To Blue's surprise, Eivind wasn't snatching him back, nor was he reacting violently to this new wolf, this Freyr, like he had to Alaric and Sieger when they had first met back in Lofgren's cabin. He couldn't be sure whether that was due to Eivind's growing confidence or his knowledge that Freyr wasn't much of a threat. The two wolves traded tense words and Blue's attention volleyed back and forth between them, soaking up their words like a dry sponge. Whomever this wolf was, he seemed to have an intimate knowledge about Eivind that Blue wasn't privy to, and he couldn't help but wonder about some of the things he referred to in his efforts to antagonize the couple. What was this about Eivind being the alpha? About running away? What was this nonsense about "claiming" him and fucking him? Was Blue not considered Eivind's true mate until Eivind had marked him with his scent? Wasn't their recognition enough?<br/><br/>After Freyr gave his unsolicited advice, Blue scoffed and turned his face away from the wolf, staring hard into the dirt as the red-head strolled away from them. "Good riddance," Blue hissed, his body tense and unsettled as he and Eivind stood next to one another. It was only when Eivind spoke to him that Blue's lingering ire subsided, and he shrugged his shoulders dismissively in response. "Just because he's a wolf that doesn't make him better than anyone else, including me," Blue said bluntly, unwilling to bow down and cower behind his mate just because some mouthy wolf wanted to talk shit. "I'm tired of being afraid of every wolf that gives me a sidelong glance." Despite his desire to cling to his stubbornness, he recognized the stark truth in Eivind's words, and knew that his advice came from a place of concern. Eivind wasn't angry at him for mouthing off, but it was apparent that he worried for Blue's safety. If Blue decided to run his mouth to the wrong wolf when Eivind wasn't around, there was nothing Blue could do to save himself. He was physically inferior to every single living being surrounding him, and no amount of verbal bravado was going to change that.<br/><br/>"I'll try to be more cognizant of my words next time," Blue said reluctantly, knowing that he didn't really have much choice if he wanted to stay alive.<br/><br/>The two casually began walking again, but Blue did not reach for the wolf's hand as he had originally intended before their uncomfortable encounter with Freyr. His mind was too preoccupied with the plethora of questions Freyr's words had inspired. After a few moments of silence, Blue cleared his throat and looked over to Eivind, watching the wolf's stern face as he spoke. "Freyr said some things I have questions about," Blue began, speaking deliberately as he didn't want to prod Eivind's temper, but he couldn't let the issues rest, either. "What was he talking about when he mentioned your father? And you being alpha? What happened? Were you supposed to be in charge of this pack? And what did he mean when he said that you should fuck me before the pack votes? Why would that matter?"<br/><br/>In the past, Blue asking direct questions had ended poorly due to Eivind's unwillingness to share information about himself or werewolf ways, but Blue hoped that habit of Eivind's was slowly changing, and he'd be more willing to be open and honest with Blue. Eivind had been understanding when Blue had stopped their first sexual encounter (after he had managed to get the wolf's attention, anyway), and he had seen that as a good sign that Eivind was coming around.<br/><br/>"You can be honest with me, Eivind. I need to know."