The Rogue Queen

Chapter 7

Freya followed Oliver into the building where all of the cars were kept, she couldn't help but keep her eyes on his ass the entire time, the tight black jeans that he wore made it look like you could crack a nut between those cheeks of his.

Absolutely not! I am not getting on that death trap! I'm too young to die! Hera said, irritated, which only caused Freya to smile when she saw Oliver had stopped beside a silver motorcycle.

"Are you ready to be my backpack?' He asked with a toothy grin and looked a Freya, his eyes almost daring her to accept.

Don't you dare! Hera protested hearing Freya's thoughts, which only served to cement them.

Remember when you turned off my alarm and got me into trouble? Consider this payback Hera.

"Sure, pass me a helmet."

"Before a helmet, have you been on a bike before?"

"Nope, first time for everything." Freya said and then nervously chewed on her lip. Oliver noticed it instantly, causing him to forget his train of thought momentarily when all he could think about was capturing her lips in his again.

Freya cleared her throat, bringing him back to the present.

"I've got a jacket for you to put on, you need to hold onto my waist, if I need to communicate with you or you with me, I'll tap on your leg and you tap on mine. If I double tap your leg, that means hold on. If I lean, you lean with me, and if I tuck, do it with me. It means we are going to go at hyper speed." He watched her face for any hint of fear. If there was, he would call it off. He didn't want to push it too far and scare her. Her face was once again passive. "And you'll have to wear this on your back." He said, holding up a black backpack in his hand. The one filled with the pastries they hadn't eaten before they left, along with some bottles of water and a blanket. He didn't expect them to stop along the way but wanted to be prepared if they did.

"I think I can handle that." Freya couldn't help the small smirk on her face. She wasn't about to let him see that inside she felt like jelly. She was leaving the packlands, visiting a new pack and going on a motorcycle and all with a wolf she didn't really know.

Oliver quickly handed there the black leather jacket along with the black helmet before she changed her mind before then putting on his own jacket and helmet. He turned to Freya as she pulled on the backpack and gave her a smile before playfully pulling down her visor as her put one leg over the bike and started up the engine. Freya took a deep breath and put her foot on the peg that she assumed was for her to climb on. She was beginning to doubt that this was in any way a sensible ideal as she sat on the bike and gingerly put her hands on Oliver's waist but maintained a safe distance. Oliver smiled to himself. He knew he was going to enjoy feeling her right up against him, but right now, there was too much distance. Both for his liking and to be able to safely ride. He caught her wrists and pulled her arms so they were wrapped around his waist and her chest was pushed against his back. Freya let out an audible gasp as the closeness before her body almost melted into him.

"Hold tight," he shouted above the engine as they took off at speed. He had already signalled to the warriors to open the gate, so he flew right through it as he felt Freya's grip tighten at the speed. He inhaled deeply as fresh air whizzed through and around them. This was one way that he truly felt free and alive when he was out there on his bike. His adrenaline pumped, and he could just be himself. He knew he wouldn't have many chances to do this sort of thing when he went back to Silver Springs full-time. For now, he would savour every minute of it, and the fact that he was sharing this with Freya seemed to make it something more to him. He knew this was her first time on the bike, the first time visiting another pack, her presence was calming.

Freya felt the wind whip through the hair that hung out of the back of her helmet. She loved how the wind always felt in her fur, but this was different. After an hour of riding, she began to relax and wasn't holding Oliver's waist for dear life anymore.

Do not let your intrusive thoughts take over! Hera said sternly, hoping Freya would take note of her warning.

Goddess! She shouted as she felt Freya loosen her grip on his waist, a waist she had enjoy being wrapped around, before Hera could say anything else she felt the movement of Freya letting go altogether and spreading her arms out to her the side like she was some sort or bird with wings, tipping her head back and laughing.

Oliver felt the movement too and held his breath wondering what she was doing, then heard her laughing. It was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. And then it was over. Her arms were around his waist once more, the heat bringing a quiet comfort to both of them.

Eventually he saw Silver Springs come into view, the first security post would just be ahead, he could mindlink the guards to open for him but he wanted to give himself a few more private minutes of having her wrapped around him. Freya felt them slow as they reached the gate and eventually stopped. She held her breath, nerves suddenly creeping in. Oliver lifted his visor and met the eyes of the young guard on duty.

"Alpha, we weren't expecting you today, I'll get all of the checkpoints open at once." The guard said as he stood his full height.

"Thanks, and could you call head and let the Alpha and Luna know I'm here?"

"Right away."

Oliver pulled down his visor and gave a wave as the gate opened. Freya had remained so silent that he wasn't even sure she was breathing anymore. They carried on down the long driveway until they roared to the front of the imposing packhouse. Oliver still remembered the first time he had seen it as a child, how grand it had looked and terrifying at the same time, even more terrifying than the castle in the capital. Freya took on the building and swallowed hard as the doors opened and a man and woman came down the stone staircase, judging by how they carried themselves she assumed this was the Alpha and Luna Their expression was one of confusion and concern until they noticed that Oliver was not alone.

Freya slid off the back of the bike, she was sure that was the worst way to do it but right now she was weighing up her options to stay or let Hera take control and bolt for the hills. Oliver dismounted his bike and, taking off her helmet, brought her back to now. She gulped and took off her helmet too, holding it awkwardly in one had whilst she tried to comb her hair with her fingers.

The Luna embraced Oliver in a tight hug, and Freya felt a squeeze on her heart.

"Alpha Michael, Luna Sarah, this is my friend Freya."

"No need for titles," Alpha Michael growled with a grin, "You're the Alpha now, I'm just caretaker for a couple more weeks," he laughed. "I'm Oliver's uncle Mike, you can call me Mike too, and this is my mate Sarah." He extended his hand out and shook Freya's.

Sarah turned to Freya. Her smile was ear to ear.

"Friend?" She asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yes, friend Aunt Sarah, if I'd met my mate, I'd have told you already."

Freya looked curiously as Sarah's face dropped a little. It was understable. She wanted her nephew and Alpha to meet his fated mate.

"You've never brought a friend to the pack to meet us before, let alone a female friend." She continued with a smirk, her gaze pinning her nephew, who was lookout anywhere but his aunt.

Olive cleared his through.

"It's very nice to meet you both," Freya interrupted, buying him a few more seconds.

Trust Sarah to say that! He laughed to his wolf.

She's perceptive. Gunnar shrugged, his human was on his own here. This was his bright idea. He could explain it.

"I've got some plans I want to change for my Alpha ceremony, I thought better to talk them through in person, and I wanted to show Freya around the pack. She graduates soon."

Sarah and Mike exchanged a look that Freya didn't understand.

"How about we have some sandwiches and cakes brought to the upstairs dining room, and we can go over everything?" Oliver continued. He noticed the smile on his aunt's face. She wasn't expecting this from him. Normally, he came back for visits and spent his time looking over pack documents or meeting pack members. He had been involved in his ceremony planning but normally Sarah had to corner him to get him to commit to the details and he knew that this would certainly lead to a round of questions when she could get him alone.

"I'll get the binders and join you in a moment." Sarah clapped her hands together in excitement before disappearing through the doors.

"We'll freshen up and come meet you, uncle." Oliver said before he threaded his fingers through Freya's. The gesture was unplanned and caught both of them off guard. Both looked down to their heads silently as Mike stood with a look of amusement on his face.

Oliver cleared his throat, "ugh this way," he said as Freya let go of his hand and followed him into the packhouse and into an elevator. Oliver pressed his finger to the scanner and pressed some buttons before it began to move.

What was that! Hera asked excitedly.

He held our hand, hardly something to write home about! She replied sarcastically.

You took his hand, too! Willingly, like it was the most natural thing! Let's stop pretending and just jump his bones! Hit the emergency stop button right now!

Will you shut up!

Are you a wolf or a chicken?

I am not losing my virginity in an elevator! Gross!

"I can get you some fresh clothes sent up for you?" Oliver stated, interrupting her internal argument.

"Oh, I think I should be OK, maybe just a splash of water to freshen up?"

He nodded and exited down a corridor, Freya following behind, her jaw almost hit the floor when it occurred to her that she was on the Alpha's floor and that they had just stopped outside his bedroom.

"I err, you can use the Luna's bedroom if you would prefer? It's empty. My aunt and uncle moved to the ranked members wing a few months ago while their house is being built." Oliver really wanted to emphasise that there was no Luna and that Freya was free to use it. It occurred to him that this was a strange thought for an alpha. They were usually pretty protective of not letting anyone but their Luna use that bedroom.

"Oh no, it's fine, no need to create a mess in two rooms." Freya answered and walked through the door that he held open. The room was not at all what she expected. It was massive, with a balcony and large windows that let in so much light, white coated most of the walls with accents of pale brown and a mix of white and brown wooden furniture.

"Bathroom is through that door." Oliver nodded his head, and Freya disappeared.

The bathroom was bigger than her room. She peeled the jacket off and shook her hair fully free before turning on the cold tap and splashing some water on her face before raking her fingers through her hair once more. She felt completely under prepared for this, and Kate's clothing choice didn't help her either. The lacy and black silk camisole was tucked into the tight jeans, neither of which was Freya's usual style. She would probably have preferred to just wear Oliver's shirt.

She exited and stopped as Oliver turned to face her, his t-shirt was off and a fresh one lay on the bed.. She was not expecting to find him half naked. Her mouth felt dry, and it flopped open like some sort of fish as she struggled to make words form. Though she had no idea what she could possibly say at this moment, that wouldn't make her sound like an i***t.

Oliver felt his temperature spike as he looked at her. Her red hair was wild in an extremely sexy way, and those clothes clung to every curve that her body had. He closed the gap between them in two strides. She felt his hand gently cup her neck at her jawline, and the impact of his lips reached right down to her toes. His kiss was hard and fast and filled with purpose and longing. He wanted her, and he wanted her to know it. Oliver's heart raced as her lips reciprocated his movements, his free hands wrapping around her waist. He felt as though he was on fire as her fingers brushed across his cheek, the trail leaving every nerve standing to attention.

Freya let out a small involuntary moan as he lightly caught her lip between his teeth. She felt breathlessly dizzy. She pressed herself into him, deepening the kiss, and suddenly understood why some of she wolves described kissing as like melting. In that moment, she felt like she was dissolving into him, and she didn't want it to stop. Oliver felt the pressure in the front of his jeans as she pushed into him, and his hand slid down her back to rest on that perfect rear of hers. He didn't want to break the kiss. He wanted to take it further but knew that his aunt and uncle would be waiting for them, so with one final peck, he pulled back.

"We should go." Freya said breathlessly before taking a step back, and just like that, he knew her guard was up. He had ruined the moment.

He nodded as he grabbed the clean shirt.

"Can I ask something?" She said, an edge to her voice.

"Of course, you can ask me anything. Always."

"Why do the Alpha and Luna have separate sleeping quarters?"

Oliver pursed his lips as he turned to look at her. She was casually resting on the edge of the dresser, looking up at him through her lashes.

"I guess I don't know. It's what's always been done, really."

She laughed, "But I don't understand, they're mates, and from what I hear of the mate bond, they spend a lot of time in bed."

"You've got me there, I don't really know, maybe so the Alpha doesn't disturb her if he comes home late, but that doesn't seem like a good enough reason to me. We can ask my aunt and uncle if you'd like?"

"No, it's fine, I was just curious. Why is the pack called Silver Springs?"

He smiled. This was a question he could answer easily, and he wouldn't admit it out loud, but he was happy she was asking about his pack.

"There's Springs that run all through the packlands, and these all run through a silver mine. The biggest silver mine in the North. Hence the name, it's literal. It's also one of the reasons this one or the strongest, if not the strongest, pack. The wolves born and bread here build up a bit of a natural tolerance to silver with it being in our water source. So we're slightly resistant to its effects. Not completely. If you use enough silver and give it enough time, it will take us down too, but it means we've had a monopoly on weapons. We mine the Silver and over the years developed a company that uses it to manufacture weapons of all kinds. Other packs buy from us, and we sell to the continent too."

"How do you know they won't just use the weapons against you?" She asked matter of factly prompting him once again to smile.

This is why we need to give her a job in the company. Gunnar interrupted smugly, proud that his instincts seemed to be right.

"We build kill switches into them. That way, they can't be used on us. But aside from that, we also employ a lot of wolves from other packs to work in the mines, we're one of the biggest employers. Can I ask you a question?"

She nodded.

"You don't think of the Red Mountain Pack as home?"

"No," she shook her head.

"What about the capital?"

"Nope, and before you ask, I don't think of the south as home either, I've never really had a home."

'Is that why you haven't tried to make friends and why you don't want a mate, because you don't feel like you have a home?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't really fit in anywhere, but I've never tried to either, nowhere really wants me, and nobody wants me, and that works just fine for me. I don't look back to the past, and I don't look to the future, I focus on today, and that's it."

"I want you," the words slipped out before Oliver could stop them.