Tess
When I return to Wesley’s mansion with Freddy, I’m not surprised by all the stares that we receive. Every pack member is gawking at the handsome hybrid standing behind me. They don’t seem to know whether or not he is the enemy, while Wesley doesn’t look one bit bothered.
“Ah, you’re back,” Wesley says while Lily rushes over to hug me.
“Tess!” the woman is heavily pregnant, and her big stomach makes it hard to hug her, but I somehow manage to wrap my arms around her neck.
“I’m okay,” I tell her and let out a breath of relief before turning around to gesture at Freddy. “Freddy saved me from the Safir pack.”
“Did he now?” Wesley asks and cocks his head to the side with an impressed expression. His arms are crossed over the chest of his expensive suit. “And how exactly did you save Tess from the Safir pack? Should I be worried about them coming after us? “
“No,” Freddy says while fixing his cufflinks. “I took care of most of them. I would be surprised if their Alpha had any more men to send. I killed most of them.”
A look of surprise crosses Lily’s face, but Wesley doesn’t look shocked at all. He smiles at Freddy. “You’ve saved Claudia. Then you’ve saved Tess more than once and now you’ve also taken out most of my pack’s enemies...”
Freddy nods. “I have, but I’m not coming back to the pack,” a look of self-hatred crosses his face. He looks so sad that I take his hand, squeezing it. He gives me a grateful smile, finally able to look Wesley in the eyes when he says, “I’ve killed humans. I lost control of my bloodthirst and went berserk. I’m not sure if this will happen again, but I don’t want to take any risks. Tess is the only person that can calm me in that state.”
“You’re mates, aren’t you?” Lucas asks. I’m not sure where he came from, but he is standing beside Wesley, arms parked underneath his chest.
I look him in the eye. “We are.”
He winces at my words, but only for a second before his walls rebuild, and he is back to looking tough. “Then I see no reason for you not to come back. I might not fully trust you, but Tess is the most selfless person I know, and she won’t let you hurt anyone while she is by your side.”
“True,” Wesley strokes his chin. “You would also be a wonderful asset to the pack. Many of them are still angry about the hybrids you created, but I’m sure they would come around if you guarded some of our territories alone and let them rest during the night. Most of them aren’t interested in fighting enemy packs and vampires.”
Many of the pack members nod and agree, some of them even smiling at Freddy, and he gets this emotional look on his face. I can tell that he is moved, but there is still some slight hesitation written over his features.
He opens his mouth. “I still don’t know if—”
“Hush, will you?” Lily glares at him, but I can see that she is trying not to laugh. “We all want you to come back to the pack, and since Tess isn’t leaving anytime soon, you might as well rejoin us. Let’s forget about the past.”
Claudia holds up her thumb. “Amen to that.”
“I also think you should come back,” Juanita says from somewhere behind the crowd.
“Me too,” a random pack member said, and others from their group agree.
Freddy’s eyes dart between everyone, scanning their faces. He is still not certain if it’s the right decision to come back, but the pleading looks in their eyes are hard to ignore.
I give his hand another squeeze, trying to coax him into making a decision. “It’s okay, Freddy. You don’t have to decide right now. Take all the time you need.”
He nods at my words, his eyes still fixed on the ground. “I just don’t want to hurt anyone else. I can’t bear the thought of causing any more pain.”
Wesley places a hand on his shoulder, his eyes filled with empathy. “We understand, Freddy. That’s why we are willing to work with you and help you control your bloodlust.”
Freddy takes a deep breath, his eyes flickering with newfound resolve. “Okay. I will come back. But on one condition.”
Everyone looks at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue.
“I need to train with Tess. She needs to teach me how to control my bloodlust better.”
I nod in agreement, feeling a sense of relief that he’s finally agreed to come back. “Of course, Freddy. I’m happy to help.”
A round of applause breaks out among the pack members, and I can see the relief on their faces. It’s clear that they were worried that Freddy might not come back, but now that he’s agreed, everyone seems to be in better spirits.
Freddy turns to me, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Thank you, Tess. I couldn’t do this without you.”
I smile back at him, feeling a sense of warmth radiating through my body. “You don’t have to thank me, Freddy. We are in this together. You and I are a team.”
As the pack members disperse, Freddy and I are left standing alone with Lucas. He glances between us, and then, to my surprise, he offers us one of his cocky smiles. “Take care of her, will you?”
Freddy snorts. “I will spoil her rotten.”
A grin forms on Lucas’ face. “That’s what I would like to hear.” He winks and disappears into the woods, and I’m left standing in the courtyard with Freddy.
He peers down at me and cups my cheek. “Ready to start our new life together?”
A bubble of happiness rises to my chest, making me teary-eyed as I look at my beautiful mate. “I can’t wait.”
Freddy tenderly presses his lips to mine. I can feel the intensity of our connection as his strong arms wrap around me, drawing me closer. His kiss grows more passionate and my heart starts pounding in delight. His desire for me is palpable, causing a thrill that ripples through my body. Our tongues entwine in a wild dance, intensifying our passion even further. Time stops, and it’s just the two of us locked together in this moment.
I lean back a little and feel a little giddy when I look at Freddy’s handsome face. He is beginning to get stubble, and I teasingly touch his chin, whispering, “You need to shave.”
He smirks and breathes into my face. “And you, my sweet little human, smell so delicious. I just want to devour you.” His eyes gleam with hunger as he nuzzles my neck, planting hot kisses on my skin.
I gasp at the sudden pleasure that shoots through me, making me dizzy with desire. Freddy’s hands move up my back, and then he pauses, “Want to head upstairs?”
I nod eagerly. “Yes, please.”
He doesn’t need to be told twice. His arms lift me up with ease, and I hold on when he races upstairs at lightning speed. My hair is all messy when I’m placed in my bed, but I’m starting to get used to his vampiric powers.
And maybe, just maybe, Freddy can one day find a way to make me a werewolf again through his lab. But if that never happens, then I will be content either way because Freddy is the only person that I need.
He is the love of my life, and when I’m with him, I feel like nothing else really matters. He is my home and haven, the unexpected soulmate I never knew I needed.
The end.