Chapter Twenty-Six: Talk Of The Pack

Freya’s POV

When Sasha found out about me and Demetri I was devastated and tried desperately to save our friendship but Demetri was right. Our friendship was over and she left just like he said she would. Despite knowing what was going to happen Demetri tried to help me anyway. I guess that was the least he could do after putting me in that position.

I hope the sex was worth it to him.

It felt like the entire pack knew about Demetri cheating on Sasha with me. They were colder to me now than before, their judgment wasn’t subtle anymore. If I looked at someone they wouldn’t just look away they’d show their disgust in their glares, talk loud enough about me so that I would hear, and “accidentally” bump into me while laughing.

The only time away from friends and family that I felt respected was when I was at work with Adam. He complimented my skills and kicked out anyone who was an asshole to me, making them reschedule or come back later.

“You don’t have to do overtime every day Freya,” Adam said as he reviewed X-rays. “I already know you’re a good nurse and will be an incredible doctor.”

He could always make me smile. “This is just my happy place right now. Are you sick of me already?” I teased.

Adam chuckled charmingly. “You know I love your company.”

Yeah, I knew.

After work, I picked up Gabriel from daycare.

He was sad without Mable and I’ve answered all his questions about why she was gone as best as I could. I obviously couldn’t tell him the full truth so I just said her mother wasn’t happy here anymore. Luckily Mom was here to spend time and play with him while I was working so he didn’t have to spend too much time at daycare.

As I sat on a bench I watched Gabriel play with some of the other kids in the back of the packhouse. He was a little more comfortable with the other kids now and making new friends.

I turned and looked up as I felt a hand on my shoulder.

It was Luna Vella, Demetri’s Mother who I wasn’t very fond of. “Hello Freya, I’ve been looking for you,” she said before taking a seat next to me.

“Hi Luna Vella…”

“You don’t have to address me so formally,” she said with a plastered smile. “I’m retired and we’re practically family.”

We were?

She grabbed my hands and her gaze was intense. “There’s so much I need to teach you and we don’t have much time.”

Huh…?

I slowly pulled my hands away. “Sorry, I don’t get it,” I said. “What do you need to teach me?” I didn’t want anything from her after what she and her mate did to my family.

“I need to instill the right foundation in you so you can be a great Luna. It’s gonna be hard following me up as Luna but I’m here to help,” she explained. “I’ll also help you raise an alpha as amazing as Demetri.”

My eyes narrowed and I thought for a few seconds as quickly as I could. I didn’t want to upset her but I didn’t know where she got the idea of me becoming Luna from. Did Demetri tell her he wanted to make me his Luna? We haven’t spoken since Sasha left so I didn't get the impression that he was still trying. “I don’t plan on becoming Luna,” I said. “I’m gonna be one of the pack’s doctors.”

Vella didn’t bat an eye. “You never know where life is going to take you so you can think of this as a backup plan if you must,” she said. “I’ll have to clear my schedule, but we can start within the week.”

I waved and sighed as she left. Great, now I had this to deal with.

The next morning Mom and I were walking down to Demetri’s office together while Gabriel ran ahead of us. “I’m kinda having second thoughts about rejoining the pack,” I said quietly to my mother.

“Honey why?” Mom asked. “If you want to get away from the noise and prying eyes you can always move into the city and take a job there.” A lot of pack members lived like that, a little distant but still loyal and ready to be called on.

“No Mom it’s not that easy. I did something horrible to a friend by accident and she left the pack.”

“Sasha,” Mom said. “I heard about her leaving but I didn’t know it had anything to do with you.”

“Yeah well everyone is talking about it blaming me,” I said with frustration. “On top of that Luna Vella is pushing for me to be the next Luna and for Gabriel to begin training to be the next alpha.”

“We’re going to have obstacles Freya and we’ve always made things work. If things get too out of hand I promise we can leave.”

“Okay, Mom.” I smiled. “Thank you.”

Mom nodded and held open the door to Demetri's office so I could walk in. Gabriel was already inside sitting on his father’s lap. Demetri greeted us and asked, “You guys ready?”

We looked at each other and both nodded. We walked to his desk, rolled up our sleeves and Demetri started. “I Alpha Demetri Stone, invite Freya Roman, Gabriel Roman, Ginni Roman, and Sam Roman into The Blood Moon Pack.”

“I Freya Roman accept.”

“I Ginni Roman and my mate Sam Roman both accept.”

Demetri looked down at Gabriel as he said with a big smile. “I, Gabriel Roman accept.” He said, making an effort to sound out each word clearly.

All three of us looked at the pack emblems appearing on our shoulders and my mom looked more satisfied than I was.

“Yay!” Gabriel cheered and Demetri smiled.

Demetri opened his mouth to talk to me but I shook my head, still wanting to keep my distance.

I left Gabriel with his father and Mom went to the infirmary to see Dad.

Becca and Caroline invited me out for karaoke to celebrate my rejoining the pack. The three of us got a private room. After the second round of songs, we took a break to talk. I ranted about Luna Vella to them.

“Wait,” Caroline said. “I still need to be caught up. You and Demetri are fated mates and he rejected you?” I nodded. “Oh my god, I think he only helped me so much to feel better for what he did to you. What an asshole, we should have another round of drinks.”

We laughed and Becca said, “Not to bring up Sasha when she’s not here but I’m pretty sure he was only with her for the same reason. At least in the beginning.” I wondered how much he loved her…

“Have you talked to her since she left?” Caroline asked after ordering us another round of drinks.

Becca nodded. “Only once and it was pretty much her asking not to be contacted for a while.” Things weren’t the same without her. I didn’t have anything else to say about Sasha. I wanted to be done feeling bad about what happened. I already regretted what I said to her when she found out. I was too focused on her not blaming me instead of trying to be a friend to her. “Anyway,” Becca said. “I think you should entertain Luna Vella, I mean you don’t have to become Luna but there’s no harm in letting her show you what it would be like.”

“Sounds fun to me,” Caroline added. “And Gabriel can use some of the skills that come along with alpha training whether he becomes the next one or not.”

“Exactly,” Becca agreed. “Just make sure his instructors aren’t telling him he’ll be alpha for sure or anything like that.” They both looked at things a lot differently than I did but maybe that was what I needed. Otherwise, I’d stay miserable.

That night I stopped by the shop of a mage I was recommended to go to. I needed to find out if I was pregnant. To do the spell I laid down on a cot and she hovered her hands over my uterus as she closed her eyes and chanted an incantation.

“You’re not pregnant,” she said when she was done.

Thank God.

I went back to my room at the packhouse and had a decent night's sleep knowing I wouldn’t have a second child with Demetri.

The first thing I heard when I woke up was Demetri’s voice in my head, yay…

He was calling the pack to the ballroom for an announcement. I left Gabriel asleep in bed and went.

“I've called this assembly because I need to make a public apology,” Demetri began and I got chills. The crowd started to whisper and mumble to each other.” Freya, I‘m sorry for all the shitty things I’ve done for you since your nineteenth birthday when we found out we were mates.” The secret was out and the crowd’s volume and voices increased. “I shouldn’t have rejected you on your birthday after we had sex the night before.” My cheeks were heated with embarrassment. “Not only that but I’m the one who framed you and your family to get you kicked out and that’s maybe the worst thing I’ve done.” I couldn’t believe it. Neither could the crowd, they were loudly talking over each other. “Quite,” he ordered and that was all it took for the talking to diminish. “I’ve done a lot of terrible things but I’m trying to make up for them.” His gaze felt genuine but why should I believe him? “So whatever you guys thought about Freya was wrong. We all know Sasha left and that’s another thing on the long list of fuck ups that are mine. Stop putting the blame on Freya because she didn’t know about me and Sasha.” He took a short break before continuing. I wish I can follow the list of shitty things I’ve done with a list of things I’ve done right to make up for it but there isn’t one. I hope this can be the start of that list. Freya and her family are a part of our pack again and I expect everyone to act like it."

His public apology didn’t make things right but it helped.

The rest of the day was easier. Instead of people giving me dirty looks, criticizing me, and gossiping they… looked at me with pity and talked about how bad they felt for me.

It wasn’t perfect but like I said, it was easier to deal with. I’m sure it took a lot for Demetri to get up there and finally admit to everyone what he’s done to me.

One point for you Demetri, but don’t expect anymore… unless you earn it.