CHAPTER EIGHT—You like what you see?

Freya Rose Mason did a pretty good job of taking my mind off of the weird way that Evan had acted after I fell on him, butt naked. But now that Mason was in the bathroom, doing God knows what and my mind began to obsess again.

I mean what the fuck was that look all about? And that wink, what was that? Like, I know Evan and I flirt a bit and he did yank down his pants and show me his penis that one time, but I just thought it was some harmless fun. When did it become something more in his eyes? Or am I just overreacting? Maybe he was winding me up or something? YEAH! Yeah, that definitely sounds like something Evan would do. Make me all paranoid about him being into me, then take the piss out of me for it, and be all like, ‘So you've been lying in bed thinking about me have ya, Angel cakes?’ Then make it look like it's me that has a crush on him just to wind up Mason. Oh, I bet that's his game. Well, I figured out your game, Evan! I thought to myself with a sense of achievement. Now to work out how to play this, hmm…

“Fi, your baths ready,” Mason shouted through from the bathroom.

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked over towards him. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him with his wet messy hair just sitting above his gorgeous green eyes. He was shirtless and resting his shoulder on the door frame of the bathroom while wiping his hands on a towel. He had on a pair of gray jogging bottoms that sat perfectly on his hips showing off his sexy V-line. I bit my lower lip as hard as I could while scanning over the God that stood before me.

“You like what you see?”

I blushed and gazed up into his beautiful eyes. He had a huge cheesy grin on his face and was obviously holding back a chuckle. I seductively swung my legs over the bed, even pointed my toes, the lot, before standing up. I strutted over to Mason and ran my hand adoringly across his face, before gliding past him and into the bathroom. Mason let out a low growl while his head followed my hand like a dog chasing a delicious scent. After turning to face him, I gradually removed my dressing gown, letting it slip down across my shoulders. While opening the gown, I let my supple skin show little bit by little, causing him to lick his lips. He grinned like a Cheshire cat when I dropped the robe to the floor. Turning away from him, I bent over slightly and gradually slid my lacy thong down my long silky legs. I grinned to myself when Mason moaned. I made it look like I was going to kick off the thong across the bathroom, but instead, booted the door with the sole of my foot, slamming it in his face.

“Hey! No fair,” He whined through the door.

I couldn't help but chuckle at him while stepping into the bath. I shouted out to Mason while lowering myself into its warm and fluffy suds.

“So, Mason, what's the bath in aid of? You could have just told me that I stink, and I would have hopped in the shower.”

He chuckled then shouted back, “I have a surprise for you tonight. I bought you an outfit and it will be laid out on the bed for when you get out of the bath. So, get yourself all dolled up. For tonight my Fianna, we celebrate!” He sounded so excited.

I went to reply but I heard the bedroom door click shut, so I figured he'd left. A little while later I heard the bedroom door click again indicating that someone had entered the bedroom. I tried to sniff the air to catch Mason's scent, but between the scented candles and lashings of bubble bath, it was an impossible task. I assumed it was Mason, because who else would have the nerve to just let themselves into my bedroom, uninvited?

I finished bathing and decided to tease Mason a little more, so I towel dried my hair and shook it around a bit. I checked myself in the mirror to make sure I didn't look too much like a drowned rat. A couple of scrunches of my hair with my hands did the trick. I dried my body and took a deep breath, then exhaled as I prepared myself to walk back into the bedroom completely naked. Plastering a demure look on my face, I swung open the bathroom door, then froze.

“Afternoon sweet cheeks,” Evan purred while his eyes scanned up and down my extremely naked body. I let out an ear-piercing scream, then immediately slammed the door shut. My heart was racing, and cheeks burned hot with embarrassment and rage. I snatched my dressing gown off the floor and shoved it on, before flinging the door back open. Evan had made himself comfortable on the bed and was just lying there with his arms behind his head, clearly not doing what I wanted him to do, which was leave. “Aww, I preferred you without the robe,” he whined with a cheeky smirk on his face. I stormed over to the bed ready to face him.

“Tough shit, you damn creep. Now get your fucking boat feet off my dress!” I shouted at him while slapping his shoe.

“Oh shit. Sorry, Angel cakes. My bad,” he apologized then instantly got off of the bed.

I picked up the dark red floor-length dress then walked over to the wardrobe and hung it on the door.

“Why the hell are you even in here, Evan?” I questioned while folding my arms across my chest.

He rubbed the back of his neck then looked back up at me. I scowled back letting him know I was beginning to get pissed off. He cleared his throat before explaining.

“Well Mason sent me up to put those shoes and that box with your dress, while he finished up a few things for your surprise,” he said quietly while pointing to two boxes on the bed.

“Right, okay, I get that, but why did you stick around afterwards?” I asked in a dominant tone.

He ran his hand through his messy light brown hair, making it raise up and then fall back down, landing just above his eyebrows.

“Um, well I wanted to be straight with you…” He paused and looked towards the door. I guessed he was making sure that no one was coming in. Satisfied that the coast was clear, he continued, “I like you Freya. I mean really like you. I know I shouldn't, I mean you’re my cousins Fianna and I'm with El…” He moved closer to me and took both of my hands in his. I half expected to be jolted with electrical sparks or burned from the inside with the usual fire I get from Mason, but there was none of that. Don't get me wrong he was super-hot and if I wasn't with Mason, then I probably would go out with him. But even though I was attracted to him, there was no magical sparks like I had with Tristan, or like I had with Mason. “I can't help it, Freya. I've felt like this about you for a long time now. God knows I've tried to ignore it, but I just can't. Then, when you fell on me completely naked, I knew I just had to tell you.” He paused to search my eyes for a response.

I guess he saw the shock I felt, because he dropped my hands and backed away from me while lowering his head towards the floor. I softened my expression and moved closer to him placing my hands on his face.

“Thank you for being honest with me, Evan. That was brave, but you're right, I'm with Mason and I'm in love with him. If things were different then I'd definitely give us a go, but they're not. I really hope this doesn't affect our friendship, because you are one of my best friends and I love you dude!”

I grinned at him and to my relief, he smiled back. He pulled me in tight for a hug. I was so glad he didn't take my rejection the wrong way, I would’ve hated for our friendship to be ruined. Still holding on to me tight, and in pure Evan style he asked, “So, you'd totally hit this, right?”

I rapidly slapped him around the back of the head.

“Ow! No need to get violent, Angel cakes. I was only joking!” He whined while holding the back of his head. I giggled at him, and he flashed me a wink. “Now get ready, or you're gonna be late for Mason's surprise!” He ordered, then strolled over to the door.

“Love you, Freya.”

He left the room and gently closed the door behind him.

***

I put on the stunning dress that Mason had bought for me. It was dark red in colour with long sleeves. It dropped to the floor and had a long split up the right leg, all the way up to the middle of my thigh. The material was soft and clung to my body perfectly, showing off all of my curves. He'd matched it with the same color stiletto heels and matching clutch. I styled my hair in loose wavy curls and applied natural makeup. Walking over to the bed, I opened up the black box that Evan had brought up. Inside was the heart and Angel winged necklace that Mason had bought me for my birthday. I read the words aloud, “Always on my mind. Forever in my heart.”

I could finally appreciate the meaning and sentiment behind it and didn't hesitate to put it on. All ready and holding my pendant between my fingers I waited patiently for my Fennid.

***

Mason Hart Everything was all done and the surprise for Freya was complete. I picked out some clothes to match the dress I'd bought for her. I had on a dark red shirt, black suit, and black shoes. I made my way up the stairs to her bedroom. I stood outside the door for a moment, preparing myself for the beauty I was about to lay my eyes on. Trying to pretend I wasn’t stalling behind the door was pointless. I'd forgotten about her wolf senses, and she slowly pulled the door open. I gasped in awe when I saw her.

“Freya, you look absolutely amazing!” I complimented her.

She blushed and swept a piece of hair behind her ear.

“Thank you, you look great too,” she replied in a shy voice.

The dress looked fantastic, hugging all the right places. I wanted to run in there, forget all about the surprise and rip her right out of that dress. But I managed to control myself and instead, held my arm out for her.

“Your surprise awaits you, my Fianna.”

***

Freya Rose Mason led me along the hallway then down the staircase. He guided me towards the back doors and stopped to take my hands in his.

“Freya, I love you so much and I wanted to show you how special you are to me. We all love and respect you and we wanted to welcome you as our new Fionn.”

He was so excited I didn't have the heart to tell him that I was crapping my pants. I took in a deep breath and prepared myself for Mason's surprise. He opened up the large wooden doors and the air instantly erupted with the cheers, whistles and clapping from over a hundred hunters. The massive field had been decorated and a large marquee was placed in the middle of the grass. Inside it had tables and chairs framing a dance floor and it even had a stage with a DJ. On the front of the marquee was a huge banner that read, Freya Our Beautiful Fionn. I was so overwhelmed, and I couldn't believe that everyone's attitude towards me had changed overnight.

“It’s beautiful Mason, thank you. But don't they all still hate me because I'm a werewolf?” I whispered it into his ear so that no one else could hear me.

I kissed his cheek to make it look less conspicuous and the crowd instantly cheered with excitement.

“They did, but when we had our joining, it cemented you within the faction and each one of them now has a permanent connection with you.” He looked out towards the crowd. I followed his gaze and saw hundreds of hunters staring at us with such love in their eyes, like we were royals or something. “Also, you’re a Phoenix like me. Not many hunters are born with the gift of flame power, Freya. They would be stupid not to accept you. With you and I together leading this group, we will be the strongest faction that's ever existed,” he said with such pride.

He kissed me softly, then pulled back. Much to my dismay. He had a beaming smile on his face. He was full of excitement and pride, and I had to admit, the way he just explained it to me made me feel amazing too. I felt so powerful and looking out onto the crowd of hunters clapping and cheering, I felt like I finally belonged. The party was amazing: everyone was so happy, and the drinks were flowing. They all welcomed me as new Fionn, and I felt like royalty. Lots of different people wanted to talk to me and spend time with me. They even asked questions about what it was like to be a hybrid and were actually interested in my response. Not one of them looked at me with disgust or disdain. It might have been because they were very drunk. I did notice that hunters were surprisingly happy drunks—sometimes too happy, in fact. I didn't know what was in the drinks but everyone, and I mean everyone, was enjoying themselves. Even resting bitch face Carmen was letting loose on the dance floor with me.

I mean I know, what the hell right? Not a scowl or dirty look in sight. I could get used to this, I thought to myself while I shook my booty in time to the music.

“Freya!” I heard a girl squeal in excitement.

I looked up from the dance floor and saw Amelia sprinting towards me. I hadn't seen my sister since that first time that I'd come here to meet my dad. I'd asked Mason about her and my brother Isaac, and he'd said that they had moved in with our aunt Hannah and her daughter Imogen. Carmen used to live there too, but she moved into the hunter’s cabin just after my first visit. I guessed that she wanted to keep her eye on me.

“Ooff,” I let out a groan when Amelia collided with me.

Like the first time we met, she picked me up into the air and bear-hugged me. I had to tap her shoulder to let me go, because no words were able to escape my lips.

“Oh, sorry, Freya,” she apologized while placing me back onto the dance floor.

“How have you been? How's Isaac? I'm sorry I didn't keep in touch, life's been a bit…”

She quickly cut me off and replied, “Don't be silly, Freya. Daddy told me everything that was going on with the werewolves and I understand completely. After he died and you got stabbed, we wanted to come and see you, but Mason said you needed your rest.”

I looked into her soft light green eyes and smiled. I didn't understand why Mason had kept my siblings away, but I guessed he'd had a good reason. Maybe he felt like they were too young or something. But they had lost just as much as me, and I was determined to make it up to them.

“Hey, you wanna dance with your big sister?”

She squealed excitedly and nodded like a crazed bobble head. We danced around like maniacs for about thirty minutes. Arms flying everywhere, scissor fingers across our eyes. She even taught me how to floss and dab and I think I was pretty darn good at it too. Suddenly, the music slowed down, and I spotted Mason making his way over to me. I smiled at him, and Amelia followed my gaze.

“Ah, I think that's my cue to leave,” she announced, then hugged me.

I kissed her cheek and waved to her as she made her way over to Evan.

“Hey, gorgeous, you having fun?” Mason asked in a husky but slightly drunken voice.

“I'm having a blast, thank you so much for all of this,” I swept my arm around pointing to everything, nearly knocking out a few people in the process. “It really is amazing. I love you so much.”

I stumbled forwards a little when I tried to hug him. Luckily for me he wasn't too drunk to catch me.

“Do you wanna dance?”

He stepped back and held out his hand for me, I smiled and took his hand. He held it up in the air and twirled me around, before flipping me back into a dip to kiss me. I blushed when a few people on the dance floor cheered and wolf whistled. He effortlessly lifted me back up and placed his hands around me, then grabbed my butt and pulled me into his chest. I positioned my hands behind his neck, and we began to sway in time to the music, never once taking our eyes off of each other. At the end of the song, he leaned in and placed his velvety soft lips onto mine. The kiss was perfect, no tongues, not messy, or rushed. Just a meeting of two people’s lips, savoring the feel of one another. Before it had a chance to develop any further, we heard Evan scream, “Beer pong!”

Everyone cheered and hollered. Mason peeked at me with pleading in his eyes. He was like a kid itching to go play with his friends. I rolled my eyes at him and said in a casual tone, “Go on then!”

I shooed him away with my hand and he jumped up and down like an idiot shouting, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

He kissed my cheek before sprinting over to the table. Ah, screw it! I thought, then screamed, “Beer pong!” As I sprinted over to join them.