was devastated. I did something terrible, Freya.”

He had such sadness and guilt written all over his face.

“What did you do Tristan?” I asked concerned that he'd tried to kill himself, or had hurt someone.

We both got dressed then he led me to the bed, we sat down, and he began to explain.

***

Tristan Cole “Tristan!” I heard Tyler calling me, but I couldn't stick around to explain to him.

I couldn't accept that my beautiful Freya was gone. I sprinted through the trees as fast as my paws could possibly go, until my legs couldn't carry me anymore. I stopped at a lake and saw a tiny island sitting all on its own in the water. I swam out to the island with my very last bit of energy. After pulling myself out of the water, I made my way over to a large tree. I shifted back into my human form, then sat on the ground resting my back against the tree. I lifted my knees to my chest and sobbed into my hands.

“Tristan?” A girl’s voice called softly. I looked up and smiled slightly. “What's wrong? Why are you out here on your own? And why are you crying?” She asked sweetly while kneeling down in front of me.

She swept a strand of my wet hair behind my ear, but I couldn’t handle her touch, so I pulled away from her.

“Freya's dead,” I managed to choke out.

She gasped and flung her arms around me pulling me in for a tight hug.

“Oh, Tristan I am so sorry. No one should ever have to lose their mate. You're strong enough to make it through the bond breaking though, I just know you are. If Landon can do it, I know you can. I'm so sorry you're going through this, Tristan.”

I didn't know what came over me. I didn’t know if it was the pain, or the grief. It could have even been her soft voice, or her incredible scent. Whatever it was, it had me enchanted. Without thinking, I pulled her away from me to gaze into her stunning light-hazel colored eyes. It wasn’t long before my eyes trailed down to her plump lips and out of know where, I kissed her. It was messy, rough and filled with passion. Laying her down on the ground, I wasted no time in ripping open her shirt. She gasped at my aggression before letting out a soft and inviting growl.

I placed kisses all over her chest and stomach while reaching down to her jeans and undoing button. I yanked them down to her ankles then climbed on top of her. I began kissing her again while my hands teased her panties to the side. I eased myself into her, making her moan out loud when I pushed all of myself inside of her.

“Tristan? Are you there?”

I froze instantly and pulled myself out of the girl. Ignoring the girl completely, I shot up while I concentrated on Freya's voice speaking to me through a mind link.

“Freya? Is that you? How? You're dead!” I replied back through the link.

“Tristan, are you okay? Did I do something wrong?” The girl on the floor asked in a quiet voice, but still loud enough to irritate me.

“Shut up you stupid girl! Leave. Now!” I viciously snarled at her.

As the words left my mouth, I realized that I sounded just like my father. But in my defense, I really needed to hear, Freya. With the girl jabbering on, I might have missed what she was trying to say.

The girl shifted and ran off. I watched as she jumped into the lake and swam over to the shore.

“I'm alive Tristan. Come home and I will explain everything when you get back. I love you.”

My heart jumped for joy, because I never thought I’d ever get to hear her beautiful voice again. I didn't understand how she was alive, or how she was talking to me over a mind link, but I didn't care. I shifted and swam back to the shore. I sprinted as fast as I could all the way home to my beautiful mate.

***

Freya Rose My mouth fell open when, Tristan fully confessed to me about some girl in the woods.

“Who the hell was she Tristan? I'll rip her fucking heart out!” I screamed at him.

I know I had no right to take the moral high ground after what I did with Mason, but he was my Fennid. I had no control over the magnetic attraction between us, because of our angel bond. Tristan, on the other hand, had just hooked up with some random tramp.

“I can't tell you, Freya. For that exact reason, you already want to kill her. It wasn't her fault. She was just comforting me. I made the first move.”

“What!? You're protecting her? I bet it's that, Amber ‘Fucking’ Wade isn't it? She's wanted you forever, now she's had you. I'm going to rip her apart!” I screeched into my ascension.

I couldn't hold my rage in any longer. Tristan kept trying to calm me down, but his voice just became a low muffle. I couldn't focus on anything except killing, Amber. She had taken it too damn far this time. To be honest, I thought she would have steered clear of, Tristan after our fight at graduation. Especially now. I was sure as hell that she knew about me being a hunter. The girl clearly had a death wish.

Well, guess what bitch? Wish granted!

I spun around and darted out of the room, down the stairs and out of the front door. Spreading my wings out as far as they would go, I flew up into the sky, ready to murder that fucking bitch.