Chapter One

Freya Rose

Once I'd pulled myself together, I stood up leaving Traian, Marik, and Savanah sitting on the floor around me. I stepped over Traian's leg and as I did, he gently placed his hand on my calf and his fingers brushed against me as I moved away from him. I took a few steps and then glanced back at them. I knew instantly that they could see what I needed. Space. My head was shot and I wanted to decompress a little. I tried to make sense of everything that had happened and clear my mind so that I could work out what our next best move would be. As I walked out of the cabin and into the moonlit garden, Samael popped into my head. I was terribly mean to him, undoubtedly, I broke his heart. Ripped it right out of his chest, threw it on the floor like trash, and stamped on it. All the while he had to stand there and watch in horror, unable to do anything to save himself from heartbreak.

I sighed, knowing I would have to suck it up and live with the guilt, just like I'd had to do so many times before. The Tristan situation was his fault, but Mason, well, that was all me. To be honest, my heart had been broken so many times, that I think that I'd become numb to heartache entirely. Of course, I felt bad for hurting Sam, but he needed to understand that I'm a Luna and my pack always needed to come first. These people depended on me and would risk their lives for me and I needed to do the same. Sure, I could have taken it easier on him and maybe let him stand by my side and help, but the thought of anything happening to him killed me inside. So many people had already been hurt or died because of me and I didn't have the strength to lose anyone else, especially him.

I sat down on the lounger and threw myself back onto the feather-filled pillow. I let out a heavy sigh while staring up at the northern lights in the far distance. Beautiful pinks, blues, and greens were swirling around and dancing with each other. I smiled as I closed my eyes and prayed that my life was different. All I'd ever wanted was to be around Cass and annoy her while she was working. Hang out with Tyler and Tristan and get yelled at by my mom for not tidying my room or not being back in time for dinner. The life I thought I'd have, was so far out of reach, that it wasn't even funny. The whole Mason life would have been fun too. Both of us leading the faction and hunting down bad guys. Life with my soul mate. Again that life had been ripped from my hands. Finally, there could have been a life with Sam, sure we would've needed to get rid of his mom in the basement and make sure Kali didn't come between us, but I think I could have been happy with Sam too.

I hope he understands why I had to do this, I thought to myself.

“Hope who understands?” Traian questioned and it startled me because I hadn't heard him coming.

Vampires are so damn sneaky.

“No, we're not. We're just super light on our feet.”

I let out a little chuckle as he sat on the lounger next to mine. “It's not my fault that you stomp around like an elephant.”

I sprung up and swung my legs over the side of the lounger, “I do not stomp around!” I shouted while stamping my feet on the floor.

He glanced down at my feet and then back up to my eyes. With a prominent smirk on his face, he replied, “My point exactly.”

I couldn't help laughing. He was right. I wasn't the most delicate of women. I guess I did stomp around a little, but that was only because I was usually in a rush to get somewhere. For years it has been one problem after the next and I felt like I couldn't catch a break. Any time things were going well I just waited around for the bad to show up with a vengeance. My laughter ceased and the smile gradually faded from my face. I knew there was an epic battle coming and I was doubting myself. I felt weak and exhausted. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to save my pack, my friends. No. My family.

Traian's brows furrowed and he gazed into my eyes, but I dropped my head so I didn't have to look at him. I didn't want pity. He stood up and stepped forward. Before I knew it, I was whisked into his arms and he held me like a baby then he turned around and sat down with me on his lap. I buried my face into his neck, resting my head on his shoulder. He held me so tight and it made me feel safe. I'd felt like that with many men before, but I had to take what I could get when I could get it because I never knew if that would be the last time, I held that man. I wished more than anything that I would be able to settle down someday and never have to worry about people leaving me or dying. It seemed that no matter how many people I had around me, I always felt so alone.

“I heard everything you just thought. Are you okay with me listening? Or do you want me to leave?” Traian whispered.

I knew I hadn't shut him out, I didn't have the strength to. “Please don't leave me.”

He kissed my head and stroked my arm with his hand. He held me for hours, not moving a muscle, just listening to my thoughts. Somehow it was easier to just let him listen to my racing mind rather than say it out loud. When you speak to someone, you can always edit what you want to say, but thoughts are pure, unedited feelings. It felt refreshing to have a conversation that way. I'd never seen telepathy as a way to have discussions as such. Just quick bursts of orders or checking if someone was okay. I always felt as if I was intruding. Silently speaking with Traian though was just what I needed. The man was so knowledgeable and a fantastic listener. I told him all about my life. The loves and the losses. The good times and the bad. He now knew everything about me and my life. I fully expected him to run as far away from me as possible, but he didn't.

When I had finished rambling, I yawned loudly. Traian wasted no time in standing up and carrying me through the cabin. Savanah was there ready to close the sliding doors behind us and lock them. Traian walked me up the stairs and Savanah followed. When we got to the landing she said her good night's and headed off to her room. We continued towards ours, where Marik was waiting for us. He had a set of my black silk pajamas folded over his arm and after we had entered the room he closed the door behind us. Traian carried me into the bathroom where a bubble bath had been run for me. The lights were out and beautiful lavender-scented candles were all around, flickering away as they pumped out their glorious perfumed plumes.

I really wanted to just curl up in bed and sleep away all the horrors of the last few years. Hibernate like a grizzly bear if I could, but they were right in running me a bath, I needed to relax and distress first or I'd probably have nightmares while sweating my ass off. I Googled it once and it said I could have PTSD, but I didn't have time to go to a shrink. Besides, how could I open up to a human therapist? They would throw me in the looney bin, quicker than a rat up a drain pipe. Speaking telepathically with Traian would be my new therapy. Not that he had much choice in the matter, I'd already decided.

Traian lowered me to the floor while Marik placed my pajamas on the counter. Without saying a word they both left and closed the door behind them. I wasted no time in stripping off my old clothes and throwing them in the washing basket. I felt so much better with the scent of Sam off of me. My body still smelled like him, but that would soon be washed away in the lavender bubble bath. I took my hair down and placed the bobble on the side then made my way over to the tub. I stepped over the side and placed my foot in the gloriously warm water. Once my other foot was in, I lowered myself into the water, watching as the bubbles devoured my body. I moaned quietly as my muscles began to relax against the cool metal tub wall. It clearly wasn't quiet enough, because I heard a low rumbling growl and a slight hiss from behind the door.

A smile grew on my face and my cheeks began to heat up. I knew they were right behind the door and Traian had forgotten to turn his thoughts off. What he must have been discussing with his brother was definitely sexual and it included me. Something about them wanting to be the bubbles that caressed my skin. I was only getting one side of the conversation and only certain parts because they were switching between whispering to each other and mind-linking. It made me chuckle but also made me feel nervous. I wasn't ready for anything like that yet, my heart was still hurting from losing yet another love of my life. Don't they say that bad luck comes in threes? Maybe that's my third bad luck and the fourth time is gonna be my charm? Either way, I was exhausted and wasn't ready for any man, not even two smoking-hot twins.

“Get away from the damn door. I can clearly hear everything you're saying and linking about me!” I shouted out, but I was lying. I couldn't hear everything, just snippets really, but I had to say something to send them away. Even just the thought of them being right behind the door, with their muscled chests pressed up against the hard wood, had me getting wetter than the bath could ever make me. “And your thoughts are fucking disgusting!!” I screamed out and I heard light footsteps creeping away from the door.

To be completely honest the thoughts I did pick up on sounded dirty, but after what I'd been through with Sam, their ideas were tame. I would happily eat Traian and Marik for breakfast. Those boys won't know what hit them, I thought clearly enough for Traian to hear and he relayed it to his brother. A throaty growl reverberated loud enough for me to hear. Marik clearly didn't believe me, but I was happy to show him a thing or two. I needed to stop before I ran out of the bathroom naked and jumped the pair of them. I closed my eyes and pinched my nose before sliding down into the water. Hopefully, when I popped back up, I would be able to control my urges. We'd just have to wait and see.

Samael Wülf

I'd stormed off after watching Freya with those wretched twins and Savanah. Is that what she wants? A fucking harem!! I couldn't help my thoughts racing. I was heartbroken and the angriest I'd ever felt. How dare she throw me away like trash one minute, then embrace them the next! Every thought and feeling was making my rage build, but I couldn't stop them. I should be the one she turns to if she truly loves me like she'd said. I strode through the forest, but I wasn't going home. I couldn't leave her, no matter how mad I was. Many had told me she was a user and a slut, but I couldn't see it. I didn't believe them. I exhaled heavily then stopped walking and turned around. There she was, in the far distance, laying on a lounger. I should have believed them. Selene and Azael were right about her all along.

I silently lowered myself to the ground and sat with my back pressed up against a large tree. I'd made sure I was upwind so no one could catch my scent. It took everything in me to stop myself from sprinting over to her and grabbing her. Taking her back with me to the castle. Chuck her in one of my cages, just so she couldn't leave me. Tears pricked at my eyes and they stung. I couldn't believe she had reduced me to a quivering wreck. No one had ever affected me like that before. Not even Kali. I leered as Traian strolled out to her and after a while, he picked her up and placed her on his lap. I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists, trying my hardest to control myself. I wanted to yank his fucking head off and spit down his neck. Where does he get off touching my woman!? The rage was building and I could barely control myself. She's mine!!

“I thought I could sense you out here,” Savanah called out to me and I jumped because I had no clue she was out here let alone this close to me.

“What the fuck, Savanah!? You scared the crap out of me!”

“Oh shit, sorry. I have to remember to stop teleporting everywhere. I'm gonna give someone a heart attack one of these days.” She was giggling away and I knew why. “Lucky your heart is already shriveled up, ay Sam?” There it was, the no-heart vampire crap.

“We have hearts, Savanah. How the hell do you think we die from a stake through the heart if we don't have them?”

“Hmmm,” she squinted up at the sky while placing a finger on her side-pressed lips. “I guess you're right. Maybe you bloodsuckers do have a heart after all.” I rolled my eyes and looked away. I didn't have time for her bullshit. “Talking of blood, I thought you might be hungry.”

I hadn't thought about it, but I had to admit, I was pretty starving. I glanced over at her and she was holding out a large mug of warmed-up blood. I couldn't resist. Being this angry meant it took a lot of energy to stay calm and I'd built up quite the appetite. I took the mug from her and expected her to leave, but she didn't. She sat right beside me. I took a sip of my drink and glared over into the distance. Freya was still on Traian's lap and I hated it.

“You know she didn't mean to break your heart right?” Savanah asked while looking over at Freya.

“Well, whoops. She did.” I took another sip of blood.

“I know she did and I am so sorry for that, but what you have to realize is that she is the one destined to save all of our kind. She has immense pressure on her and a relationship will just distract her.”

“Well, maybe she should have thought about that before getting with me. I didn't need all this, you know.” I gulped down my mug of blood, wanting this shitty bonding session to end already.

“Please be there for her. She is protecting you.” She didn't take her eyes off Freya and Traian.

“Yeah, fucking looks like it,” I threw my hand up towards them, emphasizing Freya straddling Traian.

“Look, her head is a mess…”

“Make that two of us,” I interrupted and she turned around to face me. “Yeah, well, you can go back to a normal life. Whatever that entails as a blood-sucking fiend. Freya has an epic battle on her hands and has to find a way to save her pack. Sooo,” she held her hands up and shrugged, “Who do you think has it worse?” I furrowed my brows in anger as she stood up and brushed the dirt and leaves off of her backside. “Suck it up, Sam. No one has time for your childish tantrums.” She said as began to leave. She stopped for a second and turned to say, “Freya needs us all, now more than ever and if you can't get over yourself, it's best you leave her the fuck alone. Bye, Sammy.”

I anchored myself to the ground. The last thing I needed was a fight with whatever the fuck she was. Traian was just a vampire like me. Sure, he was the firstborn but he wasn't all that much older than me, and I think I'd be able to take him or hurt him badly enough. Once Savanah was out of sight, I shot up to my feet and began running through the trees. I couldn't stay there for another second. My thoughts were raving and I couldn't think straight anymore, all I wanted to do was kidnap Freya and murder anyone that got in my way. You will be mine, Freya!! I thought as I sprinted as fast as I could. I swear you will pay for what you've done to me. I stopped dead in my tracks, knowing I was far enough away for them not to hear me. You'll beg and plead for me to take you back! I own you, Freya Rose. I turned and put my fist right through a tree, sending it hurtling through the forest. I laughed as I strolled off imagining that it was Traian's body flying through those trees and splintering into bits when it hit the ground.

“I'll be back for you Freya. You mark my words!”