Page 41 of Luna Ascending

She's in squalid conditions, with several other shifters jammed in a cell together with no windows. Opposite her in a similar looking cell there are a few humans and we can sense, feebly, a witch somewhere in there too.

Connected to him like this I can physically feel Tavey's distress at seeing Liz like this. My energy is draining rapidly though, I've not had long enough to recharge. I just hope we get some clue as to where she is before I give out.

Liz only has snapshots from when she was kidnapped – a few blurred photo-like images from the points on their journey where Marciel slowed his fast-flow enough for her eyes to focus.

It's awful, I don't recognise anywhere. How are we ever going to track her down with this little information? A wave of despair washes over as I feel my strength slipping away. Everything fades, and I spend the last of my energy letting Tavey try to reassure Liz. The link breaks and I fade into nothingness.

When I come around my head is pounding and my mouth feels like I've eaten sand. The whole room is unnaturally bright and noisy. Aaron is alternating between worriedly patting my head far too hard and arguing full volume with Rennard. Most of the council seem far more excited than they ought to be with the tiny bit of information we have.

It takes a few moments before I realise that although I didn't recognise anywhere, Tavey did. He knows the bridge where Liz and Marciel paused – we have somewhere to start the search!

The relief is amazing. We might actually find Liz, and I won't have to boost Tavey's mind-link again. Of course I would've done it, but being the bloody 'battery pack' has drained me so much I can barely move. I drift in and out of the council's plans

“We should scout it out, take our time to ensure there's no trap. We shouldn't risk any of our fighters for the cougar until we're sure we can take the building.” Rennard whines.

The air reverberates with Tavey's fury - he and his wolf want to go right now, no delays, no caution.

“You have to be fucking kidding me?! My mate is out there, stuck in a miserable cage, like a fucking animal. Who knows what the fuck the Coven has planned for her... And you suddenly decide NOW is the time for caution?”

My head throbs wildly as the door slams behind Tavey storming out in disgust.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Freya's POV

Standing in Aaron's rooms I peer at the pictures of him as a small boy, the toy train on a shelf, and the teenage-angst laden pleather trousers hanging in the wardrobe, trying to reconcile them with the man I'm getting to know.

It's nice to get these little glimpses into who he was growing up. He's worrying me though. In the past five hours he's barely stepped into his rooms before he's stepped out again. I swear the arse is deliberately avoiding me.

I've just come through the most traumatic experience of my life, killed some people, shifted for the first time, fucked him then met his father, met my own father and acted as a human battery pack for Aaron's beta who turns out to be my brother.

I deserve a little more than him sliding away every time we get a chance to talk alone. What the hell is going on?! Any normal man would be wrapping me in cotton wool and telling me it'll all be okay. He needs to explain himself, now. I'm not going to be sidelined by a man again. When he next paces in I shut the door firmly behind him and stand with my back to it, blocking his exit.

“Aaron Varg! That is ENOUGH.”

Aaron peers at me and raises an eyebrow, looking surprised. I'm sure he's not used to being told what's what. But I don't give a fuck. This is my life.

His jaw clenches and he reaches past me for the door, but I smack his hand away.

“What the hell is going on? This morning you fucked my brains out on the cold floor of a cave, and now... now you can't stay alone in the same room as me for more than 30 seconds. You are not going anywhere until you explain yourself!”

He sighs, glancing at me warily “You're my mate Freya... my fated-mate – I know you're new to all this but... can't you feel it?”

My wolf preens. We're still getting used to each other – but she's been fucking invaluable for working out how the pack shit works. She knew – she told me he's our mate. It still sounds fucking whacko to me, but it does explain the connection I've felt with him since the first day.

“My wolf knows it, and I feel it Aaron. But that should make you want to stay with me, not fuck off whenever we're alone. Unless... do you not want a half-witch mate?”

“NO! That's not it” he grits his teeth “I'm struggling with my wolf... he's super protective of you now we have you. I'm trying hard not to mark you before you're... y'know... ready”

“But sex in a cave was allowed? You didn't need to wait then?” I can't help needle him

Aaron snorts “You seemed more than ready for that beautiful”

I shoot him a cheeky grin, he's got me there. I still don't really know what marking me means – my wolf's being super coy about it. I'm guessing the wolves get to get their kink on too?

A flicker of naughtiness creeps over me. Now, alone in his room with no-one else around, definitely feels like a good time to find out how strong Aaron's resolve is.

I slip my arms around his neck, biting my lip seductively, before pressing my body up against his muscled chest. Aaron's self restraint lasts a few seconds and he scoops me up, squealing, and deposits me firmly on the silky sheets.

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