Underworld 94_Goddess Of The Underworld

Chapter 94 

 “I don’t have long,” Selene spoke again, her voice softer now, more distant. “I have a realm to care for. You know how that is?” 

 She chuckled lightly, the sound echoing like wind through crystal, ancient and knowing. “But before I go, I have a gift for you.”

 She extended her hand, fingers glowing with quiet starlight, and touched my chest just over my heart. I didn’t have time to ask what it was before the warmth bloomed inside me. It wasn’t like the fire of the tether, or the searing power of the Veil. This was something older. Gentler. Deeper. It sank into me like a forgotten memory

 ry returning, threading through my bones and blood, lighting up the space behind my ribs with a steady pulse. 1 gasped, but it wasn’t pain. It was…pletion. My memories, everything stolen, everything returned. She smiled again, a quiet reverence in her

 gaze.

 “I must go now, Evelina,” she said, stepping back with grace fit for the stars themselves. “Goddess of the Underworld. I’m sure we’ll meet again.

 “Wait!” I called out, reaching toward her just as she turned. “The children…” 

 She paused. I stepped forward, my voice cracking as I continued, “They’re good children. I know they are. I feel their souls. They don’t belong in this ce, in this in–between. Please, take them with you. Let them rest.” Selene’s face softened into something luminous. She opened her arms, and the children moved instantly. Hands still linked, souls still glowing. One by one, they folded into her light, wrapping their arms around each other and around her, like they had always known she was the one to guide them home. But the little boy at my side remained still. I looked down at him, frowning slightly. He didn’t move. Just looked up at me with calm, steady eyes. Selene looked back over her shoulder and smiled gently.

 “Elliot is a special case,” she said. “He is neither dead nor fully alive. His body is still locked in the original spell… much like yours will be.”

 I swallowed. “So where does he go?”

 She tilted her head, eyes sparkling like the first stars in twilight. “Wherever he likes.”

 2

 She winked, a final sh of mischief and grace, before turning back to the children gathered at her side. And then, without fanfare, without sound, they vanished, stepping through the veil. I let out a shaky breath, the absence of their presence as profound as their arrival had been. Beside me, Elliot squeezed my hand. I looked down again. He was still watching me, still smiling.

 “Well…” I crouched so we were eye level, brushing a hand through his soft curls. “Where do you want to go?” 

 He looked uncertain for a moment, his brows drawing together. 

 “Can I… can I stay with you?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t want to be alone.” 

 My heart melted. Fully, utterly melted.

 A

 *You heard the Moon Goddess,” I said with a smile, brushing a tear from his cheek. “Wherever you want.”

 He nodded once, small fingers tightening around mine, and just like that, he chose me. I rose, the weight of the moment settling across my shoulders like a crown. Not heavy. Just true. When I turned, Marcus was still on his knees, caught in Selene’s golden circle. But I didn’t look at him, not yet. Because behind him stood my mates. They were waiting for me. For us.

 Power crackled in the air around them, barely contained. Each of them stood like a god in his own right, armor torn, bloodied, glowing with the magic of the tether still echoing through our bond. But there was no rage in their faces now. Only wonder. Noah was the first to move. He stepped forward and dropped to one knee, lowering himself to Elliot’s eye level with a soft smile that melted the tension from the air.

 “Hey, buddy, I’m Noah,” he said gently. “You did a really good job saving the world there.” Elliot blinked, uncertain. “I hear you’reing home with us, yeah?” Noah asked, ruffling his hair.

 Elliot nodded shyly.

 “Im Levi, and you’re gonna love our fun room in hell,” Levi chimed in as he knelt beside his brother, his smirk crooked but kind.

 Elliot looked up at me, brows raised.

 I leaned in and whispered like we were sharing a secret, “It’s pretty cool.”

 That earned me a quiet giggle. Levi winked.

 1:07 PM P P

 Haiden crouched next, eyes glowing faintly with lingering embers. “Haiden, and we can add anything you like,” he said. “Books, stars, swords made ofva… I think you deserve it.”

 Elliot’s mouth parted slightly, as if the idea of having anything was entirely new.

 “Wee home, Elliot. I’m Xavier.” Xavier said, stepping forward. His smile was

 rm, open. “If you want it, it’s yours.”

 He opened his arms. Elliot hesitated for only a heartbeat beforeunching into them. Xavier caught him easily, lifting him with one strong arm and holding him like he’d always belonged there. Like this boy wasn’t just a soul from a spell, but ours now. Elliot tucked his head into Xavier’s shoulder. He looked content, safe, and loved. I let the moment hold, breathing it in like oxygen after drowning and then… I turned to Marcus. He knelt before me, still suspended in thest threads of Selene’s golden light. The fury in his eyes had burned out, scorched away by failure and silence. What remained wasn’t a monster. It wasn’t a god. It was a man. A scared, aging man with blood on his hands and nothing left to show for it. There was no rage in me. No need for vengeance. I nced at Elliot, who peeked up from Xavier’s arms, watching with wide, curious eyes.

 “What do you say, Elliot?” I asked, stepping forward, golden light rising around my feet. “Do you want to see our kingdom?” 

 His smile bloomed like sunlight.

 “Yes,” he whispered. “I want to see everything.” 

 I turned to the circle of family and friends who had stood with us through it all. “Thank you,” I said, my voice steady, but full of feeling. “Truly.

 We couldn’t have done this without you. Every soul standing here helped reshape the world tonight. And for that, I am forever grateful.”

 A hush settled over the group, reverent and warm.

 “A feast will be held at Red Moon Pack,” I continued, a small smile tugging at my lips, “to honor what we’ve built together and what we’ve lost. You’re all invited to celebrate this new world… one born not just from power, but from unity. From us.” 

 I looked down at Elliot, whose hand still held tightly to mine.

 “We’ll join you soon. But first…” My voice softened. “There’s someone I need to show our kingdom to. And after that… I’ll introduce him to his pack, to the rest of his family.”

 I met the eyes of my mates, one by one, each of them nodding in quiet understanding. Tommy and Dad stepped forward, taking Marcus from his knees. “We’ll put him in a cell for now.” Dad said, and I nodded.

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Underworld 94