Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty
Freya’s POV
The stranger came with the morning mist, that his dark cloak hid him as he entered into the full sun of the castle's courtyard. Yet there was something about him that seemed strangely familiar to me, even though I knew very well we'd never met. He was liquid grace and confidence, an Alpha of strength, his amber eyes seeing it all with a sharp intelligence.
“I am Alpha Marcus of the Western Highlands,” he introduced himself in a tone parallel to Godric’s own refined politesse as he extended the universal sign of calm submission. I am here to beg an audience and possible alliance.
Godric watched him for a moment before replying. "Alpha Marcus. Not to disparage you because I’ve of course heard good things about you but our territories don’t deal in much direct contact, if that makes any sense. What brings you to the Obsidian Throne?”
“Trading opportunities, mostly —" Marcus answered yet his eyes continued to rove towards where I watched him from the castle stairs. "The mountain passes that cut between our lands could put both of our packs ahead, if handled right. I was hoping to judge the political stability of this region, in light of events.."
There was an extra lurch accentuating the 'developments' so there could be no doubt it referred to my visit and the turmoil it stirred up. There was a fractional tightening of Godric's jaw, followed by an expression of patience and diplomacy.
"Luna Freya," Marcus offered with deference. “I’ve heard an amazing story about you joining our SilverFang Pack. That's an admirable and uncommon amount of bravery in the face of adversity.”
There was something in the sound of his voice, in the way he looked at me, that touched off some memories I couldn't quite reach. There was acknowledgement in his amber eyes, but also a cool reserve, as if he knew much more than he was saying.
"Thank you Alpha Marcus," I answered formally. “Not that I ever really refer to it as courage. More like necessity causing some hard choices.”
"Now and again necessity is courage," he remarked, with a little smile that melted the sternness of his face. “I'm curious if you would be at all interested in some advanced training methods that I've come up with? I saw your form with the sword earlier – very impressive for someone so recently reacquainted with combat.”
I was taken aback by the offer and looked to Godric for his response. My mate’s face was meticulously blank, but I could feel his protective instincts flaring.
"What sort of techniques?" "Yes," Godric said, politely but warily.
“Specialized martial tactics for those whose natural-born state of the body dictates…” Marcus smacked a grin, his eyes darting to my baby bump. “Wait, so pregnancy doesn't mean powerlessness, at least not for an endangered species like Luna.”
The rationale was good and Godric, although obviously troubled, gave a nod of approval. "Very well. But the training will be monitored and restricted to only those methods suited for Luna Freya's current state.”
The first session was held that afternoon in the castle's restricted training yard. Marcus snaked through the drill with lethal accuracy, performing a collection of slightly altered defensive sequences — his slow, methodical teaching style looked almost like schooling it seemed at some points.
“Now your center of gravity, it’s your advantage — not a disadvantage,” he told me, demonstrating how I should apply my pregnancy to balance rather than as bracing. “Less balance, less reach… but more force when striking.”
As we worked together he’d ask seemingly innocuous questions about me, my background, everything from what he could get away with in terms of work to asking how I felt in my current place. Not too prying but detailed to indicate that I care about my well-being.
“You’ve adjusted very well to this severe wrench of changes,” he said during a water break. “Not too many could lose everything and rebuild the way he has.”
“I didn’t do it alone,” I said under my breath, looking in the direction in which Godric stood watching from the castle steps. "Support makes all the difference."
"Yes it does," agreed Marcus when he looked in my direction. "I think maybe it was your inner strength that did the most. Some people crack under pressure, while others find they’ve been made of steel.”
There was something in that tone,something almost paternal, that brought tears to my eyes and made my heart hurt inexplicably tight. He persisted with the training in a professional manner, but I’d see his countenance on me and it just seemed a little too wise coming from a stranger.
This was repeated daily, and I began to look forward to the sessions with anticipation. He was a fantastic teacher but more than that, I had only to be heard by Marcus, not seen in the context of everyone else who crowded into my life.
"Tell me about the child you're pregnant with," he asked me in the third session, making eye contact as we sat in the shade following a gruelling workout on what was to be one of our last days together. "Are you excited? Nervous?"
I caressed my hand along the growing mound of my belly, feeling the familiar flutters of movement. "Both. This kid is going to have such a weird start in life – being raised by an Alpha who isn’t their actual dad, being part of the pack as a choice rather than something that they are born into.”
“Love forms bonds that are stronger than blood,” Marcus whispered, reaching out as if to touch my belly before catching himself and withdrawing. "I've seen it many times. And biology matters less than devotion, in the family.”
"Have you had children?" I inquired, the sadness having piqued my curiosity.
His smile faded, replaced by old pain. "I had a daughter once. Lost her very young, and her mother. Many years have gone by, but a few losses never entirely leave you.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t” I faltered “I just now see why you seemed so focused on my pregnancy. That must have been devastating."
"It was," he admitted..“But life goes on, and sometimes it delivers unexpected presents. Some lost loves, however much you despise the thought, have a way of finding their way back to us in new and unexpected forms.”
Before I could inquire as to whatever that cryptic remark was supposed to mean, Godric strode into the training yard, a pleasant look on his face but alert.
"How are the lessons progressing?" he questioned as he placed himself so that I was no longer blocking his view of both me and Marcus.
"Excellently," Marcus replied smoothly. " Luna Freya is just a fighter at heart and has such intuition.
"Thank you for the lesson," Godric said politely. “Hopefully I won’t need those skills.”
“You never know, people are muppets,” Marcus noted. “Especially considering… well, the complex politics of your mate’s transition and all.”
Something in his tone, something that caused Godric's eyes to narrow with suspicion. But Marcus just packed up his training stuff and went home like every other day.
"Same time tomorrow, Luna Freya?" he asked with genuine warmth.
"Yes," I agreed, and felt Godric's small frown at my easy answer.
Once Marcus exited the bar, my mate rose to his feet and stood next to me, his eyes — a deep shade of purple -- contemplative. "What do you make of him?"
“He’s going to be a great teacher,” I answered truthfully. "Patient, proficient and really interested in helping me develop my skills. Why do you ask?"
"There's something strange about him," Godric confessed. “He’s asking these very specific questions about your background, and knows all these things about our situation that he shouldn’t have access to. And there’s just something about the way he looks at you..."
I thought about this, thinking of the mysterious Alpha I had known. “You suspect he’s working an angle?”
“I believe he has secrets,” Godric answered cautiously. “The question is whether those secrets are dangerous to you or our family.”
While we journeyed back to the castle, I couldn’t help but wonder who Marcus really was and what he was doing here. His kindness appeared sincere, his guidance priceless and yet Godric’s intuition had a remarkable accuracy when it came to such potential threats.
Even though there was something Marcus wasn't telling us, I felt we’d find out soon enough no matter what.