Chapter Twenty-Four: Visiting

Demetri’s POV.

While Freya was in her father’s hospital room with her mother I picked a bench to wait on. When they came out Freya said exactly what I wanted to hear, “We’re all going to rejoin the Pack.”

Before I was afraid I couldn’t convince her, especially because I was running out of time and my recent mistake. It was still hard to admit it was actually a mistake. “That’s great news,” I said but it didn’t look like either one of them agreed.

“Before we make any promises,” Freya said, disappointing me. “You should do that thing you wanted to do.” The apology, right.

We walked into Freya’s father Sam’s hospital room while Freya waited on the bench in the hall.

This wasn’t the best environment to give my apology but I should do it now. “I’m the one who framed you and your family,” I admitted and her stare was vacant so I went on. “I thought I was doing the wrong thing for the right reason. I assumed Freya’s life would be better without me in it,” I explained. “I know your family has always been loyal to our pack and I regret what I did. I don’t expect forgiveness but I’ll be doing everything in my power to make up for my past actions.” And recent actions… “Sam is going to receive VIP treatment when he’s transferred to our hospital.”

She didn’t say thank you but I understood why. “I’m going to accompany my mate during his transfer.” She began. “When we arrive can I be guaranteed a room in the packhouse so I can be close to him?”

“Of course.”

“And we don’t want any kind of ceremony when we’re reinstated,” She said. “Let’s make the process private.” We usually went all out with new or returning members who joined the pack. In this case, it would be awkward and maybe even sad. Few people would want to celebrate it, most would be confused and holding on to old emotions.

“Done,” I said.

“One more thing,” I said, stopping her from opening the door. “I want to make Freya my Luna.” I wanted her mother’s support. “I know I don’t deserve her as my mate but I promise you I will.”

Freya’s mother Ginni looked at me with… pity. “Freya is a fragile girl with big emotions. If you haven’t earned her forgiveness yet then it’s not going to be easy.” I didn’t need it to be. “For my daughter’s sake, I hope you’re genuine.” She wasn’t against it but she also didn’t have much faith in it.

“You’ll both see.”

Ginni nodded and looked at the door before looking back at me. “When your father retired as alpha,” she whispered. The change in subject and volume threw me for a loop. “Did he tell you anything confidential about Freya’s adoption?”

I didn’t even know Freya was adopted until Sasha mentioned it at the beginning of our relationship. It was something they bonded over before Freya was kicked out. “My Father has never spoken of it, why?”

Ginni shook her head with concern and I didn’t push for an answer. My father didn’t let me in on every little pack secret when I took over. Some I’ve had to find out for myself and I was still blind to others.

I think he wanted it that way.

We left the hospital room and Freya was lying on the bench knocked out asleep. She must have gotten little sleep last night. That made sense because when she called me to meet it was the middle of the night. She woke me up from my sleep but I’ll always come if I’m called on by her.

I picked Freya up and carried her out of the hospital with her mother beside us. Freya slept in my arms all the way to the car. On the way, I enjoyed her scent and admired her beauty at every chance I got.

She wasn’t mine yet, that’s how I knew I fucked up.

Next, we went to the Blue River Packhouse and Freya woke up when we arrived. We got out of the car and her mother hugged Freya before going to her room. I stayed with Freya as we walked to meet with her Alpha.

I wasn’t looking forward to seeing Alpha Carmen. We weren’t enemies or rivals by any means but we didn’t quite get along either. For whatever reason she hated me. Not sure if it’s the way I run my pack or something more personal.

This was my first time in the Blue River Packhouse. I only knew Alpha Carmen from events other alphas invited us to. I was observant on my way there. It was sad my mate had to live so long in such a small packhouse with what looked like not much to do.

When we got to Carmen’s office her inner council was there as well. We all greeted each other, except Carmen didn’t bother even looking my way more than once shortly.

Freya went straight into announcing her departure with guilt sliding off her tongue. “That might be for the best,” Carmen said sadly with her arms crossed. “As grateful as we’d be to continue to have you we’d struggle to protect power like yours, we have been.” Technically they haven’t even been protecting her, I have. What they were doing was more like defending themselves. “We do have one request of you.”

“Name it,” Freya said. “I’ll be more than have to repay the debt of giving me and my family a home all these years.”

“Please don’t think of it as repaying debt,” Carmen insisted. “I’d like for you to stay for the next two days.” Until the full moon. “It would be nice to get our warriors healed up before you go.”

“Of course!” Freya exclaimed, most likely embarrassed she didn’t suggest it herself.

“Alpha Demetri,” Carmen said, finally acknowledging me. “You’re welcome to stay, only if you absolutely must.” The passive-aggressive queen.

Freya turned to me to say, “You can drive back now, I want to go back with my parents.”

“I’m going to stay,” I said and Carmen let out a subtle sigh of annoyance. “I’ll drive back beside you guys so I can make sure you’re safe.” She was leaving right after the full moon which would be the perfect time for the Cold Lightning pack to attack.

“Okay that’s fine,” Freya agreed.

After dismissal, Freya went to her room and I was shown to the guest room on the alpha’s floor.

The first thing I did was call my Beta so I could fill him in and everything that’s happened so far. Kyle wasn’t stoked that this portion of his family was returning but I think he actually understood why. He was more than happy to be in charge while I was gone, he always wanted to prove himself.

Not too long after that Sasha called me, no doubt to make me feel bad about leaving unannounced with my fated mate. “So where are you?” she asked, knowing damn well where I was and who I was with by now.

“I took a last-minute trip to escort Freya to The Blue River Pack so she could see her Dad who’s in a coma. They’ve all decided to rejoin the pack so with our doctors and Freya’s about it he should be fine.” I knew she didn’t care about any of this but I was trying to throw her off.

“Uh… okay but why did it have to be you to take her? There are plenty of available warriors. And why didn’t you tell me as soon as you could?? I’m continued to be left in the dark Demetri.”

“Sasha,” I said, taking a pause. “This clearly isn’t working out anymore. You’re unhappy with every move I make and I’m distracted by my responsibilities as Alpha.”

“Your responsibilities as alpha?? Bullshit you’re distracted by Freya.” Something like that. “Demetri can you just be honest with me, I’m trying so hard to make this work.” Cracks in her voice echoed. “If you don’t want to make it work because you want to be with your true mate can you just say that?”

If Freya was pregnant there was no hiding what we did. I hoped that she was and that she'd keep it but I hated what that would do to Sasha. “Can we talk about this when I get back? I’ll be honest.” I’ll bring my own version of honesty.

Sasha took a breath, one to hold back a cry before hanging up.

That was hard and breaking up with her gently would be harder. I’d be lying if I said the sound of her on the verge of tears didn’t prick my heart. I really cared about her.

The first full day of my stay with The Blue River Pack wasn’t very eventful for me. Freya spent most of her time packing her and her parents’ things up. I rented them a moving truck and paid someone to drive it back to our territory.

During dinner, I saw Alpha Carmen eating alone in the small dining hall. I felt like bothering her a little so I sat down across from her. “I like to eat by myself so I can have some peace,” she said.

“I’m only going to be here another day,” I said with a slight smirk. “Don’t you want to establish a good relationship between our pack?”

Carmen looked at me blankly. “I really hope you’re not hitting on me.”

I rolled my eyes and almost laughed. “No, I’m not, sorry to say I’m not available these days.”

Carmen shrugged. “You can’t blame me for thinking as much, you do have a reputation.” I guess that was true. I had a lot of sex with women apart from and outside of my pack. Before I got serious with Sasha of course. Was that the reason Carmen hated me?

Messing with her wouldn't really help me become a better person so I got up and left, surprising her for whatever reason.

The second day I was invited to celebrate out back of the packhouse. They were celebrating their last full moon with Freya. The day was just as dull as the first but I was enjoying myself just being near Freya even if it was at a distance. I’d be right here if anything went wrong.

When I got to the celebration that night Freya and everyone else were already there. Freya was wearing a flowy dainty white slip dress that complemented her curves.

Once the moon was set in the sky the pack crowded around Freya with cheers as they held candles.

My gaze was glued to Freya.

This was the first time I’ve seen her during a full moon with her gift, she was radiant. The crowd dispersed and Freya spoke with Alpha Carmen for a bit before walking off. As I watched Freya laughed and spoke to someone who had to have been a friend. She was making big gestures as if she were telling an active story, twirling around and almost tripping over herself. I wanted her to be that happy back at home. I wanted to make her that happy.

Her liveliness and playfulness reminded me of when we were friends. My memories of those times were warm and I hoped they weren’t ruined for her. Hopefully, she cherished them as much as I did.

For the first time since Freya has been back in my life, I got the desire to have her back as a friend before anything else. Maybe that’s where I was going wrong before. I took every opportunity to make some kind of move on her.

What I needed now, was her friendship.