Freddy
For the first time in my life, I’m in love. It just sucks that the person my heart races for belongs to another male—the irony isn’t lost on me. Cupid has a wicked sense of humor. Tess isn’t my fated mate. She belongs to Lucas, a former friend of mine, but flipping hell—he doesn’t deserve her!
Lucas has done nothing but take Tess for granted while she sacrificed her whole being to save his sorry ass. She gave up her wolf and her calling, and for what?! For him to tell her that he didn’t want a human mate! Fucking bastard. Simply thinking about that makes me want to hit his face until there is nothing left. But I can’t. Tess would never forgive me if I killed her fated mate…even though he deserves it.
I pout.
Honestly, I don’t deserve to be with Tess either. She is innocent, kind-hearted, and a warm person while I’m...evil. Let’s face it: I’m wrong for her. And yet she kissed me. Not only that, but she said she wanted me—ME! Can you believe it?
With a stupidly happy smile on my lips, I dangle my legs from the tree branch I’m sitting on. I’m out in the forest and waiting for the Safir pack to have their meeting. They know I’m here, and in their eyes, I’m their ally. But in reality? Pfft, I’m just here to find out where they took Tess’ friend.
For years, my family has been the only thing important to me. And after the rogues killed them, I spent years trying to come up with a way to resurrect them. I’ve always had a gift for creating potions since my mother was a witch.
Yet, despite this, it wasn’t until Mirelle died that I figured out how to create hybrids. It pushed me further, and for a short time, I had an entire army of hybrids. But they were all crazy and under Mirelle’s control. And since I love my sister, I joined her forces too. I didn’t know better. It’s not an excuse, but I’ve always believed blood flows thicker than water. Family is important and the only thing I’ve ever cared about, which is hilarious considering my past.
My dad used to beat the crap out of me as a child. He thought it would make me stronger and shape me into a powerful werewolf, and it did—I defeated every other werewolf in the tournament to become Wesley’s Beta.
I was strong...but also incredibly lonely.
Today, I’m not lonely. I have Tess. I’m sort of desperately in love with her. She saved my life and is seriously the sweetest person I’ve met. I get fuzzy feelings looking at her, and I just want to impress her. Which is why I’m here to save the life of that werewolf chick...Cloud? Cornelia? Claudia—yes, that’s the name of Tess’ friend who I’m going to rescue!
As the Safir pack members arrive, I watch them from my perch in the tree. I’m waiting for the perfect moment to ask them about the prisoner and narrow my eyes when Asher, Alpha of the Safir pack, clears his throat.
He is dressed in a suit, and his eyes are cold. “After Dimitri was killed in battle, it’s probably obvious that I’m in need of a new Beta... Freddy,” everyone looks up at me. “Would you accept that position? You’re by far the strongest member in the pack, probably more powerful than me—”
“Alpha Asher, with all due respect, I’m not your pack member, and neither am I interested in joining your pack,” I say calmly, uncaring that I interrupted him. “The only reason I’m here is that we both want to see Wesley Brooks and his mate dead,” not anymore, but I can’t tell him that. “But once that happens, I will make my leave. “
Asher doesn’t look happy. I can see the anger ticking against his jaw, but since he knows better than to challenge me, he controls his temper. “You would be far better off joining a pack, Freddy. You might be the only hybrid in existence since most are killed off as babies when they are born. Hybrids don’t belong anywhere, not around humans, not around vampires, and not in a werewolf pack, but I would be willing to let you join us in exchange for your strength.”
An amused smile plays over my lips. “I will think about it.” I won’t, but I have to play along. The only thing I’m interested in is getting this rescue mission over with so I can figure out a way to make Tess reject Lucas.
Does she like flowers? Probably. I will have to figure out her favorite color and pick her flowers with a critical eye. I can’t bring her anything that isn’t perfect.
“Great,” Asher suddenly says and looks up at me. “If you need to feed, you can drink from the new prisoner. We are keeping her in the basement of the food storage house. Here are the keys—” he throws them up, and I catch them. “Have fun.”
I stare down at the keys in the palm of my hand. Seriously? It was THAT easy to get them? Wow. It looks like I will be back to annoy Tess very soon.
With little effort, I open a portal made of darkness and reappear right outside the food storage house. As I make my way down the stairs, I hear the low moans of Claudia.
The whole basement smells like blood, but my teeth aren’t elongating. I wonder why that is? Is it because I only have a taste for Tess’ blood? Fascinating.
As I reach the bottom of the stairs, I see her. Claudia is chained to the wall, looking up at me with fear in her eyes. Her blonde hair is matted and dirty, and her clothes are torn and stained with blood. She is a mess and glares at me as if she thinks I’m the enemy. “You.”
I smirk. “Me?”
“Yes, you... You’re the traitor—the hybrid Beta that resurrected Mirelle and the indirect reason Tess’ wolf is dead... Are you here to drink my blood?”
Her words make me wince. I’ve never thought of it that way, but the blonde has a point—if Mirelle had never attacked Lucas, Tess would still have her wolf...and she would most likely be snuggling up to him too. But now she is not. Funny how the world works sometimes...
“I’m not here to hurt you or drink your blood,” I say as I approach her. It doesn’t seem like she believes me. She tries to push herself against the wall, and I roll my eyes. “You might not believe me, but I’m friends with Tess.”
Claudia opens her mouth to release an amused “Ha!” but then her nostrils flare as she sniffs the air. I’m certain she can detect the faint smell of Tess’ arousal on my pants, and I tilt my head, smirking while the female werewolf is slowly putting two and two together.
“Tess, she...willingly climbed up into your lap?”
I walk over to the wall to study the chains that are keeping Claudia chained to the wall. “Sure did.”
Claudia glares up at me with hatred in her eyes from where she is sitting on the floor. “Or did you compel her?”
“I did not,” I glance down at her in disgust. “What would be the point in that? You think I’m interested in fucking a cunt that doesn’t want me?” I snort. “No, thank you.”
Claudia’s eyes roam over my face. She is trying to look tough, but the curiosity in her eyes betrays her. “So...do you like her? Tess, I mean.”
I crouch down to meet her gaze. “Would I let her rub her cunt all over my crotch if I didn’t like her?” Her cheeks turn into a molten hot red, and I smirk in satisfaction. “I like Tess a lot, and that’s why I’m here.”
She blinks. “That’s why you’re here?”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah? To free you so that Tess doesn’t have to worry about you anymore.”
Claudia gawks at me, and I sigh. Are all werewolves as stupid as this one? Not that I’m surprised. Most people are annoying and so dumb I can barely stand them. But not my Tess. She is special. There is no one else quite like her. That woman is a goddess and an angel.
I break the chains around Claudia’s wrists and then reluctantly shoot my hands underneath her butt to pick her up. She shrieks when I lift her off the ground, and I frown, “Believe me, I’m not liking this one bit either. I hate touching other people, but you’re too injured to run. Besides, my portals are way faster than walking,” an evil grin spreads over my lips. “You better not suffer from motion sickness.”
Her eyes widen. “Wait? Why?”
My only response is an evil laugh as we sink through the ground, and when Claudia screams in pure terror, it’s like music in my ears.