Chapter 9: Freya

I did not appreciate him first putting me in that damn carrier like some common street animal. I also didn’t appreciate the fact he caught on to my plan for trying to escape. I certainly didn’t like that he brought me to this fucking penthouse even if it was impressive. Finally, I was fucking not in the mood for my hormones to go crazy at the brush of his scent across my nose. It was such a soft old linen t-shirt and it just smelled so much like him my knees quaked.

He’s a fucking kidnapper. I reminded myself. He’s not attractive. You are not attracted to this asshole.

I threw myself onto the couch and brought a blanket over my lap. The air conditioner was turned up in here at full blast and I was shivering. My ribs felt like something was bruised as a fox I could semi-ignore it, but in my human form I was in pain. The wounds had already healed but the bones would take at least a day. I looked around at his house admiring the upscale modern design but just couldn’t shake the feeling it didn’t seem like him at all. Something about him seemed like he’d have been more comfortable at some farm or wooded place. This was a king’s castle where he could oversee his domain with an iron fist.

“Are you okay?” He leaned on the doorframe to his bedroom looking over at me as if he could have salvaged the situation.

“Fuck you.” I crossed my arms a little too aggressively and nearly fell faint. “Damn it.” I collapsed to the side.

“What’s wrong?” He rushed over, getting to one knee in front of me and I was suddenly very aware I was half naked under this blanket.

“N-nothing.” I winced and sat back up, “Ever had a fucking wolf clamp on your ribs? That’s what’s wrong. Just leave me alone.”

“Eh,” he shrugged, standing up with a smile and moved to sit across from me on the couch, “Tell me when someone rips your throat out or bangs your head against a wall. Then you might be in danger.”

Sticking out my tongue, I curled up, falling finally to the side, “This isn’t funny anymore,” I whispered, “I need to leave. Clearly you’re in the middle of something. So just let me go.”

“You still don’t get it?” Shaking his head, he leaned forward, “They attacked you because you’re my mate. As long as you and I haven’t become official, you’re going to be in danger.”

“Become official?”

He nodded, “Married, have kids, you know typical pack leader stuff.”

Kids? I sighed, he still wasn’t understanding anything. “I’m not interested in you.”

“Sure about that?” Why was he continuing to fight me on this?

“Seriously,” I whispered through tears, “Can you please just reject me? They might leave me alone and I’ll get as far from here as possible.”

“Well,” he laughed, “We need to find your car and stuff first.”

“What?” I raised back up.

“Stolen by the looks of it.” He raised his hands as if he could anticipate my next accusation, “We didn’t do anything. It’s whoever was working with those wolves that attacked you.”

Raising an eyebrow I went back to relaxing, “Your pack?”

“Probably someone in my pack was helping them. It’s a big pack, hard to keep track of everyone. I promise though there is no safer place in the city than here.”

“Doesn’t sound like you have a good handle over your own pack for being the fucking alpha.”

He shrugged dismissively, “Like I said, big pack. Also the previous alpha was kind of a stickler so they think I'm a pushover because I’m not outright killing anyone who stands against me.”

“How nice of you.” I rolled my eyes.

“While I don't appreciate the sarcasm, you don’t understand the power shift that took place. Six years isn’t that long to werewolves and we’re still trying to work out the two packs merging about twenty years ago.”

“Why not just tell them they need to follow you? You’re the alpha right?”

“There’s a difference between leading and forcing them to do what I say. The previous alpha was kind of like what you’d expect.”

“That was your grandfather?” I could catch the context of everything.

“Lucien.” He nodded. “Won’t bore you with the details.”

“So you took him out and what just let the pack walk over you then?” I laughed weakly feeling the exhaustion starting to take hold. Fighting and shifting absolutely drained me it would seem.

“Nah, I can handle whatever they are planning. That is if you learn to fucking listen to me.”

“Why should I? I dont know you. You've definitely given me zero reason to trust you.”

“Fair, but also seriously? Going to be like that after everything?”

“As long as you keep holding me against my will then yes. I'm going to be like that.”

“You know I’m just trying to keep you safe. Besides, not like you can leave town anyway since your car was stolen.”

“Still not convinced you didn't have something to do with that.”

“Regardless. I've got Oliver looking for it.” he paused and looked toward the door. “One moment.” He walked over, and I heard him undo far too many locks necessary. There wasn't any sound, but that didn't mean they weren't talking. If nothing else, this was the most annoying part of the whole ordeal: not knowing what was being planned.

“I know you’re talking about me.” I grumbled, not wanting to turn over or look their way.

“Oh sorry cousin.” Andre laughed and leaned over the couch, towering over me, “ like I was saying, sitting half naked, not tempting at all, is it?”

“Andre…” Elias growled, and I looked up to see a large hand gripping Andres' shoulder, causing him to turn pale.

He turned quickly, putting both hands up, “just having a fun little jaunt with the fam. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Neither of you have a chance with me,” I grumbled, turning back away from them.

“Aww cousin-”

“I'm not your cousin!” I snapped a little too quickly, causing a wince of pain, “I've got nothing to say to you. Just leave.”

“Damn so you don't want your bag?” He reached down behind the couch and pulled up my bag, waving it around playfully “cleaners made sure it didn't have anything on it. Sorry it took too long.”

“My clothes?” I gasped and reached up one hand.

“Ah,” he nodded, “cleaners had to take those…. A bit too covered in werewolf blood. Controlled substance and all. Sorry.”

I shrugged . Werewolves were very secretive of humans accidentally getting in contact with their blood. Something about the feral rate being higher on forced changed humans or something. Whatever the reason they had, I understood and just had to now hope my luggage was going to be returned quickly.

“Rose can take her clothes shopping” Andre shrugged and jumped over the couch to sit next to my head. I didn't have the strength to tell him to move anymore. At this point, as long as it wasn't Elias, I was fine. I think I chose the right person to favor as he seemed to continue to keep the conversation vocal, “if you're that worried about her, go with her. But keeping your mate locked away like this is nuts, even for you.” he paused and stretched out his arm across the back of the couch, leaning his head backward, “don’t care anymore. Need sleep. Scold me later.” I could feel him looking down at me out of the corner of his eye. Cautiously, I turned back up to him, “sorry about him. He's a fucking animal. We're really just wanting to keep you safe.”

“Funny way of showing it.” I scoffed and closed my eyes.

“Maybe, but think about it from our prospective.” Was I wrong or was Andre actually trying to be reasonable? “we've got plenty of allies, but those enemies are really difficult to predict. Oliver's strong but if we'd have known they were planning an ambush do you really think we'd have just him escorting you around?”

“He can reject me though.” I sighed

“Wouldn't stop them. Rejection would just say you're not going to be together. Eventually the feelings would fade but seriously they'd still try to use you against him. It's not just caring about him either. It might not sound like it but we do care about you too. You think Rose just defends any cute girl that walks through the door?”

“None of you know me. I don't even live around here. If I left-”

“Yeah they might leave you alone.” Andre was half asleep too, his voice was getting light and breezy, “what if they didn't though? You'd be away from everyone and we couldn't help you. Give it some time. You'll see.” with a yawn he finished the thought, “I’ve got money on you two so don't make me pay out. I'll be pissed.”

I couldn't help but smile weakly at him. Out of all the werewolves I've met Andre was becoming my favorite despite him being slightly inappropriate with hardly any filter.