Troubled Freya

Chapter Four - Wedding Surprise

✤ Ryder ✤

I looked around my room and sighed, of course, I would miss the room I had called my own since I was five.

“You do realize you are just going to be right next door, right? I mean, it’s not as if you are moving to another country or something,” Blade remarked as he stood in the doorway. I turned to face him and smiled.

“If I didn’t know any better, I would say that you are just jealous,” Blade scoffed at my light teasing and came into the room and grabbed a couple of my bags. He walked me all through the woods until we reached Dark Sky Pack.

“Well, brother, this is as far as I can go,” he said. I nodded and gave him a quick hug before watching him walk away. I knew I wasn’t going to be too far from my family and that was the only thing that gave me any comfort. Well, that and of course the fact that I was moving into my mates home. Freya is still a mystery to me but hopefully now that I will be living under the same roof as her, we will get closer and get to know each other better. I couldn’t wait. I picked up all my bags and headed towards the packhouse. I didn’t miss the curious glances the other wolves were giving me, but I didn’t want to stop and chat. I already felt awkward, the last thing I wanted to do was freak everyone else out with my nerves. I finally made it to the packhouse, and I pushed open the door and whistled. It was still as incredible as it was the first time, I had seen it. Polished dark wooden floors with cream painted walls. The décor was quite modern with a Victorian twist. Their pack colors of gold and dark blue were quite captivating and elegant.

“Ah! Ryder, I was wondering when you would arrive,” Arion said as he spotted me with my mouth hanging open.

“Yes, sorry,” I said, distracted by the authority of the Alpha, I bowed quickly with respect and then continued to look around me in awe.

“Come, let me show you where you’ll be staying,” he said, and I followed him down the hall. As he turned the corner, the large staircase came into view and I smiled. I had been wondering where the stairs were for the next floor. I followed Arion and he led me to my new bedroom. I wasn’t sure what to expect, would I be sharing with Freya? Would we be having separate bedrooms? I mean, yes, we are mates, but we haven’t mated nor marked each other as yet. I knew she had just turned eighteen and I wasn’t sure if she was ready for that, or if she was even a virgin. Not that it mattered. I mean, after all, I still am a virgin. “Ryder?” Arion called out my name, pulling me away from my rambling thoughts.

“Hmm? Yes, Alpha?”

“You are overthinking, I can tell,” he said with a smirk and I blushed, despite it all, I nodded.

“It’s true, my father always did tell me that I overthink things,” I mumbled out, embarrassed. 

“Relax, ok?” Arion patted me on my shoulder before he left me in the room alone. The room was simple but elegant. The same polished wooden floors and cream painted walls, the bed was a king-size and the bedding was a dark royal blue. Again, I got the vibe of modern with a Victorian twist. I liked it. I took my time unpacking my bags and I was almost done when I heard a knock at the door. Turning around I was pleasantly surprised to see Freya standing there.

“My love!” I rushed over to her, scooped her up in my arms and kissed her as if I hadn’t seen her in forever, although I had just seen her yesterday. When we pulled apart, I admired her flush pink cheeks and her sweet smile.

“Why didn’t you let me know you where here?” she asked me, and I shrugged.

“I wanted to get settled in and I wasn’t sure how you would react,”

“What do you mean? I am thrilled that you are here!” she said as she leaned up and kissed my cheek affectionately. “Do you need any help?”

“Nope,” I said popping the ‘p’. “Actually, I am almost done,” I said as I gestured over to the last bag I had to unpack.

“Alright, well, when you are done, why don’t you join us downstairs for some tea? Noah and Holly are here to discuss their wedding plans,” Freya explained, and I nodded thoughtfully.

“They don’t waste any time,” I remarked, causing Freya to blush again. “Not that we...um, I mean not that we need to rush into it as well,”

“Thank you, Ryder, I’ll see you downstairs,” with a chaste kiss and a small wave, I watched Freya leave my room. I couldn’t help but smile as I finished unpacking.

✤ ✤ ✤

I overheard their voices as I got closer to the sitting room.

“The only family I have left is my cousin, Cole,” Noah was saying, and I smiled thinking back to the last time I had seen Cole.

“How old is he now?” I asked as I walked in and joined Freya on the dark brown sofa.

“Twenty-four,” Noah replied, and I nodded as Freya snuggled up against me, much in the same way Holly was cuddled up to Noah.

“Anyway, we were just discussing the guests,” Holly explained as she leaned forward to grab her notebook. “Obviously both packs will attend and then Cole is the only outsider,” she added.

“When is he coming?” I asked.

“On the day, unfortunately, he cannot come earlier,” Noah said. The room filled with silence as we each got lost in our own thoughts, I glanced down at Freya to see her nibbling on her bottom lip.

“Everything ok?” I whisper asked her and she nodded before looking up at me. I quickly pressed my lips against her forehead. I wanted to know what she was thinking but I didn’t want to push her too much.

✤ Freya ✤

“Why are you nervous?” Holly asked me as I finished preparing the tray for tea.

“How did you know?” I questioned with a raised brow.

“Well, I’ve known you our whole lives and you never drink this much tea unless you are nervous, so spill it,” Holly placed her hand on her hip as she eyed me. I shrugged wanting to just forget about it but then again, another part of me just couldn’t push aside the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“My parents are hiding something from me,” I suddenly announced, I decided that I could at least talk to someone about my frustrations.

“And that makes you nervous?” she asked curiously.

“Of course, so many unanswered questions and it kills me that every time I bring it up both of them just dismiss it,” I poured the hot tea into the cups as I continued. “But they told me that today they will tell me everything, so yes, I am nervous,” I finished pouring the tea and carefully picked up the tray, heading back into the sitting room. Noah and Ryder were discussing some pack things and I slowly placed the tray on the coffee table.

“Thank you,” both Noah and Ryder showed their appreciation as they thanked me and reached for their cups.

“So, Holly, have you thought about a dress yet?” I asked as I wrapped my hands around my cup, slowly sipping on the milky tea.

“Sort of,” she said, and I nodded. The wedding would be held in the middle of winter and for that, Freya knew that Holly’s fantasy of a summer wedding was now out of the picture and that included the dress Holly had always dreamed about. Noah suddenly stood up and looked around awkwardly.

“Ah, I forgot, I ah…have something to do,” he leaned down and kissed Holly quickly before hurrying out of the room. Holly and I both stared at the door Noah had just exited.

“Um, I don’t think he wants to talk about dresses, and quite frankly, neither do I,” Ryder said with a teasing smile as he kissed me before also leaving. As soon as Holly and I were alone we burst out laughing at the silliness behind the whole dress talking thing.

“Omg,” Holly gasped out as we finally managed to stop. “That’s was too funny,”

“Ok, ok, ok but seriously, have you thought about a dress yet?” I asked again after a few minutes.

“I have actually,” Holly got up and sat down next to me as she took out her phone to show me the dress. “I saw this one online and I have a dress fitting in two days,” Holly said with excitement. I looked over the dress and smiled. It was pretty, no doubt but obviously a far cry from the one she had imagined when we were younger. “Anyway, and here is your dress,” she showed me the dress and I frowned.

“Does that mean, I will be going with you for this dress fitting?” I asked.

“Duh, not only because you have to support me but because you need to fit your dress, oh, I feel bad because I just assumed but would you be my maid of honor?” I leaned over and gave her a side hug as I laughed.

“Of course, I will,” I said.

“Good,” she breathed out a sigh of relief and I shook with laughter. Did she forget how many times we would talk and fantasize about our wedding day? I shrugged as I continued to look at the dress she had picked out.

“It’s cute, I like it,” I said. Holly beamed with happiness as she continued telling me all about her wedding plans.

✤ ✤ ✤

The time had come as I stood in front of my father's closed office door. I took a deep breath and knocked.

“Come in Freya,” my mother called out and I pushed open the door and closed it quickly behind me. turning to face my parents, I gave them a weak smile.

“Take a seat,” Arion said, and I hurried over to the sofa and joined Laura.

“We know you want answers and we said we’d give them to you,” my mother started.

“But,” Arion said as he looked at Laura and I moaned.

“Ah come on, what is stopping you now?” I asked frustrated with the situation. “I’ve been waiting and waiting and now you have a ‘but’,” I threw my hands up in the air as I glanced between them.

“Freya let me ask you something,” Laura said as she shifted to face me. “How long have you been best friends with Holly?” she asked, and I frowned. Was this a trick question?

“All my life, basically,” I responded.

“And how long have the two of you been dreaming about the day you get married? Finding you mate?”

“Probably since we were five or six,” I wasn’t sure where my mother was going with this as I answered.

“Exactly, you and Holly have been dreaming about this day since forever, do you really want to ruin her moment?” Laura questioned.

“What? Why would I ruin it?” I asked, confused.

“Because we know you and if we tell you now, you’ll get upset and probably get angry and who knows what else and right now, this isn’t about you, it's about Holly and if you truly care about her, about your friendship then you’ll wait just a bit longer for the answers you so desperately want,” she explained softly. I slowly nodded in understanding.

“Ok,” I stood up, ready to walk out when my father stopped me.

“We know how important Holly is to you, we know how happy both of you are right now,” he sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. “We just don’t want you to lose sight of what is important right now,”

“I get it, it's ok,” I said as I opened the door and left the office. They may not have told me anything but now I knew just how serious my past was. The story wasn’t just something simple or easy. Unintentionally my parents had revealed that my past story would upset me, make me angry and they were right. I wouldn’t want to ruin this time for Holly by being distracted by my own drama.

✤ ✤ ✤

The day had finally arrived, and I was beyond excited as I finished doing my hair and makeup. I got up from the dressing table and quickly went over to the dress hanging on my closet door. I wanted to get finished as quickly as possible so that I had time to help Holly. The dark ink blue A-line chiffon dress had long sleeves with a round neckline. I ran my fingers over the delicate lace bodice and followed the intricate patterns. It really is a beautiful dress. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and sashayed my hips as the floor-length dress made a soft swishing sound.

“Oh honey, you look beautiful,” I glanced over my shoulder to see Laura standing beside my bed. I smiled widely as I did a slow twirl.

“This dress is gorgeous,” I gushed out with excitement. My mother nodded as she came over to me. She was dressed in a steel grey floor-length chiffon dress, the shimmering beads elegantly shone around the scoop of the neckline. I loved the whole sheath cape that hung in such a delicate way and I smiled. She looked stunning. “You look amazing mom,” I said as I slipped on the satin lace stiletto heel boot pumps in the same dark ink blue as my dress.

“Thank you, come, Holly is waiting,” she said as I followed her out of my bedroom, down the hallway to a guest room where Holly was. Without knocking on the door, I pushed it open and giggled happily when I spotted Holly sitting on the bed in a silk robe.

“Are you ready?” I asked as I closed the door behind my mother.

“Omw, yes,” she stood up and went over to the dressing table. I sat down carefully on the bed as I watched my mother start doing her hair. “You look great Freya! I knew you would,” she complimented, and I smiled.

“Thanks,” Laura carefully curled her hair with a curling iron and then arranged the whole hairdo in an up style with soft tendrils cascading down, framing her gentle features. “Nicely done mom,” I said just as Holly’s mother, Juliette came in. She wore an A-line, V-neck asymmetrical chiffon dress with a matching wrap. The older she-wolf smiled as she gazed upon her daughter. Lulu, Holly’s sister soon followed. She was wearing the same dress as me.

“Oh, my darling,” Juliette said as she fussed over Holly. I giggled softly as I watched my mother swat her hands away.

“You’ll ruin it,” she snapped, and Juliette blushed before the two older she-wolves completed Holly’s makeup. It was time for the dress. All four of us helped Holly get into the very delicate dress. There is so much detail to this dress that it made my head spin. The mermaid floor-length dress with a court train was just breath-taking. The intricate lace brought such a soft feminine touch to the whole dress and I loved the fact that the long sleeves were lace as well. The V-neck wasn’t too low, and Holly’s cleavage was just enough to make any male pant and want to see more.

“Something new,” Juliette said as she moved around her daughter. The thin satin belt with three pearls completed the whole look. I fingered the fabric and loved how soft it felt.

“It’s charmeuse,” Lulu exclaimed. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” I nodded as I turned away to get Holly’s shoes. I didn’t care for dresses or material but honestly, Holly looked like an elegant princess. Lulu gave Holly something old and blue and then I helped Holly put on the lace stiletto heel boot pumps in white and once again admired the lace intricate design.

“You look like a princess,” I whispered as I finished tying up the last of the satin ribbon. Standing back, I just couldn’t help but join the others as we stared at her. “Truly…”

“Stunning,” my mother finished, and we giggled as Lulu handed Holly her boutique of white roses. The whole winter theme was truly magical as we headed downstairs.

✤ ✤ ✤

As I stood next to Holly and listened to her and Noah exchange their vows, I started dreaming of my wedding day. My eye caught Ryder and I blushed as I thought about how wonderful it must be to marry your mate. I glanced back over at Holly as Theodore announced them as husband and wife. The crowd cheered and I clapped excitedly. Holly and Noah kissed, and the crowd all got to their feet, clapping and cheering even louder than before. My legs were weak as I followed behind Holly as they made their way back down the aisle towards the hall where the reception would be held. I picked up on his scent and I turned to face him as I slipped my hand in his.

“You look amazing,” he whispered as he brushed his lips across mine. I breathed in deeply as I blushed at my mate.

“You look very handsome,” I told him as I took in his broad shoulders, he was all dressed up in a black suit with a dark ink blue shirt to match my dress.

“Why thank you,” he teased as we entered the hall. I looked around the room as wolves started finding places to sit. Suddenly a strong smell of apples hit me, and I frowned. Apples? I don’t remember Holly mentioning anything about apples. “Freya? Are you ok? You’ve gone pale,” Ryder was leaning close to me as he worriedly checked over me. I took a shaky step back as I breathed in deeply. The smell was quite overpowering, and it even tainted Ryder’s scent. I frantically looked around the room trying to find the source. My silver eyes finally landed and connected with a pair of dark green eyes and I held my breath.