CHAPTER SIXTEEN—Help me, Mason!

Freya Rose The night was perfect, surrounded by my pack. My pack, it felt good to say those words. The responsibility that now rested with me was a little bit overwhelming, but I knew deep down that I could be the leader that they needed. I was strong and getting stronger by the minute, it was like I was feeding them, and their love and respect was feeding me. The main room of the cabin was enormous, more than big enough for us all. There was a log fire burning, a few rustic couches, and a large handmade coffee table in the middle, that sat on top of a huge bear rug.

The table was covered in empty Chinese takeout containers, plates and cutlery. Sitting on the floor around the table was Tana and Savanah, they seemed to be getting on quite well, and Tana was asking Savanah what it was like to be an oracle. Next to them was Jenna, she seemed to be listening to the other girls but looked too shy to join in the conversation. Her brother didn't have the same trouble, he was on the couch to the left, joking around with Chase, Cody and Odin. On the right-hand couch was Selene and Evan, they were cuddled up and watching the others. Finnley and Nick were in the kitchen behind us getting some more beers, and Mason was sat in a brown leather armchair, with me cuddled up on his lap.

With our bellies full and the beer flowing, it was easy to forget the ordeal that we’d all been through. The atmosphere was relaxed and fun. I watched over my pack and a warm feeling filled my heart. I finally felt like I had a family, like I belonged to them, and they belonged to me. Life couldn't feel any better, but I didn't know how long the feeling and the peace was going to last, so I was determined to make the best of it. I got off of Mason's lap and began to walk around the chair. He quickly grabbed my arm and asked, “Fi, where are you off to? Is it bedtime already?”

He winked at me, and I smiled back.

“Cheeky, no. I spotted something earlier, give me a sec.” I strolled over to the end of the room and opened up the giant glass sliding doors. Outside was a gorgeous deck that had loungers and chairs on it. The deck led down to a stunning blue lit pool. I turned back to face the pack. “Hey, guys, who fancies a dip in the pool?”

Odin was the first to reply as he jumped off the couch and pulled his t-shirt off.

“Seriously, they have a pool? Why are we only finding this out now?” With Odin showing off his huge muscular body, the other guys quickly followed suit. First Chase, then Jax, and finally Cody. They all ran at me as fast as they could. I wasn't intending to get into the pool with them, but it seemed as if I didn't have a choice. Odin had a huge grin before he yelled, “you first, Luna!”

I waved my hands around in front of me, and screamed out, “No, Odin please, No!”

My pleas were ignored, and the other guys hooted and hollered, cheering him on. He lowered his body and as he reached me, he grabbed me around the waist and lifted me up onto his shoulder, before carrying me out the door.

“Help me, Mason!”

He had gotten off of his chair and was gradually following behind us, he held out his hands as if to indicate that he refused to help. My pleading look just made him laugh. As we reached the end of the deck Odin screamed out, “Geronimo!”

He leaped into the air with me still on his shoulder and jumped right into the middle of the pool. We went under the water and for a split second all was still and silent. I closed my eyes while perfect peace washed over me, along with the cool water of the pool. Time sped up after that, pulling me out of my peaceful bliss. I came to the surface and cheers filled my ears. I lifted my hands and swept my soaking wet hair back.

“You are so dead!” I screamed at Odin.

“No! Luna, please. I'm sorry!” He begged with his hands in a prayer position.

I wasn't having any of it, he was going to pay. I swam as fast as I could over to him, and with his giant bulky build, he stood no chance when he tried to swim away from me. I jumped on top of him and dunked his head under the water.

“See, that's what you get!” I yelled out with a chuckle.

I thought I was teaching him a lesson, but I miscalculated his sheer strength, and as I went to dunk him again, he grabbed a hold of my waist and lifted me into the air. I looked down at him with wide eyes and yelled, “No, no, don't you even think about it!”

A massive cheeky grin spread across his masculine face and within seconds I was flying through the air. I came back down into the water with a giant splash, and while under the water I could hear yells and roars of laughter coming from the pack. As I resurfaced, I gave Odin a dirty look, and he held his hands up in submission. I smiled at him and made my way to the side of the pool as Chase, Jax, and Cody jumped in to join Odin. While the guys were roughhousing in the pool, Mason had made his way over to the side of the pool and held his hand out for me, he couldn't keep his smirk from growing. So, I took his hand and gripped it really tight while I positioned my other hand further up his arm. He shook his head, and the smirk fell from his face when he realized what I was about to do. He bent down slightly and whispered, “Freya, don't you dare!”

I flashed him a sly and toothy grin while I yanked as hard as I could on his arm. He went flying over my head and splashed into the pool. I rapidly yanked myself up and out of the pool and began running for my life. I could hear him getting out of the water behind me and the threats soon followed.

“Freya, you get your ass back here right now!”

I giggled and I ran faster towards the cabin. Just as I reached the glass sliding doors I saw Selene handing bathing suits to the girls, and my eyes met Evan's. He had a cheeky and mischievous expression, and I knew I was in big trouble. I was travelling too fast to stop, so I tried to dodge out of his way, but each time I moved he blocked me. With it too late to dodge again, I slammed right into his chest. He wrapped his strong arms around my soaking wet body and lifted me into the air. I kicked and screamed while he carried me back towards the pool.

“I think someone needs to cool down, eh Angel cakes?”

Mason took my legs as they stood side by side. They began to swing me in the air while they counted to three. All the while I was screaming at them and begging them to let me go. They weren't having any of it, and when they both yelled three, they threw me sideways into the water. I floated up to the surface yet again, but this time I decided to stay in the pool. I laid on my back and floated around while watching the beautiful stars twinkle and shine above me. Mason had jumped back into the pool and swum over to me. He looked down at me with his beautiful green eyes.

“What you looking at?”

I stayed silent but pointed up towards the stars. He looked up and then sank down into the water beside me. He held my hand and we just floated there for a while staring up at the stars. I'd never felt so much at peace, even with all the screams and laughter coming from the pack. Finally, I decided to leave the pool, so I began swimming towards the side. Mason jumped out first and then helped me out. We walked and squelched over towards the loungers, where Finn and Nick were laying out fresh clothes and towels for us.

“Thank you, guys,” I said softly, and the pair of them bowed their heads to me, ripped their shirts off, and ran down towards the pool to join the others.

I stripped off my soaking wet clothes, shoes and socks and dried myself. The guys had gotten me out a pair of black leggings, a vest top and a cardigan to wear. I put them on and dried my hair a little on the towel, before laying down on the lounger. Mason changed and laid on the lounger next to me. I exhaled heavily as I began to relax some more. I felt Mason's hand slide across mine, so I instantly linked my fingers with his, and he began to stroke the back of my hand with his thumb. I turned my head to the side and saw that he was watching me with awe. His face then became sad.

“I am so sorry, Freya. I should never have left you. Can you ever forgive me?”

I exhaled, turned my head away, and closed my eyes. When I opened them again and gazed at the stars, I replied, “There is nothing to forgive, Mason. We both did what we thought was best, for the sake of the faction.”

“I know we did, but if I hadn't have left you, none of this would have happened,” he said with sadness and guilt.

I sat up on my lounger and threw my legs over the side so that I was facing him. He did the same and took my other hand into his.

“You did the best thing. If you hadn't had let me go, it could have been so much worse. Azael and Kali would have tortured you to get me to behave. I couldn't have survived watching you suffer.”

He closed his eyes while he slid off of the lounger and onto his knees in front of me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his head on my lap. I began running my fingers through the wet strands of his hair.

“Promise me that we’ll never be apart again. I wish I’d have been there with you, any pain that they could have caused me, would have been nothing like the pain I endured while being without you.”

I pulled his chin up so that he was looking up at me.

“My beautiful Fennid. I promise I will never leave you again. I love you.”

He pulled his body up and took my face into his hands, he then stared into my eyes and replied, “I love you too my brave, Fianna.”

He gently tugged my face towards his and placed his plump lips delicately onto mine. The sparks flew throughout my body, instantly reminding me of all that I had missed. Kissing him was like being home, the love that I felt from his touch, was like no other. I ran my hands through his wet hair and pulled him in deeper. We kissed like our life depended on it, breathing in each other and becoming one. I could feel the heat rising up inside me, and my body ached for him. But before we could take it too far, Selene interrupted us.

“Hot chocolate and marshmallows anyone?”

Everyone cheered and began to make their way out of the pool. Mason groaned as he pulled away from our kiss, and I just chuckled. Evan stood above us with a huge grin as he held out two cups for us. I turned around on my lounger and put my feet up. I took the cup from Evan and said, “Thank you, Evan. Perfect timing as always.”

He sniggered and looked over towards Mason who was now laid out on his lounger.

“Clearly not perfect enough.” He pointed towards Mason's junk, and I flushed with embarrassment as soon as I saw his huge erect member trying to burst out of his shorts.

Mason groaned again and took the cushion from underneath his head and rested it on top of his bulging manhood. Evan and I both burst out laughing at his theatrics.

“Seriously? You two are so childish, grow up! And besides, it's not like it's never happened to you before Evan. Now give me the fucking chocolate!”

I stared up at Evan and we both grinned at each other like naughty school children. It was hilarious, but we knew we were pissing him off, and the last thing I wanted was a moody Mason on my hands. I intended to enjoy every part of the night. So, I said as Evan handed Mason the hot chocolate and walked away.

“I'll make it up to you baby. Later you can teach this naughty girl a lesson or two.”

I heard him gulp, and I smiled into my cup of hot chocolate as I watched Selene take a tray of cups down to the others at the poolside. He stood up and bent down to whisper in my ear, “That's not helping!” He then shouted out to Evan, “Make me a new hot chocolate. I'm going for a cold shower!”

Evan and I burst out laughing again, and I turned to watch Mason walk away into the cabin. He threw the cushion onto the couch and stormed upstairs. Evan walked over to me and bent down to pick up Mason's cup.

“No, leave it. I'll drink that one too. And don't worry about making him a new one, I don't intend on letting him stay cold for long,” I said with a wink.

“Haha. I missed you, Angel cakes. Don't ever run away from us again, you hear me,” he replied as he kissed the top of my head.

“Am I interrupting something?” Selene asked abruptly.

“Uh, no, of course not,” I replied and awkwardly shuffled around in my seat while attempting to push Evan away.

She began laughing and Evan joined in while turning and scooping her up into his arms, before spinning her around. Her pure white hair floated around in the air behind her while he buried his head into her neck and kissed her softly. My face flushed a little when his hand grabbed her ass. I looked away feeling a little bit uncomfortable. I continued to drink my hot chocolate quietly as I minded my business.

“Stop it, Evan. Not in front of the children,” she joked.

He groaned and put her down on the ground as he replied, “Fine, I'm going to grab a few beers, I'll meet you upstairs,” he slapped her ass and walked off into the cabin.

Selene sat on the lounger next to me and I knew she wanted to talk, but I had no idea what to say to her. Luckily, she began the conversation.

“I missed you. Why did you shut me out for so long?”

I had to be honest with her, the look of pain and sadness that she was giving me, was breaking my heart. She really had softened so much since being with Evan and was like a completely new person. But I wondered if she would stay that sweet and calm if she knew that I'd slept with Evan, and Azael. How was I going to tell her?

“I missed you too, Selene. I had to shut you out, it was the only way to keep everyone safe from, Azael,” I paused for a moment to build up the strength to tell her that I'd slept with him. “Look, Selene, there’s something I need to tell you,” I looked up cautiously into her eyes.

She smiled back at me with understanding, and I furrowed my brow in confusion.

“No need, Freya. If you were about to tell me that you slept with, Azael, then there really is no need. He is a fallen angel, one step away from being the devil himself. If you were to tell me he hadn't managed to seduce you, I would have called you a liar,” she said with a giggle, as she stood up. “You've been a very busy girl Freya, I know you slept with Samael too,” she said as she squeezed my shoulder and began to walk away. But as she reached the cabin she shouted out, “sleeping with Azael doesn't bother me. Now if it had been Evan, then I would have to kill you!”

She cackled away as she entered the cabin, and a sense of relief washed over me, but was followed by complete panic. Mina decided to join the party, she'd been sleeping a lot lately and sulking ever since we saw Tristan. But whenever there was drama or I was in a pickle, she was soon there.

“She doesn't know about you sleeping with Evan?” Mina asked.

“I guess no one told her,” I replied out loud, but not loud enough for the pack to hear.

The last thing I needed was for them to take the piss. I had been talking to Mina out loud a lot lately but in private.

“That's going to be something that's hard to keep a secret. I mean you flirt with each other like mad, it just happens, you can't control it,” she replied in my head.

“Well, I guess I'm gonna have to try and control it from now on. The last thing I need is a pissed off Selene.”

“How about a pissed off Mason, how would you deal with that?” Mason asked in a deep and clearly hurt voice. I shot around in my seat and saw Mason standing there with a towel wrapped around his waist. His arms were folded across his chest and his face was twisted into a scowl. My eyes grew wide at the realization that he had just heard the whole conversation. I rolled my eyes as I closed them, because I knew my peace was about to descend into arguments, yelling, begging and tears. “I can't believe you cheated on me with him. Azael, I can understand, you had to do it to survive and stay alive, but Sam? That blood sucking piece of shit, really, Freya?”

I exhaled heavily because I had no reply for him. He was right, and I deserved everything he had to throw at me. I opened my eyes back up, and Mason had turned his back on me, and was gradually walking back towards the cabin. I quickly placed my cup onto the ground and ran after him, ready to do anything it took to make him forgive me.