CHAPTER TWELVE—Please, Mason, Nooooo!

Freya Rose “What's the hunter's Council and why would they want to kill me?”

He was very panicked, and I knew this was an extremely serious situation, but I didn't have a clue what he was on about.

“Come with me to the office. Evan and I will explain everything,” he held out his hand for me to take.

I took his hand and followed him while he gently pulled me into my dad's office. Once in the office he sat down on the couch and patted the seat beside him. I sat down and waited for someone to explain. Evan walked over to me and handed me a whisky. I took it from him and said in a light-hearted way, “Really Evan? It's like ten in the morning.”

I let out a little chuckle, but then silenced myself when I saw his worried expression.

“You're gonna need it, Angel. Trust me,” he replied in a low and gruff voice.

He handed Mason a drink then went and sat on the couch opposite us. This isn't good, I thought and as I thought it, I heard Mina whine in agreement. I sat back with my drink and Mason turned to face me.

“Right, so the hunter's council is basically the overall rulers of our kind. They make our rules and laws and also enforce them. The council is run by thirteen Fionn's…” Mason was quickly cut off by Evan, “Twelve!” Evan corrected.

Mason rolled his eyes and huffed, then continued, “Sorry twelve Fionn's, it used to be thirteen, but Damien…Well, Damien's gone now. You as the new Fionn would have had to of met them at some point, but we've been putting them off.” Mason sounded so defeated, like we'd already lost whatever fight was coming our way, which, in all honesty, freaked me out. If these two were crapping their pants, then the council really was something to be feared. After letting me digest what he'd told me Mason continued, still in his defeated and deflated tone, “as you know, Canada has ten provinces, and three territories, right? Well, each one of those has a faction of hunters and each faction has a Fionn. All of these Fionn's make up the council. Sadly, I don't think any of them would be willing to accept a hybrid Fionn. They already struggled with the fact that you're a woman.”

I couldn't help but scoff at the idea of them not accepting me because I was a woman, I mean come on its 2019, for Christ's sake.

“So why can't they just accept me as I am?” I asked casually.

Mason looked into my eyes and replied softly, “Well for one, it's in our genes to want to kill werewolves and two, you will be seen as a threat. You're stronger than any of them and they can't risk being seen as weak.”

He paused again letting me take in all this new information. I took the opportunity to close my eyes and inhaled a deep breath, then held it. When I exhaled and opened my eyes again, downed my whisky, then in frustration asked Mason, “So basically, they'd kill me just because I'm different and because they're scared of me? Is that about the gist of it?”

“Yes basically. They tend to act first, then think later,” he replied casually.

“So, like most men, then? Egotistical and chauvinistic?” I replied sarcastically while raising my voice.

“Hey that's a little below the belt sweet cheeks, we're not all like that!” Evan piped up, trying to defend all men.

Mason just sighed and shook his head at Evan. Me, on the other hand, I put him in his place. I laughed right at him then said in the same sarcastic tone, “Seriously? You just proved my point, dip shit!” He raised an eyebrow at me, clearly not knowing what I was on about, so I helped him out. “Two words Evan, sweet cheeks!”

He looked at me with confusion then replied, “But that's a compliment. You've got a great ass.”

He chuckled to himself, and I rolled my eyes in response, but I couldn't keep a grin from growing on my face.

“Look, I know you don't mean any offence by it, Evan, but it just proves my point. Men like them don't take women seriously and they think they can just decide to kill me without even meeting me. That's ridiculous,” I moaned at him. I knew it wasn't his fault and he meant no malice with his nicknames, but the idea of twelve unknown men deciding whether I should live or die had my blood boiling. There is no way I'm going to let them take me down without a fight! I stood up and stormed over to my father's desk and sat down in the Fionn's chair. “Mason set up the meeting with the council for as soon as possible. I'll show these bastard's, one way or another, that I'm not scared of them and that I deserve to take over my father’s position as Fionn of this faction!” I ordered him in a stern voice, making sure he knew that I was very serious.

“Yes Fionn, I'll call them right away,” he answered with no hesitation then left to make the call.

I then turned my attention to Evan and said, “Right, now we need lots of coffee. You and Mason are going to work around the clock teaching me everything I need to know about being a Fionn, okay?”

I raised my eyebrows at him, and he stood up immediately.

“Yes Fionn, I'll make some right now,” he replied with a smile and then made his way to the door.

“Evan?” I called out.

He turned around to face me and asked excitedly, “Yes Fionn?”

“Please call my aunt Hannah and ask her to join us. I need her to walk me through our family’s history.”

He nodded, then left the room. As soon as the door was closed, I sank back into my dad's old desk chair and covered my face with my hands. What the hell am I doing? I asked myself. How can I go up against twelve Fionn's? But it's not like I have a choice, is it? I finally thought I belonged here with these hunters, but clearly, I don't. I don't belong with the werewolves either. I just want to feel safe somewhere and to be happy, is that too much to ask?

I rested my arms on the desk and placed my head onto them as I began to sob my heart out. I just wanted to see my mom and dad again. I felt so alone. I just wanted someone to talk to. I drifted off to sleep with thoughts circling in my brain and tears still streaming down my face.

***

“Freya?” I heard a man whisper.

“Freya?” He whispered again, his voice very soft and familiar.

“Freya? Can you hear me?” He asked quietly.

A hand squeezed my shoulder, and even though it was very gentle in its touch, it still startled me, and I snapped awake. With my heart racing, I ripped my sore body away from the hard-wooden desk. I felt my shoulder and the hand was gone.

“Huh? Who's there?” I asked sleepily while I rubbed my eyes trying to focus.

Standing in front of me was a tall dark-haired figure and it definitely wasn't Evan or Mason.

“It's okay, Freya. It's me Samael,” he answered a little louder this time.

My heart rate began to slow as I sighed and slumped back into my chair.

“Hi, Sam,” I replied politely while rubbing my eyes again, then opened them up, allowing them time to adjust.

“It's Sam now, is it? I wondered whether or not you'd remember our time together once you'd woken up, after being attacked.”

“Wait, what now?” I asked in confusion.

“May I?” He asked while holding his hand out gesturing to the empty chair that sat in front of my desk.

“Of course. Sit, please.”

I wasn't quite used to all these formalities or the politeness, but it was nice none the less. Samael sat down in the chair and my eyes grew wide when they finally focused on him. He was a gorgeous man that was for sure. What the hell was with my life? Full of drama, death threats and extremely hot guys. The last thing I needed right now was another hot guy complicating my life. My thoughts were silenced when he began to speak.

“When you were stabbed, your mind escaped to keep you safe. You ended up with, Selene. She called me because she couldn't get you to calm down. When I arrived, you were curled up on the floor of her living room, crying, shaking and completely petrified. I'd managed to finally settle you down, but you kept freaking out, so I continued to go back to the moon realm every day to sit with you,” he explained sweetly.

I ran my fingers back and forth across my forehead, I believed him, but I had no recollection of any of it.

“I'm sorry, Sam. I don't remember anything from the last two months. I woke up the other day thinking it was still the same night that I was attacked and stabbed,” I replied sadly.

I got up and went over to the drinks cabinet and poured out two whiskeys. I grabbed both of the glasses with my fingers then picked up the bottle with my other hand, before walking back to the desk to sit down. I placed the glasses and bottle onto the desk then slid one of them over to Samael. He smiled and took the glass.

“Thank you. Oh, and you do remember one thing at least from the two months. You called me Sam. It took me a whole month to get used to you calling me that, the last person to call me Sam was Kali. I don't even let my family call me it anymore…” He said sadly and he paused when he looked into my eyes. He then smiled softly and said, “but that is a story for another day. Now Love, what's gotten you so stressed out that you felt the need to call me?” He asked me as he sat back in his chair and took a sip of his whisky.

I furrowed my brow at him and asked, “I called you?”

I didn't remember calling him, I didn't think I even had his number.

“Yes Love, we're in your dream. I'm not like my brother, Balan. I only come into people's dreams when they call me. So, what's up?” He asked again then took another sip of his drink.

“I have no idea how or why I called you, but I am quite stressed out right now. See, I don't know if you know who they are, but the hunter's council have been told that I'm a hybrid and they want to kill me,” I said in a panicked voice.

I didn't know why I was opening up to him, it just felt natural with him. It was like we knew each other, and I could trust him with anything. Without saying a word, he gradually stood up from his chair and began to pace around the room. He had a pained and angry look on his face.

“Are you okay, Sam?” I asked out of concern.

He stopped pacing and stood with his back to me.

“Arghhhh!” He boomed then threw his glass against the door, smashing it into pieces. I gasped then watched in shock as the tiny shards fell to the ground like glittering raindrops. “I'm sorry, Freya. I just can't stand those bastards. After what happened with Kali, I thought I'd never have to cross paths with them again!”

He slumped down onto the couch and put his head in his hands. I stood up and walked over to him then sat down beside him and placed my hand on his shoulder. Suddenly he lifted himself up and embraced me, his grip was so tight like he was trying to stop me falling off of a cliff or something. With his face in the crook of my neck. I felt a little uncomfortable and I guessed he'd sensed my body tense up, because he immediately composed himself and let me go.

“Excuse me, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable, I just can't go through it again, they will not have you as well!” His words started out apologetic but by the end, it was like he was spitting venom. I looked at him confused as he stood up and ran his hand through his hair. He crouched down in front of me and took my face in his hands, and said sweetly, “don't worry, Freya they don't want to kill you, trust me. However, they will come for you, they want to add you to their collection of hybrid dams.” He paused to kiss my head then stood up, before holding his hand out for me to take, which I did. He led me back over to the desk and ushered for me to sit. After strolling over to the door and opening it, he turned around to look at me again and said, “they're building an army, Freya. They need hybrids like you to achieve their goal. I'll see you soon, I need to speak to my family and come up with a plan. Don't worry, I will not let them take you, Love. They already have my, Kali. They will not have you too!”

He smiled at me and left, quietly closing the door behind him. I sat there taking in everything that had just happened, rested my head on my arms on the desk again, then closed my eyes while letting my thoughts run wild in my mind.

***

Bang, bang, bang, I heard a tapping coming from the door.

“Uh, yes? Come in!” I called out.

“Um it's me, can you open the door, please? I kinda have my hands full!” I rolled my eyes as I heard Evan's muffled reply.

I got out of my chair and went to open the door. He was standing there holding three cups of coffee and he had a packet of biscuits in between his teeth. I smirked and took the packet out of his mouth then went back to my desk and sat down. I wondered why he didn't just carry the packet under his arm, but I was too tired to ask him, and we had more important things to discuss. He walked over and placed the cups down onto the desk and slid mine over to me.

“Thank you, Evan,” I said when I handed him the biscuits back.

He grinned then sat in the chair in front of me.

“Evan, get the fuck out of my chair!” Mason yelled when he entered the room, slamming the door behind him.

I could tell Evan was about to answer back and sensing Mason was not in the mood for Evan's bull right now, I stepped in before Evan had a chance to start something that I'd have to finish.

“Evan, move!” I boomed at him while slamming my fists down onto the table, making him jump back in his chair startled.

“Yes of course Fionn,” he replied as he quickly got up, retrieved his coffee and biscuits then went and sat on the couch.

Mason nodded his head at me in gratitude, then sat in the chair in front of me.

“What did they say?” I asked him bluntly. He looked around the room trying to avoid eye contact with me, I huffed then screamed at him, “well!?”

“They will only meet with me,” he said quietly, barely above a whisper and still avoiding eye contact.

“What!? Why?” I snapped at him. He still wasn't looking at me, so I snapped again, “Mason! Look at me and tell me why they will only meet with you, or so help me God!”

I illuminated my eyes while holding my fist beside me and ignited it. Seeing my fist surrounded by dancing flames he finally looked at me.

“They don't accept you as Fionn of this faction. They demanded as acting Fionn, I be the one to meet them.”

He dropped his head down and stared at his hands.

“What? This is fucking horse shit! I am the Fionn of this faction, whether they accept it or not!” I yelled in absolute frustration.

With my anger building to outstanding levels, it forced me to stand and ascend.

“Calm down, sweet cheeks.”

Evan stood up and raised his hands into the air. He was trying to lighten the mood, but it just pissed me off even more.

“Don't call me that!” I boomed and hurled a fireball at his head.

The fireball whooshed past his ear and smashed into the wall just as Evan threw himself down onto the floor.

“Ahhh! What the fuck! You got me!” He screamed and patted the side of his head, trying to put out a tiny flame that was burning in his hair. Mason burst out laughing and he went to grab the fire extinguisher. He continued laughing while he put out the flames on the wall, then turned the extinguisher on Evan and sprayed it all over his head. “Mason, stop! It's fucking freezing,” Evan screamed and squealed while flapping his hands in front of his face like a retarded chicken.

“Dude, I'm just putting your hair out. Stay still will ya, eh!” Mason tried to sound all serious, but couldn't help but bursting out laughing again when Evan started running away from him screaming, “Please Mason, no! Please dude, my hairs gonna freeze then fall off! Mason!”

I tried my best to keep a straight face. But Mason was chasing around a screaming Evan, while blasting a fire extinguisher at him. It was just too damn funny, and I finally gave in as I doubled over with laughter.