“Did your mother tell you that Adaryn are flying this way?” at her question Cain wrinkled his face in question and turned his head up to the sky looking around. Freya also rotated so that she was facing the direction of the little dots in the sky heading towards them. They were definitely closer now, there was no denying they were coming to the camp now.
A rumbling sound came from Cain’s chest that was equal to a low growl Freya thought. There was no way he was going to be happy to see them. She couldn’t say she was either. It made her regret all the months of hating the Vargar when they were so much kinder to her. One wolf’s actions to start a war didn’t reflect on all of them.
Cain used his large head to nudge against Freya and start to push her in the direction of their tent. She thought perhaps he wanted to change and prepare himself for the company that would be joining the camp. And she was partially correct in her assumption. As they walked through the camp, she kept her hand on the fur at Cain’s shoulders that were at about the same level as her head. His size was still so impressive, she marveled at the sight of him through the corners of her eyes as they walked.
At the entrance of the tent Cain paused and swiveled his head to look around and see if anyone was looking in their direction. When he felt comfortable that no one was explicitly watching he began to shift.
Freya shuttered to hear the sounds that followed the change. It sounded of cracking bones and tearing flesh as his massive body began to writhe around while on his paws. It only lasted a few more moments as Cain thrashed until he was kneeling before Freya on hands and knees. Her hand was covering her mouth at having watched this transformation so close. It had slightly unsettled her stomach to see it.
Once in his flesh Cain stood up to his full height in front of Freya. She looked up to see him smirking down at her with his red eyes swirling with excitement. A blush quickly appeared on her cheeks when she realized that he was standing fully nude next to her in front of the tent.
But before she could open her mouth to speak Cain had wrapped his muscular arms around Freya and pulled her into the comfort of the tent where the harsh chill of the day couldn’t reach them as easily.
His hot mouth was already covering hers in passionate kisses, both of his arms wrapped her backside to keep her upright. She could vaguely tell he was walking them back towards the bed. Freya wasn’t able to stop the moan in the back of her throat as pleasure rolled through her body from Cain’s kisses.
Cain fully intended of having his little bird for lunch before the enemy arrived at his door, and Freya wasn’t one to protest since her needs met his in kind. Even if she was still sore, she knew she needed him, this was better than flying.
Chapter 12
Cain and Freya sat at the head table with Vistra awaiting the approach of the Adaryn who had come to visit. Five wolves were surrounding the ones who had come, guiding them to the crowded tables and fire pits on this cold afternoon. From where she stat she could tell there were at least two Valkyrie, one noble, a palace guard, and a royal. Aurik Aurelian.
Most of his form was hidden behind the Valkyrie guarding his front but the tips of those wings reflected the afternoon sun and Freya would recognize their golden hue anywhere. Her chest clenched when she recognized it was him strutting into the camp with his entourage. She tried to plaster on a fake smile, but it felt like her chest was being crushed under heavy stone.
It was a relief to see Alvyna, but the fear of what Aurik might say or do was overriding any other emotion. The closer they got to the head table where she sat the more anxiety built up in her chest. Freya was holding her breath waiting for the moment they would stop. Perhaps also secretly hoping they would turn around and fly away.
As if he could sense her turmoil, Cain leaned in closer and placed his arm around Freya’s shoulders. Drawing her in close to the unbelievable heat his body naturally generated. The warmth of his presence was quick to calm her, and she eagerly leaned into him.
Cain didn’t know about anything that had transpired between her and Aurik. She knew he wouldn’t be happy if he did know. It might be better to wait until this whole ordeal was over to tell him. Possibly after they’d gone back to pack territory and were safely away in the mountains would she be safe to tell him all the things she wanted him to know. But her complicated time spent with the Adaryn Prince wasn’t something she should tell him about now.
For Freya that friendship had turned sour and all of those happy memories were taken over by that one night where her life was flipped upside down. Aurik had crossed the line when he had so casually professed his love as if that was the sure-fire way to get her to bed the night, she was told she was being given to another. He’d made a mistake the night of the Gathering. She could no longer call him a friend.
Freya’s emotions were boiling down to one central feeling, and it seemed to her like all she felt now was anger. Angry that her sister had been taken from her, angry she’d been given away, and angry that Aurik had tried to take advantage of her. He was no kindly royal, and he was no true friend. There was a surge of revulsion overcoming her to think of how she’d let him hold her so often to fly her into the sky like some pathetic thing.
Freya knew now that she didn’t need Aurik to make her feel whole, and he never would have been what she needed. It was a relief to know that, better late than never. Her life would have been miserable if she’d stayed at his side.
During the few short moments Freya’s mind was in turmoil Cain could feel her starting to tremble, the closer they got the more she started to shake. Although at first, he thought she might be afraid of what was going to come when he looked down from the corner of his eye, he could see her furrowing her brows and her nostrils flaring.
“Pretty bird, I don’t know why you’re so angry, but I have to say I like how it looks. Fierce little thing could make any warrior listen with a face like that,” Cain whispered into her ear. At that moment Freya realized how tense she’d become, so she turned her face to Cain and gave him a big smile while patting his hand that was resting over her shoulder.
“The royals and nobles aren’t my favorite. Easy enough to say I’m not fond of seeing them,” she tried to reassure him.
“You don’t like them enough to shake with the passion of someone ready for a fight? Remind me not to get on your bad side,” he chuckled just loud enough for Freya to hear it and the sound brought a small and genuine smile to her lips.
It was at that moment that the Adaryn stopped before the head table and parted for Aurik and the noble to step forward. Aurik was greeted with the sight of Freya held close to Cain with his mouth hovering over the skin of her neck and a deep blush on her cheeks. She looked flushed and happy to be with him.
When Freya would bring her eyes back up to the flock, she would see the rage she felt moments ago now reflected in Aurik’s golden eyes. He swallowed hard and his eyes traveled up and down the scene before him taking in how familiar Freya now was with his mortal enemy. Things had ended badly between them and to see her now so happy in the arms of a beast was almost enough for him to declare war on the spot.
She could see it in his eyes. The anger, jealousy, and regret. Even though he tried to keep up an unmoved face and appear to be the unphased prince he was raised to be, she could see the whirlwind of wild thoughts swirling behind his eyes. Freya had been his friend long enough to recognize how he felt.
“I don’t like how he’s looking at you,” Cain growled softly into her ear, then she felt his fingers curl around her shoulder possessively.
“Well, I’m sure he doesn’t like me either. Look at him with those gold wings and I have none. He probably hopes you’ll still eat me.”
“What he doesn’t know is I already have, and I intend to again. Who knew the little bird would be so delicious,” and then she felt Cain’s hot and wet tongue dart out and lick the sensitive spot of skin under her ear. Freya shivered and had to bite her bottom lip to stop the little moan that threatened to escape.
The sound of her laughter drew the attention of every pair of eyes in the flock standing before them. Alvyna had a knowing smirk, although she still looked warily around at the Vargar they were in the presence of.
“Ah, Aurelian, we are honored by your presence here tonight. If you are here to check on our little one, you can see she is perfectly healthy. And happy, if I might add,” the Wolfmother gestured towards Freya held tight against Cain with a fading blush on her cheeks. Freya tried to politely hide the smile on her face she couldn’t seem to control while Cain was so close.
“You are correct in your assumptions, Wolfmother. We have come to inspect the wellbeing of Freya Mourning. To ensure all aspects of this peace agreement remain intact, of course,” Aurik stated matter of fact while holding his head high as though he was the most important individual in the vicinity.
“Of course,” Vistra agreed, “However, you may now refer to her as Freya Fargrim. Our couple is already mated and there are no qualms about the relationship. I think we will have a very bright future going forward.”
Freya was aghast at how openly Vistra had just proclaimed the very recent change in her relationship with Cain. Yes, they had mated, but not everyone needed to know. Every Adaryn standing before them looked a bit taken aback to hear the news. Especially since for them the wedding under the full moon was all they wanted. They needed to have their little ceremony and send away their outcast before they could clean their hands and fly into their happy future. Nobles would turn their nose up at consummation of a relationship before the ceremony.
But Aurik was more than taken back. He had his brows knit together and it was purely a look of disgust and rage. But something else under that. Heartbreak perhaps?
“Indeed, Freya Fargrim it is. May I speak with her a moment just to be sure she is well?” It seemed to take all of Aurik’s power to drag his eyes away from the holes he was burning into Cain.
“Oh, certainly. I’m sure the little bird would love word of her family as well if you can enlighten her,” but Vistra’s eyes were narrowed at Aurik now. Vargar were too perceptive of body language and expressions, there was no way she hadn’t noticed the way Aurik was looking at her heir.
Cain saw it too. His hold on Freya had tightened in those short moments. He didn’t want to let her go. He might not notice that Aurik appeared to be jealous, but it was a look that threatened his new mate in some way and was that all he needed to see. Even without the look in the Adaryn prince’s eyes Cain didn’t want to release her.
“I’ll be alright, Cain. You can let me go. Besides, I need him to tell me if there’s any news on my mother,” Freya placed her hand reassuringly on Cain’s arm, but he only tightened his grip.
“Freya, I will rip his feathers out if you come back to me upset,” his jaw was set tight and his muscles tensed.
“He’s just a stuck-up bird, I’ll be alright,” and Freya gave him a peck on the cheek to further soothe him.
“I just got you in my arms and I’m supposed to let you go with only a little kiss? No, that won’t do,” and Cain placed his hands on either side of Freya’s face before pulling her into a deep kiss.
Freya was breathless when he let her go, and Cain had a victories smirk on his face that he made a point of throwing at Aurik. Marking his territory for all to see.
“Cain, I’ll be right back,” she caressed his cheek as she stood and made her way around the table to the Adaryn group. Alvyna placed a gentle hand on Freya’s shoulder, her own way of greeting being the more stoic type.
Freya made her way to Aurik’s side. He put his arm out for her to take, but she acted as if she didn’t see it. She didn’t want to take his arm, and the sky knew she didn’t want to be in his presence.
Alvyna and the other Valkyrie stayed behind with Councilman Grouse to engage in polite conversation with Vistra. The two Royal Guards followed behind Aurik and Freya as they walked. Aurik seemed to be leading her in the direction of the line of trees. It made her anxious to think he wanted to be out of sight as they spoke.
And she was correct. He walked them into the forest, telling the guards to keep their distance. But once she thought they were out of sight enough he kept walking. Leading them further into the woods. His wings ruffled in agitation the further they went as though he was thinking of what to say when he finally decided to speak.
Freya knew he would most likely say something she didn’t want to hear. Whether it was news of her family or something else. Something more personal. She wasn’t ready for it. Would never be ready to interact with him again.
Yet here he was standing before her after stopping to lean against a small tree momentarily. It was like he needed the tree to support himself. Freya was the one who needed the support now. Seeing him practically mope made her angry again. It felt like ages had passed before he brought himself to his full height to speak.
“Your mother appears to be doing better from what I’ve been told. Not by much, but she’s eating on her own. The physician told me she goes out to sit in the sunlight now as well,” but he had his hand covering his face as he spoke. Like he wasn’t able to bring himself to look at her.
It made her feel a ton lighter to hear that her mother had improved instead of withered away more. Things had looked dark for her mother and this was a relief to hear that progress was being made. Was her mother lucid enough to notice she wasn’t there?
She was only able to take a moment to herself to rejoice that her mother was still alive before Aurik turned his piercing stare on her. Those golden orbs now burning holes into her while his nostrils flared, and his chest heaved as he glared.
“So, you actually let that beast have his way with you? I thought you were better than that, Freya. You could have been so much more than this!” Aurik shouted.
“Let him have me? Well, first of all, I was given to them against my wishes. Second, I fit in better with them than I ever would have in your world,” she spat back.
“You could have fit in with me! We could have been happy together, Freya. Oh, my love, my sky, you could have been my queen when I took the throne. You could have sat at my side and been the mother to the future generations of Aurelian. We would have been beautiful together,” he approached her with his hands out wanting to hold onto her.
“No, Aurik, that’s not what would have happened, and you know it. You would have been the king mocked for generations if you had gotten your way. And you want to know something else? I would have been miserable!” Freya threw out her arms in frustration. But it felt good to get this off her chest. To let him know how she felt.
“That’s not true. You would have been respected. The colony would love you, just as I do,” and he took another step closer.
Freya heard something rustle in the nearby underbrush. There was an ominous chill that ran up her spin and ruffled her feathers. A knot formed in her gut and more than ever she wanted to go back to the Vargar camp.
“You don’t love me. I just make your ego feel inflated when you think you’re helping me. Take the flightless bird under your wing and prove you’re the superior prince the colony loves, and oh how they’ll respect you ever so much when they learn of how you made the broken thing feel normal.”
She spat on the ground at his feet and glared daggers through the shimmering robes he was adorned in.
“You can go back to my father and go back to the king and tell them I’m perfectly fine here. No, I’m happier than I’ve ever been here. These people, they respect me. I’ll never regret turning you away,” and with finality she turned away from him and walked back to the campsite.
The Adaryn didn’t stick around for long after that. It was obvious Aurik was on edge after their talk but neither of them would say anything to each o
ther or to present company about what had transpired.
Cain could feel Freya was in turmoil and throughout the visit of the Adaryn he did all he could to help her relax, but it was in vain. She wouldn’t be able to relax until they left. Aurik needed to leave before her mind would go back into her newfound sense of peace. She desperately wanted that peace returned. Only the sight of golden wings flying away started to bring back a sense of relief.
~
Vargar were more adept at reading body language and facial cues than the Adaryn were. Their affinity for sensing the feelings of others was second nature, and Cain couldn't stop thinking about how Freya was reacting to the Adaryn prince and his presence in the camp.
If her unease towards Aurelian wasn't a dead giveaway that they had a history, then the golden bird's staring would have been all Cain needed to see. However, he could tell that Freya didn't want to speak on the subject.
It was only when the visiting Adaryn flew away that Cain could finally feel Freya release the tension her body had been holding onto throughout the afternoon. Once the birds were no more than specks in the sky, she had taken a deep breath and slumped down into her seat like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
“Are you alright, little bird?” Cain reached out to caress Freya’s cheek and she eagerly leaned into his warm touch. A small smile graced her lips as she turned her eyes up to look at him.
“Yes, I am alright,” Freya grabbed onto Cain’s wrist to hold his hand in place against her face.
“I am asking because it’s apparent that you aren’t. You were tense all afternoon and it would mean a great deal to me if you’d tell me why.”
Freya hesitated before moving Cain’s hand into her lap where she began to trace patterns into his wrist. Her unease wasn’t at the entire group of visiting Adaryn, it was just Aurik she’d despised seeing. His golden wings and smug face only reminded her that back at the colony she was nothing more than a disposable item. Or to Aurik, a toy that could be used. Even as she thought about it her face scrunched up with distaste.
The Bird and The Wolf Page 13