《Goddess Of The Underworld》


 Underworld 1

    <h1 ss="text-2xl font-bold mb-4 ">Little Warrior.</h1>


    <strong>Envy</strong>


    Blood stters across my cheek as another head of a rogue wolf drops onto the damp grass. The warmth on my skin from it is a silent grace in the cool night air. I draw back my sword and spin quickly on my heels before the next pouncing wolfs teeth can snap shut over my shoulder. My sword runs smoothly from one side of its jaw, down the entire length of its dark grey, matted fur. It whimpers loudly before I swing over my shoulder and take its head too. Seven rogue bodiesy dead around me, their blood soaking the grass. I hear the pattering of movement and take another stance ready to attack but the wolf shifts mid stride towards me.


    ¡°Easy there, little warrior, it¡¯s just me.¡± Julian, one of the packs patrolling guards says as he approaches with his hands raised. ¡°You really did a number on them this time.¡± He says inspecting my handy work.


    ¡°Yeah, thanks for the help and all.¡± I grumble out, to which he justughs and ruffles my hair. ¡°You didn¡¯t need my help. Plus, I reckon this will be your year.¡±


    My year to turn eighteen and get my wolf is what he means. Since I was left on the pack border when I was a baby, no one is sure when my birthday is, and therefore, when I will get my wolf. The orphan status also meant that I¡¯m disposable. I was raised by the pack warriors. When I was little, they would take me on patrol so they could feed and watch me, asionally they would take me home to their mates but majority of the time I¡¯ve been raised on the front lines of our pack¡¯s borders. When they thought I was around twelve and had my first kill, Alpha Ruben started giving me a wage and put me on my own patrol shifts that worked around school hours. I¡¯ve never had much I needed to spend my money on, because I live at the packhouse with all the other members who don¡¯t yet own a home. Which means free food as well. All that¡¯s expected of you there is to clean up after yourself and take a shift in the kitchen asionally. I just happen to take almost every dinner shift that I can. It works well into my schedule. I wake up early for the morning patrol, then go to school, afternoon patrol, heading straight to the dinner shift and then off to bed, just to do it all over again.


    Thanks to the rogues, I was nowte for the dinner shift, but I¡¯m sure Jenny, one of the omegas that works dinner would easily have me covered.


    ¡°I can only pray that this is my year, Juls.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry kiddo, even without your wolf you¡¯ve always held your own better than those with one.¡±


    I sigh as I drag one of the rogue¡¯s bodies towards the bonfire where we burn them on this side of the border.


    ¡°Yeah, I know, but¡­I don¡¯t know. It would just be great to feel connected to someone.¡±


    Juls drops the body he¡¯s dragging and crosses his arms to re at me. ¡°You¡¯re connected to us, all of us. We will always be your family kiddo.¡±


    His eyes ze over, the tell tail sign that he¡¯s mind linking someone and I wait patiently for him to finish.


    ¡°Alpha wants to talk to you. He said not to worry about the dinner shift, Jenny has it covered.¡±


    ¡°Are you good with these?¡± I motion to the bodies.


    ¡°You know I am, go.¡± He shoos me away.


    Ten or so minutester I¡¯m outside of the Alpha¡¯s office, trying to wipe the blood from my face but I think all I¡¯m doing is smearing it around.


    ¡°Come in, Envy.¡± His voice carries through the thick wooden door.


    ¡°Alpha Marcus¡±, I greet with a bow.


    ¡°Julian said you encountered another rogue attack.¡± He motions for thefy chair across from his desk. I unsheathe the two long swords from my back and ce them across the desk before I sit. I make a point of only perching on the end of the seat. I¡¯m sure Luna Grace would be upset if I got blood on her fancy furniture.


    ¡°Seven of them.¡± I dead pan.


    ¡°You did well.¡±


    ¡°Thankyou, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Alpha Charles from the Red Moon pack across the border had heard about your skills. He would like me to extend an offer to you. A well-paid offer.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm, it¡¯s quite an honour if I¡¯m being honest. His daughter, Aleisha is around your age, she¡¯s mated to the packs future Beta, therefore she will be the Beta female when the timees, and he would like her to be trained appropriately.¡±


    ¡°She has not been trained?¡±


    ¡°She has, but apparently not to a standard he is happy with. He would like for you to train with her. I¡¯ll be taking you off the afternoon patrols and instead you will travel after school to the Red Moon to train with her, at least two hours every afternoon. Would that suit you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Alpha, that would indeed be an honour.¡±


    ¡°Perfect, I¡¯ll let Alpha Charles know you will be there tomorrow. Go and meet with Beta Felix in the garage, he has a surprise for you.¡±


    I leave the office with a strange feeling. I know I¡¯m a good fighter, I¡¯ve been training since before I could walk, but to be recognized for it? Well, that does something funny to my insides. Maybe this is what it feels like when your parents praise you. I find Beta Felix outside the garage, practically bouncing with excitement. He¡¯s probably the closest thing I have to a parent, after all he is the one who found me and convinced Alpha Marcus to allow the warriors to keep and raise me.


    ¡°Hello, little warrior!¡±


    ¡°Beta Felix. To what do I owe the pleasure?¡±


    ¡°You know that bike we¡¯ve been working on?¡± He grins, opening the adjoining door from the packhouse to the garage. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve finished it.¡±


    There in all its glory is the pet project Felix and I have been tinkering with for over a year now. We¡¯ve bought part by part and built it from the ground up, our very own, custom made CBR1000. ck as night, sleek as a fox, the speed like a bloody racehorse on crack. ¡°Wow. She¡¯s beautiful¡­¡± I run my hand down it¡¯s shiny exterior. This is the third one we¡¯ve built together. Felix has been teaching me to tinker with his bikes since I was little and eventually, we started building our own together. The first was a CBR600 that he taught me how to ride on, then a 1000, lime green and sexy as hell, that Felix imed as his own.


    ¡°You¡¯ve earnt this one.¡± He grins and chucks me the keys.


    ¡°No fucking way, really?¡±


    ¡°Really really. Go grab your gear and wipe your face. We¡¯re taking this baby out for a ride!¡±

 Underworld 2

    <h1 ss="text-2xl font-bold mb-4 ">Immature Assholes.</h1>


    Felix and I fly through the roads outside our packnds. His lime green bike stands out in the dark of the night, while my sleek ck blends right in. He had gotten microphones installed in our helmets, something that usually isn¡¯t necessary for wolves but that¡¯s just the thing, I didn¡¯t have mine yet and he¡¯d taught me to ride way before it was legal, obviously just around the pack.


    ¡°Take a left up here, I¡¯ll show you where to go tomorrow¡±. I follow his lead, and we wind through the roads with ease. It only takes twenty minutes before we¡¯re outside the front gates of the Red Moon pack.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have been granted ess tomorrow, take the road straight through the town, you won¡¯t miss their pack house, it¡¯s massive.¡±


    ¡°What, bigger than ours?¡±


    ¡°Much bigger. Alpha Charles has four sons along with his daughter.¡±


    ¡°Four? That seems a bit excessive. Which one will be the future alpha?¡±


    ¡°All of them, they¡¯re quadruplets.¡±


    Felix and I ride for another hour or so until it¡¯ste in the night before we head back. He gives me a good run down on the Red Moon and their infamous yboy future alphas. It¡¯s sad really, I¡¯ve always been adamant on waiting for my mate. Not all wolves are the same though, I just hope that my mate has the same morals as me.


    The next morning, I wake early, my small but adequate room in the pack house is aforting ce, but I keep it bare of any personal items. I like to sleep and get out. Sitting still for too long has never done me any good. The sun will rise in about an hour. Waking up this early gives me enough time to grab a small breakfast on my way out to the training fields. I¡¯ll do one hour of vigorous training under the cover of darkness before I go on my patrol shift. I enjoy my time with no one watching. No one to taunt me. Although a lot of the bullies have pulled back in thest few years as my kill count grows, it still doesn¡¯tpletely stop a lot of the people from school. The ones with families, status, wealth, the ones with their heads shoved too far up their own asses. I just choose to keep out of their way and keep my head down. I¡¯m almost finished myst cool downp of the field when the biggest ass hat of them all saunters out like he owns the ce. I guess he kind of does, considering he¡¯s the future alpha and all.


    ¡°Well well, look who it is.¡± Zion rudely steps in front of the path I¡¯m heading. I attempt to sidestep him, but because he has his wolf already, he¡¯s so much faster than I am. He throws out one of his legs at thest second and I trip, hitting the ground on my hands and knees in a sickening thud.


    ¡°You should really watch where you¡¯re going.¡± He snickers out above me.


    ¡°Yeah, thanks for the advice.¡± I grit through my teeth, and the bastard has the audacity to smirk. He holds out a hand as if to help me up, but I just ignore it.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t kill you to be a little grateful. Considering my family let you stay on ournds and all.¡±


    He¡¯s always had a problem with me. Says I¡¯m practically a rogue that his family took pity on. Like I could help that I was dropped on the border as a baby. I dust off my hands and grimace at my torn up and bleeding knees. I check my watch and notice it¡¯s about fifteen minutes until my shift, not like guards will be upset with me taking over early, I start to walk off, but Zion shoots out his hand and grabs my arm, hard. Yep, that¡¯ll bruiseter. ¡°Hey, you should fix that shit up before you go anywhere. Let me help.¡±


    ¡°Get lost, Zion.¡± I yank my arm back. He mumbles something I don¡¯t bother to listen as I reach my bag and start throwing on my tights over my gym shorts. I strap my sheaths to my thighs, waist and back and once I¡¯m sure my weapons are exactly where I need them to be I head off for patrol.


    Nothing interesting happened on patrol this morning. It just gave me a chance top around a few times for the cooldown I needed before school. School was always a fucking nightmare. It¡¯s impossible to ignore everyone there, but I do my best, having learnt all the assholes schedules to a T so I could avoid their routes in the halls. Thankfully I was taking advanced sses, so I didn¡¯t have a problem avoiding them inside the ssroom. I¡¯m in my secondst year at school, but technically I¡¯ll graduate this year, being so far ahead in my schooling. Alpha Marcus said it¡¯s my choice what I want to do after this year. I can continue through with my ¡®friends¡¯ or I can finish up. He¡¯s never taken notice of how a lot of the pack treats me, but I don¡¯t me him, he¡¯s got bigger things to worry about. I¡¯m striving to get so far ahead I only have to do half a year and then leave. I¡¯ve already been applying for medical school, online courses obviously, and our pack doctor Sharlene said I¡¯m more than wee to do my on-field training with her. I¡¯ve got more than enough saved so even if I don¡¯t get a schrship, I¡¯m doing it.


    I open my locker to grab my things for my first ss and right on cue, Cindy and her gaggle of twats get to their lockers beside mine. One encounter I can never seem to avoid.


    ¡°Oh my god, she stinks!¡±


    ¡°It must be an orphan thing.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, no one ever taught her how to shower, aww how sad.¡±


    Rolling my eyes I m the locker shut and barge through their group.


    ¡°Oh my god, e! Cindy has orphan germs!¡±


    I swear they¡¯re still give years old. But apparently having bleach blonde hair and fake tits qualifies you to be the next Luna and apparently a big ego and a loss of brain cells along with it.

 Underworld 3

    <h1 ss="text-2xl font-bold mb-4 ">Red Moon Pack.</h1>


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t let them talk to you like that, you know?¡± Theo, Felix¡¯s son and the future Beta saddles up alongside me. He¡¯s not horrible, but he certainly has never been pleasant either. I think he hates how much time Felix has given to me over the years.


    ¡°Your ss is in the other direction.¡± I deadpan.


    ¡°You know my sses now?¡± A sly smirk creeps along his lips.


    ¡°I know everyone¡¯s schedule, you¡¯re not special or anything. I just like to know where to avoid.¡±


    ¡°Well, you obviously didn¡¯t get the update. Zion and I are taking advanced this year. Alpha wants us ready to graduate if need be.¡±


    I huff out a breath. ¡°Oh, great.¡±


    We turn the corner for Advanced English and there leaning against the door is the smug bastard himself. Looking overly happy with himself as he pushes off the wall and gives Theo one of those ¡®bro¡¯ hugs.


    ¡°Did you inform the little warrior?¡± Zion asks as if I¡¯m not there.


    ¡°Nah, not yet. Thought you¡¯d want to do the honours.


    They both turn to me, and I do my best to burn a hole in the ssroom door that isn¡¯t opening fast enough. Zion steps directly in front of me and I roll my eyes dramatically as he crossed his arms to look down at me.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to tutor us.¡±


    ¡°Ah, no.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the future alpha, Envy. You kind of have to do whatever I tell you to.¡±


    ¡°See how you said ¡®future¡¯, meaning, not yet, meaning no I don¡¯t have to do anything you tell me to.¡±


    ¡°How about I inform my father then.¡±


    Another long eye roll and huge scoff leaves me before I stare directly up and into his eyes.


    ¡°Alpha Marcus will inform you that my schedule is full up. I have business outside of the pack every day now.¡±


    ¡°So when will you study then?¡±


    ¡°Late.¡±


    ¡°Great, we¡¯ll meet you at your room every day at te¡¯, then.¡±


    Infurious, bastard! Of course this would be the moment Mrs Parker, the English teacher chooses to arrive and the small group of us file inside. I make a point of going inst so I can choose the seat furthest away from everyone.


    The day drags on for what feels like forever, and it only cements the idea that if the rest of the year will be like this now, I¡¯m finishing this off in half a year.


    I run home for a quick shower and change into a new set of workout gear that I can wear under my riding leathers. I inspect myself in the mirror. I¡¯m not insecure, but it¡¯s my first time going to another pack and honestly, I do want to make a good impression. My long ck hair is braided down my back. My tanned skin is wless, and my greeny blue eyes stand out in contrast to it. I¡¯m not stick thin like the other females in our back. I haverge breasts, and a well toned ass thanks to all the training I do. My arms and legs pack a fair bit of muscle, not enough to make me look masculine, but I guess enough for those bitches to give me shit about it. I like the way I look, that¡¯s all that should matter, right? But something is tickling in the back of my mind. I¡¯m putting it down to nerves. I¡¯m just nervous about seeing a different pack. I hope they like me.


    <strong>Aleisha</strong>


    ¡°When¡¯s your new trainer get here, sis?¡± Xavier, my eldest brother plops down on the couch next to me. I check my phone and roll my eyes as Haiden; my second eldest brother leads yet another she-wolf through the house to his room.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t be too much longer. Why, you want to get some lessons yourself?¡± He scoffs, of course. He doesn¡¯t need lessons and truth me told I didn¡¯t think I did either but apparently being mated to my brother¡¯s best friend and future beta, Tommy, has made my father think otherwise. Sure, I wasn¡¯t trained like an alpha like they were, but I was still trained. I¡¯m sure I could hold my own if the time ever came to it.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be sticking around, no. I¡¯ve got some stuff to handle in town.¡±


    ¡°What about Noah and Levi, where are they?¡±


    ¡°Pretty sure they¡¯re out with their girlfriends.¡± I gag at the mention of Lucy and Sarah, the two she wolfs my dumb ass older, but younger brothers of the four, insist on calling their girlfriends. Xavier has never been a fan either. Unlike the rest of my brothers, Xavier hasn¡¯t fallen for the millions of she wolfs that throw themselves at him. He¡¯s always stood firm on waiting for his mate, but that doesn¡¯t stop the other brothers reputations from including him as well. Pretty sure the whole pack things they¡¯re all man whores. He stopped fighting the rumours long ago, saying that only his mate¡¯s opinion matters. Even though they¡¯ve all been waiting over seven years to find her. They assume being guads that they¡¯ll share, that¡¯s usually how it works with twins or triplets, but I guess we won¡¯t know until they find her, and Xavier is dead set on waiting.


    ¡°I got to get going anyway. Have fun with your training.¡±


    I get up off the couch when I hear the rumble of a motorbikeing down the drive. That¡¯s weird, I thought Dad said it was a girl. I get to the bottom of the steps outside when the bike pulls up and the first thing I notice is the dual swords that are dripping with blood strapped to the bikers back. They step off the bike and pull the helmet off. A long, thick, ck braid is my first indication that it is indeed a female. A badass female.


    ¡°Hey, you Aliesha?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s me.¡± I step forward with my hand out, but sheughs and shows her gloved hands. With all ck leather you wouldn¡¯t notice, but as I get closer, I smell blood, a lot of blood.


    ¡°I¡¯m Envy, and sorry, but I¡¯m filthy. Ran into some rogues on the way here.¡±


    ¡°Rogues? How many? Where? I should tell my brothers!¡±


    ¡°Eight or so, they¡¯re all dead though, don¡¯t worry.¡± She says so nonchntly.


    ¡°You took down eight rogues by yourself? With what, those swords?¡± I ask stunned.


    ¡°Yep, haven¡¯t got my wolf yet. Learnt to fight with these.¡± She grins wickedly and pulls the extremely sharp looking swords from her back.


    ¡°Oh wow, okay. Can you teach me how to do that?! That¡¯s so cool!¡±


    Sheughs, reallyughs. I guess I probably sound a little stupid gushing over her like that, but I¡¯ve never had the chance to even be in a proper fight, let alone kill a rogue, or eight!


    ¡°That¡¯s the n, I¡¯m pretty sure. You got somewhere we can train?¡±


    ¡°Yeah of course, let¡¯s go around the back, there¡¯s plenty of space there where we won¡¯t be disturbed.¡±

 Underworld 4

    <h1 ss="text-2xl font-bold mb-4 ">Scented.</h1>


    Envy is so fucking cool. Like don¡¯t get me wrong, she¡¯s a total hard ass to train with and she¡¯s gotten every single one of my muscles aching but as a person? She¡¯s awesome. The only people that really try to be my friend here are all fake. They want to be associated with my status or really, my brothers. All they care about is how they look, what they wear and if they could get a shot at being the next Luna. Envy though I¡¯ve learnt doesn¡¯t care about any of yhat. She¡¯s an orphan, a warrior trained from birth and she wants to eventually be a pack doctor so she can help people. She also has no friends so when I mentioned that we should just be best friends right off the bat, she jumped and squealed like it was the best thing in the world. We exchanged numbers and agreed we should hang out on the weekends as well when we¡¯re not training.


    ¡°I should really get going, I¡¯ve got a dinner shift to get to.¡± She says checking her watch.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have omegas to do that?¡±


    ¡°We do, I just enjoy cooking, plus it puts a few extra dors in my bank ount.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t cook a meal to save my life. You¡¯ll have to teach me that as well some day. Im sure Tommy would like that. Anyways, yeah I should probably go and get ready, we¡¯re hosting dinner with other packs every few days to try and find out next Luna.¡±


    <strong>Haiden</strong>


    I see, Tiffany or Stephanie, maybe it was Julie, fucked if I know, out the front door after a long and much needed romp fest. I never sleep with the same girl twice, I don¡¯t want them getting attached and thinking that I¡¯ll choose them to be my mate or anything. Not like Noah and Levi with those two bimbos that think they¡¯ve already sealed the deal after a year or so of being with them. I waited a few years after we turned eighteen for my mate but honestly, I¡¯m an Alpha male, I have needs and I know I should have kept waiting but I just didn¡¯t. Once the girl is in the car and her toxic perfume she was smothered in clears a bit I get a faint waft of the most intoxicating scent. Vani and blueberries¡­ My mate. That has to be my mate! I try to follow it, up and around the house, over the yard, but it gets lost the second that a string of cars pull into the driveway carrying a load of she wolf¡¯s from another pack. Fuck! Xavier¡¯s bike pulls in after them and while my mother and father greet the guests I pull him aside.


    <strong>Xavier.</strong>


    I was out by the border, sorting out a shift change that needed my attention when I caught the scent. Vani and blueberries, the sweetest fucking thing in the world had me tripping over my own feet to try and follow it. I followed the flow of the wind that carried it from the front gates, and from there I had jumped on my bike, helmet off and nose in the air. It was faint through the streets and I zigzagged this way and that until the line of cars from the visiting pack arrived and I decided to follow them back.


    ¡°Did you smell that, brother!?¡± Haiden shakes my arm.


    ¡°You caught it too!?¡±


    ¡°Yes! Our mate, she was here! I scented it right fucking here but then it was gone.¡±


    ¡°I caught it near the border and all through town.¡±


    ¡°Fuck, she¡¯s here, she¡¯s finally here! We need to go look for her! Link Noal and Levi, they can help.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s here, boys?¡± Our motheres up behind us.


    ¡°Her, Mum, our mate, we both scented her. She¡¯s here! We need to go look for her!¡±


    ¡°Did either of you two stop to think maybe she¡¯s here from the Crescent Pack?¡± Mum gestures to the guest that are being led inside.


    ¡°You shoulde and greet the guests, as Future Alpha¡¯s it is a responsibility anyway. Where are the other two?¡± She frowns. ¡°Call them and inform them I want them here, and NOT to bring those she wolves.¡±


    <strong>Noah</strong>


    Levi and I are settled in at a booth of the town¡¯s diner with the girls. It¡¯s not exactly where we want to be, usually we just fuck them and go about our day but little shit like this every now and then keeps them from wining so much so tonight we obliged and took them out. Levi and I get a shared mind link from Xavier.


    ¡°She¡¯s here.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s here?¡±


    ¡°Mate!?¡± Levi asks excitedly and Haiden chimes in too.


    ¡°Both Xavier and I scented her here in town. We haven¡¯t tracked her yet. We lost the scent.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯reing.¡± I tell them and Levi nods at me from across the table as we both get up.


    ¡°HEY! Where are you two going!? You said this was our night to choose something to do!¡± Lucy¡¯s squeaky voice berates me but I don¡¯t pay her any mind as I walk away. If my mates here, I¡¯ll find her.


    <strong>Levi</strong>


    I can¡¯t believe after seven years of waiting that our mate was finally here. Not only was she here but apparently she was gone too. I was mentally kicking myself, I¡¯m sure Noah was too because we were out with the girls we had missed the opportunity to pick up her scent. A scent that Xavier and Haiden tell us was the most eluting and delicious thing in the world.


    ¡°FUCK!¡± I kick the sofa in our private wing. ¡°How did she just slip through our fingers like that!? What if we¡¯ve lost her for good!?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll find here. She had to have been here for a reason.¡± Xavier, forever the peace maker states but even I can detect the uncertainty in his voice.


    Haidenes back into the room with a stack of paperwork.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Patrol shifts. Maybe we can ask whoever was on duty who came and went today.¡±


    ¡°That might be an issue.¡± Xavier runs a hand through his hair. ¡°The warriors on gate shift today were left unconscious after a group of rogues attacked.¡±


    ¡°And we had deliveries, guests, and multiple packs came and went from our hospital.¡± Noah adds.


    Being one of thergest packs with the best resources means that we allow other packs assistance regrly. Our mate could literally be anyone, from anywhere and havee here for any reason and there¡¯s no way for us to track her.


    ¡°FUCK!¡±

 Underworld 5

    <h1 ss="text-2xl font-bold mb-4 ">Study and Train.</h1>


    <strong>Envy</strong>


    I took the time to weave through the streets of Red Moon before I left. It was only an extra few minutes, but I just really wanted to see what the pack looked like. Aleisha was honestly so nice. A bit out of shape, but she has good potential and I¡¯m buzzing with energy right now because I think I just made my first ever friend around my own age. We¡¯d made ns for the weekend to hang out properly and I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯m going to have so much fun with this new job of training her.


    I zip in through my own packnds. Tris pack has been everything I¡¯ve ever needed, until today, until I realised there was more to life than just working hard and achieving goals. I park my new bike in the garage next to Felix¡¯s and slip in the side door. I don¡¯t have time to change before the dinner rush thanks to my little detour but that¡¯s okay.


    ¡°Hey girl, thank god you¡¯re here. Can you start on those vegetables?¡± Jenny greats me.


    ¡°Yeah of course.¡± I slip off my leather jacket and gloves, leaving the riding pants and boots with my camo crop top, and get to work busying myself. Dinner was as always, a sess, I know this due to theck of leftovers in the bain-maries. I¡¯m silently cursing myself for not putting a portion aside for myself before I took the food out. Checking the time, it¡¯s toote to be making anything else now, so I just grab a few gran bars and head upstairs. I can probably get in about an hour and a half of study before I need to sleep. I turn the hallway with half a gran shoved in my mouth when I stop dead. Right in front of my door and dingbat one and two.


    ¡°Ready to study?¡± Theo grins at me.


    ¡°I thought I said I wasn¡¯t going to help you two.¡±


    ¡°And I thought I said we would meet you herete.¡± Zion steps forward with a te of food. ¡°I figured you wouldn¡¯t have had a chance to get anything.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­nice?¡± I tilt my head in confusion.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get it twisted, little warrior. I just don¡¯t want you passing out on us.¡±


    I roll my eyes and dig my keys out of my leather pants. Putting the key in the door and pushing it open before walking inside. The two giants follow me in, not like I invited them, but here they are, standing in my now smaller looking room. Zion puts the te of food on my desk and takes a moment to look around.


    ¡°Where¡¯s all your stuff?¡±


    I point to one of the doors. ¡°Closet.¡±


    To my surprise the bastard goes and opens said closet. Not that I really care, I don¡¯t have anything to hide.


    ¡°There¡¯s literally nothing in here but some training gear and two sets of shoes.¡±


    ¡°And two hoodies.¡± I point out.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Theo pokes his head over Zions shoulder. ¡°Where¡¯s all your stuff?¡±


    I plop down at the desk and unwrap the food. There¡¯s no point in being high and mighty. I need food to train the way I do and keep up my stamina. ¡°That¡¯s all I need. Now did you want to study or not? I have a bit over an hour left allocated before I need to pass out.¡±


    They both settle on my queen sized bed like they own it. I have to stifle augh at how ridiculous they look on it. It went from being an average size to being tiny. It bes pretty evident after about twenty minutes that these two really do need help. I¡¯m not sure why Alpha Marcus decided it was a good idea to put them into advanced sses. The time they¡¯ve wasted in school has really caught up to them and I¡¯d honeslty wonder if they could even pass normal sses at this rate.


    Theo huffs out a breath and flops onto his back. ¡°How the fuck do you even keep up with all of this?¡±


    I shrug. ¡°It¡¯s important.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you do patrol shifts, dinner shifts, advanced sses, you build bikes with my Dad and now you¡¯re also going to and from Blood Moon?¡±


    Zion looks up from his book curiously. ¡°What are you doing at Blood Moon.¡±


    ¡°I thought you were the future alpha, shouldn¡¯t you already know everything?¡±


    ¡°I heard Dad say that she was asked to train the future beta female over there.¡±


    Zion cocks an eyebrow at me, ¡°You really that good?¡±


    I roll my eyes. ¡°You¡¯d know if you decided to watch instead of just trip me over and interupt my training every chance you got.¡±


    He mumbles something under his breath I don¡¯t catch, but apparently Theo¡¯s wolf hearing does because his eyebrows shoot up and almost off his face.


    ¡°We¡¯re not here to discuss me. Get back to the books or get out. I don¡¯t have time to muck around.¡±


    The following morning I almost trip going out my door. To my surprise theres a little red box on the floor directly outside. I wonder if it¡¯s a mistake, but I bring it inside anyway, undoing the bow and taking off the lid. It¡¯s a figureine of a motorbike, not just any motorbike, my motorbike. It¡¯s nice, but I don¡¯t know what to do with it, so I ce it on my desk, giving it a small smile before heading out to train. I nick a few more gran bars and fill up my water bottle, shoving them inside my bag before I run to the training feild out the back. Another surprise, although I¡¯m not sure it¡¯s a good one. Theo and Zion stand in the middle of the barely lit feild. Shirts off with just their gym shorts. I almost turn around to leave, as I really don¡¯t need to be spending any more time suffering around them but Zion must have scented me as he sticks his nose in the air before turning around.


    ¡°Little warrior. We¡¯vee to see these skills of yours.¡±


    ¡°You know you¡¯re really starting to invade my personal time.¡± I mumble out, setting my bag down and begining to stretch.


    He simply shrugs his shoulders and starts to copy my movements along with Theo who only looks half awake.

 Underworld 6

    <h1 ss="text-2xl font-bold mb-4 ">Milkshakes.</h1>


    The pair have been weirdly and annoyingly nice all day. They went as far as telling Cindy and her goons off this morning and hovered around the rest of the day until it was time to leave for Red Moon, to which they even tried to tag along but I managed to put my foot down enough for them to leave me alone. I had texted Aleisha and told her to meet me at a different spot today. On my way through the town yesterday I had noticed an amazing mountain face within theirnd, and I was on the spot determined we would climb that. Aleisha had her mate Tommy drop her off and once he was sure we would be fine he left.


    ¡°So, what are we learning today? Please tell me it¡¯s some of that bad ass knife stuff.¡±


    ¡°Nope, today girly, we¡¯re climbing that.¡± I point behind me to the step as fuck mountain.


    Aleishaughs, hard, doubling over to support herself on her knees. She wipes a stray tear and stops when she sees by dead serious face.


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right?¡±


    ¡°Not at all. It¡¯ll be fun!¡±


    ¡°This is your idea of¡­fun? How is this even learning anything? When am I going to have to scale a mountain to save someone¡¯s life?¡±


    I shrug. ¡°It¡¯s about endurance in your human form. You¡¯re not always going to be able to shift, you need to tone this form as much as your wolf¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Ughhhhhh. Okay, but we¡¯re getting milkshakes after this, okay?¡±


    ¡°Whatever you say. Come on.¡±


    The climb isn¡¯t horrible, not for me at least. Aleisha though, even with her wolf is sweating profusely.


    ¡°You know, you¡¯d think being an alpha¡¯s daughter he would have trained to a little better than this.¡± I yfully taunt her to encourage her to take thest few meters to the top.


    ¡°He trained me, he didn¡¯t torture me!¡±


    ¡°Come on, the view is great up here, you¡¯re going to miss the sunset!¡±


    She hauls ass for a little longer and I grab her hand when she¡¯s in reach to pull her up.


    ¡°Wow.¡±


    ¡°Nice, isn¡¯t it?¡± I pass her a bottle of water and we take a seat on the edge on the mountain.


    ¡°Hey, how is your bike already at the top?¡±


    ¡°I parked up here and made my way down to meet you as a warm up.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a ridiculous warm up.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, maybe.¡±


    ¡°And you brought a second helmet?¡± She grins.


    ¡°Yeah. I thought maybe you¡¯d want to take a ride?¡±


    She squeals and tackles me into the grass we¡¯re already sitting on. Shaking my shoulders like a crazydy. ¡°Oh my god, YES YES YES! My brothers would NEVER allow me on a bike!¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­uhh¡­is it maybe not a good idea then?¡±


    ¡°Pffft! This is the best idea! Ride me off into the sunset baby!¡±


    Iugh at her excitement and get up to grab the spare helmet.


    ¡°Come here, let me get this on you then. I don¡¯t have any spare leathers though, but it¡¯s not like I n on letting you fall off anyway.¡±


    Once I¡¯ve got her helmet fitted, I grab the leather pants I had stripped off early and shove them back on, changing my joggers for my boots and putting the jacket on Aliesha, just in case. I straddle the bike and hold out my hand so she can get herself on.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got microphones in the helmets so you can tell me if you want me to slow down or stop. Lean when I lean, hold on to me and when I brake put your hand here on the gas tank to stabilise yourself from sliding into me. Got it?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± She bounces in the seat and wraps her arms around me. The bike starts with a low rumble, and I hear her squeak a little through the mic.


    I take her around the town for a fewps and then she points me to the direction of a diner where we stop of milkshakes. Sitting outside at a cute little pic table to the side where we sip our shakes.


    ¡°Hey shouldn¡¯t you be back at your pack by now for dinner?¡± Aleisha asks me.


    ¡°Nah, not tonight, Jenny gave me the night off. You got to be back soon?¡±


    She lets out a long sigh. ¡°Probably. My mate and brothers will most likely send out an army.¡± Iugh and down the rest of my shake before throwing it in the trash.


    ¡°Alrighty then, lets get the princess home.¡±


    <strong>Xavier</strong>


    We had absolutely no luck finding our mate, despite searching allst night and again today. The guys were getting restless and hopeless again, so what did they do? They decided to burry themselves in pussy. Fucking idiots. At least Haiden had half smartened up. Since he caught her scent yesterday, he decided to stop all the bullshit with the she wolfs and wait for our mate again. Noah and Levi though? Fucking idiots. Since Mum and Dad had moved out of the pack house long ago to their own private home, dinner was left to us to organise and prepare. Obviously, I had just assigned some omegas to take care of that. We usually have our meals in our private dining all, while the rest of the pack that stay here is left to the first floor dining. So imagine my surprise when I enter our dining hall to find it empty. Food waiting on the table with no one present. I know where two of my brothers are, but Haiden, Tommy and my sister Aleisha? Where the hell are they. I send out a mind link to Haiden.


    ¡°Hey, where are you?¡±


    ¡°Bar.¡±


    I roll my eyes, of course he¡¯s getting drunk. Wallowing away in his sorrows.


    I link Tommy next.


    ¡°Where are you and my sister?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m out the front waiting for her to get home from training.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t that meant to end like half an hour ago?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she linked me and said they were stopping for shakes. Should be home soon though.¡±


    I frown at that. My sister knows how I feel about her going off course by herself. I¡¯m certainly not eating alone though, so I make my way downstairs to wait with Tommy so I can give her a mouthful. The distinct rumble of a bike sounds, and Tommy and I give each other a knowing look.


    ¡°She¡¯s on a bike?¡± I question.


    ¡°She better fucking not be.¡± Tommy bites out.

 Underworld 7

    <h1 ss="text-2xl font-bold mb-4 ">Rejection.</h1>


    The sexiest fucking bike rolls up the driveway, a sleek ck CBR1000, something I¡¯ve been dreaming about since getting my Ninja. My little sister is wearing a tight ck leather jacket, while the rider has on a tight white crop, ck leather pants, riding boots and gloves. They pull to a stop in front of us and the scent hits me immediately. Aleisha jumps off the bike with her hands up in surrender.


    ¡°Look, Xavier I¡¯m sor¡­¡± I walk straight past her to the rider behind the ck helmet and grab the bottom of it to turn her head to me.


    ¡°Mate.¡± I growl low. Her chest rises and falls dramatically like she¡¯s breathing hard.


    ¡°Mate?¡± I say again when she doesn¡¯t respond.


    <em>Mate is here!</em> I mind link all of my brothers at once.


    I reach under her helmet for the strap and slowly unbuckle it. She doesn¡¯t move, doesn¡¯t stop me, I¡¯m just about to pull it free to see my mates beautiful eyes, her face, who she is, when all three of my brother¡¯se running from inside.


    ¡°MATE¡±, I hear them as they rush forward to crowd us. She pulls her head back from my grasp and looks around at them and then back to me and over my shoulder where those bimbo¡¯s, Lucy and Sarah are now stumbling out of the house half dressed and freshly fucked. My mate looks at my younger brothers who are shirtless, hair a mess, slick with sweat and fuck me, Noah hasn¡¯t even done up his pants for christ sake. I watch as her whole body stiffens in response to the scene. Haiden must notice too because he stands in front of the still idling bike with his hands up, but he¡¯s swaying like he¡¯s about 5 whisky bottles deep. ¡°Mate, please¡­¡± He begs. She looks like she¡¯s hesitating and I¡¯m just about to grab for her so she can¡¯t take off when one of those bimbo¡¯s start screeching out in their fucking annoying tone. ¡°Noah! Baby! Who the fuck is she and what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Get over here, Levi. Come finish what we started.¡±


    My mate reaches over her shoulder and unsheathes a sword strapped to her back. She points the tip directly at Haiden¡¯s throat. ¡°Move.¡± Is all she says, and he gulps, hard and then practically stumbles out of the way. The bike revs and she takes off, hard and fast, leaving a storm of dust in her tracks.


    ¡°YOU FUCKING IDIOTS!¡± I turn on Noah first and punch him square in the jaw, then Levi, right in his throat. Haiden stumbles forward to intervene but a quick shove drops him all too easily in his state.


    ¡°Fuck man, I¡¯m sorry!¡± Noah cries out holding his face.


    Levi doesn¡¯t say a word, panting on the ground with real tears in his eyes.


    Haiden just curls into a ball on the gravel driveway and holds himself like a fucking baby.


    ¡°Get rid of those two, NOW!¡± I yell furiously, pointing at the two sluts crowding over my brothers.


    I look up to Aleisha who¡¯s cuddled under Tommy¡¯s arm. ¡°Give me that jacket.¡±


    She takes it off in a hurry and shoves it at me. Once my hands are around it I bring it to my nose and inhale deeply. Although it smells slightly of my sister, it¡¯s also drenched in my mate¡¯s scent. She must wear this a lot.


    ¡°Inside, my office, now.¡± I direct at my sister, and she nods and hurries off. I turn back to my brothers. ¡°Clean yourselves up and this fucking mess.¡± Before I stride off inside to get the answers I need. Who is my mate?


    <strong>Noah</strong>


    My jaw hurts like hell, but not as much as my heart. She smelt so beautiful, and she looked so freaking perfect, even though I didn¡¯t get to see her face, but I didn¡¯t need to see her face to tell me how hurt she must of felt just now. I was convinced she was gone forever when we couldn¡¯t find her so I called Lucy over to get out some frustrations. I never would have imagined that while I was balls deep I¡¯d get a mind link saying my mate was here. I didn¡¯t think twice before chucking on some pants and running outside. I can see now how fucking wrong it was¡­how badly I¡¯ve fucked up. What if she doesn¡¯t want me now? I mean she rode off like her ass was on fire, not that I can me her¡­


    <strong>Levi</strong>


    Once I can finally breath again I shove Sarah¡¯s filthy hands off my back.


    ¡°Leave.¡± I bark at her, but she lunges forward with her fucking fake nails, scratching at my bare chest as she tries to hold on to me.


    ¡°Baby, please! I love you! She doesn¡¯t love you, she doesn¡¯t deserve you! I¡¯m supposed to be your Luna!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re nothing! Get the fuck out of here!¡± I shove her, probably harder than needed and she falls on her ass, catching Lucy¡¯s attention who scowls at me.


    ¡°You guys promised us to would choose us!¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t promise shit. We said if we never found our mate that we would be with you. We¡¯ve found our mate so get. the. fuck. out!¡± I roar, loud enough for them to scatter off down the road. I look down at my older brother Haiden still curled up on the gravel and sigh before going to help him up with Noah.


    ¡°Come on man. We won¡¯t fix this lying down.¡±


    <strong>Haiden</strong>


    Drunk. I¡¯m so fucking drunk¡­and my mate, she smelt so pretty. The only reason I¡¯m allowing myself to be dragged inside right now is because I want to sniff that jacket I saw Xavier take. My mate rejected me, held a sword to my throat and told me to move. It was sexy as hell though. I¡¯ve never seen such a powerful woman before. Never would I take an order from anyone but my mate. She told me to move, so I did, but at the same time, it broke my fucking heart.

 Underworld 8

    Rogues


    Envy


    I know I¡¯m pushing the fucking limit on this bike, but right now, I need to get the hell out of dodge. I don¡¯t have my wolf yet, so I couldn¡¯t be sure if that was my mate when I pulled up to Aliesha¡¯s ce. He sure as hell was certain though and why would anyone lie about that? He was tall, dark and handsome. With muscles that went on for days and tattoo¡¯s that covered every exposed inch of his skin besides his face, oh and his face, a jaw line that would make the Gods jealous, a perfectly straight nose, green eyes that rival my own and a head full of shaggy ck hair that I¡¯m sure would feel soft under my hands. I was so happy, scared, excited, nervous¡­I was going to let him take my helmet off, and then the other three came out. They¡¯re definitely quads, because they were spitting fucking image of each other but clear style differences between them from their tattoos to their hairstyles, to their clothes, orck thereof. Two of them were barely dressed, one didn¡¯t even bother to do his pants up, and by the looks of the girls that came after them, they were clearly taken already. Thest one was¡­drunk. Definitely drunk but I can only assume that from all the things I¡¯ve heard about these quads, they were all whores. The one thing that I really couldn¡¯t stand for. No, the moon goddess wouldn¡¯t pair me with people with opposite values for mates. It can¡¯t be. There has to be a mistake of some kind.


    I can just make out the lights of Tris Pack, but something is wrong. There¡¯s too much activity for thiste at night. Everyone should be finishing dinner off at this hour. Rogues. I see now I¡¯m closer, not just a few, but maybe thirty of forty of them on the border line. The patrol iscking in efforts; they¡¯re pushing further back into packnd. I skid to a halt about twenty meters off the border and I already know the noise of the engine has caught the attention of some of the rogues. I barely get the chance to draw a sword before the first wolf is on me. I take a bite to the shoulder before I¡¯m able to bring the sword down on the back of his neck. Slicing through its spine with easy as its jaw loosens from my shoulder. I jump from the bike and take out my second sword, jumping straight into the fight to help my pack.


    Xavier.


    ¡°What¡¯s her name, Aleisha?¡±


    I ask barely inside of my office door where my sister and Tommy already sit.


    ¡°Envy.¡±


    ¡°Last name?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think she has one. She¡¯s an orphan, raised by the Tris Pack warriors.¡±


    ¡°So she has no family?¡±


    ¡°None.¡±


    ¡°Why wasn¡¯t she taken in by an orphanage or adopted?¡±


    11:43 am PP PP.


    Rogues


    ¡°They don¡¯t take in outsiders usually, but she was only a baby when they found her so they made an exception.¡±


    I mind link Dad to update him on the situation. He¡¯s just as eager as I am to find my mate, because once we have our have our next luna, he can finally retire and hand over the alpha to my brothers and I. I had informed him I want permission from Tris Pack to and retrieve my mate but after about ten minutes he links back that an omega had answered the phone as they were under attack. Not even thinking twice about it, I run for my bike. Almost knocking into my brothers on the way. Noah practically drops Haiden to


    catch up to me.


    ¡°Where are you going?!¡±


    ¡°Envy¡¯s pack is under attack.¡±


    ¡°Our mate¡¯s name is Envy?¡± He questions but I¡¯m already shoving my helmet on and racing down the road.


    We¡¯reing in the car, Levi links but it cuts out as I get further away, too far to mind link. I race out of our pack and towards our neighbours. I can¡¯t believe she¡¯s been this close all along.


    I smell the blood first, then I hear the howls of pain, then I see her bike, parked in the middle of the road. I pull up quickly beside hers, jump off, taking off my helmet. before I shift into myrge ck wolf, Maddox.


    Do you see her?! I ask my wolf frantically as we weave through rogues, taking down the ones that run in


    front of us.


    I smell mate. He heads in a different direction, further into the packnds. A group of ten rogues stand with their backs to us, on the other side of them I see her, in all her glory like a fucking goddess she wields two swords like an extension of herself. She takes them down easily, but she¡¯s only using defence. As I get closer, I see why, she¡¯s go two young pups behind her, probably woken from the noise and curiously wandered out. She keeps them behind her effortlessly as the rogues begin to circle her. Not letting any of them live to get behind her to the pups.


    Help her Maddox


    I give my wolf full control, and everything moves in slow motion as we start tearing them limb from limb. Maddox manages to get in front of the rogues so we¡¯re right beside our mate and even though she still wears her helmet I see the nod she gives us. She approves of our help, and I know Maddox¡¯s chest is puffed out just as much as mine from that. One roguees for our throat; at the same time, I see anothering from the side and I know this is going to hurt like a bitch. We bite down on the one in front of us, shaking its filthy body in our mouth until we hear the snap of its neck, and then I feel sparks, so many fucking sparks, it¡¯s the most amazing feeling running along the fur on our back and it takes me a second to realise it¡¯s our mate. She¡¯s rolled over on top of us and pounced on the second rogue, driving two swords directly down into its skull and without missing a beat she pulls them free, bloody coating her skin and she twists in front of us to attack another. She¡¯s a fucking bad ass. Maddox wants blood, he wants to impress our mate further, but we don¡¯t get a chance to as she flies around like a fucking ninja, decapitation thest of the rogues quicker than I can blink. When it¡¯s all over she kneels in front of the shaking pups, flipping


    11:43 am P ppp.


    Rogues


    her vizor up to talk to them.


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    11:43 am PP P

 Underworld 9

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    Mate Is Hurt.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your parents?¡± She asks them.


    ¡°They¡¯re¡­they¡¯re¡­¡± One of the pup¡¯s stutters, just as a warriores running from the border.


    ¡°What are you two doing out here?!¡± The older man pants out as he reaches the kids and scoops them up.


    ¡°We got scared, Daddy. We wanted to be with you.¡±


    He turns to my mate and thanks her profusely, they must know each other because she uses his name to


    address him.


    ¡°Thank you, little warrior.¡± He says before he takes the pups away.


    Maddox sits patiently, waiting for our mate to notice. She finally turns to us, and I get the first glimpse of her eyes. Green, with a hint of blue, beautiful, but also, tired?


    ¡°Hey big guy. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen you here before.¡± She runs her hand through the fur between our ears and those sparks flutter through me again.


    Mate is pretty!


    She is, absolutely perfect for us in every way.


    ¡°Reckon you could help me get to the hospital?¡± She asks us, leaning a little heavier now on our back. Maddox twists our head enough to look her over and I notice now that all that blood is not just rogues. She¡¯s hurt. She¡¯s got a bad bite to her shoulder, fucking close to her neck. I urge Maddox to shift so I can carry her but before he can even reply she¡¯s slumping over our back sideways.


    Move slowly, buddy. I don¡¯t want her falling off


    I would never drop mate


    Noah


    We pull the car up at the two bikes side by side in the middle of the road.


    ¡°Levi, go push them into the border¡±


    ¡°Why do I have to go?¡± He groans.


    ¡°Because I¡¯m driving, and he¡¯s drunk.¡± I point to the backseat where Haiden is sleeping off the whisky. Once he¡¯s got them off the road I drive up to the gate where it looks like absolute chaos has just erupted. I recognise Alpha Marcus straight away and pull up beside him.


    11:43 am


    Mate Is Hurt.


    ¡°Alpha Marcus, we heard you were having some trouble.¡±


    ¡°Future alpha Levi, thank you foring. I believe your brother just came through here.¡±


    ¡°Do you know where he is now?¡±


    ¡°He headed in town, from what one of my warriors told me, he helped saved a couple of our pups. I¡¯m in your debt for that. Anything you need, I¡¯ll be more than happy to repay the favour.¡±


    Levi grins as he approaches the car. ¡°Well actually, Alpha, there is something we want.¡±


    ¡°Oh? And what would that be?¡±


    ¡°Our luna¡± we say at the same time.


    ¡°Your luna is here? Who is she?¡±


    ¡°Envy.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­I should have guessed. That little warrior was always cut out for great things. Head into town that way¡± He points. ¡°Follow the trail of dead bodies and you should find her.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, alpha Marcus.¡±


    I park the car inside the gate, and we all get out, well besides Haiden who¡¯s still sleeping it off. He¡¯ll be fine there with the window down a little. The directions were indeed helpful, following the bodies I spot Maddox in the distance, but not just him, he¡¯s got someone on his back.


    Mate is hurt! Hawk tells me.


    Fuck! Levi and I sprint towards them and when we¡¯re close enough, Maddox stops moving andys down on his belly slowly.


    ¡°You did good, Maddox.¡± He nods back at me, and I carefully pick up our mate in my arms while Xavier


    shifts back.


    ¡°Hospital is this way.¡± Levies back after asking a warrior for help and chucking Xavier a pair of pants, As carefully as possible I carry her down the winding path until the hospitales into view. There were clearly a few people hurt tonight because there¡¯s nurses already waiting out the front with stretchers.


    ¡°Put her down here, please. Oh, god, Envy?!¡± She fusses over my mate as I let her down onto the stretcher.


    ¡°You know our mate?¡±


    ¡°Of course, she¡¯s my best student. Wait, mate?¡±


    11:43 am PP pp.


    Mate Is Hurt.


    ¡°Mate¡±, the three of us agree in sync.


    ¡°Well, what a lucky girl she is, but I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re still not going to be allowed in the room while we fix her up. Go ahead and getfy in the waiting room.¡± She shoos us in a direction and we all not willingly


    oblige.


    2


    I turn to Xavior in my seat. ¡°So, what was she like?¡±


    He lets out a huge sigh and tries to hide the smile but fails miserably. ¡°She¡¯s amazing. A real warrior, she¡¯s kind and so empathetic. She went off on her own against ten rogues to save two pups that has wandered out, and fuck, man, she moved like nothing I¡¯ve ever seen before.¡±


    She took on ten by herself?¡±


    ¡°I helped.¡± Maddox¡¯s deeper voicees through, and Xavier puffs his chest out. ¡°She even gave Maddox a pat afterwards.¡±


    Leviughs. ¡°He let her pat him? Fuck, she must be something special.¡±


    ¡°Mate can pet me any time she likes.¡± Maddox says in a husky and seductive tone followed through with a deep growl like purr.


    ¡°Xavier shakes his head like he¡¯s trying to control his wolf. ¡°Where¡¯s Haiden at?¡±


    ¡°Sleeping in the car near the border.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s probably for the best. Did you two happen to see Alpha Marcus when you came in? I need to ask him about taking our Luna home with us when she¡¯s better.¡±


    ¡°We did, actually and he wanted to thank you for helping out, said he owed us one.¡±


    Levi continues, ¡°so we told him we wanted our luna.¡±


    ¡°And he was okay with that?¡± Xavier questions and I shrug.


    ¡°He said he owed us one. That¡¯s one. Plus it¡¯s not like you can really keep an alpha from their luna.¡±


    Levi crosses his arms infront of his chest and smirks. ¡°Let alone, four alphas from their luna. He probably knows he couldn¡¯t fight it even if he wanted to.¡±


    ¡°Good. You two go and find where she stays and pack up her things.¡±


    ¡°Why do we have to go?!¡±


    ¡°Because, you two already fucked up with her to begin with. She wouldn¡¯t have ran if you didn¡¯te out with big signs on your foreheads saying ¡®I just gotid¡±.


    11:43 am P Ppp.


    Mate Is Hurt.


    ¡°Fine but you let us know the minute she wakes up.¡±


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    Goddess Of The Underworld.

 Underworld 10

    Escape.


    :??


    Levi


    As much as my wolf Flint and I both hate the idea of leaving Envy¡¯s side whilst she¡¯s hurt, I am also sort of excited to see where she stays. You can tell a lot about a person from their house, and Noah and I might just be able to gain an advantage against our brothers by being the ones to go and pack up her things. We head to the pack house in search of Alpha Marcus, he should be able to tell us where to go from there.


    ¡°What can I do for you, boys?¡± He greets us as we enter his office.


    ¡°We¡¯re just wondering where Envy stays here. We¡¯d like to pack up her things for her whilst she¡¯s in the hospital.¡±


    He frowns slightly but reaches into his desk drawer and pulls out a single key.


    ¡°Master key for the pack rooms. Second floor, right hall, and¡­¡± He flicks a few pages in a notebook and scans down it with his finger. ¡°It¡¯ll be room 34. Bring that back to me when you¡¯re done.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Alpha.¡± Noah and I reply in sync and head back to the door to leave.


    ¡°Oh and boys?¡± We both turn to look back at him. ¡°Good luck.¡±


    ¡°That was weird¡­¡±


    ¡°Right? Why would we need luck? She¡¯s our luna, she¡¯ll love us.¡± Noah puffs his chest out as we make our way to the second floor. We finally find the room marked ¡¯34¡¯ and I slip the key in.


    ¡°Future alphas, may I ask what you¡¯re doing here in our pack halls?¡±


    I turn around to find Marcus¡¯s son, future alpha Zion and his future beta, Theo stalking towards us. I remember them vaguely.


    ¡°Future alpha, Zion. A pleasure as always.¡± I smile and hold out my hand but he doesn¡¯t shake it, just scowls at my hand still on Envy¡¯s doorknob.


    Noah steps in, ¡°We¡¯re here to pack for our luna while she¡¯s in hospital getting stitched up.¡±


    His eyebrows rise. ¡°Your luna? Envy can¡¯t be your luna, she doesn¡¯t even have a wolf yet. She won¡¯t be able to recognise you.¡±


    I decide to ignore the fresh information about our luna not having a wolf. ¡°Ah but we can recognise her. You know how keen an alpha¡¯s nose is, and our wolves have confirmed.¡±


    ¡°Your father has also approved the transfer for her.¡± Noah adds in.


    11:44 am PP pp.


    Escape.


    ¡°All of you? You¡¯re all mated to her?¡±


    ¡°Yep, lucky girl, right?¡± I smirk but he scoffs.


    ¡°Yeah, if your reputation is as exceptional as I hear it is, she¡¯s so lucky.¡± The sarcasm is clear as day.


    ¡°Our reputation was ack of judgment that will be corrected now that we¡¯ve found our mate.¡± I deadpan


    back.


    He simple grunts and motions for his beta to follow him. Where they¡¯re going? Not my problem.


    ¡°Alrighty brother, ready to put some work in for our luna?¡± I beam and Noah and he nods with a sly grin.


    ¡°Go on then, open it already.¡±


    The room is¡­tiny. Fucking tiny, even our pack rooms are twice this size. She¡¯s got a small bed, a nket, a single pillow. A desk with a few schoolbooks and a pen and a motorbike figurine¡­ The small ensuite has no personal items other than a hairbrush, toothbrush and paste, a bottle of shampoo and conditioner and a bar of soap.


    ¡°Where¡¯s all the girly stuff? Girl are meant to like¡­stuff, aren¡¯t they?¡±


    Noah pulls his head out of a small closet in the room. ¡°I don¡¯t know man, this is weird, she¡¯s only got a handful of clothes and two pairs of shoes in here.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± I look over his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m going to call Aleisha and get her to order some stuff online. Our mate will like that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, tell her to get some of that lingerie too!¡±


    ¡°Oohh, yes, good idea!¡± We give each other a high five, cause yenno, we¡¯re definitely getting brownie points for buying stuff.


    Envy.


    The sterile smell hits me first, then the bright, harsh lights, then the pain in my shoulder.


    ¡°Ah, fuck.¡± I cuss out.


    ¡°Now now, no need to swear little warrior.¡± Sharlene¡¯s sweet but stern voice makes me smile.


    ¡°Oh hey, what¡¯s up? How¡¯s your night going?¡± I grin up at her.


    She crosses her arms and puts down the paperwork she was filling out on the bedside. ¡°My night would be better if my best student wasn¡¯t on my operating table less than half an hour ago and now transferring packs.¡±


    11:44 am Pppp.


    Escape.


    I frown. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere, Sharlene. What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Well, you might want to inform the three alphas that have been circling your door since you came in. Although I was pretty sure there was meant to be four of them.¡± She mutters out thest bit. I groan out as I sit up a bit straighter and take a look at her handy work.


    ¡°Thirty-seven stitches and a blood transfusion. You¡¯ll live, but you know the drill.¡± She hands me a bottle of antibiotics. I nod and bite my lip before lowering my voice. ¡°Are they still out there?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    ¡°Can I use the window?¡± I point behind me and she rolls her eyes. ¡°From a medical perspective, I would have to highly rmend you don¡¯t do that¡­but as your friend, well I may be able to go and talk to these alpha¡¯s for a few minutes before allowing them inside. Whatever happens in that time, I am not liable for. Got it?¡± She winks as I scramble out of the bed and start throwing on my clothes thaty on the chair beside me.


    ¡°I love you, Sharlene.¡±


    ¡°Yeah yeah.¡± She waves her hands around.


    Haiden


    I wake with a slight headache. I think between the nap and Talen¡¯s increased healing, I¡¯m pretty lucky to only be slightly pained right now. I stretch my legs and hit¡­a door? I squint my eyes in the dark.


    What the fuck are we doing in the back of a car?


    We followed mate, but your drunk ass passed out Talen grumbles at me.


    Oh shit! That¡¯s right! I leap for the door, and jump out only to be tackled straight onto my back with a brutal force.


    ¡°Ah fuck!¡± The sweetest fucking voice, the smell, the tingles. Fucking hell, this is my mate. I wrap my arms around her as she tries to get off me.


    ¡°Shhh, little mate, I¡¯ve got you.¡± I nuzzle into her neck and inhale deeply.


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    K

 Underworld 11

    Kelli Cooper


    3 days ago


    oh these guys are making me angry, and Alpha Marcus too, just didnt even bother to actually talk to Envy before ¡°surel you can take your mate¡±


    10


    1


    11:44 am P P P P


    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    Destined For Great Things.


    She pulls her head back just far enough to look down at me with her green and slightly blue eyes. Her face is one of a goddess and long ck hair. My hands have a mind of their own as they run through the back of her hair at her scalp and her face turns¡­angry?


    ¡°Get the fuck off me!¡± She shoves my chest hard, and my head hits the ground again. I move my hand back to circle her waist again, my legs tangling with hers. Mate is feisty, fuck yeah she is.


    Hey guys, any reason our mate just crash tackled into me? I link my brothers.


    Noah¡¯s replyes first. Are you still at the car?


    Then Levi¡¯s, Don¡¯t let her go


    Yep. No problem. She¡¯s so pretty


    Keep your dick in your pants. We¡¯reing Xavier¡¯s voicees through.


    ¡°Let me go you big bastard!¡± My mate thrashes around but I don¡¯t mind. She feels so good in my arms, on top of me. Talen lets out a low growl, like a purr before he speaks in his deep voice. ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere, love. You¡¯re mine now.¡±


    Xavier reaches us first. I smile up at him as hees to a stop.


    ¡°Hey brother, whatcha been up to?¡±


    My mate stops thrashing around and stiffens up before turning her head slightly to look at Xavier who¡¯s now kneeling beside her, brushing some hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ear. ¡°Hello little mate.¡± He says softly with all the awe in his eyes showing. ¡°I¡¯ve been looking for you.¡±


    ¡°I kind of have ces to be if you wouldn¡¯t mind telling this one to let me go.¡± She huffs out. The crunching of gravel tells me Noah and Levi are here now too.


    ¡°Let her up, Haiden.¡± Xavier tells me and I do, only to please my mate though. The second I let my hands. loosen slightly she pounces up like a bloody cat and I follow suit to see my brother¡¯s have already caged her in to a tight circle, but that doesn¡¯t seem to bother her. Despite a gnarly looking bite on her shoulder, she stands like she¡¯s ready to fight.


    ¡°Envy!¡± Alpha Marcus¡¯s deepmanding voice booms out.


    ¡°Alpha¡­¡± She lowers her hands as Noah and Levi part for him to step forward.


    ¡°I figured you would try to run or fight.¡± He sighs like this is a regr urrence. ¡°You¡¯re going with your Alpha¡¯s, Envy. They¡¯ve imed you as their Luna and their mate and you know full well that it would mean a war to deny an alpha their mate.¡±


    11:44 am PPPP


    Destined For Great Things.


    ¡°But Alpha Marcus¡­¡± He cuts her off with a single hand held up.


    ¡°Do you want our pack to be at war, Envy?¡±


    She drops her chin to her chest and mutters only loud enough for someone with a wolf to hear. ¡°No, sir.¡±


    ¡°Then you will go. You¡¯re destined for great things. I¡¯ve always known that. The moon goddess would not have mated you with four Alphas if that wasn¡¯t true.¡± He lifts her chin with his hand and when she sniffles, it breaks my heart all over again. He embraces her quickly, but that doesn¡¯t stop all four of our wolves from


    growling.


    ¡°My apologies, Alphas. Please, take good care of her.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Always.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll keep her safe.¡±


    ¡°With everything we have.¡±


    ¡°Shall we?¡± I motion to the still open back door with a smile that I hope conveys just how happy I am.


    ¡°If I¡¯m going anywhere. I¡¯m taking my bike.¡± She grumbles out.


    ¡°Great, I¡¯ve always wanted to be a back pack!¡±


    ¡°Um no, that¡¯s not what I mean!¡±


    Xavier steps forward, slowly and cautiously. ¡°It would make us all feel better to have one of us with you. It¡¯ste, you¡¯re injured and there¡¯s just been arge rogue attack.¡± She rolls her eyes and stomps her foot and it¡¯s the cutest fucking thing. ¡°You can choose out of the three of them¡± He points to myself, Noah and Levi. ¡°Because I don¡¯t trust any of them on my bike, and I can respect you wouldn¡¯t want one of them riding yours either, but I want one of them riding with you.¡±


    ¡°Fine!¡± She throws her hands in the air, clearly irritated, and looks at the three of us who have lined up and obviously puffing our chests out wanting our mate to pick us,


    I¡¯m Xavier, by the way. That¡¯s Haiden, Noah, and Levi.¡±


    She looks at Xavier. ¡°So you¡¯re the normal one.¡± Then she looks at me, ¡°you¡¯re the drunk.¡± Then two our two youngest brothers, ¡°and you two are the ones that were freshly fucked by your girlfriends.¡± Their faces drop instantly, ¡°I¡¯ll take the drunk. Come on, wobbles.¡± (4)


    ¡°Wobbles?¡± I grin and ask, rushing to her side as she mounts her bike.


    11:44 am PP PP.


    Destined For Great Things.


    Mate has given us a nickname, Talen¡¯s ego shoots through the roof.


    I¡¯ll take it. Just keep your nasty thoughts to yourself so I don¡¯t get a boner rubbing up her back on the way


    home.


    I make no promises. He grunts


    Envy passes me her helmet as I mount the bike behind her.


    ¡°No, you wear it. I want you safe.¡± She rolls her eyes but doesn¡¯t protest, so I guess that¡¯s a win. I feel only slightly demascualted acting as her backpack but hell, if it means I get to hold onto her like this, I¡¯ll ride this way everyday.


    ¡°You know there¡¯s handles on the side of the seat there, right?¡± She grumbles at me.


    ¡°Yeah, but I much prefer to hold onto you.¡±


    ¡°Better hold on tight then.¡± She smirks over her shoulder and throttles it. I think I may have even squealed because I can hear and feel herughing as she races through the streets at a seriously unhinged speed. Even Xavier is struggling to keep up and I know we¡¯ve all left the car in the dust way behind us now.


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    11:44 am P PPP.

 Underworld 12

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    Kidnapped.


    Envy


    I pull up to the Red Moon pack house, the streets are dark now with only a few streetlights illuminating the way here. Aliesha and her mate, Tommy are waiting out the front.


    ¡°Oh my god, girl, are you okay? I heard you were attacked!¡±


    ¡°Not really. Your brother held me down and then kidnapped me. It was pretty traumatic.¡±


    Sheughs as she hugs me.


    ¡°You actually attacked me, little mate. Pretty sure I might have a concussion.¡± Haiden rubs the back of his head mockingly. I roll my eyes, at the same time, Xavier¡¯s bike pulls in next to mine.


    ¡°We should get you fed, then you need to rest.¡± He says, trying to hold my hand but I pull away and stand closer to Aliesha, holding onto her arm in hopes for a saviour.


    ¡°Yeah, I hear you get three meals a day in prison.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t prison, luna.¡± Noah strides out of the bushes butt naked and I quickly avert my eyes.


    ¡°Where the fuck are your clothes.¡±


    ¡°We decided to run to keep up with the bikes, but dam, they¡¯re fast.¡± He pulls on a pair of shorts from behind a pir and that¡¯s when I see the big ck wolf stalking quietly behind him. I assume it¡¯s Levi. No¡­ I don¡¯t assume, I know. He gets down on his belly about five meters from me and very slowly crawls forward, ears and tail down, trying his best to seem approachable, but it looks obscene for an alpha wolf to


    be like this.


    ¡°What is he doing?¡± I ask Aleisha.


    It¡¯s not Aliesha who answers, but Xavier. ¡°Flint wants to be petted. He¡¯s jealous because I told them about how Maddox got one.¡±


    ¡°So, it was you, that helped me save those pups?¡±


    He nods. ¡°Well Maddox did most of it, but yes.¡±


    ¡°Then Maddox deserved a pat, and I¡¯m sorry, Flint, but I¡¯m not too fond of your human right now.¡± I cross my arms and watch as Flint whines and crawls closer. He¡¯s at my feet now and not giving up as he rolls onto his back and droops his tongue out, tilting his head and honing the biggest puppy dog eyes. I sigh and roll my eyes before getting down onto my knees.


    ¡°Fine, but just because Flint hasn¡¯t done anything wrong.¡± I rub my hand through the fur on his belly and


    11:44 am PP PP.


    Kidnapped.


    use my nails to give him a little scratch. I think he attempts to yelp in excitement, but ites out as a deep bark which just makes meugh.


    ¡°Fuck, that¡¯s embarrassing man.¡± Tommyughs along with Aliesha, which earns him a growl as Flint rolls back over to re at him. He raises his hands. ¡°Sorry, sorry. I get it. Totally.¡±


    ¡°Alright, enough y time. Luna needs to be fed.¡± Xavier states.


    ¡°It¡¯s Envy.¡±


    He gets right in my space but doesn¡¯t touch me. I can feel the warmth from his body radiating off him and it sends a shiver down my spine.


    ¡°It¡¯s luna. And luna, needs to eat.¡±


    I want to argue, about literally anything they have to say right now but Aleisha whispers in my ear. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t bother fighting them. I never win anything.¡±


    They lead me into a private wing and to a dining hall where staff are bringing out dishes from what looks like a bain-marie where they were being warmed. The guys seem to be nking me, Xavier in the front, Levi and Noah at my side and Haiden behind. It¡¯s irritating really. I don¡¯t need to be nked. I need space. Xavier pulls out a seat for me, in between himself and Haiden, while the other two sit beside them and Aleisha and Tommy sit across from us.


    ¡°Help¡±, I mouth to Aleisha, and she gives me an apologetic look and mouths back,¡±Sorry.¡± Everyone starts loading up their tes and when I don¡¯t bother to move a muscle, Haiden takes my te and loads it with mash potatoes, roast beef, a stack of vegetables, three dinner rolls and gravy before putting it back in front of me. The conversation around the table is normal and mundane, like they didn¡¯t just bring me here against my will and my brain is having a hard time processing the events. Then those two girlfriends m through the dining room doors.


    ¡°Oh my god!!! Are you okay baby?! I heard you had to go save some puny pack from rogues!¡± One of them squawks as she throws herself at Noah. The other plops herself down on Levi and all hell erupts. Xavier is mming his fists down on the table and yelling, Haiden is trying to hold him back from grabbing one of the girls. Tommy is running around the obscenelyrge table; Aleisha is screaming something¡­and that¡¯s my cue to leave. With everything going on, no one notices me slip out the door I saw the serverse through. I startle a few females that are tidying up a decent sized kitchen and apologise as I spot another two doors, one seemingly going inside, the other out, and you bet, I pick the one that goes out. It leads to a small pathway through some hedges and then the space opens up to arge garden. I don¡¯t know where I¡¯m going to, I just continue running along to stone pathway until I see a little cabine into view and a middle aged woman sitting on the deck outside who seems to have been watching me,


    ¡°Oh dear, you look like you¡¯re in a fiddle.¡± She stands and wraps the shawl around her shoulders a little tighter.


    ¡°Ah¡­ yeah. I guess so.¡±


    11:44 am PP p


    Kidnapped.


    ¡°Would you like a cup of tea?¡± She asks, offering me a seat beside her and there¡¯s something about her that just seems approachable, not to mention I don¡¯t really have anywhere else to be right now.


    ¡°Mmm, okay then.¡± I shrug and climb the little stairs.


    ¡°Charles, put on another pot of tea would you, honey? We have a guest.¡± She calls out inside and settles back into her chair.


    ¡°So dear. What is your name?¡±


    ¡°Envy.¡±


    ¡°Envy¡­¡± She repeats. ¡°I¡¯m Mildred, but please, call my Milly. My parents had awful taste in names.¡±


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    Visitor


    2 days ago


    She finds Momma.


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    B

 Underworld 13

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    High.


    Charleses out and sits down a pot of tea before taking a seat beside his mate.


    ¡°A pleasure to finally meet you, Envy. My sons have waited a long time for you.¡±


    ¡°Your sons?¡± I almost choke on the sip of tea. ¡°Alpha. You¡¯re the Red Moon alpha.¡±


    1


    He nods slowly, casually sipping on his own tea. ¡°For now, yes, but now that my sons have found their luna they will be ready for me to step down.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir, but with all respect, I don¡¯t think I can.¡±


    ¡°Is this because of the rumours about my sons?¡± Milly asks.


    ¡°They¡¯re not really rumours when I met two of them when they had barely pulled themselves out of some she wolves, who just so happened to throw themselves at them again this evening at the dinner table.¡± I mutter out. They both frown and then their eyes ze over, obviously mind linking each other and then Alpha Charles stands. ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me. I believe I need to have a word with my boys.¡±


    He leaves down the path I hade and then Milly turns slightly to reach behind her chair and pulls out a


    little wooden box.


    ¡°Okay dear. Time to rx while my mate fixes a few things.¡± She opens it and pulls out a blunt. A fucking


    blunt.


    ¡°Luna!¡± I gasp and sheughs, putting it to her lips and lighting the tip before taking a long draw and holding it out to me. ¡°Just Milly to you, or Mum if you¡¯refortable with calling me that yet.¡±


    I take the blunt from her hesitantly and sheughs. ¡°To deal with one Alpha and a whole pack, I¡¯ve learnt to rx in various methods. You have four Alphas to deal with. You¡¯ll need this.¡±


    I grin at her before putting it to my lips and inhaling. It¡¯s rough on my throat at first but after the third draw I start to feel a little better. I lean back in the chair and pass it back. Milly and I sit out here for God knows how long getting high. She tells me all about her sons and from what she tells me, they¡¯re all sweet boys, but Xavier seems to be the most my type. He¡¯s into bikes, a dam good shot with throwing knives, he¡¯s dedicated to his work and role in the pack. He spends time in around the pack members, helping train them, and, he¡¯s saved himself for his mate, for me. The younger two, she hates those she wolves and has always frowned upon whatever they have going on with them, but apparently, they¡¯ve only been with those two, from what she knows, and they wanted to have a chosen in line in case they never found their mate. Why they would choose them, I have no clue, and the second eldest, Haiden, apparently, he did wait, three years after they turned eighteen but he lost hope and often self-medicated in alcohol and she wolves to numb the pain. Milly assured me though that despite all their faults, they would be good mates to me. That they would treat me like a queen. After some time, Alpha Charles reappeared on the pathway, with his sons following closely behind. They stopped at the bottom of the porch and Alpha Charles cleared his throat.


    11:44 am P P P P


    High.


    ¡°Envy. My sons would like to apologise for this evening and the other days events.¡± He stepped aside and they one by one delivered their apologies and regrets. Milly giggled first, leaning into whisper in my ear. ¡°They¡¯re already little puppy dogs for you.¡± Which in turn made meugh.


    Xavier looks up and frowns slightly. ¡°Mum, did you get our mate high?¡±


    ¡°Oh, pish posh.¡± She waves her hands around. ¡°Her shoulder was clearly sore and then she had to deal with this mess as well.¡± She points at the younger two. ¡°I just helped her take the edge off.¡±


    Xavier grumbles a little and then takes the steps up the porch to kneel in front of me and assess my shoulder that was still exposed.


    ¡°I need to clean that before it gets infected. Will you¡­pleasee home, so I can take care of you, mate?¡± I look to Milly who¡¯s nodding her head rapidly and smiling like a schoolgirl.


    ¡°Okay.¡± I sigh and surprise him when I take his outstretched hand.


    ¡°Come and hang out with me anytime you like, Envy!¡± Milly waves from the porch as Alpha Charles


    nuzzles her into his side.


    ¡°Take care of her, boys.¡± He warns and they reply in sync with a ¡°yes Alpha!¡± as we make out way back along the path. Xavier doesn¡¯t let go of my hand, while Levi strides ahead, Noah behind and Haiden sheepishlyes to my other side, bumping his hand on the back of mine as we walk. His wolf whimpers loudly when I don¡¯t respond. I roll my eyes and take his hand, if only for Talen¡¯s sake. Haiden beams and holds our interlocked hands in front of him in awe. He ces a soft his on the back of my hand before lowering it. ¡°Thank you, love¡± He whispers.


    1


    When we reach the house, Levi stops in front of me and turns around.


    ¡°Luna, I do want to seriously apologize for tonight, and the other day, and every day I didn¡¯t wait for you. I¡¯ve been an idiot, and I am sorry. I will grovel for the rest of my life to prove to you just how sorry I am.¡±


    ¡°Mmm.¡± I hum out, not really trusting myself to say anything proper in response to him in this state.


    ¡°Me too, Luna.¡± Noahes from behind to stand next to his brother but gets down on both knees as he does. ¡°I would really like your forgiveness and to be given a chance to show you just how much you mean to me. I know I don¡¯t deserve it but I¡¯ll do whatever it takes.¡±


    Haiden goes to take his turn at apologising again, but I just hold my hand up to them. ¡°I¡¯d really like to go to bed, please.¡±


    ¡°Come on, little mate. Let me show you to your room.¡± Xavier shows me through the house with the others following close behind. He points out where a few things are but promises to give me a real tour tomorrow. When we get to a long hallway he starts to point to the doors. ¡°Levi¡¯s, Noah¡¯s, Haiden¡¯s, that¡¯s mine and obviously you¡¯re wee toe in there if you ever need anything.¡± And at the end of the hallway, he points to thest door. ¡°Your room, for now. Eventually we would all like this to be our room, but when


    11:44 am P P P P


    High.


    you¡¯re ready. No one has ever stayed in here. I¡¯ve made sure its always been kept just for our Luna.¡±


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    d to see Mom & Dad approve as well as discipline.


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 Underworld 14

    1


    11:44 am PPPP.


    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    New Surroundings.


    Inside the room is a giant bed, definitely custom built. The cream and brown coloured sheetspliment the room, following a theme of warm, earthy tones. Theres a floor to ceiling window behind the bed that shows a beautiful view of the woods with thick, dark green curtains. ¡°There¡¯s a closet over here.¡± Xavier shows me behind a wall where an overlyrge closet is that leads through to a bathroom, where you guessed it, the general theme of everything is being made for multiple people. The tub I could swim in, the shower I could throw a party in, the vanity lines an entire wall and there¡¯s even a bloody sauna. That I will be tryingter.


    ¡°We had Aleisha order you some clothes that should arrive tomorrow.¡± Noah pipes up as I walk around the


    space.


    ¡°Because we noticed you don¡¯t have many things. Not even a set of pyjamas.¡± Levi finishes. They do that a


    lot.


    ¡°You can wear some of my clothes tonight if you like.¡± Haiden tries to jump to my rescue.


    ¡°No, thank you. In case of an emergency, I don¡¯t want to be defending myself in something that barely


    covers my ass.¡±


    Xavier frowns as he steps forward. ¡°You won¡¯t be needing to defend yourself. We¡¯re your mates. We will keep you safe.¡±


    I roll my eyes. ¡°It¡¯s not just about me. It¡¯s about my pack, or¡­this pack. It¡¯s about the others that can¡¯t defend themselves. Those pups tonight? It¡¯s about them. You won¡¯t take that from me.¡±


    ¡°We just don¡¯t want to see you hurt.¡±


    ¡°And I don¡¯t want to see anyone else hurt.¡± I cross my arms and raise my chin.


    Haiden steps forward with a slight chuckle. ¡°Okay, okay, we¡¯ll shelf that conversation for another time. Can we please check that wound now?¡± He eyes my shoulder.


    ¡°I can do it myself if you can point me to a first aid kit.¡±


    ¡°Please¡­¡± He whispers softly. ¡°Talen and I will feel a lot better if you just let one of us make sure you¡¯re okay. Please,¡±


    I huff out a long breath before jumping to sit on the vanity. ¡°Okay. Go on then.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Xavier pulls out a medical kit from one of the many cupboards and passes it to Haiden who starts pulling out different creams and dressings.


    ¡°Can we leave the dressings off? I¡¯d like to have a shower first.¡±


    11:44 am P P P P


    New Surroundings.


    He smiles at me warmly. ¡°Of course. Better yet, how about a bath? That way you don¡¯t wash off the cream.¡±


    I shrug my response which pulls at my stiches and I wince slightly, earning four growls.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hurt yourself, little mate.¡± Maddox says.


    ¡°Sorry big guy.¡± I reply with a whole lot less sass than what I would if it was one of the guys saying it. Maddox has already proven himself to be very sweet, attentive and protective. With Maddox still clearly in control, Xavier leans his head forward and without even thinking I run my fingers through his shaggy ck


    hair and he lets out a rumbling sound like a purr that makes me giggle.


    I stop what I¡¯m doing when I realise Noah and Levi are arguing about what scent of bubbles to put in the bath they¡¯ve decided to run.


    ¡°What would you prefer, Luna? We¡¯ve got vani, blueberry, cherry, lime orvender.¡± Noah asks holding up a handful of bottles.


    ¡°That seems excessive. I don¡¯t know,vender?¡±


    ¡°Told you.¡± Levi mutters out snatching the purple bottle and dumping a heap into the running water.


    Haiden finishes applying the cream and once he and Xavier have inspected itpletely, they must deem is okay enough to back up and give me some space.


    ¡°You guys aren¡¯ting in with me if that¡¯s what you¡¯re waiting for.¡± I point to the bath where they¡¯re all hovering.


    ¡°Of course not. We¡¯ll give you some space.¡± Xavier ushers them out the door. Haiden is thest to leave but not before he turns with a yful smirk and takes off his shirt, sitting it on the counter.


    ¡°Just in case you want somethingfy to sleep in.¡± He winks and then leaves closing the door.


    After a long, really long soak in the tub I¡¯mpletely rxed. I can¡¯t remember thest time I had a bath. I think I would have been a baby, but dam, that is totally going on my daily to do list, and thevender really helped my muscles and to take the tension and worries away, I dry myself off with a huge white fluffy towel and then look down at my blood-soaked clothes I removed earlier. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m putting those on. I poke my head out of the bathroom and scan the empty shelves, walking back around to the room I realise I literally have no choice but to wear the shirt Haiden left behind.


    Cheeky bastard. He knew exactly what he was doing. I give up and go back, trading the towel for the shirt and nothing else. He could have at least left me some underwear. Well, I¡¯m not going anywhere like this, so I hop into the massive bed that feels like a cloud and grab the remote to the TV that¡¯s mounted on the wall. As soon as it turns on there¡¯s a soft knock on the door.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    11:45 am P P P P .


    New Surroundings.


    ¡°It¡¯s me. Uh, Levi.¡±


    ¡°I know it¡¯s you,e in.¡± I don¡¯t know how I know that, but I just did.


    He pokes his head around the door, spotting me in bed and thenes in fully with a tray in his hands.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t get to eat tonight. So, I brought you some stuff.¡± He sits the tray of food on the bed with a bottle of water and takes a step back.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I say just before my stomach growls from the scent of meat and gravy.


    ¡°Of course. If you need anything, I¡¯m just down the hall.¡±


    I nod and watch as he leaves with onest look over his shoulder. He can look sorry all he wants, but I


    don¡¯t think that¡¯s going to change how we met.


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    Amanda Lafleur Riviere


    1 days ago


    nothing will change how you met them. first you need to talk to the and actually listen to them. look at me giving advice to fictional characterd¡­ anyway¡­ More


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 Underworld 15

    11:45 am PP


    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    The Gym


    My internal body clock wakes me before the sun, and I¡¯m disoriented from therge cloud bed and thick curtains that block out any of the moonlight from the room. It takes me all of a minute to remember everything that happened yesterday, and I desperately need to work out to get rid of all of these emotions floating around in my head. As soon as my feet hit the floor I be very aware of the fact that I have no panties on and only an overlyrge shirt of Haiden¡¯s. I make my way to the bathroom to relieve myself and then decide I¡¯m going to try and find Aleisha¡¯s room to borrow some clothes, maybe even find my phone, wherever that went. Opening the door to the hallway I¡¯m surprised to see fourrge men sleeping on the floor outside. They¡¯re all crammed together as if they wanted to be as close as possible to the door,ying half on top of each other andpletely blocking my way through. I sigh and kneel down to the closest one. Noah. I shake off all the unwanted thoughts roaming around my head and ce my hand on his shoulder. His lips part with a long-contented sigh as he unconsciously wriggles his way closer as if he¡¯s chasing the warmth of my hand.


    I whisper, not wanting to wake everyone. ¡°Noah.¡± His eyes fly open, staring straight into my soul with those green orbs. He sits up abruptly, knocking Levi¡¯s head off his stomach to the floor with a thud, but he doesn¡¯t wake. ¡°Are you okay, little Luna? Did something happen? Are you hurt?¡± His eyes dart around for any lurking danger before they settle back on me with a tilt of his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay!¡± I whisper yell with my hands raised. ¡°I just wanted to get through to find my clothes.¡± I point to the pile of bodies blocking my exit.


    ¡°Oh, okay, yeah, of course.¡± He stands and starts moving his brothers to the side making a narrow path between them. He holds out his hand for me to take but I¡¯m not ready for that. The previous events are still way too fresh. After an awkward minute he drops his hand with a half understanding smile and starts walking in front of me. He rubs his eyes and yawns along the way.


    ¡°What time is it?¡±


    I shrug as I make my way to his side. ¡°Maybe four. That¡¯s usually when my body tells me to get up.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous.¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡± I only feel a little bad. They did bring him here without my consent after all. We stop out the front of Haiden¡¯s room before he gives me a sly smirk.


    ¡°He kept all of your stuff in his room.¡±


    I roll my eyes. ¡°Of course he did.¡±


    The room is big, not as big as the one I stayed in but still big. Its decorated in cks and navy blues and at the end of his bed I see a small bag with my things. I quickly grab out my training bra, shorts, a pair of panties and my joggers. With Noah still standing by the door and not wanting to wake the others going down the hall again I decide to just use the bathroom in here to change. It¡¯s simple, spacious, ck and white marble with a shower, toilet and sink. I strip off the shirt and leave it on the sink as I don¡¯t see a


    11:45 am PP PP.


    The Gym


    wash basket. When Ie back out Noah is still in the same spot, like he was trying to gain powers to look through walls. His eyes go wide and then the green in them dulls to almostpletely ck.


    ¡°You¡¯re beautiful.¡± Hawk¡¯s deeper voice says as he takes in my appearance.


    ¡°Uh, thanks.¡± I look down at my well used gym fit.


    Noah shakes his head slightly, as if he¡¯s trying to gain back control.


    ¡°Sorry. He¡¯s kind of obsessed.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s sweet.¡±


    His eyes flicker from green to ck and back again, clearly having an internal battle with his wolf so I quietly try to make my way past him.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± His hand shoots out to grab my arm and I swear I feel a slight tingle of electricity from the contact. Noah stares at the point where we connect for a long moment.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to train.¡± I gently remove my arm and start out the door. He follows, hot on my heels.


    ¡°Great, I¡¯ll join you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to, you should get some more rest.¡±


    He moves to my side with a long sigh he says, ¡°I would like to, if you¡¯ll let me, please. Hawk and I thought we would never find our mate, and now you¡¯re here and not just ours but my brothers too. Which means we¡¯re going to be fighting for your time as it is. I just¡­I¡¯d like the opportunity to spend some time with you, please.¡±


    From what I¡¯ve gathered in this short amount of time, Noah wears his heart on his sleeve. He¡¯s not afraid to tell me exactly how he¡¯s feeling or what he¡¯s thinking.


    ¡°Okay then.¡± I give in, because really, what¡¯s the point in fighting with an Alpha? They do what they want either way.


    ¡°Do you want to use the gym or the training grounds?¡±


    I remember Aleisha saying they had a full gym but I hadn¡¯t had the chance to see it yet as we had been training outside,


    ¡°The gym might be nice, it¡¯s a little cold this morning.¡±


    He closes the distance between us so his arm brushes along mine as we walk through the house. His wolf emits a serious amount of warmth, and I begin to wonder if they even need nkets when they sleep with how much heat he¡¯s giving off. He leads me down a set of wide stairs to a basement that opens up into a


    11:45 am P p pp.


    The Gym


    massive gym. It¡¯s got basically ever piece of equipment known the man.


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 Underworld 16

    11:45 am P P P P


    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    Pinky Promise


    ¡°Wow.¡±


    ¡°You like it?¡± He smiles and rocks back and forth on his feet.


    ¡°This is¡­wow.¡± I run my fingers along a few machines as I walk through the space. I spot a set of targets in the distance with an array of throwing knives set up on a table. I¡¯ll definitely be using thatter on. I find an open piece of floor and start stretching.


    ¡°So, you do this every day?¡± Noah questions as he stretches with me.


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    ¡°How long have you been training for?¡±


    ¡°Since before I can remember. Tris warriors found me when I was little and raised me. Mornings were


    always early, and we trained before we worked.¡±


    ¡°They had you out on patrol as a pup?¡±


    ¡°Yep, imagine a group of bulky, hardened wolves sharing around a baby sling. Then when I started to walk, they¡¯d strap a harness to me with a leash so I wouldn¡¯t run away. Eventually I just learnt to stick by their side. They taught me everything they knew.¡±


    Noahughs, it¡¯s a beautiful, deep chuckle. ¡°I¡¯d love to see photos of that.¡± We fall into afortable silence. I warm up on the treadmill and rowing machine with Noah right by my side working out himself. Eventually I move over to the bench lift and start stacking weights. Without a word he decides to spot me. Not that I need it, I know my limits but at the same time I guess it¡¯s nice to have someone care. My stitches pull with every move I make but I¡¯m not weak, I push through the pain using it to fuel my motivation. Even without a wolf, I¡¯ve always proven myself.


    Xavier


    I couldn¡¯t sleepst night, knowing that my mate was so close yet so far away, Maddox was hounding at me to go and check on her and I wanted too as well. I poked my head in for a moment, just to see that she was sleeping,fortable in the huge bed that will eventually be ours, I wanted to sleep next to her, Maddox wanted it badly as well, but I had to talk him down, exining that she wasn¡¯t ready for it. By the time I closed her door my brothers were in the hallway looking just as torn. It was clear our wolves were having a hard time keeping their distance, so we all sat outside her doorway where that delicious scent soothed us to sleep. I roll over with a groan as my back internally screams at me from the hard floors. Opening my eyes I spot Haiden and Levi still snoring close by but Noah¡¯s not here. I get up to check his room but it¡¯s empty, his bed still made from the previous day. I knock softly on Envy¡¯s door and when there¡¯s no answer I open it slowly, expecting to see her still asleep but she¡¯s not. She¡¯s not there.


    Where is mate?! Maddox panics.


    11:45 am PP pp.


    Pinky Promise


    I don¡¯t know!


    I shove my two brothers.


    ¡°Wake up, Envy is gone!¡± They both shoot up like rockets, staring at me with wide eyes. Haiden pushes past me to her room and double checks she¡¯s not in the bathroom.


    ¡°Where is she?!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! Gone!¡± We all start running through the house searching rooms and then I remember Noah


    was gone too.


    Where are you?! I mindlink him, leaving it open like always so my other brothers can listen in as well.


    In the gym with our mate. He says like he has his chest puffed out in pride.


    I switch directions heading for the basement, Haiden ising out from another hallway almost knocks me on my ass as we collide and Levi darts around us to hit the stairs first. We all take the stairs three at a time as we rush down, needing to see her for ourselves. When we get there her vani and blueberry scent hits my nostrils and instantly calms Maddox and myself. There at the other end of the gym I spot Noah sitting cross legged on the ground with the biggest smile on his face as he watches our girl on the targets. We make our way over, much more slowly now as I watch her throw knife after knife at the targets, not one hitting off the bullseye.


    She¡¯s fucking good, Noah links us as if not to disturb her concentration.


    Are those shorts even legal? Levi questions with a tilt of his head, eyeing her peachy little ass.


    *If they¡¯re not then send me to jail, because I¡¯m buying her one of every fucking colour. * Haiden jokes.


    ¡°Good morning, luna.¡± I greet as she spins around so fucking fast with a knife held in aim. I quickly raise my hands in surrender, and she lowers the knife.


    ¡°Sorry. I was in the zone, you scared me.¡±


    ¡°I can see that.¡± I nod to the targets. ¡°You do well with a knife.¡±


    ¡°You should see what I can do with a sword or two.¡±


    I smirk at the memory of my bad ass bad mate ughtering rogues like they were nothing. I already know the perfect gift for her. Having bought a set of new top of the range swordsst night online.


    ¡°We should get you some breakfast,¡±


    She checks the clock on the wall before answering. ¡°No time. I¡¯ve got school in forty minutes, and it¡¯ll take a little over half that to get back to Tris.¡±


    11:45 am PP pp.


    Pinky Promise


    I frown and look around at my brothers doing the same.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to school. You¡¯re our Luna now, your ce is here with us.¡±


    It¡¯s her turn to frown and she crosses her arms but the sight of her angry only makes her look cuter.


    4


    ¡°I¡¯ve worked very hard on my schooling. I¡¯m already a year in advance and just about six months from graduating and bing a pack doctor. I have ns and you¡¯re not going to take that away from me, any


    of you.¡±


    I open my mouth to argue but Levi steps forward. ¡°If you really wish to graduate then I can have your work transferred here. You can study in the pack house, graduate and move on to pack doctor here, if that is what you wish.¡±


    She lets out a long sigh and steps forward to him. His shoulders straighten as he looks down at our mate and with his shoulder length ck hair still out from this morning, I¡¯m sure he looks every bit intimidating from that angle, but our girl doesn¡¯t falter. She looks up at him with a face of stone.


    ¡°Promise?¡± She holds out her pinky and there¡¯s no hesitation on his part as he wraps his giant pinky around her tiny one and stamps it with his thumb.


    ¡°I promise.¡± She takes a step back and nods to herself. ¡°Okay, breakfast, but I need a shower first.¡± Levi grins over her shoulder at us as if to say ¡°look what I did¡± and I give him a pat on the back as he passes me to follow our girl.


    Chapter Comments


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 Underworld 17

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    A Crown.


    Envy


    C


    I find my way back through the house well enough, with the guys right behind me, of course. I only messed up once when I opened a linen closet, thinking it was a hallway. Haiden had made a joke about being more than happy to follow me in. Once I finally found the right door to the hallway I realised my clothes were still in Haiden¡¯s room so I went to go in there which only made him happier.


    ¡°You want to use my shower, love?¡± He winks.


    I roll my eyes. ¡°I¡¯d like to get my clothes you stole, actually.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t be needing those actually.¡± Noah says standing in front of my open door. Not sure when I decided it was mine, but yeah. He stands there to the


    side drawing my attention to the numerous bags that line the floor of the bedroom.


    ¡°What is that?¡± I point.


    ¡°Clothes, for you. Levi and I thought you might like some things¡­¡± He looks suddenly nervous. ¡°Of course if you don¡¯t like them, we can return them.¡±


    I slowly take my hand off Haiden¡¯s door and walk towards Noah. Peering inside the room I see it¡¯s a lot of bags.


    ¡°You know I only have one body, right?¡±


    ¡°Oh, trust me. I am very aware of your body.¡± He says under his breath and I¡¯m going to choose to ignore thatment for now, I reach down for a bag and wince at the pull in my shoulder from the workout. I hear four sharp intakes of breath before I feel the telltale sign of a ripped stitch.


    ¡°I smell your blood, my luna.¡± Hawk, Noah¡¯s wolf sniffs hard over my shoulder.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a little rip. It¡¯ll be fine. I can patch it back up.¡±


    A series of low growls sound out and I¡¯m starting to think these wolves might be even clingier than the


    guys,


    Levi steps closer but I can see through his eyes it¡¯s not him. It¡¯s flint. He slowly reaches for my top and pulls it down from the cor, Growling at the sight of the smallest amount of trickling blood. ¡°You will let me fix this, doll.¡±


    ¡°Ahh, I¡¯m not sure wolves are great doctors.¡±


    ¡°My human is a trained doctor. He will fix this.¡±


    11:45 am P P P P


    A Crown.


    My eyes widen. Levi never said anything about being a doctor, but I guess it would make sense that he was the one to readily ept my need toplete my


    schooling for it.


    ¡°Oh, okay then.¡±


    ¡°Take this off.¡± Flint tugs at my shirt and I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯m sporting a full blush now.


    ¡°Ummm, how about I just change it for a different shirt. Something more essible that still covers¡­me.¡±


    Levi¡¯s eyes turn back to their usual green and he runs a hand through his long ck hair.


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡± He mumbles. ¡°He¡¯d just wants you fixed up sooner rather thanter.¡±


    He pulls his shirt off, exposing some delicious muscles and an array of ck tattoo¡¯s that I couldn¡¯t see before and hands it to me. ¡°It¡¯s loose enough


    to be able to get to the wound.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I blush as I make my way through the wardrobe the bathroom the change.


    When I return to the room, they¡¯re all lounging on the bed, while Levi sits patiently on the end with a medical kit. He taps the bed for me to sit next to


    him and then gently tugs the cor to the side, so my neck and shoulder are exposed. ¡°This is going to sting.¡± He says holding a needle and


    thread.¡±


    I nod and breathe deeply. I¡¯ve had my fair share of stitches being on the field without a wolf to heal me, so I¡¯m more than used to the feeling.


    ¡°You studied to be a doctor?¡±


    ¡®I did.¡± He doesn¡¯t look up as he stitches my skin back together. ¡°We weren¡¯t sure if we would share a mate or not, and if we didn¡¯t, then the role of


    Alpha would automatically go to the eldest.¡± He rolls his eyes.


    ¡°But you¡¯re all quads, how does that even work?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the eldest by three minutes.¡± Xavier prides himself and the others scoff,


    ¡°Anyway, the rest of us nned for things in case we didn¡¯t be Alpha with him. I chose to study to


    be a doctor.¡±


    11:45 am P P P P


    A Crown.


    ¡°What about the rest of you?¡± I look at Haiden and Noah.


    ¡°I would have be the next beta, overruling Tommy.¡± Haiden says.


    ¡°I would have taken care of the orphanage.¡± Noah shrugs like it¡¯s no big deal.


    ¡°Why the orphanage?¡± I be interested.


    ¡°Because someone should always care for the pups. Especially those who¡¯ve lost everything before life has


    even started.¡±


    ¡°Thats¡­¡± I stumble on my words as a sob threatens to escape. Levi finishes up the stitches, applying a bandage and warning me off any further training until


    they¡¯re healed properly.


    ¡°Mum and Dad areing for lunch today. They want to discuss what happens now that we¡¯ve found our Luna.¡± Xavier exins.


    ¡°Wha-What happens now? What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Well, we need to crown that pretty little head of yours, love.¡± Haiden ruffles my hair and I swat his hand


    away.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want a crown!¡± I squeak out, getting a series ofughs from the guys.


    ¡°Not an actual crown. Well not unless you want one.¡± Haiden says through hisughter.


    ¡°No crowns, please!¡±


    Xavier grabs my hands that were raised like I was about to me shot and rubs circles on my palms that oddly sooths me. ¡°There will be a Luna ceremony, that will first need to be blessed by the Alpha Kings.¡±


    ¡°The Kings?!¡± I feel like a fucking parrot, but I can¡¯t seem to sort out the inner turmoil at the prospect of having to meet and be blessed by Kings and a ceremony and then what? I run a whole fucking pack.


    T¡­uhh¡­hold up. I need to sit down.¡±


    ¡°Little Mate¡­you are sitting down.¡± Xavier looks at me worriedly.


    ¡°Oh, right, yep, yeah, sure.¡± I mutter out dropping my head into my hands to stop the threatening dizziness from overtaking me.


    11:45 am P PPP.

 Underworld 18

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    Little Sparks.


    4


    ¡°Okay, woah. I can feel all of those cogs in your brain spiralling, little one.¡± Xavier kneels before me, taking my hands in his.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even have my wolf yet.¡± I murmur. ¡°I don¡¯t feel the mate bond. I can¡¯t shift. I¡¯m just some orphan no one wanted. I can¡¯t do all of this.¡±


    ¡°You will get your wolf. Maddox can feel her, she¡¯s just sleeping, and we can feel the mate bond, it¡¯s there, but even without it, you¡¯lle to like us, then hopefully love us, and we want you, we¡¯re going to be here every step of the way, okay? No more being alone, we¡¯ve got you.¡± He says so sincerely, marking every problem and checking them off on his mental list of things to do.


    ¡°Why me?¡± I sniffle, trying to contain the tears that threaten to escape me.


    ¡°Because the Moon Goddess decided you¡¯re the other half of our souls. You¡¯re perfect for us. You¡¯ll see.¡± The others are nodding behind him in confirmation.


    ¡°How about we see if Aleisha wille help you get ready for the day?¡± Levi asks, seemingly always knowing what I need.


    ¡°That would be nice.¡± I offer him a half confident smile.


    The bedroom door bursts open only a few minutester and Aleisha rests her hands on her knees huffing out her erratic breathing.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?! What do you four do to her?!¡±


    They all growl in response but she doesn¡¯t back down, instead shees to sit beside me, almost shoving


    Xavier onto his ass.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t do anything.¡± He growls.


    ¡°We just thought you¡¯d like to help her get ready for lunch with Mum and Dad today.¡± Levi states and Aleisha instantly stops worrying.


    ¡°Eeeeep!¡± She squeals, examining all the bags across the floor. ¡°Yes! Okay, I know the perfect dress!¡± She gets up and starts wildly rummaging through them before stopping to look back at her brothers. ¡°You guys can leave now. I¡¯ll bring her to the dining hall when we¡¯re ready.¡±


    They all grumble profanities at her, not wanting to leave obviously but they do. Haiden leaves with a wink as I watch Aleisha in horror throwing clothes and shoes across the room.


    ¡°Okay, soooooo?!¡±


    ¡°So?¡± I question, picking at a piece of invisible lint on the bed.


    11:46 am PP PP.


    Little Sparks.


    ¡°SO?! SO!? How¡¯s it going with my brothers?! I can¡¯t believe we¡¯re going to be sisters now! And you¡¯re going to be here forever, and we can spend all our time together and I¡¯ll finally have someone who can tell those boys what¡¯s what! How are they treating you? I¡¯m sorry about those bimbos yesterday, and the day before, my god, I told them they¡¯re idiots for keeping them around and not putting them in their ce. Do you feel any tingle of the mate bond yet? You know I could feel sparks with Tommy a full week before my birthday. Don¡¯t worry, once it kicks in, you¡¯ll fall head over heals for them and they¡¯ll treat you like a bloody queen.¡±


    She stops, pulling a ck dress from a bag with an award winning ¡°gotcha!¡±, and then looks at me. ¡°So?!¡±


    ¡°This is all¡­a lot.¡± I sigh.


    ¡°Oh, girl! Come here!¡± She practically throws herself on top of me, squeezing my head in between her breasts and she hugs me.


    ¡°This is also a lot.¡± Iugh as she quickly releases me.


    ¡°I know, I get it, well kind of. The mate bond works in mysterious ways. You know the guys have always been best friends with Tommy. When we found out we were mates we tried to avoid it for way too long, scared that heads would roll with my brothers.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    She smirks. ¡°They ended up catching us in a linen closet in a verypromising position.¡±


    ¡°Oh my god.¡± I blush as sheughs.


    ¡°Yeah, we thought we were done for, but the guys were so happy that the Moon Goddess had blessed us. Nothing is more sacred to them than the Moon Goddesses blessing. Now go have a shower and put this on so we can do your hair and makeup.¡± She thrusts the dress at me. ¡°I¡¯m going to go get changed myself, I¡¯ll be back.¡± She waves me off as she leaves. Realising how tightly I¡¯m clutching the material I quickly release it,ying it on the bed and running my hands along the wrinkles to smooth it out,


    I rush through the shower, washing everything I can with all the expensive andplicated products before I¡¯m sure my skin is red raw, and I smell like an actual flower. There¡¯s a big white fluffy towel that I reach for, realising it¡¯s warm. One of the guys must have turned on some fancy contraption to do that. I realise I¡¯ve left the dress on the bed, so I wrap the towel around me and wander out to get it.


    ¡°Fuck¡­¡±


    Levi stands frozen in the doorway with a tray of food. His eyes travel the length of my body beforending on my eyes and staying there.


    ¡°Sorry, I, uh¡­¡± He holds up the tray. ¡°Breakfast¡­¡±


    I clear my throat and try to pull back in the fully body blush I¡¯m now sporting while holding the towel a


    11:46 am P P P P .


    Little Sparks.


    little tighter. ¡°Oh, yeah, right, I forget. Um thanks.¡±


    He weaves through the bags and clothes across the floor, passing me to get to the bedside table where he puts down the tray. When his impossiblyrge body turns around, I get a small whiff of something smokey, like a bonfire that I love on those full moon nights. I stumble backwards and almost roll my ankle on a shoe Aleisha had thrown. Levi¡¯s hands wrap around my waist and hold me steady.


    ¡°Careful, doll.¡± His eyes sh to ck and then back to green as he takes in arge breath through his nose and looks down at me. We¡¯re standing way too close¡­and when his hand reaches up to tuck a bit of hair behind my head, I feel a light tingle where his fingers slide against my face. It¡¯s euphoric feeling, mind blowing, mind boggling. I didn¡¯t even realise I was nuzzling my face further into his hand until he chuckles, breaking the bubble I was floating in.


    ¡°Did you feel that?¡± He tilts his head like a curious pup.


    I take a step back and his hands drop to his side.


    ¡°I uh, I should get dressed.¡± I look down at my feet, adjusting the towel.


    He whimpers, or really, Flint whimpers, but he still seems to respect my boundaries, giving me a warm smile before leaving. What even was that?


    I decide to eat before putting on the dress. I¡¯m not sure how much all this stuff costs but I know it¡¯s got to be way more than what I would ever spend on something to simply wear. It¡¯s a hearty breakfast, way more than a simple gran bar I¡¯m used to. Bacon, eggs, toast, sausages, hell there¡¯s even a blueberry muffin. I love blueberry muffins.


    Chapter Comments

 Underworld 19

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    Frisky Thoughts.


    Levi


    Holy shit.


    ¡°Did you give her breakfast?¡± Haiden asks as I leave Envy¡¯s room.


    ¡°Is she eating?¡± Noah is standing right beside him.


    ¡°Did she like it?¡± Xavier is standing behind them.


    ¡°Yeah, yup, yes.¡± I hurriedly push past them to get to my room, hoping they don¡¯t see the raging boner I have. She looked fucking divine in nothing but a towel. Gods, I hope she didn¡¯t see how hard I was tenting my pants¡­Or maybe I hope she did and she liked it. She seemed to like when I touched her. Did she feel the sparks?


    Flint, did you feel her wolf at all?


    I did He purrs. Seems like she stirred a little at our touch. Mate likes us. He struts around my mind, puffing out his chest. Mate looked so good. Her skin is soft. I wonder what it would feel like rubbing our chest along hers. He sends me a million mental images and fuck me; I need a shower. Two minutes, that¡¯s literally all it takes for me to blow my load along the shower wall while feverishly pumping my cock to the memory of my doll. Holy fucking hell. I need to get this shit under control if I¡¯m ever going to impress her.


    Haiden.


    ¡°Well¡­he was in a hurry, wasn¡¯t he?¡± Iugh with my brothers as Levi runs like a caught schoolboy to his room. I know exactly what he¡¯s going to do. Exactly what I¡¯ve been doing like crazy since Envy arrived. Every spare second I have that I¡¯m not with her I¡¯m trying to rub one out to control my cock from wanting to poke her in the eye. She¡¯s beautiful, and the mate bond for us is in full force. I can¡¯t wait until it hits her too. Maybe it¡¯s already in progress. Talen¡¯s already told me her wolf is there and stirring. It¡¯s only a matter of time. Until then, maybe I can entice her without the bond. I had thought by taking her clothes and forcing her into my room which is heavily scented like me that maybe she would feel something. I wonder if she did. I wonder a lot about her dreamy little body getting changed in my room. Gods. This girl.


    ¡°Boys!¡± Mum shouts from the entry hall.


    ¡°Mumma, you¡¯re early.¡± I give her a kiss on the cheek and a hug.


    ¡°I know, I know. Your fathers just dealing with some pack business before hees. I wanted toe and see you all before lunch.¡±


    My brotherse in behind me and we all make our way to the loungeroom to sit around her. One day our girl will rx in here with us and we¡¯ll be able to crowd around her.


    11:46 am P P P P


    Frisky Thoughts.


    ¡°Now. Let¡¯s talk, boys.¡± I inwardly groan. Herees the Mumma bear in her. ¡°Envy. She¡¯s perfect!¡± She ps her hands in excitement, and we all nod eagerly.


    ¡°She is, isn¡¯t she?¡± I lightly sigh thinking about her.


    ¡°Now there¡¯s four of you and one of her. That means that she should never be unhappy.¡± She frowns. ¡°Yet she was ready to runawayst night.¡± She turns to my two younger brothers.


    Noah.


    I knew this wasing. Dad might have given us a servingst night and made us forcefully ban Lucy and Sarah from the pack house, but I knew Mum wouldn¡¯t leave it as that. ¡°Mum¡­¡± I try, but she holds her hand up to silence me.


    ¡°I told you boys to wait for your fated, I told you not to hang onto those two; and what did you do? Huh? You almost lost your Luna because of it.¡± She looks at Levi and I with pure disappointment and I feel it to my core. ¡°Now. I want to know, are you twomitted to this girl?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± We say in union.


    ¡°Good. I want the both of you to go clean your rooms, don¡¯t send some poor omega in to do it. I want you both to turn your rooms inside out, clean every single bloody surface and make sure you get rid of any


    trace of those she wolves, because I¡¯m telling you now, if Envy gets her wolf and finds any trace of another in there, you will lose her. Do you understand me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mumma.¡±


    ¡°That goes for you too.¡± She looks at Haiden. ¡°You¡¯re not off the hook either. Go.¡± She shoos us off and I know she means well. She doesn¡¯t want us to fail.


    Probably a good thing she told us to do this too because I found three pairs of panties, a couple earrings, hair ties. Hell even I can still smell the faint toxic perfume Lucy would wear. It takes me a whole three hours, three bloody hours, but its worth it, for my luna, anything is worth it.


    You¡¯re an idiot for lying with that she wolf. Hawk berates me.


    I know buddy.


    I told you.


    I know.


    She would neverpare to our luna.


    I inwardly sigh Yes, I know. I¡¯m an idiot. I¡¯m working on it, okay?


    11:46 am P P pp.


    Frisky Thoughts.


    I want luna to pet me.


    What?! I stop in my tracks and I throw thest of the garbage in the bin.


    She petted Maddox and Flint. I want it too. I want to feel her fingers in my fur.


    He sends through mental images of our girl and I was already going to take a shower. Now I know I need to. I¡¯ve got about fifteen minutes before lunch. That¡¯s more than enough time to clear my thoughts.


    Maybe she will let me sleep beside her. Hawk¡¯s mind still wanders even after a release in the shower. Can we please, please, please see if she will pet me?!


    Alright, alright buddy! I¡¯ll ask her after lunch, okay?!


    He frolicks in my mind like an actual pup and I have tough at his antics. She makes me feel that way too. I just can¡¯t frolick around her at my height, weight and status, that would look rediculous, but I guess if that¡¯s what he wants to do, that¡¯s on him.


    Chapter Comments


    1 Reviews >


    R


    Visitor


    6 hours ago


    Stay on them Momma! Make sure your boys learn that hard lesson for their Luna.


    22

 Underworld 20

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    Preparations.


    Xavier


    I finish checking on the kitchen for our lunch preparations. It¡¯s not something I usually care about, but all of a sudden I care about anything and everything that has to do with my little mate. I¡¯ve already mind linked all the guards to make sure there are no unwanted guests today and now all that¡¯s left to do is wait. Dad sits at the head of the table, Mum to his right, Aleisha¡¯s empty seat to his left and Tommy next to her. The guys and I are all in a line next to Mum, but we¡¯ve opted to let Levi and Noah sit beside out girl.


    ¡°Tommy, ask my sister what¡¯s taking them so long.¡±


    He links her and then smiles. ¡°They¡¯reing.¡± At that we all stand and the dining room doors open to reveal an absolute fucking goddess.


    ¡°Woah.¡± I breath out, already walking towards my little mate to escort her to her seat.


    ¡°You look¡­breathtaking.¡± I kiss her hand, and the sparks erupt on my lips. I think I even detect a slight


    shiver from Envy.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± She blushes, hard, and I lead her over to her seat, pulling out the chair for her honestly feels like a dreame true. If she will allow me to wait on her hand and foot for the rest of our lives, I¡¯ll be a


    truly happy man.


    Envy.


    ¡°It¡¯s wonderful to see you again, sweetheart.¡± Milly smiles sweetly at me as some girls bring in tes of


    food for the table.


    ¡°It¡¯s lovely to see you again too and you too, Alpha Charles.¡±


    ¡°Please, just call me Dad.¡± His kindness ever evident.


    ¡°Dad¡­¡± Xavier says low from the other side of Noah beside me,


    ¡°Ohe on, it¡¯s inevitable anyway.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, really. I¡¯ve never had anyone to call Dad before.¡± I blush.


    ¡°Good! Now that¡¯s settled, Let¡¯s talk Luna preparations!¡± He ps his hands and my stomach churns with nerves. ¡°The royal family is set to arrive in two weeks time. I¡¯ve already made contact, and the Alpha Kings will visit for three days in total.¡±


    I munch on a bit of sd Levi had ced on my te while I cling to every word.


    ¡°In those three days we will host for a meeting ceremony where you four will introduce your future Luna.


    11:46 am P P P P


    Preparations.


    Then the following evening we will host for a decision ceremony, where they will determine if your union is blessed by the goddess, and if all goes well, which I¡¯m sure it will, we will host for the Alpha and Luna acsention ceremony, where the five of you will take over the pack.¡± Dad says ever so nonchntly.


    My stomach turns harder and my brain swims with emotions I can¡¯t quite decipher. Two weeks. Two weeks. Two weeks. Noah¡¯s hand finds its way to my knee, drawing circles with his thumb while he discusses with the others about details and necessities. I don¡¯t know whatpels me to, but I reach down with my own hand and grab onto his, locking our fingers together. He stops speaking for a moment, allowing the chatter to go on around us as he stares down at our interlocked hands and the smallest blush spreads over his cheeks with a look of awe written in his eyes. He gives my hand a squeeze, maybe to see if it¡¯s real, maybe to give me a spout of confidence to get through all of this. I¡¯m not sure, but in this moment, he¡¯s keeping me grounded.


    ¡°Milly will work with you and Aliesha to help organise, events, so you have nothing to worry about, Envy.¡± Dad pulls me from my thoughts, and I smile politely, nodding away and hoping my full-blown fear doesn¡¯t


    consume me.


    ¡°Oh this will be so much fun! I still remember my own blessings and ascention ceremony like it was yesterday.¡± Mum says dreamily. ¡°Although ours was blessed by the former Alpha King. His sons are just as lovely.¡±


    ¡°Sons?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sweetheart, the Alpha Kings are triplets. The boys have met with them multiple times now. They get along quite well.¡±


    I think I vaguely remember hearing about the change of ruling within the kingdom, but it¡¯s never been something of importance to me to know. So there are not one but three Kings that are to determine my fate. Great. That¡¯s not intimidating at all. Levi takes my other hand that has been twitching in myp, the food forgotten. He holds it in his own and when I look at him, he gives me aforting smile.


    ¡°King Mchi, King Julian, and King Arztec, they¡¯re known and feared as the unbreakable force that rule over all werewolfnds. My brothers and I spent some time with them during our alpha training when they themselves were preparing to take over their father¡¯s roll. Don¡¯t worry though, they¡¯re friendly with us. As long as we follow protocol and traditions, we won¡¯t have any hassles with them.¡±


    ¡°Protocols?¡±


    Noah squeezes my hand to get my attention. ¡°Mum will go over it all with you, but it¡¯s just like being polite but to royalty standards. When you meet them, we bow, although it¡¯s basically impossible not to with their aura being so powerful. We bow and we don¡¯t look them in the eye until addressed to do so. Always use their titles and never question them. Those are the important ones.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay, yeah, sure. Easy Peezy.¡± Totally not easy peezy.


    After lunch has finally finished, I take my new foundptop out into the back garden to get some


    11:46 am PP


    PPP


    Preparations.


    schoolwork done. I need some sort of normality back. I see there¡¯s a student email with about a dozen new messages sitting there from Zion and Theo, ranging from school questions to questions about what the hell is happening with my new Alphas. I decide to answer only the school rted questions and then get straight into my own work. Having the rest of my schooling listed before me makes me so much more hopeful with how quickly I can be done with it. Now there¡¯s zero limitations with how fast I can get it done. I work for a few hours before I decide my eyes and head hurt and I close theptop and sit it down beside me whilst I lean against the tree and close my eyes. Not even a few momentster I sense a presence. I¡¯m not sure how, but when I open my eyes, I see arge, ck wolf lying on his belly about ten meters from me. Hawk. He tilts his head to the side and one of his paws swats a fly from his nose almost yfully making meugh. His ears perk up at this and his eyes zero in on me. Slowly he moves forward, inch by inch, crawling along on his belly. I pat the grass beside me. ¡°Come on buddy. I¡¯m not scared of you.¡± He bounces up on all fours, spins in a circle and then bounds over to me. Licking one long sloppy line along my face.


    Chapter Comments


    26

 Underworld 21

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    Screensavers.


    ??


    ¡°Ugh, okay, not what I was thinking was going to happen.¡± I wipe my face and he wines before popping his head down in myp. He bumps my hand with his snout, over and over again. ¡°Is someone feeling needy?¡± I ask yfully and when he nuzzles into my hand I give in. I run my fingers along the soft fur between his ears and hisrge body begins to purr. We sit like this for a while, just a huge Alpha wolf and me, petting his fur like it¡¯s a normal everyday thing. The warm evening sun and the purring gets to me, and before I know it I¡¯m dozing off.


    When I wake it¡¯s dark and I wonder why I¡¯m not cold. I also wonder by I feel like I¡¯m being squashed. It¡¯s only when I open my eyes I realise, I¡¯m surrounded by not one, but four Alpha wolves. My head his resting on Maddox, Hawk still has his head in myp, Flint is on my stomach and Talen is curled around my feet.


    ¡°Well, this is just adorable!¡± Aleisha whisper shouts beside Tommy who looks like he wants to burst outughing. ¡°Smile!¡± She says as she evidently takes a photo on her phone.


    ¡°Uhh, what time is it?¡± I rub my eyes and attempt to move, with no luck.


    ¡°It¡¯s past dinner. We were wondering where ya¡¯ll had run off to. Then we find you all here snuggled up under a tree. Oh it¡¯s just the sweetest thing, Mum is going to love this!¡± I hear the telltale sign of a message being sent.


    ¡°Did you just send that to your Mum!?¡±


    ¡°Yeah! And all of you guys too, now you¡¯ll have a cute as hell screensaver! Look!¡± She turns her phone, and I must admit, it is kind of cute. I didn¡¯t even realise my hands where syed across Hawk and Flint as if I¡¯m holding them close.


    ¡°Okie dokie then¡­Uh¡­Can you guys help me get up?¡±


    ¡°Hell no!¡± She replies taking a step back.


    Tommy shakes his head vigorously, ¡°No bloody way am I waking up four Alpha wolves to tell them they need to move off their mate. Nope, no way, I like my head where it is, attached to my body.¡±


    They leave, despite my pleas for help and I¡¯m stuck here alone¡­well not really.


    ¡°Hey, guys¡­ guys,¡± I try. They move slightly, but only to snuggle in further. ¡°Flint¡­.¡± I rub and wiggle his head. His eyes slowly open. ¡°Hey, I uh¡­I need to pee.¡± He slowly gets off me and I feel a chill instantly. He nudges Hawk and their eyes ze over quickly. Hawk then wakes Talen and I roll over onto my knees to look at Maddox. My big Alpha wolf. Wait. Mine? I stroke his fur from his head down to his back a few times while the others hover around. ¡°Hey big guy, time to wake up.¡± I whisper in his ear and he stirs and opens his eyes. He looks around at us and stretches like a cat who just had the best nap of his life beforezily getting up. I grab my discardedptop and start the walk back to the house with the wolves nking me. Maddox in front, Talen behind, Flint and Hawk to my side. They stay close enough that their fur brushes my skin, Maddox¡¯s tale flicking along my stomach and for once, I¡¯m feeling¡­something¡­something I cant


    11:46 am Pp


    Screensavers.


    exin, but it feels nice to be surrounded by them.


    To my surprise, they don¡¯t shift when we reach the back porch, they just continue to follow me inside in their giant wolf forms.


    The staff bow their heads as we make our way through, and I have to stifle augh at how odd this must look. When we get to our bedrooms hallway I open each of their doors for them before heading to my own. Some absolute angel has cleared all the bags and clothes from the floor, with a peak into the wardrobe I see everything has been neatly organise into a section of the massive space, clearly leaving enough room for four more people¡¯s things. A bath sounds nice right about now. So I grab afy pair of silk pyjamas and head to the bathroom. It¡¯s not until I¡¯m cleaned and dressed for bed that I realise how little I¡¯ve eaten


    today and my stomach makes that evident with its growling. I¡¯m not sure where the guys are but I know we all missed dinner. I head to the kitchen with the idea that it might bring back a little bit more of normality for me to be able to prepare something. I find all the ingredients I need quickly and set to work. There¡¯s even an iphone dock where I can y music, now that¡¯s something Tris pack¡¯s kitchen needed.


    Xavier.


    That was the best fucking nap of my whole life. When Haiden, Levi and I couldn¡¯t find Noah and Envy, thest thing we expected to find was the two of them cuddled up under a tree in the afternoon sun asleep. Hawks massive head was lying in herp with her hand on his head. The guys and I took one look at them before shifting into our own wolves and moving in. It took Maddox a bit of manoeuvring to get underneath her sleeping head, Flint very gently lifted her with his teeth in the cor of her dress, his head incredibly close to her breasts, but Maddox slid right underneath her andid down with all those sparks running through us from the contact, it didn¡¯t take long at all to doze off with them. When she woke us up, my whole body was tingling from where she stroked Maddox¡¯s fur and not only did it get our attention, but also the attention of my cock. I think my brothers and I were all on the same page because not one of us wanted to shift back so our little mate could see just how truly she affected us. She was sweet enough to open our doors and the moment she did Maddox shifted, and Iid back on my bed stroking my cock and imagining what it would feel like to have herpletely. I¡¯ve saved myself for her and never had a hard time refusing she wolves or keeping my own tendencies at bay, but to have her so close, to feel her hands along Maddox¡¯s body, man, she was getting harder and harder to resist. I¡¯ll wait however long it takes for her to love me, to trust me, to give herself to me and let me give myself to her, but gods, I¡¯m going to spend a lot of time with my hand on my cock while I wait.


    Chapter Comments


    23

 Underworld 22

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    Dinner.


    After finishing myself off, I clean up and head out to my little mate¡¯s door. I knock but don¡¯t get an answer. I press my ear against it but even with my wolfs hearing, I can¡¯t sense that she¡¯s inside. A peak inside confirms it. I follow the fading scent of blueberries and vani through the pack house where it gradually gets stronger. Then I hear it, music, Dive by Ed Sheeren ys through the kitchen and I get closer I hear my little mate singing sweetly. Theres an aroma of cooked meats that has me practically drooling as I enter the kitchen. Envy stands with her back to me, swinging her hips in a dangerously short pair of navy silk shorts and a matching shirt. She¡¯s bloody perfect. Is this what the rest of my life will look like? My mate singing, cooking in her pyjamas,fortable in our house.


    Dance with her Maddox coaxes me and he doesn¡¯t need to tell me twice. Envy spins in a half circle and I catch her as he does, pulling her close to me, taking the spoon from her hand and cing it on the counter as I move her hands around my shoulders and ce my hands on her hips as I sway us around.


    ¡°Are you cooking us dinner, little mate?¡± I question as she blushes.


    ¡°I thought you guys might be hungry and the staff have already clocked off for the night.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s incredibly sweet of you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t mind?¡±


    ¡°Why would I mind? This is the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done, and to have my mate do it is even better. Usually, the guys would just order pizza or something.¡± I scrunch my nose at the idea of another pizza night. We fall quite as we dance around the kitchen and the only sound is a few small giggles from my mate being spun around. The song finishes and I give her a soft kiss on the forehead before releasing her.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Why would you thank me?¡± she questions.


    ¡°That was the first time I¡¯ve danced with a girl. It was perfect. This kitchen is now my favourite room in


    the whole house.¡±


    ¡°Your first? What about all those girls I¡¯ve heard about.¡± She questions as I watch over her shoulder while she stirs a pot of what looks like stew. I rest my head on her shoulder and sigh.


    ¡°All rumours. I¡¯ve waited for you. Never dated anyone, never been interested in anyone before, hell I¡¯ve never even kissed anyone.¡±


    She stops stirring and looks at me, really looks at me.


    ¡°I¡¯m not lying. I¡¯ve only ever wanted my mate.¡±


    11:47 am Pppp.


    Dinner.


    ¡°Your mother said the same thing. But I didn¡¯t believe her.¡±


    ¡°What do you believe now?¡±


    ¡°Something¡­.somewhere¡­¡± She taps the side of her temple. ¡°Tells me you¡¯re telling the truth.¡±


    ¡°Good. I would never lie to you¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve¡­I waited too.¡± She says in almost a whisper and my heart practically stops.


    ¡°You waited?¡±


    ¡°I did.¡± She shrugs. ¡°It¡¯s always been important to me. I thought if the Moon Goddess blessed me, she


    would bless me with a mate with the same values.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why you were so upset about my brothers.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± She says softly, looking back down at the pot.


    ¡°That. Smells. So. Good!¡± Haiden bounces into the kitchen behind us. ¡°This is like a dreame true! Are


    you really cooking for us, love?!¡±


    ¡°Yep, beef stew, nothing special but I always liked this recipe.¡±


    I could seriously kill him right now. I swear that would have been the perfect moment to kiss her. That¡¯s okay though, I¡¯ll find the right moment, one where my brothers can¡¯t disturb us and we can share something we both value.


    ¡°Guess we can toss out the pizza coupons then if our girl can cook!¡± Haiden jokes, but as Levi enters, he goes straight to the draw where we stash coupons and menus and chucks them all in the bin.


    ¡°I agree.¡± He states firmly,


    ¡°This is lovely, little Luna, thank you for doing this for us.¡± Noah says in awe as he walks in freshly showered like the other three.


    ¡°Should we eat in the loungeroom tonight? Maybe watch a movie?¡± Haiden questions no one in particr.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go set up the coffee table and get some cushions.¡± Noah agrees.


    ¡°Our doll gets to pick the movie this time though.¡± Levi states as we all agree.


    Envy pours a hefty amount of stew into the bowls and Levi and I help carry them to the loungeroom where Haiden and Noah have set up a casual eating space around the coffee table. We very rarely eat in here, but the way that our girl gets instantlyfy in the middle on the cushions, I can tell that we¡¯ll be doing this a lot more from now on. I sit beside her with Haiden on her other side and Levi pushes the remote across


    11:47 am PP


    Dinner.


    for her to pick. I¡¯m secretly hoping she doesn¡¯t pick a chick flick, but to my surprise she goes straight to the action section. She¡¯s more perfect than she knows.


    The stew is literally bursting with vour on my tongue. It¡¯s the best thing I¡¯ve ever eaten, and I don¡¯t think it¡¯s just because our mate made it. The guys and I go back for more until the pot ispletely empty and then Levi and Noah help clear the tes. We settle on the couch and keep watching the movie until Envy yawns and I ask if she¡¯s ready for bed.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s been a day.¡±


    We all perk up at the thought that maybe, just maybe she will invite us to sleep with her but she doesn¡¯t. I walk her to the door and give her a goodnight kiss on the cheek before she shuts the door wishing us a goodnight. When I turn around my brothers look like they¡¯ve sucked lemons.


    ¡°Howe you get a kiss?¡± Haiden pouts and I roll my eyes.


    ¡°Maybe she just likes me more.¡± I shrug, knowingly stirring the pot.


    ¡°Maybe you¡¯ve been hogging time with her!¡± He wines.


    Levi steps between us. ¡°Why don¡¯t we each take her on a date? That way she can get to know each of us in a more private setting?¡±


    ¡°I second that!¡± Noah pipes up.


    ¡°Yeah okay. Oldest to youngest but.¡±


    ¡°There you go throwing the age card around again!¡± Haiden raises his voice.


    ¡°That still means you¡¯ll go second.¡± I point and he smirks.


    ¡°Yeah, okay, oldest to youngest. We¡¯ll ask her tomorrow.¡±


    Chapter Comments


    1 Reviews >

 Underworld 23

    From furry cuddle pile, tofy dinner time, these Alpha¡¯s sure are learning to be spoiled quickly,


    23


    <SHARE


    11:47 am P


    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    Shower Heads and Dates.


    I try to sleep, I really do, but Maddox is just rolling around in my mind pestering me to go and sleep next to our little mate. The nap we had together was by far the best sleep we¡¯ve ever experienced and now he¡¯s convinced we should only ever sleep with her. I toss again before throwing off the covers and head out to the hallway where Flint is already lying by the door. ¡°Couldn¡¯t sleep either?¡± I ask him


    Nope, Flint is convinced she will be okay if he goes in. Levi mind links me.


    Well, lets test that theory shall we, I smirk back, utching the door and watching as Flint¡¯s massive wolf form tries to subtly sneak in. He makes it inside the room with no issues; Envy is just sleeping peacefully in the middle of the massive bed. Right where she belongs. Flint puts his front paws on the bed, and it dips as he lifts himself up, making Envy¡¯s body roll over into his. He quicklyys down and she actually throws a leg over him as her face nuzzles into his fur while she mumbles something incoherent. Flint-subtly looks back at me with a wink and I take that as my que to join. I can always just say I was following his lead if Envy is upset about it. Maddox takes to the other side and her body rolls over to us as wey down and sparks rush through us as we get the same treatment Flint did.


    Mate will be happy to find us here in the morning. Maddox settles in.


    I hope so.


    We¡¯re almost asleep when I feel the bed dip on either side and I know Hawk and Talen have joined us. We all move in close enough that we can touch some part of her body. I know my brothers are just as affected by her touch as I am. It calms us. We need her, crave her, we¡¯re nothing without her. She is the world and we¡¯re just living in it.


    Envy


    I wake up to my whole body feeling like a firework. What the hell? I feel hot and¡­bothered. Fuck. Overwhelming thoughts of the guys flood through my mind and my core gets wet with the ideas. I run my hand along my stomach, towards my pants, when I hear a whine. My eyes shoot open and the first thing I see is four ck wolves. My face goes red, my eyes wide as they all take in long deep breaths through their noses. Oh no, they can totally smell my arousal. I squeak, a sound that so abnormal for me. Fuck I need to get out of here. I shimmy my way through Maddox and Hawk as I make a B line for the bathroom. I spend far too long trying to scrub off the arousal, but my mind won¡¯t stop, my core flutters with need. Surely, they¡¯ve all made themselves scares by now¡­I grab the detachable showerhead and turn the setting onto a jet stream and hold it down on my clit.


    ¡°Fuck¡± I breath out. Picturing the guys, their muscles, that almost kiss with Xavier, the way my body felt engulfed in ecstasy, while my free hand reaches down to join the stream of water. Once finger slips inside and I thrust and curl the way I know I¡¯ve enjoyed before. I cum quick, and hard and it still doesn¡¯t feel like enough. I¡¯m still so hot. I ce the showerhead back and turn it onto straight cold, shocking my body back to normal. I n my day out in my mind to distract myself. Gym, breakfast, training with Aleisha, ceremony nning with Mum, lunch, study, maybe gym again¡­ I wander out of the bathroom, being sure to change in the closet section before going back into the main room and thank gods I do because all four


    11:47 am PP PP.


    Shower Heads and Dates.


    of the guys are dressed and sitting on the bed. Fuck¡­did they hear any of that? I¡¯m definitely sporting another full body blush as I take them all in wearing their workout gear.


    ¡°Good morning little mate.¡± Xavier approaches me first, kissing my cheek with the hint of a blush on


    himself.


    ¡°Did you sleep well, love?¡± Haiden smirks, getting up to kiss my other cheek.


    Noah and Levi stalk towards me together, every bit the predator they look to be.


    ¡°Luna.¡± ¡°Doll.¡± They slowly kiss my cheeks together and that¡¯s all it takes for me to begin leaking need again. They pull back from the kiss but linger close to my cheek as they inhale deeply.


    ¡°You smell¡­divine, little luna.¡± Noah grins and Levi winks.


    ¡°Oh my gods¡­What¡¯s happening to me?!¡± I cover my face in hopes I will disappear into the floor.


    ¡°The mate bond is starting to work.¡± Haiden smiles, nudging Xavier with his elbow. Theter pushing Noah aside to get back in front of me.


    ¡°If you think you¡¯re the only one affected little mate, you¡¯re wrong. We feel what you¡¯re feeling times by a million. It¡¯s normal to want your mates. It makes us very happy.¡± He pulls my hands away from my face and cups my cheek.


    ¡°Your wolf wille to you soon if the mate bond is starting to kick in.¡± Levi nods to himself.


    ¡°Really?!¡± I perk up at the idea that I will finally get my wolf and finally know when my birthday is.


    ¡°Yep, and then we¡¯re going to throw the biggest party for you, love! We¡¯ll invite the whole pack in yours and your wolfs honour.¡± Haiden puffs his chest out.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to meet her.¡± Noah smiles over Xaviers shoulder.


    ¡°Come on, we know you¡¯re dying for a workout. Let¡¯s make it a quick one so we can actually eat breakfast together.¡± Xavier holds out his hand for me and when I take it I feel those sparks again.


    ¡°So¡­¡± Xavier starts as we reach the gym. ¡°The guys and I were wondering if you¡¯d like to go on a date?¡±


    ¡°A date? What, together?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­if you want, but we we¡¯re kind of hoping to take you out on solo dates. We¡¯re not jealous of eachother, we¡¯re more than happy to share you, but we would all like the chance to spend some alone time together. If you want to, you don¡¯t have to¡­but we would like to.¡±


    He¡¯s stumbling over his words and I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen him this frazzled before.


    11:47 am Pppp.


    Shower Heads and Dates.


    ¡°I¡¯d like that.¡± I smile and he lets out a breath I think he was holding.


    The guys p him on the back and Haiden even fist bumps the air.


    ¡°Great! I¡¯ll take you out tomorrow, then Haiden will have you the next day, then Noah and then Levi.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a date then.¡± I smile and head for the treadmills. My first date! Eeep!


    Chapter Comments

 Underworld 24

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    Sleep With Me?


    The day flies by, Mum threw a million ideas out for the ceremonies. Thankfully Aleisha decided to sit in and help make some decisions. I then worked her to the max as we did some sparring. Lunch was light and easy as we all talked shit like this was theplete new normal. I managed to get a lot of schoolwork done and even got in a video chat with Theo and Zion to help their hopeless asses catch up a little more. By the time dinner rolled around I asked if the staff could take the night off and I showed Aleisha how to cook gnhi and fresh garlic bread. I say showed but really, she just sat there gushing about what her brothers might have nned for their dates, and she was already nning the ¡®perfect outfits¡¯ for me. Not like that really matters to me, but if it makes her happy, she can be my guest. The guys all devoured the food like they were starving. Thankfully this time I had made extras, but that didn¡¯t stop them from clearing out any potential leftovers. Haiden reckons he will happily get fat if I continue to cook this way. Xavier ends up walking me to bed while the others apparently have some work to get finished regarding their obligations for hosting the triplet Kings.


    ¡°Hey, I got you something.¡± He stops by his bedroom door, quickly ducking in anding back out with a long, ck velvet bag. ¡°It¡¯s just a little something¡­¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like a ¡®little¡¯ something.¡±


    He rubs the back of his neck with one hand while still holding the gift out to me. When I take it in my hands I feel the weight of it.


    ¡°I noticed your swords were quite old, not that they didn¡¯t do you well, I just thought¡­¡±


    He trails off as I pull out two of the most beautiful swords I¡¯ve ever seen. I gasp as I take them by the hilt and swing them around in a yful motion.


    ¡°Xavier! They¡¯re beautiful! Thank you!¡± I smile wide up at him.


    ¡°You like them?¡±


    ¡°I love them!¡±


    ¡°Good. Wear them tomorrow. Along with your new riding gear you¡¯ll find in the closet.¡± He winks and 1 gasp again.


    ¡°Are we going riding tomorrow?!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s meant to be a surprise! But yes, you¡¯ll need your leathers, and these.¡± He taps the swords, closing the distance between us and the smell of his cologne invades my senses.


    ¡°Well¡­¡±He takes a step back and I almost mourn the loss, ¡°Goodnight little mate.¡±


    ¡°Is Maddox not sleeping with me tonight?¡± I blurt out and then snap my mouth shut. Fuckity. Fuck. Gods you needy bitch, why would you say that?!


    1:47 am Pppp.


    Sleep With Me?


    His eyes widen, and a huge smirk spread across his face. ¡°Would you like him to sleep next to you?¡±


    I¡¯m so embarrassed I can¡¯t even find the words, staring at my feet now I realise I¡¯m already nodding. He steps forward again, and his lips softly descend on my forehead as his arms snake around my waist, careful of the swords I¡¯m still holding.


    ¡°I would be honoured to share your bed, little mate.¡± I look up at the sound of Maddox¡¯s voice and look into his ckened eyes.


    Xavier.


    She wants us to sleep with her!


    Well don¡¯t just stand there like a fool! Tell her how much, this means to us! Maddox growls out. Let me take over. I¡¯ll tell her!


    I watch from the back of my mind as her little cheeks turn pink and she leans into my chest at the sound of Maddox¡¯s voice. He purrs for her, and I can smell her arousal. That delicious fucking smell. I swear to the moon goddess that was the most amazing thing to wake up to. My brothers and I thought she was going to touch herself right then and there in front of us, but she clearly didn¡¯t realise we were there, and Maddox had to wine to make our presence known before she went too far. The guys weren¡¯t happy, but I would never let her do something she wasn¡¯t yetfortable with. Just knowing that she wants us though, gods, I¡¯m a lucky fucking man, I have truly been blessed. We follow Envy into the bedroom, and she goes to the closet to get changed into her pyjamas, at the same time Maddox strips and shifts, jumping up onto the bed and taking a ce at the side. When shees back into the room and spots our clothes on the floor her arousal spikes and she shuffles to turn the lights off. Like that¡¯s going to stop me from smelling her. She climbs into the middle of the bed but doesn¡¯t touch us, she¡¯s shy, understandably. I would be too, being that I¡¯ve never slept beside a girl before, but I¡¯m not in control, Maddox is, and he eagerly closes the gap between us, moving his head onto her stomach, his snout even closer to her core and it¡¯s almost dizzying how much its affecting me. She lets out a sigh of relief when he settles in and I¡¯m not sure if she realises or not but she begins to stroke our fur, lulling us to sleep.


    1


    I wake up early, excited for my date with Envy. My brothers wolves sleep around us while Envy stares off at the roof. Maddox leans over, licking her neck softly and she giggles, swatting him away. ¡°Good morning to you too, big guy,¡± She smiles and I don¡¯t think i¡¯ll ever get used to this feeling of waking up beside a goddess.


    Mate is so pretty.


    Isn¡¯t she?


    Can we take her out yet!?


    Breakfast first. We need to care for her.


    Maddox gets up, stumbling over Hawk who doesn¡¯t seem to mind as we motion to the doorway.


    11:47 am Pppp.


    Sleep With Me?


    Envy tilts her head sideways from where she sits in the bed. ¡°I¡¯ll see you soon?¡±


    Maddox nods and struts out, pretty sure he¡¯s purposfully swaying his hips. I internally roll my eyes.


    Chapter Comments


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    7 days ago

 Underworld 25

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    Date #1


    Envy


    I wake to a cacoon of warmth, or really a pack of warmth. I¡¯m not sure when the others got backst night but I was very clearly out like a light. I manage to wiggle my way out of the sleep pile and to the bathroom, stopping when I see a deadly looking set of riding leathers hung up on disy. You¡¯reing with me. I smirk as I grab them before heading in for a quick shower. Im excited for today. Way more than I would like to admit, but Xavier just gets me, swords, bikes, his dam willingness to save himself for his mate. He¡¯s pretty bloody perfect. My new riding gear fits like a glove and I tie my hair back into a t and sheath my new swords on my back as I head back out to the bedroom.


    1


    ¡°Good morning, little mate.¡± Xavier smirks, assessing the outfit he chose for me with keen eyes. He himself looks absolutely fucking handsome in his own leathers and I have to wonder when he had the time to get up, showered and dressed.


    ¡°Good morning, big guy.¡± I smirk in return.


    ¡°Usually I would insist on breakfast before we go anywhere but I have the whole day nned out and breakfast is on that list.¡± He holds out his hand for me to take. ¡°You ready?¡±


    ¡°Fuck yes!¡± my eagerness slips out, making himugh. I nce back at the now empty bed but before I can ask, he¡¯s already read my mind.


    ¡°We¡¯re all going to be pretty busy nning for the Alpha Kings arrival. Today is my day off with you. Don¡¯t worry though, I made sure they were aware how needy our little mate is to have her wolves sleep beside her every night.¡± He whispers thest part in a husky tone that makes me shiver and blush.


    ¡°I¡¯m not needy¡­¡± I mumble as we head through the house towards the front doors. He just smiles down at me devilishly like he¡¯s won a prize. Cue eye roll. When we make it outside my bike isn¡¯t there, but his is. As if he already knows he grabs my helmet from the bike and passes it to me.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never had a backpack before¡­I was hoping you would do me the honours.¡± I take the helmet, slipping it on to hide my blush and mumble quietly, ¡°you just want my body pressed against your beautifully sculpted back.¡±


    ¡°That is definitely a perk.¡± His yful voicees through my headset, making me gasp. ¡°Oh yeah, by the way, I installed a headset in my helmet and linked it with yours.¡±


    ¡°Oh my god¡­¡± How fucking embarrassing,


    ¡°So my back is beautiful, huh?¡± He teases, straddling the bike and I smack his arm as I get on behind him.


    ¡°Where has Mr yfule from today, huh? You¡¯re like a schoolboy making mischief.¡±


    ¡°You bring it out of me.¡± I can hear him smirking as he starts the engine and grabs both of my thighs from


    1:48 am PPPP


    Date #1


    behind him to pull me flush against his back. ¡°Hold on tight now, little mate.¡±


    The bike takes off and even though I¡¯m not in control, I feel the most at ease I have since arriving here. We ride through the town, pass the borders and before I¡¯ve even registered, we¡¯re arriving at Tris Pack. We pull into the pack house garage where Beta Felix is keenly waiting. I jump from the bike and wrap my arms around him for a brief hug.


    ¡°Hey, little warrior. I¡¯ve missed you!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you!¡± I bounce backwards with a wide smile and look at Xavier who¡¯s removing his helmet.


    ¡°I thought breakfast with Beta Felix would be a good start to the day.¡±


    ¡°The best start. Thank you.¡± I blush slightly. Of course, Xavier. would be the one to find out how much


    Felix means to me.


    Breakfast is a beautiful disy of bacon, eggs, waffles, muffins and toast. Something I always missed when I was here because I was too busy to attend. Different pack members trickle into the dining hall but instead of their lingering looks of disdain and scrutiny, I¡¯m met with looks of admiration and awe. Most probably something to do with therge and handsome Alpha beside me holding my hand.


    ¡°So, how are you liking Red Moon, little warrior?¡± Felix asks.


    ¡°It¡¯s good, nice¡­different.¡±


    He nods in understanding. ¡°It will feel different for some time, but I have no doubt you¡¯ll ovee any


    hurdles.¡±


    The conversation around the table is nice, different, but nice. I imagine it¡¯s like what it would be if I had parents to bring my mate home to. After we finish off way too much food, we say our goodbyes with promises to visit often. Beta Felix shakes Xaviers hand with a murmured threat to never hurt me, which only makes theter smile even more.


    ¡°Ready for the next part of our date, little mate?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s more?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I n to use every second of today showing you just how much you mean to me.¡± He passes me my helmet which I once again shove on quickly to hide my growing blush.


    We ride for another hour or so until we arrive at a boat dock. It¡¯s absolutely beautiful. I¡¯ve never had the chance to explore much beyond the packnds, let alone see a huge body of water like this. Excitement tingles through me, or maybe it¡¯s the contact from where my hands have been resting on Xaviers chest during the ride. When I move my hands I realise, it definitely was from him, and his smirk proves it.


    ¡°What are we doing here?¡± I question, removing my helmet.


    11:48 am P P pp.


    Date #1


    ¡°We¡¯re going out there.¡± He points to the water.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    ¡°On my boat, of course.¡± He points to therge yacht closest to us.


    ¡°That¡¯s yours?¡± I squeak out.


    ¡°Well, technically, its ours now.¡± He whispers in my ear, with his hand on the small of my back he leads me along the dock to where I can see in big ck letters along the side of it, ¡®ENVY¡¯. I gasp but before I can say anything we¡¯re in front of what looks to be the captain, greeting us both and exining lunch will be served in promptly three hours.


    The inside of the yacht is beautiful, decorated in light whites and creams with wooden ents. Xaiver shows me around the inside and then outside where I notice we¡¯re already sailing away from shore.

 Underworld 26

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    Fishes.


    ¡°Wow.¡± I breath out, leaning on the railing to look down at the water.


    Xavier¡¯s handsnd on the railing either side of my body as the warmth from his chest rests along my


    back.


    ¡°Do you know how to swim?¡±


    I turn my head to look at him. ¡°Of course¡­are we¡­?¡±


    ¡°Sir.¡± A gentleman clears his throat behind us, and I turn to see him holding two sets of diving gear.


    ¡°Thank you, Remis, that¡¯ll be all.¡± Xavier strides over to wear the gear now sits on arge table and he picks up the clearly smaller suit.


    ¡°I said I could swim, not dive.¡± I panic for a moment, and heughs.


    ¡°I¡¯m a licensed diver. Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll be safe with me. You¡¯ll always be safe with me.¡±


    Xavier leads me back to a bedroom he had previously showed me and on the bed is a tiny little red bikini. I snap my head to him and then to the offensive ¡®clothing¡¯ and its his turn to blush.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± He rubs the back of his neck. ¡°I asked Aleisha to pack a swimsuit, not butt floss.¡±


    This makes meugh hysterically. Of course this was her idea.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I guess. I¡¯ll get her back eventually.¡± I snatch up the bikini and head to the ensuite to change. It definitely is¡­flossing but I would be lying if I said it didn¡¯t look amazing at the same time. I was naturally blessed with curves in all the right ces, along with the vigorous training I¡¯ve pushed my body through, the bikini is highlighting all my years of hard work. When I emerge, Xavier is finishing up putting his scuba suit on and takes a sharp inhale when he sees me.


    ¡°Fuck,¡±


    His suit does absolutely nothing to hide the growing length of his cock and holy moly¡­it is massive, I would avert my eyes for his privacy but his seem to be exploring the entire length of my own body. I do a quick spin and watch as his cock twitches with excitement that makes me bite my lip to hide the full smirk that¡¯s wanting to break through.


    ¡°It fits.¡± I shrug.


    ¡°It¡­uh¡­you¡­fuck.¡± He stumbles over his words grabbing the extra suit and bringing it to me.


    I awkwardly pull the very tight suit on, and he helps me do up the zipper before turning around and pointing to his own.


    11:48 am p p p p


    Fishes.


    ¡°Do you mind?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± I grab the bottom of the zipper and memorize the corded muscles along his back at the same time. I let one of my fingers train up before the zipper, testing to see if those sparks wille back and they do, oh yes, they do. I watch as his body shivers from the contact and I wonder just how intense they are with a full mate bond in ce. D


    We make our way out to the deck where Xavier runs me through the dos and don¡¯ts of diving and what to expect. Once we¡¯re fully geared up, he ushers me to thending we¡¯ll jump from and checks that I¡¯m ready. He holds my hand, and I block my nose as we jump.


    The ocean from here is¡­fucking wow. Fish swim around us like we¡¯re no bother to them. There¡¯s different nts and corals and the colours shine from the light above the water. Xaiver watches me for a long moment as I take in the surroundings and then he takes my hand again and we go deeper. It¡¯s a surreal experience. I especially like watching the giant, fierce, protective Alpha swimming around like a delicate little fish. He¡¯s so gentle and calm here, like maybe this is what he would be without the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. I¡¯m not sure how long we¡¯re down here for but eventually he checks our tanks and then points upwards as if to say our time is up. Hisrge hands find my waist and he boosts me upwards, following himself withrge, strong kicks and then we break the surface where Remis is waiting. Xaiver hauls himself up and then without any effort at all he pulls me up as well.


    Pulling of the gear and cing it to the side where Remis collects it, Xaiver turns to me.


    ¡°So¡­did you like it?¡± He almost looks nervous, like maybe I absolutely hated that magical experience.

 Underworld 27

    ¡°Are you kidding? That was amazing! I¡¯ve never felt so free before, not even on the bike. That was¡­fuck that was everything!¡± I bounce with excitement before realising the bikini top is probably about to bust with the jiggling that¡¯s happening. Xavier certainty notices too as he lets out a small groan and adjusts himself in his ck swim trunks. He takes two steps forward, closing the gap between us and his finger guides my chin upwards to look at him. His head bends down slightly, testing to see if this is what I want and I lean up onto my tip toes to close the distance. The moment our lips collide I feel those sparks explode through me. His hands roaming along my back and in my hair cause my whole body to feel like ecstasy and I gasp, my lips parting and his tongue darts out to meet mine. It starts soft, loving, gentle and before I know it we¡¯ve both lost control. He lifts my from my thighs and I wrap my legs around his waist as we kiss and touch and explore each other. When we part for a breath of fresh air, we¡¯re bot breathing heavily and Xaviers eyes reflect his wolf being close, watching, always watching.


    ¡°You are amazing, my little mate.¡± He whispers and nips my lip again.


    ¡°You¡¯re not so bad yourself, big guy.¡± I blush.


    ¡°I¡¯ve wanted to do that for so long.¡±


    ¡°If that is what kissing my mate feels like, then we should do that more often.¡±


    ¡°Your mate? You finally epting that I¡¯m your mate now little one?¡± His chest puffs out with pride, and


    11:48 am P p pp.


    Fishes.


    he smiles brightly at me.


    ¡°You¡¯re my mate.¡± I confirm, leaning my forehead against his. His cock twitches underneath me and I realise he¡¯s sat down on a bench seat and I¡¯m straddling him. My senses go into overdrive and my core clenches with the unexpected position. Xavier inhales deeply and his green eyes flicker to ck again.


    ¡°You¡­smell¡­delicious.¡± His eyes roll back as his head leans against the back of the seat. ¡°As much as I want to act on this¡­Maddox would very much like me to feed you ride now. He¡¯s very protective.¡± D


    ¡°Hmmmm¡­.¡± I train a finger over his bare chest. ¡°Are what would he like to feed me?¡± I say in a sultry


    tone.


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 Underworld 28

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    The Whole God Damned World.


    ¡°I was hoping my mate would have a wild side. Now if I can just get us out of this.¡± One of his hands shifts to that of Hawks and he carefully begins slicing away at the ropes until they fallpletely ck, but I don¡¯t move off him. Not as my hands rest on his chest and I can feel the thudding of his heartbeat picking up at the contact. The familiar buzz of our bond flows through me as I look down at my dare devil mate. I lean down slowly, and his eyes flutter shut as my nose brushes his. It was supposed to be an innocent, chaste kiss but the moment our lips connect, a burst of sparks ignites inside me. His hands roam my back and through my hair to hold me in ce as his tongue dances along mine and his soft moans of pleasure add to the excitement of the day. I pull back, needing air for breathing and what not and he brushes a stray hair from my ponytail back around my ear.


    ¡°You are truly perfect, love. I don¡¯t know how I ever deserved to get so dam lucky.¡±


    I blush, unsure of how to take hispliment but he doesn¡¯t wait for an answer as he sits up and I move to allow him to stand, shaking off thest pieces of ropes and cords.


    ¡°Alright, we have just a few more things to do today before we have to start heading back.¡± He checks his watch as I look around.


    ¡°Where are we?¡±


    ¡°Close to a human city, about three hours drive away from Red Moonnds now.¡±


    ¡°Three hours? Wow. That¡¯s the furthest I¡¯ve ever been.¡±


    ¡°Really? You didn¡¯t travel to the other packs for Tris?¡±


    ¡°Nope, didn¡¯t need to. My ce was always on the border, up until I was sent to your pack.¡±


    ¡°Our pack.¡± He corrects me as we walk through the tree lines to the top of a hill that overlooks a massive city. I¡¯ve never seen something so established before. I thought the size of Red Moon was impressive, but this, this is otherworldly.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I know how to run a pack¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be a great luna, love. You just can¡¯t see it yet, but you will. I promise you; I¡¯ll be by your side every day. Every worry that you have, I¡¯ll make it my personal mission to make you feel secure.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a little bit of a whirlwind yenno.¡±


    ¡°Do you like whirlwinds?¡± He smirks.


    ¡°I¡¯d be lying if I said it¡¯s not fun.¡±


    We end up at arge warehouse with a sign that says, ¡°Go Karts.¡± With an imagine of a miniature looking


    11:50 am PP PP.


    The Whole God Damned World.


    car¡­thing. When we step inside, I see arge race track that goes inside and outside and up and around.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get some lunch first, then I¡¯m going to enjoy beating your ass on the track.¡± Haiden nudges my


    shoulder.


    ¡°Oh you are so fucking on!¡±


    Theres a dingy looking caf¨¦ to the side that sell the mostly delicious works burger I¡¯ve ever had, that along with a strawberry milkshake and I¡¯m utterly satisfied and buzzing with excitement to get into one of these little death traps we¡¯ve been watching. Their helmets they provide are crappy quality and smell like a million peoples heads have used them, and the death traps smell likewn mowers but the speed on them is impressive as we watch other people zoom past us. By the time we¡¯re set up to go thest of the people on the track clear out so it¡¯s just me and my whirlwind alpha mate getting ready to go.


    The lights ahead sh, signing to and I shove my foot to the floor and jolt forward. Haiden is right beside me until we hit the first corner where he zooms to the innerne and passes me, but by the next turn I¡¯ve taken over him. We both see to have a verypetitive nature because he is fucking relentless in his efforts and I¡¯m thriving in this game of cat and mouse. By the end of it I win, Haidenins its because of his dodgy cart but a win is a win for me and I take it, happily dancing around him in my victory.

 Underworld 29

    Haiden


    Mate is so happy when we let her win. Hawk swoons in my head.


    Yes, yes she is. I sigh contently.


    I¡¯m sure the other guys feel it too but I¡¯m certain the moon goddess created her literally to perfection just for me. She is indeed the other half to my soul and today just cemented that fact. She loved every thrilling activity we thrusted onto her. My mate is a little dare devil. A sexy little dare devil.


    ¡°Alright, alright, love. You wound my sore loser heart.¡± I hold my heart and she pouts.


    ¡°A, poor baby.¡±


    Oooohh, she can call us baby any day. Hawk sends me mental images of all the ways he¡¯d like to be called baby and I internally groan, trying to force the images and my dick to settle. It¡¯s well into the afternoon now and reluctantly I do have to get us back to Red Moon before dinner or my brothers will flip their shit.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a bit of a drive ahead of us. How about we get some snacks before we head off?¡± I lead my girl down the road to a street full of shops where I notice a small supermarket. Envy looks in awe at all the different shops but I notice one in particr really catch her eye and I stop to see what she¡¯s seeing. A hippy looking shop where a hot hair balloon suncatcher hangs in the window. It¡¯s absolutely perfect and I pull her in without a second thought.


    ¡°I thought we were getting snacks.¡±


    11:51 am PPPP.


    The Whole God Damned World.


    ¡°Yeah, of course, can¡¯t have my ma¡­girlfriend¡± I correct myself when I see the humandy watching us enter, ¡°getting hungry on the trip. I just need to get a little something here as a reminder of our date.¡± Her cute little blush spreads across her skin and my stomach flips. I fucking love that shade on her.


    ¡°Hey, what can I help you with, Sir?¡± The human asks as I point to the front window.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take every suncatcher there that you have.¡±


    Envy splutters on thin air, the human¡¯s eyes widen, but she swiftly nods and begins her way to the window.


    ¡°One would have been more than enough, maybe even too much really.¡± Envy smacks my arm yfully, making meugh in delight.


    ¡°I will buy you the whole god damned world if it means I get to watch the way your eyes sparkled at that suncatcher.¡±


    and there I was thinking her blush couldn¡¯t get any brighter. A.


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    11:51 am P P P P .

 Underworld 30

    oddess Of The Underworld.


    Glue.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a bit of a drive ahead of us. How about we get some snacks before we head off?¡± I lead my girl down the road to a street full of shops where I notice a small supermarket. Envy looks in awe at all the different shops but I notice one in particr really catch her eye and I stop to see what she¡¯s seeing. A hippy looking shop where a hot hair balloon suncatcher hangs in the window. It¡¯s absolutely perfect and I pull her in without a second thought.


    ¡°I thought we were getting snacks.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, of course, can¡¯t have my ma¡­girlfriend¡± I correct myself when I see the humandy watching us enter, ¡°getting hungry on the trip. I just need to get a little something here as a reminder of our date.¡± Her cute little blush spreads across her skin and my stomach flips. I fucking love that shade on her.


    After buying an assortment of snacks I call Tommy to bring the car around. He wasn¡¯t too happy with having to drive all this way just to turn around and drive us home, but I think he¡¯spletely forgetting all the lengths he went for my sister when they were newly mated, so he can shut up and drive. I carefully load three whole bags of suncatchers into to boot before opening the back door for my love and getting in after her. It doesn¡¯t take long for her to nod off for a little nap, the adrenaline clearly wearing her out for the day, and I love this quiet moment where I get to hold my sleeping mate in peace. We¡¯vee a long way in a short amount of time, and I can¡¯t wait to be fully bonded with her for life.


    Pretty little mate, Hawk purrs for her while she rests.


    When we get back to the packhouse the sun is starting to set and my brothers are keenly waiting outside. Xavier is the first to reach the car, opening the door.


    ¡°Such a gentleman for me¡±, I joke with him, and he scoffs, practically pulling me out to reach our girl who¡¯sughing as Noah gets to the other side, snatching her out and into a tight hug as he inhales her


    scent.


    I retrieve the bags as she¡¯s passed around my brothers, telling them about our date as they get their fill of her. I understand. Yesterday Hawk and I were a mess, barely able to concentrate knowing she was so far away from us.


    ¡°Alright boys, that¡¯s enough.¡± Mum says standing in the doorway to the house. ¡°I need to borrow your mate for a dress fitting before dinner.¡± She shoos us away as we all pout. No matter though, that¡¯ll give me some free time to hang all of these suncatchers around her room as an extra surprise for her.


    Mate will love seeing the pretty colours in the morning. She will think of us and how great we are to her. Hawk prances around my mind.


    Yeah she will!


    ¡°So, how was it?¡± Levi questions me as he follows me to our girls bedroom,


    11:51 am PP PP.


    Glue.


    ¡°It was great! She¡¯s a real thrill seeker.¡± I smile.


    ¡°What¡¯s in the bags?¡± Noah tries to peek inside them but their all wrapped inyers of bubble wrap and


    paper.


    ¡°Sun catchers. You should have seen her face light up when she saw them. So I bought every single one they had and I¡¯m going to hang them around her room.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll help.¡± Xavier nods, darting off to the garage, hopefully to get some tools.


    It doesn¡¯t take us too long, working as a team we get all 57 sun catchers hung up around the room as I tell the guys little details about our date. We haven¡¯t worked this much in sync since we were kids. Clearly Envy is the glue that will bring us back together and make us stronger as a unit. I made sure to hang the hot air balloon one in the centre of the massive window above her bed. Once I¡¯m satisfied they¡¯re all ced


    perfectly and secure, we head down to the dining room for dinner.


    Envy


    ¡°Oh darling, you look beautiful!¡± Mum gushes at me at I twirly awkwardly in a shimmering light blue dress. It holds my breasts firmly upright and the waist is so tight I doubt I¡¯ll be able to eat a decent meal in it. Then there¡¯s all the ruffles of fabric that flow down like a literal princess worn gown, and don¡¯t even get me started on the heels that may just be the death of me. Death by heels, yep, how embarrassing. Aleishaughs as I hobble around trying not to fall.


    ¡°I think we¡¯ll need to do some training in those; you look like a newborn fawn.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I huff at her, flicking my hair over my shoulder.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­yes, maybe you should try wearing them around the house in your free time to get used to them.¡± Mum nods as I treated to the little change area in the corner.


    ¡°Can we eat now?¡± I ask holding out the dress for Aleisha to take.


    Mumughs, ¡°Oh my boys would love your appetite. I¡¯m sure their wolves bask in being able to feed their mate. Yes, we should attend dinner before theye in here to stalk you down. Tomorrow evening we¡¯ll go over some of the customs, rules, rituals and what nots.¡±


    I groan, loudly. ¡°We can do it with wine to make it less torturous for you. How about that?¡± Aleisha


    suggests.


    ¡°Mmmm, okay, but I will get you back on the training field.¡± To which it¡¯s her turn to groan.


    ¡°A, I always wanted to have another daughter for sister banter.¡± Mum coos.


    ¡°Mummmmmmmm! Time to give our mate back now!¡± Haiden calls from the closed door.


    11:51 am PP PP.


    Glue.


    ¡°She does need to eat!¡± Xavier backs him up, making us allugh.


    ¡°See, I told you they¡¯d stalk you down.¡± Mum winks.


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    11:51 am Pppp.


    Goddess Of The Underworld.

 Underworld 31

    Noah


    It¡¯s finally my turn to take Envy on a date. To say I¡¯m nervous is a bloody understatement, I¡¯m fucking shitting myself. We didn¡¯t start on the best of terms. I was an idiot with how I handled the situation, an absolute dumb ass for not waiting for my mate, but I¡¯m determined to make it up to her. I will grovel until the end of my days if need be. The guys and I got up super early once again. With so much nning and preparations needed to be made for the Alpha Kings arrival, the blessing ceremony and the Alpha¡¯s and Luna ceremony, well it¡¯s safe to say thest few days have been a chaotic mass of work.


    ¡°I¡¯m kind of nervous¡­what if she doesn¡¯t like it? I mean you two clearly wooed her socks off. How am I supposed topete with that?¡± I ask them as we sort through a few more details in the office.


    ¡°You¡¯re not supposed topete.¡± Xavier starts. ¡°You¡¯re just supposed to show her who you are, find out who she is, and enjoy the time together.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t try topete. There¡¯s no way any of you will top my date with her.¡± Haiden jokes, but I¡¯m not in the mood for it.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to go wake her.¡± I mumble out, tossing my stack of papers on the desk and leaving. When I get to the bedroom my hands are sweaty, and my heart rate is through the roof. I run my hands along my short head of hair a few times trying to build up some courage that today will be good for her, before I enter her room. She¡¯s already awake, making the bed as the sun now shines through the open windows and catches on the billion suncatchers we set upst night for her. The pretty little lights dancing around the room bounce off her milky white skin and dark hair that cascades down her back. She¡¯s dressed in the short blue sundress I left out for her. She looks ethereal. Every bit the goddess blessed Luna I know she is.


    ¡°Good morning.¡± She smiles sweetly at me, straightening out thest of the wrinkles in the doona.


    ¡°Good morning, Luna. You look utterly beautiful today.¡±


    ¡°I do? Hmm¡­I¡¯ll admit, I¡¯m not a fan of dresses but this one is actually prettyfy. It¡¯s got enough movement I could still kick some ass if needed.¡±


    Iugh as she shows me a swinging kick and a few more moves,


    ¡°That probably won¡¯t be necessary, but I¡¯ll keep it in mind for any future dresses we buy for you. Must be able to kick ass in them.¡± I tick off an imaginary checklist.


    ¡°Are we going somewhere special today?¡± She pries for information about our date.


    ¡°We are indeed. Somewhere very special¡­to me, hopefully to you also.¡± I hold out my arm for her and thankfully she doesn¡¯t leave me hanging and looks her tiny hand in the crook of my arm.


    I lead her past the kitchen where an omega has two sandwich wraps prepared for us. I take both and hand


    11:51 am Pppp.

 Underworld 32

    Date #3


    one to Envy, unwrapping my own and eating as we walk. She shrugs and mirrors me.


    ¡°Are we taking a car? Or a bike? Or¡­a balloon?¡± Sheughs as we exit the packhouse.


    ¡°Actually, we¡¯re walking today. Is that¡­okay?¡±


    Her smile fills me with warmth. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d very much like that.¡±


    Thank fucking gods. One point for me. This is good, we¡¯re good, I¡¯m good.


    Yes yes, we¡¯re a good boy. She should give me pats for being a good boy! Talen muses and I mentally roll my eyes at him.


    Not now.


    He huffs and clearly isn¡¯t impressed with me but perks back up instantly when Envy starts asking about different buildings as we walk through the town. It¡¯s only four blocks away until we¡¯re at the destination.


    ¡°So¡­I know that the other two had these big, dreamy dates that we¡¯re magical and all¡­I just kind of wanted to show you a piece of what¡¯s important to me. This¡­¡± I¡¯m cut off as I wave a hand at the big building behind me.


    ¡°ALPHA NOAHHHHHHHHHHH!¡± A tiny, high-pitched squeal erupts in my overly sensitive ears, but I grin when I spin around to see Macey running towards me. Macey is a four-year-old orphaned pup. Her parents died in a rogue attack not long after she was born and is one of many pups here that Ie to see at least


    once a week.


    ¡°Hey there sweet girl!¡± I kneel down at snatch her up for a hug when she reaches me.


    ¡°Alpha Noah¡­¡± She whispers in my ear, but it¡¯s not very subtle because I know Envy can clearly hear her. ¡°Who¡¯s the pretty girl?!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my mate.¡± I fake whisper back. Macey¡¯s eyes grow wide with happiness, and she bounces on my hip and pats my chest to let me know she wants to get down. Envy immediately kneels when she sees Macey getting closer to her.


    ¡°I¡¯m Macey!¡± The eager pup holds out her hand like I¡¯ve taught her to do before.


    Envy smiles, big and wide and then scoops Macey up into her arms.


    ¡°Hello Macey. I¡¯m Envy. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you!¡±


    ¡°Are you going to being to our movie night?!¡±


    Envy looks over at me and I nod with a sheepish smile.


    11:51 am PPP


    Date #3


    ¡°Well it looks like it, little one.¡±


    ¡°EEEEEEEPPPPP! Yayyyyyyyy!!!!!!¡± Macey bounces around in a circle doing a little happy dance. ¡°BEST DAY EVER! COME ON. I¡¯LL SHOW YOU EVERYTHING!¡± Macey grabs her hand as Envy stands and follows her into the house. She looks back over her shoulder to see if I¡¯ming and I can¡¯t help but to mirror the huge grin she¡¯s wearing. She likes it!


    ¡°Nanna Nia! Nanna Nia! LOOK!¡± Macey bursts through the front doors and rounds corner after corner until we¡¯re in the kitchen where the elder who the kids call ¡°Nanna Nia¡± is working.


    ¡°Well who¡¯s your friend, Macey?¡±


    ¡°This is Alpha Noah¡¯s mate!¡±


    ¡°Envy.¡± I supply. ¡°Envy this is Nanna Nia. She takes care of the kids most days here.¡±


    ¡°Most days, expect for movie night, where Noah takes over for me.¡±


    1


    ¡°You do this every week?¡± Envy looks at me.


    ¡°Yep, one full day every week. We bake sweets, do some activities, y some music¡­¡±


    Macey cuts me off again, ¡°and a night we make this reaaaaalllllllyyyyy big fire with crackers and chocte and marshmallows and we watch a movie outside on this big sheet in the trees!!!!!!!!!¡±


    ¡°That¡­sounds¡­.amazing!¡± Envy says back excitedly.


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 Underworld 33

    Noah


    It¡¯s finally my turn to take Envy on a date. To say I¡¯m nervous is a bloody understatement, I¡¯m fucking shitting myself. We didn¡¯t start on the best of terms. I was an idiot with how I handled the situation, an absolute dumb ass for not waiting for my mate, but I¡¯m determined to make it up to her. I will grovel until the end of my days if need be. The guys and I got up super early once again. With so much nning and preparations needed to be made for the Alpha Kings arrival, the blessing ceremony and the Alpha¡¯s and Luna ceremony, well it¡¯s safe to say thest few days have been a chaotic mass of work.


    ¡°I¡¯m kind of nervous¡­what if she doesn¡¯t like it? I mean you two clearly wooed her socks off. How am I supposed topete with that?¡± I ask them as we sort through a few more details in the office.


    ¡°You¡¯re not supposed topete.¡± Xavier starts. ¡°You¡¯re just supposed to show her who you are, find out who she is, and enjoy the time together.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t try topete. There¡¯s no way any of you will top my date with her.¡± Haiden jokes, but I¡¯m not in the mood for it.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to go wake her.¡± I mumble out, tossing my stack of papers on the desk and leaving. When I get to the bedroom my hands are sweaty, and my heart rate is through the roof. I run my hands along my short head of hair a few times trying to build up some courage that today will be good for her, before I enter her room. She¡¯s already awake, making the bed as the sun now shines through the open windows and catches on the billion suncatchers we set upst night for her. The pretty little lights dancing around the room bounce off her milky white skin and dark hair that cascades down her back. She¡¯s dressed in the short blue sundress I left out for her. She looks ethereal. Every bit the goddess blessed Luna I know she is.


    ¡°Good morning.¡± She smiles sweetly at me, straightening out thest of the wrinkles in the doona.


    ¡°Good morning, Luna. You look utterly beautiful today.¡±


    ¡°I do? Hmm¡­I¡¯ll admit, I¡¯m not a fan of dresses but this one is actually prettyfy. It¡¯s got enough movement I could still kick some ass if needed.¡±


    Iugh as she shows me a swinging kick and a few more moves.


    ¡°That probably won¡¯t be necessary, but I¡¯ll keep it in mind for any future dresses we buy for you. Must be able to kick ass in them.¡± I tick off an imaginary checklist.


    ¡°Are we going somewhere special today?¡± She pries for information about our date.


    ¡°We are indeed. Somewhere very special¡­to me, hopefully to you also.¡± I hold out my arm for her and thankfully she doesn¡¯t leave me hanging and looks her tiny hand in the crook of my arm.


    I lead her past the kitchen where an omega has two sandwich wraps prepared for us. I take both and hand


    one to Envy, unwrapping my own and eating as we walk. She shrugs and mirrors me.


    ¡°Are we taking a car? Or a bike? Or¡­a balloon?¡± Sheughs as we exit the packhouse.


    ¡°Actually, we¡¯re walking today. Is that¡­okay?¡±


    Her smile fills me with warmth. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d very much like that.¡±


    Thank fucking gods. One point for me. This is good, we¡¯re good, I¡¯m good.


    Yes yes, we¡¯re a good boy. She should give me pats for being a good boy! Talen muses and I mentally roll my eyes at him.


    Not now.


    He huffs and clearly isn¡¯t impressed with me but perks back up instantly when Envy starts asking about different buildings as we walk through the town. It¡¯s only four blocks away until we¡¯re at the destination.


    ¡°So¡­I know that the other two had these big, dreamy dates that we¡¯re magical and all¡­I just kind of wanted to show you a piece of what¡¯s important to me. This¡­¡± I¡¯m cut off as I wave a hand at the big building behind me.


    ¡°ALPHA NOAHHHHHHHHHHH!¡± A tiny, high-pitched squeal erupts in my overly sensitive ears, but I grin when I spin around to see Macey running towards me. Macey is a four-year-old orphaned pup. Her parents died in a rogue attack not long after she was born and is one of many pups here that Ie to see at least once a week.


    ¡°Hey there sweet girl!¡± I kneel down at snatch her up for a hug when she reaches me.


    ¡°Alpha Noah¡­¡± She whispers in my ear, but it¡¯s not very subtle because I know Envy can clearly hear her. ¡°Who¡¯s the pretty girl?!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my mate.¡± I fake whisper back. Macey¡¯s eyes grow wide with happiness, and she bounces on my hip and pats my chest to let me know she wants to get down. Envy immediately kneels when she sees Macey getting closer to her.


    ¡°I¡¯m Macey!¡± The eager pup holds out her hand like I¡¯ve taught her to do before.


    Envy smiles, big and wide and then scoops Macey up into her arms.


    ¡°Hello Macey. I¡¯m Envy. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you!¡±


    ¡°Are you going to being to our movie night?!¡±


    Envy looks over at me and I nod with a sheepish smile.


    ¡°Well it looks like it, little one.¡±


    ¡°EEEEEEEPPPPP! Yayyyyyyyy!!!!!!¡± Macey bounces around in a circle doing a little happy dance. ¡°BEST DAY EVER! COME ON. I¡¯LL SHOW YOU EVERYTHING!¡± Macey grabs her hand as Envy stands and follows her into the house. She looks back over her shoulder to see if I¡¯ming and I can¡¯t help but to mirror the huge grin she¡¯s wearing. She likes it!


    ¡°Nanna Nia! Nanna Nia! LOOK!¡± Macey bursts through the front doors and rounds corner after corner until we¡¯re in the kitchen where the elder who the kids call ¡°Nanna Nia¡± is working.


    ¡°Well who¡¯s your friend, Macey?¡±


    ¡°This is Alpha Noah¡¯s mate!¡±


    ¡°Envy.¡± I supply. ¡°Envy this is Nanna Nia. She takes care of the kids most days here.¡±


    ¡°Most days, expect for movie night, where Noah takes over for me.¡±


    ¡°You do this every week?¡± Envy looks at me.


    ¡°Yep, one full day every week. We bake sweets, do some activities, y some music¡­¡±


    Macey cuts me off again, ¡°and a night we make this reaaaaalllllllyyyyy big fire with crackers and chocte and marshmallows and we watch a movie outside on this big sheet in the trees!!!!!!!!!¡± ¨C


    ¡°That¡­sounds¡­.amazing!¡± Envy says back excitedly.

 Underworld 34

    Nanna Nia finishes packing up thest of the breakfast dishes and hangs up her apron.


    ¡°Kids are out the back, breakfast is done, they¡¯re all yours.¡± She taps me lightly on the shoulder before turning to Envy. ¡°I¡¯m so happy you¡¯re hear deary. We¡¯ve been waiting ever too long for this one to bring a girl over.¡±


    Envy smiles sweetly as Nanna Nia leaves and we¡¯re left with Macey looking excitedly between us.


    ¡°Should we go meet the others?¡± I ask.


    ¡°I would love to.¡±


    We make our way through the open back door where everyone else is enjoying the sunshine. There¡¯s a bubble machine that catches Macey¡¯s attention and some soft music ying. Some of the older kids are hanging out in the back corner under a tree and the younger ones run crazily across the yard doing all sorts of things. While the littlest pup, Henry sits in a bouncer under the shade of the house taking a nap. He catches Envy¡¯s eye, and she saunters over to sit by him. I follow her, leaning against the old brick house as I sit by her.


    ¡°This is Henry, he¡¯s six months old.¡±


    ¡°Where are his parents?¡± She asks, not taking her eyes off the little pup.


    ¡°Henry¡¯s father was a drunk. He constantly abused his mate, but we could never prove it. One day a she wolf came to the border with a little bundle, stating that it was Henry¡¯s.¡±


    Envy gasps. ¡°He cheated on a mate bond?¡±


    I nod. ¡°Rapped a rogue, and she couldn¡¯t keep him as it was too unsafe for her out there. We offered to bring her in or find her another pack away from Henry¡¯s father, but she didn¡¯t want that. She just wanted him to be safe. We took the pup to his father, hoping maybe he would do the right thing, which he did not, so I brought Henry here. His father¡¯s mate was so distraught she burnt down their house while he was passed out inside and took off, herself.¡±


    ¡°Oh my god.¡± Envy breaths out, a stray tear falling down her cheek and I quickly wipe it away.


    ¡°He has a good life here. All of the orphans do. I make sure of it. Nanna Nia does so much for them.¡±


    ¡°This ce is beautiful. It¡¯s¡­it¡¯s a beautiful thing.¡±


    I nod, knowing just how much a ce like this would have meant for her when she was a pup.


    ¡°What did your pack do with orphans if they didn¡¯t have an orphanage?¡± I question. It¡¯s been on my mind for a while. It¡¯s odd for a pack to not have one.


    She shrugs. ¡°If they didn¡¯t have wanting parents from other packs.¡±


    ¡°So why did they keep you?¡±


    e pack


    ¡°I have no idea really. Felix just said it was something he felt. Something in here, telling him to keep me.¡± She taps her heart. It saddens me that even though they kept her, they didn¡¯t really give her a home.


    By now most of the kids have noticed our new guest, the older kids stay sitting in the back corner but I don¡¯t miss how they look over at her with partial hope. The younger kids have made a very messy semi- circle around us with Macey acting as their ringleader. ¡°Alpha Noah, tell them she¡¯s your mate!¡± She says dramatically.


    ¡°She is, indeed, my mate.¡± I nod and smile while the kids all ¡®ohhh¡¯ and ¡®ahhhh¡¯ and ¡®eeeep!¡¯ making Envyugh.


    ¡°Can you bake?!¡± L, who I think is about six steps forward.


    ¡°I can.¡± Envy says with a grin.


    ¡°Finally! Noah can¡¯t bake for shit!¡±


    ¡°Language.¡± I warn and she covers her mouth quickly. ¡°Sorry, but Nanna Nia never bakes sweets, and all Alpha Noah here can cook is a good breakfast.¡±


    ¡°Hey! I also make a mean BBQ, don¡¯t forget that!¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­yeah okay, but I¡¯d killlllllll for a good muffin, or cake, or something with a heap of sugar and


    chocte!¡±


    Envyughs as she gets up off the grass. ¡°Well, what¡¯s a movie night without baked goods? Come on, I¡¯ll teach you a thing or two.¡±


    Henry begins to wake as the kids all rally in excitement, so I scoop him up and bring him inside to prepare a bottle. I watch from the other side of therge kitchen ind as Envy instructs the kids to wash their hands and ties back some of their hair. She begins giving out orders for some of the kids who can actually take an instruction while the younger ones y with the bowls and spoons, she¡¯s gotten out. By the time melted chocte has started to waft through the house the older kids have all joined me on the stools, watching intently as my girl whisks around the kids happily, singing into her baking spoon and letting the kids have little licks of chocte off their fingers.


    ¡°She seems like a good one.¡± Jeremy, the eldest of our orphanage at sixteen says to me.


    ¡°Yeah. She is.¡± I smile dreamily and heughs.


    ¡°You¡¯re a goner already.¡±


    Envy holds out a spoon covered in melted chocte to Jeremy, and he stills for a second, looking between me, the spoon and back to me and Iugh this time.


    ¡°Come on, oldest gets spoon licking privileges. If you don¡¯t take it then I¡¯ll have to give it to someone else.¡±


    All the kids start in an uproar of ¡°Me, me, me!¡± as they wave their little arms and jump around. Jeremy¡¯s eyes narrow on the spoon as I grin at him. Just as Envy starts to pull away, he snatches it and takes one big, long lick up the spoon making all the kids winge and whine.


    ¡°I licked it. It¡¯s mine.¡± He pokes his tongue out at the kids and continues to lick the spoon. Envy smiles triumphantly, full well knowing she just cracked the hardest egg. Once the industrial sized oven is full of baking muffins and cakes and then fridge is being stocked with different slices the older kids actually offer to load the dishwasher, taking me by utter surprise because those kids don¡¯t like to do anything they¡¯re told, let alone to do it without being told. Henry starts fussing again after he¡¯s just finished his bottle and nothing, I¡¯m doing seems to be calming him down.


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 Underworld 35

    ¡°May I?¡± Envy asks softly, standing beside me, and I¡¯m more than happy to pass off the fussy little pup. She takes him onto her chest, supporting his bum with one hand while her other goes to his back as she takes him over to the lounge room. I follow like it¡¯s not even a question. I want to be wherever she is, always. When she sits on the old, worn-out leather sofa, she props him on her knee, facing me, and holds him under his chin, pushing his back inwards slightly until he¡¯s sitting up straight. He lets out the smelliest, loudest, longest burp I¡¯ve ever heard from that pup. She rubs his back a few times, getting a few little hups from him, before she brings him back to her chest, and he settles into herfortably.


    ¡°When I was younger, the patrol guards with mates would take me home for baths and dinners, usually the ones with pups because they felt bad for me. I learnt a lot helping with the pups.¡± She answers the question that was on my tongue.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be damned. Usually, I¡¯d be stuck with a fussy baby until he would pass out again.¡±


    Sheughs and shakes her head, probably picturing me looking frazzled with a fussy pup. Meanwhile, all I can think of is how utterly perfect she looks with Henry snuggled up on her chest as she ys with his little fluff of hair and rubs his back.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get some sandwiches out for this kid¡¯s lunch. Do you want one¡­Or I could order us something a bit nicer if you like?¡±


    ¡°A sandwich would be perfect, but make sure the kids have eaten first.¡± I pass her the TV remote, and she starts flicking through channels until she settles on a cooking show, turning the subtitles on and the volume off. I smile, and before I leave the room, I snap a picture of Envy and Henry and send it off to my


    brothers.


    They all reply to the group chat before I even reach the kitchen.


    Levi ¨C ¡°Wow¡­¡±


    Haiden ¨C ¡°Holy hell, that¡¯s hot.¡±


    Xavier ¨C ¡°Imagine if that was our pup.¡±


    And I do. That¡¯s all I can think about.


    Envy.


    Who would have thought Noah would be so good with these kids? I listen from the lounge room with Henry as Noah attempts to get the younger kids to eat their sandwiches. It sounds like utter chaos, and I¡¯m so here for it. The sounds of their littleughter surround me in a bliss I¡¯m not ustomed to. It¡¯s almost¡­homey. No, it is. I realise this is something I would miss if I ever had to leave. Jeremy appears from somewhere, plopping himself down on the couch next to me.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to see him happy, you know?¡±


    ¡°What, he wasn¡¯t happy before?¡± I question, and he shrugs.


    ¡°He was surviving. He¡¯s always put on a good face for the pups, but he seems different today, like he¡¯s at


    peace.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm. He does look pretty peaceful.¡±


    Weugh as Macey runs through the lounge room with a stolen muffin while Noah is hot on her heels, wearing a pink, frilly apron.


    ¡°No muffins until you eat your sandwich!¡±


    ¡°Aww, but, but but!¡±


    ¡°No buts. Sandwich first.¡±


    He carries her back into the kitchen on his shoulders, ducking as they go through the doorway. I take Henry into the kitchen to see Noah pulling out all of the baked goods we had made, cing them in containers, all the while organising the kids at the dining table.


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t you look very domesticated.¡± I tease and he blushes.


    ¡°Is that a good thing?¡±


    ¡°It is.¡± I pat his shoulder and pass Henry off to him to continue what he was doing.


    ¡°Alright, kids, you can have one muffin when you¡¯re done, bring your tes to the dishwasher, and then we can do some painting outside,¡± Noah instructs them.


    The afternoon is spent fingerpainting little canvases with the kids. Macey decided to do a simple pink handprint in the middle of hers and asked if I would do a ck one next to hers. Once I was finished, she grabbed Noah and had him ce another ck handprint on the other side of hers and whispered something in Noah¡¯s ear.


    Once the sun started going down, I helped the older kids string up arge white sheet between two trees in the backyard. All the kids started bringing out pillows and nkets, and we did a vote on which movie to watch, while Noah started on the BBQ. We ended up watching Finding Nemo on the makeshift projection screen, and Noah brought out couch cushions for us to sit on at the back of the group. Some of the younger kids started to fall asleep under the stars, while the older kids got bored and wandered off. Macey had long since cuddled up on Noah¡¯sp, and Henry was well asleep in my arms. Jeremy popped back out for a moment with his phone, telling us to smile as he pointed it at us. Noah was quick to wrap his arm around my shoulder as I leaned my head against his. Once Jeremy was satisfied with the photo, I didn¡¯t bother to move away. His touch was nice, the night was beautiful, and this moment was perfect. So when he tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear and leaned in, I closed my eyes and fell into his sweet, soft


    213


    kiss.


    Not long after, Nanna Nia returned to help tuck the rest of the kids in bed. Noah showed me where Henry¡¯s room was, and I reluctantly tucked him in while Noah put Macey down. We walked hand in hand through the house, stopping by the dining room where Noah searched through the dried canvases from earlier. He grabbed the once Macey had made and handed it to me.


    ¡°Macey said this would be the perfect gift for my mate.¡± He blushes.


    ¡°I love it!¡± I beam back at him, holding the canvas like it¡¯s made of ss. ¡°Today was perfect, Noah. Thank you for bringing me here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so d you liked it. These kids mean a lot to me.¡±


    ¡°Can Ie back next week?¡±


    He wraps me in his arms, kissing my forehead before smiling down at me.


    ¡°You cane here whenever you like, but I would absolutely love it if you joined me every week for movie night. Maybe we can even convince the guys toe.¡±


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 Underworld 36

    We walk back towards the pack house; the streets are quiet and dimly lit. My body tingles with the sensation of holding Noah¡¯s hand, and my stomach is doing all sorts of flips. I misjudged him; he¡¯s the sweetest man with the biggest heart. The guys must have mind-linked because they all wait at the bottom of the driveway for us when we approach.


    ¡°Hey, little one, what have you got there?¡± Xavier kisses my forehead and tries to peek at the canvas, but I hold it closer to my chest, making himugh.


    ¡°I won¡¯t take it from you. Is it special?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it is.¡± I nod and show him.


    ¡°You managed to befriend Macey?¡± He looks shocked. ¡°That pup is so possessive of Noah, I didn¡¯t think she¡¯d let anyone else in.¡±


    I look at him, confused because she was the most weing little kid.


    ¡°Yeah, she once bit my hand when I tried to give her a hug.¡± Haidenughs.


    ¡°Would you like me to hang that up for you in your room?¡± Levi asks.


    ¡°Yeah¡­but be super careful with it, okay?¡±


    ¡°I will, I promise.¡±


    He holds out his hands, and I very carefully pass it to him. True to his word, he holds it like the most valuable item in the world.


    ¡°So you like the kids?¡± Xavier holds my other hand as we all make our way back to the packhouse.


    ¡°I love them. It would have been nice to have such a ce in the Tris pack when I was growing up. They¡¯re very lucky to have so many people caring for them.¡±


    He nods in agreement.


    After my shower, I find all the guys already lying down in my bed. Levi just finished hanging the canvas up on one of the nk walls, and I can¡¯t help but smile at it. Along with the suncatchers, this is the most I¡¯ve ever had a room decorated. It¡¯s odd how things can give you such feelings.


    ¡°Come on, Love.¡± Haiden pats the middle of the bed. ¡°Time to get your beauty sleep.¡± I climb in between the pile of bodies like this is the most normal thing, and then I fall asleep.


    ¡°Good morning, doll,¡± Levi says softly, as I stir awake on his chest. His very bare, chiselled chest¡­ He takes in a long inhale. ¡°Fuck, you smell divine.¡± I bury my face into his chest to hide the burning brightness of


    my cheeks. Having slept again, surrounded by my mates, I had some very interesting dreams. The mate


    bond is going stronger every day, and I know my wolf ising soon. Gods, how will I control myself when it¡¯s in full force if this is only a dulled sensation of it?


    ¡°Don¡¯t be embarrassed, doll. The feeling is very much mutual.¡± I peek open my eyes, and I¡¯m met with a very prominent-looking tent in the sheets.


    ¡°Oh my gods¡­¡±


    Heughs and kisses my forehead. ¡°We all wake up like this when we¡¯re with you, if you haven¡¯t noticed.¡±


    ¡°So, what, it¡¯s going to be like tent city every morning for the rest of my life?¡±


    1


    Heughs harder. ¡°Hope you like camping.¡± He gets out of bed, adjusting said tent in his pants. ¡°I¡¯m going to have a quick shower, then we¡¯ll have breakfast with the others before we head off for the day, okay?¡±


    I try not to look at his beautiful morning glory as I respond. ¡°Yep, sounds great.¡±


    A shower is definitely what I need right now, because I swear to the gods if I don¡¯t get rid of my own morning frustrations, then today is going to be a very long, hard day.


    Breakfast is nice, having all of my mates together for the morning. Aleisha and Tommy are also present, but judging by her expression, I either didn¡¯t wash off the scent of my arousal or I added to it by trying to relieve myself in the shower. She looks like she¡¯s having the time of her life, and judging by the looks on my mates¡¯ faces, they¡¯re in pure agony trying to control themselves.


    Levi.


    *Fuck, do you guys smell that?* Haiden links us.


    *It¡¯s intoxicating. * Xavier agrees.


    *I want to drown in it. * Noah practically whimpers.


    *Too bad, she¡¯s all mine today. * I shut them all up as I pull a chair out for my mate.


    *Ours, asshole. * Flint reminds me. Getting closer to the surface to look at our mates¡¯ pretty little blush.


    ¡°So, considering you guys have just kidnapped my new friend for thest few days. I¡¯m taking Envy tomorrow for myself.¡± My sister pipes up like she owns the ce.


    There¡¯s a series of protests from me and my brothers and but she holds up her hand.


    ¡°With her whole world changing and all this extra stress of what¡¯s toe with the Alpha Kings, Mum and I have organised a nice, rxing day with her. So, if you really want to argue the point, take it up with Mum.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± Xavier grunts. We can¡¯t argue with what Mum says. Not unless we want a headache and our asses


    kicked.


    I continue adding more food onto Envy¡¯s te as she finishes off bits and pieces, and she doesn¡¯tin. She happily picks up the extra bacon. Gods, I love her appetite. I didn¡¯t choose an outfit for her today like my brothers did. I knew what she would wear if given the choice, and honestly, it¡¯s perfect for our date today. Tights, boots, a simple crop top with a sports bra, I¡¯m assuming. She¡¯sfortable and ready for what I have nned. When she¡¯s stopped picking up more food, I finish off her bacon and duck into the kitchen to grab the backpack there, which I had stashedst night. Without a word to the others, I hold out my hand to her, and she takes it, getting up from the chair to follow me out. I¡¯m sure she waves at the guys, but I don¡¯t pay them any mind. Today she¡¯s mine:


    Ours Flint growls.


    Fine, today she¡¯s ours.


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 Underworld 37

    ¡°So¡­you up for a ride today, doll?¡±


    ¡°A ride on what?¡± she looks around curiously.


    ¡°On me,¡± Flint says in his deeper tone.


    ¡°Oh, oh really!?¡±


    I hand Envy the backpack and tighten the straps on her so it won¡¯te loose, and then I begin to strip my clothes, tossing them into one of the nearby trees. Envy looks literally everywhere but right at me. That doesn¡¯t stop her scent from changing. She likes this.


    I quickly shift and nudge her hip to get her attention, and the awe in her eyes turns Flint into a mushy puddle. She gives us a long pet, and when we lower onto our belly, she gets the gist of what we¡¯re trying to tell her. Ever so gently, she mounts us, wrapping her arms around our chest, her thighs tightening on our sides, and her head lying on our back.


    We should carry our mate all the time, everywhere. Flint purrs loudly, making her giggle, and then we set off at a gentle pace. Her core is definitely rubbing along our spine because that dizzying scent is only growing stronger. It¡¯s distracting, really. I have to make a very conscious effort to avoid all the trees. Envy yips andughs as be jumps over a fallen tree, and that spurs me on to see if maybe she would like to go a little faster. Herughter increases as our pace does, and it¡¯s a beautiful sound. Just me, my mate, and the world around us.


    And me Flint grunts.


    Right, and my wolf.


    It¡¯s a fair run to the spot I¡¯m searching for, but when I hear the telltale sigh of a waterfall, I know I¡¯ve found it. It¡¯s a spot we haven¡¯te to in years. My brothers and I must have been maybe six thest time our parents brought us. Mum used to tell us stories of how she fell in love with our father here. I can only hope that this ce holds a sort of magic that helps Envy fall in love with me. We slow to a walk as we pass through the walls of stone and vines into the hidden caverns where the waterfall and hot springs are


    ¡°Wow¡­¡± Envy breaths out as I lower myself so she can slide off my back.


    I shift behind her as she watches the water and gently tug the bag off her back to get my spare clothes out. I opt for a pair of swim shorts and grab the ck bikini Aleisha picked out.


    ¡°Wanna swim, doll?¡±


    I brush my chest along her back, and she gasps in surprise before she spins to see the swimmers in my hand. I almost want to blush when I catch her eyes roaming along my chest as she checks me out. She takes the bikini, and I turn around so she can change. My long hair is catching in the wind, and that


    capture my wrists, making me still.


    ¡°Don¡¯t. I like it down.¡±


    ¡°You do?¡± I turn around to see if I can detect a lie in her face, but what I see when I turn has left my jaw on the bloody floor. The ck swimmers don¡¯t leave much to the imagination. They highlight all of her


    features.


    ¡°I do.¡± She twirls a strand in her fingers, smiling up at me.


    ¡°You look¡­wow¡­doll.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re pretty wow yourself.¡± She blushes.


    I take her hand slowly, and she interlocks our fingers. My heart beats double time from the contact, and I know I¡¯m falling head over heels for my mate.


    ¡°The water looks beautiful.¡± She says softly.


    ¡°Yeah, this was Mum and Dad¡¯s spot. They used to bring us here when we were kids, but things got too busy to make it out here as we got older.¡±


    ¡°It sounds like you guys had a pretty good childhood.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, yeah, we were lucky in that sense.¡±


    The waterps around my feet as I guide Envy into the sloping parts of the rocks that lead into the pool of water. ¡°It used to be a lot prettier. There were vines on the walls and different flowers around the pool, and I swear I remember the water used to glow with a blue hue as the different pockets of light danced along the water.¡± I exined, pointing to the areas where things had been left to die. ¡°It¡¯s said this ce was sacred to Selene, the Moon Goddess, but as time went on, it just died away, like the magic was no longer here.¡±


    ¡°I can imagine it,¡± Envy says softly, closing her eyes as the waterps around her waist and she holds a dead and dried flower from the water¡¯s edge. I¡¯m lost in the way she looks so at peace here. I¡¯ve always felt like these waters had healing properties when we were kids. Whatever troubles we had would wash away on the days we spent here ying and eating by the foliage. It¡¯s not like it once was, but I had hoped that Envy could still see the beauty in it. Still with her eyes closed. I blink a few times to try and clear my vision because I swear the water around her starts to glow, but blinking doesn¡¯t clear it away, no, it only makes it more apparent that the water is indeed glowing in a soft ring around her. She brings the dead flower to her nose as if she can still smell its aroma, and when she exhales long and slow onto the petals, they too begin to glow, first in a blue and then it fades, spreading soft pink throughout it. The petals begin to unfold ande back to life. She opens her eyes with a gasp and looks from me to the flower and back


    to me.


    ¡°Goddess blessed.¡± I breathe out.


    ¡°Wow¡­¡±


    She ces the now beautiful pink lily into the water, and it floats on the surface away from us, spreading a glowing blue throughout the water where it goes.


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 Underworld 38

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡± She whispers, walking backwards to where I¡¯m standing, and I wrap my arms around her as we both watch the flower slowly bring life back to the waters. I reach to the side of the pool and take another dried flower carefully and hold it out in front of her.


    ¡°Try it again.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know what I did. I was just imagining how the flower would have smelled when it was alive.¡±


    ¡°So, try that again. Picture it, imagine the smell¡­will it to be.¡±


    She cups her hands over the top of mine, covering the flower and standing with my chest against her back, I can feel a hum of energy. It¡¯s different to the mate bond sparks, because I can feel those too, but this energy, it¡¯s different, powerful¡­it¡¯s Holy like. The energy hum dies down, and she slowly removes her hands to show another very fruitful-looking lily. I ce it into the water, but it doesn¡¯t light up the surrounding water like the other one. Envy leans forward slightly and pushes the lily gently, and as it moves, the water againes to life. We watch as the two flowers float along the water, leaving a pattern of swirling, bright blue lines throughout the water. She turns to me in my arms with the biggest smile on


    her face.


    ¡°So¡­that¡¯s new.¡±


    Iugh a little and kiss her forehead. ¡°Gods, you are something else.¡±


    She pushes off my chest, floating backwards into the waters and just like the flowers, the light follows her. I don¡¯t even register my own body gravitating towards her until she sits up and wraps her arms around my neck, her legs around my waist and pulls herself close to my body. She¡¯s so utterly enchanting that I swear if I don¡¯t kiss her right now, I might just die. So, I lean down slowly, and she meets me halfway, pressing her soft lips against my own. Fireworks and light shows, the sensation of a million tiny strings of electricity flood through my veins. My mate wants me. My mate. I open my eyes when I hear her gasp softly, and the whole cavern is glowing brightly. Shrubs and flowers, vines and moss, everything around us is slowlying back to life, and my little doll is herself glowing a bright blue hue. The vines covering most of the sun pockets push themselves out of the way, and we¡¯re surrounded by light dancing off the water, just like I once remembered it.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like this before, doll¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, that would make two of us.¡± She inspects her arms where the glow is beginning to fade, and her skin turns back to its normal shade, but nothing around us loses its life. It¡¯s as if she¡¯s resurrected everything around us.


    ¡°What¡­what do we do now?¡± She asks quietly, and I shrug.


    ¡°I guess, for right now¡­we just enjoy it.¡± I smile and ssh her a little. To which she responds with the biggest ssh sent towards my face, making me cough and splutter out the magical water. Sheughs


    hysterically at her efforts, and I can¡¯t help butugh with her.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s on now, doll.¡± I scoop her up and drag her over to the waterwall while sheughs and pleads for mercy. I show no mercy,ughing triumphantly as I pull us both under the stream and to the underside of it, where the water falls all around us but no longer on us. Herughter dies down as she wipes the water from her eyes, and I capture her lips once more. A soft, sweet, gentle kiss that I hope conveys everything I¡¯m feeling.


    We y amongst the water for a while,ughing and joking, just as I had done once with my brothers, but today is so much different, so much better because it¡¯s with her. My Goddess blessed mate.


    ¡°Are you hungry?¡±


    Her stomach growls in response, making meugh.


    ¡°That would be a yes then.¡± She nods and bites her lip.


    ¡°Come on then. Let¡¯s find somewhere special for a pic.¡±


    ¡°Like¡­our own ce?¡± She asks, and I didn¡¯t even think of that, but the smile spreads across my face with


    the idea of it.


    ¡°Fuck yes.¡±


    We towel off and she slips back into her clothes as I slip out of mine, tucking the things back into the bag and shifting back into Flint. I had promised him we would share the date with our girl, so that means she will ride on him. She puts the backpack on and gives him a scratch behind the ear as he dips low enough for her to climb on, and we trot out of the caves. Envy points in different directions as she rxes on our back and we happily follow, allowing her to guide us to find our spot. We end up settling on the top of arge hill. I say hill, but it¡¯s more like a mini mountain. The view is breathtaking though, you can see in all different directions, at the spaces below.


    ¡°This is it!¡± She announces, sliding off and twirling in the open space with her arms wide. She slips off the bag, digging around for my clothes and pacing them to me, not even trying to avoid looking this time.


    That¡¯s it, little mate. You like what you see? Flint unts in my mind as if showing off his own body.


    Stop it. I can¡¯t get a boner right now.


    Says you.


    Yeah, says me.


    I pull out the small nket andy it on the grass, getting the sandwiches, fruit bowl and bottles of water out to sit them on the nket too. It¡¯s not much, and surely not fancy, but she jumps and ps in excitement at the disy.


    212


    ¡°This is so sweet! I¡¯ve never had a pic before!¡±


    She sits down next to me, and I really should have picked a bigger nket because we barely fit on it together, but she doesn¡¯t seem to mind at all. She leans her hands backwards onto the grass, facing her chin to the sky with her eyes closed as she takes a deep inhale of the fresh air. Just like before, she glows slightly from her hands, and then all around us starts to bloom with a million different wildflowers. I quickly grab out my phone, standing quietly to take a picture of her. She opens her eyes at the sound of a click and starts to say ¡°Did you just¡­¡± but she stops herself when she looks around at the flowering floor.


    ¡°Did I just¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you did. You just made our spot utterly fucking beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Oh my gosh¡­ are flowers going to start sprouting from my ass now?¡±


    Iugh as she rolls to her side and tries to look at her ass.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, there are no flowers there, doll.¡±


    ¡°Thank God¡±, she brushes off a fake sweat from her forehead.


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 Underworld 39

    ¡°We should be able to ask the Alpha Kings about this new development when theye. They¡¯re closer to the Moon Goddess than most realise.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Their family is a direct line from the Moon Goddess. They¡¯re descendants, and as such, they¡¯ve also been gifted with certain powers. They are what we call ¡®Goddess blessed¡¯, and for whatever reason, it seems you¡¯ve also been blessed.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see why the Moon Goddess would bless me. I¡¯m just¡­me,¡± She shrugs her shoulders.


    ¡°You¡¯re more special than you realise, doll.¡± I take her hand, kissing the back of it as she blushes.


    We spent the majority of the afternoon lying together in the sun, with her cheek on my chest as we talked about life. I tried apologising for not having the most amazing and exciting date nned, but she told me to shut up and that it was utterly perfect and absolutely what she needed today. Flint, of course, took the praise like a gift just for him. When it was time to head back before dark, I felt a little sorrow at having to rejoin the rest of the world. I quite liked living in our own little bubble for a day.


    We were not far from packnds when I scented rogues. With no way to tell Envy in my wolf form that there was danger close by, I was extremely anxious and attempted to run a little faster to get her to safety.


    Guys, I¡¯m about ten minutes from the southeast border, and I¡¯ve got rogues closing in around us. I linked my brothers.


    On our way. Xavier quickly replied.


    The first rogue appeared from a tree in front of us, having me skidding to a halt, and Envy slipped off my back, rolling forward before jumping to her feet. She quickly pulled out a small dagger stashed in her boot and stood defensively in front of me. I growled low and attempted to get in front of her, but another two came from my left, taking my attention to the closest mangy brown wolf, which had its jaw dangerously close to my throat. I ripped through it with ease, but the second one alreadytched onto my back leg, tearing out a huge chunk of flesh. I quickly looked for Envy and spotted her standing over the first rogue with its neck slit, bathing her in its blood. Fuck she¡¯s ruthless. More and more were starting to surround us. I backed towards Envy, and we circled together in sync even though we couldn¡¯tmunicate. We were working as a unit, taking them down fairly easily, but the first bite to my leg was making me weak with blood loss and pain. Another roguetched onto that same spot, and I yelped with renewed pain. Then another took the opportunity to jump onto my back, and yet another on my chest. They¡¯re biting and wing, and all I can think about is my mate. Is she okay? Have I failed her? Fuck, just as a set of jaws went for my throat, I see her. She grabbed the open mouth of the rogue and, with some sort of inhuman strength, she tore it apart. The sounds of its jaw breaking are loud, but not as loud as her own screams of war and death. She throws the rogue to the floor and lunges the dagger over her head and downwards into the skull of the one on my back. I can hear my brothers join the fight as the rogues begin retreating or dying quickly, and I leaned around to the rogue on my back leg, sinking my teeth into its stomach as Envy


    drove the dagger into one of its eyes. It yelped with pain until she kicked the dagger further, and it lodged into its brain, going limp with death.


    ¡°Oh my gods, Flint, Levi, are you okay?¡± She hovers over us, and I can just make out her face through the dizziness of blood loss. I think¡­yep, I¡¯m going to pass out.


    Envy


    ¡°Fuck, are you okay?!¡± Xavier was the first to shift to reach me, but I brushed off his hand on my shoulder, focusing on my hurt mate on the forest floor, covered in blood, bites, and scratches.


    ¡°Levi! Shit!¡± Noah was next, kneeling beside his brother¡¯s wolf.


    Haiden didn¡¯t say anything; he was mind-linking someone, I assume.


    The chunk from his leg was massive, and the pooling blood was surrounding him now. You¡¯re not going to die on me! I thought as I held my hands over the big, bloody hole. You will live! Fucking live! Images of our date spent in pure bliss ran through my mind as I closed my eyes and tried not to cry. The first tear fell as I hovered over Flint¡¯s fur. It glowed like the waters of the pool, and an idea came to mind. I let the tears fall over his wound, and with each drop they rippled in his blood, and slowly, ever so, it started to close. The blood stopped falling; instead, it was as if time was in reverse, and the blood surrounding him started to find its way back through to him.


    ¡°What the¡­¡± Noah whispered.


    Before long, the wound no longer existed, as if it never happened, and I moved on to the one on his chest. This time, when I ced my hands on it, I willed it to be, just like with the flowers. I willed it to close, to heal, to be as it once was. Energy hummed in my body as I watched through my fingers the wound healing itself. Then his front paw, broken and mangled, I took it gently and kissed the bloodied fur. It snapped and popped back into ce, and the wound was gone. Flint¡¯s eyes shot open, and he took in a quick breath of air. Whining softly as he nuzzled his snout into my hand. I cried as I leaned down to kiss him between his


    eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you ever scare me like that again,¡± I whispered.


    He shifted in my hands, his cheek now resting in my palm.


    ¡°Doll¡­that was fucking crazy.¡±


    ¡°Goddess blessed.¡± Mum gasped behind me as she and Dad approached. Dad passed Levi a pair of shorts and inspected his wless skin. Not even a hint of a battley upon it. Before he turned to me. My mates and their parents all stood wide-eyed, staring at my hands, which were still fading from their glowing hue. I started to feel slightly dizzy from the exertion, and I wobbled slightly before Noah picked me up in his arms bridal style.


    ¡°Get her back to the packhouse. Don¡¯t tell anyone what you¡¯ve seen here.¡± Dad¡¯s voice drifted around me as


    1 let the darkness consume me.

 Underworld 40

    Xavier.


    It¡¯s been a whole twenty-four hours since our girl went to sleep and still hasn¡¯t woken up. We¡¯re all silently freaking out, but I know this is hitting Levi the hardest because he feels responsible for what happened. None of us has left her bedside except to go to the bathroom. Mum has been bringing us food and trying tofort us, but for the most part, we just sit and wait. The pack healer just left for the third time, stillpletely unsure of her condition.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to have to call the Alpha Kings, maybe postpone the blessings until we know Envy is up and well enough to participate,¡± Dad states, and I nod my agreement. Nothing matters right now but figuring out what is happening to my little mate and if she¡¯s okay. When it¡¯s just my brothers and me left in the room, Levi breaks. Tears spill from his eyes as he buries his head in his hands and sobs loudly. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, guys. If I had just been stronger, faster, better, this wouldn¡¯t have happened.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself, brother.¡± I ce a hand on his shoulder as his long hair curtains his face. He¡¯s left it down for the first time in years.


    ¡°It could have happened to any of us. Those fucking rogues don¡¯t care about who or where they attack.¡± Noah says softly from the side of the bed where he holds Envy¡¯s hand. Haiden hasn¡¯t said a word since we brought her in here. He just sits in the corner with a face full of sorrow as he stares at our girl, waiting for any sign of hope. After a while, Dad returns with an old expression on his face, one I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen before¡­


    ¡°The Alpha Kings will be here by the morning.¡±


    ¡°The morning? I thought you said you were going to postpone, not move it forward!¡± I growl.


    ¡°Yes, well, that was the n, son, but when I exined the situation to Alpha King Mchi, he became very curious, and I had no choice but to tell him what had truly happened.¡±


    ¡°You told him?¡± Levi scrunches up his tear-soaked face.


    ¡°I had to. You know very well we don¡¯t keep things from the Alpha Kings. He agrees she might be Goddess Blessed and would like to see for himself as soon as possible.¡±


    This makes sense, I know, because I trained alongside the Alpha Kings. Mchi was gifted the power of sight. Envy doesn¡¯t need to be awake for him to be able to see into her mind. Maybe he can shed some more light on the situation and tell us what is going on with her.


    ¡°Get some rest, boys. It¡¯s going to be a long couple of days.¡±


    I open my mouth to protest, but he waves me off. ¡°Sleep. It¡¯s the best thing to do right now. Maybe having you four touching her might help speed up the healing process or whatever is going on right now.¡± I very gently move Envy from the side of the bed to the middle, and we all squeeze in together. Levi goes to move


    behind me, but I roll him over me and scoot backwards so he can lie right next to our girl. I know he needs it the most right now. Noah does the same with Haiden, and we nod at each other over the bodies. They need her the most. I sling my arm over Levi so I can at least touch her, and we all lie in silence listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.


    Envy


    ¡°Gods, why is it so bright?¡±


    There¡¯s a very feminine giggle somewhere around me as I attempt to squint through the sea of light.


    ¡°Just wait a moment, sweet girl.¡±


    My eyes adjust to the lighting, and I can finally see the tall, slender woman. Dressed in a long white dress and dark raven hair that flows around her hips. She looks¡­a lot like me.


    ¡°Where am I?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in the Red Moon packhouse.¡±


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t look like my packhouse?¡±


    Sheughs again. ¡°No, it doesn¡¯t. We¡¯re currently in your mind space.¡±


    ¡°Is this real? Or a dream?¡±


    ¡°It is as real as you are. You¡¯ve finallye into your powers, but prematurely. You were supposed to get your wolf first.¡± She rubs her chin gently as she ponders.


    ¡°So¡­I¡¯m dead?¡±


    ¡°No, no, no, no¡­your body is just resting. Recovering from using a lot of power to save your mate.¡±


    I gasp. ¡°Levi! Is he¡­¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s okay, but he is quite upset.¡±


    My heart hurts knowing that my mates would be feeling upset right now.


    ¡°They¡¯ll be fine. We have much to discuss and little time to do so. Time works differently here. For what feels like a few minutes to us here will be hours or days in the real world.¡±


    ¡°What am I?¡± I quickly blurt out. She smiles at me softly.


    ¡°You¡¯re a wolf, but also one of my direct descendants.¡±


    ¦©


    ¡°But I thought your descendants were¡­¡±


    ¡°Royalty, yes. You were stolen as a Pup. Cut from your mother¡¯s womb in the middle of the night by a dark witch. That same witch tried to sacrifice you in hopes of more power.¡±


    gasp with my


    hand covering my mouth, but I don¡¯t interrupt her to ask the million questions I have.


    ¡°When that witch sacrificed you, she made a grave mistake, because she did indeed sacrifice you, but instead of being blessed and gifted with power beyond normal means, it was you who was saved, blessed, and gifted.¡±


    ¡°But if I am indeed a direct descendant of you, wouldn¡¯t ¡®I have already been given a gift?¡±


    ¡°You would, and you do, but when you were sacrificed, it was Hades and Persephone that saved you and let you live.¡±


    ¡°The God and Goddess of the underworld? Why would they save me?¡±


    ¡°Their reasoning is still unknown to me¡­but when they did save you, they also bestowed upon you their own gifts. Meaning that you will have powers well beyond any of these worlds. Two of which you have recently used. With these powers wille great responsibilities, and I need you to understand this, to know that big things wille your way and you must be ready.¡±


    ¡°You meant the flowers and the¡­¡±


    ¡°The ability to determine if someone lives or dies. Yes. These are just two of many things you will be able to do. Once your wolf appears, you wille into all of your powers but also your duties, whatever they may be, as a result of receiving these gifts.¡±


    ¡°This is a lot¡­I have so many questions.¡±


    ¡°I know you do, sweet girl, but I am afraid we¡¯re running out of time. You¡¯re needed back in the real world. Be safe, be strong, lead with your heart but trust your head.¡±


    The dream state that I¡¯m in begins to shake slightly, and I can feel myself slipping away.


    ¡°Wait! What¡¯s your name?!¡± I reach out for her.


    ¡°Selene, my name is Selene.¡± She smiles as everything goes blinding white once again.

 Underworld 41

    Noah


    We stood outside the pack house in formation, awaiting the Alpha King¡¯s arrival. It took every bit of willpower to walk away from Envy¡¯s bedside. My Dad had to Alphamand Levi to leave, saying it was the duty of the future Alphas to greet their Kings properly. The first of the three cars pulls into the driveway with the royal family sign on little gs on top of the bos. They pull up directly in front of us, and a guard steps out first to open the door of the second car. The aura in the air shifts dramatically as Alpha King Mchi, Alpha King Julius, and then Alpha King Arztec step out. All of our heads are forced to bow in submission to their powerful aura. It¡¯s practically, impossible and very painful to try to fight it.


    ¡°Alpha Kings. Wee to the Red Moon Pack.¡± My father steps forward with his head lowered as the rest of us say in sync, ¡°Wee, Alpha Kings.¡±


    Alpha King Mchi steps forward first. ¡°Rise, Alpha Charles.¡± He holds out his hand for my father to shake, and immediately the aura is softened so we may all raise our heads. It¡¯s considered an insult to look an Alpha King in the eye unless requested to do so, so we wait in turns as each Alpha King shakes our hand and we personally wee them to our home.


    ¡°My mate has prepared a breakfast feast for your arrival.¡± My father says after the pleasantries, holding out his arm to offer them inside our packhouse.


    ¡°Breakfast can be had after we meet the future Luna.¡± Alpha King Julius states firmly, and my father nods


    his head.


    ¡°Very well. Right this way.¡±


    My brothers and I follow behind the Alpha Kings as my father leads them through our wing and to Envy¡¯s bedroom. We all file into the bedroom that feels a lot smaller now that so manyrge Alphas are inside. My brothers and I stand on one side of our sleeping beauty while the Alpha Kings go to the other side. They all look upon her sleeping face with wide eyes before turning to each other and speaking through mind link.


    ¡°She looks just like her.¡± Alpha King Arztec whispers, dropping all royal formalities and acting like he did when we were in training camp together, where we acted simply as friends.


    ¡°Like who?¡± I ask, tilting my head at Envy.


    ¡°Like our mother.¡± Alpha King Julius answers. ¡°Look into her mind, Mchi.¡±


    Alpha King Mchi raises his hands above Envy¡¯s head, not touching, just hovering over her. He closes his eyes and grunts and mumbles something I can¡¯t understand before taking his hands back and looking at his brothers.


    ¡°What did you see?¡± Alpha King Arztec asks the question we all want to know the answer to.


    I gasp along with everyone else in the room.


    ¡°The actual Moon Goddess?¡±


    ¡°Goddess blessed,¡± Levi whispers under his breath beside me.


    ¡°Is she okay?¡± Xavier questions.


    ¡°She is. The Moon Goddess knows you are concerned with your mate. She will return to us soon.¡±


    ¡°How soon?¡± Haiden probes as Alpha King Mchi looks down on our mate. Before he can answer that question, Envy¡¯s eyes fly open and lock with Alpha King Mchi¡¯s. All three Alpha Kings let out their menacing aura, forcing everyone in the room to bow and submit, but from the corner of my eye, I see it¡¯s not affecting Envy. She stares straight into Mchi¡¯s eyes unflinching.


    His hands go back above Envy¡¯s head as he closes his eyes, and when they reopen a momentter, I feel him let down his aura, the other two following suit as we all stare at the two of them.


    ¡°You¡¯re alive.¡± He breaths out.


    ¡°Am I?¡± She questions, tilting her head to the side and then spotting us. She gasps and tries to reach for me, but the three Alpha Kings growl and their aura seeps out, forcing me backwards. I try to growl back, but it¡¯s stuck in my throat as the pain from trying to fight the submission sets into my bones.


    ¡°Hey! Let go of my mates, you big oaf!¡± Envy yells, poking Alpha King Mchi in the chest.


    My eyes go wide. Holy fuck. Did she really just yell,mand, and poke an Alpha King?


    My father starts, ¡°Alpha Kings, I apolo-¡± He¡¯s cut off by the roaring sound ofughter from all three Alpha Kings as the aura is once again dropped. I quickly reach for Envy¡¯s hand and hold it to my face. Throughout theughter, Alpha King Julius ps Alpha King Mchi on the back, wiping away a tear ofughter.


    ¡°I told you she was going to give you hell, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    Alpha King Marcus looks at Envy with a wide smile. ¡°I wee the hell you bring, little sister.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what now?¡± Envy gasps. ¡°My gods.¡± She rubs her temples and looks back around the room.


    ¡°I knew you were alive! I told you all I could feel it.¡± Alpha King Arztec pats his chest. ¡°In here, I knew.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just going to try and put two and two together here. You guys must be children of the mother whose womb I was ripped from?¡±


    Alpha King Mchi takes her hand with a mournful look. ¡°We are your brothers, yes. I¡¯m Mchi, this is Julius and Arztec.¡±


    My mind is still stuck on that one sentence. ¡°You were what now, little Luna?¡± I question.


    She turns to me with a soft smile. ¡°I think there¡¯s a lot we all need to talk about.¡±


    Alpha King Mchi turns to my father. ¡°I think now would be a good time for that feast, Alpha Charles.¡±


    My father¡¯s eyes ze over, probably telling Mum, and then he smiles and nods.


    Envy starts to get out of bed, and I hover with my arms out in case she falls.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, really. I feel better than ever.¡±


    ¡°Okay, little Luna, but some of us have been less than okay while we¡¯ve waited for you to wake up.¡±


    I nod to Levi beside me, and he lowers his head with a look of pure disappointment.


    She gets up and ces her hands around his face.


    ¡°Hey. That was some pretty bad ass moves you pulled back there.¡±


    ¡°I let you down.¡± He pouts.


    ¡°No, you didn¡¯t. You literally put your life on the line for me, and I will never forget that sacrifice. You¡¯re my warrior, thank you.¡± She pulls him down for a soft kiss, and Hawk whimpers, making herugh.


    ¡°Alright, everyone,e get your kisses now because I feel like we¡¯re in for a long breakfast.¡±


    Chapter Comments


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    Amanda Lafleur Riviere


    1 days ago


    that ending made me tear up.


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    3

 Underworld 42

    Envy


    All of this training and preparation to meet the Alpha Kings has already gone out the window. I quickly jumped through the shower and thought ¡®fuck it¡¯ as I grabbed my usual day attire. If I¡¯m going to have my world thrown upside down and sideways all at once, I¡¯m going to do itfortably. I chucked my hair up into a simple pony, threw myself a half nce in the mirror and ran down the hallway to the formal dining room, where everyone is sitting patiently waiting for me. Fucking hell, so much attention. The Alpha Kings, or I guess, my brothers, stood from their seats when I burst through the doors, along with Mum, Dad, my mates, Aleisha and Tommy.


    ¡°Sorry. I really needed a shower.¡± I stand half embarrassed. Xavier walks to me, kisses my hand and leads me to a seat beside him.


    ¡°No need to apologise, you¡¯ve been through a lot,¡± Mchi says softly with a look of sympathy. The food is brought in at Dad¡¯smand, and my mates waste no second handling my te between them as they load various foods onto my te. By the time Xavier puts it back down in front of me, it¡¯s a bloody mountain: two croissants, three muffins, a stack of bacon, eggs, beans, two slices of toast, blueberries, strawberries, a little yoghurt and a huge ss of orange juice. My eyes widen at the te as I look between


    my mates.


    ¡°Sorry¡­our wolves would really like to care for you, little one,¡± Xavier says quietly. I pat his hand in


    understanding.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be able to finish all of this, but thank you.¡±


    My stomach growls aggressively at the smell of all the food, and I immediately and ungracefully start shovelling food into my mouth. A loud, deep set ofughing pulls me out of my food. I look up to see every set of eyes on me. I quickly drop my knife and fork, cing my hands in myp and lowering my head.


    ¡°Oh, I am so sorry.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t apologise, Evelina, you eat like Mchi when no one is watching,¡± Arztec says midugh.


    ¡°Evelina?¡±


    ¡°That is what Mother wanted to call you. It¡¯s fitting that you ended up with the name Envy.¡± Mchi


    starts.


    My mates all take turns using the name on their tongue.


    ¡°I like it, it suits you¡±, Levi says, brushing my hand under the table.


    ¡°So¡­I have a mother?¡± I ask softly.


    ¡°You do, and she is overwhelmed with joy to know she will meet you soon,¡± Mchi says with a smile.


    ¡°We called her before breakfast,¡± Julius adds in.


    ¡°I think she almost had a heart attack. If that were even possible for a Lycanthrope.¡± Arztecughs again.


    ¡°Hold up. You¡¯re Lycans?¡±


    ¡°We are,¡± Mchi states, stabbing a stack of bacon onto his fork. ¡°We have a lot to discuss, and little time to do so with your uing shift.¡±


    ¡°Oh my gods, you know when my birthday is!¡±


    He halts the bacon to his mouth. ¡°Well, your¡­birth¡­¡± He visibly cringes.


    Julius takes over when he notices Mchi¡¯s difort with the situation.


    ¡°When you were taken from your mother would be two days from now. Which half exins why we were told by Alpha Charles that you had performed some extraordinary things concerning saving Levi here.¡±


    ¡°But it does not exin why your powers came in before your wolf, or why those powers are ones of which we have never seen in our bloodline before.¡± Mchi finishes.


    Everyone around the table looks to be deep in thought as I chug down thest of my orange juice and take a deep breath.


    ¡°The Moon Goddess told me some things¡­¡±


    All attention is back on me as everyone waits for me to continue. Xavier takes my hand, silently giving me the courage to continue.


    ¡°I was sacrificed by a witch who had hoped to gain power and blessings from the Gods. Hades and Persephone saved me, brought me back and gave me their blessings and gifts. Some of which I have alread used. I will also get a power like the rest of you when I get my wolf¡­¡±


    ¡°The God and Goddess of the underworld¡­saved you? Why?¡± Mchi asks, but I¡¯m sure everyone was


    thinking it.


    ¡°Not even Selene knew why, but she said that once I shift, I may have added responsibilities to sort of pay for these gifts and the whole saving my life thing.¡± I shrug, pushing food around on my te. ¡°Also, no on ever said what happened to the witch¡­?¡±


    The three Alpha Kings look to each other, clearly mind-linking something in private.


    ¡°She has never been found. Nobody, no trace of life. We have hunted her every day with no hope.¡± Mchi says bitterly.


    2/


    2:37 pm


    ¡°We think she may be using a cloaking spell,¡± Julius adds.


    ¡°or hiding somewhere in the pits of hell,¡± Arztec says.


    I realise Mum and Dad have been ever so quiet this whole time, and I look to them for their reaction. Mum smiles sweetly at me as she always does, while Dad looks¡­ Well, I don¡¯t know.


    ¡°Alpha Charles?¡± I question.


    ¡°Sorry, Envy¡­or Evelina. This is a lot. I am truly honoured to have you mated with my sons. This is a very blessed reunion.¡±


    ¡°I like Evelina. I think my mother would like it if I went by that, but Envy is fien too.¡± I smile and watch as my brothers nod, and my mates look at me with awe and love. I gauge Aleisha¡¯s reaction, and she mouths, ¡°You¡¯re a fucking Goddess, wow!¡± Making meugh.


    ¡°So, what do we do now?¡± I ask.


    ¡°We will proceed with the Alpha and Luna ceremony. We¡¯ve already informally identified your mate bond to be true and blessed; the only thing left to do would be to officially bind you to the pack and seal the positions.¡± Mchi says and then looks to Mum. ¡°I know it is not on the intended time frame, but would you be able to move the ceremony forward to tomorrow evening? It should be done before Evelina¡¯s first shift, as it is quite an event to shift into your wolf, and then we have the issue of whatever Hades and Persephone have intended.¡±


    ¡°Oh my, oh, oh, yes! Okay, I¡¯ll get right on to reorganising and moving things forward, Alpha King Mchi.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Luna Mildred.¡±


    1


    ¡°What about my lycan form? When does thate?¡± I ask.


    Mchi smiles warmly at me. ¡°No need to fear, a lycan shiftes muchter than a wolf¡¯s; you¡¯ll have


    ¨Cthor two vears for that to happen.¡±

 Underworld 43

    As everyone finishes up breakfast and the tes are taken away, we all stand as the Alpha Kings do.


    ¡°We would like to speak to our sister in private,¡± Mchi says.


    My mates all move slightly closer to me around the table where I stand, and I give them each a look of understanding.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere forever. I¡¯ll be right here.¡±


    ¡°Come find us when you¡¯re done, love.¡± Haiden kisses my temple first, followed by the others, before everyone leaves.


    ¡°Shall we take this to the sitting room?¡± Arztec gestures to the door that leads to a modest library with huge windows overlooking the gardens and a set offy leather couches in the middle. I follow my brothers into the room where Julius closes the curtains while Arztec shuts the doors. I¡¯m slightly taken aback when Mchi pulls me in for a hug. He holds me for a long minute before pressing a kiss to my forehead and passing me off to Julius, who does the same, and then Arztec.


    ¡°I apologize, but with you still not being marked by your mates, they would not have appreciated us hugging you in front of them, and we have missed you, little sister,¡± Arztec says softly, brushing the top of my hair. ¡°We didn¡¯t think you survived. We still don¡¯t understand fully how, or why, you were left at Tris Pack, but we are grateful, so grateful you are alive.¡±


    ¡°We have many things to discuss, Evelina. Please, sit with us.¡± Julius gestures to one of the club chairs in front of the couch where they sit together.


    ¡°Okay, well, I guess there can¡¯t be any more mind-blowing events, so shoot,¡± I say, trying to hide my


    nerves.


    Julius leans forward, taking my hands in his, and I feel like a warm nket is ced over my soul.


    ¡°What?¡±


    He smiles, ¡°My gift is that of feeling. I can sense emotions, but also change them in others as well. Mchi has sight; he can see into one¡¯s mind, to find their intentions, their memories, their thoughts. Arztec here has physical powers; his wolf and lycan strengths are enhanced well beyond any other.¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m basically Superman.¡± He grins triumphantly.


    ¡°Mother canmunicate with anyone through her mind, but she has been quite weak since you were taken, and then from our father¡¯s passing as well,¡± Julius says with a hint of sorrow.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    ?? ????? ???


    ???


    ¡°Which brings us to another point of discussion. Once you are appointed as Luna, have shifted and mated and marked your Alpha¡¯s, we would like you to travel with us to our home to see her.¡± Mchi says as they


    all nod.


    ¡°Of course! Yes!¡± My heart is doing mini flips in my chest at the thought of meeting my own Mum.


    ¡°Going back to that other not-so-nice topic¡­¡±Arztec shivers violently. ¡°We must discuss with you what will happen when you mate and mark your Alphas.¡±


    ¡°Okay, whoa, no. Look, it¡¯s great to have big brothers and all, but we are NOT discussing what happens in the bedroom. No, no, no. I do not need a birds and the bees talk. Thank you, but no thank you!¡± I spit out quickly.


    ¡°Trust me, we don¡¯t want to have that conversation either.¡± Mchi starts. ¡°It¡¯s not the um¡­process of it, it¡¯s what happens afterwards. Once you mate and mark your Alpha¡¯s you must understand that they will then be next in line for the Royal Throne if anything were to happen to us whilst we have still not mated and had pups ourselves.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    ¡°Also, you must know that when you do mark them, with what you revealed to us at breakfast about Hades and Persephone¡¯s gifts, they also might receive gifts from them as well. With that, if you are said to have responsibilities towards Hades and Persephone, I would believe that they would also share those as well, being mated to you. It is unknown, though, as this has never happened before.¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡± I sit back in the chair, leaning my head upwards. Turns out there are more mind-blowing


    revtions.


    ¡°So you¡¯re saying that I will essentially turn them into enhanced Alpha Kings who might also owe a debt to the God and Goddess of the underworld?¡±


    ¡°Technically, they would be named Princes.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Enhanced, Alpha Princes who might also owe a debt to the God and Goddess of the underworld.¡± Mchi


    corrects me.


    ¡°What the fuck.¡± I breathe out. ¡°And I get a wolf and a lycan?¡±


    ¡°Yep, twice the shift, twice the pain, but twice the fun as well. Although the lycan shiftester. You¡¯ve got a few more birthdays to get through,¡± Arztec winks.


    Julius must send more of that calming nket shit to my soul because I close my eyes and as the


    overwhelming feeling starts to leave me again.


    ¡°You said you had already shown a few gifts from Hades and Persephone. Can we see them?¡± Julius asks softly as if he¡¯s trying to manage a wild animal.


    ¡°Someone would need to be hurt,¡± I mutter, still with my eyes closed, but I open them quickly when I hear Arztec yelp. He has w marks down his wrist, and Mchi flutters his eyes innocently.


    ¡°Oops, looks like our brother is hurt. Would you mind?¡±


    Arztec growls at him, and I can¡¯t help but giggle at their antics as I grab his arm and focus on the blood that drips from the slices. I will the blood to go back, for the wound to close, to be as it once was, for him to heal, and it does.


    Arztec pulls his arm back, rubbing it with his other hand and then looking up at me in awe.


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty cool. What about this flower thing?¡±


    Last time, I made the flowerse back to life. I didn¡¯t just make them out of nothing, but I wonder. I look at Mchi and try to imagine what he would look like with a pretty little pink crown of flowers. I imagine the smell, the petals, the shapes, then I blow out a long breath towards him, and the flowers begin to sprout around his hair. They tangle a twist with little green vines. He reaches up to his head and feels around with his hands before pulling it down to inspect it in his hands, while Arztec, Julius, and Iugh.


    ¡°Now that one is super cool! Can you do that again when we¡¯re doing something super important? Maybe when he¡¯s in front of a crowd!¡± Arztec beams.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld


    by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement.

 Underworld 44

    I¡¯m on my way to find my mates when Aleisha and Mum find me first, dragging me into the room we¡¯ve done all of those dress fittings in.


    ¡°Oh my god, girl!¡± Aleisha squeals


    ¡°You can fan girl and gossipter, Aleisha. Let me have her.¡± Mum pulls my hand towards a rack of clothing, and I groan.


    ¡°I thought we already did this?¡±


    ¡°We did! But that was when we thought you would just be Alpha¡¯s and Luna, now you¡¯re royalty, we need to rethink the choices and go BIG.¡±


    ¡°I like that one. Let¡¯s just go with that.¡± I point to the first navy blue dress on the rack.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s try it on then! We must know if it fits and how it looks!¡±


    I really want to get back to my mates, to see them, hold them, ugh, bloody mate bond.


    ¡°Okay.¡± I sigh as she passes me the dress and ushers me behind the curtains. When Ie out, both Mum and Aleisha are frowning slightly.


    ¡°What?¡± I huff out, holding my arms wide and doing a little twirl.


    ¡°No, not that one,¡± Mum says.


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Because it doesn¡¯t scream ¡®Royal Princess,¡¯ ¡± Aleisha says. Sifting through the rack again until I spot a simple, silk andce, ck slip dress. Spaghetti straps and a nice but modest V line at the breasts, and a golden chain that sits over the hips and drops over the belly. It says, ¡°I¡¯m a badass, but I¡¯m elegant.¡± Aleisha sees it too, pulling out and hovering it in front of me. I don¡¯t wait to be told; I go and try it on and notice there¡¯s a huge slit up the thigh from where it glides at floor length. Yep, this is it. The girls agree, and I¡¯m finally released to continue on my way to find¡­


    ¡°Little mate!¡± Xavier says happily, jogging down the hall and picking me up by the waist to twirl me around and kiss my lips. ¡°I missed you.¡±


    I giggle. ¡°It¡¯s only been a few hours,¡± I say, pressing my head against his chest as Haidenes up behind me, squishing me between them as he kisses the back of my neck.


    ¡°A few hours too long, love.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s Levi and Noah? We need to talk.¡±


    ¡°Ah oh¡­ That¡¯s never a good sign.¡± Haiden says over my shoulder to Xavier, who frowns down at me.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, little mate?¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡­yet, maybe, I don¡¯t know. I just need to talk to you all together about some things my brothers brought up.¡±


    ¡°Okay, they¡¯re in your room. We wanted to eat pizza and watch movies together before things get crazy busy around here.¡±


    ¡°Plus, we all wanted to hold you for a bit after what just happened,¡± Haiden says, picking me up bridal style and walking towards my room. The sparks are even¡¯stronger now. His scent is invading me, his heartbeat just below my ear on his chest is sending a simr thumping sensation between my legs, just as Xavier opens my bedroom door and we enter. All four of my mate¡¯s eyes darken as they take in long inhales of my clearly wafting arousal. I jump down from Haiden¡¯s arms and quickly walk into the bathroom with my blushing cheeks.


    I ssh some water on my face and take some deep breaths, thinking about blood and gore and war¡­Not ¨Cmy hulking Alpha mates and their muscles¡­Nope, nope, fuck.


    There¡¯s a soft knock on the door.


    ¡°Luna, are you okay in there?¡± Noah asks.


    ¡°Ah, yeah, just give me a second.¡±


    When I open the door, I¡¯m startled to see my mates standing closely to the doorway.


    ¡°Come on, little mate. We know you¡¯re not ready yet. It¡¯s just the mate bonding on harder now that it¡¯s so close to your first shift.¡± Xavier holds my hand.


    ¡°But you do smell absolutely delicious.¡± Haiden winks. ¡°Come tell us what you wanted to talk about.¡±


    We all sit around on the bed as I share the bombshell my brothers dropped on me.


    ¡°Prince Alpha Haiden¡­.hmmm.¡± I¡¯ll admit it has a ring to it. He says yfully.


    ¡°This is serious.¡± I smack his arm. ¡°There¡¯s a lot of shiting our way and¡­¡±


    ¡°And we¡¯re going to be fine. We¡¯ll get through it all, together.¡± Levi says, steely and unfazed.


    ¡°We were raised knowing we would be Alpha¡¯s one day. What¡¯s a few more responsibilities?¡± Xavier nods in agreement.


    ¡°I wonder what my powers will be.¡± Haiden ponders and cops a back head to the head from Noah. ¡°What?! Don¡¯t tell me you didn¡¯t think about it.¡±


    ¡°I was thinking about how to keep our mate from spiralling with all of this new information, you ass hat.¡±


    ¡°Well, obviously I¡¯m thinking about that too!¡± Haiden pulls me into hisp, nuzzling his face into my neck. ¡°But our girl is strong. She doesn¡¯t need us to save the day. She just needs us to be there for her.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I say, leaning back against him. ¡°This is all a lot. I just¡­yeah, I¡¯m not sure what I¡¯m supposed to be doing with it all.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll figure it out. For now, how about pizza and a movie? Tomorrow is a big day.¡± Xavier pats my leg while Noah starts getting the pizza boxes from the table in the corner and cing them on the bed.


    The rest of the day is spent in somewhat of a normal bliss. Hanging out with my guys in bed, while Mum only came in five or six times to ask my opinion on seating arrangements or flowers and other stuff I didn¡¯t care much for. Thankfully, the guys answered all the questions for me, working together to create an image of a beautiful ceremony now that everything had been pushed forward and we were working with what we had on hand. Tomorrow. The start of the rest of my life starts tomorrow.


    Do I believe these guys will help guide me every step of the way? To love me, care for me, live their lives with me? Fuck yes.


    ¡°This work, Goddess of the Underworld


    by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement.¡±


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    Goddess Of The Underworld.

 Underworld 45

    Haiden


    ¡°So, love, I know a lot has been going on, but we also had something we needed to discuss with you as well,¡± I say seriously as the movie finishes, and I turn on my side to look at our girl lying on Levi¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Oh no. It can¡¯t be good if you, of all people, are being serious.¡± She half-mocks, but the way her body tenses tells me she¡¯s worried. My brothers all sit up to face her, Levi scooting her to one side of hisp so he can also see her.


    ¡°It¡¯s not bad. I swear.¡± I hold my hands up to show my innocence.


    ¡°With our ascension as Alpha¡¯s and Luna ceremony tomorrow, it is custom that the new Luna be marked by her Alpha, or in your case, Alpha¡¯s¡­¡± I say slowly.


    Her eyes wide, and her mouth drops open slightly as she looks around at us, but doesn¡¯t say anything.


    Xavier, ever the peacemaker, jumps in. ¡°This can be done during the ceremony, but the marking process can be quite an¡­intimate feeling. So, we wanted to give you the option to do it beforehand, in private, if you wish.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­umm¡­but I won¡¯t be able to mark any of you back yet.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t need to for the ascension, and we¡¯ve already discussed between us that the mating and your marking for us can one hundred percent go at your pace,¡± Noah says softly.


    ¡°We know everything is happening very quickly, doll, so we wanted to give you as much choice as possible.¡± Levi finishes.


    She nods slowly, processing the given information, and I¡¯ll be honest, I¡¯m fucking sweating to know what¡¯s going through her brain.


    ¡°I think¡­I¡¯d like to do it before the ceremony, in private.¡± She says quietly. Luckily, we have enhanced hearing, or I would have missed it. ¡°But I do have a request.¡±


    ¡°Anything, love. You can have anything.¡± I lean over and grab her hands, rubbing circles on the back of one with my thumb.


    ¡°I¡¯d like it to happen during the mating process.¡± I still my movements, and the room goes deadly silent as we all stare at her.


    ¡°You¡­want to¡­¡±


    She cuts me off. ¡°I want to have each of you inside of me, making love to me when you mark me.¡±


    Holy fuck. My brothers and I each share a look before we settle back onto her. She¡¯s deadly confident in herposure as she waits for us to find our words. A huge grin spreads over my face as I speak first.


    ¡°Like I said, love, you can have anything you want.¡±


    ¡°We would be beyond honoured to mark and mate with you, Envy.¡± Xavier looks at her in awe.


    ¡°It can happen however you would like it to.¡± Noah nods.


    ¡°And we won¡¯t be upset in the slightest about who you choose to be your first,¡± Levi adds. Right, I forgot about that part. We¡¯ve spoken about it before, sharing our Luna. We all agreed there would be no harsh feelings about being picked first orst, or having solo time or a group activity. We decided that our Luna will be the one running the show, and we will be happy with whatever we¡¯re given.


    ¡°I¡¯d like Xavier to be my first.¡± She says confidently, looking at him, and I think we all already knew that would be the case. He waited for her, just as she did for him. It will be a special moment for both of them. His face lights up even more if that¡¯s possible. He looks at her with pure love and adoration as he leans in to give her a soft kiss on the lips, and she smiles at him sweetly, returning the feelings.


    ¡°I would be honoured to share that first with you, little mate, thank you.¡±


    She leans back in to kiss him again, and the scent of her arousal fills the room, making me groan. Watching her kiss my brother like that has my cock twitching with anticipation. She looks so fucking good while she does that. Levi¡¯s hands tighten on her waist as he moves her back to his centre. I know he¡¯s hard too because when he bucks his hips slightly, she gasps into Xavier¡¯s mouth, and he takes that opportunity to plunge his tongue inside her mouth. Noah tugs at the bottom of her shirt, and they break their kiss for a moment while he yanks it off over her head. Leaving her in a ck bra that shows off her hard nipples. Fuck, is this really happening now? I¡¯m going to mate and mark with my mate. My Goddess blessed, true


    mate. Fuck¡­.


    When she said what she wanted to do, I didn¡¯t expect it to be right in this second; I thought maybe she would need some time to adjust to the idea. Maybe she would want to do it tonight, maybe in the dark, maybe one by one in private, but fuck, the scent she is giving off is so strong, and she¡¯s not saying no as my brothers kiss and touch her everywhere. She wants this, she wants us, now.


    I was frozen in ce for a moment. Utterly in shock, but as Hawk sends me through mental images of what our girl would look like on her back, shaking and moaning in pleasure for us, I can¡¯t help but move forward to her. Xavier is on one side of her, kissing her mouth, Noah on the other side, kissing her neck, Levi is underneath her, his hands rocking her hips slightly against himself, so I move between her legs, kissing her chest as I pinch her nipples on top of her bra. Levi flicks it open in a quick second, and I pull it free and toss it to the floor somewhere. Fuck, she¡¯s beautiful.


    ¡°Are you sure you want this, doll?¡± I ask as she breaks the kiss with Xavier.


    ¡°Fuck, yes, please.¡± She pants.


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 Underworld 46

    Evelina


    This is happening. Holy shit, okay. My head is spinning, my heart is pounding, my pussy is practically crying with need. The mate bond is sending tingles all over my body where my mates lick and kiss, stroking and rubbing. I wondered for a moment how this was going to work with four mates, but all that care is out the window now as they move in sync with each other to deliver pleasure to my body. Haiden pulls my legs, so I slip downwards in Levi¡¯sp,ying my head on his thigh, so fucking close to his hard cock. Haiden then moves from between my legs, and Xavier takes his ce there, slipping his thumbs into the slides of my pants. He brushes my skin over my hips as he kisses my navel, biting softly and sucking bits of flesh as he makes his way downwards. Levi leans down to kiss my mouth, while Haiden and Noah each take a breast into their mouths, and I moan at the sudden shock of pleasure and bliss, just as Xavier pulls down my pants and rips my underwear at the sides. He pulls them out from underneath me, and each of my mates pauses in their actions to look down at me,pletely bare to them.


    ¡°You are so beautiful, little mate,¡± Xavier growls.


    ¡°You smell fucking delicious.¡± Haiden moans, flicking his tongue along my nipple.


    ¡°Taste her brother, fuck.¡± Levi jerks his hips slightly. His erection brushes the side of my face through his pants.


    Xavier grins up at me as his tongue darts out to lick one long line from the bottom of my hole to my clit, and I moan loudly.


    Noah¡¯s hand traces down my body to my slit. He rubs his finger around my clit before pulling it back up to his mouth and licking it clean.


    ¡°Fuck¡­.little Luna, you are perfect.¡± He moans. Xavier pushes his tongue back through my lips, swirling and sucking, pulling me into what feels like an eternal bliss as the pleasure racks through my body. Surely it can¡¯t get any better than this, but oh, I am wrong. I am so fucking wrong as he leans up on his knees and pushes a single finger inside of me. My hips fuck and my head thrashes from side to side as he starts to pump it in and out slowly. When he adds his tongue back to the pleasure and thrusts his fingers quicker, curling them slightly, my orgasm hits me like the force of a thousand suns. My mind short-circuits as warm tingles explode across my skin and throughout my body.


    ¡°Fuck, she¡¯s even more beautiful when she cums.¡± Levi says in a husky tone.


    ¡°She¡¯s so fucking wet.¡± Xavier leans back on his knees, looking straight at the mess he¡¯s made.


    ¡°I think she¡¯s ready for you, brother.¡± Haiden groans, grabbing his own erection through his pants and tugging on it.


    ¡°Her pretty little pussy is so needy.¡± Noah hums around my nipple.


    Their dirty talk is making my already spent body hum to life again. I try to close my legs to find some friction, but Xavier palms my thighs open.


    ¡°Are you ready for me, little mate?¡±


    ¡°P-please,¡± I whimper.


    All of my mates shuffle off the bed, as Xavier takes off his shirt and his pants. Baring himself to me. His cock stands hard and tall. I¡¯m drinking in every part of his body from his shaggy ck hair to his chiselled chest, down to those thick and muscr thighs he hides away from the world. My other mates begin to undress too, each sporting an erection and a grin as Xavier crawls back onto the bed between my legs. He kisses me hard and passionately as he supports himself on his arms around my head, and I let my hands roam up along his back and into his hair. His right hand reaches down between us to stroke his cock a few times before he nudges at my entrance, coating himself in my. arousal. We moan together in anticipation, and he pushes the tip in slightly and then pulls back out. He does this a few times before he pushes in further, and I feel myself stretching around him. It burns as he pushes into me fully and stills himself. He¡¯s shaking slightly as he breathes heavily, looking into my eyes and kissing my cheek softly. After a few moments, the feeling of him being inside of me turns needy and desperate. I move my hips slightly, just enough to cause movement between my pussy and his cock, and we both moan. He takes this as his cue to move, and he does; oh, he fucking does. Almost out to the tip and then right back in, slowly, so fucking slowly, and I feel every thrust in my gods damned soul. He¡¯s not just fucking me, no, he¡¯s making love to me. With every movement, every thrust, every breath, and every kiss, he tells me that he loves me, and my body tells him right back. I love you, my mate. I fucking love you.


    I can feel myself building again, reaching for another high as I start to clench around him, my nails raking up his back as I scream his name for more. He sucks along my neck, hunting for his ce to mark me, and I feel his fangs extend, grazing my skin softly before he bites down hard, and I explode. The second of pain is nothingpared to the ecstasy that bloods through my veins as I feel another tether of our mate bond fall into ce with my orgasm. His thrusts be jerky before he ms into me once more, holding onto my hips as he buries himself as deep as he can and cums within my walls. I feel every warm spurt of it as his cock pulses for me. When he retracts his fangs and licks the mark to clean and seal it, I shiver hard, every feeling in my body heightened and alive. He kisses me softly as he pulls himself from me, pressing his forehead to mine as he says, ¡°You¡¯re mine, little mate, forever. I love you.¡±


    ¡°I love you too,¡± I whisper back.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld


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    Goddess Of The Underworld.

 Underworld 47

    When Xavier pulls away, I¡¯m pulled back to reality with my other three mates standing naked and ready, staring at me. Holy hell, this is going to be a long night. Haiden is the next to crawl onto the bed, kissing my forehead softly as he asks if I¡¯m okay. I nod, not able to find any words to use right now.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be gentle, but just for tonight. Don¡¯t expect me to go easy on you next time.¡± He winks as he presses himself into me, and I moan at the sensation of being full once again. His body is tense above me as he moves. I can tell he¡¯s trying to control himself and go slow for me, but that¡¯s not what I want. I want my mates, all of them, exactly how they are.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hold back,¡± I say, pushing the words out through my moans.


    ¡°Love, I don¡¯t want to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Fuck me, Haiden, please, fuck me,¡± I beg, and he groans loudly as he pulls out and ms back into me. He lifts my legs, cing them onto his shoulders.


    ¡°Find something to hold onto, love.¡±


    Fuck¡­.It doesn¡¯t take long for me to fall head over ass into another orgasm that tears through my body as Haiden leans down and bites my neck on the opposite side to Xavier¡¯s.


    ¡°Oh fuck, love. You¡­That¡­fuck.¡± He kisses and licks his mark while pulling out of me, and I¡¯m left panting


    for air as Noah and Levi kneel on the bed beside me.


    ¡°Doll. You¡¯re not done yet. You¡¯ve still got two more mates ready and waiting for you.¡± Levi says in a husky tone as he grips his cock. He smirks at me and then looks at Noah, who says, ¡°We want to take you together, little Luna. Do you think you can handle that?¡±


    I shake my head quickly in a ¡®no¡¯, which makes them chuckle as they lean down to kiss my neck on either side. ¡°You can take us, doll. You were made for us.¡± Levi whispers.


    He picks me up and ces me on top of Noah, who smiles up at me devilishly as he holds my hip with one hand, the other on his cock as he slowly sinks me onto his length with a long moan from both of us. This angle hits way different. I feel Levi behind me as he presses on my back with his hand, making me lean forward over Noah, who captures my lips with his. I¡¯m lost in the sensation when I feel something wet and cold poking at my back entrance. I gasp and try to move, but Noah holds me still.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, little Luna, Levi just needs to prepare you, so it doesn¡¯t hurt so much.¡± And prepare me he does. Fuck. His finger slides into my ass as Noah slowly thrusts upwards into me. It¡¯s odd at first, but after a while, it turns into a feeling I can¡¯t even describe properly. I¡¯m full in both ces. I¡¯m not even sure how many fingers Levi has in there now, but when he takes them out, I whimper at the loss, making him chuckle darkly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, doll. I¡¯ll fill you up.¡± Noah stops moving as the tip of Levi¡¯s cock starts breaching my ass, and I whimper at the stretch as they both try their best tofort me.


    Once he¡¯s fully inside, his hips resting on my ass as he holds me there, he asks. ¡°Are you okay, doll?¡± I think about it for a moment, the burn is overrun by the mating bond sparks, and I¡¯m so full, I just need¡­ ¡°Please, move. I need friction, please!¡± I wiggle a little between them as Levi pulls out and then back in hard, and it makes me slide up along Noah¡¯s length. Of fucking hell. They work in tandem, one in, one out. It¡¯s raw passion and emotion, feelings of love and lust all in one as Levi leans over me, sucking on my neck, and Noah does the same on the other side. At the same time, they bite down, marking me as their mate. The power rips through me as I cum, their bonds locking into ce as they fill with their own.


    ¡°Fucking hell, that was hot,¡± Haiden says somewhere in the room, and I hear Xavier hum his agreement.


    All four of my mates made love to me. It¡¯s the most beautiful and erotic feeling as each of my mate¡¯s bonds snapped into ce, solidifying our vows to each other for life. Levi carries me into the bathroom afterwards and settles into the bathtub with me on hisp while the others take turns in the shower. After a long, rxing soak to ease some of the tension in my muscles, I finally get a look in the mirror as Noah is drying me off, and I gasp at the four prominent marks on my neck from my Alpha¡¯s. Two on either side, one slightly higher than normal and the other slightly lower. They¡¯re beautiful. Noah catches me looking and swifty licks his lower mark on the right, sending a thrill through my body.


    ¡°Oh my Gods.¡± I breathe out, and he chuckles. ¡°Just me, little Luna.¡± He smiles warmly at his mark before he says, ¡°I can¡¯t wait to wear your mark.¡± I turn in his arms to give him a soft kiss. ¡°Soon, darling.¡±


    There¡¯s a knock on the bedroom door, and I assume one of the guys has answered it because I can hear Aleisha.


    ¡°Ugh! Ee! It smells like sex in here!¡± She gasps. ¡°Oh my god! Did you finally mark and mate her?! Where is she?!¡±


    ¡°Get out, Aleisha!¡± I hear Haiden yell.


    ¡°Wait! Mum told me toe and get you all for dinner. Remember, we have very important guests, so you can¡¯t bete tonight.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, okay, cool, now out!¡±


    The door ms, and Haiden huffs his way into the bathroom. ¡°Time to get ready, love. Apparently, we don¡¯t get to rest or rx anymore.¡±


    I pull myself out of Noah¡¯s embrace to go to Haiden and wrap my arms around him.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure things will settle down eventually. We just have to get through all of this stuff first.¡± ¡°Mmmm.¡± He grumbles, nuzzling my neck and kissing his mark, making me squirm with pleasure. ¡°Alright, enough of that, or we will bete for dinner.¡± Iugh and swat him away as he pouts.


    My mates go to their own rooms to get dressed. Surely now they¡¯ll move their things into here, right? It


    gives me the chance to get ready myself, and I¡¯m feeling a little bold tonight with my new mating marks, so I choose a dress to wear. It¡¯s a short length, just above my knees, in a forest green colour. The straps are thin, and the top half looks like a corset that flows down into little ripples of fabric at my waist. I put my hair up into a bun on the top of my head and do a little spin in the mirror as I admire my marks.

 Underworld 48

    We walk into the dining hall together, where everyone is already seated, the long wooden table crowded with tes of food,ughter, and the gentle hum of conversation. Xavier clears his throat and offers a quick apology for our tardiness.


    ¡°Well, it looks like you had a good reason to be a littlete,¡± Mom beams, her eyes sparkling as they flick to the fresh mating marks along my neck. Aleisha snorts, barely containing a giggle, while I silently die inside, praying the floor will open up and swallow me whole.


    My mates, of course, don¡¯t share my embarrassment. They puff their chests out like proud peacocks, grinning from ear to ear like they just won the damn mating lottery. Noah pulls out my chair for me with a wink, and I sit down while trying not tobust. My brothers, however, are another story entirely. They¡¯re clearly battling with themselves, torn between their instincts to protect me and the very visible evidence that they were toote.


    ¡°So, Evelina,¡± Mchi says, breaking the tension as he sips from his ss, ¡°tomorrow¡¯s a big day for you with the ascension ceremony in the morning and then your first shift at midnight. How are you feeling


    with all of that?¡±


    I sigh, toying with the edge of my napkin. ¡°Honestly? I think fighting a grizzly bear would be more calming¡­ but yeah, it¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°Of course you will, my love.¡± Haiden kisses the back of my hand gently. His eyes are steady, grounding. ¡°We¡¯ll be with you the whole way.¡±


    ¡°Except for tonight, obviously,¡± Arztec adds casually, stabbing a piece of roasted vegetable with his fork.


    My hand halts midway to my mouth. ¡°Say what now?¡± I look around the table, confusion brewing into


    frustration as no one dares meet my eyes.


    ¡°Honey,¡± Mum says gently, ¡°it¡¯s customary that the evening before your ascension, you spend the night alone. Tomorrow will be a day of spiritual preparation, but don¡¯t worry, Aleisha and I will be with you to help you get ready.¡±


    A pit opens in my stomach. I just finally epted my mates, let down myst barriers, let them mark me, and now I have to be away from them? I turn my re to the four men who dare to look guilty. They knew.


    They all knew and chose not to tell me.


    ¡°I know this isn¡¯t the news you were expecting, little one,¡± Julius says gently, clearly sensing my rising irritation from across the table.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be just as painful for us as it is for you,¡± Noah adds sweetly.


    Mumughs, light and teasing. ¡°Oh, please. She¡¯ll be fine. Evelina, you cane hang out at the cabin with me before bed to help calm the nerves. Maybe we¡¯ll even do a little ritual cleansing. Or,¡± she winks,


    ¡°just gossip and drink.¡±


    ¡°Mom, she¡¯s not going to¡­¡± Xavier starts, but I cut him off.


    ¡°That sounds great, Milly, thank you!¡± I raise my ss of wine, clinking it with hers across the table before taking a generous sip.


    And that¡¯s exactly what I do. After dinner is finished and I kiss each of my mates goodnight, lingering a little longer than necessary, I take Mom¡¯s hand. The night air is cool and quiet as we walk the short path back to her and Dad¡¯s cabin. Crickets chirp, and moonlight filters through the trees like silver mist. There¡¯s a peace to this ce I didn¡¯t know I needed until I stepped into it. Inside, she lights a few candles, puts on a pot of tea, and joins me on the porch with a warm, spiced blend and a thick,forting nket. She hands it to me, then pulls out a small, neatly rolled joint, lighting it with the flick of a match. We clink mugs and inhale together, our breath rising into the night. We sit like that for a while, watching the moon drift higher. The nerves I¡¯ve been holding in finally start to loosen.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m scared, Mum¡­¡± I murmur.


    ¡°And you have every right to be,¡± she says, cing a warm hand on my knee. ¡°Gods know I was terrified on the day of my own ascension. But it¡¯s just one day, one step. You¡¯ll have so many more big moments in your life, love. This is just one of them. And my boys? They¡¯ll be there through all of it.¡±


    I nod, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. She gives me a soft smile.


    ¡°Would you like to sleep here tonight? We¡¯ve got a guest room all ready, and it might help to not have the temptation of four half-naked wolves down the hall.¡±


    I try tough. ¡°Is it silly that I don¡¯t know how I¡¯d sleep without them now?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s anything but silly,¡± she says with a knowing look. ¡°You¡¯ve just been marked. The bond is fresh and raw; it¡¯s going to pull at you. But I think I might have a trick for that. Come on.¡±


    She takes me into a hallway and opens a door to a small but cozy guest room¡­ and a literal wardrobe full of my mates¡¯ clothes.


    ¡°I may have been stocking this for emergencies,¡± she admits with a smirk. ¡°Shifting mishaps, travel, post- fight stayovers, you know the drill.¡±


    I¡¯m more than grateful as I slip into one of Noah¡¯s soft t-shirts, a pair of Xavier¡¯s joggers, and wrap myself in Haiden¡¯s oversized hoodie while putting on Levi¡¯s socks. They smell like safety, like home. I curl up in the bed and let the familiar scents soothe the ache. Sleep finds me faster than I expect. I¡¯m pretty sure she definitely put something extra in the tea.


    ¡°How high did you get her, Mom?!¡±


    ¡°Oh, pfft. Please. Just a little! Maybe she was just¡­ really tired.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you knocked her out,¡± I hear Aleisha say before she full-onunches herself onto me like a missile.


    I squeal as her kneesnd in my ribs, and I break intoughter when she starts tickling me without mercy.


    ¡°Wakey, wakey, Luna! It¡¯s your ascension day, and you¡¯ve already slept half of it away! We need to go!¡±


    I shove her off, and she thuds to the floor with an exaggerated ¡°Ow!¡± before flopping dramatically onto her


    back.


    ¡°What time is it?¡± I groan, rubbing my eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost noon!¡± she says, scandalized.


    ¡°What the fuck?!¡± I bolt upright, wide-eyed and panicked. ¡°I¡¯ve never slept thatte before!¡±


    Mum looks guiltily over the top of her mug.


    ¡°I may have doubled the dosage in those jointsst night¡­ but you needed it! You wouldn¡¯t have slept


    otherwise.¡±


    I gape at her. Then Iugh. Out of all the mother-inws in the world, I¡¯m pretty sure I got the best and the most chaotic. 2


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    ??? ???? ?

 Underworld 49

    We have a hearty brunch at Mom¡¯s cabin, which is a lot less rxed than it was here yesterday. Different people rush in and around us. I can barely keep up with it all as I finish eating, and I¡¯m quickly whisked away by Aleisha to the shower. Next is hair and makeup, and three different she-wolves crowd around me as they primp and prime me to their idea of perfection. Before I know it, I¡¯m standing in front of the silk ck dress. Am I ready for this? Fuck, it doesn¡¯t even matter at this point if it gets me back to my mates, I¡¯ll be happy. I take the dress off the hanger and step into it carefully, pull it up and over my shoulders and adjust the little golden chain around my waist. It fits like a glove, showing off my thin waist and curvy hips. My hair is tied up in an intricate curly bun, with bits of hair out framing my face. My brothers had apparently sent the golden tiara that sits upon my head, and the gold diamond teardrop earrings are a gift from Mom. The shoes are from Aleisha; she said she had to have some sort of say in the outfit, and they are indeed perfect. They have a wide bottom on the heel, so I won¡¯t sink into the grass, and they tie up and around my legs with pretty ck leather straps. Sure, you can¡¯t see thempletely under the dress, but when I walk, the slit in my dress shows it off perfectly. All in all, I look fucking hot if I say so myself.


    ¡°Are you ready, darling?¡± Mum asks as shees through the door. ¡°Oh my¡­you look beautiful!¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Mum. I couldn¡¯t have done any of this without you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, pish posh, you would have been fine without me. Come on now, the moon is just starting to rise.¡±


    We slip out of the cabin into the early night and take the short walk to the packhouse, where I can see the ceremony in the distance. There are white chairs across thewn filled with pack members, fairy lights are strung up in trees, there¡¯s a makeshift aisle and stage set up with rows of red roses everywhere. Behind that, to the side are marquees with tables and a dance floor, everything is decorated in different shades of reds, cks and whites, and it¡¯s breathtaking. As we reach the end of the path, I¡¯m met by my brothers.


    ¡°Usually it is customary for the father to walk the future Luna down the aisle, but in his absence, we would be honoured to walk with you,¡± Mchi says softly while Julius and Arztec hold out their arms for me.


    ¡°I would like that a lot, thank you,¡± I say softly in return, giving Mom and Aleisha a kiss on the cheek and a thank you as they go to take their seats.


    While Arztec and Julius walk beside me, Mchi walks directly behind me, and we reach the bottom of the aisle, where soft music begins to y, and my mates turn around to face me. Their eyes are blown wide, and I swear I see a few tears that are quickly wiped away as we approach them. Mchi takes my hand when we reach the steps and leads me to one side of the stage, across from my four mates.


    ¡°We, Alpha Kings, Mchi, Julius and Arztec, present your future Luna, Evelina.


    My mates bow to my brother before thetter turns to stand at the rear of the stage, facing us and the crowd.


    Mchi¡¯s voice speaks loudly, carrying across the garden as he begins the ceremony.


    ¡°It is with great honour this evening that we gather here today to witness the ascension of Xavier, Haiden, Noah and Levi to Alpha¡¯s of the Red Moon pack, and Evelina to the ascension of their Luna, the Luna to the Red Moon pack. This quintet has been blessed by the Moon Goddess with a true mate bond, and I, Alpha King Mchi, can testify to this bond. Do you, Xavier, Haiden, Noah and Levi, ept the responsibility to protect, care for and rule over the Red Moon Pack as Alphas to the best of your abilities?¡±


    ¡°We do.¡± They say in sync.


    Julius passes Xavier a knife, and Arztec stands beside him with arge bowl where Xavier slices through his hand and allows his blood to be collected. This happens with each of my mates, and then the attention


    turns to me.


    ¡°Do you, Evelina, ept the responsibility to protect, care for and rule over the Red Moon pack as Luna?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡±


    Julius hands me the knife, and I slice my palm and let my blood mix with my mates. As soon as the first -drop sshes into the bowl, a dark smoke begins to rise from within it. I don¡¯t remember Mom telling me


    about this part¡­I can¡¯t hear or see anything but the smoke that swirls above the bowl mysteriously, slower at first and then quickly as it splits into five separate pieces and moves towards me and my mates. I watch as it drifts above my mate¡¯s and swirls for a moment before lowering and settling on their heads in the shape of dark, misty-looking crowns. I finally hear the crowd again with a few gasps and whispered voices. I look to my brothers, unsure if this is normal, and the look on their faces tells me this is anything but. When I reach above my own head with my fingers, I feel what is definitelyrger than the petite golden tiara that was there before. It¡¯s sharp, pointed edges with some sort of intricate design¡­I take a step forward to close the distance with my mates and reach out to touch the crown upon Xavier¡¯s head. He bows slightly so I can reach it, and when my fingers connect with what was once smoke, I realise it is not. It¡¯s a solid, ck metal of some sort. It¡¯s like a king¡¯s crown, but dark and dangerous looking¡­like death. When I step back and examine each of their crowns, I notice they¡¯re different to one another. While Xaviers has a sword and a pale horse in the centre, Haiden¡¯s has a bow and a white horse, Noah¡¯s has a sword and a red horse, and Levi¡¯s has a ck horse and a scale.


    Mchi clears his throat. ¡°And with that, I present the Alphas and Luna of the Red Moon pack! As you can see, something here tonight has happened that we have never seen before¡­ Let¡¯s take this as a blessing from the Gods and celebrate. Please, eat, drink, dance and enjoy yourselves.¡± He motions for everyone to leave for the marquees, and I stand staring at my mates in disbelief and confusion.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorised and constitutes copyright infringement.

 Underworld 50

    Once everyone is gone to the marquees, it¡¯s just my mates, my brothers, Mum, and Dad with us.


    ¡°Uh¡­So I¡¯m guessing this isn¡¯t normal?¡± I point to my head where I believe there is some sort of magical smoke¡­not a smoke crown.


    ¡°No.¡± Mchi clips out.


    ¡°May I?¡± Julius reaches his hand out to touch it, and I nod. When his fingers touch the metal, I hear a sizzle, and he pulls his hand back abruptly with a hiss. ¡°What the fuck?¡±


    Arztec pulls his hand out and opens it, showing a clear burn on his fingertips. I touch the crown again in confusion, and it doesn¡¯t burn me, then I look to Xavier. ¡°You touch it.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯m not sure¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± Haiden steps forward, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck before he reaches out slowly and ces his hand on it with no effect.


    ¡°Weird.¡± He whispers.


    He looks around at his brothers, touching each of them with no effect.


    ¡°So I¡¯m guessing only the people with the cool new crowns can touch them.¡± He shrugs.


    ¡°Cool? Really, brother, that¡¯s the word you¡¯re going with?¡± Noah rolls his eyes.


    ¡°Well, what would you call them?¡± Haiden crosses his arms.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, creepy. They look¡­dark.¡±


    ¡°Can you try to take it off? Maybe we can¡¯t touch them because they¡¯re on you.¡± Mchi asks.


    I reach up, grabbing the sides and attempting to pull it free, but it doesn¡¯t budge. My mates do the same with no luck.


    ¡°Uh, nope, looks like they¡¯re permanent,¡± I say quietly.


    ¡°Fuck¡­does mine at least look cool? I don¡¯t want a shit crown for the rest of my life.¡± Haiden attempts to look upwards at it with no such luck.


    Levi, ever so quiet, finally speaks. ¡°What does mine have on it? They all have different things.¡± He points


    out.


    ¡°It has a ck horse and a scale,¡± I tell him.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ like¡­ Famine.¡± He points at Noah¡¯s. ¡°A sword and a red horse, like War and Bloodshed.¡± He points at Haiden¡¯s. ¡°A white horse and a bow. Conquest.¡± Then to Xavier. ¡°A pale horse and a sword. Death.¡±


    ¡°The four horsemen of death¡­¡± Dad whispers.


    ¡°What-what about me? What does mine have on it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­a skull, wearing its own little crown,¡± Noah tells me, swallowing hard.


    ¡°It kind of suits you, love, honestly, you look badass.¡± Haiden tries to lighten the mood.


    Turning back my attention to Mchi, I ask, ¡°Do you think you could use your sight to see what the hell is going on?¡±


    He tilts his head for a second. ¡°Alright, yeah, let¡¯s try that.¡± He ces his hands near my face, clearly avoiding putting his hands anywhere near my new essory, and closes his eyes. His face scrunches up in difort before his eyes shoot back open, and he takes a step back from me with shock evident.


    ¡°Uhh¡­ What did you see?¡±


    ¡°Death. I saw death, a lot of it. I don¡¯t know what that means. I¡¯ve never seen anything like that before.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean to be pushy¡­¡± Mom says in a squeak. ¡°But¡­we do have a celebration to attend to. As Alphas and Luna, it is customary to see to your pack members¡­and then we have the shift at midnight. We have quite a bit to get through. Maybe we can shelf this little¡­hup untilter?¡± She forces a smile, and Iugh at her.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. Pack first. I¡¯m sure they¡¯re just as curious and confused as us.¡±


    We walk towards the crowd, and everyone¡¯s eyes are on us. I know it¡¯s not because of our new status either. We take our seats at the long table in front of all the circr ones, with our pack members seated at them patiently. Noah gives the go-ahead to the servers to begin handing out dinner, and Xavier stands to address the pack.


    ¡°Red Moon members! Thank you all for attending this evening. As you can see, your Alphas and Luna have acquired some new essories. While the meaning of these is still unknown to us, we are confident we will find out when the Gods feel it is the right time. We believe this is a good thing. Our pack has been blessed with something unique. We will happily share with you more news when we know, but for now, let¡¯s feast!¡± There¡¯s pping and hollering from the members at the tables, filled with delicious-looking meals, and music fills the air. I lean over to Xavier as he takes his seat.


    ¡°Spoken like a true Alpha.¡± I wink at him, making him smile. As the night wears on, we all begin to rx a little more. Each of my mates dances with me more than once, and a photographer shows me little shots she¡¯s taken throughout the night, which are so beautiful I¡¯ll have to have them put on the walls of the packhouse.


    The pack parties like there is no tomorrow, and as we approach midnight, the pups are already in bed, and many of the adults choose to head out for a run. While my little family sits with me around a bonfire on the edge of the woods while we wait for my first shift.


    ¡°Are you nervous, little Luna?¡± Noah asks, sitting beside me on a fallen tree log.


    ¡°I¡¯m fucking terrified.¡± Iugh. ¡°But also so excited. Does it hurt?¡±


    ¡°Like a bitch.¡± Haiden says, nodding his head up and down.


    ¡°But you¡¯ll be fine,¡± Levi says, scowling at Haiden.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be right here with you,¡± Xavier confirms


    Hopefully, no more crazy shit happens, right?¡± I try augh again as I point to my crown, and my mates all look nervously between themselves without saying a word.


    ¡°If it does, we¡¯re right here for it,¡± Dad saysfortingly with a hand on my shoulder before he kneels in front of me. ¡°Whatever happens, it happens with the support of family. There¡¯s nothing you go through that you¡¯ll have to face alone.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Really. Thank you.¡±


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 Underworld 51

    Milly.


    I¡¯m sitting beside my mate, Charles, on a log across the fire from my sons and new daughter-inw. It¡¯s her first shift tonight, and I remember every first shift in the pack since I first became Luna. It¡¯s customary for the Alpha and Luna to be present for your first shift in our pack; it shows support and unity. This is a very special shift, though, as it¡¯s our new Luna¡¯s first shift tonight, and she needs all the support she can get. I love Evelina so much already. She shows such strength and courage, but also with the biggest heart. She is a natural leader and will be a great Luna in my ce with my sons by her side. I check my watch for the millionth time tonight, wanting everything to go as nned. We¡¯ve already exined how a shift will work and what¡¯s to be expected; now we¡¯re left to wait. With only a few more minutes until midnight, we¡¯re all waiting, ready and prepared to help.


    ¡°Ready, my darling?¡± Charles asks, squeezing my hand as we stand up.


    ¡°What a perfectst shift for us to help guide.¡± I smile up at him. The next first shifts willnd on the new Alphas and Luna. It¡¯s a beautiful circle. When the clock strikes twelve, I watch as sweat beads on Evelina¡¯s forehead, and she hunches over in pain.


    ¡°Here we go, darling. You¡¯re going to feel a lot of pain before a beautiful release. Don¡¯t fight it, just let it happen. Breathe, darling, just breathe.¡± I coax her softly, kneeling in front of her as she drops to her knees with a pained whimper. I¡¯m busy pushing hair behind her ears and rubbing her pack when Charles tries to get my attention.


    ¡°Milly¡­darling¡­¡± I continue helping Evelina, shushing and cooing endearments.


    ¡°Milly!¡±


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Xavier¡¯s cry has me turning my head, and I see all four of my sons on their hands and knees, sweating, whimpering in pain.


    ¡°What the¡­¡± I look around the Alpha Kings, who are just as confused as I am.


    ¡°They look like they¡¯re shifting¡­¡± Alpha King Mchi says in bewilderment.


    ¡°But they¡¯ve already shifted, many years ago.¡± I turn to my husband. ¡°Charles, what is happening?!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, darling¡­ I don¡¯t¡­¡± The warmth from the fire seems to increase, and I find myself needing to step away from it. Charles wraps an arm around me, and we all start walking backwards, not being able to stand the heat anymore. We¡¯re about 30 meters away now. I can barely see my children, but I can hear their cries getting louder and louder, and all I want is to run back there and help them. Are they burning? What is happening?


    ¡°Arghhhhhh!!!!!!!!


    ¡°Ahhhhhhh!!!!!¡±


    ¡°FUCCCCKKKK!¡±


    All I can hear now is their cries, and I try to move forward, but Charles wraps both his arms around me, holding me in ce.


    ¡°Let me go! That¡¯s my babies!¡±


    ¡°I know, darling, I know! I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s going to be okay. Shhhh.¡±


    ¡°There is nothing we can do for them now.¡± Alpha King Julius says softly as he ces his hand on my shoulder and calms me with his powers. The emotional pain might be gone, but I still want nothing more than to go to my children. The next thing I know, the fire reaches well beyond the tree tops, and we¡¯re all shielding our eyes from the brightness. I hear five distinct howls before everything goes deathly silent and the fire returns to normal. I instantly notice the overwhelming heat is gone, and I run forward as fast as I can with the others. When we reach the bonfire, my babies are gone, Evelina is gone. They¡¯re just¡­gone. Nothing but burnt grass surrounds the fire. I fall to my knees and cry.


    Evelina


    The pain from the shift is excruciating. I swear I¡¯m actually on fire as I hear and feel my bones break, pop, and shift into apletely different structure. Something is wrong. I can feel something is wrong. I can hear somewhere beyond my own self that something is wrong, but I can¡¯t open my eyes. Over my own screams, I think I can hear my mates as well. I can feel their pain. Why are they in pain? I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s minutes or hours, but that fire I feel inside of me explodes, and I hear a howl. Wait no¡­I¡¯m howling, along with my mates, I think, and then, it¡¯s gone. For a split second, it feels like I¡¯m falling off a cliff. You know that feeling when you¡¯re in a dream and you think you¡¯re falling, your heart drops, and then you wake up to find you didn¡¯t fall at all? Well, I¡¯m not sure if this is a dream or not, but I think I¡¯ve just woken up¡­in hell.


    I stay as still as possible, willing my heart beat to slow as I stare ahead of me. I¡¯ve read about these creatures in books, but I¡¯ve never seen one in real life before. Four massive hell hounds stand in front of me. They¡¯re bigger than any wolf I¡¯ve ever seen before. Easily twice the size of an Alpha wolf, and their fur is as ck as coal, with embers of fire throughout. Their teeth look sharp as fuck, and their eyes glow red, like little mes dance beyond their irises. Around them, it looks like a dark forest, with not even a moon in the sky to bring any light. No, the only lightes from them. The forest, although it is dark, looks like the colour has been mostly sucked from¡­this ce. The trees give off an eerie feeling, with long, dead branches devoid of life. The ground is nothing but broken stones and rock. I have no idea where the fuck I am, or what the fuck I am supposed to do now.


    *Well, fucking finally. Hello Evalina, I am Layah, your hellhound. * A voice sounds in my head.


    I¡¯m sorry¡­my fucking what now? I think back.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property


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    AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement.

 Underworld 52

    The voice giggles in my head. Your hellhound. Here, let me show you.


    My legs move on their own ord, and I realise I¡¯m not in control of my body. It¡¯s as if I¡¯m sitting in the passenger seat, just watching. I¡­or we move over to a small pool over water. As we move over the broken and jagged stones and lean forward, I see my reflection in the water. I look¡­just like a fucking hellhound. My fur, the little sparks of fire within it, and my eyes are red. I definitely shifted, just not into a regr wolf. On top of my head, wrapping around my ears is a crown of thorns and vines, and right in the middle, is a little skull embedded into the vines.


    Oh my¡­


    Right?! We look fucking beautiful! Layah says back to me. And take a look at our sexy as fuck mates. She turns us around to look at the four hell hounds, and I internally gasp. On closer inspection, I see that in the middle of each of their foreheads are those little symbols that were on their crowns.


    Guys? I try, reaching out in my mind to them. The hellhounds all look at each other and then back at me.


    Little mate? Love? Luna? Doll?!


    What the fuck is going on?!


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m sure we could answer some of your questions¡±, a very deep, eerie voice booms from the distance as we all turn our heads to see two figuresing towards us. The man is tall and broad; I can make out a beard under his dark hooded cloak, and he holds some sort of sceptre in one hand. The other is a woman, a tall, slender woman in a long, ck flowing gown. Her dark hair flows in waves around her as she walks barefoot across the stones. Her face is wless; she is the picture of beauty, grace, and danger.


    ¡°Hades¡­Persephone.¡± I bow my hellhound head now that Layah has given me back control. My mates seem to follow my lead, bowing low.


    ¡°Rise, please, my children,¡± Persephone says sweetly. ¡°Please, shift, and we can take this conversation


    somewhere morefortable.¡±


    I¡¯m a bit nervous to shift, not only is it my first time, but also¡­I¡¯ll be naked. Noah shifts first, and I¡¯m surprised to see he¡¯s still in his clothes. The others follow him, also with their clothes, so I concentrate on my human form, as Layah tells me to, and I shift.


    Hades¡¯s sceptre booms as he ms it to the ground, and there¡¯s a rush of ck smoke that fills my vision; I close my eyes and that weird falling feeling again before I stumble back to my feet and open my eyes to find we¡¯re now standing in some sort of grand hall. The floor is a ck marble with red swirls in it. The walls are painted ck withrge windows that have intricate designs of ck roses and vines swirling around them. There¡¯s lighting in through the windows, but no actual vision of what is on the outside. Hades and Persephone sit upon two ck thrones on an altar, while my mates and I stand in a line together in front of them.


    ¡°Hades,¡± Persephone says softly, looking towards us.


    ¡°Right. We haven¡¯t had guests in a long time. I forgot.¡± He raises his hand in our direction, and behind us from the ground, that familiar smoke swirls before it forms a long stone b in the form of a bench chair.


    ¡°Sit.¡± He orders.


    ¡°Please,¡± Persephone adds in.


    My mates look to me nervously, and I take a seat, which they then follow.


    ¡°I assume you have questions,¡± Hades says coldly.


    ¡°Uh, yes, a few.¡± I nod.


    ¡°Well?¡± He ushers with his hand. ¡°Spit them out then.¡±


    ¡°You saved me.¡± I start.


    ¡°That¡¯s not a question.¡±


    ¡°If you would let me finish.¡± He lifts his head enough that I can see a smirk beneath the darkness of his


    hood.


    ¡°Go on then.¡± He says a little lighter.


    ¡°You saved me when I was but a pup. Why?¡±


    ¡°Well, that is certainly a good question.¡± Persephone smiles at me. ¡°And definitely the best ce to start.¡±


    Hades nods to her. ¡°Yes. We saved you. It is not every day that one with the bloodline of the Moon Goddess is sacrificed to the Underworld. We saw an opportunity and we took it by saving you.¡±


    ¡°And what would that opportunity be?¡±


    ¡°The opportunity to hand over the reins of hell, of course.¡±


    ¡°What exactly does that mean?¡±


    ¡°It means that you and your mates here will take over from us. You will rule the underworld and keep it in order as we have for such a long time. My wife and I have been ready for a long time to finally pass on to the next world, but we have not been able to do that until we found someone of the appropriate bloodline to do so.¡±


    ¡°And what if my mates and I do not want to rule the underworld?¡±


    212


    2:53 pm


    Hades shrugs and slouches back in his throne.


    ¡°You have no choice. When my wife and I saved you and sent you back to the mortal realm, we did so by infusing our lifeforce into you. Every year that you have lived, you have taken a little more lifeforce from us. When you officially took on the role of Luna for the Red Moon Pack, we may have tweaked the event to also include that your mates would take on the role of Kings of the underworld.¡±


    ¡°You tricked us.¡± I gasp.


    ¡°Tricked? I saved you!¡± He booms, ending on a cough as Persephone rubs his back and continues for him.


    ¡°When you came of age, it took most of the lifeforce we had left. We never chose this life, just as you didn¡¯t, but we have done our part, and now it is your time to do yours. We don¡¯t have long left before we will pass into the next world.¡± She stands, helping Hades to his feet as well. They both remove their crowns, the same sort of crowns that my mates and I now wear, and they ce them upon their thrones before walking over to us. Persephone takes my hands in hers. ¡°You will do great things, Evelina, you all will. Believe in yourself. If the underworld is not controlled and maintained, then every other world will suffer for it. It is a great responsibility, one you were born and saved for. Ss will exin everything you


    need to know.¡±


    She leans down and kisses my forehead, making a warm feeling flow through my veins before she pulls back. I watch as Hades raises his sceptre and moves along my mates, tapping it on each of their shoulders once, before both Hades and Persephone bow to us, and then they vanish. They just fucking vanish.


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    Goddess Of The Underworld.

 Underworld 53

    I look to my mates with my mouth probably hanging on the floor.


    ¡°So¡­we¡¯re hellhounds now.¡± Haiden smirks.


    ¡°And rulers of the underworld,¡± Xavier adds in.


    ¡°What the fuck is even happening?¡± Levi asks no one in particr.


    ¡°Luna, are you okay? A first shift for anyone is usually a pretty intense thing¡­¡± Noahes to my side, asking softly.


    Before I can answer, the double doors behind us are opened, stealing our attention as we turn around to look down at¡­what is that? It¡¯s a small creature in tattered rags, with green skin with long pointed ears sitting near the top of its head. It steps inside the hall, the doors closing behind him as he kneels before us, head hung low, not daring to look at us.


    ¡°My lords anddy.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­hello?¡± I half question. ¡°Are you Ss?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, my Queen. I am here to serve you.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­well that¡¯s great. Would you mind standing up so we can have a proper conversation?¡±


    Slowly, his head rises, as does the rest of his little body, and he tilts his head to the side to look at us properly, but not once in the eyes.


    ¡°I understand you must have questions that ourte King and Queen might not have answered.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they didn¡¯t really say much on the whole, ruling the underworld thing,¡± Haiden says lightly.


    ¡°What would you like to know, my lord?¡±


    At that, Haiden puffs his chest out and grins over to the rest of us, and I roll my eyes. Walking closer to Ss, I kneel now in front of him. His eyes widen in surprise.


    ¡°Mydy, you must not kneel to me!¡±


    ¡°Well, that magical chair thing Hades made disappeared.¡± I wave my hand behind me, and smoke trails out of my fingertips, creating another chair. ¡°Okay, that was wild,¡± I mutter, doing it again and again until I have six chairs in a circle, and I motion for Ss to sit with us, ignoring the fact that I just magically created shit out of my fingers. ¡°Okay, tell us. What are we supposed to be doing here?¡±


    ¡°And how do we get home when we want to? Mum¡¯s totally freaking out by now.¡± Haiden scratches the


    back of his head.


    ¡°You are to rule the underworld. We reap the souls of the dead from the mortal realm, they¡¯re sent here through portals into waiting rooms in a state of limbo, where we assess their souls and determine if they are to be ced here, or if they¡¯re to be sent above to the Moon Goddess. You will be able to move through the different nes with these portals, travelling as you wish.¡±


    ¡°That¡­is¡­a lot.¡± I manage to get out.


    Ss shrugs.


    ¡°You have many creatures here who are condemned to work for you, taking some of the workload, but you are to oversee all processes and the reaping and assessing falls only on the Kings and Queen.¡±


    ¡°Are you able to show us all of this?¡± Xavier questions.


    ¡°Of course, my Lord.¡± Ss stands and motions for us to do the same as we follow him out of the double doors, into arge hallway. The flooring is the same as in the hall, and the same windows show light with nothing beyond them. We walk down to another door, and the inside is an utter chaos of paperwork stacked well above our heads around therge room. There¡¯s a desk in the centre covered in paperwork, and filing cabs line the walls, bursting at the seams.


    ¡°This is the filing room.¡±


    ¡°I can kind of see that. What is all of it?¡±


    ¡°Recent deaths. Souls to be reaped. There¡¯s been a backlog since you were born. The previous Lord and Lady grew weaker every day and were not able to keep up with the workload.¡±


    ¡°Oh, great,¡± I say sarcastically as I pick up the first piece of paper. It¡¯s a list of names, ce of death, manner of death, age of death and physical descriptions. ¡°So what do we do with all of this?¡±


    ¡°You reap them, of course.¡±


    I roll my eyes, but Ss doesn¡¯t pay that any bother.


    ¡°Look at one of the names and the location. Think about that with intention and will there to be a portal, just like you did when you created the chairs.¡±


    I pick the first one on the list, Lauren Summers, 54, New Jersey. I picture a portal as I raise my arm and repeat the name in my head. Lauren Summers. A ck mist forms out of my fingers, and it swirls in the air in front of me until it bes one big ck hole. Ss raises his arms towards it.


    ¡°In you go.¡±


    I hesitate, and he sighs, walking forward and through it, vanishing,


    2:54 pm


    I look to my mates, equally in awe and bewilderment.


    Levi catches my hand. ¡°Together.¡± He nods.


    ¡°Together,¡± I repeat as we step forward, and that stupid, fucked up falling feeling hits me again until my feetnd on solid ground. I look backwards with Levi to the portal where the rest of my matese stumbling out of. Haiden practically ran through and barrels into Noah¡¯s back as the two fall to the ground. Ss stands with his arms crossed, waiting for us. I take in our surroundings, still holding the piece of paper in my free hand. We¡¯re in some sort of office building, and people are bustling around us, but no one seems to take notice of us; they just walk around us casually like we¡¯re not in their path. Haiden waves at a few of their faces, but they don¡¯t react, just carrying on about their day. I take notice of the fact that we¡¯re most likely around humans, not shifters or other magical beings.


    ¡°When you are here to reap souls, only the dead will see you,¡± Ss answers my unspoken question.


    ¡°And how will we see the dead?¡± I ask, just as I spot a slightly colourless figure in the distance.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorised and constitutes copyright infringement.


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 Underworld 54

    Her back is towards us as she appears to be making a coffee, but the colour looks like it¡¯s almost drained from her, her figure appearing almost translucent and misty. When she turns to the fridge, I see that everything she interacts with is almost like a hologram. Her misty version of the fridge opens, but the actual fridge stays closed. Like she¡¯s in her own world and doesn¡¯t notice. When she turns around with the milk, I see a gaping hole in her eye around what looks to be a spoon. The paper in my hand tells me that she died impaling herself on a spoon¡­What a shitty way to go.


    ¡°You will reap all sorts of souls. Humans tend to be the least aware, and they know nothing about other creatures, so it¡¯s always interesting to see how they react to being reaped.¡± Ss muses.


    ¡°So what do we do?!¡± Haiden bounces with excitement. Ss looks up to his crown.


    ¡°You don¡¯t do anything here. This is not your role. It seems that there are multiple Kings; you have each been assigned a role already. This one is for Death.¡± He turns and points to Xavier. ¡°You and the Queen will be the only ones reaping the souls.¡±


    Xavier swallows hard and nods. ¡°Okay. What do I do?¡±


    ¡°Bring forth your scythe,¡± Ss says simply, and I see Xavier concentrating before he mists and arge scythe appears in his hand, a hooded robe over his figure. In this moment, he looks every bit of death.


    ¡°Now, you reap,¡± Ss says, like it¡¯s obvious.


    ¡°What, like just swing and go?¡±


    ¡°Basically.¡± Ss shrugs. ¡°You can, if you choose, try tofort the soul, speak to them, exin what is happening, but you don¡¯t have to. You can just simply ¡®swing and go¡¯, if you wish.¡±


    Xavier nods again before slowly approaching Lauren, and we all stand back and watch the scene unfold. He attempts to speak to her, but she doesn¡¯t seem to understand that she is indeed dead. Instead, she starts screaming for help, trying to get attention from anyone, and Xavier just raises his scythe and swings. It slices through her misty figure, and she disappears into thin air. He walks back to us, the scythe and hood disappearing as he looks at us. ¡°She didn¡¯t want to listen.¡± He mumbles.


    ¡°Perfect. Now, let¡¯s go back.¡± Ss waves for a portal, and I make one, envisioning the underworld hall we


    were first in.


    The portal back seems to be a bit easier. I figure this is something that will get easier with time. As soon as we¡¯re back in the hall, Ss motions for us to follow him back out into the hallway. We go past the filing room, around the corner, down another hall, and then we reach a spiral staircase that takes far, far too long


    to reach the bottom.


    ¡°Now, normally, you would just portal down here,¡± Ss says, catching his breath. ¡°But as you didn¡¯t know where to go, we had to take the long way.¡± We go through a few sets of heavy doors that apparently only


    open for those intended to pass through until we¡¯re in a massive dark hall that stretches well beyond what my eyes can see. Ss turns to Haiden. ¡°Conquest, I believe this would be your cement.¡± Haiden¡¯s eyes sparkle as we pass by many differentrge cells full of misty, colour-drained souls until we reach anotherrge room with a cell door. This one is full of mindless wandering souls that are muttering to themselves things that must have had something to do with their lives. ¡°This is where you will greet the freshly reaped souls. You tell them what they need to know, and organise them into cells based on their arrival dates.¡±


    ¡°So I basically say, ¡®hello, wee to the underworld, here¡¯s your room for your stay?¡±


    ¡°Basically. Then you, Famine.¡± He turns to Levi. ¡°You will then go through each of the cells and assess


    their souls.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­how do we do that?¡± Levi questions.


    ¡°Let¡¯s find your newest soul.¡± He turns to Haiden expectantly.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing this is a think it will and it does kind of situation?¡±


    Ss doesn¡¯t answer as Haiden concentrates, most likely thinking of Lauren, and then it¡¯s as if a light bulb goes off in his head as he starts weaving through the crowd of souls until he reaches Lauren, who is mindlessly wandering around muttering about needing to make a coffee.


    ¡°Hello, Lauren, wee to the underworld!¡± Haiden says, like it¡¯s a big TA DA moment, and Lauren just looks at him, confused, as Haiden turns around to Ss, silently questioning what to do now. Ss tilts his head in the direction of the cells, and Haiden picks up.


    ¡°If you¡¯d like toe with me this way, we¡¯re going to get youfortable until you¡¯re ready to be assessed for cement.¡±


    We walk along the hallway of cells for what feels like forever until we reach one at the very end that¡¯s only half full, and Haiden opens his arm to show Lauren. When she doesn¡¯t move, he huffs out a breath.


    ¡°Look, I know this is all some crazy shit,dy, but you died, this is the next step. Surely you have people waiting for you in the next ce?¡±


    She nods slowly, still unsure.


    ¡°If you¡¯d like to see those people, we need to go through these steps to get you there, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± She says quietly, stepping into the cell.


    Ss motions for Levi to step forward.


    ¡°Now, usually, you would be starting at that end.¡± He points down the hallway. ¡°But we¡¯ll just start with Lauren today. I want you to stand in front of her and envision her aura, her lifeforce, let yourself open her mind and see the most prominent moments in her life. Once you¡¯ve done that, you decide if they¡¯re mostly


    213


    2:54 pm


    good or bad.¡±


    Levi does just that, closing his eyes to concentrate, and he sucks in arge breath like he¡¯s just seen the devil himself¡­ironic really.


    Ss doesn¡¯t ask what he saw or what his decision is. Based on Levi¡¯s reaction, we can all already tell.


    ¡°Right then. Now we ce her in the underworld, again, this would usually be where you would portal to the next ce, but we¡¯ll take the long way.¡± Turning to Noah, he says, ¡°War. This final part is for you.¡±


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    Not enjoying the Subject change, underworld, etc. Doesn¡¯t seem to fit. Just stuck it in.


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    Goddess Of The Underworld.

 Underworld 55

    Noah nods, and we all lead a very reluctant Lauren through another maze of hallways and another massive staircase leading down further. Now this ce¡­this ce looks like hell. The walls look like burning charcoal, jagged stones just out from the floor, the only light source is burning pits of fire randomly around the room, though surprisingly, it¡¯s not hot, well, for us at least. Ss looks more than ufortable, and Lauren¡¯s misty figure is definitely sweating. Ss leads us past a sort of hellish reception area, picking up a ratherrge book, one of many, that he shows to Noah.


    ¡°This is everyone who currently resides in the underworld and all of the workers who are assigned to deliver their fates daily. In there, you will find details of their sins and the sorts of methods that will best inflict¡­justice. When the soulse from Famine, he will log what he has assessed, and you will then ce those people under someone of your choosing here, and you may also decide which method to use.¡±


    Noah passes the book to Levi, who leans on Haiden¡¯s back to fill in the log and then passes it back to Noah, whose face pales before he looks angrily at Lauren. Thetter pales and recoils. Arge gargoyle- looking creaturees out from one of the rooms, spotting us and then bowing deeply. ¡°My Kings, My Queen, it is an honour to meet you. I am Darius, here to serve you.¡±


    Noah steps close to Darius, thetter leaning down slightly when Noah motions, and he says something in a hushed tone. Darius locks eyes with Lauren, nodding once at Noah before opening a door to his right and looking to Lauren.


    ¡°You¡¯re with me. Get in.¡±


    I step towards the closed door, there¡¯s a little window that shows what¡¯s happening inside, and I watch as Darius puts one hand on Lauren¡¯s head, and she seems to go into a dream state.


    ¡°What¡¯s he doing?¡± I whisper.


    ¡°Darius can inflict dreams on people. He¡¯s most probably forcing her to rey some of the worst moments of her life.¡±


    ¡°How long will she be down here for?¡±


    ¡°Until you deem her soul to be repented, or if not, then forever.¡±


    ¡°So we can choose to take people out of the underworld?¡±


    ¡°If you wish. If they¡¯re worthy. Here¡¯s the thing: they¡¯re here because they deserve to be here. If you send someone to the beyond when they¡¯re not worthy, they¡¯ll taint that realm like they did in the mortal realm. Thus, causing havoc to the delicate bnce we have. It¡¯s very ck and white. You start in the mortal realm, living a life however you wish. If you do good things, you go to a good ce when you die. If you do bad things, you go to a bad ce when you die. If you send a bad person to the good ce, will it really still be a good ce?¡±


    2:54 pm


    ¡°Hmm..¡± I ponder. ¡°So where did Hades and Persephone go? To the beyond?¡±


    Ss shakes his head. ¡°No, they simply cease to exist. Their whole life force was drained into you. In a way, they sort of live on through you, but not really. They¡¯re just¡­gone.¡±


    ¡°So¡­¡± Xavier cuts in. ¡°What about our lives back home on the mortal realm? We have a pack to run there,


    too.¡±


    Ss shrugs. ¡°You can do both. Time works differently here. Even though you¡¯ve been here for hours, you¡¯ve merely been gone for minutes there.¡±


    ¡°So we¡¯re just meant to, yenno, rule over the underworld? Just like that?¡± Haiden questions.


    ¡°Just like that. All of this is now your responsibility, and I would not take that lightly. Now, I have things to do. Explore your pce, start your jobs, go back to your mortal realm, whatever it is you wish to do, but please remember. This ce here, what you are in charge of, controls the bnce between all three realms and is very, very important.¡±


    With that, Ss turns to leave, saying over his shoulder, ¡°If you need me, just portal.¡±


    I turn to my mates, and we all stare at each other, saying nothing for a while.


    ¡°Well¡­this is kind of crazy.¡±


    Haiden bursts outughing. ¡°You know, you¡¯re the most interesting girl I¡¯ve ever met.¡±


    ¡°Technically, she¡¯s a Queen.¡± Levi points out.


    ¡°Queen of the underworld,¡± Noah says.


    Queen of the mother fucking underworld¡­fucking hell.


    ¡°As much as I think we need to get this ce in order and update some of the methods of sorting here. I think we should go home. Everyone probably thinks we¡¯re dead, and we should probably clear that up first.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go back, sort things out there first, ande up with a game n for all of this,¡± Xavier waves his hand around.


    I wave up a portal, picturing our home at the Red Moon pack, and we all step through together.


    Wend at the ce where we left, around the bonfire. It¡¯s still nighttime, and I¡¯m not sure how much time has passed.


    ¡°Mum!¡± Haiden yells as we hit solid ground.


    ¡°Haiden?! Babies?! Oh my Gods!¡± Mum scrambles to her feet from her ce on the ground, her eyes full of


    2:54 pm


    tears as she runs towards us.


    I¡¯m quickly yanked by my arm to the side and embraced tightly between my three brothers.


    ¡°Holy fucking Gods. What happened, Evelina?! Where did you go?! We thought you were dead!¡± Mchi


    blurts out.


    I look between them to where Mum and Dad are fussing over their sons, my mates, and we all lock eyes as everyone is clearly wondering the same thing.


    ¡°We were in the underworld¡­our new kingdom where we rule as Kings and Queen.¡±


    Everyone¡¯s mouths fall open, my brothers taking a step back from me, assessing me head to toe.


    ¡°Queen of the underworld?¡± Arztec says in a gasp.


    ¡°Yup,¡± I say, popping the P.


    ¡°Well.. then¡­¡± Julius says, before they all fall to their knees, bowing low to me.


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    Goddess Of The Underworld.

 Underworld 56

    ¡°Can you all please not do that?¡± I ask nervously. ¡°It feels weird.¡±


    ¡°We pay respect where respect is due,¡± Mchi says seriously as he stands. ¡°You will get used to it.¡±


    ¡°Doubt it,¡± I mumble.


    ¡°So¡­darling.¡± Milly approaches me slowly and warily. ¡°How was your first shift?¡±


    ¡°Oh! Right! You mean ¡®our¡¯ first shift.¡±


    She looks back at the guys, and Haiden jumps excitedly.


    ¡°I think we should show her! Mum, you¡¯re going to love this!¡±


    Each of the guys looks a little mischievous with their smirks as they shift, and Mum gasps as she takes arge step backwards into me. I steady her with my hands on her shoulders andugh a little. ¡°Hellhounds,¡± I whisper in her ear.


    ¡°Whoa.¡± She breathes out.


    ¡°Aleisha is going to be so jealous.¡± Dad chuckles as he approaches his sons. ¡°You boys never really did anything half ass did you? Always out to make a show.¡± Heughs again.


    They shift back, proudly showing off that their clothes have stayed just as they were. ¡°Okay, now I¡¯m jealous. That¡¯s a neat trick.¡± Charles pouts a little.


    ¡°Come on, we should get you lot inside for a rest. I¡¯m fairly sure you¡¯re not going to get much of that anymore.¡± Milly softly takes my hand and walks with us back to the pack house. When we¡¯re finally alone in our room, I flop backward onto the bed.


    ¡°What are we going to do with all of this?¡± I question out loud.


    ¡°We¡¯re just going to do it, all of it, together. We¡¯ll work something out. I always wondered if there would be enough work to do for four Alphas. I guess this is fate¡¯s way of evening things out.¡± Xavier says, falling beside me.


    ¡°Yup, no one¡¯s getting bored around here, that¡¯s for sure,¡± Noah says, crawling into my other side.


    ¡°So


    you guys are okay with this?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re okay with anything as long as it involves you,¡± Levi speaks from the side of the bed.


    Haiden jumps on the other side, flicking off the lights. ¡°I dunno, I don¡¯t think ¡®reception boy¡¯ to hell is the job for me. I¡¯m totally more suited to something more gnarly like running the torture rooms. Noah and I


    2:54 pm


    should switch.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not fucking switching.¡± Noah bites back.


    ¡°I think you did a great job with Lauren tonight, honestly. I didn¡¯t think she was going to go willingly until you spoke with her.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, love. It did feel pretty good. Hey, what did you see anyway, Levi? What did she do?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not talking about that before bed, mate. You¡¯ll get nightmares.¡±


    ¡°I think we are the nightmares now.¡± Xavierughs, snuggling himself closer to me in the dark.


    While my mates had no trouble falling asleep, I just couldn¡¯t find that peaceful state. Not with this new revtion. I instead found myself slipping out of bed and stepping back through to the underworld. I already had a few ideas of what needed to change around here if we¡¯re going to keep it organised and avoid the chaos of potentially ruining the other realms if we¡¯re not careful. I¡¯ll sleep when this is done, and I¡¯m starting with this ridiculous paper method of filing. I probably should have left a note for the guys, but really, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m unreachable. I find my way to the filing room, taking in once again the chaos in


    here.


    What are you possibly going to do with all of this? Layah questions me.


    Let¡¯s see if we can make it digital.


    I start by making a tablet, which was way easier than I thought, and then I pick up the first piece of paper. Sure, I could type all of this information into a system, but that would take way too long. I try to envision exactly what I want, just a simple digital, organised system of souls to be reaped. I close my eyes to really focus, and when I open them, not only is the paper in my hand gone and the information is now on the tablet in my hand, but the whole room of paperwork is gone. I scroll happily through the list, all nicely organised and updating as new souls appear at the top. I do a little happy jump. That¡¯s going to make things so much easier. I portal through the underworld, making new digital systems for each of the guys, and then I make myself one that contains all of the information in one system. After I yed around with these new powers for a bit, I discovered I can actually do any of the jobs the guys were assigned. I even went ahead and reaped a few souls and went down to the basement to meet a few of the workers there, who are actually really sweet creatures. Sure, they¡¯re in hell for a reason, but they¡¯re paying their dues with loyalty and hard work. That counts for something in my book.


    I¡¯ve been in the underworld for what feels like hours, but I¡¯m sure in the mortal realm, my guys are still snoozing awayfortably, so I wander the underworld here for a while longer, I find lots of different rooms. It¡¯s almost like a giant pack house, but not. All in all, I don¡¯t mind it here. I could see myself calling this ce a part-time home.


    We should go for a run. We haven¡¯t been for a run yet. Layah pipes up, jumping around in my head.


    Back home?


    2:54 pm


    We are home. We have a whole kingdom here to run in.


    I honestly didn¡¯t even think about running here. We did arrive outside when we first got here, so there is obviously more than just the inside of this ce. I don¡¯t see any doors leading outside, so I opt for a portal instead, taking me right back outside to where we first arrived. It¡¯s dark still. I have to wonder if this ce even has daylight. I let Layah take control as she pushes forward, and wend effortlessly on all fours in our hellhound form.


    Let¡¯s fucking run! I say to Layah.


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    2:55 pm


    Goddess Of The Underworld.

 Underworld 57

    My hound is fast. Gods, it feels so fucking good to run. We dodge through the trees and jump over rocks, running wildly through the distance as I inspect thend that is now apparently mine. I¡¯ve never had much that I¡¯ve considered mine before, and it might be the underworld, but it is beautiful in its own way. I¡¯m quite surprised when Ie upon what looks to be a vige of sorts. There are buildings made out of trees and mud, little fires lighting up the area around, and¡­creatures of all sorts that stop what they¡¯re doing to gawk at us. One by one, they start falling to their knees, heads bowed deeply out of respect¡­or maybe that¡¯s fear. I shift back to my human form as a green scaly looking woman drops the pot of food she was cing over the fire and send out my mist to catch it before it spills. She doesn¡¯t look up from the ground as I approach her. ¡°Stand, please,¡± I say softly, and she does, but keeps her head low. I hold out the bowl in her line of view, but she doesn¡¯t take it. ¡°Please.¡± I push it a little more forward, and her hands shake as they rise slowly to take it.


    ¡°Thank you, my Queen.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to disturb you all,¡± I say softly, still trying to get her to look at me. ¡°I was just out for a run when I noticed this ce. I didn¡¯t know there was life outside of the castle.¡±


    ¡°We are the forgotten, My Queen. We have served our punishments and were granted the freedom to live out here.¡±


    I look around the makeshift vige once again. Other creatures still stay on their knees, not daring to move. It really doesn¡¯t look like much, and I can¡¯t imagine there would be many resources out here to survive with. I know that it is hell and all, but if they¡¯ve done their time¡­


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Eleeba Toranik, My Queen.¡± She says softly. I quickly materialise my tablet and search for her name. She lived in the mortal realm over 3000 years ago. Lived for 23 years and died by asphyxiation at the hands of her husband after she killed his mistress. She served 2500 years in the basement before being released out here, bing part of the forgotten. This new revtion updates in the system, and I can see a section full of creatures that are in the forgotten now.


    ¡°Where do you live, Eleeba? Can you show me?¡±


    This makes her look up, finally. Her green eyes were shocked as she looked at me with her mouth open. I give her a friendly smile,


    ¡°You want to see my home?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please.¡± I see a few others raise their heads slightly, but I don¡¯t make a show of knowing.


    ¡°Oh, okay, of course, My Queen.¡± She ces the bowl on the ground, and I follow her through a few rows and stick and mud houses before she reaches one and gestures for me to enter. When I do, I¡¯m shocked.


    2:55 pm


    ¡°Do they all look like this?¡± I ask, looking around the tiny space.


    ¡°Mostly, yes.¡± There¡¯s a bed made of old, dead leaves on the floor, a small fire in the corner, and a few items that must have been scavenged from somewhere, like bowls and clothes. ¡°Where does the stuffe from?¡± I point to the little collection of things.


    Eleeba pales, shaking violently as she covers her head and cowers down onto her knees.


    ¡°I am so sorry, My Queen! We stole from the pce when thest King and Queen were ill! We were desperate for just a few things! I am sorry!¡± She wails.


    ¡°Hey, whoa, woah, hey, calm down. Shhh,¡± I get down to her level and take her hands from her face, holding them in my own. ¡°I¡¯m not going to hurt you, okay?¡±


    ¡°W-why?¡± She stutters.


    ¡°Because, like you said, you served your punishment. I can not fault you for wanting to survive out here. In fact¡­¡± I turn around and make her leaf bed disappear, recing it with a real bed, a simple single bed with a frame, sheets, aforter, and a pillow. Eleeba gasps loudly, and I smile. I put little ss windows in the holes that were carved out and a door as well. I finish it off with a little table and a chair, and put her fire in a small brick firece with a chimney.


    ¡°Much better,¡± I say, pping my hands and turning back around to her. She¡¯s still crying, but this time, I think, or I hope, they¡¯re happy tears.


    ¡°Come on,¡± I say, holding out my hand for her. ¡°I think it¡¯s time we made some changes around here.¡±


    When we exit the house, creatures begin to scatter from where they were clearly crowding around the


    small hut.


    ¡°Wait!¡± I yell, and everyone freezes, dropping to their knees again. ¡°Oh my gods.¡± I run my hand along my face. ¡°Okay, everyone with me,¡± I order and lead them back through the huts towards the centre of the vige, where there¡¯s an open space. I make a little stage and step onto it. ¡°Is this the only vige of forgotten people?¡± I ask no one in general, but stare into the small crowd.


    ¡°No, my Queen, there are many,¡± Eleeba speaks.


    ¡°Hmm, okay then, we will just start with this one. We¡¯re making some changes around here, and I don¡¯t want to regret this, okay? I¡¯m going to give you all some things that might make surviving out here a little bit more manageable. In turn, one of you can report to me weekly about any issues that might have arisen, or if you need more supplies or anything really. Think of it like a little government. Do you have a leader of some sort here already?¡± One guy steps forward; he looks to be a vampire.


    ¡°What is your name?¡±


    ¡°I am Ss Decallory.¡± I quickly search up his information, and I motion for him toe up with me.


    2:55 pm


    ¡°Does anyone object to Ss being your appointed leader and Eleeba as his second?¡± When no one objects, I quickly make a note of the group, the location, and the appointed leaders. ¡°Okay, Ss, here¡¯s what I¡¯m going to do. You will each get your huts upgraded to the basics, as I have done with Eleeba¡¯s. Windows, doors, beds, fireces, and such. If there are no reported issues within the week, then I¡¯ll continue to supply things that your vige might need. To start with, what would make living here easier for the


    group?¡±


    He looks at me warily before replying. ¡°We could use some fresh water and livestock.¡±


    ¡°Done.¡± I make a series of taps that will supply endless fresh water and a fenced area behind with a group


    of chickens.


    ¡°What else?¡±


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    2:55 pm


    Goddess Of The Underworld.

 Underworld 58

    I help the group by creating some bare essentials and upgrading their homes. When I¡¯m satisfied with my efforts, I organize for Ss to meet with me in seven moons¡¯ time to discuss how they¡¯re doing. I also tell him that if theye in contact with other groups, to have them send two leaders from their group toe and see me. This way, there shouldn¡¯t be any rivalry or thieving. I¡¯m equally surprised and delighted by how the creatures act around me when I finish. They no longer cower and keep their heads low. They still show respect, but it¡¯s as if I¡¯ve earned it out of gratitude, not forced it out of fear. Everyone who has served their punishment will be rewarded with the tools to survive. I¡¯m exhausted by the time I transport back to the mortal realm, and luckily for me, it¡¯s still night and my mates are still sleeping, so I crawl between them and fall asleep.


    ¡°It¡¯s weird she¡¯s still asleep.¡± I hear Noah say softly.


    ¡°So wake her up!¡± Haiden says.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare wake her up. She¡¯s clearly fucking exhausted.¡± Xavier whispers.


    ¡°I agree with him.¡± Levi joins the conversation, and I peek one eye open.


    ¡°I¡¯m awake.¡± I croak out, rolling onto my back and stretching with a yawn.


    ¡°You can go back to sleep if you¡¯re tired, little mate.¡± Xavier sits on the side of the bed, brushing some hair out of my face. ¡°We didn¡¯t mean to wake you.¡±


    ¡°I did.¡± Haiden jumps on the other side and kisses me quickly on the mouth before showing off his pearly whites as he smiles down at me. ¡°I was missing you.¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t go anywhere, you moron.¡± Levi spits at him.


    ¡°Actually, I did.¡± I croak out before clearing my throat. The statement caught the full attention of my


    mates as they all tilted their heads curiously like little pups.


    ¡°I went back to the underworldst night.¡±


    ¡°By yourself? Why didn¡¯t you wake one of us? We would havee with you.¡± Xavier¡¯s eyebrows furrow


    together.


    ¡°I know you would have,¡± I squeeze his hand. ¡°I just wanted to get some things sorted so we could all start on a more organised basis there,¡± I quickly conjure up the four tablets for each of them and pass them out.


    ¡°What are these, Luna?¡± Noah asks, flipping it over and back, for some sort of a clue.¡±


    ¡°Clearly it¡¯s a tablet,¡± Haiden says.


    ¡°Clearly,¡± Noah grumbles. ¡°But for what?¡±


    2:55 pm


    ¡°I digitized the underworld. So now we can get updates and take them with us easily, no matter which realm or space we¡¯re in. Xavier, yours will update all the new deaths automatically. You scroll through the details, check them off as you go, and Haiden will receive an update on a new soul to greet and ce. Haiden can then mark off where that soul has been ced, and Levi can be updated on souls that need to be assessed and can update with their cement from there. Then, finally, Noah will be updated on new souls to be taken to the basement, which room, and who they will be assigned to for their punishments.¡±


    They all curiously look through their tablets for a few minutes before looking back at me.


    ¡°This is amazing, doll.¡± Levi praises, followed by the others with their own sweet words, making me blush.


    ¡°The whole paperwork thing was just super outdated, and I figured with us traveling between realms that it would be the easiest way to keep track of it all.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s quite a backlog, isn¡¯t there?¡± Xavier takes a long breath.


    ¡°Yep. Quite a few are still in the Red Moon Pack, too. I know we¡¯re supposed to start at the bottom of the list, but I think it¡¯d be a bit creepy to see souls looping around while we¡¯re up here trying to be normal¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get those done today, little mate.¡± He says with a kiss to my cheek.


    ¡°That¡¯s sweet of you, but we can do them together.¡±


    He raises his eyebrow at me. ¡°Oh yeah, by the way, I can do all the stuff you guys can do. I yed around with everything for a bitst night, figuring it out. Met some of the workers, wandered the pce, oh, and the outside. Apparently, some souls reside outside that are known as the forgotten. They served their punishments but didn¡¯t qualify to leave the underworld, so they were permitted to reside there, but they weren¡¯t given any tools or anything; they were just tossed outside. So I made them some homes and gave them a few things, and we¡¯re going to meet once a week to go over how things are running.¡± I ramble out.


    ¡°That is quite a lot,¡± Noah says thoughtfully.


    ¡°You must be hungry,¡± Levi says.


    ¡°Starving!¡± I groan out, throwing my head back onto the pillow.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get some food and bring it up, as we¡¯ve definitely missed breakfast,¡± Xavier instructs the guys.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stay here and keep our girlpany,¡± Haiden says, shooing them off as he snuggles into my neck, making me giggle.


    ¡°There¡¯s my happy girl¡­you know, now that you have a hellhound and all¡­maybe you could mark me?¡± He


    winks.


    ¡°Maybe I could¡­Maybe I could make you work for it as well.¡± I return the wink, and he holds his heart in


    mock hurt.


    2:55 pm


    ¡°Oh no, whatever will I do. Maybe I¡¯ll beg on my knees. Is that what you want, love? You want me on my


    knees?¡±


    Fuck¡­put him on his knees, girl, or I will! Layah pleads in my mind, practically drooling.


    ¡°Well, that depends¡­¡± I say slowly, running my finger down his bare chest and watching him shiver with


    need.


    ¡°On what?¡± He asks excitedly.


    ¡°Do you look pretty on your knees?¡±


    His eyes roll into the back of his head dramatically as he moans. ¡°Fuck yeah, I do, love.¡±


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    Goddess UI

 Underworld 59

    I start tough, but I¡¯m cut off when Haiden quickly flips himself over onto the top of me. He hovers above me before using his knee to spread my legs and lying down on me. The majority of his weight is held onto his arms on either side of my head. He leans down, capturing my mouth with his own as he kisses me passionately. My hands roam down his back, and he moans into my mouth. We must have been kissing for a while because a clearing of a throat pulls us apart abruptly, and I blush a crimson colour as I look at my three other mates at the end of the bed, smirking at us. Haiden looks over his shoulder quickly before he winks at me and rolls back to his side of the bed. ¡°Looks like the food is here.¡±


    The others find a ce on the bed and spread out little bits of finger foods and sandwiches.


    We¡¯ve spent the morning watching movies and rxing until we can¡¯t hide from the world any longer and decide to join the others for lunch. Mum and Dad have organized a nice BBQ with the pack, and it¡¯s a


    beautiful day for it. I choose a nice ck sundress, keeping my hair down now that I can¡¯t exactly style a nice updo around this crown, and I head outside the find my mates and family. My brothers greet me first, seemingly drawing a lot of attention with their presence, and they make sure to keep a nice distance from my crown when they hug me, stating that they really don¡¯t enjoy the smell of burning flesh. I¡¯m midugh with a drink in my hand when I spot Xavier in the distance, all dressed in his hooded ck robe and scythe. I can see him, my other mates can see him, but clearly no one else can, or they¡¯d definitely be watching as he reaps two warriors that must have died in a battle here. I watch as he takes out his tablet and marks them off before he changes back into this realms state, where he startles Mum as he materializes in front of her. She holds her hand over her heart as heughs and gives her a little side hug, hopefully exining what he was doing. It¡¯s nice to watch the somewhat normality here as Dad grills, Mum floats around the pack, Aleisha making sure everything and everyone is happy and running smoothly. My mates are taking the time to speak to different pack members and warriors.


    ¡°You look happy, sister,¡± Mchi states as he sits by me at one of the many pic tables set up.


    ¡°I think I am, yeah. This is nice.¡±


    ¡°This is family.¡± He smiles.


    ¡°Unfortunately, we do need to head home tomorrow. The Kingdom doesn¡¯t run itself, and we know that with this new development, you yourself will be busy, but we hope you¡¯ll find some time toe visit. Mother would really love to meet you.¡±


    ¡°Of course. You know I can teleport there at any time. I would just need to find the right time.¡±


    ¡°Teleport, you say? Could that include us? Because the drive here really sucked.¡± Arztec jokes.


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯m not sure how that would work. I wonder if it would work for living souls.¡±


    He pales slightly before raising his hands.


    ¡°Forget I asked. I¡¯m not risking my life, I¡¯ll take the drive.¡±


    ¡°Just text or call us when you¡¯re ready toe, yeah? Mother would kick our butts if she didn¡¯t get time to prepare for a grand reunion.¡± Julius nudges my shoulder and smiles, but with a serious undertone.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to save your ass and let you know before my arrival.¡± I smile innocently.


    ¡°Doll?¡± Levi says, holding out a te of food before sitting across from me next to Arztec.


    ¡°You need to eat.¡± He pushes the te over to me. A burger, a couple of sausages, a potato bake, and a buttered roll fill the te.


    ¡°Thank you, darling.¡± I smile and he beams with pride as I take a bite and roll my eyes to the back of my head. ¡°This is great.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll send yourpliments to the chef; he winks and very clearly mindlinks dad, who waves his hand and then bows to me dramatically. While my brothers head off to get some food, the rest of my matese to sit with me with more food for themselves and a te for Levi.


    ¡°I think we should spend some time in the underworld this afternoon,¡± Xavier states.


    ¡°Mmm, we will have to work on a good schedule between the two realms so someone is always here, but I agree we need to get the backlog there under order before we can do that,¡± Noah says thoughtfully.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell Tommy to take care of things for us for a few hours while we do that,¡± Levi says mid-bite of his burger, dropping sauce along his chin, and I reach over to swipe it up with my thumb and lick it clean.


    ¡°Ugh.¡± Haiden groans. ¡°And then we can have some alone time tonight, right? You kind of promised to put me on my knees this morning, love.¡± He pouts at me, and I tap his thigh while holding back a grin.


    ¡°You really want that, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°More than anything!¡± He says dramatically, and I watch as all four of my mates adjust themselves under the table with a very obvious fluster taking over their faces.


    ¡°Hmm¡­maybe, if you¡¯re all good little Kings of the underworld, your Queen might just give in to your request.¡± I tease, but I see the sparkle in their eyes; they actually want that, and badly. This could be fun, I think, as Layah sends me mental images of my four Alpha males down on their knees, adorned in leather


    cors and leashes.


    Layah! I scold as she snickers back at me, happily jumping around in my mind.


    Do it. She whispers to me.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorised and constitutes copyright infringement.

 Underworld 60

    After bidding goodbye to my brothers and making sure Tommy and Aleisha had things handled in the pack, we head back to the underworld together, teleporting right into the grand hall. It¡¯s not even a minuteter that Sses bursting through the doors.


    ¡°My Queen, my Kings!¡± He bows deeply.


    ¡°Ss, what¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°There are groups of the forgotten outside the castle. They say they won¡¯t leave until they speak with you.¡±


    I figured this would happen, although I did think it would take a little longer, but I guess time moves more quickly here than back in the mortal realm.


    ¡°Very well, send them in.¡± I take a seat on one of the now five thrones at the back of the hall, and my mates follow suit.


    ¡°The forgotten? These are the creatures out there, right?¡± Xavier questions.


    ¡°Yup, and I can only assume they want what the other group got. A better chance to survive.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to give it to them? All of them?¡± Noah asks, and I shrug my shoulders.


    ¡°I guess it all depends on their attitude. They were all sent here for a reason, but they have also served their punishments.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re deserving, though. Some creatures will always have rotten souls.¡± Levi muses, and I get where he¡¯sing from.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, but they deserve a chance. So, we give them one, and if they fuck it up, then they can serve another punishment period.¡±


    My mates all nod together just as the doors are opened again, and Ss leads arge group of different creatures inside. Most bow as they enter and remain on their knees while one male stays standing. I lock eyes with him, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°My Kings. I¡¯vee here with the knowledge that one group of the forgotten have received gifts that the rest of us have not. It is unfair, unjust and frankly wrong.¡± He spits out.


    Haiden stands from his chair beside me. ¡°I think you forgot where your knees are supposed to be.¡± The man pales slightly, bowing his head and lowering himself to the floor before looking back up defiantly.


    Levi stands next to his chair beside Haiden¡¯s.


    ¡°These gifts you speak of were things given by your queen. One of whom you¡¯ve forgotten to address


    appropriately.¡± He growls, and the man¡¯s eyes flicker to me with somewhat disgust.


    ¡°My apologies, my Kings.¡± He says, but still does not address me. It¡¯sical, really.


    ¡°What is your name?¡± Xavier asks as Haiden and Levi take their seats once more.


    ¡°Geoff Sparasci. My King.¡± Xavier pulls out his tablet and types in his name while humming in thought.


    ¡°Geoff Sparasci, you lived in the mortal realm over three thousand years ago. A fae warrior who died by poison. Your sins include murder, torture, adultery, theft, oh and look at that, you also sold your wife and daughter to pay off your debts. You¡¯ve served two thousand, five hundred years of punishment before being released to the forgotten.¡±


    Geoff doesn¡¯t speak. He simply grinds his teeth while narrowing his eyes.


    ¡°I believe that you may not have learnt your lesson, but let¡¯s test that theory, shall we? Brother.¡± Xavier looks to Levi, who nods, and portals directly in front of Geoff, who stumbles backwards on his knees. Levi raises his hand above his head for a moment before rejoining us. ¡°I don¡¯t believe he has learnt his lesson. Noah, would you mind escorting him back to the basement?¡± Noah quickly portals a screaming Geoff away before returning to his seat, and all four of my mates turn to look at me. I stand, brushing off my robe and removing my hood before addressing the crowd.


    ¡°Creatures of the forgotten. Times are changing, and you can either bask in the rewards, wither away in torture, or let your souls be destroyed and turned into nothing. I would like to offer everyone a better chance of survival. The underworld will always be punishment for your sins; it will never be the great beyond, and you may never leave here, but that doesn¡¯t mean that you can¡¯t repent and learn from your mistakes. That does not mean that you have to suffer endlessly. I will do for you the same as I did for the others. You will have homes secure from the elements with a proper bed, fresh water, livestock and some tools. Each group will appoint two leaders who will report to me weekly with any issues or requests, and if at any time these leaders abuse their power, any member of the group maye to me to report it. The punishment for wrongdoings will be brought before Your Kings and me, and we will happily decide if you need to return for another punishment period. Does this sound fair?¡±


    I wait a moment as heads slowly start to look up and around between themselves, but only one dares to speak.


    ¡°Yes, my Queen, Please, we are not all like Geoff; some of us came to beg for just small things. Souls have been dying out there slowly over time. We simply wish to exist.¡± A small female says, and I walk to her, gesturing for her to stand.


    ¡°Your name?¡±


    ¡°Anya Moretti. I was a witch in the mortal realm, sent here for using ck magic.¡±


    ¡°Do you have others in your group here with you?¡±


    2:55 pm


    ¡°A few, yes. Most of the groups gathered a few to travel here while the rest stayed behind to mind our camps, My Queen.¡±


    ¡°Perfect. Okay. Here¡¯s what we¡¯re going to do. I want everyone to appoint their two leaders and line up behind them. We will travel with you to your camps, make the necessary changes, and you will report back


    to us in a week.¡±


    While everyone splits themselves and begins talking amongst their groups about who shall lead, I take a moment to talk with my mates.


    ¡°That was so hot,¡± Haiden whispers, and I p his arm.


    ¡°We need each groupbelled with a number, put each creature in the camp into a certain group on the tablets and make sure to mark down the leaders. They get just the bare necessities until they can prove


    themselves to us.¡±


    We split off and begin opening portals to different groups, each of us escorting two different groups at a time, so no one is left behind, and we get to work, building our Kingdom to be better.


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    Goddess Of The Underworld.

 Underworld 61

    <b>Chapter </b><b>61 </b>


    <b>Xavier </b>


    3


    I portal back to the grand hall just before Noah steps in beside me, his shirt slightly askew and a spark of satisfaction still lingering in his expression. Haiden and Levi are already here, and they¡¯ve clearly been busy. Our mate is half¨Cdressed and fast asleep, curled in Haiden¡¯sp like she belongs there, and we all know she does.


    ¡°I thought we said we were going to wait until this afternoon?<b>¡± </b>I say dryly, arching a brow.


    Haiden raises the hand that was resting casually on Evelina¡¯s bare waist and tosses it into the air with mock surrender. ¡°Hey, I didn¡¯t start it. I just happened to pop in to find a very interesting scene, and there¡¯s no way I was going to just stand there and watch. Not after you all ruined my chance at fun this morning.¡±


    I narrow my eyes at Levi, who¡¯s currently fastening his robe with a smug little grin, eyes dancing. ¡°I couldn¡¯t help it,¡± he says unapologetically. ¡°Flint wanted his mate.¡±


    I pinch the bridge of my nose. ¡°If we gave in every time one of our wolves wanted our mate, we¡¯d never leave the bedroom again.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Fine by me,¡± Haiden mutters as he gently tucks a strand of Evelina¡¯s dark hair behind her ear. His touch is soft, reverent<b>. </b>Protective.


    ¡°There should be a bedroom around here somewhere,¡± I say with a pointed look. ¡°Find it. Put her down to rest. Then we all get to work cleaning up this backlog of souls. It¡¯s not going to sort itself.¡±


    Haiden mock¨Csalutes with his free hand while Levi leans in and carefully scoops our mate from Haiden¡¯sp<b>, </b>cradling her against his chest like she¡¯s made of spun ss. The moment shifts, just slightly, from teasing to tender, and for a beat<b>, </b>we all simply watch her breathing. Then they vanish from the hall, and the weight of duty settles on me again like a mantle. Noah pats me on the shoulder as he heads toward the basement, where the older, more fractured souls are waiting. ¡°I¡¯ll start cross¨Cchecking the fragmented ones<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>he says. ¡°You taking the top of the list?¡±


    <b>¡°</b>I¡¯m taking the pack first,¡± <b>I </b>reply, already flipping open my tablet.


    Technically<b>, </b>I¡¯m supposed to begin with the oldest souls¨Cthe ones who¡¯ve been waiting the longest. But I¡¯m not just Death. I¡¯m Alpha. And if there¡¯s anything I¡¯ve learned in both roles, it¡¯s this: <b>you </b>take care of your own first. The digital list unfurls before me in tight, neat rows of names. I sort by pack and age, then pause when one name catches my eye: Marie Atkinson. Fifty¨Ceight. Rogue attack. I know that name. Everyone- did, <b>once</b>. Marie was an omega who used to work at the Red Moon pack house when I was a boy. She made the best shepherd¡¯s pie I¡¯d ever tasted, let <b>us </b>sneak spoonfuls of cake batter, and always smelled like thyme and flour. She was¡­ kind. One of the few adults who never looked at me like I was already a monster<b>. </b>I portal out, scythe in hand, the heavy fabric <b>of </b>my reaper¡¯s robe curling around my legs as I step into the mortal realm. It¡¯s early evening at Red Moon. The pack is active, training, cooking, tending to the pups. Life continues around me, utterly unaware of the death standing in their midst. They can¡¯t <b>see </b>me like this, cloaked as I am. I move to <b>the </b>far edge of the grounds, behind the pack house. Beyond the barbeque pit we usedst week, there¡¯s a stretch ofnd where vegetable patches grow in careful rows. I remember crouching here with Marie as she guided my clumsy hands through the dirt<b>, </b>teaching me how to pick carrots without breaking them. She¡¯s here. Or rather, what¡¯s left of her is. A misty echo of Marie kneels among the carrot <b>tops</b><b>, </b>humming a soft, tuneless melody as she works. Caught in a memory loop, unaware of what¡¯s happened.


    ¡°Miss Atkinson,¡± I say gently, stepping forward and pulling back my hood so she can see my face.


    She looks <b>up</b>, smiling warmly. No fear. No confusion. Just kindness. ¡°Yes? How may I help you<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°It¡¯s me, Marie. Xavier.¡±


    She tilts her head, squinting. ¡°Nonsense. Xavier¡¯s just a wee boy. Sweet thing.¡±


    I smile sadly. ¡°Marie<b>¡­ </b>you died. It¡¯s time to move on now. Will youe with me?¡±


    Herugh is soft, dismissive, ¡°I did not die. Don¡¯t be ridiculous. I¡¯d remember something like that.¡±


    Isigh and move closer, cing my hand on her shoulder. ¡°You don¡¯t remember because you weren¡¯t ready,¡± I call on the power within me, letting it unfurl like mist from my fingertips. It slips into her, coaxing memory from where it was buried. Her entire body stiftens. Then her breath catches like a <b>gasp</b>.


    *I¡­ I died,¡± she whispers, voice trembling. ¡°What am I doing here, then?¡±


    ¡°You were waiting for me.¡±


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    Her eyes search mine<b>, </b>finally seeing me clearly. ¡°Xavier<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>she says again, <b>this </b>time with aching familiarity. She lifts her hands and cups my face like I¡¯m still the boy she used to feed scraps to. ¡°You¡¯ve grown into such a handsome young man.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Are you ready to go, Marie?¡±


    ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    <b>¡°</b>I¡¯m taking you to Haiden. He¡¯ll exin the rest, and we¡¯ll find you somewhere to rest.<b>¡± </b>


    She hesitates. ¡°Okay,¡± she breathes.


    ¡°Close your eyes for me.¡±


    When she does, I raise my scythe, the de glowing faintly as it draws her <b>soul </b>forward. She fades softly, a shimmer of light trailing with me <i>as </i><b>I </b>portal back.


    I reappear in the reaping room<b>, </b>catching Haiden mid¨Csip of his coffee. He startles<b>, </b>nearly choking. ¡°Dammit, warn a guy next time!<b>¡± </b>


    I ignore him for now, stepping aside so Marie can appear fully. Her expression is equal parts wonder and confusion. The room looks different. Haiden¡¯s clearly been busy. The walls are now painted a soft ivory, lined with plush chairs and glowing sconces. Fake windows show blue skies and clouds, giving the illusion of a sunny day. There are vending machines, a water cooler, and even TVs ying feel¨Cgood movies. It feels more like a waiting room than a purgatory.


    ¡°Remodeled already, brother<b>?</b><b>¡± </b><b>I </b>ask, impressed.


    <b>¡°</b>Yeah. The dark, creepy vibes weren¡¯t exactlyforting to the newly dead. I might add some inspirational posterster. Maybe something with puppies.¡±


    Marie spots him and lights up. ¡°Haiden! Oh, goodness gracious. Look at you! There had to <b>be </b>something in the water you boys were drinking. Aren¡¯t you just a pretty thing?¡±


    Haiden preens<b>, </b>blushing. ¡°I know. I¡¯m very cute. Come in, I¡¯ll exin everything. We¡¯ll get you a room and a snack, maybe some tea.¡±


    A soul on the couch grumbles, ¡°Hey, there¡¯s a line!¡±


    Haiden rolls his eyes. ¡°Shut it, Rick. You¡¯re not going anywhere until someone exins why you still think you¡¯re a chicken.¡±


    Marie chuckles and takes Haiden¡¯s hand, offering me a warm<b>, </b>lingering <b>hug </b>before following him inside.


    I watch her go, heart full and strangely heavy. One more soul home. One less forgotten.


    I portal back to Red Moon<b>, </b>the scent of thyme still lingering in the air.


    <b>This </b>work<b>, </b><b>Goddess </b>of the Underworld <b>by </b>Sheridan <b>Hartin</b><b>, </b>is an <b>exclusive </b>intellectual <b>property </b><b>legally </b>contracted <b>with </b><b>NovelSnack</b><b>. </b><b>Any </b><b>reproduction</b><b>, </b><b>distribution</b><b>, </b><b>or </b><b>upload </b>outside NovelFlow<b>, </b>AnyStories<b>, </b>NovGo<b>, </b>and Readink is <b>unauthorized </b>and constitutes <b>copyright </b>infringement.


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 Underworld 62

    <b>Chapter </b><b>62 </b>


    It doesn¡¯t take me too long to get the rest <b>of </b>Red Moon¡¯s souls reaped. It was nice being able to <b>see </b>old faces, and the process was made <b>easier </b>when I discovered that showing them their death first and having them understand they were no longer living got them ready to move on. Once I¡¯ve finished there, I decide that for Evelina¡¯s sake, I¡¯ll clear out Tris¡® pack as well. I¡¯m sure there would be souls there that she might like to see or know that they¡¯re in their appropriate ce, instead of wandering the mortal realm in an endless loop. The first few are <b>easy</b>, a couple of older warriors on the border who died in battle, a mother who died in childbirth, a few that died from heartbreak from the loss of their mates and then one piques my interest. Marius Mae<b>, </b>an Alpha¡¯s guard<b>, </b>died from being beheaded by the Alpha himself. Interesting indeed. I portal to his location, expecting to see the typical looping I¡¯ve been seeing with new souls to be reaped<b>, </b>but I¡¯m shocked <b>to </b>find that we¡¯re in what looks to be a cell, and Marius is just kneeling on the floor, dead eyes staring directly forward at me.


    <b>¡°</b>I¡¯m ready.¡± He <b>says</b>, making me even more confused.


    <b>¡°</b>You know you¡¯re dead?¡± I ask.


    <b>¡°</b><b>I </b>sure hope so.¡±


    ¡°Alpha Marcus beheaded you. Why?¡±


    His eyes blink, but they show no emotion as he speaks. ¡°Of course he did. I tried to get the children out.¡±


    ¡°What children<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    He simply points to the door behind me. They say curiosity killed the cat, but fuck it, I¡¯m curious. I walk through the door, and I swear my heart stops beating for a moment. It¡¯s arge cement room, no windows, but there are multiple doors on every side, each looking like the cell door behind me, and gods, there must be almost a hundred or <b>so </b>kids here<b>, </b>all small, some are still babies¡­souls <b>of </b>children. They¡¯re all in a loop together<b>, </b>some of the older kids, no more than four or five years old, are trying to hush the even younger ones as they sneak around the room like they¡¯re ready to escape, before they turn back around and do it all over again.


    ¡°He killed them in front of <b>me</b><b>. </b>Made me watch through the door as he gassed them all.¡± Marius says beside me as he points to the roof where there are pipes<b>, </b>clearly used to deliver gas.


    ¡°Why?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Because they weren¡¯t her. The one he waited for. The one the witches said woulde<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Her? Who? What is even happening here<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. <b>I </b><b>just </b>remember being told to guard this room. <b>To </b>watch them, to <b>see </b><b>if </b>any of them showed signs of abnormality from a typical <b>pup</b>. Other guards would bring in infants and newborns, and I would raise them here, watching them¡­until I couldn¡¯t handle it any longer. I tried to get them out<b>¡­</b><b>I </b>tried.<b>¡± </b>


    I ce my hand on his shoulder with a gentle nod.


    ¡°Are you ready<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°What about the children?¡±


    ¡°They will <b>be </b>fine<b>. </b><b>I¡¯ll </b>be here with them<b>, </b>and they will end <b>up </b>in the waiting room with you soon.¡± Now that Haiden has remodelled it, calling it the waiting room sounds fitting. It sounds like a nicer <b>ce </b><b>to </b>go to next. With a final nod from Marius, I swing my scythe and reap his soul. Then I take an impossiblyrge breath¡­this next part is not going to be easy, and the children do not need to see what their death was like again, nor will they understand what is happening or where they are going next. So I do the next logical thing: I open a portal beside Haiden¡¯s desk, reach out my arm, and pull him through.


    ¡°Hey! What the fuck, man?!¡± He says before he takes a look around the room. ¡°What the fuck?¡± He says a lot quieter now.


    ¡°Something really fucked up <b>has </b>happened here in Tris Pack. Alpha Marcus has done this, and we will get to the bottom of it, but for right <b>now</b><b>, </b>I need you to go back, tell <b>Levi </b>what <b>has </b>happened here, and <b>have </b>him prepare a nice room for the kids and put them at the top of <b>the </b>list of souls to sort out. Then go back to your waiting room <b>and </b>open a portal to let me know you¡¯re ready for me to start sending them through to you. Got it?¡±


    ¡°Waiting room<b>¡­</b>that¡¯s got a nice ring to it. <b>Yep</b><b>, </b>got it, on it, going now.¡± <b>He </b>says goodbye before leaving. I remove my robepletely and opt to turn my scythe into something that looks like a little magic wand with a bright yellow star on the end before <b>I </b>fully enter the room and sit down


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    died by gas inhtion. I spot her walking close to me, and I clear my throat. ¡°Lucy?<b>¡± </b>I say softly as she stops to look at me from her swift walk


    across the room.


    ¡°Yes<b>?</b>¡± She stutters out.


    ¡°Hi Lucy, my name is Xavier<b>¡­</b>Your friend Marius told me to help you get out of here. Would you like that?¡±


    Her face morphs into one of shock and joy as she gasps.


    ¡°Yes! Marcy sent you?! Oh yes, please help us!<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I¡¯m going to help you<b>. </b>See this?<b>¡± </b>I wave my wand and add in some little sparkles that float off it for effect. ¡°All I need to do <b>is </b>touch this to your- heart, and you can leave here. Can we do that?¡±


    She walks straight up to me with a big smile.


    ¡°Yes, please!¡±


    ¡°Okay, but do you think you could help me tell your friends the same thing? I wouldn¡¯t want anyone getting left behind.¡±


    ¡°I can do that! Yes!¡± She says in her sweet little voice. Lucy helps introduce me to the kids who can speak, and they¡¯re all ready and willing, just as Haden¡¯s thumbs upes through an open portal, and I give one back before it closes.


    ¡°Okay, guys, let¡¯s get you all to that better ce now.¡±


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 Underworld 63

    <b>Chapter </b><b>63 </b>


    <b>Haiden </b>


    I quickly made a portal straight to Levi, who was thankfully already making some renovations to his space <b>as </b>well. Instead of the rows and rows of cells to hold souls in waiting, he¡¯s made the <b>space </b>into a sleek cream and white styled pod area. The long hallway is now four rows high and a billion and something long of simple pods for each soul to rest in until he¡¯s ready. I have a look inside one, finding an elf¨Clooking man sitting on his single bed watching a movie. There¡¯s a little sink and toilet in one corner with a privacy shade and a TV on the wall with a little table and chair underneath it. The floor is a nice soft brown colour, and there¡¯s a lockable door without a window. ¡°Is it my time?¡± He looks up at me.


    ¡°Nope, sorry, just a little longer.¡± I retreat ande face¨Cto¨Cface with Levi, who has his arms crossed on his chest.


    ¡°I thought someone got out.¡±


    ¡°Nope, just me checking out the new space. Looks good.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Yeah, thanks<b>, </b>I figured it¡¯d be nicer for the souls who aren¡¯t staying in the underworld to not feel like they¡¯re trapped in a cage while they wait.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, cool, cool. I¡¯d love to stay and chit¨Cchat chat but we have a problem. Xavier just pulled me into a horrific scene. A hundred or so pups from Alpha Marcus¡® pack areing in any minute now.¡± His arms uncross, and his features soften.


    ¡°What happened? I thought they didn¡¯t take in orphans?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think he took them in<b>¡­</b>I think by the look of it, he just took them. Some might not have even been orphans. Whatever it is, we¡¯ll get to the bottom of itter. Right now, <b>I </b>need you to make arge enough space for them to all be together. I doubt they¡¯ll know what¡¯s going on<b>, </b>so maybe make it fun andfortable until you can sort them out. Can you do that?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Yeah, give me¡­maybe ten minutes and I¡¯lle over to you and escort them myself.¡±


    I p him on the back with a nod and a smile and portal back to my waiting room. Making another portal to Xavier, where I throw out a thumbs <b>up</b>. I get one in return<b>, </b>and then the first child appears. My tablet shows her name is Lucy Evans, just four years old. I quickly throw up a curtain between my reception area and the rest of the lengthy waiting room to give us some sort of privacy as other kids start dropping in to the space. Lucy looks around the simple area and then up to me.


    ¡°Who are you<b>? </b>Where am I<b>? </b>Are we safe<b>?</b><b>¡°</b>,


    ¡°Hi, Lucy.¡± <b>I </b><b>smile</b><b>, </b>getting down on one knee. ¡°My name is Haiden. You¡¯re safe here with me. This <b>is </b>a waiting room¡­my brother Levi will be here soon to help get you all to somewhere morefortable. How does that sound<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Hmm¡­<i>¡± </i>She ponders. ¡°Will there be cookies?<b>¡± </b>


    Levi picks the perfect time to portal in. Following my actions and getting down on one <b>knee </b>in front of her and the other kids who are dropping in. He makes up a butt ton of cookies on a massive te and holds them out to her. ¡°You can have whatever you like here.¡± He smiles and she gasps, pping her hands and looking back at <b>the </b>other children while whisper¨Cyelling, ¡°cookies!¡± Once all of the kids are here, Xavier portals back through, and I stand up to speak to all <b>of </b>the kids..


    ¡°Hey, guys. I¡¯m Haiden, wee to freedom<b>.</b><b>¡± </b><b>I </b>smile. ¡°You know my brother Xavier.¡± I point and look at him quizzically as he holds up something that looks like a magic wand, waving it about while little magic dust sprinkles <b>off </b>it, making the kids oooh and ahhh with excitement. ¡°This here is my brother Levi.¡± I point to my other <b>side</b><b>, </b>where Levi bows dramatically, pulling a bloody rabbit out of the top of his crown when <b>he </b>stands, and it magically hops above <b>the </b>children¡¯s heads before it disappears again. Bloody show¨Coffs. ¡°We¡¯re going to take you to a really cool room now, where Levi is going to¡­do some magic tricks, and then you get to go to another really cool ce. Does that sound fun?¡±


    Lucy puts her hand in <b>the </b><b>air</b><b>, </b>and I turn to look at her. ¡°Yes, Lucy<b>?</b><b><i>¡± </i></b>


    ¡°Will you guys being with us to <b>the </b>new ce?¡±


    ¡°No sweetie<b>¡­</b>unfortunately, we have to stay here, but I promise you there will be really nice people in the next ce that will help you and keep you safe<b>, </b>okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡± She squeaks as she takes my hand and makes my stomach do a little flip. I really hope I can have pups this cute with Envy.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is <b>an </b><b>exclusive </b>intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright


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 Underworld 64

    <b>Chapter </b><b>64 </b>


    Instead of using a portal, we opt to walk the kids through the space. It¡¯s not like they really need any more unexpected events right now. Xavier makes a couple of theserge buggy¨Clike things where we all gently ce the newborns and babies that can¡¯t walk in them, with each <b>of </b><b>us </b>pushing a buggy. Then we get the children who can walk to follow us<b>. </b><b>I </b>walk in front, while Levi and Xavier walk <b>at </b>the back of the group, and after about a minute, I realise a lot of the younger ones are getting distracted, and my brothers keep having to coax them into following the group. So, it¡¯s the perfect excuse for me to be a bit of a show off as well. I use my magic to create coloured footprints that sparkle and shine <b>as </b><b>I </b>walk and without even looking, I can hear several little gasps and giggles as they follow the pretty rainbow of footprints. We make it to Levi¡¯s hotel, yep, that¡¯s what I¡¯m going to call it, and he quickly walks up beside me to show me a single door which he quickly turns into a sparkly rainbow colour. ¡°Stop trying to one¨Cup me,¡± I whisper, and he grins.


    <b>¡°</b>Oh, I don¡¯t even have to try.¡± He winks and opens the door, where the kids squeal and push past us to run inside. He¡¯s literally made an entire room of soft y equipment. It¡¯s three stories high with tunnels and slides. He¡¯s got a ball pit and foam blocks, and a maze of climbing and crawling things.


    ¡°Gods dammit,¡± I whisper.


    <b>¡°</b>Cool, right?¡± He says cockily.


    ¡°You literally had less than ten minutes. How did you even think of all this?¡±


    He shrugs. <b>¡°</b>Don¡¯t tell me you haven¡¯t had dreams about what it¡¯d be like to have our own pups.¡±


    Yep. He¡¯s got me there.


    ¡°Whoa, nice, Levi.¡± Xavier pats him on the shoulder <b>as </b><b>he </b>pushes his buggy through.


    I quickly count the babies we have<b>, </b>a total of thirty, and then make a soft, fluffy bouncer for each of them to the side of the room. The guys help me get each little pup into one<b>, </b>strapping them in safely and turning on little vibrations as they magically swing softly side <b>to </b>side.


    ¡°I might keep this room for any kids that have toe here.¡± Levi muses quietly as he puts down thest baby, ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll make an open room on the side with some <b>cots </b>and beds<b>¡­</b><b>a </b><b>big </b>movie <b>screen</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°And lights <b>that </b>look like <b>stars</b><b>,</b><b>¡± </b>I add. ¡°That would be cool for any kid.¡±


    ¡°What happened to <b>them</b><b>, </b>Xav?¡± Levi <b>says</b><b>, </b>turning his attention to my brother, who looks sadly at the kids as they y,


    ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯re going to figure out. I need to go speak with Noah. Are you good here?¡±


    <b>¡°</b><b>Yeah</b>, yeah, of <b>course</b>. I¡¯ll <b>get </b>started on getting these guys sent off to <b>the </b>right ce<b>. </b><b>They </b>don¡¯t <b>deserve </b>to be stuck any longer than they have been.¡± Levi says <b>seriously</b>.


    ¡°Oh, and Haiden<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>Xavier <b>turns </b>to me<b>. </b>¡°I need to borrow someone from your waiting room.


    <b>1 </b>cock an eyebrow. ¡°Are you allowed to do that? There¡¯s a process you know. I point to me and then <b>Levi</b><b>,</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Fuck the process. We need to work out what Alpha Marcus is doing, Once Noah helps me to see <b>a </b>y¨Cby¨Cy of some events, then I¡¯ll return the soul to the waiting room.¡±


    ¡°Okay, fine, fine. Just don¡¯t lose it, okay? It¡¯s enough of a mess <b>as </b>it is in there without having to track down a missing soul.¡±


    ¡°Yeah<b>, </b>got it.¡±


    ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll help you find who you¡¯re looking for.¡±


    We portal back to the waiting room and <b>I </b>ask Xavier who exactly it is he¡¯s looking for. Marius Mae. He was literally here just before the kids<b>. </b>Everyone gets a magic <b>stamp </b>with a number and is sent to the back of the line until I get to speak with them. It took me way too long to stamp everyone who was already here, so I knew who needed to go next. Once I exin and take a soul to the motel, then their numbers change, so number one is always the next in line. Marius is literally right down the end of the line. I motion for Xavier to follow me<b>, </b>and for the second time today<b>, </b>


    <b>I </b>make the incredibly long walk <b>down </b><b>the </b>hall with souls lined on either side, sitting patiently. Everyone looks <b>up </b>when we pass, most probably hopeful they¡¯ll be pushed <b>to </b>the front of the line. When we finally get to the end, Marius looks up and sighs.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t realise the <b>waiting </b>line to hell was so long<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>He points up the hall.


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    ¡°<b>It¡¯s </b>not specifically a one¨Cway ticket to hell. You get processed from <b>here </b>with all the information you need to a hotel of sorts, from there you get evaluated on your life to <b>see </b>if you will go up or down<b>.</b>¡± I point in both directions. ¡°Think of this <b>as </b>a sort of in¨Cbetween ce<b>. </b>Either way, we can talk about all of that when you get back.¡±


    ¡°Where am <b>I </b>going?¡± He pales slightly.


    ¡°With me,¡± Xavier says sternly.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because I need answers.¡±


    ¡°But I told you everything I know already!¡± His voice rises in a panic, and I decide to intervene. I don¡¯t need all these souls to be distressed because of this.


    ¡°Thank you for doing that, but I think Xavier here needs to have a look inside your mind to see if there are any details you may have missed. Anything that might help those kids. That¡¯s what you were trying to do, right? You wanted to help them<b>?¡± </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Yes.¡± He says quickly.


    ¡°Then help them<b>. </b>Go with Xavier and help them.¡±


    He nods once, standing and following Xavier through a portal. Poor guy, whether he deserves it or not, he¡¯s going to see what hell really looks like today.


    <b>This work</b><b>, </b><b>Goddess </b><b>of </b>the <b>Underworld </b><b>by </b><b>Sheridan </b><b>Hartin</b><b>, </b><b>is </b><b>an </b><b>exclusive </b><b>intellectual </b><b>property </b><b>legally </b><b>contracted </b><b>with </b><b>NovelSnack</b><b>. </b><b>Any </b><b>reproduction</b><b>, </b><b>distribution</b><b>, </b>or <b>upload </b>outside <b>NovelFlow</b><b>, </b><b>AnyStories</b><b>, </b><b>NovGo</b><b>, </b><b>and </b><b>Readink is </b><b>unauthorized </b><b>and </b>constitutes <b>copyright </b><b>infringement</b>.


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    6

 Underworld 65

    <b>Chapter </b><b>65 </b>


    <b>Noah </b>


    I¡¯ve spent a great deal of my time organising my¡­basement. It¡¯s a funny thing to call it a basement when it is quite <b>literally </b>hell, but <b>I </b>guess it is in <b>the </b>basement of our kingdom. I managed to meet a lot of <b>the </b>staff down here, but honestly, there are so many souls and staff to amodate their punishments that I¡¯m starting to wonder if I¡¯ll ever meet them all. Darius, the gargoyle we first met here, has be my right¨Chand man in finding my way around everything. He¡¯s very much like a gentle giant, to me at <b>least</b>. I¡¯ve seen firsthand what he <b>can </b><b>do </b>in a torture room and that does not look very nice. There were so many rooms off winding hallways that it was a struggle to keep up with where we were<b>; </b>that¡¯s exactly why I changed it all up. Funny to think that I can physically change what hell looks like. Now, if youe from the winding staircase from the castle, or if you¡¯re transported in, you¡¯llnd in one big metal cage, my reception area. It needs to be caged because I can¡¯t just have souls wandering off until they¡¯re found again. So theye to the drop <b>box </b>first, where you can <b>see </b>clearly what is toe<b>. </b>Once I¡¯ve got them organised under a worker, they¡¯ll bebelled nicely and clearly on the forehead with their punisher¡¯s name and the time they¡¯re to serve here<b>. </b>It¡¯s all magic, so it¡¯ll count down to the exact second how long they have, that way there¡¯s no need to look them up to figure out their information/or if they¡¯re still meant to be here <b>or </b>not. I love organisation, sue me. From here, they¡¯ll be transported into separate cages that hang from the incredibly high ceiling. I¡¯ve created one for each of my punishers, and Darius is currently handing out rune nes to the punishers that will transport them to and from the cages when they¡¯re ready to collect another soul. That brings me to the next step of my organising. Instead of a million winding hallways, I¡¯ve created a sort of pit. Safe to say everyone was rmingly shocked when I pulled every single wall down in this ce and they were left standing in an almostpletely nk <b>space</b><b>. </b>I was able to create a speaker system of sorts to introduce myself and exin what was going to happen next. I asked everyone to move to the centre into a group, which ended up being a giant huddle of souls and creatures that probably spanned at least fifty football fields. From there, I created a circle of cells around them and I went in both directions, up and down, each connected with esctors, because it¡¯s my hell and I can have esctors if I want to. Each room is afortable size, enough floor space for my punishers toplete their activities and a small cage inside each for them to lock away the souls when they¡¯re not currently with them. I kept with the fire and brimstone look. Every wall <b>is </b>rough and pointed ck stone with spots <b>of </b>burning mes and they¡¯re decked out with every torture item I could think of in an endless void sort of closet in the corner that the runes the punishers wear will also be able to activate. All they have to do is hold the rune in their hand as they open the door and think of the item they wish to pull out. Easy peasy. The finishing touch to the pit is that right down the bottom is what appears to <b>be </b>thergest fire I¡¯ve ever <b>seen</b>. I kept the rooms from starting a few floors above it<b>, </b>so whoever gets those bottom rooms will definitely be ufortable, but the main reason for it is that when a punishment is served, I want them to go back to Levi and be re¨Cassessed. If their souls are still tainted and tarnished and they¡¯ve learnt nothing in the way of remorse, then they won¡¯t be released to the forgotten outside; they¡¯ll simply be thrown into the pit of fire that willpletely obliterate any soul into nothing<b>. </b>It¡¯s basically an end¨Call to their lives. Even though they¡¯re technically dead when they get here<b>, </b>they still have a lifeforce. The souls still need food and water, and their torture needs to <b>be </b>physically limited, or they will just sort of <i>poof </i>and be no more. So, a lot of what happens here in hell <b>is </b>just a mind game, some of it is physical pain, but it¡¯s restricted to keep them here and they¡¯re given the bare minimum: one bowl of slop a day and one cup of water just to keep them alive. For the most part, though, I can see what hell really is now. It¡¯s a game of trying to rewire your brain in the worst way possible, through fear.


    20


    <b>I¡¯m </b>busy sorting through the tablet <b>and </b>updating changes in my reception area that sits in the very middle floor of my hell<b>. </b>It¡¯s a nice effect to <b>have </b>it as a cage<b>, </b>obviously with a ss bottom so I can see every direction, the million floors up and down, and all around me. I¡¯ve had a few new souls drop in, but when <b>Xavier </b>shows <b>up </b>with one in tow, I¡¯m curious.


    ¡°Hello brother, to what do <b>I </b>owe the pleasure<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin<b>, </b>is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement.


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 Underworld 66

    <b>Chapter </b><b>66 </b>


    ¡°Noah.¡± He nods as he takes in the new space around us. He walks over to one side of the cage, looking down and then up. This soul in front of me looks around with wide eyes and a stench <b>of </b>fear. <b>I </b>cock my eyebrow at him, and he visibly shakes.


    ¡°Well, this is very you<b>, </b>isn¡¯t it?¡± Xavierughs. ¡°If anyone could make a system out of hell, it¡¯d be you.¡±


    I roll my eyes and scoff. <b>¡°</b>It was necessary. Hell isn¡¯t supposed to <b>be </b>hell for me.<b>¡± </b>


    He turns back around, creating a stool next to mine behind the desk, and sits down with his arms folded in front of him.¡±


    ¡°This is Marius.<b>¡± </b>He nods to the soul still cowering in front of us.


    ¡°Okay, and is there a reason why Marius was escorted personally?¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Yeah, actually. I may have nicked him from the waiting room before he had been assessed.<b>¡± </b>


    I cock my eyebrow at him now. ¡°You know there¡¯s a system for a reason.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, everyone keeps saying that, but here¡¯s the thing. I was just out reaping souls at Tris pack when I came across Marius. He was beheaded <b>by </b>Alpha Marcus.¡±


    That¡¯s a shock¡­ ¡°What? Why? What sort of heinous crime did hemit to warrant being beheaded by his own Alpha?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just the thing<b>, </b>brother. He didn¡¯tmit a crime exactly¡­well, kind of, but it was under his Alpha¡¯s instructions. Marius here was beheaded for trying to save a whole lot of kids from Marcus¡® own sort of torture chambers. He¡¯s been collecting infants<b>, </b>pups, and young kids. We don¡¯t know where from, and the why is a little fuzzy. So, I¡¯ve brought Marius¡® soul here in hopes that one of your workers could <b>see </b>into his memories, maybe there is something that he missed or didn¡¯t see as important at the time.¡±


    ¡°Shit,¡± I say, further shocked. ¡°Alright, give me a second.¡± I scroll through the tablet to find a memory worker. Darius is already <b>busy </b>at the moment and I don¡¯t want to have to pull him off task if it¡¯s not needed. It takes a minute before I spot another worker with the same skillset I need. <b>I </b>reach <b>across </b>the desk to my little microphone, pushing the button and announcing, ¡°Magnus Evergreen, maybe you please report to the drop box. <b>Magnus </b>Evergreen<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Xavierughs hard. ¡°Oh, really? You put a fucking speaker system in hell?¡± He says yfully.


    ¡°It¡¯s an <b>effective </b>system!¡± <b>I </b>retort a little annoyed at his small gabs. I happen to think the system <b>is </b>very effective. Especially when Magnus drops in not even a minuteter. She¡¯s very clearly a gargoyle<b>, </b>with a tall, stone¨Clike body and hard features <b>as </b>she <b>lowers </b>her head in submission. ¡°My lord<b>, </b><b>you </b>called for me?¡±


    ¡°I did. <b>I¡¯m </b>in need of your <b>assistance</b><b>, </b>Magnus. We <b>have </b>a soul here.<b>¡± </b><b>I </b>gesture <b>to </b>Marius, who looks <b>as </b>though he might wet himself. ¡°He hasn¡¯t been assessed yet; therefore, we can not <b>and </b>will not be punishing him, but we need <b>to </b>see inside his memories. <b>Is </b>that something you can do<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Of course<b>, </b>my lord<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Perfect. Let¡¯s go to a room for some <b>privacy</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>I stand and gesture for everyone to follow me. Leaving the drop box, <b>I </b>wait for everyone to take the elevator up and then I lock the cage behind me before following. We go <b>up </b>about fifty floors before we reach an empty room and I immediately transform the space into a picer area with a few couches for everyone.


    ¡°My lord, if you could make a projection screen<b>, </b>I can convert the memories onto it <b>for </b>you to see,¡± Magnus says politely and I do, creating a ceiling¨Cto¨Cfloor screen against the rough wall. She walks towards Marius, who is still shaking and I hold up my hand to pause her.


    ¡°Marius<b>, </b>you¡¯re not being punished. Please do not fear us. Until you¡¯ve been assessed properly and only if your soul is considered tarnished, will you be subjected to punishment. You still have a chance <b>to </b>go to the beyond.¡± <b>I </b>point upwards to the sky. ¡°To be with the Moon Goddess. We¡¯re simply in need of your help right now.¡±


    Will¡­it hurt?¡± He stutters out, looking at Magnus.


    ¡°No.¡± She states simply. ¡°It only hurts if I want it to. It will not hurt you. You will simply feel as though you¡¯re back in moments of your memories and everyone will be able to see those moments.¡±


    Marius nods and I do too. <b>¡°</b>You can begin.¡±


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    ¡°Is there something in particr you¡¯re looking for<b>, </b>my lord?¡± Magnus asks and I look to Xavier.


    ¡°We¡¯re looking for a reason why Alpha Marcus was collecting children<b>, </b>maybe why he killed them all at the end. Anything that might be slightly rted to it.¡± <b>He </b>states and Magnus nods <b>as </b>she continues to shuffle through memories. It¡¯s odd <b>to </b><b>see </b>shes <b>of </b>someone¡¯s life in front of you. I get glimpses of his mate, his parents, <b>his </b>childhood, his training for bing a Tris guard and then it slows down<b>, </b>short clips of Alpha Marcus in a way <b>I¡¯ve </b>never seen him before. He¡¯s <b>cruel </b>and menacing. Degrading his soldiers in private and subjecting them to uwful tasks. It¡¯s apletely different persona to what I know Alpha Marcus to be¡­it¡¯s terrifying really to think about how well he¡¯s disguising his true colours from everyone, from his <b>own </b>pack members. <b>I </b>wonder if Evelina ever <b>experienced </b>this¡­and as I <b>see </b>images <b>of </b>children being brought into a stark, cold concrete room, I have to wonder, what actually happened to Evelina <b>as </b>a <b>pup</b>? Was she really found on the border or was she actually taken there by this monster?


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin<b>, </b><b>is </b>an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories<b>, </b>NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement.


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 Underworld 67

    <b>Chapter </b><b>67 </b>


    Evelina


    I¡¯ve woken up on a cloud. A veryfortable cloud. I wonder how it is that hell has the nicest bed I¡¯ve <b>ever </b>slept on. Maybe <b>I </b>should take it home to the mortal realm with me. <b>I </b>reluctantly get out of bed, <b>the </b>ck <b>silk </b>sheets gliding off my body like a whisper <b>of </b>a promise toe <b>back</b>¡­and I want to, but I don¡¯t. I have things to do today. It¡¯s extremely hard to tell the time here with no actual sunlight and windows that depict a sunny exterior to our kingdom. I have a quick shower in the ck and red marbled bathroom to freshen up, after my mates ravaged me before I fell into a blissful sleep, I need one. Then I head out to find where said mates are. Xavier¡¯s office is empty<b>, </b>so I move on<b>. </b>Haiden¡¯s space is¡­different, I¡¯ can see he¡¯s been here, but he¡¯s not currently here. I enjoy how it doesn¡¯t <b>feel </b>like hell when you enter, with light colours and soft materials, it¡¯s very weing, almost as if you¡¯re in a different realm to the underworld. I leave through the door<b>, </b>and I spot¡­sparkly rainbow boot prints? How strange. I follow them anyway<b>, </b>leading me towards Levi¡¯s area, where I¡¯m surprised once again to find apletely different space from what it once was<b>. </b>It¡¯s <b>cosy</b><b>, </b>warm<b>, </b>and extremely efficient. When I check the tablet, I can see that <b>each </b>soul now has their own space to rest in which is, really nice, especially for the souls who will go up to the beyond. I continue to follow the boot prints to a single door, and what¡¯s on the other side has my ovaries doing somersaults as I watch Haiden and Levi in the middle of what looks like a child¡¯s wondend ying tag with a group of young children.


    ¡°I got you! That means I¡¯m next!¡± One little boy yells as he taps Levi.


    ¡°Okay, fair, are you ready?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so ready!¡± The little boy jumps with excitement as Levi <b>assesses </b>his soul with a smile.


    ¡°Congrattion¡¯s buddy.¡± He smiles warmly at the child. ¡°Up you go.¡± He takes a step back from the child as a warm light surrounds his little frame and he slowly fades away to the beyond.


    Haiden notices me first <b>as </b>a little girl tugs on his arm. ¡°Who¡¯s the prettydy?¡± She whispers loudly<b>, </b>making Haiden smirk at me. ¡°That¡¯s <b>my </b>


    Queen<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    The kids gasp and jump with excitement, running towards me. ¡°Are you really a <b>Queen</b><b>?!</b><b>¡± </b>


    I kneel in front of them. ¡°I am.¡±


    ¡°Can you grant wishes?!¡± The same little girl says, making meugh.


    ¡°Do you have a <b>wish</b>?¡±


    She nods excitedly. ¡°I want to go to the happy ce. <b>Can </b>I wish for <b>that</b>?¡± I look over her shoulder where Levi is standing, and he nods at me.


    ¡°Wish granted.¡± I wink, and she begins <b>to </b>glow <b>as </b>her image fades.


    ¡°Thank you!¡± She waves happily while dancing around.


    Once the small group of children finally ascends to the beyond, <b>I </b>stand to question my mates on why there was such arge group of them here, but they seemingly already know it¡¯sing.


    ¡°We need to exin something, doll,<b>¡± </b>Levi says, taking my hand with a gentle kiss.


    ¡°We should find the others<b><i>.</i></b><b><i>¡± </i></b>Haiden nods<b>, </b>creating a portal that we step through.


    I almost have a fucking heart attack when my feetnd onto what I think is thin air above a raging fire below. It takes me a good moment to realise it¡¯s a ss floor, inside a giant metal cage, suspended in <b>the </b>middle of a massive circr¡­hell? Whatever Noah has done here, this is definitely frightening. From where we stand, you can see in every direction torture rooms stacked miles high and low, all around and connected by esctors. Esctors in hell, how very modern of him. There are metal cages that hang above us with souls, I suspect are waiting for their assigned rooms<b>, </b>or maybe they¡¯re just up there <b>as </b>part of their punishment. The mere thought of having to view this ce from up there would be a punishment.


    <b>You </b>all <b>have </b>been busy<b>, </b>I see.¡±


    Haiden nods with <b>a </b>smile. ¡°Did you see my waiting room<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I did. It¡¯s very <b>nice</b><b>, </b>darling.<b>¡± </b><b>I </b>pat his arm, while Levi walks around <b>the </b>reception desk and speaks through a microphone that sts through speakers I can¡¯t see<b>. </b>


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    ¡°Kings of the underworld. <b>I </b>repeat, Kings of the underworld<b>, </b>can you <b>please </b><b>report </b><b>to </b>the reception desk for your Queen?<b>¡± </b>He <b>says</b><b>, </b>clearly making meugh, how very modern of him. I <b>bet </b>now he¡¯ll have a speaker system set up at the orphanage to direct the children more easily<b>. </b>


    I watch as Xavier and Noah exit from a room above and slowly make their <b>way </b>around the semi¨Ccircle, onto an <b>esctor</b><b>, </b><b>and </b>down to us. Noah kisses me softly before passing me off to Xavier to do the same.


    ¡°Did you have a good nap, little mate?¡±


    ¡°I did actually.¡± I blush, remembering why I was tired to begin with. Noah cages me in between the two of them<b>, </b>leaning down <b>to </b>whisper in my ear. ¡°It¡¯s our turn tonight.<b>¡± </b>


    The hunger in his voice has me grinding my thighs together in need. Haiden clears his throat behind us<b>, </b>breaking me out <b>of </b>the moment of lust, and Noah steps back from me, while Xavier looks down at me thoughtfully, running his hand along my jaw to the back of my nape.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re here to find out what has happened?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Uh, yeah, the very cute group of children in the underworld was a little bit questionable.¡±


    He nods slowly. ¡°I found their souls in Tris, little mate.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± My heart hammers in my ears. All those children¡­died in my pack?


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 Underworld 68

    <b>Chapter </b><b>68 </b>


    The guys led me up the esctors <b>to </b>a room<b>, </b>not really exining much along the way<b>, </b><b>but </b>I have even more questions when I enter <b>to </b><b>see </b>a gargoyle sitting casually on a chair as a man whimpers in another. Tears streak his <b>aged </b><b>face</b><b>, </b>and his hands shake in hisp as he looks down at them. It¡¯s only when he looks up do I start to spiral<b>. </b>


    ¡°Marius?¡±


    ¡°Envy<b>?</b>¡± He says, confused. Looking me up and down<b>, </b>beforending on the dark<b>, </b>misting crown upon my head. He sucks in a sharp breath. ¡°Are you alive?¡±


    ¡°I am¡­and you¡­are not.¡±


    ¡°<b>You </b>know him?¡± Xavier asks, cing a hand on my lower back.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± My heart hammers, and my brain feels like it¡¯s about to pop. Images<b>, </b>shes of my childhood, I don¡¯t recognise flood through my brain. I step further into Xavier¡¯s embrace.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening to her?<b>¡± </b>He says frantically as <b>I </b>struggle to find a coherent sentence.


    ¡°She¡¯s remembering.¡± I hear a voice<b>, </b>but it feels distant, strange<b>, </b>foggy even, and then I¡¯m sucked into the darkness. It feels like I¡¯m watching a movie, but I¡¯m a part of it.


    A world surrounds me that looks like Tris packnds, a little girl runs past me with long ck hair<b>, </b>and she turns to look past me¡­no, it is me, that little girl, that¡¯s me. I couldn¡¯t be more than three at this point, and I¡¯m running from Marius as heughs.


    ¡°Come back here, Envy! We can¡¯t leave our post<b>!</b><b>¡± </b>


    Little meughs, ducking through trees with great speed.


    ?? ?????? ?? ??


    The image flickers; it¡¯s different now. I¡¯m ying with two little pups in the garden<b>, </b>before rogues swarm from every direction. Pack members <b>scream </b>and fall, guards do their best to hold them off<b>, </b>but one breaks through the line andes straight for us<b>, </b>his jaw wide as he tears through one of the boys¡® throats. A wolf, one I know well, Felix, quickly runs towards <b>us</b>, countering the attack and throwing down the rogue with force before snapping its neck. He shifts, cradling <b>the </b>pup as <b>the </b>other little pup cries, covered in his friend¡¯s blood. ¡°Shhh, son<b>, </be here,¡± Felix says¡± softly as a tear slides down <b>his </b>face. Little Theo crawls to his dad<b>, </b>hiding his <b>face </b>in his shoulder as Felix brushes soft locks of hair away from the other boy¡­Zion. That¡¯s Zion who¡¯s dying. <b>I </b>remember it now. My younger self crawls towards the trio<b>, </b>resting a hand on Zion¡¯s stomach. Closing her eyes<b>, </b>she begins to glow a soft¨Cblue hue, <b>and </b>the blood coating his body begins to seep backwards, returning to its ce. Zion¡¯s chest begins to rise and fall slowly and steadily as Felix watches with wide eyes.


    ¡°Daddy¡­she¡¯s magic.¡± Thep gasps.


    <b>¡°</b>Yes, <b>she </b>is.¡± A loudmanding voice says behind them. My younger <b>self </b>startles<b>, </b>hands withdrawing as she opens <b>her </b>eyes and beams with a smile so wide at Alpha Marcus.


    ¡°I¡­I fixed him, Alpha<b>!</b>¡±


    Alpha Marcus kneels before me<b>, </b>putting a hand on my shoulder <b>as </b>his eyes darken and a sinister smile spreads across his face<b>. </b>


    ¡°I knew it was you.¡± He grabs my little arm with <b>enough </b>force that I shriek and thrash in his hold, but he pays me no mind as he drags me away from the carnage. My little hands outstretched to Felix, who is rooted on the ground holding Theo and Zion.


    ¡°They told <b>me </b>you woulde here<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°Who?!¡± Little me cries out.


    ¡°The witches<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>The </b>images flicker and distort until I¡¯m pulled from the darkness, raking in as much breath as I can. I find myself on my back on the floor, <b>my </b>mates hovering over me, as <b>well </b><b>as </b>the gargoyle,


    ¡°Love!¡± Haiden says, quickly sliding myself under my head to cradle it.


    ¡°Alpha Marcus!¡± 1 stutter out.


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    ¡°We saw,¡± Levi states.


    100


    The gargoyle gives me a wary smile. ¡°My apologies, my Queen. The Kings requested to see into your mind.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Is that all you <b>saw</b><b>? </b><b>Is </b>there more?!¡± I say, sitting up quickly. A little too quickly<b>, </b>as the room spins with dizziness.


    ¡°Your mind¡­some memories, <b>I </b>can sense a block<b>, </b>something dark. I can only assume blood magic has been used.¡± She says.


    <b>¡°</b>You mean to tell me someone has taken my memories?¡±


    ¡°Not taken, no. They¡¯ve just blocked you from essing them. Seeing Marius here must have cracked the spell slightly.¡±


    ¡°So how do we destroy itpletely?¡± Xavier asks, helping me off the floor and sitting me on hisp in a chair across from a very anxious- looking Marius.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, my lord. I think now that it has been cracked, it¡¯s only a matter of time before the rest flood through.¡±


    I manage to sit up a little straighter to look directly at Marius.


    ¡°What happened to you? You were there one day and gone the next¡­I never saw you again<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Oh, little Envy¡­I am so sorry.¡±


    Four growls rumble through the room, and Levi says sternly, ¡°You¡¯ll address her properly. As your Queen.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Sorry.¡± Marius stutters, and I re at each of my mates before politely asking him to continue.


    He tells me about his version of events that day. About how Alpha Marcus had ordered the execution of the children, exining that he found what he was looking for and was no longer in need of the others. Marius had nned to get the kids out, but had to move up the timeframe. He just wasn¡¯t quick enough.


    ¡°I failed them. I failed you<b>. </b>I could have at least gotten you free, gotten you away from the pack.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t fail<b>¡­</b><b>you </b>did your best and that¡¯s all you could do. I do have to ask, though. If Marius was collecting children, why wasn¡¯t I ced with them? Why was I out in the pack with everyone else?¡±


    He smiles softly. ¡°When you were found, just off the border, there had been a mysterious fire that had ravaged through that part of the woods, but there you were<b>, </b>sitting <b>in </b>the middle of <b>a </b>green patch of grass<b>, </bpletely untouched. No one could understand how it was that you were unharmed or how the life around you <b>was </b>thriving, but when Beta Felix took you to the Alpha, exining what we saw, he said you were to be raised by the warriors. We were all told not to get too attached, but to <b>keep </b>a close eye on you and if anything, strange or unnatural urred, to let him know.<i>¡± </i>


    ¡°And then I saved Zion¡¯s life¡­¡± I say connecting the dots while Marius nods.


    ¡°He was waiting to <b>see </b>if you really were special, as <b>we </b><b>all </b>believed.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>and I showed him¡­¡±


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    Chapter Comments

 Underworld 69

    <b>Chapter </b><b>69 </b>


    ¡°I think we need to organise a dinner with Alpha Marcus. Maybe under the pretence of us wanting to thank him for raising our mate. Something that will gain us ess to <b>the </b>Tris pack without suspicion<b>, </b>so we can sniff around.¡± Noah thinks out loud, and the others all agree. I¡¯m a little too lost in my own thoughts to be able to contribute to their conversation until <b>Levi </b>touches my arm gently, pulling me back to reality. ¡°What would you like to do with Marius, doll? We can keep him in the waiting room a while longer or even in the hotel in case we need him further<b>.</b>¡±


    ?


    ¡°No¡­ He deserves to move on.¡± I give my old friend a weak smile. ¡°Can you assess him now, please?¡± As much as I want to stay and hopefully see him ascend, I really can¡¯t stand to know if he¡¯s doomed his soul the hell, so I give him onest smile and thank him for his time before I leave. I opened a portal and stepped through without really thinking, and I find myself in the Tris packnds. I stay on the side <b>of </b>the veil where no one can see me as I make my way through the pack house and straight into Alpha Marcus¡® office. He sits with his feet on the desk, <b>a </b>ss of alcohol in his hand, and his shirt untucked and messy<b>, </b>such a stark difference to how I always viewed him growing up. He was never <b>cruel </b>to me, but he wasn¡¯t overly warm either. He was just¡­I don¡¯t know. He was consistent. I stand over his shoulder, watching himzily sort through paperwork <b>as </b>he sighs deeply<b>, </b>tossing a few to the floor. I look over the few in my line of view, bills with overdue stamps on them. Tris is¡­ broke? I don¡¯t understand how Tris could be broke? They have profitablends, a steady ie from their crop trades with humans, and business deals with other packs. It¡¯s nearly impossible for them to be broke, but there it is, in big red letters. I stand around watching Alpha Marcus for at least an hour<b>, </b>but he doesn¡¯t do much besides drink, smoke, and shuffle papers. I decide to leave him there and venture up to my old room, wondering what has been made of it now. Materialising through doorways and walls along the way<b>, </b><b>I </b>spot nothing out of the ordinary, the pack his how it always was, just ordinary, if you don¡¯t include the basement full of dead children¡­How did he know I was different? What did he want with me? Did he get something out of keeping me here, or does he still need me for something? Is Felix in on it, too? The questions just keep spewing out with no possible answer that I can see. When I get to my old room, I see it¡¯s just as empty as it always was, <b>except </b>my pillow and nket are gone<b>, </b>probably stripped, washed, and stored somewhere.


    With nothing else to do, I decide <b>I </b>should probably head home, but I catch movement. A shadow slips beneath the door of my old room<b>, </b>so quick I almost think I imagined it. But the chill crawling up my spine tells me otherwise.


    I back into the corner, eyes narrowing. There¡¯s no scent, of course not. I¡¯m technically not here, not in a way anyone in the mortal realm can detect. I¡¯m still cloaked by the Underworld¡¯s veil, existing just outside their perception<b>. </b>But they shouldn¡¯t be able to move like that either. I step out through the door and into the hall. Empty. But there it is again, a flicker at the end of the corridor, right before the stairwell. I follow, down, past the rooms that once housed warriors and guards, past the floor where Marcus kept his private offices, all the way to a part of the house that was supposed to be closed off. Boarded up for as long as I can remember. I remember the warning: Never go down there<b>, </b>Envy. It¡¯s unstable. Dangerous. But it¡¯s not¡­<b>The </b>stairs are solid, and the deeper I descend, the colder it gets. By the time <b>I </b>reach the bottom, frost crawls over the stone walls, glittering in thin sheets across the floor. The light is dim, flickering with a faint blue hue like moonlight filtered through ice. That¡¯s when I hear it¡­Whispers. Not words<b>, </b>not exactly, but the sound of something¡­ ancient.


    Not the Underworld. Not divine. Something in between<b>. </b>I move toward the whispering, each <b>step </b>like pushing through msses. The veil starts to bend, reacting. My power res instinctively to hold it steady, and that¡¯s when I see it. A door. No knob. No hinges. <b>Just </b>ckened<b>, </b>rune¨Ccovered stone and <b>a </b>single handprint etched into <b>the </b>centre. The shape <b>is </b>small<b>. </b>Familiar. My hand. I raise my palm before <b>I </b>even realize I¡¯m doing it. The second I touch it, everything changes. Light explodes outward, knocking me back into the opposite wall. I blink away the daze just in time to see the door melt into the stone and <b>disappear </b>entirely, revealing a spiral staircase that leads¡­ down even deeper. The air is thick now. Humid. Charged with something primal. Old magic. The kind that clings to <b>your </b>bones and whispers <b>secrets </b>to your blood. And I know, I know that whatever Marcus was doing with those children¡­ whatever he was nning for me¡­ the answers are down there.


    A voice breaks through the air behind me. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here.¡± <b>I </b>spin around, eyes wide. Felix stands there, his usual calm reced with something darker. His eyes <b>are </b>shadowed. Older somehow.


    ¡°Felix¡­¡± My voice wavers. ¡°You see me<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    He frowns, then nods once<b>. </b>


    ¡°I always could.¡±


    The silence stretches between us like a wire drawn tight, and then, almost too softly, he adds, ¡°He was never meant to find out what you are.¡±


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 Underworld 70

    <b>Chapter </b><b>70 </b>


    My heart ms once against my ribs, then holds.


    ¡°Who?¡±


    N ?


    Felix doesn¡¯t answer right away. He <b>steps </b><b>past </b>me<b>, </b>slow and deliberate, like each motion is a ritual he¡¯s done before but never wanted to. His boots echo softly against the ancient stone, a steady rhythm in the silence that stretches between us. He looks down the spiral stairwell<b>, </b>where frost gives way to something darker, older, humming just beneath the surface. The air thickens with it.


    ¡°Alpha Marcus,¡± he says finally, voice low, ¡°wasn¡¯t supposed to get close to you. Not emotionally. Not politically. But he always was too curious for his own good.¡±


    I blink, confused and cold. <b>¡°</b>Then why was I brought here? Why was I kept here? What does he want?¡±


    Silence. Heavy<b>, </b>almost suffocating. Felix turns slowly, and in the flickering blue hue that coats the walls, <b>I </b><b>see </b>him clearly now, not just the man I¡¯ve known my whole life, the one who taught me to ride and showed me how to swing a sword, but someone older. Worn. Weathered by truths too heavy to carry alone. His eyes afe ssy<b>, </b>shadowed.


    ¡°I brought you <b>here</b><b>, </b>Envy.¡±


    The words hit like a punch to the gut.


    ¡°You were left at the border, <b>yes</b><b>, </b>but not by ident. That day¡­the day I found you¡­<b>¡± </b>He pauses<b>, </b>swallowing hard. ¡°It was the day I died.¡±


    My breath catches. ¡°What?<b>¡± </b>


    He meets my eyes. ¡°I was given a choice. Persephone herself stood before me<b>. </b><b>I </b>was meant to go straight to the Underworld for the things I¡¯d done. Things <b>I </b>regret more than you could know. But she gave me an option. One chance. I could be returned. Reborn, in a way. On one condition<b>.</b>¡±


    I don¡¯t realize I¡¯ve taken <b>a </b>step back until my shoulders hit the wall. ¡°What condition?<b>¡± </b>


    He takes a breath like it hurts. ¡°Watch over you<b>. </b>Protect you. Keep you safe until youe of age<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    The walls feel like they¡¯re closing in. ¡°Safe from what?¡±


    Felix steps closer now<b>, </b>and for the first time since <b>I¡¯ve </b>known him, I don¡¯t feelfort in his presence. <b>I </b><b>feel</b>¡­ small. Seen. But not in a way that makes me <b>feel </b>known<b>, </b>in a way that makes <b>me </b>feel marked.


    ¡°Not <b>what</b><b>, </b><b>Envy</b><b>. </b>Who.¡±


    <b>He </b>gestures to the stairwell behind <b>us</b>. Down<b>, </b>where the whispers still call.


    ¡°There are things beneath this house that Marcus was never meant to find. Things older than this pack. Older than most realms. What he found were fragments<b>, </b>runes, relics, prophecies, but no real understanding <b>of </b>what they meant. So, <b>he </b>found those who could help him..¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he agrees softly. ¡°Not yet. Because you¡¯re not ready. You haven¡¯t marked your mates,¡± he says. ¡°Until you do, your power, your real power, stays locked inside you. Half¨Casleep. And so do theirs. Together, you¡¯re more than just wolves, hounds, and people. You¡¯re something else entirely.¡±


    Something cold slides down my spine<b>. </b>¡°What am <b>I</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    His voice drops to barely a whisper. ¡°You¡¯re the <b>tether</b>.¡±


    <b>I </b>shake my head. ¡°To what<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>To </b>everything,¡± he says, ¡°The Underworld. The Veil. The magic that binds the divine and the damned. You are the gate, Envy. The line between what lives <b>and </b>what should not. That¡¯s why you <b>were </b>hidden. That¡¯s why the veil clings to you. That¡¯s <b>why </b>the gods marked you¡­ and why the monsters want to im you<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


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    My mouth is dry. ¡°And Marcus<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°He wanted to harness you,¡± Felix <b>says</b><b>, </b>eyes burning now. ¡°For power. For control. For war<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    The word sits heavy between us.


    ¡°There <b>is </b>a waring<b>,</b><b>¡± </b><b>he </b>says. ¡°A <b>great </b>unravelling. Not just between packs <b>or </b>species but between worlds. And when it does, they¡¯ll look to you.<b>¡± </b>


    <b>I </b>stare at the stairwell. At the ce where the runes had once sealed me out. At the ancient magic that now seems to pull me in.


    ¡°Why me?<b>¡± </b>I whisper.


    Felix¡¯s voice softens. ¡°Because only a soul forged in both light and shadow can hold the doorway shut or rip it open.¡±


    I don¡¯t remember climbing the stairs.


    One minute I¡¯m staring into that abyss and Felix is warning me, telling me I¡¯m the fucking tether between realms like that¡¯s normal dinner conversation and the next<b>, </b>I¡¯m inside the pack house, in our bedroom, staring nkly at the wall while my mind swims with thought. My heart hasn¡¯t stopped racing since I touched that door. The problem <b>is</b><b>¡­ </b>it wasn¡¯t fear. Not entirely. There¡¯s something dangerous about knowing you¡¯re meant for more than you¡¯ve been told. Something terrifying and thrilling in equal measure. And I¡¯ve spent my whole life surviving, fighting to matter in a world that didn¡¯t want me. Now, it turns out I might matter too much. Tether. War. Power. Me. My Mates.


    My mates portal into the room<b>, </b>scrambling to get to me.


    ¡°Where the hell have you been<b>?! </b>We couldn¡¯t locate you for hours.<b>¡± </b>Xavier says first<b>, </b>running his hands up and down my arms.


    ¡°I need to talk to all of you,¡± I say, voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through me<b>. </b>¡°Now.¡±


    ¡°Okay<b>, </b>yes<b>, </b>definitely, we should talk, but let¡¯s eat while we do it. You¡¯ve clearly been through a lot today, love.¡± Haiden says, taking my hand gently in his own.


    We¡¯re seated in the private dining room within minutes. The table is set, food steaming under silver domes, but no one touches a thing. Not even Haiden<b>. </b>


    ¡°I went beneath Tris<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>I <b>say</b>, before anyone can ask<b>. </b>


    <b>Xavier¡¯s </b>brows furrow. ¡°What do you mean<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I mean beneath. Past the closed floors, the blocked halls, the sealed doors. Past everything, Marcus told me never to <b>go </b>near<b>.</b>¡±


    Their expressions harden,


    ¡°There¡¯s something down there<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>I continue. ¡°Something old. Ancient, even. It¡¯s not just rogue wolves or secrets. It¡¯s¡­magic. Runes. A <b>vault </b>buried in stone, locked by blood.¡±


    ¡°Yours<b>?</b>¡± Levi asks quietly.


    I nod. ¡°Yeah. It recognized <b>me</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    They <b>all </b>go still.


    <b>Felix </b>was right, I haven¡¯t marked them yet<b>, </b>and without that connection, they <b>can¡¯t </b>feel everything I¡¯m feeling. Can¡¯t sense the gravity of what I <b>saw</b>. But they¡¯re smart Tactical. Dangerous in <b>their </b>own right<b>. </b>And they¡¯re not stupid enough to brush this off.


    ¡°I¡¯m not just a wolf, or I guess, hellhound, or the Queen of <b>the </b>underworld,¡± I say finally. ¡°Felix told me¡­ I¡¯m something else. Something that is physically tied to the underworld.¡±


    ¡°Tied to the underworld?¡± Haiden echoes, like the word tastes bitter in his mouth<b>. </b>


    look up, eyes meeting Xavier¡¯s. ¡°He said I¡¯m the tether. Between realms. That I¡¯m the reason Marcus kept me.¡±


    <b>Xavier </b><b>doesn¡¯t </b>flinch. <b>He </b>doesn¡¯t move. But I <b>can </b>see the shift behind his eyes. The calctions. The instinctive protectiveness that res when


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 Underworld 71

    <b>Chapter </b>71


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    Levi and Haiden leave the dining room after Xavier murmurs something low to them<b>, </b>too quiet for me to hear. Haiden smirks at me <b>as </b>he shuts the door behind him<b>. </b>Levi <b>offers </b>a single nce back, one that says <i>behave</i>, and then they¡¯re gone. The silence <b>that </b>follows <b>is </b>thick. I exhale, only just realizing how tightly I¡¯ve been holding <b>myself </b>together all day. The cold truths under Tris. The weight <b>of </b>what <b>I </b>am. The way Felix looked at me <b>was </b>like <b>I </b>was a ticking bomb dressed in ck. My body aches, not from pain, but from the pressure, the relentless need to do, <b>to </b>carry<b>, </b><b>to </b>fight. Xavier sees it. <b>Of </b>course he does. He always sees everything. I stand <b>as </b>he does, moving without thought.


    <b>¡°</b>You¡¯re unravelling,¡± he says simply, walking around the table<b>, </b>slow and measured like a predator closing in on prey.


    ¡°I¡¯m holding it together.¡±


    <b>¡°</b><b>You </b>think you are.¡±


    Behind me, Noah rises andes to stand close, too close<b>. </b>His presence <b>is </b>fire at my back, while Xavier is cold steel in front of me.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been working hard all day,¡± Noah murmurs<b>, </b>voice warm in my ear. <b>¡°</b>Maybe it¡¯s time we remind you what it¡¯s like to be held.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need..


    ¡°You do,¡± Xavier cuts in. ¡°Let us.¡±


    I try <b>to </b>swallow, but my throat¡¯s dry. My body is betraying me, already responding, already humming with anticipation. It¡¯s not just the words. It¡¯s them. The way they watch me like I¡¯m not just theirs, but something sacred. It¡¯s not a demand. It¡¯s a promise.


    Xavier reaches out first<b>, </b>fingers brushing the edge of my jaw, tipping my <b>face </b>up to meet his.


    ¡°You¡¯re not alone <b>in </b>this anymore,¡± he says, eyes burning. ¡°You carry the Veil. The weight. The underworld. The pack. The war. But tonight<b>, </b>you let us carry <b>you</b>.¡±


    Noah¡¯s hands slide around my waist from behind, pulling me flush against him<b>, </b>and suddenly my spine arches, breath hitched. I should stop this. <b>I </b>should <b>say </b>no. But my body is melting under their touch, and my mind<b>, </b>gods, my mind is screaming yes.


    Xavier moves in, lips brushing over mine like a ghost of a kiss.


    ¡°Breathe, little mate.¡±


    I do. Shaky. <b>Raw</b><b>. </b>Then everything happens at once<b>. </b>Noah¡¯s hands tighten <b>at </b>my hips, guiding me forward. Xavier takes my wrist and ces it on the table. The polished wood is cool under my <b>palms </b><b>as </b>they position me, gently, but firmly. Bent forward<b>, </b>arms braced, breath catching against the linen napkins and untouched <b>tes</b>. Clothes <b>peel </b>off me in <b>pieces</b><b>. </b>Cool air grazes my back. Noah¡¯s mouth <b>is </b>on my neck, teeth grazing just enough to make me shiver, while Xavier¡¯s hands roam <b>lower</b><b>, </b>slower, <b>deliberate</b>. His touch is like worship and possession at once.


    ¡°You¡¯re shaking,<b>¡± </b>Xavier mutters against my shoulder as he pulls me back just enough to kiss the curve of my spine.


    ¡°I¡¯m <b>not </b>afraid.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>No,¡± Noah says<b>, </b>voice deeper now. ¡°You¡¯re ready.¡±


    There¡¯s no rush. No fumbling. Every motion is controlled, fluid, like <b>they¡¯ve </b>been waiting for this moment<b>. </b>Maybe they have<b>. </b>Every time I thought <b>they </b>were being too patient<b>, </b>too careful<b>, </b>it was this. They were holding back, Letting me choose when, and I¡¯m choosing now.


    I moan, quiet, needy, <b>as </b><b>Xavier </b>slides a hand beneath me, and Noah presses forward behind me, lips and tongue tracing symbols only he seems to know. Every brush of skin feels like a spark. Every sigh feels like permission.


    ¡°Say it,¡± Xavier whispers.


    Say what<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>I gasp.


    ¡°That you¡¯re ours.<b>¡± </b>


    I grip the table harder<b>, </b><b>lips </b>parting on a sound <b>that¡¯s </b>almost a growl. ¡°I¡¯m not saying it until you make me scream it.¡±


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    Goddess Of The Underworld.

 Underworld 72

    <b>Chapter </b><b>72 </b>


    Noahughs, dark and low.


    ¡°Oh, <b>we </b>will, little warrior.<b>¡± </b>


    And they do, oh fuck, they do.


    <b>Noah </b>


    The fire in her eyes hasn¡¯t gone out. t¡¯s dulled now<b>, </b>banked like coals, but it¡¯s still there, glowing under the surface as I help her up from the table. She¡¯s trembling<b>, </b>but not from pain¡­The exhaustion<b>, </b>the revtions, the weight of what she uncovered beneath Tris. Xavier presses a kiss to her temple and mutters something about checking in with Levi and Haiden. He disappears into the hall, and suddenly it¡¯s just me and her. Envy Jeans into me more than she probably means to. She won¡¯t ask to be held, never does, but I do it anyway. Her arms are loose around my shoulders as I lift her up bridal¨Cstyle. Gods<b>, </b>she¡¯s soft and warm and still buzzing with power under her skin. Even worn out and half¨Cundressed, she¡¯s lethal, beautiful, and she¡¯s ours. She doesn¡¯t speak as I carry her through the halls toward our room. The silence between us <b>is </bfortable in a way that lets her rest her head against my chest and let her walls fall a little. Just for a moment.


    ¡°I should shower,¡± she murmurs.


    kiss the crown of her head. ¡°Bath¡¯s better.<b>¡± </b>


    She raises a brow but doesn¡¯t argue.


    The ensuite is already warm from the heated floors when I <b>carry </b>her in. The oversized soaking tub is built for people like us<b>, </b>fast¨Chealing, high- stress wolves who need recovery to be more than just physical. I set her down gently on the stone bench beside it and turn on the <b>taps</b><b>, </b>letting the water rise with a blend of mineral salts and something minty and calming Aleisha left behind weeks ago.


    Envy watches me in silence as I peel her remainingyers off. She doesn¡¯t look away. Doesn¡¯t flinch. There¡¯s no shame between us. No pretending.


    <b>¡°</b><b>You¡¯re </b>hovering,¡± she says softly.


    <b>¡°</b>I¡¯m watching over you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s<b>¡­ </b>annoyingly sweet.¡±


    I grin and offer her a hand ¡°Come on, little Luna<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    She <b>lets </b>me guide her into the water. <b>It </b>climbs <b>over </b>her legs, then her waist, and she exhales like she¡¯s been holding her breath for years. When I kneel behind her at the edge of the tub, she leans back between <b>my </b>knees without being asked. My hands <b>go </b>to work, slow circles over her shoulders<b>, </b>her arms<b>, </b>fingers threading through her wet hair like I¡¯m winding her back down to earth. She melts under my touch.


    Her voice is barely audible<b>, </b>¡°I think I¡¯m scared.¡±


    I pause. ¡°Of what<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Of who I¡¯m bing.¡±


    I <b>rest </b>my cheek against the top of <b>her </b>head, wrapping my arms around her from behind, letting her sink deeper into my chest. ¡°Then don¡¯t do it alone. Let us help carry it. All of it.¡±


    Her fingersce with mine beneath the water. ¡°I don¡¯t want to need anyone.¡±


    ¡°But you do. And it¡¯s okay that you do.¡±


    She doesn¡¯t reply. But she doesn¡¯t let go.


    When the water starts to cool, I dry her off gently <b>and </b>lift her again, cing <b>her </b><b>on </b>the edge of the bed. I tug one of my shirts over her head, baggy<b>, </b><b>soft</b>,pletely swallowing her frame. It smells like <b>me</b>, and she doesn¡¯tin. <b>As </b>I tuck the nkets up around her, she watches me with hooded eyes<b>. </b>


    I brush my knuckles across her cheek. ¡°I¡¯ll be <b>back </b><b>soon</b><b>, </b>okay? Get some rest.


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 Underworld 73

    <b>Chapter </b><b>73 </b>


    <b>Envy </b>


    Warmth. It pulls me slowly from sleep like a tide retreating from shore. My body¡¯s sore in that good, heavy <b>way</b><b>. </b>Musclesnguid. Heart steady. But my mind? It¡¯s already moving. I roll to my side<b>, </b>only to feel a weight shift beside me. Strong arms tighten around my waist<b>, </b>and a soft groan tells me I¡¯m not alone in bed. Noah. I peek one eye open to see his stupidly handsome face half¨Cburied in my pillow,shes brushing his cheek. One arm slung around my middle, the other tangled in the nket. His breathing is deep, steady. Warmth. Footsteps sound outside the bedroom. A soft knock. Then Xavier¡¯s voice: ¡°Morning. We¡¯ve got food downstairs. Shower. Meet us in the war room in twenty.¡±


    ¡°Bossy<b>,</b>¡± I mutter.


    ¡°Charming, He corrects.


    I sigh<b>, </b>nudging Noah awake with a knuckle to his ribs. He groans again but doesn¡¯t protest, and then¡­Pain. Sudden. Sharp. Blinding. <b>I </b>freeze as a wave of heat surges behind my eyes, and I¡¯m not in bed anymore.


    <b>Memory </b>


    I¡¯m cold. The room smells like burnt iron and wet stone. Chains rattle somewhere behind me. My skin feels too tight<b>, </b>too raw. I try to lift my hand and realize it¡¯s bound. Rope? <b>No</b>, silver. I bite back a whimper. This is different from the first memory where I was simply observing. Now I¡¯m¡­here? It feels like I¡¯m here, like this is real. I feel everything. <b>I </b>see everything, but I can¡¯t control my body, it¡¯s like I¡¯m just sitting passenger.


    ¡°Again,¡± a voice snarls¡­Alpha Marcus.


    He steps into view, lips twisted into something between a sneer and a smile. There¡¯s blood on his sleeve. Mine.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re hiding something,¡± he growls. ¡°You¡¯ve survived things no pup should. You don¡¯t flinch when you bleed. That isn¡¯t normal. That¡¯s power.<b>¡± </b>


    I shake my head, tears falling now. ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°You <b>will</b>.¡±


    He lifts his hand, and pain follows. A whip. Coated in something sharp. Everysh burns like acid, and I scream until my voice breaks.


    ¡°Do you feel that?<b>¡± </b>he spits. ¡°Because I¡¯m going to keep going until whatever lives under your skin finallyes out.¡±


    33


    Then there¡¯s light. A woman steps into the room. Dressed in robes, pale eyes, and no scent. She kneels in front of me and ces a hand on my forehead.


    ¡°She¡¯s close,<b>¡± </b><b>she </b>murmurs<b>. </b>¡°But not yet. You¡¯ll damage <b>the </b>vessel if you keep going.¡± Marcus snarls but steps back,


    The woman hums a soft incantation. The words <b>slither </b>down my <b>spine</b><b>, </b>and the world goes ck.


    <b>Memory </b><b><i>¨C </i></b>Later that Night


    ¡°Hold still, little warrior.¡±


    ive


    Felix¡¯s voice is softer than usual. His hands move with practiced <b>ease </b>as <b>he </b>dabs something warm and healing against my torn back. I sit on the edge of a couch in his home, small<b>, </b>cozy, packed with bike parts and faded photos. I¡¯m wrapped in a soft shirt that smells like motor oil and pine. The pain¡¯s fading now, but I still feel hollow.


    ¡°Did I¡­ fall?¡± I ask, blinking up at him.


    Something flickers behind his <b>eyes</b>. ¡°Yes,¡± he lies gently. ¡°Training ident.¡±


    I nod slowly<b>, </b>already forgetting the reason for the ache in my ribs. <b>A </b>small voice interrupts.


    Dad?<b>¡± </b>


    Theo, probably five at the time<b>, </b>pokes his head into <b>the </b>room. Messy hair. Big eyes.


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    ¡°Why did Alpha Marcus say I¡¯m not allowed to y with Envy anymore<b>?</b>¡±


    Felix freezes for a split second. ¡°Because the Alpha doesn¡¯t always make the right decisions.¡±


    Theo blinks, confused.


    ¡°She¡¯s dangerous<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°No,¡± Felix says, kneeling to ruffle <b>his </b>son¡¯s hair. ¡°She¡¯s important.¡±


    <b>Envy </b>Present <b>Morning </b>


    I jolt upright in bed, gasping. Noah <b>is </b>already sitting up beside me<b>, </b>rubbing my back. ¡°What happened<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    I shake my head, swallowing bile. ¡°I remembered something. A¡­ test<b>. </b>He hurt me. When I was a kid. He had a witch wipe it.¡±


    Noah¡¯s jaw tightens, eyes darkening. ¡°Marcus.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    I take a moment to collect myself. Noah¡¯s hand doesn¡¯t leave my back, offering a constant soothing to the torment in my head.


    ¡°Okay. Time to start the day.¡± I announce, pulling off the <b>covers</b>. Noah looks at me uneasily. I know he thinks. I¡¯m crazy and should probably <b>just </b>lie down for the rest of the day, but that¡¯s not going to happen.


    The three of them are waiting when wee in. Xavier, Levi<b>, </b>and Haiden, all seated around the map table, mugs of coffee steaming nearby. The energy in the room shifts the second they <b>see </b>my face.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Haiden asks.


    <b>I </b><b>sit </b>down. ¡°No. But I¡¯m here<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    I tell them the rest. What I saw. What I felt. Felix¡¯s voice. Theo¡¯s question. The witch. When I finish<b>, </b>no one speaks for a moment.


    Then Xavier exhales like he¡¯s just barely containing a snarl. ¡°He tortured you. As a child.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Trying to force my powers to emerge,¡± I say<b>. </b>¡°And then wiped it so I¡¯d stay obedient.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not just a threat,<i>¡± </i>Levi mutters. ¡°He¡¯s a fucking war crime with a title.¡±


    ¡°I want him cornered,¡± I say. ¡°Not just confronted. I want eyes <b>on </b>every exit. I want protections in ce<b>, </b>in case he tries <b>to </b>use a witch again. And 1 want <b>you</b><b>, </b>all of <b>you</b><b>, </b>ready to rip out his throat the second he makes the wrong move.


    The silence that follows <b>is </b>heavy and final.


    Xavier leans forward, elbows on his knees. ¡°Then <b>let¡¯s </b>make this dinner hisst peaceful meal.¡±


    Levi pulls out his phone, <b>¡°</b><b>Just </b>in <b>case</b><b>, </b>I¡¯m going to give your brothers a quick call. We wouldn¡¯t want to <b>go </b>murdering another Alpha without them knowing about it.¡±


    ¡®I¡¯m pretty sure they¡¯ll try to race here just to enjoy the fun <b>of </b>it.¡± Haidenughs.


    Levi


    While the others finalize the n, I step into the hall, <b>phone </b>in hand. I call them one by one, her brothers.


    Alpha King Mchi, ever the voice of calm authority, listens without interrupting. When I finish exining Marcus¡¯s past with Envy, his voice


    turns steel.


    Do what must be done<b>. </b>If he touches her again<b>, </b>I expect his heart to be returned <b>in </b>a box.¡±


    Alphia King Julian is lessposed. ¡°You¡¯re telling me that bastard tortured her as a pup<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>His voice is <b>a </b>snarl. ¡°You want permission<b>? </b>You already <b>have </b>it. You <b>have </b>my blessing.¡±


    1


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    Alpha King Arztec is thest to pick <b>up</b><b>, </b><b>voice </b>gruff from battle or training. <b>¡°</b>If he¡¯s been ying games with the <b>gate </b>between realms, you don¡¯t wait for him to act. You eliminate the threat.¡±


    Three kings. Three green lights. Marcus may be an Alpha, but he¡¯s not untouchable. Not anymore.


    This work, Goddess <b>of </b>the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement.


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 Underworld 74

    <b>Chapter </b><b>74 </b>


    <b>Envy </b>


    Tris looks exactly the same and yet<b>¡­ </b>nothing feels the same. I walk through the front gates with the four alphas at my side, my mates, and everything feels sharper<b>, </b>quieter. Like the pack itself is holding its breath. Warriors nod as we pass<b>, </b>some make eye contact, some don¡¯t. The whispers follow us like shadows.


    Inside, the dining room has been staged. Long table, polished silver, crystal sses<b>, </b>like this <b>is </b>a royal fucking banquet instead of what it really <b>is</b><b>: </b>a stand¨Coff.


    Alpha Marcus stands at the far end <b>of </b>the table, posture rxed, smile polite. Too polite.


    ¡°Envy<b>,</b>¡± he says warmly, like we¡¯re old friends. ¡°You¡¯ve broughtpany.¡±


    I stop halfway down the table. The quads fan out behind me. ¡°You knew I would.¡±


    Marcus gestures to the chairs. ¡°Please, sit. I had the kitchen prepare your favorites.¡±


    Xavier doesn¡¯t move. ¡°We didn¡¯te to eat.¡±


    Marcus tsks softly. ¡°Pity. Hospitality used to mean something.¡±


    <b>I </b>stay standing. ¡°You experimented on me <b>as </b>a child.¡±


    His smile doesn¡¯t even twitch. ¡°That¡¯s a bold usation.¡±


    ¡°<b>I </b>remember,¡± I <b>say</b><b>. </b><b>¡°</b><b>You </b>used silver and star iron. You brought in a witch to suppress my memories<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°Now that is quite a story,¡± Marcus says<b>, </b>folding his hands over his gut. ¡°Do you have proof?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I am the proof.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>You¡¯re emotional. Understandably <b>so</b><b>, </b>but power makes the past a dangerous ce to revisit, especially when you¡¯re still unsure of what you saw. Trauma<b>¡­ </b>confuses things.


    Gaslighting. ssic. Xavier steps forward, growling low. ¡°Try another lie, Marcus. Just one. I dare you.<b>¡± </b>


    Marcus ignores him and turns <b>back </b>to me.


    ¡°<b>Envy</b><b>, </b>you¡¯ve always been extraordinary. I only ever wanted to understand why and to protect that potential.¡±


    ¡°By torturing a child?¡± Levi snarls.


    Marcus chuckles. ¡°She survived, didn¡¯t she? Thrived<b>, </b><b>even</b>. You¡¯ve grown strong, Envy. Unstoppable. But¡­ you¡¯re still iplete<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    He tilts his head. ¡°You haven¡¯t marked your mates yet.<b>¡± </b>


    My heart skips. ¡°That¡¯s none of your <b>business</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°It is,¡± Marcus insists, tone shifting, calm <b>veneer </b>cracking just slightly. ¡°You don¡¯t understand how important it is. The moment you bind yourself to them<b>, </b>your full power will, unlock. <b>The </b>seal ced on you will unravel, and we will all finally see what you¡¯re meant to be.¡±


    ¡°We<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>Xavier snaps. ¡°There is no ¡®we¡®<b>. </b>Her power is hers.¡±


    ¡°You have no idea what she¡¯s carrying,¡± Marcus hisses. ¡°That girl is a weapon forged by realms older than any of us<b>. </b><b>You </b>think I hurt her? You think I¡¯m the danger?¡± <b>He </b>points to me now. ¡°She¡¯s <b>the </b>one you should fear. Only I know how to wield her properly.¡±


    <b>The </b>room goes still. Xavier¡¯s eyes glow with alpha fury. Haiden¡¯s fingers twitch<b>, </b>ready to draw. Noah steps closer to me, shielding my side. Levi doesn¡¯t <b>speak</b>, but his rage hums like a barely caged storm<b>. </b>


    Marcus straightens <b>his </b>suit jacket, a smile sliding back into <b>ce</b>. <b>¡°</b><b>As </b>you can see, <b>you </b>need me.¡±


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    <b>I </b>stare at him, pulse pounding.


    ¡°You want me to unlock my power,<b>¡± </b><b>I </b><b>say</b>. ¡°But not for me. For you. You want <b>ess </b>to the gate.¡±


    He doesn¡¯t deny it, and that¡¯s all I need.


    I turn to my mates. ¡°We¡¯re done here.¡±


    Marcus speaks onest time as I reach the door.


    ¡°When it happens, you will need me.¡±


    <b>I </b>stop on the threshold and nce over my shoulder. ¡°When it happens¡­ You won¡¯t be alive to see it.¡±


    We barely make it down the steps of the Tris packhouse before a quiet voice calls out from behind us.


    ¡°Wait¡­Envy<b>.</b>¡±


    I turn, tense. It¡¯s Zion<b>. </b>He¡¯s standing halfway down the hall, hands raised slightly in a gesture of peace. Beside him stands Theo. He looks <b>so </b>much like his father, it almost hurts.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Xavier steps in immediately, tone sharp.


    ¡°It¡¯s not <b>a </b>trap,¡± Zion says quickly. ¡°Just¡­e with us. There¡¯s something you need to hear. Something we should¡¯ve told you years ago.¡±


    Noah growls under his breath. ¡°Now you want to talk?¡±


    Zion nces at me. ¡°You were never supposed to be here this long. Everything¡¯s unraveling.¡±


    I hold up a hand. ¡°One wrong move¡­¡±


    ¡°You can


    kill <b>us</b><b>,</b>¡± Theo finishes solemnly. ¡°We understand.¡±


    They lead us through a narrow hallway to a room on the second floor. Zion¡¯s room. The second I step inside, something in my chest tightens. The air smells like dust and¡­ me. I stop dead. On the bed, there¡¯s a small nket, threadbare now, and an old pillow, faded with time, fraying at the edges<b>. </b>My breath catches.


    ¡°That was mine,¡± I whisper.


    Zion nods.


    Xavier steps forward, growling. ¡°You stole her pillow?<b>¡± </b>


    Zion holds up both hands. ¡°I didn¡¯t take them for the reasons you think. I took them <b>because </b><b>I </b>saw something, and I wanted to see if maybe her <b>scent </b>could trigger more<b>.¡± </b>


    The room goes quiet. Zion swallows hard. ¡°When you healed me as a pup, something broke open<b>, </b>something that reys in my dreams constantly. I saw you, older, stronger, Standing at <b>the </b>edge of a crumbling world, holding back a storm made of shadows and fire.¡±


    older


    Theo steps in beside him. ¡°And he¡¯s seen more since. Dreams<b>, </b>shes, whispers. All tied to something under this pack. Something Alpha Marcus has been funneling every singlest resource into.¡±


    ¡°The gate, Zion says.


    ¡°What does he gain from it, from opening the gate?¡± I ask<b>, </b><b>voice </b>low.


    Theo <b>nces </b>at Zion, <b>then </b>at me. ¡°From my understanding, If the gate opens, the boundary between the underworld and our realm tears. Permanently. Souls will spill out, magic<b>, </b>chaos<b>, </b>creatures that belong in hell, but more importantly¡­¡±


    ¡°He believes he will be <b>the </b>one <b>to </b>control <b>the </b>new world,¡± Zion says grimly. ¡°The first mortal host to wield divine magic. He thinks if he uses you, your blood, your power, <b>he¡¯ll </b>inherit the gift meant for you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s insane,¡± Levi mutters<b>. </b>


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    ¡°No,¡± <b>I </b>whisper. ¡°It tracks.¡±


    Theo steps forward. ¡°The witch who worked for him, her name is Salira. She¡¯s also a seer. Banished from her coven years ago. She deals in forbidden memory work, and she¡¯s been grooming Marcus with pieces <b>of </b>prophecy, feeding him half¨Ctruths to shape his obsession.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Noah asks.


    ¡°Because she thinks she¡¯s serving bnce, either that or she¡¯s just as bat shit crazy as him,¡± Theo replies.


    ¡°They think they can control something. Something that I¡¯ve seen turns into one big fucking tragedy.¡± Zion finishes.


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 Underworld 75

    <b>Chapter </b><b>75 </b>


    We leave Zion¡¯s room in silence. No one speaks. Not until we¡¯ve crossed the threshold of the pack house and are deep enough in the woods that even the shadows feel safer than Tris¡® halls.


    ¡°Tell me we¡¯re not actually considering believing them,¡± Noah finally says<b>, </b>voice low, furious.


    ¡°They had my nket,¡± I murmur, fingers curling at my sides. ¡°Zion kept it.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b><b>Xavier </b>starts, but stops when I nce at him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to believe him either. I don¡¯t want any of this to be real<b>, </b>but


    it <b>is</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Levi ces a steady hand on my back. ¡°We need more. A nket<b>, </b>a vision, or whatever¡­ It¡¯s not enough to know what¡¯s happening. We need proof. We need that witch.¡±


    ¡°Salira,¡± I whisper.


    ¡°Where would Marcus keep her?¡± Haiden asks. <b>¡°</b><b>If </b>she¡¯s as dangerous <b>as </b>they said, she wouldn¡¯t be allowed to roam free.¡±


    ¡°Somewhere deep,¡± Xavier answers, jaw tight. ¡°Protected. Likely enchanted.¡±


    ¡°He used her to lock my memories away<b>,</b>¡± I say. ¡°There¡¯s a chance<b>¡­ </b>she still has a tether to my mind.¡± I nce at Noah. ¡°Is that possible?<b>¡± </b>


    He frowns, thinking. ¡°There could be residue. Traces.¡± He meets my eyes. ¡°But if we try to extract it, it¡¯s going to hurt.¡±


    ¡°I can handle pain<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand,¡± Noah <b>says</b>. ¡°We¡¯ll have to pull apart the boundary between what you remember and what is locked. You¡¯ll be reliving every sensation. Every fear.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Do it.<b>¡± </b>


    Xavier growls low under his breath. ¡°Envy¡­<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I need answers. No more pieces. No more half¨Cvisions or twisted memories. I need to see what she took from me.¡±


    Levi nods slowly. ¡°Not tonight, you¡¯ve been through enough. First, we eat and then we rest properly.¡±


    Levi¡¯s words hang in the <b>air</b><b>, </b>heavy and final.


    <b>Xavier </b>speaks his voice gravel. ¡°Let¡¯s run home, Maddox wants out.¡±


    The others nod. One by one, their bodies blur, me, shadow, and lightning shing through bone and <b>fur</b>. Hellhounds emerging. Lexhale slowly, grounding myself. My skin splits, but it doesn¡¯t hurt. It <b>sings</b>. Fur spreads across my limbs like smoke given form<b>. </b>My ws dig into the earth and Layah breathes with me.


    ¡°<i>We </i>needed <i>out </i><i>of </i>there<b>, </b>she murmurs, ¡°<i>That </i><i>ce </i><i>was </i><b><i>poison</i></b>.¡±


    ¡°It still is¡°, I reply, ears flicking back as the others fall into formation beside me, ¡°And we¡¯ll <i>have </i>to go <i>back</i>.¡±


    <i>¡°</i><i>I </i><i>know</i>.¡± She huffs. We run. The wind rushes <b>past</b><b>, </b>carrying <b>the </b>scents of moss and ash<b>, </b>of old blood and distant me. The forest peels away around <b>us</b>, parting like it knows not to stand in our way. The trees groan under the <b>weight </b>of our presence but inside me, the storm churns. <i>He </i>said <i>I </i>was a <i>weapon</i>, I think.


    <i>¡°</i>Because <i>that¡¯s </i>all <i>he </i>could see, Layal answers. ¡°They <i>always </i><i>fear </i>what they don¡¯t understand. So they name it. Cage it. Twist it until it fits their vision of control<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°And <i>I </i>let them.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>You were a child<b><i>¡°</i></b><b><i>, </i></b>she growls. ¡°Now you <i>are </i>not.¡±


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    D


    1:02 PM P <b>P </b>


    ¡°Do you <i>think </i><i>he¡¯s </i><i>right</i><i>?</i><b><i>¡± </i></b>I ask.


    Layah is quiet for a moment.


    ¡°I <i>think </i><i>power </i><i>like </i><i>ours </i><i>was </i><i>never </i>meant to <i>be </i>tamed <i>and </i><i>we </i>will do great things.<b>¡± </b>


    <i>¡°</i><i>Are </i><i>we </i><i>dangerous</i><i>? </i>A <i>risk</i><i>?</i><i>¡± </i>


    <i>¡°</i><i>Everything </i>is. <i>But </i><i>you </i><i>don¡¯t </i><i>be </i><i>dangerous </i><i>when </i>you <i>mark </i>them, <i>Evelina</i>. <i>You </i><i>already </i><i>are</i>. <i>You </i><i>just </i>haven¡¯t <i>stopped </i><i>apologizing </i><i>for </i>it.


    That hits harder than I expected. I don¡¯t answer. The moon rises higher above the treeline, painting the canopy in crimson light. The others are close, Xavier ahead, always watching; Levi steady to my left; Haiden a blur of fire and grace behind me; Noah running at my side, silent but present.


    ¡°<i>You </i><i>think </i><i>they¡¯ll </i><i>still </i>want me <i>when </i>shit <i>hits the </i><i>fan</i>?¡± I ask quietly.


    Layah¡¯s voice is a low, rumblingugh. <i>¡°</i><i>They </i><i>already </i><i>know </i><i>enough</i><i>. </i><i>And </i><i>they¡¯re </i>still <i>here</i>. <i>Running </i><i>beside </i><i>you</i><i>. </i><i>Ready </i>to <i>fight </i>gods <i>for </i><i>you</i><i>.</i>¡±


    I look ahead. The trees are thinning. Beyond them, the outer ridge of the Red Moon Pack glows like the breath of a hearth fire, warm<b>, </b>steady, waiting. Home.


    ¡°I <i>hope </i>so,¡± I whisper.


    We break the tree line and cross the warding stones<b>, </b>paws hitting soft earth as the packhouse looms in the distance.


    The run slows. mes retreat. <b>Fur </b>recedes. One by one, we shift back<b>, </b>bare feet on dewy grass, lungs heaving, hearts pounding with something more than exhaustion.


    The Red Moon packhouse greets us with warmth and silence<b>. </b>No questions. No judgment. Inside, the lights are low. Food waits on the long table, stew still warm, bread freshly torn, fruit and salt and honeyed tea. The quiet kind of offering that says we see <i>you </i>without demanding anything in


    return.


    Haiden presses a cup into my hands and nudges me toward the armchair near the fire. ¡°Sit. Before you fall over.<b>¡± </b>


    <b>I </b>sit. The fire crackles<b>. </b>My legs feel like they¡¯ve been hollowed out and filled with ash. The others move around me in quiet choreography, Xavier near the door, pacing like he doesn¡¯t trustfort. Noah, with his head leaned back, eyes closed<b>, </b>processing the shit show<b>. </b>Haiden returns with more food. Levi disappears into the kitchen for <b>tea</b><b>, </b>probably adding something calming to it and me? I just breathe.


    <b><i>¡°</i></b><i>Layah</i><i>?</i><b>¡± </b>I whisper inside.


    <b><i>¡°</i></b><i>Still </i><i>here</i><i>¡°</i>, she murmurs<b>. </b>


    <i>¡°</i><i>I </i><b><i>feel </i></b><i>like </i>I¡¯m <i>cracking</i>.¡±


    <i>¡°</i><i>Good</i><b>. </b>Let it <i>crack</i><i>. </i><i>You¡¯re </i>not <b><i>made </i></b><i>of </i><i>ss</i><b><i>. </i></b><i>You¡¯re </i><i>made </i><i>of </i><i>fire </i><i>and </i>stone and fury. <i>Let </i>it <i>break </i>where it needs to. <i>We¡¯ll </i><i>still </i>be <i>here</i>.¡±


    I close my <b>eyes</b>. The cup warms my palms. The fire warms my soul,


    Levi returns and presses a different mug into my hands. ¡°Drink all of it.¡±


    I don¡¯t ask what¡¯s in it. I trust him. I <b>sip </b>slowly. Bitter<b>, </b>earthy herbs hum faintly at the back of my tongue. After <b>a </b>while, the silence shifts. Not heavier. Not lighter. Just more alive.


    ¡°I hate this,¡± Noah says finally<b>, </b>eyes still closed.


    We all Took at him<b>. </b>


    hate that this feels normal now. Breaking into your own memories like we¡¯re criminals. I hate that she <b>has </b><b>to </b>prove what was done to her.¡±


    He doesn¡¯t look at me when he <b>says </b>it, but I know <b>he </b>means me.


    ¡°I hate it too,¡± I <b>say </b>quietly.


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 Underworld 76

    <b>Chapter </b><b>76 </b>


    The sun hasn¡¯t risen yet<b>. </b>The world is quiet when I wake, still, soft<b>, </b>heavy with the kind of silence thates after a storm<b>. </b>For a moment, I don¡¯t move. My body aches. Not in the usual way, not in the after¨Ca¨Cfight way. It¡¯s a deeper kind of soreness, like my bones have been hollowed out and stitched together again with fire. I sit up slowly. Someone¡¯s thrown a nket over me, and there¡¯s a weight at my feet<b>. </b>Noah<b>,</b>¡® sprawled out like a feral dog who refused to leave his post. His brows are furrowed even in sleep. I rise carefully, stretching. My legs protest. My ribs ache. But I¡¯m whole. I¡¯m breathing.


    Layah stirs inside me.


    You <i>ready </i>for <i>this</i><i>?</i><b>¡± </b>


    <i>¡°</i><i>No</i>¡±


    ¡°<i>Good</i><i>. </i>That <i>means </i>you <i>know </i>it <i>matters</i>.¡±


    The packhouse is quiet when I step into the hall. But the bond tugs toward the kitchen, warmth and magic and calmness thrumming like a distant heartbeat.


    Levi¡¯s already there<b>, </b>sleeves rolled, herbs spread across the counter like an apothecary¡¯s altar.


    <b>¡°</b>You should still be resting,¡± he says, without looking up.


    ¡°I did,¡± I reply, voice rough. ¡°Now I¡¯m ready.¡°.


    Levi finally meets my eyes. He nods<b>, </b>slowly, like he knew this wasing before I said anything. ¡°I¡¯ve prepared what I need. Noah will anchor your mind. I¡¯ll work through the locks in there<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    He hesitates. ¡°It¡¯s not going to be nice<b>¡­</b>¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need gentle. <b>I </b>need the truth<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Footsteps approach behind me. Noah. Shirtless and barely awake.


    ¡°Luna,<i>¡± </i>he <b>says </b>softly. ¡°You sure<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°No,¡± <b>I </b>admit. <b>¡°</b><b>But </b>I¡¯m doing it anyway.


    We clear out the center room in the old library, thick stone walls, magic¨Cheavy air, windows sealed tight against the outside world. Levi draws sigils in salt and soot <b>on </b>the floor. Noah ces a single obsidian mirror at <b>the </b>north end. I sit in the center<b>, </b>cross¨Clegged, with a thin ring <b>of </b>blood around me. Mine<b>, </b>


    My mates line the room. Haiden crouched, staring intently. Noah leans against the wall, eyes narrowed, ready to rip the <b>world </b>apart if something goes wrong. Xavier watches from the far side<b>, </b><b>still </b>and cold like <b>a </b>de in shadow.


    Noah moves to kneel behind me<b>, </b>palms gently resting on my shoulders. His voice is a balm, ¡°You¡¯ll feel <b>the </b>memory break first. Then it¡¯ll pour through you. Let it. I¡¯ll hold you together.¡±


    Levi stands before me. <b>¡°</b>Ready?¡±


    ¡°Do it.¡±


    His hands hover over my head like he does when he¡¯s entering someone¡¯s mind. Magic hums around him with intent as he hums lowly in thought. Then the paines, Not sharp, not sudden. It builds pressure behind my eyes<b>, </b>a twisting at the edge of my mind. Like ws scraping at the seal of a locked door¡­and then <b>the </b>door cracks. I fall inward. Into her. Into me. Into <i>before</i><i>. </i>


    <b>Memory </b>


    I¡¯m in a stone room, <i>Shackled</i>. <i>Cold</i>, <i>Blood </i>on <i>the </i>floor, not mine<i>. </i>Marcus stands above <i>her</i>. Salira chants beside him, her eyes <i>wild </i>with magic,


    ¡°<i>You </i><i>will </i>not remember<b><i>,</i></b><b>¡± </b><i>she </i><i>whispers</i>, magicshing out like threads. ¡°You are too dangerous. We will make you sleep<b><i>.</i></b>¡±


    ¡°No, no, please!¡± <b>I </b>sob.


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    <b>Chapter </b>76


    ¡°<i>She </i>will <i>destroy </i><i>everything</i>,<i>¡± </i><i>Salira </i><b><i>says</i></b><b>. </b><i>¡°</i><i>She¡¯s </i><i>too </i>much<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°<i>That¡¯s </i><i>the </i><i>point</i><i>,</i><i>¡± </i><i>Marcus </i><i>snaps</i>. ¡°We control <i>her</i>; <i>the </i><i>world </i>is ours<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b><i>I </i></b><i>scream </i>as <i>the </i><i>spell </i>strikes me. <i>My </i>magic <i>tries </i>to fight <i>back</i><i>, </i><i>light </i><i>explodes </i><i>from </i>me, blinding, <i>furious</i>, holy. <i>I </i><i>shriek </i><i>in </i>rage, <i>but </i>it¡¯s not <i>enough</i>.


    10


    <i>Felix</i>, <i>he¡¯s </i><i>in </i><b><i>the </i></b>doorway<i>. </i><i>Watching</i><i>. </i><i>Silently</i><i>. </i><i>Face </i><i>pale</i>. <i>He </i>turns away<i>. </i>He lets <i>it </i><i>happen</i>.


    <b>Back </b><b>in </b>the present.


    I scream. My body arches. My hands w at the salt line. Noah holds me tighter, whispering sweet nothings. Levi is humming again<b>, </b>louder now. Blood drips from my nose, my eyes, a thin stream down my chin, and then, it stops. I copse into Noah¡¯s arms, gasping like I¡¯ve been drowning.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Haiden breathes.


    Noah¡¯s at my side in seconds<b>, </b>brushing hair from my face. ¡°What did you see?¡±


    I shake my head<b>. </b>¡°Not yet,¡± I whisper. ¡°Not yet. Just¡­ give me a second.¡±


    Xavier watches <b>me</b><b>, </b>jaw locked. ¡°Was it him? Marcus<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    I nod once. Then I open my mouth and sob, because the worst part wasn¡¯t Marcus. It wasn¡¯t even Salira. It was Felix. Standing there. Turning away. He knew<b>. </b>He always knew.


    <b>¡°</b>I¡¯m not done,<b>¡± </b><b>I </b>rasp.


    Levi blinks<b>, </b>sweat on his brow. ¡°Doll, your nose is bleeding, your magic¡¯s fraying at the edges. You need to rest.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± My voice shakes, but the fire behind it doesn¡¯t. ¡°There¡¯s more. I felt it. That wasn¡¯t everything.¡±


    Noah holds me tighter from behind, grounding me. ¡°She¡¯s right<b>. </b>The lock broke, but there are more doors inside. Someone buried her under <byers</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Levi hesitates. <b>¡°</b>If we go deeper, there¡¯s no way to know if we go too far. We could awaken something that shouldn¡¯t be touched.¡±


    ¡°Then let it wake<i>.</i><b><i>¡± </i></b>I lift my gaze to his. ¡°<b>I </b>need all of it. Every stolen second. Every lie<b>. </b>Every piece of what I lost<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    There¡¯s a moment of silence.


    Then Levi kneels before me again. ¡°Hold on<b>, </b><b>then</b><b>. </b>And if you <b>feel </b>yourself slipping,e back to us.¡±


    This time, the magic doesn¡¯t crack; <b>it </b>shatters. Like a mirror dropped from a <b>great </b>height


    Memory<b>. </b>


    A <i>flicker</i>. A <i>sh</i>. Screams in <i>the </i><i>dark</i>. A <i>ritual </i><i>circle</i>. <i>Me </i><i>at fifteen </i>on my knees<b><i>, </i></b><i>power </i><i>wing </i>at my <i>throat</i><i>, </i><i>bleeding </i>from the <i>eyes </i><i>as </i><i>Marcus </i><i>watches</i>, <i>fascinated</i>.


    Marcus: ¡°<b>It¡¯s </b><i>working</i>! Her <i>magic </i>is <i>seeping </i><i>out</i><i>; </i><i>we </i>can use <i>it</i><i>! </i>Channel <i>It</i><i>! </i><i>Weild </i><i>it</i><i>!</i>¡±


    <i>Salira </i>looked uneasy at <i>me</i><b><i>, </i></b>wincing <i>in </i><i>pain</i>. <b>¡°</b>It¡¯s notplete, not <i>yet</i>¡­We¡¯re missing something.¡±


    <i>Marcus</i>: ¡°<i>I </i><i>want </i><b><i>that </i></b>gate <i>unlocked</i><i>, </i>witch. <i>Make </i><i>it </i><i>happen</i><i>!</i><i>¡± </i>


    <i>Another </i><i>flicker. </i><i>Felix </i><i>is </i>in a corridor<i>, </i><i>whispering </i>to someone in the <i>shadows</i>.


    <i>Felix</i><i>: </i><i>¡°</i><i>She </i><i>can¡¯t </i>know <i>what </i>she is. <b>If </b><i>the </i><i>others </i><i>find </i>out<i>¡­</i><b>if </b><i>the </i>prophecy <i>is </i><i>real</i>¡­¡±


    <i>Shadow </i><i>voice</i><i>: </i>¡°<i>You </i><i>fear </i><i>her</i><i>?</i>¡±


    <i>Felix</i><i>: </i><b>¡°</b><b>I </b><i>fear </i><i>what </i><i>Marcus </i><i>will </i><i>do </i>with <i>her</i>. <i>What </i><b><i>he </i></b><i>will </i>do to the world.¡±


    Another flicker. A <b>cage </b>made <b>of </b>silver and bone. I¡¯m <b>ten </b>years old, vomiting blood.


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    1:02 PM p <b>p </b>


    Marcus<b>: </b>¡°When she breaks, she¡¯ll tear the veil between realms. We just have to control the copse.¡±


    Salira: We¡¯re taking this too far. This wasn¡¯t what we agreed upon<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Marcus<b>: </b>¡°She¡¯s a key. My key and I¡¯ll use it however I want.¡±


    <b>Back </b><b>to </b><b>the </b><b>present</b><b>. </b>


    <b>I </b><b>scream </b>again, but this time, it¡¯s not fear. It¡¯s fury. Magic explodes outward from my chest<b>, </b>cracking the salt lines, blowing candles to smoke. The walls tremble. Lightning races across the floor.


    <b>Xavier </b>snarls and lunges forward to anchor the warding again. ¡°Levi, she¡¯s destabilizing<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°She¡¯s venting,¡± Noah says<b>, </b>voice quiet but sure. ¡°Let her.<b>¡± </b>


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>


    6

 Underworld 77

    <b>Chapter </b><b>77 </b>


    I¡¯m pulled back, hard and sudden<b>, </b>into another memory.


    stars<b>. </b>


    !!


    ????????


    <i>The </i>stone <i>chamber </i>under <i>the </i><i>packhouse</i>. <i>The </i><i>ancient </i><i>door</i>. <i>Marcus</i>. <i>Salira</i><i>. </i><i>Felix</i>. <i>A </i>circle of <i>children</i><i>, </i><i>small </i><i>and </i><i>terrified</i><i>, </i><i>their </i>eyes <i>glowing </i>like caged


    Marcus¡¯s voice <i>echoes</i>, <i>sharp </i>and <i>final</i><i>: </i><i>¡°</i><i>I </i><i>just </i><b><i>need </i></b><i>one </i><i>more </i><i>child </i><b>to </b><i>tether </i><i>the </i><b><i>spell </i></b><b>to</b>. <i>To </i>give me the control <i>I </i><i>need</i><b>.</b>¡±


    <i>Then </i><i>he </i><i>turns</i><i>. </i>He looks <i>at </i>me<i>. </i>


    <b>¡°</b><b><i>You </i></b><i>were </i><i>made </i><i>for </i>more <i>than </i><i>this </i><i>world</i><i>. </i><i>And </i><i>I </i><i>will </i><i>make </i><i>you </i><i>into </i><i>what </i><i>the </i><i>world </i><i>needs</i><i>.</i><b>¡± </b>


    I <b>see </b>it now, clearer than ever. I wasn¡¯t just a weapon. I was a ritual shaped like a girl. A walking seal. A ticking spell meant to split the world wide open so Marcus could rebuild it in his own image. The final break of my mindes with my scream. My back arches, my body bowing against itself, and then my magic erupts. Notshing outward<b>, </b>rising. A tower of ck¨Cgold light, blinding<b>, </b>consuming. My wings <b>rip </b>free, hidden all this time<b>, </b>unfurling in fire¨Crimmed shadow. The force shakes the room. The floor splits. Everyone shields their eyes, but no one dares move. And thenes the separation. Layah peels out of me, molten fur and flesh solidifying beside me. She stands, towering, her presence a mirror of mine.


    About <i>fucking </i><i>time</i><b>,</b><b>¡± </b>she murmurs in my head, stretching long, dangerous limbs.


    ¡°Holy shit,¡± I whisper aloud<b>, </b>reaching out to run my hand through her hot, living fur.


    <b><i>¡°</i></b><i>Look </i><i>who </i><i>just </i><i>unlocked </i><i>her </i><i>Goddess</i><i>¨C</i><i>given </i><i>powers</i><b><i>.</i></b>¡± Her smirk is pure satisfaction.


    I fall into Noah¡¯s arms<b>, </b>shaking, my throat raw, my skin burning like I¡¯ve been seared from the inside out. The room <b>is </b>in ruins.


    Xavier drops to his knees beside me, his voice rough. ¡°What did he want from you<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    I look at all of them, my chest heaving. ¡°Everything. My blood. My magic<b>. </b>My soul.¡±


    Noah¡¯s arms tighten around me. ¡°To do what?¡±


    I drop my <b>eyes </b>to the cracked floor. ¡°To remake the world through me. Just like Zion warned. He means to tear down the veil between realms<b>. </b>He wants to open the floodgates <b>and </b>hold the <b>reins</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Layah curls against me<b>, </b>molten warmth at my <b>side</b><b>. </b>The others don¡¯t look <b>at </b>her with fear but something closer to awe.


    <b>Xavier </b>drags a hand over his <b>face</b><b>. </b>¡°We¡¯ve been <b>preparing </b>for war<b>,</b>¡± he mutters. But this¡­ <b>this </b>is beyond war.<b>¡± </b>


    Haiden¡¯s voice is low, sharp. ¡°A god in chains. And Marcus wants to break the lock.¡±


    I force the words past <b>the </b>lump <b>in </b>my throat. ¡°Not just me<b>. </b>There were children. Others<b>. </b>I <b>saw </b>them<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Noah¡¯s head snaps toward me. ¡°Children<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°In the chamber<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>I say. ¡°They were part of it. I <b>was </b>the focal point, but he needed another soul to tether the spell. If they¡¯re alive¡­¡±


    Levi¡¯s face darkens, his voice iron. ¡°If they¡¯re alive, we¡¯ll find them before anyone else does.¡±


    Layah lifts her head, golden eyes burning. ¡°Marcus <i>would¡¯ve </i><i>cloaked </i>them the way <i>he </i>cloaked you. You won¡¯t <i>track </i>them by ordinary means.¡±


    I nod, meeting her gaze. ¡°Then we¡¯ll need help.¡±


    Levi straightens, his tone calm but weighted, ¡°Already arranged<b>.</b>¡±


    The room stills. Everyone looks <b>at </b>him.


    I reached out to Envy¡¯s brothers. They know what <b>we¡¯ve </b>learned. They want us toe to them.<b>¡± </b>


    Xavier¡¯s jaw hardens. ¡°Come where?¡±


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    1:02 PM <b>P </b>


    Levi¡¯s answernds like a stone. ¡°To their mother.<b>¡± </b>


    The breath catches in my chest. ¡°<b>¡­</b>Elira?¡±


    He nods once. ¡°She¡¯s been informed. She believes she can help<b>.</b>¡±


    The silence that follows is heavy, thick. Layah¡¯s golden gaze shifts back to me


    steady, unflinching.


    <b>Later</b><b>, </b>as we prepare for the portal, I stand on the balcony of the Red Moon packhouse, Layah curled at my feet, the others inside gathering supplies.


    Layah lifts her head. ¡°You <i>shouldn¡¯t </i>be <i>afraid</i><i>, </i><i>you </i>know.¡±


    I crouch beside her, burying my fingers in her thick fur. ¡°Do you think she¡¯ll recognize me<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°She¡¯ll <i>feel </i><i>you</i><i>,</i><i>¡± </i>Layah says. <i>¡°</i><i>Same </i>blood. <i>Same </i>storm. Of <i>course</i><i>, </i><i>she¡¯ll </i>recognize <i>you</i><b><i>.</i></b><i>¡± </i>


    I swallow hard.


    Noah finds me first. He doesn¡¯t speak right away<b>, </b>just steps in close and rests his forehead against mine. His hands find my hips, grounding me


    ike he always does. He brushes his lips across my temple. <b>¡°</b>I¡¯ll love every version <b>of </b>you. Even the broken ones.<b>¡± </b>


    I pull back just enough to look at him. <b>¡°</b>I¡¯m not broken<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    His mouth quirks. <b>¡°</b>Damn right you¡¯re not.¡±


    We smile, just for a breath. Then he steps aside, and Haiden moves in. He doesn¡¯t touch me at first. Just studies me like I¡¯m something sacred. Like he¡¯s trying to memorize me before everything changes. His gaze flicks to Layah at my side, separate from me now, molten eyes sharp and alive.


    ¡°Gods,¡± he mutters<b>, </b>breathless. ¡°You two. That¡¯s¡­ incredible. I didn¡¯t even think it was possible. Talen is losing his mind.¡± <b>He </b>chuckles.


    Layah tilts her head, amused. She prowls a half¨Cstep closer and deliberately flicks her molten tail along his leg, slow, teasing. Haiden¡¯s mouth parts in surprise, then <b>he </b>huffs augh. ¡°Oh yeah,<b>¡± </b>he says<b>, </b>shaking his head. ¡°He¡¯s definitely going to love you.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>You¡¯ll <i>have </i>to earn <i>it</i><b><i>,</i></b><b><i>¡± </i></b>Layah replies, her voice like warm fire in all our heads.


    Haiden grins, then turns back to me, brushing <b>a </b>knuckle down my cheek. ¡°I¡¯ve never <b>seen </b>anything like what you did,¡± he says softly. ¡°And I¡¯ve walked through actual hell, but you¡­¡± <b>He </b>leans closer, eyes still locked <b>on </b>mine<b>. </b>¡°You¡¯re the <b>first </b>thing that¡¯s ever made me believe the old prophecies were wrong. That maybe gods weren¡¯t meant to <b>be </b>feared.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a god<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>I whisper.


    ¡°You¡¯re something more dangerous<b>,</b>¡± he <b>replies</b><b>. </b>¡°My Queen<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Queens.¡± Layah corrects.


    <b>He </b>presses his lips to my <b>forehead</b><b>, </b>gentle, reverent. ¡°We follow you. Whateveres next.¡±


    When he steps back, Xavier¡¯s already waiting. <b>He </b>doesn¡¯t ask permission. <b>He </b>just pulls me into his chest and holds me there, tight enough <b>I </b>can <b>feel </b>the edge of his fear, then <b>he </b>kisses me.


    It¡¯s not soft. It¡¯s not careful. It¡¯s a im<b>, </b>a promise<b>, </b>and a prayer all <b>wrapped </b>in heat. When he pulls away, the air feels charged. Levi lingersst, his sharp eyes taking in me and Layah both, like he¡¯s cataloguing us, testing the boundaries of what this means<b>. </b>¡°You¡¯re going to change the world, doll,¡± he murmurs. ¡°And I¡¯m going to be right here with you.¡±


    The others <b>are </b>watching now, ready. <b>Layah </b>pads to my side<b>, </b>molten gaze steady.


    <i>We¡¯re </i>ready,<i>¡± </i>she says.


    nod, straightening my spine, the <b>ache </b>of change still burning in me but tempered with strength. ¡°Then let¡¯s go meet the woman who started all


    this.


    Do

 Underworld 78

    <b>Chapter </b><b>78 </b>


    C


    Magic coils around my fingertips, ck¨Cgold and pulsing like a second heartbeat. The air before me hums <b>as </b>I reach out, the weave of reality trembling beneath my touch. Behind me, the others wait in taut silence. Layah sits at my heels, tail flickingzily, but her eyes gleam with something ancient and electric.


    ¡°Focus <i>on </i><i>Mchi</i><i>,</i>¡± she says softly. <i>¡°</i><i>You </i><i>know </i><i>his </i>signature now. <i>Let </i>it guide you.<b>¡± </b>


    I nod. I do know it, storm¨Cforged, sharp, steady. The anchor I need. I reach for that thread and let my power crack open the portal.


    The portal shimmers into existence with a low whine, edges flickering like lightning caught in ink.


    ¡°You sure about this?¡± Xavier asks.


    ¡°No,¡± I say. ¡°But I¡¯m going anyway.¡± And with that, I step through¡­straight into a veryrge, very opulent bathroom. Steam curls in the air. There¡¯s music ying faintly from a speaker tucked into the corner. And in the center of it all stands Mchi. Dripping wet. Wearing only towel. We all freeze. He freezes. There¡¯s a tense beat as water drips from his hair onto the marble floor.


    ¡°I swear Levi said ten more minutes,¡± he mutters, looking skyward like he¡¯s questioning every life decision that brought him to this moment.


    Noah coughs beside me<b>, </b>clearly trying not tough. Haiden doesn¡¯t even bother; his shoulders shake, his hand mped over his mouth.


    Layah, naturally<b>, </b>looks regal and unbothered as ever. <i>¡°</i><i>Nice </i><i>tiles</i><b><i>,</i></b>¡± shements.


    ¡°I am going to throw Levi back into a portal next time he visits,¡± Mchi growls, grabbing a second towel and wrapping it around his shoulders as he storms toward the door. <b>¡°</b>Come on. Since you¡¯re here, you may <b>as </b>well meet her. Just try not to traumatize anyone else on the way out.¡±


    We follow him out, me<b>, </b>four mates<b>, </b>my hellhound, all trailing calmly from a steaming bathroom like this is the most natural thing in the world. Waiting just outside the bathroom are Arztec and Julius.


    Arztec gives <b>us </b>a single raised eyebrow. ¡°Really?<b>¡± </b>


    Julius smirks. ¡°Was this a dramatic entrance or just a bad sense of direction?¡±


    ¡°She opened the portal,¡± Mchi snaps, gesturing to me.


    ¡°She¡¯s still new to this<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>I mutter.


    ¡°Clearly,¡± Arztec <b>deadpans</b>!


    I roll my <b>eyes </b><b>as </b>we fall into step with them.


    The castle is an ancient, elemental ce carved into the mountain itself. Veins of amber glow faintly in the walls, pulsing with steady, grounded magic<b>. </b>Everything smells of <b>stone</b><b>, </b>fire, and old power. <b>Massive </b>windows frame jagged mountain peaks outside, and thick rugs bear the sigils of long¨Cforgotten houses, Magic hangs in the air like mist<b>, </b>ancient and humming. We walk in near silence, the tension mounting with each step. At the end of the hall, two obsidian doors wait, nked by twin wolf statues, one carved <b>of </b><b>silver</b>, the other of iron. Mchi stops in front of them.


    ¡°She¡¯s inside,¡± he says quietly. ¡°Elira¡­mum¡±


    My throat tightens<b>. </b>


    ¡°She knows you¡¯reing,¡± Julius adds<b>, </b>unusually gentle.


    Layah brushes against my leg. ¡°<i>Ready</i><i>?</i>¡±


    ¡°No,<b>¡± </b>I whisper. ¡°But I¡¯m going anyway.¡±


    I step forward. The doors swing open without a sound. Warm golden light spills out, washing over me like sunlight after a storm. The room beyond is nothing like I expected, not <b>regal </b>or cold or carved from stone like the rest of the castle. It¡¯s a sanctuary. Vines creep up <b>the </b>walls, blooming with flowers that glow faintly, petals shifting from silver to violet. A wide firece burns low in the corner, firelight dancing over shelves filled with ancient scrolls, weathered tomes, and jars of dried herbs. The scent is rich and heady,vender, smoke, wild honey, and something older<b>¡­ </b><b>and </b>in the center of it <b>all </b>sits a woman. She rises as I step in. She is taller than I imagined, wrapped in soft midnight robes that shimmer like oil on water. Her hair is ck with streaks of gold. Her eyes, when they meet mine, steal the breath from my chest, mirror


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    reflections of my own<b>, </b>but older, stormier, worn by time and <b>loss</b><b>. </b>


    ¡°Mum,<b>¡± </b>I breathe.


    <b>A </b>long silence stretches between us. Then she steps forward, <b>slowly</b><b>, </b>like I¡¯m a creature that might bolt. Like she¡¯s afraid I¡¯ll vanish.


    <b>¡°</b>You look just like I imagined,<b>¡± </b>she says, voice soft, cracking at the edges. ¡°But you feel like so much more.<b>¡± </b>


    I don¡¯t know what to <b>say</b>. I didn¡¯t expect the grief in her eyes. The raw ache in every line of her face.


    ¡°I thought maybe you¡¯d died. That you didn¡¯t want me<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>I whisper more to myself.


    <b>Her </b>breath catches, and she closes the space between us. She stops inches away, trembling.


    ¡°I wanted you,¡± she says<b>, </b>voice trembling now, too. ¡°I wanted you every day. But the witches took you before <b>I </b>could hold you. I screamed your name before I even knew what it was. I begged the gods, the old ones, the monsters, anyone, just to see you again<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    She reaches up, slowly, carefully. <b>¡°</b>May <b>I</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    My nod is barely a breath, but it¡¯s enough. Her hand touches my cheek, and I swear the bond between us weeps. Her thumb brushes beneath my eye. She stares like she¡¯s trying to memorize the face she never got to raise.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know who <i>I </i>was for a long time,¡± I murmur. ¡°They cloaked me. Hid me from myself<b>. </b>I grew up thinking I was broken. Wrong. Dangerous<b>. </b>


    Alone.¡±


    ¡°You were powerful,¡± she says. ¡°And they feared that. They wanted to use that.¡±


    ¡°They did use me,¡± <b>I </b>say. ¡°He made me a spell. They¡¯re going to try to tear down the world and rebuild it for themselves<b>, </b>using me<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    She nods, tears slipping down her cheeks now. ¡°I know¡­ I should have burned it all down to find you. I didn¡¯t. I was a coward.¡±


    ¡°No,<i>¡± </i><b>I </b>say. ¡°You were hurting. That¡¯s not cowardice.¡±


    She smiles<b>, </b>shaky, small, but <b>real</b><b>. </b>¡°You are <b>so </b>much more than I dreamed. You¡¯re ethereal.¡±


    Layah huffs from her ce at the door. <i>¡°</i><i>She </i><i>gets </i><i>that </i>from me.¡±


    Iugh, just <b>a </b>little, broken at the edges and Mum does too. ¡°<b>I </b><b>see </b>you got a rare gift.¡± She looks over Layah, already making the connection between <b>us</b><b>. </b>


    I don¡¯t know who moves first. Maybe we both do. But suddenly we¡¯re there, in each other¡¯s arms, and I¡¯m not a goddess or a weapon or a <b>spell</b>¡­I¡¯m a daughter and <b>she¡¯s </b>not a queen or a legend or a memory<b>, </b>she¡¯s a mother¡­my mother. For a long, long moment, we just hold each other. She presses her lips to my temple. ¡°I love you, I never stopped<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I know,¡± I whisper<b>. </b>


    And in the soft warmth of that room, with the fire glowing and my mates outside and <b>Layah </b>standing with me, the ache of all those lost years begins to knit itself into something <b>new</b>, not whole but healing,


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 Underworld 80

    <b>Chapter </b><b>80 </b>


    The room is drenched in soft<b>, </b>golden light. A firece burns low, its mes crackling gently. Everything here feels enchanted, old but warm, as if <b>the </b>mountain itself is watching over us. There¡¯s a hush as the door closes behind us. Layah bristles beside me before she materializes back into me, resting for the night as one again.


    We stand there for a moment, just breathing. Xavier moves first<b>, </b>shrugging off <b>his </b>coat and setting it on a carved bench near the wall. His sharp <b>eyes </b><b>sweep </b>the space, always scanning, always protecting, even now. Haiden copses backward onto the massive bed with a groan, arms flung wide. Levi wanders the room, fingers brushing across the ancient vines that curl along the wall, already murmuring about the runes etched into the stone. And Noah¡­ Noah watches me. He doesn¡¯t say anything<b>, </b>but the way his gaze touches me makes my skin prickle.


    <b>I </b>walk slowly toward the center of the room, toeing off my boots. The firelight kisses my skin, and the heaviness in my chest blooms outward. I thought seeing my mother again would settle something in me. Maybe it did. But there¡¯s something else wing beneath my skin now, this ache, this need to feel<b>¡­ </b>something real. Something grounding. Something mine.


    ¡°I need you tonight,¡± I say, voice quiet, but it cuts through the room like a de. Four heads turn. Four pairs of eyes lock onto me.


    ¡°All of you,¡± I add, stepping backward until my knees brush the bed. ¡°I need to feel¡­something that isn¡¯t pain or rage or memory. I need to <b>feel </b>you.¡±


    For a heartbeat, no one moves. Then Levi¡¯s shirt is off. Haiden¡¯s boots hit the floor. Xavier¡¯s jaw ticks, his movements deliberate and smooth <b>as </b>he <b>peels </b>off hisyers, Noah walks to me, slow, careful, reverent, and <b>cups </b>my cheek in one warm hand.


    ¡°You have <b>us</b><b>,</b><b>¡± </b>he murmurs. ¡°Every piece.¡± Then they¡¯re surrounding me.


    Noah guides me gently down onto the bed like I¡¯m something precious, and then lies over me like he¡¯s trying to be a <b>second </b>skin<b>. </b>Hands everywhere. Mouths everywhere. No sharpness, no rush, just heat, slow and consuming. Haiden sucks a bruise into the inside of my thigh, groaning softly when I arch into him. Levi¡¯sugh is breathless as he bites at my shoulder. Xavier¡¯s fingers are inside me before I realize I¡¯m begging for thern, his other hand wrapped tightly around mine, anchoring me. Noah takes his time with my mouth, kissing me like there¡¯s nothing else in the world worth touching. They speak in murmurs. My name. Praise. Filthy promises. Worship.


    I¡¯m flipped onto my stomach and my hips are pulled backwards, rough and firm but needing and desperate, Noah. His hands grip my waist, holding me steady as he thrusts into me from behind with a groan like it¡¯s <b>been </b>days since he touched mest. The stretch is perfect<b>, </b>raw, and consuming. His pace <b>is </b>steady but deep, like he¡¯s trying to stake a im on my very soul. His mouth finds the back of my neck, biting softly as he. moves inside me, murmuring broken things like <b><i>so </i></b>good<b><i>, </i></b>so <i>mine</i><b>, </b><i>you¡¯re </i><i>everything</i>. Beneath me, Haiden<b>, </b>sliding between my thighs. He kisses the swell of <b>my </b>breasts, his lips hot against my skin. Then he drags his tongue over one nipple, then the other<b>, </b>suckling gently, reverently. His cock rubs against my folds, slick with both of <b>us</b>, teasing me with every shift of his hips. Levi kneels at my side, utterly unbothered by the chaos of limbs and heat. His hand is firm beneath my chin as he turns my head toward him<b>. </b>His body is bare now<b>, </b><b>every </b>hard line <b>of </b>muscle and strength on disy. His cock <b>stands </b>thick and ready, <b>so </b>close I can taste¨C<b>him </b>in the air.


    <b>¡°</b>Open,<b>¡± </b>he says, voice velvet andmand. <b>I </b>suck him in slowly, hollowing my cheeks, wrapping my tongue around him as his fingers bury in my hair. He moans, low and dark, as I take more of him<b>, </b>loving the way <b>he </b><b>twitches </b>against my tongue.


    Noah groans behind <b>me</b><b>, </b>thrusts growing more erratic. ¡°Fuck<b>, </b>Envy.¡± And then he shudders, pulsing inside me with a breathless <b>growl</b>. His weight copses against my <b>back </b>for a moment, <b>lips </b><b>pressed </b>to my shoulder<b>, </b>before he pulls out with a final kiss to my spine.


    Haiden wastes no time; <b>he </b>pushes into me with such passion it makes my spine arch and a <b>cry </b>tears from my throat, half pleasure, half ache. He¡¯s thicker<b>, </b>rougher, and he <b>sets </b>a faster pace<b>, </b>hands gripping my <b>hips </b>like they¡¯re the only thing keeping him grounded. Levi¡¯s cock slides deeper into my mouth, and I moan around him as Haiden pounds into me<b>. </b>The pressure, the rhythm, the need for it all builds fast and wild.


    Levi spills into my mouth with a strangled moan<b>, </b>his fingers tightening just enough in my hair to make my toes curl, I swallow him down, licking <b>my </b>lips <b>as </b>he pulls away with a shaky breath<b>, </b>brushing a kiss against my temple, Haiden isn¡¯t far behind. He groans my name like a prayer as he thrusts hard onest time<b>, </b>his release crashing into me, his forehead resting against my lower back as he pants through it.


    Xavier is quietly watching. When I lift my head to find him, he¡¯s where <b>he¡¯s </b>always been, at the edge of the <b>bed</b><b>, </b>one hand wrapped around his cock, thick and dripping, his eyes never leaving mine. He climbs onto <b>the </b>bed, kneeling between my thighs. Gently, he turns me over, cradling the back of my head in one palm like I¡¯m fragile. Like I haven¡¯t just been unraveled.


    <b>¡°</b>You okay<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>he murmurs, forehead pressed to mine,


    nod, breath hitching. ¡°I want you. I need you.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± he whispers<b>, </b>and kisses me like he means it.


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    When he enters me<b>, </b>it¡¯s slow and deliberate, his hands roaming every inch of my body like he¡¯s mapping something sacred. There¡¯s no frenzy in him. Only reverence. He holds my gaze as he moves inside me<b>, </b>the weight of him pressing me into the bed in the most delicious way. Every thrust is deep and unhurried, drawing long<b>, </b>aching moans from my lips. He murmurs things <b>I </b>barely hear: <i>beautiful</i><i>, </i><i>mine</i><i>, </i><b><i>you¡¯re </i></b><i>everything </i><i>to </i>us. His thumb strokes gentle circles across my hipbone as he picks up <b>the </b>pace slightly, just enough to make my breath catch. I break around him, trembling and gasping<b>, </b>nails digging into his back as I cry <b>out </b>his name. Xavier follows me with a groan that sounds like surrender, his body shuddering with release. <b>He </b>holds me through the aftershocks, arms wrapped tightly around me, like he¡¯s afraid I¡¯ll disappear if he lets go.


    Eventually, the others <b>curl </b>around us, warm bodies pressing close until we¡¯re a tangle of limbs and steady heartbeats. I lie in the center of it <b>all</b>, imed, worshiped, loved.


    This work, Goddess <b>of </b>the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction<b>, </b>distribution, or upload outside Novel Flow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement


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 Underworld 81

    <b>Chapter </b><b>81 </b>


    0


    The scent of roasted fruit and spiced bread pulls me from sleep. For a moment, I¡¯m still floating, weightless, tucked between warmth and breath and skin. A leg slung over mine, a hand tracing slow circles at my waist. I blink up at a carved ceiling of stars, glowing faintly with morning light. My magic feels steadier today. Clearer. As if something inside me has realigned. Noah is already awake beside me, gazing at the ceiling like he¡¯s been memorizing it. Haiden is curled half on top of me like a smug cat. Levi¡¯s hand still rests in mine. Xavier sleeps in the chair near the bed, <b>as </b>if he meant to watch over us and lost the battle with sleep.


    Layah is now sprawled out by the fire, her tail flickingzily. I slip out quietly, pressing a kiss to each of them as <b>I </b>go, before padding barefoot toward the scent of something warm and inviting. The hall opens into a great room I hadn¡¯t seenst night, vaulted ceilings<b>, </b>sunlight pouring through skylights in rainbow arcs, and a long stone table set with breakfast. Fresh fruits<b>, </b>steaming tea, honey¨Czed meats<b>, </b>cheeses<b>, </b>breads still warm.


    Mum looks up from where she¡¯s pouring tea and smiles softly. ¡°Good morning, little storm.¡±


    Before I can answer, I feel them. A shift in the air. The bond threads hum. One by one, the others filter in, my mates with sleepy eyes and rumpled hair, Layah with a smirk that says she knows something I don¡¯t, and finally, my three brothers. Mchi enters first, regal as ever, his golden eyes sweeping the room beforending on me with a soft glint of relief. Julius and Arztec follow, both tense, though they rx slightly at the sight of the food. Arztec snatches a plum off the table like a starving animal.


    ¡°Nice of you to invite us to the feast,¡± Julius grumbles.


    <b>¡°</b>You found your own way here,¡± Mum replies dryly. ¡°I didn¡¯t think I needed to roll out a red carpet, too.¡±


    Layah snorts and jumps into a seat near the middle, her paws stretched out along the table, stealing a chunk of bread.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind them, they get cranky when they¡¯re not fed.¡± Mum says.


    Noah takes the seat beside me. Xavier and Levi nk us while Haiden tucks into a te like he¡¯s never seen food before. <b>Across </b>from us, Mum


    raises <b>a </b>brow.


    ¡°We have someone joining <b>us</b><b>,</b><b>¡± </b>she <b>says</b>, just as a soft chime echoes in the air.


    The vines part like a curtain<b>, </b>and in <b>steps </b>a woman. She¡¯s old, but not frail. Tall, with hair like braided steel and <b>eyes </b>the color of storm ss. Her presence hits the room like a hush.


    Mum straightens. ¡°Mother.¡± My breath catches.


    Elira¡¯s mother. My grandmother. The woman¡¯s eyesnd on <b>me</b><b>, </b>sharp as a knife and just as knowing. ¡°So. This is the child.¡±


    Her voice is smooth as silk and rough <b>as </b>stone.


    ¡°Everyone, this is my mother, Madra. She¡¯s a witch. A very old one. And once upon a time<b>, </b>she taught Salira herself.¡± Mum¡¯s voice tightens on thest part.


    My stomach knots. ¡°Then she knows how Salira thinks.¡±


    ¡°I know how she pretends to think,¡± Madra says, sweeping forward with elegance. ¡°I also know how to track echoes in magic. That¡¯s why I¡¯m


    here.¡±


    ¡°You think you can help us find the other children?¡± <b>Xavier </b>asks carefully.


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± Saelira says. ¡°I will. As long as you¡¯re ready to face what¡¯s left behind.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?<b>¡± </b>Levi frowns.


    Madra meets my gaze. ¡°The ones who survive magic like yours, girl? They be¡­ something else.¡±


    The room falls silent. Then Layah, mouth full of honey¨Csoaked bread, says quietly in my mind, ¡°This is going to be interesting.¡±


    ¡°I thought the royal bloodline was strictly shifters,¡± Xavier says after a long silence, his brows furrowed. ¡°No witches. That¡¯s what the archives


    <b>say</b>.


    1:03 PM P P


    ¡°They say a lot of things,¡± Mum mutters. ¡°My father was a wolf, and his fated mate just so happened to be a witch<b>.</b>¡±


    Madra smirks, but there¡¯s steel behind it. ¡°They say what they were told to say. What was necessary for peace.<b>¡± </b>


    1 nce between them, heart thudding. ¡°So you¡¯ve been hiding who you are. Why<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Because thest time the world knew a wolf carried witchblood,¡± Saelira says, ¡°it sparked a war.¡±


    Elira sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. ¡°My mother married a shifter king. She bore his children. Me included. But her blood runs older, deeper, tied to a line of witches who predate the first pack bonds. When the council found out, they threatened to strip the throne<b>. </b>My father died defending it. We were told to erase her lineage. To pretend it never happened.¡±


    ¡°And so we did,¡± Madra finishes calmly, ¡°Until the world started breaking in the way I always knew it would. Your existence, little one<b>, </b>makes hiding pointless.¡±


    My stomach twists. ¡°So the magic I carry<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Is your birthright,¡± she says. ¡°Through both lines. Goddess blessed, and witch magic¡±


    Layah leans back<b>, </b>grinning. ¡°Oh, <i>this </i><i>just </i><i>gets </i><i>better </i>and <i>better</i>.¡±


    Haiden whistles. ¡°I mean, who hasn¡¯t lied about their bloodline to survive, right?¡±


    Madra stands, brushing crumbs from her dark robe. ¡°Enough breakfast. I want to see what this divine storm of ours can actually do.¡±


    My brows lift. ¡°Right now?<b>¡± </b>


    She nods once. ¡°Right now, Show me what Marcus tried to cage<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    The training ground is a wide clearing just beyond the living grove, ringed in ancient standing stones. Each is etched with runes older than anynguage I know, and the air inside the circle is thick with magic, ready, waiting, watching. Madra walks to the <b>center </b>and draws a line in the dirt with the tip of her staff. ¡°Cross the line, Envy. Show me what you are.¡±


    My mates hang back at the edge of the stones, tense but silent. Layah lounges nearby with her chin on her paw, watching intently. Mum says nothing, but her hands are clenched behind her back. I step forward. The moment I cross the line, the air shifts, <b>denser</b><b>, </b>colder. Madra lifts one hand, and the world answers. Wind howls. The ground trembles beneath my <b>feet</b>.


    <b>¡°</b><b>This </b><b>work</b>, <b>Goddess </b><b>of </b><b>the </b><b>Underworld </b><b>by </b><b>Sheridan </b><b>Hartin</b><b>, </b><b>is </b>an <b>exclusive </b>intellectual <b>property </b><b>legally </b><b>contracted </b><b>with </b><b>NovelSnack</b>. <b>Any </b><b>reproduction</b><b>, </b><b>distribution</b><b>, </b>or <b>upload </b><b>outside </b><b>NovelFlow</b><b>, </b><b>AnyStories</b><b>, </b><b>NovGo</b><b>, </b><b>and Readink </b><b>is </b><b>unauthorized </b><b>and </b><b>constitutes copyright </b><b>infringement</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Chapter </b>Comments


    67

 Underworld 82

    <b>Chapter </b><b>82 </b>


    O


    0


    ¡°You are not a girl<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Saelira says, her voice now echoing with something vast. ¡°You are a weapon forged in blood. But you were not made for him. You were made to rule.<b>¡± </b>


    My magic rises instinctively. I spread my arms, and the storm answers. Light cracks across the sky. My wings unfurl in a re of silver and violet shadow, and the ground splits beneath my bare feet. Power floods my veins like wildfire and rain. Madra throws a bolt of shadow at me without warning.


    I raise a hand. The spell hits my palm and dissolves into petals.


    She grins. ¡°Reflexive transmutation. Not bad.¡±


    She sends another, this time a wave of iceced with old curses.


    I reach into the magic inside me and pull. The wind spirals forward, bending around me like a cloak, and the curse shatters against it. Then I move. Faster than thought, I¡¯m across the field. I don¡¯t remember deciding to attack, only that the power inside me begged for release. My palm ms into the ground, and the earth answers. A ring <b>of </b>violet fire erupts around Madra, licking at her feet without burning. She raises a brow, unbothered.


    Elemental response, Magical speed. Reaping control without focus. You¡¯re instinctive. Wild.¡±


    She steps over the fire and holds out her hand.


    ¡°Again.¡±


    I¡¯m panting now, magic buzzing so loud in my ears I can barely hear the trees. The stones around us are glowing faintly, reacting to my power. Or maybe bracing against it. Madra,pletely untouched and stillposed, tilts her head. ¡°You¡¯ve only scratched the surface.¡±


    I wipe my brow with the back of my hand. ¡°Scratched is generous.¡±


    A ripple of movement to my left draws my gaze. Layah is already stepping into the circle,ing to me and then within me.


    ***My turn<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>she announces through my voice, taking control of my human form. ¡°You didn¡¯t think I was going to sit out, did you<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Madra watches her like a predator sizing up prey. ¡°You¡¯re not just a hound<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Layah grins. ¡°Hardly.¡±


    Then she explodes. Magic ripples off her like a detonation, <b>the </b><b>air </b>thickening<b>, </b>shimmering with heat. Her body shifts fluidly with terrifying grace. Her hound form towers<b>, </b>growingrger andrger in size, made of shadow and fire, with <b>eyes </b>that burn like dying suns<b>. </b>The ground beneath her ckens. Even my mates flinch, instinctively stepping back, Haiden¡¯s mouth hangs open. ¡°That¡¯s not normal.¡±


    Layah lowers her massive head and releases a low, guttural sound that shudders through my bones. Then her form ripples again, shrinking, folding back into her <b>petite</b><b>, </b>casually smug self. She <b>tosses </b>her fur around like a flick of hair.


    ¡°You¡¯re a gatekeeper,¡± Madra says slowly<b>, </b>stepping closer. ¡°That¡¯s what your kind was called before they were hunted out. Not just hellhounds, Guardians of the in¨Cbetween. Veilwalkers.¡±


    Layah¡¯s expression flickers, something vulnerable just beneath <b>the </b>pride, ¡°Once upon a time.¡±


    Saelira nods once. ¡°You¡¯ll have great responsibilities to bear in this war<b>.</b>¡±


    Layah shrugs. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be the first time.<b>¡± </b>


    Madra turns then to the others. ¡°And you?¡± she asks the mates. ¡°Do you understand what you¡¯re bound to? This power, this storm, this girl made of magic and grief?¡±


    ¡°We do,¡± Noah answers, voice calm, resolute.


    Xavier steps forward. ¡°We¡¯ve bled for her. We¡¯ll bleed again.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± She says. ¡°You¡¯ll need to.¡±


    She lifts her staff and strikes it against the stone floor. A pulse echoes outward, fading slowly. Then there¡¯s silence. Her gaze sweeps the group, thoughtful and sharp.


    <b>¡°</b>You¡¯re not ready,<b>¡± </b>she says bluntly. ¡°But you¡¯re close. Closer than anyone else ever has been<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    My heart sinks slightly. ¡°Then we keep training?¡±


    She nods. <b>¡°</b>Yes. And we start tonight.¡±


    She turns to Mum. ¡°She¡¯s <b>raw </b>power. The kind that either saves the world or cracks it in half. She needs control. Precision and anchors.¡± Her eyes flick to the four mates and Layah. ¡°She has them, but they must learn to wield her <b>as </b>she learns to wield herself.¡±


    ¡°And the cloaked children?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Time is short,¡± Madra replies. <b>¡°</b>If they¡¯re waking, if the bindings are breaking, then we¡¯re racing against the unraveling of the world as we know


    it.¡±


    She leans in, close enough I can feel her breath. ¡°You are no longer the key, girl. You are the gate. The moment you open fully¡­ nothing will be the same.¡±


    ¡°<b>I </b>need to leave for a few hours<b>,</b>¡± I say once the magic has settled again, my voice cutting through the thick quiet that follows Madra¡¯s evaluation. All heads turn.


    ¡°To the Underworld,¡± I rify. ¡°There are things I need to take care of. People I need to speak with. It won¡¯t take long. I¡¯ll be back tonight.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re sure it can¡¯t wait?¡± Elira asks carefully.


    I shake my head. ¡°The underworld needs constant attention. I need to make sure everything is as it should be.¡±


    Mara tilts her head, intrigued. ¡°You hold dominion below?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I was given it,¡± I say. ¡°But it feels like I was born from it too.¡±


    Layah bristles in my mind. ¡°<i>You¡¯re </i><i>just </i><b><i>collecting </i></b><i>titles </i><i>now</i>.


    Haiden grins. ¡°Envy, Goddess of the Underworld, Key to the Veil, Walker Between Worlds, Professional Winged Badass<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Levi smirks. ¡°You forgot ¡°heartbreaker¡°.<b>¡± </b>


    Noah clears his throat. ¡°Don¡¯t forget ¡®mine.¡°¡±


    Mum gives a faint huff of amusement. ¡°Go then. But be swift. There is much to do here<b>. </b>


    I nod, already pulling on the magic that calls to me from deep beneath my skin. <b>The </b>Underworld answers like a whisper behind my ribs. My mates gather close, touching <b>me </b>in some way, an elbow to <b>my </b><b>side</b><b>, </b>a hand to my back, fingers brushing mine. Xavier murmurs something low to Haiden<b>, </b>and Layah rises from me to walk with us to <b>the </b>portal<b>. </b>With a sigh, the portal opens. It¡¯s like exhaling magic. Darkness curls into form<b>, </b>velvet and dense and humming with echoes. I step forward first, <b>the </b>air warping around me. My mates follow without hesitation. Just before the shadows fully im us, I turn back.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    Madra nods, watching with something unreadable in her expression. ¡°Go then<b>, </b>daughter of both worlds. The dead wait for no one.¡±


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution<b>, </b>or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo<b>, </b>and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement

 Underworld 83

    <b>Chapter </b><b>83 </b>


    The Veil between the realms felt thin today. I could sense souls brushing its edge like they wanted to <b>be </b><b>free</b>. Layah leaned back in the smaller throne I¡¯d conjured beside mine. It suited her, dark stone with wed legs and mes licking subtly along the arm,s and Layah? She ruled her chaos like she was born for it. My Kings stood before me, silent, waiting for my nod.


    ¡°You know your roles, let¡¯s get some stuff done so we can get back,¡± I said softly.


    Xavier vanished first, no flourish<b>, </b>just absence. The shadow slipping between nes. Haiden followed, spinning a glowing dagger from thin air <b>as </b>he stepped through a portal.


    Levi muttered something I didn¡¯t catch, then dissolved into his portal, and Noah smirked, of course. He cracked his knuckles like he was going to war with the concept of peace, then gave me a wink before vanishing in a re of heat and red sparks.


    I exhaled and turned to Layah.


    ¡°You good?¡± I asked.


    She grinned. ¡°<i>Always</i><i>.</i>¡±


    ¡°Keep them in line?¡±


    ¡°<i>Obviously</i>.¡±


    She pushed up, muscles rolling under her skin. The sound of her paws as she disappeared into the shadows.


    I stayed in the throne room. I would have the leaders of the forgottene today.


    <b>Layah</b><b>, </b><b>Filtered </b><b>Through </b><b>Envy¡¯s </b><b>Senses </b>


    I couldn¡¯t see her, not directly, but our link was sharp now. Subtle vibrations, images, instincts bleeding into my awareness. She was with Xavier, still and silent in the mists between worlds. Layah padded behind him, watching as he reached out to each soul with cold certainty. She didn¡¯t speak much. Neither did he. But I felt a brush of curiosity, a flicker of dry humor from her. And beneath that, a soft thread of something quieter. Respect.


    When she got to Haiden, he was warm and chatty. Layah¡¯s presence there was more felt than seen, a stalking calm in a ce. I caught a sh of her smirking at a demon assistant. Haiden¡¯s exasperated patience. <b>Her </bughter echoed faintly in the background. She brought bnce there, even if it was just by existing.


    Levi. Cold. Judgment. Stillness. Layah prowled his corridors like she was looking for cracks. She didn¡¯t find any. But the souls flinched in their pods when she passed. Levi met her with that unreadable calm he wore like armor. There was something there, though. A flicker of challenge. Maybe <b>respect</b>. Maybe a warning.


    With Noah, the heat hit hardest. Fire and screams, Layah didn¡¯t flinch. She met it with a grin. Walked right through it like she belonged. Noah¡¯s energy red when he saw <b>her</b>, too pleased, too wild, but she met him head¨Con, brushing him off with that cocky confidence she always wore. They talked. She left. But the grin lingered on Noah¡¯s face long after she disappeared.


    Yep, this whole hellhound being able to roam in her own form was definitely going to be useful.


    The throne room had grown quiet in their absence, but never still. Power shifted constantly here, thick in <b>the </b>air like smoke and shadow. I¡¯d spent thest hour meeting with various creatures who governed the forgotten. Shifters, demons, fae¨Cborn hybrids who¡¯d earned their ce among us. Most brought good news: stable flow, orderly transitions, groups that pulsed with bnce, but a few reported¡­glitches. Sectors experiencing unrest. Souls are going rogue. One camp had even reported a growing hunger that had nothing to do withck of food, something darker, older, whispering in the bones of the ce. Another spoke of a pocket of corrupted spirits that had begun chanting in syne, trying to summon something unnamed. I listened. I took notes. And when needed, I issued orders.


    My guards were more than happy to track the outliers. Any soul stepping out of line would be returned to Levi for reassessment. I trusted him to decide their fates with his quiet, terrifying precision. I¡¯d also checked in with Ss, my favorite goblin, who now wore a crooked little crown I had authorized. He delivered his report with breathless urgency, shuffling through half¨Cburnt scrolls and scrolls that smelled vaguely like swamp water. I still couldn¡¯t get the grumpy thing to go tech like the rest of us, but that¡¯s okay, he had his methods, and I had mine.


    ¡°The Veil is thinning faster than anticipated,¡± he¡¯d said, wide eyed. ¡°In some ces, it¡¯s almost gone entirely. Mortal things are leaking in. Grass. Birdsongs. A breeze.¡±


    1:03 PM P


    ¡°A breeze?¡± I had frowned.


    D


    He nodded rapidly. ¡°From the sky, my Queen. The sky. There¡¯s sunlight down there. It¡¯s cracking through like this realm.¡± The Underworld wasn¡¯t supposed to breathe in the light. Not like that.


    I felt them reappearing before I saw them. Xavier was first, quiet as always. No dramatic entrance, no shadows. Just a shift in the air and suddenly, he was beside me, his fingers brushing mine. My bones sighed in recognition. Then, Haiden, materializing mid¨Cstep, a conjured desk appeared with him as he dropped a heavy file onto its surface. He didn¡¯t look up, already muttering notes to himself about anomalies and soul metrics. Levi walked in next, silent but calcting, his coal¨Cdark eyes scanning the room like it was still full of sinners. Maybe it was. With Levi, judgment wasn¡¯t an action; it was a state of being. Noah strolled inst. Fire licked at his shoulders, curling like affectionate snakes, and his eyes crackled with energy. The smirk ying at the edge of his lips told me he¡¯d enjoyed himself a little too much, and then Layah. She looked like she¡¯d run through hell and kissed every me on her way out.


    ¡°All your kings <i>are </i>still in one <i>piece</i><i>,</i>¡± she said with a casual shrug, flopping into the throne beside mine with all the confidence of someone who belonged there. ¡°<i>Well</i><i>¨C</i><i>fed</i>. <i>Mostly </i><i>behaved</i><i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    I arched a brow. ¡°Only mostly?¡±


    Noah winked. ¡°Define behaved.¡±


    Layah rolled her eyes. <i>¡°</i><i>Let¡¯s </i><i>just </i><i>say </i><i>one </i><i>of </i><i>you </i><i>was </i><i>caught </i><i>daring </i>a soul <i>to </i><i>bite </i><i>him </i><i>back</i><i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    Haiden didn¡¯t even look up. ¡°Noah.¡±


    ¡°What? They had teeth¡­Hell <b>is </b><b>a </b>spicy yground,¡± Noah said innocently.


    149


    Xavier didn¡¯t speak, but his hand remained linked with mine. Through that cool tether, I felt the echo of satisfaction<b>, </b>of a missionpleted. The quiet kind of pride that needed no words. I looked around at all of them, my kings, my people, my hellhound, and the power that surged through me wasn¡¯t just magic. It was a purpose. This was our kingdom. This was our bnce<b>. </b>And together, we were holding it altogether.


    ¡°We¡¯ll head back soon,<b>¡± </b>I said, my voice soft but sure. ¡°Let the witch test us again.¡±


    I rose from my throne, my crown flickering with energy drawn from the Veil itself. Layah¡¯s throne red beside mine, echoing the power she brought simply by existing.!


    Chapter <b>Comments </b>


    66

 Underworld 84

    <b>Chapter 84 </b>


    The throne room shimmered around us, shadows folding in as I stepped down from the obsidian dais. Xavier¡¯s hand never left mine, his touch grounding me like frost to me. I turned to Layah, who stretchedzily beside her throne, her smirk promising chaos if I hesitated even a breath longer.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I said softly, but the magic behind it snapped like amand. The air cracked. A portal bloomed open and we stepped through together.


    The Underworld fell away and my mother¡¯s kingdom rose before us. The familiar warmth of my mother¡¯s domain wrapped around us like silk spun from sunlight and starlight. Unlike the molten dark of my throne room, Elira¡¯s court was carved from crystalline trees and breathy clouds, suspended in impossible harmony above thend below.


    Mum stood waiting, her gaze sharp. Beside her, my grandmother¡­.Madra sat on a throne made of flowering roots, eyes half¨Clidded in watchful disapproval¡­or maybe amusement. I could never quite tell with her. She¡¯splicated. I have to wonder if most witches are like this.


    ¡°Mum,¡± I greeted, my voice cool but not cold. ¡°Grandmother.¡±


    ¡°Elira,¡± Noah said with a sharp nod. Layah just gave a cheeky look before flopping onto one of the velvet¨Ccushioned benches nearby. She had soot on her neck and a scratch down one arm, but she looked smug about it.


    ¡°You¡¯ve grown into your role,¡± Elira said slowly<b>, </b>scanning me and the men at my back. Her eyes lingered on Layah, then returned to mine. ¡°The throne fits you<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°It better,<b>¡± </b><b>I </b>said, voice even. ¡°I¡¯m kind of stuck with it.¡±


    That earned a small huff ofughter from Grandmother. ¡°You¡¯ve tamed your deathless hounds, I see.¡®


    ¡°<i>Mostly</i>,¡± Layah said, teeth shing.


    I stepped forward, conjuring a flicker of magic between my hands, soft and dangerous like the edge of a de. ¡°We need to talk.¡±


    Mum¡¯s smile faded. ¡°What is it?<b>¡± </b>


    I sighed, ¡°The veil between the realms it¡¯s thinning faster than predicted. Cracks are forming. Not just energy or spirit, physical things are seeping through. Grass. Breezes. Sunlight. In the Underworld.¡±


    Grandmother straightened slightly at that, eyes sharpening. ¡°The realms aren¡¯t supposed to touch like that. Light corrodes death.¡±


    ¡°Well, it is,¡± I said. ¡°and I¡¯m going to need to find a way to stop it before things start seeping out here. I¡¯m not sure you all want hell fire up


    here.¡±


    ¡°And the souls?¡± Mum asked.


    ¡°Restless,¡± I answered. ¡°They¡¯re acting strange, <b>as </b>if they know that <b>freedom </b>is close<b>. </b>I¡¯ve already had to send guards after the corrupted.¡±


    Levi¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°Some were <i>calling </i>to something. <i>Chanting</i>. <i>Like </i><i>they¡¯d </i>found some sort <i>of </i>religion in the rot


    Haiden frowned. ¡°We had anomalies in the intake. Data glitches. Entire clusters skipping assessment.¡±


    ¡°Someone¡¯s tampering,¡± Xavier said softly, his voice like a breath of shadow across my shoulder.


    <i>¡± </i>


    Layah growled low, <b>pacing </b>like the beast beneath <b>her </b>skin was close to surfacing. ¡°Or something. Either way, it¡¯s not good.¡±


    Noah stepped forward, <b>the </b>ash still <b>clinging </b>to his jacket like a second skin. ¡°It¡¯s going to bring down hell¡­or earth,¡±


    Mum <b>turned </b>away for a moment, her fingers tightening around the edge of her desk.. ¡°This shouldn¡¯t be happening. Not yet.¡±


    Yet?¡± i <b>echoed </b>sharply.


    Grandmother gave a sigh that sounded like falling sand. ¡°There were prophecies tall finished riddles from the old Oracles. The day when the realms would be without veils. When death would breathe and life would decay. We always thought it symbolic.¡±


    1:03 PM P


    I looked around at all of them, my mates, my hellhound, my blood.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t symbolism,¡± I said. ¡°It¡¯s happening. And if we don¡¯t stop it, the Veil won¡¯t just crack. It will shatter.¡±


    Layah stepped to my side, her presence a warning to the world. Mum nodded once, her face a mask of resolve. ¡°Then it¡¯s time to put a stop to this.¡±


    The silence that followed was thick enough to drown in, but in that silence, we all understood the truth. Whatever came next, the world would never be the same again.


    02


    ¡°I want to see it,¡± Madra said, eyes narrowed as she leaned forward in her seat.


    Her voice wasn¡¯t loud, but it didn¡¯t need to be. It carried, like wind over tombstones. Still and sharp.


    I met her gaze. ¡°You don¡¯t trust me?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I trust you, girl,¡± she said, standing slowly, every inch of her wrapped inyered silks and quiet menace. ¡°But I trust my eyes more.¡± A tense beat passed.


    Then I nodded. ¡°Very well. You¡¯ll see it.¡±


    Xavier stepped forward immediately, his shadows rising like a tide in the corners of the room. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t¡­<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°She¡¯sing,¡± I cut in firmly. ¡°She needs to see and feel it for herself.¡±


    Grandmother smiled, thin and wolfish. ¡°Smart girl.¡±


    Layah chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re <i>going </i><i>to </i>love <i>the </i><i>pits</i><i>.</i>¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen worse,¡± she muttered, brushing off her sleeves. ¡°Try raising three royal children while an empire copses.¡±


    Haiden smothered a grin. ¡°Sounds more terrifying than Levi¡¯s pod hotel.¡±


    Levi didn¡¯t look up from his book. ¡°It¡¯s a beautiful hotel.¡±


    The portal opened on a cracked ledge overlooking the Valley of the Lost. Ash swirled below, and somewhere in the distance, a soul screamed. Madra stepped out beside me, blinking once at the red¨Chued horizon. The air was heavy with grief and iron, the scent of memories that couldn¡¯t quite let go. She stood very still.


    ¡°Well, here we are,¡± I said. ¡°It¡¯s leaking. Reality is bleeding in.¡± I pointed out the breeze in the trees and the light in the sky that shouldn¡¯t be there.


    She knelt slowly, running fingers over the dry stone beneath our feet. ¡°This is strange¡­<b>¡± </b>


    <i>¡°</i>Come,¡± i said. ¡°There¡¯s more.¡±


    I led her through the paths, past the waiting pods. She said nothing as we passed a boy whose pod was filled with feathers, another whose pod was <b>dark </b>but for a floating key. In Haiden¡¯s waiting room<b>, </b>she paused before a soul wrapped in ss threads, whispering to itself in a forgotten Longue, and in Noah¡¯s basement, she did not flinch. Even when the cages moaned. Even when the fire trembled. She simply turned to me, eyes gleaming, and said, ¡°You were right. I can feel it. The veil is cracking.¡±


    I told you<i>.</i>¡± Layah huffed.


    <b>Chapter </b>Comments

 Underworld 85

    <b>Chapter </b><b>85 </b>


    We stepped through the portal in silence. Ash fell from our shoulders as the gates of the Underworld vanished behind us, the air softening into the gentle luminescence of my mother¡¯s home. Even here, <b>the </b>tension clung to us. The scent of rot. The knowledge that death no longer obeyed its borders. Madra walked ahead, her posture stiff with purpose, heryered silks trailing like storm clouds. She had said little since returning. But her silence was not ignorance; it was a strategy. Mum met us in the hall, nked by her advisors and a quiet sort of dread. Her eyes searched mine. ¡°So it¡¯s true.¡±


    I nodded. ¡°You felt it too, didn¡¯t you?¡± I said, looking at Madra.


    I did. The veils areing down. The worlds will collide¡­¡±


    ¡°Then we don¡¯t have time,¡± I said.


    Madra¡¯s voice was cool. ¡°No, we don¡¯t. Which means your next moves must be exact. You¡¯re no longer just rulers or heirs. You¡¯re gatekeepers now, of something older than life and stronger than death. You need to stop this.¡±


    We moved into the war chamber, a room of maps, strategy and hard decisions. Layah whistled low as a glowing model of the realms assembled midair: the Mortal Realm, the Underworld, and the Divine.


    The Veil isn¡¯t just oneyer,¡± Haiden said, tracing the map. ¡°It¡¯stticed. Interwoven across all the realms.¡±


    ¡°And every thread weakening opens a pathway for corruption,¡± Levi added, cing a mark over the Underworld valley. ¡°Some of these souls were never meant to return. If the wrong ones slip free<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°They won¡¯t just haunt the living,¡± Xavier said darkly, ¡°they¡¯ll hunt them.¡±


    Noah stepped beside me, fire flickering in his gaze. ¡°So what¡¯s the n, Goddess<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    I exhaled, then turned to face them fully. ¡°We need to find the other cloaked children. The ones Marcus and Salira used. They¡¯re keys to this, alive or dead, they¡¯ll have magic tied to it.¡±


    Mum tensed. ¡°You think they¡¯re still alive?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted. ¡°But even their bones would carry power. They were made like me, hidden by dark magic. If the veil is weakening<b>, </b>their locations may be surfacing.¡±


    Layah stood. ¡°So we split up.¡±


    ¡°I want to start with the grave sites,¡± I said. ¡°Some of the corrupted souls were whispering names, like they remembered them. Maybe they were


    drawn to those children.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll need someone to stay in the underworld,¡± Levi said. ¡°Something to stabilize the realm while we search. Otherwise<b>, </b>it could copse behind us while we¡¯re scattered.¡±


    Madra gave him a sharp look. ¡°Then the Goddess must choose <b>her </b>anchor to hold together her kingdom.¡±


    All eyes turned to me.


    I didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Xavier.¡±


    He blinked. ¡°Me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one whose magic is closest to mine. You understand the foundations of the realm the most. While we¡¯re away, you hold it together


    there.¡±


    He paused, and then he nodded, jaw set with reluctant understanding. ¡°I¡¯ll hold it together the best I can.¡±


    Mum stepped forward then, reaching <b>into </b>the folds of her robe and drawing out an object <b>I </b>hadn¡¯t seen before, a jagged obsidian shard, <bced </b>with guld veins.


    ¡°This isst Oracle Mirros,¡± she said. ¡°Cracked in the suprising. But it there¡¯s something hidden, it might show you.¡±


    1:03 PM PP


    I took it carefully, feeling its chill race up


    my arm<b>. </b>


    ¡°It¡¯s time to find out what was hidden,¡± I said softly. ¡°Time to finish what Marcus started, and destroy whatever¡¯s trying to finish it for him.¡±


    Everyone in the room nodded, one by one. This was the start of the war.


    We nned methodically, the weight of what wasing pressing down on every breath we took. The chamber buzzed withyered magic and quiet resolve, the floating map of realms flickering as we divided responsibilities not just by skill, but by trust. This wasn¡¯t about power anymore. It was about belief. About who and what we would bleed for¡­and that just happened to be the whole fucking world. Xavier and Layah would remain behind, our final line of defense and the ones who could hold the veil in the underworld long enough to keep the veil from shatteringpletely. Theirbined magic<b>, </b>his dark, her ancient, would reinforce the bones of the realm<b>, </b>creating a bandaid that would buy us time.


    ¡°Protect it, please,¡± I told them<b>, </b>meeting Xavier¡¯s eyes first, then Layah¡¯s. ¡°If anything gets through, don¡¯t hesitate. Not even for me.¡±


    ¡°You know I won¡¯t,¡± Xavier said, his voice like crushed stone.


    Layah gave a wry smile, but it didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. ¡°We¡¯ll <i>hold </i><i>the </i><i>walls</i>, <i>Goddess</i>. <i>Just </i><i>make </i><i>sure </i><i>you </i><i>don¡¯t </i><i>die </i><i>while </i>we <i>do</i><i>.</i>¡±


    Levi and Haiden volunteered to chase the echoes of magic, the graves of the names whispered by the corrupted souls. They¡¯d trace them like bloodhounds across multiple realms if they had to. Each grave might hold a thread of truth¡­ or power.


    ¡°They were cloaked for a reason,¡± Levi warned. ¡°That kind of concealment doesn¡¯t fade. It fights. If we¡¯re disturbing old magic, <b>I¡¯ll </b>need backup.¡±


    ¡°You have it,¡± Haiden said, cracking his knuckles with a grin that didn¡¯t match the tension in his shoulders. ¡°Let¡¯s dig up some secrets.¡±


    That left me and Noah the most dangerous mission of them all. We were going back to the beginning. Back to the heart of the Tris pack. To what was hidden underneath the pack.


    ¡°We¡¯re not just sneaking in this time,¡± <b>I </b>said, tapping the glowing mark on the map where the pack house stood. ¡°We¡¯re breaking through every barrier they¡¯ve hidden behind. Magical, physical, political. Marcus¡¯s undergroundyer holds the truth, not just about me, but about all of this. The children. The spell. The bloodlines. The veil<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°The one beneath the chamber,¡± Noah muttered, jaw tight.


    I nodded. We¡¯d seen only glimpses of it, <b>a </b>stone threshold embedded in blood and salt<b>, </b>sealed with glyphs in anguage I couldn¡¯t trante. Every time I tried to remember, painced through my head like a migraine wrapped in lightning. But now? I wasn¡¯t afraid of remembering. I was afraid of what we¡¯d find <b>once </b>we did.


    ¡°We go in fast,¡± Noah said. ¡°Silent if <b>we </b>can. Loud if we have to.¡±


    I smiled faintly. ¡°It¡¯s always loud with us<b>.</b>¡±


    He didn¡¯t smile back. Just reached for the twin daggers he kept holstered at his sides, like he was already imagining who he¡¯d bury them in.


    ¡°I want answers,¡± he said. ¡°And I want to look that bastard in the <b>eye </b>when we rip this apart.¡±


    ¡°Alright, little mate,e here.¡± Xavier opened his arms and I went, kissing him with <b>every </b>emotion I held. ¡°Be safe, please?¡±


    I smirked, ¡®I¡¯ll try.¡±


    Levi scooped me up next, pulling me in and kissing me quickly and then I looked at Haiden. ¡°Not scared, are you, wobbles?¡± I teased.


    ¡°Pift, <b>no</b>.¡± He said with a scoff, but his eyes told me something different<b>. </b>I made sure to tell them all I loved them before we split ways, portaling to <b>our </b>destinations.


    This work, Goddess of the <b>Underworld </b>by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright intringement

 Underworld 86

    <b>Chapter </b><b>86 </b>


    <b>Xavier </b>


    The Underworld breathes like a beast tonight. I feel it shifting beneath my boots, coiling in the walls, whispering through the spines of obsidian trees that should not grow, but do. The magic here is old.. It listens. It watches and tonight, it waits. <b>I </b>stand at the edge of the southern ridge, where the veil feels the thinnest and most dangerous. A pulse runs under my skin<b>, </b>not panic. Never panic. <b>I¡¯ve </b>spent centuries hunting things that can¡¯t be reasoned with. But this? This isn¡¯t something I can kill, and that unsettles me. Behind me, Layah shifts on her feet. I don¡¯t have to look to know her paws are glowing faintly, the shimmer of her maged through her like moonfire and teeth. She doesn¡¯t speak, but I feel her thoughts brush the edge of mine. She¡¯s focused. Good. We¡¯ll need her wildness here. Envy had tasked us with guarding this ce. <i>Her </i><i>ce </i>and gods help anything that tries to take it from her<b>. </b>I inhale slowly. The air tastes like burnt roses and regret. There are cracks in the sky, thin as spiderwebs. Something else is leaking through. Not just sunlight or grass or memory. Intent. And I don¡¯t like that one fucking bit. The <b>souls </b><b>are </b>restless. The forgotten<b>, </b>they press against the veil, drawn toward the cracks in the veil like moths to me. But this me doesn¡¯t burn. It devours.


    Layah curses low under her breath. ¡°<i>They¡¯re </i><i>gathering </i><i>faster</i>. <i>Like </i><i>they </i><i>know </i><i>something¡¯sing</i>.¡±


    ¡°They do,¡± <b>I </b>say simply, letting the shadows roll out from my boots like a tide. ¡°They¡¯re listening.¡±


    ¡°To what?<b>¡± </b>


    I nod toward the fracture near the canyon¡¯s edge. ¡°Whatever calls from the other side.¡±


    We fall into motion<b>, </b>patrol patterns, and magical sweeps. Envy asked me to hold the line. If this ce falls, the rest of the world follows. I flick my wrist, and a of shadow spikes into the ground, sealing a fresh split that hadn¡¯t been there an hour ago. Layah watches me with quiet curiosity, her fur shifting slightly.


    ¡°<i>You¡¯re </i>not <i>afraid</i><i>,</i><b><i>¡± </i></b>she says.


    ¡°I am<b>,</b><b>¡± </b><b>I </b>answer, voice t. ¡°I¡¯m just used to it.¡±


    She smiles like she understands. <b>I </b>nce once more to the distant edge of the rift where the sky flickers<b>. </b>


    ¡°<b><i>We¡¯ve </i></b>got <i>this</i>,¡± Maddox tells me.


    <i>¡°</i><i>Fuck </i><i>I </i><i>hope </i>so,¡± <i>I </i><i>whisper </i><i>back</i>.


    <b>Levi </b>


    The graveyard we¡¯re standing in isn¡¯t on <b>any </b>map. Not a marked one<b>, </b>anyway. It¡¯s hidden deep in a forgotten stretch ofnd where the trees grow sideways and the wind hums in broken tones. The moss here <b>is </b>thick and wet, curling around the stones like fingers. Haiden and I have been tracking the pull, following <b>the </b>strange current <b>of </b>magic that Madra tuned us into. I crouch beside a crooked marker<b>, </b>the name long since worn away by time. My fingers brush <b>the </b>edge of the stone, and the <b>air </b>tightens. A pulse echoes beneath my palm, slow¡­ steady¡­ broken.


    ¡°Got something<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>I murmur<b>. </b>


    Haiden¡¯s already at my side<b>, </b>silent <b>as </b>ever. <b>He¡¯s </b>hunting, calcting<b>, </b>a different kind of predator than the rest of us, I can feel the shift in his energy as he reaches toward the earth<b>, </b>his own magic threading through the ground like roots searching for bone.


    ¡°They¡¯re here<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>he says, voice low. ¡°Or¡­ what¡¯s left <b>of </b>them.¡±


    We found one <b>grave </b>hours ago. A girl with a soul still lingering. She didn¡¯t remember her name, Just pain and fire, but we need more. I unsling my tools. We aren¡¯t grave robbing, we¡¯re searching. For patterns, for sigils, for remnants of the spell Marcus and Salira used to tear the veil and build their sick ritual. The one that made Envy. The one that stole dozens <b>of </b>children from their futures and left only silence behind.


    ¡°I think this one¡¯s newer,¡± I say, pointing to a partially hidden mound behind a tree with strange ck bark. ¡°Could be one of the cloaked.¡±


    Hayden nods once and begins clearing away the earth with precise movements. I can tell he¡¯s trying not to think about it too hard. If he does, he¡¯ll break something. Probably himself. Or whoever¡¯s nearest. I¡¯d rather that not be me. The big bastard has a good right hook. We uncover a faint glint of metal and a carved symbol burned into the base of the coffin holding a small child¡¯s remains.


    ¡°That¡¯s not normal magic,¡± I whisper.


    ¡°No,¡± Halden agrees, his jaw tight. ¡°It¡¯s god¨Ctouched. Like her.¡±


    D


    1:03 PM <b>P </b>


    He means Envy. The one we¡¯re all doing this for.


    ¡°Can you feel them?¡± I ask.


    He doesn¡¯t answer. He <b>just </b>closes his eyes<b>, </b>ces a hand over the disturbed soil, and listens.


    After a long silence, he opens his eyes<b>, </b>haunted.


    ¡°She was nine. Her name was Ilyra. She liked honey bread and had a pet mouse named Stitch.<b>¡± </b>His <b>voice </b>cracks, barely<b>, </b>but I <b>hear </b>it. I feel it.


    ¡°They buried her alive.¡±


    I almost vomit. But I don¡¯t. I grip Haiden¡¯s shoulder instead, grounding us both. Where¡¯s her soul?


    ¡°We¡¯ll find them,¡± <b>I </b>say. ¡°Everyst one.¡±


    He nods, but his hands are already glowing. He whispers to the bones, apologising for the pain and promising revenge for her. We rise and move to the next grave. We don¡¯t stop. We won¡¯t. Because Marcus thought these children were expendable. But they weren¡¯t.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside Novel Flow<b>, </b>AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement


    D


    <b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>

 Underworld 87

    <b>Chapter </b><b>87 </b>


    <b>Haiden </b>


    I¡¯ve smelled death before. Fresh. Rotted. Burned. Torn apart in battle. I¡¯ve seen what war does to bodies, to minds. But this? This <b>is </b>different. This <b>is </b>sick.


    <b>It¡¯s </b>not the scent of rot that makes my skin crawl. It¡¯s the absence of life in a ce that should be sacred. The cold <b>that </b>clings to the air even though the sun beats down overhead. The way the birds stopped singing. Levi and I follow the pull <b>of </b>magic through the overgrown brush. <b>It¡¯s </b>stronger here, denser<b>, </b>like msses dragging through my veins. Then we find it. A shallow dip in the earth. No stones. No markers. Just a circle of <b>dead </b>grass and a ring of ckened trees.


    Levi drops to his knees before I can say anything. His hands are already glowing, threading through soil. I stay standing. I don¡¯t want to kneel here. Not yet. Not until I know what I¡¯m kneeling to.


    Levi exhales hard, his <b>brow </b>furrowed. ¡°There¡¯s¡­ so many.¡±


    ¡°How many?¡±


    He swallows. ¡°Too many<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    I nod once and kneel beside him, pressing my palm to the earth. My magic reaches deep. Deeper than it should. It finds bone<b>. </b>Fabric. Cold metal cuffs. Chains. Children. Shackled in death. I clench my jaw. My throat burns, but I force myself to stay still. Then I hear¡­


    ¡°Help us,¡± she says. A girl<b>, </b>soft and sad. ¡°We were the key, but she was the lock.<b>¡± </b>


    She. Envy. I jerk back, blinking hard.


    ¡°Did you hear that?¡± I ask Levi.


    He nods slowly. ¡°They were part of the spell. This was¡­ a sacrifice for the spell<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡±


    That¡¯s when I see it, carved into the base of a tree at the edge <b>of </b>the clearing<b>. </b>An ancient rune. <b>I </b>rise and move toward it<b>, </b>brushing moss away to reveal the full symbol. I¡¯ve only seen it once before. What Envy showed us in her memories, beneath the packhouse. On the stone floor of the chamber, where they nearly turned Envy into something monstrous. I trace the lines<b>, </b>feeling the static rise under my fingers.


    ¡°Marcus,¡± <b>I </b>say<b>, </b>voice low. ¡°He perfected something here. This was a testing ground.¡±


    ¡°For what?¡± Levi asks.


    ¡°For power<b>,</b>¡± I answer. ¡°For bringing down <b>the </b>veil.<b>¡± </b>


    The breeze shifts. A low hum rolls through <b>the </b>air. The <b>spell </b>here never died. It¡¯s dormant. Slumbering. But it feels us<b>. </b>


    Levi turns to me. ¡°We need to mark this site<b>. </b>Get Elira and Madra here<b>. </b><b>Maybe </b>even Felix.¡±


    I shake my head. ¡°Not yet<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Haiden<b>¡­</b>¡±


    ¡°I want to know what they were doing first. I want to see it. I want to understand it.¡±


    He hesitates. ¡°You want to understand Marcus?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I whisper, staring into the heart of the grave, where a faint shimmer still dances across the soil like breath.


    want to understand how to destroy him.¡±


    <b>Noah </b>


    I¡¯ve never seen her like this. Focused. Quiet. Cold in a way that has nothing to do with temperature and everything to do with purpose. Envy stands by the open map spread across the war table, her fingers tracing the familiar grooves of Tris¡® territory. Every angle ounted for. Every tunnel entrance is marked in blood¨Cred ink. She¡¯s not pacing. Not fidgeting. She¡¯s a storm just before it breaks. And me? I can¡¯t stop watching


    <b>ID </b>


    1:04 PM P P.


    her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go first,¡± I <b>say </b>instead.


    Her eyes snap to mine. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± <b>I </b>reply firmly. ¡°You¡¯re the key to all of this. If something goes wrong¡­We need you alive. I¡¯m just the distraction.¡±


    Her re could burn down kingdoms. ¡°You¡¯re not just anything, Noah.¡±


    The words settle in my chest like armor. Even now<b>, </b>even with all this weight pressing on us, she still fights for me.


    She steps back and breathes out slowly. ¡°We go together. And if you get caught doing something stupidly heroic, I¡¯ll kill you myself<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    A smirk curls at my lips. <b>¡°</b>Noted.¡±


    I take her hand in mine and we portal to the borderline of the Tris pack.


    ¡°You nervous?¡± I ask as we crouch near the tree line.


    ¡°No,¡± she answers honestly. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    I believe her. This is more than revenge for her. It¡¯s remation. Of the children. Of herself. Of whatever future they tried to steal from her.


    ¡°Do you remember the way it felt thest time we were here?¡± she asks <b>as </b>we move, silent through the woods.


    <b>¡°</b>Yeah,¡± I say. ¡°Like the ce was breathing.¡±


    ¡°It still is,¡± she whispers. ¡°But this time, we¡¯re not just walking into the dark.¡±


    ¡°No<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    She nces back at me, a wicked light in her eyes<b>. </b>


    ¡°This time, we bring the fire.¡±


    I grin. <i>That¡¯s </i><i>my </i><i>girl</i><i>. </i>


    D


    <i>¡°</i>She¡¯s <i>amazing</i><i>,</i>¡± Hawk <b>tells </b>me<b>, </b>and I know it; she is. She¡¯s been amazing since the day I first saw her. When she held that de to Haiden¡¯s throat without mercy. When she left <b>us </b>in the dust, forcing us to do better<b>, </b>to be better. I think, with this girl by my side, <b>we¡¯ll </b>always try to be the best versions of ourselves. Because that was love is right<b>? </b>Fixing yourself, trying every fucking day to please them, to make them proud, to make them want to love you. Not because fate told you to<b>, </b>but because you want to. Fate blessed me, blessed all of us with a reason to be better men<b>, </b>and I would die trying if I had to<b>, </b>just to be able to spend everyst breath I have with her, watching her as she braves every storm thrown at her.


    <b>¡°</b>You sure about this<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>I ask onest time,


    She doesn¡¯t hesitate<b>. </b>


    ¡°Let¡¯s finish what they started,¡± she says.


    And together, we drop into the dark, portaling straight to where we need to be<b>. </b>Right into the eye of the storm, for my girl, my world, my reason.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin<b>, </b>is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories<b>, </b>NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement


    Chapter Comments

 Underworld 88

    <b>Chapter </b><b>88 </b>


    <b>Envy </b>


    D


    The walls breathe. I swear they do, slow exhales of chilled air brushing against my neck like fingers trailing over my skin. Noah is silent beside me, the tension between us is louder than the runes etched into the narrow walls. It¡¯s not fear. It¡¯s knowing. Dread wrapped in certainty. The shaft opens into a chamber that hums with old power, power that was never meant to wake. And yet here we are. The floor is obsidian stone, carved with runes I recognize only in memory. My steps falter as the whispers sound, not jumbled, but clear now. Calling. Guiding. Familiar. Then I see them. Suspended in the heart of the room<b>, </b>between two towering ck spires, <b>is </b>a boy. No older than seven. Pale. Weightless. Floating midair <b>as </b>though held by invisible strings. Below him, the stone is cracked and glowing, the lines of the runes pulsing weakly, like a dying heartbeat. But he is not alone. To his left, tethered by thick veins of magic that wrap around her limbs and throat, floats a woman. A witch. Her hair coils like ink in water, suspended, unmoving. Her eyes are shut, her face serene, but beneath her skin, <b>I </b>see it. The strain. The tension. She¡¯s the one holding the boy in stasis. And she¡¯s losing.


    ¡°Noah,¡± I whisper, not daring to step forward. ¡°He¡¯s alive.¡±


    He swears under his breath. ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡­¡± My hand lifts on instinct, like muscle memory. I press my palm to the closest stone, and my magic rushes forward like a dam breaking. Everythinges back to me. <i>The </i>screaming. <i>The </i><i>chanting</i>. <i>The </i><i>children </i><i>lined </i><i>up </i><i>in </i>a <i>circle</i><i>, </i><i>hands </i><i>sped</i><i>, </i>tears <i>on </i><i>their </i>cheeks. <b><i>The </i></b>witches <i>are </i>forming runes in <i>blood</i>. <i>Marcus </i><i>is </i><i>at </i><i>the </i><i>center</i>. <b><i>I</i></b><b>, </b>on <i>the </i><i>stone </i><i>b</i><i>, </i><i>the </i><i>lock </i>to <i>their </i><i>key</i>. <i>But </i><i>the </i>boy¡­ <i>the </i><i>boy </i><i>screamed </i>loudest.


    <i>¡°</i><i>He¡¯s </i>too <i>strong</i>!¡± <i>the </i><i>witches </i><i>had </i><i>cried</i>. ¡°<i>He¡¯s </i><i>tearing </i><i>through </i><i>the </i><i>spell</i><i>!</i><i>¡± </i>


    <i>And </i><i>then </i><i>she </i>came. <i>The </i><i>witch </i><i>who </i><i>floats </i><i>beside </i>him now<i>. </i><i>She </i>cast <i>the </i><i>stasis </i><i>spell </i>to <i>trap </i>them <i>both</i><i>, </i><i>to </i><i>halt </i><i>what </i><i>had </i><i>already </i><i>begun</i>. <i>And </i><i>in </i><i>doing </i><i>so</i>, <i>she </i><i>stalled </i><i>the unraveling</i>.


    I look up at the young boy<b>, </b>so innocent in all of this. We all were. Spells fade, and this one is dying. I fall to my knees.


    Noah grips my shoulder, grounding me. ¡°Envy. Look at me. What do we do?<b>¡± </b>


    I shake my head. ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡±


    Before I can rise, footsteps echo behind us, deliberate and slow. Felix. He steps into the chamber like he¡¯s been here before. His face is grave, but not surprised. ¡°I was wondering when you¡¯de to this ce<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°You knew?<b>¡± </b><b>I </b>demand.


    He nods<b>. </b>


    ¡°She¡¯s dying,¡± I whisper. ¡°The spell is dying.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Felix agrees. ¡°And if it breaks without control, the veil will copse entirely. The realms will bleed together. There won¡¯t be death or life¡­just chaos.¡±


    I rise slowly. ¡°Then I have to stop it.¡±


    Felix¡¯s eyes lock on mine. ¡°No. You have <b>to </b>let it fall. Recreate the veils. Shape the boundary between realms in your image. Only a true goddess can do that.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m not¡­¡±


    ¡°You are<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>he says firmly, ¡°But you haven¡¯t awakened fully yet.¡±


    I freeze. ¡°Then how do I change that?¡±


    He steps forward and speaks softly, reverently.


    ¡°You mark them.¡±


    (What?¡±


    ¡°Your mates. The bonds you¡¯ve formed¡­those ties are sacred, but they remain iplete. You need to mark them. Through them, you stabilize


    1:04 PM P


    O


    your magic. With them, <b>you </b>unlock your divine right. You don¡¯t just destroy <b>the </b>old veils<b>, </b>Envy. You rece them with something that answers to


    <b>you</b>.¡±


    My heart thunders<b>. </b><b>¡°</b><b>If </b>I do that, will the child survive?¡±


    ¡°Yes<b>. </b>You¡¯ll be able to free him, <b>I </b>believe.¡±


    Noah speaks gently. ¡°Then we do it. You mark us. All of <b>us</b><b>. </b>Together.<b>¡± </b>


    I nod, chest rising with new resolve. ¡°I¡¯ll break the veil. I¡¯ll create a new one<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°When you do<b>¡­</b>¡± Felix warns, his voice <b>low </b>and sharp, ¡°The veils will drop. All of them. The Underworld, the Mortal Realm<b>, </b>even the Divine nes<b>, </b>they will <b>bleed </b>into one another<b>. </b>There will <b>be </b>no boundary between life and death<b>, </b>spirit and flesh. It will be utter chaos. And Marcus¡­ he won¡¯t sit idle.¡±


    He looks at me, something like sorrow flickering in his eyes<b>. </b>¡°He¡¯s been waiting for this. Preparing. The spell breaking won¡¯t just give you power<b>, </b>it¡¯ll free whatever he¡¯s been keeping caged inside you, what he¡¯s been trying <b>to </b><b>control</b><b>. </b>You¡¯ll have moments<b>, </b>Envy<b>. </b>Seconds, maybe. You¡¯ll need to act fast. Recreate the veils. Reshape the world before they <b>tear </b>themselves apart.¡±


    I nod slowly<b>, </b>though my chest tightens with the weight of it all<b>. </b>My fingers twitch<b>, </b>the runes on the walls humming like they¡¯re listening.


    I¡¯m going to need Theo,¡± I say, my voice steadier than <b>I </b><b>feel</b>. ¡°And Zion, and my brother¡¯s, they have been waiting for something like this, even if they didn¡¯t know it yet. They have their own armies<b>. </b>Their own magic<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Felix arches a brow. ¡°You trust them<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°With my life,¡± I answer without hesitation. ¡°If we can rally enough people<b>¡­</b>enough power<b>, </b>we can hold the realms long enough for <b>me </b><b>to </b>reshape them.¡±


    Noah steps beside me, his jaw <b>set</b>. ¡°You won¡¯t be alone<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I know<b>,</b><b>¡± </b><b>I </b>say quietly, eyes drifting back to the suspended boy<b>, </b>to the witch. ¡°But I¡¯ll need more than <b>strength</b><b>. </b>I¡¯ll need loyalty. Willingness<b>. </b>People who believe that the world isn¡¯t beyond saving.¡±


    Felix¡¯s gaze sharpens<b>. </b>¡°That belief starts with <b>you</b>.¡±


    A deep breath. The <b>air </b><b>is </b>getting <b>heavier</b><b>, </b>like even the magic is bracing for impact.


    ¡°We¡¯ll gather <b>our </b>allies. <b>I </b><b>don¡¯t </b><b>care </b>what realm or <b>species </b>they belong to: Fae<b>, </b>Shifter<b>, </b>Seer<b>, </b>God, or Ghost. If they want a future, they¡¯ll fight for


    it.¡±


    Felix gives <b>a </b>slow nod. ¡°Then get <b>ready</b>. Because <b>once </b>you mark <b>your </b>mates<b>¡­ </b>there¡¯s no turning back.¡±


    <b>This </b>work<b>, </b><b>Goddess </b>of <b>the </b><b>Underworld </b><b>by </b><b>Sheridan </b><b>Hartin</b><b>, </b><b>is </b><b>an </b><b>exclusive </b>intellectual property <b>legally contracted </b><b>with </b><b>NovelSnack</b>. <b>Any </b>reproduction<b>, </b><b>distribution</b><b>, </b><b>or </b><b>upload </b><b>outside </b><b>NovelFlow</b><b>, </b>AnyStories<b>, </b><b>NovGo</b><b>, </b><b>and Readink </b><b>is </b>unauthorized <b>and constitutes </b><b>copyright </b><b>infringement</b><b>. </b>


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 Underworld 89

    <b>Chapter </b><b>89 </b>


    §à


    The Underworld is changing. You can feel it in the air, thick with ash and something else. Anticipation. It¡¯s like even this ce knows what¡¯sing. We gather in the obsidian hall. The only ce still stable enough to hold our presence without magic unraveling around us. Flickering blue fire dances across the ancient torches, casting twisted shadows across stone pirs. Noah stands beside me, tense but grounded. Haiden and Levi arrive seconds after, stepping through the portal like men who¡¯ve seen ghosts and brought <b>pieces </b>of them back. Xavier waits near the altar<b>, </b>his expression unreadable. I sense the Underworld in him, woven through his veins like smoke. He nods <b>as </b>we approach, but doesn¡¯t speak. He¡¯s waiting. We all are. Levi is the one who finally breaks the silence.


    ¡°We found¡­<b>¡± </b>he says<b>, </b>voice hoarse. ¡°A mass grave<b>. </b>Children, like Envy. Sacrificed. Shackled in death.¡±


    Xavier¡¯s jaw tightens. ¡°How many?¡±


    Levi doesn¡¯t answer right away. Just looks at me. ¡°Too many.¡±


    Haiden steps forward, arms crossed, eyes like steel. ¡°But it wasn¡¯t just a sacrifice. It was a test site. Marcus was refining the ritual. Learning how to manipte not just the Veil, but the souls bound to it. It wasn¡¯t enough for him to open the realms. He wanted to control them.¡±


    Noah swears under his breath. ¡°Gods.¡±


    breathe out slowly, the weight of the stasis chamber still pressing on my skin. ¡°And he almost did. There¡¯s a child still alive, suspended in magic<b>. </b>One of the originals. And the witch who saved him¡­ she¡¯s barely holding the spell together. But it¡¯s breaking. Cracking at the seams<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Levi nces to Xavier. ¡°We think the grave sites are acting as anchors. They¡¯re fractured, but still pulsing with the magic used to tear the veil open. If we can steady them<b>, </b>even temporarily, it might give Envy enough time to reshape the Veil without everything copsing.¡±


    ¡°How?<b>¡± </b>Xavier asks<b>. </b>His voice is quiet, but sharp. ¡°How do we stabilize something that¡¯s already failing?<b>¡± </b>


    Levi lifts a glowing rune from his pocket. ¡°Each site holds a fragment of the original spell. The runes<b>, </b>the bones, the residual blood magic, it¡¯s all part of the same framework. If we collect enough of these fragments, we might be able to create a new foundation beneath the existing tear. Not repair it, but hold it long enough for Envy to weave her own magic through the cracks<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Like scaffolding,¡± <b>I </b>murmur<b>. </b><b>¡°</b>Temporary structure until the new Veil is born.¡±


    He nods. ¡°Exactly. It won¡¯t hold forever<b>. </b>But it doesn¡¯t need to. Just long enough.¡±


    Haiden adds, ¡°We need an army. We can¡¯t do this alone.¡±


    Xavier finally speaks. ¡°And if we fail?¡±


    The chamber falls quiet.


    Then I lift my chin. ¡°Then <b>the </b>realms fall into <b>each </b>other, and no one survives the war thates after. But we¡¯re not going to fail.¡±


    Noah brushes his fingers against mine. ¡°Because we¡¯vee too far to let them win.¡±


    A ripple of dark energy pulses beneath <b>our </b>feet. The Veil shudders. A reminder that time is running out.


    I step forward. ¡°Then here¡¯s the n: I¡¯ll finish marking you all. It will unlock thest of my power, but before you gather the fragments and, the armies. I¡¯ll create a new veil. I¡¯ll give this world, all of them, a new boundary. A new beginning. We¡¯ll need to prepare people in the mortal realm; our pack will need to reach out to as many <b>as </b>possible to defend and prepare themselves.¡±


    Levi nods. ¡°We¡¯ll buy you <b>the </b>time.¡±


    Haiden rests a hand on my shoulder, his voice low. ¡°And we¡¯ll stand with you at the edge of the world, if that¡¯s what it takes.¡±


    Levi


    iden and I don¡¯t waste time. We leave the Underworld through a portal, straight to the grave sites we¡¯ve marked. I clutch the rune tighter than I mean to. It still hums with something ancient. Hungry. I don¡¯t think it wants to be used again, but it remembers the spell, remembers the blood, and it wants resolution. Haiden speaks little as we move through realms and territory. There¡¯s no need. We¡¯ve fought together too long. When we find the next site, another forest clearing twisted by magic <b>and </b>death, we work in rhythm. I dig through theyers of soil, ash, and memory. Another rune, another whisper<b>, </b>another child¡¯s voice. Each piece we gather brings the spell closer to bnce, and each one costs a little more of our souls.


    1:06 PM <b>P </b>


    <b>Noah </b>


    The portal spits me out near the Red Moon pack border just after dusk. The guards at the perimeter pause only for a second before they recognize me. Their relief is immediate. Their fear<b>, </b>palpable.


    <b>¡°</b><b>Go </b>get my father,¡± I say. ¡°Now. And my mother too. I want Future Alpha Zion from the Tris pack and his future Beta Theo, discreetly informed. Everyone. This isn¡¯t just about our pack anymore.¡±


    The hall is full within the hour. My parents are there, weathered by war and waiting. Council members, warriors<b>, </b>civilians, even pups clinging to their mothers, all watching me. I speak inly.


    <b>¡°</b>Marcus is going to tear down the veil between life and death. The magic that holds the realms apart <b>is </b>cracking. You¡¯ve probably felt it: dreams ghosts, nightmares, things in the shadows.¡±


    Murmurs ripple<b>. </b>


    ¡°Luna Envy¡¯s going to rebuild the Veil. But it¡¯s going to fall first. When it does¡­ the realms will bleed together. You¡¯ll see spirits. Beasts. Gods, even. And Marcus will use the chaos to try and control the aftermath.¡±


    I take a breath. ¡°We need every able¨Cbodied person prepared to fight. Defend. Protect the young. Evacuate the border towns. You don¡¯t have days<b>, </b>you have hours<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    My father stands. ¡°You have our army. You always have<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Xavier </b>


    The Veil shifts like a lung exhaling. I stand near its edge with Layah beside me. Her fur is warm<b>, </b>but the magic radiating off her is colder now, sharpened by purpose.


    <b><i>¡°</i></b><i>You </i><i>feel </i><i>that</i><i>?</i><b><i>¡± </i></b>she asks<b>, </b>eyes on the trembling light.


    I nod. ¡°<b>It¡¯s </b>thinning<b>. </b>Envy doesn¡¯t have long.¡±


    We don¡¯t speak again. We watch. We guard. We wait.


    <b>Envy </b>


    1 portal to the royal kingdom just before sunrise. The air here feels heavier, too<b>, </b>thoughced with more elegance<b>. </b>It¡¯s quieter. Regal. My mother, brothers and grandmother wait for me inside the inner sanctum<b>, </b>nked by guards I barely nce at. Their expressions shift when they see my


    face.


    ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± <b>I </b>say simply. ¡°I need everyst person you¡¯ve got that can fight.¡±


    Mum steps forward, no hesitation. ¡°What <b>exactly </b>do you need from us<b>?</b><b>¡°</b><b>. </b>


    ¡°Power,¡± I answer. ¡°But more than that, loyalty<b>. </b>Unity, When the Veil <b>falls</b><b>, </b>I¡¯ll <b>be </b>rewriting the boundaries between all realms. There will be a war of all the realms, and I have a feeling those of the underworld are going to fight hard to stay.¡±


    She nods once<b>, </b>the steel in her eyes reflecting mine<b>. </b>¡°Then we gather our <b>forces</b>.¡±


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside Novel Flow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement


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 Underworld 90

    <b>Chapter </b><b>90 </b>


    <b>Envy </b>


    Xavier, Haiden<b>, </b>Noah, Levi, Layah, and I all meet back in the ce where this truly began, where we first shifted together, under the weight of bloodlines, prophecy, and magic we hadn¡¯t yet understood. A field soaked in memory and old power. Now, it¡¯s soaked in something <b>else </b>too. Destiny. Ending. Bing.


    Above us, the sky fractures with veins <b>of </b>silver light, flickering like lightning beneath skin. It¡¯s wrong. The sun bleeds gold into the underworld¡¯s red mist. The air tastes like copper and starlight. Time bends here, old and new, past and future, colliding like storm fronts.


    ¡°Is everyone ready?¡± <b>I </b>ask, voice steady despite the pressure mounting inside me.


    My mates, my soulbound, my lovers in fate, show no signs of fear<b>. </b>They nod<b>, </b>solemn, and then, one by one<b>, </b>they kneel. Four gods in the making, lowering themselves before the storm of what¡¯s toe. I look to Layah. My hellhound. My bond¨Csister. My mirror and my me.


    ¡°Are you ready to mark your mates<b>, </b>Layah?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve <i>been </i><i>ready</i><i>.</i><i>¡± </i>Her eyes gleam with pride, with power. <i>¡°</i>Let¡¯s <i>end </i><i>this</i><i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    We move first to Xavier. He tilts his head, baring his throat without hesitation,plete trust in his gaze. I ce my hand against one side of his neck, magic pooling in my palm, already reacting to the overwhelming pressure in the air. Layah steps to the other side, nuzzles gently, and meets my eyes. We move together. One mind. One act. She bites while I release the flood of my magic. Xavier gasps as his body arcs slightly, like lightning passing through him. His pupils blow wide, silver bleeding into the whites of his eyes. I hear it first in my mind, his voice<b>, </b>crystal¨Cclear, <i>¡°</i><i>Mate</i><i>¡°</i>, before he even breathes the word aloud. Layah gently licks the wound closed, her tongue shimmering faintly with hellfire. I remove my hand, and where I touched him, a glowing handprint now burns bright against his skin, opposite Layah¡¯s bite. Two halves of a single mark. <i>The </i><i>earth </i><i>trembles</i><i>. </i><i>The </i><i>sky </i>screams. A shriek echoes above as the Veil tears wider, visible now like shredded fabric<b>, </b>letting in light and shadow that do not belong to this realm. Souls pour through, some in agony, some simply lost, all drawn to the power we¡¯re wielding, But we do not stop.


    We move to Haiden. He kneels taller than the others, chin raised slightly, always the soldier, the guardian. My protector. Layah and I move in unison again. Her fangs sink into his flesh with precision, and my hand ttens against his corbone, just above his heart. I push, and the magic takes hold. His gasp is a growl. His fingers dig into the <b>grass</b>. His eyes sh molten gold, and for a split second, I see shadows curling out from his skin, <b>as </b>if the power <b>is </b>reshaping him. <i>¡°</i><i>Mate</i>¡°, he says in my mind. ¡°You¡¯re mine now too.¡± ¡°Always¡°. I reply.


    A new crack rips through the sky above <b>us. </b>The clouds twist unnaturally, spiraling in a cyclone of red, violet, and midnight blue. Fire flickers along the horizon, and the ghosts of creatures long dead whisper through the air. We continue.


    Noah is trembling, not from fear, but anticipation. His hands are steady when he ces them on his knees<b>. </b>His eyes are locked to mine, shining with devotion. He knows what this means. I smile, letting a tear fall. ¡°You¡¯ve always seen me, even when I couldn¡¯t<b>.</b><b>¡°</b><b>. </b>


    Layah¡¯s bitends first<b>, </b>and then my magic surges into him. He chokes out a <b>cry</b><b>, </b>clutching his chest as the connection takes hold. My magic, interwoven with Layah¡¯s crescent¨Cshaped bite<b>. </b>


    <b>He </bughs through the bond. ¡°<i>This </i>is <i>what </i><i>it </i><i>feels </i><i>like </i><i>to </i>belong to a <i>Queen</i><b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°<i>Queens</i><i>,</i><i>¡± </i>Layah corrects¡°<b>.* </b>I touch his cheek before stepping back. ¡°You belong with us,


    The earth splits, a fault line tearing open just meters from where we stand. Wisps of dark smoke rise from the wound in thend. Screams echo from beneath, the voices of those lost, those sacrificed, those used in Marcus¡® twisted blood magic. And still, we continue<b>. </b>Levi. My shadow. My mystery. He kneelsst but does not bow his head. He holds my <b>gaze</b>, burning and unrelenting.


    ¡°No turning back,¡± he murmurs.


    ¡°There never was,<b>¡± </b>I answer with a smile,


    Layah bites him and he growls, low and deep, and I follow, pressing my hand over his throat. The moment I release the magic, it¡¯s like the sky itself inhales.


    <b>The </b>world stills. Then, <b>it </b><i>explodes</i>. The Veil shatterspletely above us, shards of invisible ss tumbling in waves of energy. The realms are no longer bleeding; they¡¯re ovepping. Divine wind rushes through <b>the </b>field, followed by the scent of death, then of spring, then <b>of </b>stars. The Underworld pulses like a heartbeat. The Mortal Realm groans. And somewhere in the distance, something divineughs. We fall to our knees, the <b>six </b><b>of </b>us breathing <b>as </b>one. The marks glow on each of their necks, <b>Layah¡¯s </b>bite, my handprint, but now the marks are shifting, merging, bing a single symbol<b>, </b>a glowing red skull on each of their throats.


    1:06 PM


    The magic still hums beneath our skin as we stand in the field, marked<b>, </b>bound, and forever changed. The air buzzes with static, the wind howling with voices we can¡¯t see, and all around us, the world pulses with impending copse.


    ¡°It¡¯s time,<b>¡± </b>I say, voice steady despite the pressure building in the space between realms.


    Layah steps closer, her paw brushing my hand. ¡°We won¡¯t get another chance.¡±


    I nod once and close my eyes, focusing on the coordinates in my head. Where the graves lie. The ce where it all bleeds together, the center of Marcus¡® web, and the only location strong enough to hold what we¡¯re about to do. The realm snaps. Darkness swallows us for half a breath. A heartbeat without air. Then¡­We emerge into chaos. The mortal realm is no more, the skies above, and the fire from below; <b>they¡¯re </b>all pushing together. Souls from hell<b>, </b>mortals and divine, they¡¯re all here.


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 Underworld 91

    <b>Chapter </b><b>91 </b>


    @


    <b>20 </b>


    The ground is scorched<b>. </b>Cracked. Runes burn beneath our feet, shifting betweennguages I don¡¯t recognize, divine, dead, and forbidden. The sky above us is fractured, a swirling mess of colors and shadows, glowing with the light of all three realms ovepping. Spirits hover in the distance, caught mid¨Cpassage. Screams ripple from invisible directions<b>. </b>The scent of rot and blooming flowers battles in the air. In the center of <b>it </b>all stands a tform of obsidian, etched with markings I know only because they live in my blood. Blood magic. Ancient. Unfinished. Atop it, Felix kneels, sweat glistening on <b>his </b>brow as he arranges <b>symbols </b>carved from old bones and stone. My grandmother, cloaked in ck and silver, stands beside him, her arms lifted, channeling a thread of power that flickers with death and life. She looks at me the second we arrive, eyes sharp as broken ss<b>. </b>


    ¡°You¡¯ve done it,¡± she <b>says</b>. ¡°The bond is sealed. The Veil <b>is </b>gone<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    I nod. ¡°Now hold that anchor.¡±


    She turns to Felix, who nods grimly and gestures to the runes Haiden and Levi uncovered: broken fragments of ritual stones, etched with the names of the sacrificed children and the original bloodlines Marcus exploited.


    ¡°It¡¯ll hold long enough if we pour enough power through it.¡± Felix says.


    <b>¡°</b>You mean us,¡± Noah says<b>, </b>stepping forward.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Grandmother answers. ¡°You six are the only ones strong enough to tether the realms now. You¡¯ve been marked by both Underworld and Divinity. You are the bnce.¡±


    Xavier moves forward, studying the carved circle. ¡°What do we do?¡±


    Felix rises, ¡°Step into the ring. One at each point. Six anchors for three realms. Madra will channel through you while the ritual activates.¡±


    ¡°And Marcus<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>Haiden growls. ¡°What if he finds us before we¡¯re done<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°He will find you,¡± Grandmother says grimly. ¡°He will already know it¡¯s begun.¡±


    Layah touches Xavier¡¯s back with her head. ¡°Let hime. <i>We¡¯ll </i>be <i>ready</i><i>.</i>¡±


    One by one, we take our positions<b>, </b>circling the ancient anchor carved into the earth. The second we step into <b>ce</b><b>, </b>a tremor rattles beneath us. The symbols re. The sky cracks open further, and the magic begins to scream. My grandmother <b>lifts </b>her hands. The runes rise into the air, spinning faster and faster until they burn with white fire. The anchor <b>is </b>taking shape<b>, </b>but it¡¯s not a peaceful thing; it fights back. I <b>feel </b>it wing at <b>my </b>soul<b>, </b>trying to unravel me. My magic burns as it¡¯s pulled through me, pouring into the anchor trying to hold these worlds apart. The bond between all six of <b>us </b>res bright, threads of energyshing out andtching onto the ritual like <b>vines </b>of molten gold.


    Layah gasps. <i>¡°</i><i>It¡¯s </i><i>trying </i><b><i>to </i></b><b><i>tear </i></b><i>through </i><i>us</i><b>¡­ </b>


    ¡°No<b>,</b><b><i>¡± </i></b><b>I </b>grit out. ¡°We¡¯re stronger than this.¡±


    37


    We focus. Together. Each of us <b>is </b>pouring magic<b>, </b>blood<b>, </b>pain, and love into the core. And slowly, so slowly, it starts to hold. The storm is no longer aimless. It has a tether now. The anchor glows brighter, humming like <b>a </b>living thing, and far in the distance<b>, </b>through the broken sky. I feel himing. Marcus.


    <b>He </b>emerged from the darkness like <b>scum </b>in the world<b>, </b>his old wolf form rippling with age¨Cwarped muscle and death¨Csoaked magic. Behind him<b>, </b>an army of lost souls shuddered into view, stretching across the broken horizon like a gue, I knew what he¡¯d promised them: life, vengeance, power. Lies, <b>all </b>of it. Things he could never give. Things he had no right to touch. I clutched the spell core tighter, feeling the tether thrumming through <b>me</b><b>, </b>wild, unsteady, still forming. It wasn¡¯t finished. Not yet. But it was holding. Barely, Marcus shifted as he approached, his human form just as monstrous. Pale. Twisted. Smirking. His eyes locked onto mine as he stepped closer.


    ¡°Envy!¡± <b>he </b>bellowed, arms outstretched like he was weing me home. ¡°You weren¡¯t supposed to rebuild the world. You were meant to let it fall


    He took another <b>step</b><b>, </b><b>his </b>voice rising like <b>a </b>preacher on a pulpit.


    ¡°Let it burn, and rise from the ashes with me! We could rule this new world, you and I. Just stop this now. Stop the tether. Walk away and I¡¯ll give you everything you¡¯ve ever wanted.¡±


    My hands tightened around the spell¡¯s heart, my magic snarling against his intrusion. My voice came out low. Final.


    1:07 PM


    ¡°You¡¯ll rule nothing, Marcus<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    I rose to my full height, feeling Layah¡¯s light pulsing beside me, a silent force that grounded the entire circle.


    ¡°And once I rebuild the Veil,<b>¡± </b>I said, ¡°you¡¯ll rot in the hell you tried to create.¡±


    His smirk faltered<b>, </b>but only for a breath. Then his expression turned cold. He raised one hand, fingers twitching in a flick of cruelmand. <b>The </b>dead surged forward. They moved like a tidal wave of smoke and shrieking hunger<b>, </b>teeth and bone and ghostly steel. My heart seized, and then <b>I </b>acted. I looked to my mates, my anchors. They understood without a word. Levi was first to move. Always first to protect. He tore from the circle with a snarl, shifting mid¨Cstride as Flint exploded from within him. Fire curled around his hulking hellhound form as he tore through the <b>first </b>line of wraiths, <b>jaws </b>snapping bone from shadow, fury unleashed. The tether trembled in his absence, like a fraying rope pulling against a copsing wall<b>, </b>but I held it.


    ¡°Haiden,¡± I whispered.


    He met my eyes. And without hesitation, without fear, he leapt forward into the chaos, Talen erupting from his body in a sh of smoldering blue fire. He crashed into the hoard with brutal grace, his eyes burning as he scattered the souls like ash. They had nowhere to go. No master to return to. When my mates killed them, they didn¡¯t drift to another ce<b>, </b>because right now, there was no other ce to go. They ceased to exist. Obliterated. Gone. The tether groaned. My bones ached. Every nerve screamed. Still, I held. I didn¡¯t let go. I couldn¡¯t. Not while they were fighting for me. For us. I staggered, knees dipping, until Layah¡¯s head caught my elbow. Her magic surged into the circle, binding it with hers, steadying the pull. She didn¡¯t speak. She just stood beside me, radiant and fierce, fur glowing like they could burn away the night itself. We were the bnce. The eye of the storm. I turned, breath ragged, to myst two mates.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement


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 Underworld 92

    <b>Chapter </b><b>92 </b>


    ¡°Noah. Xavier,¡± I gasped. ¡°Go.¡±


    Xavier took a step toward me, eyes wild<b>, </b>golden light shimmering across his skin.


    ¡°You can¡¯t hold this alone!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not alone<b>,</b>¡± I said, voice breaking. ¡°Layah and I, we¡¯ve got this. Now go!¡±


    His jaw clenched, but he obeyed. Because he trusted me. Because he loved me. Xavier shifted, and Maddox burst forward with a roar, shadow and me wrapping his sleek, powerful form. Noah followed, his eyes glowing, magic thick and storm¨Cslick in the air. Hawk rose from his body like a god, thunder crashing with every step he took toward the oing wave. They didn¡¯t hesitate. Didn¡¯t flinch. The four of them, Flint, Talen, Hawk, and Maddox were the wrath of the Underworld made flesh. My four horsmen of death. They tore through the souls like avenging titans, not just fighting but cleansing, burning corruption from the realms themselves. I felt each bond between us re and burn, like firecrackers in my chest. I felt their pain, their triumph. Their love and through it all, I held the tether. Watching helplessly as theyid down their lives for me<b>, </b>for this world. Layah and I, bound by ancient blood and forgotten magic, became something more in that moment. She ced her paw on my hand as the magic pulled me to my knees, our powers braided tight, radiant threads of light and shadow and life and death.


    Marcus had unleashed a nightmare. The dead came for us like a tsunami, screaming and writhing, a thousand twisted faces wing through the veil between life and death. My tether, still fragile and iplete, pulsed violently in my hands, magic threading through Layah and me with jagged desperation. We were the eye of the storm<b>, </b>barely standing in the center of a war that cracked the sky. The ground trembled beneath our feet as Levi and Haiden tore through the first wave, their hellhound forms shining like ancient gods of vengeance. Fire and shadow arced through the


    battlefield, souls evaporating into dust where their ws and teeth struck true. And still¡­ more came. Endless. Screeching. My muscles trembled under the strain. Every beat of the tether pulled harder, digging deeper. I could feel the Veil groaning, splitting. The magic was burning through me like molten ss. Xavier and Noah leapt into the fray. Hawk and Maddox exploded onto the battlefield like living storms, their roars rising in a chorus of death and fury, but it wasn¡¯t enough. Layah¡¯s grip trembled in mine as she screamed through the wind, her fur arcing with light and fury.


    ¡°<i>We </i>can¡¯t <i>hold </i><i>it</i><i>!</i><i>¡± </i>she cried. <i>¡°</i><i>It¡¯s </i><i>going </i><i>to </i><i>fall</i><i>!</i><i>¡± </i>


    1 bit down on my scream as the tether surged again. ¡°Aghhh!¡±


    The sound tore from my throat like a dying star. My knees hit the ground, and blood poured from my nose, ears, and eyes. The power wanted everything. It didn¡¯t care if I lived or died. I gave it more. My body cracked and lit from the inside, bones humming with divine fire. Layah¡¯s magic screamed beside mine, ring as she gave all she could. And still, the Veil buckled. Still<b>, </b>Marcusughed.


    ¡°Look at you!¡± he called over the carnage, surrounded by flickering spirits. ¡°You were never meant to hold it! Just let go, Envy! Let it burn!¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I hissed, ¡°I won¡¯t let you win.¡±


    ckness crept at the edges of my vision. The battlefield blurred until<b>, </b>suddenly, a blinding blue light burst from the treeline. Magic surged through the field in a wall of power. It roared like a wave of justice, obliterating the front lines <b>of </b>Marcus¡¯s army in a sweeping arc. Souls shrieked as they vanished, burned into nothingness by a force that didn¡¯te from us. <b>I </b>blinked through tears and pain and disbelief. They hade. All of them.


    Tommy¡¯s war <b>cry </b>shattered the air as his massive wolfunched into the fray, golden fur shing as he ripped into the ranks of the dead with fury. Aleisha followed, her wolf out for blood and vengeance. Screams of burning spirits rained down like ash around her. Theo charged beside Zion, their wolves lighting up <b>the </b>battlefield. Soul after soul fell to their rage. My brother¡¯s their lycans, charging with our own army in tow. These were the people who wanted to fight for our world.


    Then my mother¡¯s voice rose like a bell across the bloodied field.


    ¡°Evelina!¡±


    She moved like a tempest, sword in hand, surrounded by guards as they tore through the ranks. My brothersbined magic was a wall of resistance, mirror images of death and loyalty. More wolves poured from the ridge. Shifters of every kind. Packs that had once bowed to Marcus turned against him, Alpha after Alpha. Warriors. Witches. Vampires. The ground shook under the might of a united force. All of them are fighting for me. For us. For the world. Layah screamed again beside me, her whole body shaking. ¡°It¡¯s still not enough<i>! </i>The tether¡¯s copsing!¡±


    I looked up as the sky cracked open, threads of the divine realm bleeding into ours, the Underworld boiling at our feet. The magic demanded more. It demanded everything. So I gave it everything. I let go. Take it. <i>Take </i><i>my </i>soul, <i>my </i><i>power</i>, my breath. Take all of me. My body arched back as magic roared through me, burning, twisting, hollowing me out from the inside. The circle of power red white¨Chot until my legs buckled and I fell to my knees. It was too much. It was going to kill me. Then a hand touched my shoulder. Warm. Solid. Real. Power flooded into me, not brutal


    1:07 PM <b>P </b>P ¡¤


    like the tether, but steady. Comforting. Pure. Like sunlight breaking through a storm. I gasped and forced my head up. Standing beside me was a child. The boy. The one from the stasis chamber. The one who had been held in time for the original <b>spell</b>. His eyes were ageless. Ancient. Full of sorrow and strength and knowing. He smiled gently, and the power between us clicked into ce like the turning of a sacred lock.


    ¡°You were the key,¡± he said. ¡°I was the lock.¡±


    His small hand slid into mine, and the tether didn¡¯t fight him.


    It weed him.


    ¡°Together,¡± he whispered, ¡°we can rewrite the world.¡±


    <b>Chapter </b>Comments


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 Underworld 93

    <b>Chapter </b><b>93 </b>


    With the little boy¡¯s hand in mine, my other on Layah¡¯s fur<b>, </b>a power surged between us. Bright blue light hummed through the air like a living heartbeat, pulsing outward with a deep, echoing thrum. It was not just magic. It was memory. Bloodline. Destiny. A resonance that didn¡¯t just touch the world, it recognized it. imed it. The ground beneath us stilled. The storm paused mid¨Croar. Time¡­ broke. Not violently, not like the tether had, but gently, like the quiet breath between lightning and thunder. The battlefield froze around us, locked in a single suspended frame. Noah¡¯s ws were mid¨Cswing, blood and spirit ash frozen in the air like shattered ss. Levi¡¯s mouth was still open in a soundless howl, eyes wide, me licking the edges of his fur. Hawk¡¯s fur was caught mid¨Cbeat, trailing silver through the stillness. All of it is silent. Like the world itself was watching. And then<b>¡­</b>They came. One by one, the souls of the lost children stepped from the light. Dozens of them<b>, </b>hundreds. Ghosts without horror. Spirits without torment. Their faces were <b>soft </b>with peace, their eyes glowing the same bright blue as the light that surrounded <b>us</b>. They said nothing. They didn¡¯t need to. They reached for one another. Tiny fingers linked. Child to child, soul to soul, they formed a perfect circle around us. The magic red between them, brighter than a sunrise. They were tethering the Veil. Not as victims<b>, </b>but <b>as </b>anchors. As protectors<b>. </b><b>I </b>gasped, tears spilling freely now<b>, </b>because <b>I </b>could feel them. Each one. Their stories. Their pain. Their stolen futures¡­And still, they stood<b>, </b>for me. For this world. Layah pressed closer, her light ring with mine, fur shimmering with magic so ancient it hummed innguages <b>I </b>couldn¡¯t speak. The boy squeezed my hand tighter.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have long,¡± he said softly. ¡°The magic is waiting. You are the one who must rebuild it.¡±


    I stood slowly, breath shaking, magic cracking across my skin like lightning. The tether no longer screamed. It pulsed. Steady. Steady. <i>Mine</i><i>. </i>The Veil was torn. Bleeding. So I closed my eyes and imagined it whole. Not a wall. A bridge. One that separated, yes, but also respected. One that allowed the right souls to pass<b>, </b>and the wrong ones to be kept out. One that did not feed on pain or blood or power hoarded by tyrants, but one rooted in bnce. A Veil of truth. The circle of children glowed brighter, their joined hands lifting slowly into the air<b>, </b>a ring of light surrounding me. I called to the dead. The ones Marcus had twisted, warped, and used. I called them back<b>, </b>and they came. One by one, the corrupted souls lifted from the battlefield like threads <b>of </b>smoke, drifting toward the circle. The children opened the Veil for them<b>, </b><b>just </b>enough. They passed through, back to the underworld. Layah whimpered. The boy wept. I reached deeper, my magic unraveling and weaving at the same time, crafting new runes into the fabric of the realms. When I opened my eyes, <b>I </b>could see it, the new Veil rising before me like woven light and shadow. Threaded with soul, blood, and forgiveness. So beautiful it ached. A single breath passed. Then the world lurched back into motion. Time caught up like a scream, the wind returning in a thunderp, the battlefield roaring to life as if the pause had only been a breath..


    The light that had bled from the heavens like open wounds stitched itself shut with threads of gold and silver<b>, </b>constetions shifting into new shapes. The Underworld at our <b>feet </b>shimmered, no longer boiling, but calm. Contained. Bnced and all across <b>the </b>field¡­ the twisted spirits were gone. Their howls had been reced with silence. Not hollow, not ominous. Peaceful. My friends<b>, </b>my family, fell mid¨Cstrike or mid¨Cspell, des cutting through smoke, ws scraping at nothing. Noah stumbled to a stop, panting, blood dripping from his hands. Xavier looked around in slow confusion, mouth half open in a roar that died on his lips. Flint and Talen turned in tight, protective circles, bracing for an enemy that no longer existed. Their confusion echoed across the field, hundreds of warriors frozen in disbelief. Because the battle they had justid down their lives for¡­ was over. No victory cries. No final sh. Just stillness.


    Marcus stood at the center of the chaos he had wrought. No spirits nked him. The blood that soaked his arms had no power anymore. It clung to him like guilt. He looked around in disbelief. And then Marcus began to shift<b>, </b>trying to retreat, trying to run, but he didn¡¯t get far. A golden light descended like a cage of sunfire. He was caught mid¨Cstride, suspended in the air <b>as </b>if gravity itself had abandoned him. Light curled around his limbs, spun through his ribs, and held him there<b>, </b>not harshly, but with quiet finality. He floated forward, slow, trembling, helpless, until he hovered <b>just </b>before me and then<b>, </b>gently, impossibly gently, the light lowered him to my feet.


    Standing just behind him, radiant and otherworldly, she wore robes of white that shimmered like starlight over water, her hair long and loose, a dark waterfall streaked with moonlight. <b>Her </b>crown was simple but unmistakable: a circlet of pure gold shaped like a crescent moon, resting above


    her brow.


    ???????? ? ?????


    I knew. This was the Moon Goddess herself. Selene.


    ¡°My child,¡± she said, smiling softly <b>as </b>if we were <b>the </b>only two people in the world. Her voice wasn¡¯t thunder. It wasn¡¯t fire or fury. It was warmth. The kind of voice that made you feel like maybe<b>, </b>just maybe, you were safe. ¡°You¡¯ve certainly been working hard<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>she said with a faint smile.


    Power still cracked beneath my skin, but hers¡­ <b>hers </b>made mine feel like a ripple in ake beside the ocean. The boy at my side knelt instantly, head bowed<b>, </b>and Layah lowered herself into a crouch, her glowing form pressing against my leg in quiet reverence. Around us, the children¡¯s souls had not disappeared; they watched, hands still linked, still holding together, their eyes reflecting moonlight. Selene stepped forward, past Marcus, who flinched from her presence like it burned. She didn¡¯t even look at him. Her gaze was on me.


    ¡°You rewrote the Veil,¡± she said. ¡°You did what none of us dared.¡±


    I finally found my voice<b>, </b>hoarse and trembling, ¡°It was broken. It was hurting everyone. I¨CI couldn¡¯t let it keep bleeding.¡±


    You chose harmony over power, Sacrifice over vengeance. And you gave the souls back their names.¡± Her head tilted slightly. ¡°You rewrote the realms withpassion. That is true divinity.¡±


    Tears spilled down my cheeks before <b>I </b>could stop them. ¡°I didn¡¯t do it alone.¡±

 Underworld 94

    <b>Chapter </b><b>94 </b>


    ¡°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 <b>is</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    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¡­<b>¡± </b>


    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¨Cbetween. 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<b>, </b>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<b>, </b>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 <b>grace</b>, 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<b>, </b>Elliot squeezed my hand. I looked down again. He was still watching me, still smiling.


    ¡°Well<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>I crouched so we were eye level, brushing a hand through his soft curls. ¡°Where do you want to go<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    He looked uncertain for a moment, his brows drawing together<b>. </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Can I¡­ can I stay with <b>you</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be alone<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    My heart melted. Fully, utterly melted.


    A


    *You heard the Moon Goddess,<b>¡± </b><b>I </b>said with a smile, brushing a tear from his cheek. ¡°Wherever you want.¡±


    He nodded <b>once</b><b>, </b>small fingers tightening around mine, and just like that, he chose me. I <b>rose</b>, the weight of the moment settling across my shoulders like a crown. Not heavy<b>. </b>Just true<b>. </b>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 <b>rage </b>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 <b>eye </b>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<b>. </b>¡°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<b>, </b>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<b>¡­ </b>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<b>, </b>curious eyes.


    ¡°What do you <b>say</b><b>, </b>Elliot?¡± I asked, stepping forward, golden light rising around my feet. ¡°Do you want to see our kingdom<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    His smile bloomed like sunlight.


    <b>¡°</b>Yes,¡± he whispered. ¡°I want to see everything<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    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<b>. </b>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<b>, </b>but from unity. From us<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


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


    ¡°We¡¯ll join you soon. But first<b>¡­</b>¡± My voice softened. ¡°There¡¯s someone I need to show our kingdom to. And after that<b>¡­ </b>I¡¯ll introduce him to his pack, to the rest of his family.¡±


    <b>I </b>met the eyes of my mates, one by one<b>, </b><b>each </b>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.

 Underworld 95

    <b>Chapter </b><b>95 </b>


    Elliot


    I didn¡¯t know what warmth felt like until I touched her hand. Not warmth like fire or the sun. I¡¯d felt that before. It burned. This was different. It wrapped around me and didn¡¯t ask for anything in return. It didn¡¯t test me. Didn¡¯t take. It just¡­ held on. I hadn¡¯t spoken much before today. I didn¡¯t need to. In the ce Marcus kept me, words weren¡¯t used<b>. </b>Only <b>spells</b>. Screams. Silence<b>. </b>The kind <b>of </b>silence that filled your ears and stretched across days. I learned how to stay still. How to disappear, even when I was awake. But with her, Envy, I didn¡¯t feel the need to vanish. When she asked me if I wanted toe with her, I just knew. So I held on, and when we stepped through the glowing portal, into a realm unlike any I¡¯d seen before, I didn¡¯t <b>feel </b>fear. Only curiosity. The Underworld wasn¡¯t what I expected. It was quiet<b>, </b>but not empty. Still<b>, </b>but not dead. There were rivers of silver light and ck stone carved with stories that moved when you blinked. There were trees made of bone and fire that whispered when the wind passed through them. There were stars in the sky and <b>the </b>air thrummed with music <b>I </b>could only feel in my chest, and if was mine. Ours. Somewhere for me to belong. Envy squeezed my hand as we stepped onto the ck marble path<b>, </b>and the others walked around us<b>. </b>Her mates. <b>Noah </b>ruffled my hair again. Levi tossed me a piece <b>of </b>something sweet and sticky and told me it was candy, but he called it ¡°hell bark¡± and winked. I didn¡¯t know if it was a joke. It tasted like cinnamon andva. I liked it. In the great hall<b>, </b>there was a seat next to Envy¡¯s. A smaller one. I didn¡¯t sit at tables before<b>. </b>I sat on the floor, in silence<b>. </b>But Xavier pulled the chair out for me like it was the most normal thing in


    the world.


    He didn¡¯t tell me I needed to be quiet or still. Just smiled and said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to eat if you don¡¯t want to. You can just sit. <b>Or </b>y.<b>¡± </b>y. That word kept circling in my head. I¡¯d never done that before. Not that I remember. I¡¯d seen other children in dreams, sometimes, blurry ones,ughing, running, building things. But I didn¡¯t know how it worked. Later, in the fun room, there were glowing rocks that floated when <b>I </b>touched them, a slide made of smoke, and something called a projector that showed moving pictures on the wall. I just stood there<b>, </b>staring at it all.


    ¡°Hey, Haiden said<b>, </b>crouching beside me. ¡°You can touch stuff<b>. </b>Break it, even. We¡¯ll fix it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to break anything<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>I whispered.


    <b>¡°</b>You¡¯ve already fixed more than you¡¯ll ever break, kid.¡±


    That made something flutter in my chest. I didn¡¯tugh yet<b>. </b>But I almost did when Maddox used his ws to carve a dragon into the wall, and then Levi made it breathe glitter fire. Noah tried to catch it and fell on his ass. Everyoneughed, and when Envy looked at me and asked, ¡°What do you think, Elliot?¡±


    I said the truth.


    ¡°<b>I </b>think¡­ <b>I </b>like it here.¡±


    Because for the first time, I got to decide what I liked<b>, </b>and that? That was magic.


    ¡°Do you want to make a bedroom? Noah asked gently, kneeling beside me<b>, </b>his eyes level with mine.


    1 blinked at him. ¡°Make a bedroom<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    He nodded with a warm grin. ¡°Well, yeah<b>, </b>you¡¯re going to need your own room here¡­ and one at the packhouse in Red Moon. Somewhere that¡¯s just <b>yours</b><b>.</b>¡±


    I looked around, unsure. The idea of owning something<b>, </b>let alone creating it¡­felt like a foreignnguage. ¡°How¡­ how would I make a bedroom?<b>¡± </b>


    Noah¡¯s smile softened <b>even </b>more<b>, </b>his voice dropping like he was letting me in on a <b>secret</b>. ¡°Well¡­ it seems you¡¯ve be our little prince.¡±


    Before I could ask what he meant, he held up a hand and conjured a mirror from the air. It shimmered<b>, </b>soft and silver like moonlight on still water. He tilted it toward me, and my breath caught. Perched on top <b>of </b>my mess <b>of </b>blonde hair was a crown<b>, </b>not sharp and hard, not cold or <b>cruel</b><b>, </b>but soft¨Cedged, like smoke and shadow. It shimmered between colors, glowing faintly with the same magic I¡¯d felt when I touched Envy¡¯s hand.


    It looked like theirs. Like Noah¡¯s. Levi¡¯s. Haiden¡¯s. Xavier¡¯s. Like hers.


    I turned to look up at him, eyes wide. ¡°Is that<b>¡­ </b>real<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    He nodded. ¡°Real as your heartbeat. You earned that, Elliot. You helped save this world. Now you get to shape a piece of it. Start with your room<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    I stared at my reflection a moment longer, then slowly looked around the empty stone chamber they¡¯d brought me to. The walls shimmered like obsidian, alive with faint glowing runes, and I realized<b>¡­ </b>they were waiting. Waiting for me.


    1:07 PM <b>P </b>


    I turned back to Noah. ¡°Can I have¡­ books<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    He let out a relieved chuckle. ¡°You can have as many as you want. Any kind you want.¡±


    ¡°And¡­ stars on the ceiling? Not painted, real ones. That move.<b>¡± </b>


    He gave a yful bow. ¡°Your wish is mymand, little prince.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°And a bed,¡± I whispered. ¡°One that doesn¡¯t feel like stone<b>.</b>¡±


    <b>¡°</b>You¡¯ll have thefiest one in both realms<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    1146


    I hesitated, then added shyly, ¡°And <b>maybe </b>a window? Even if it¡¯s just pretend.¡±


    At that, Noah leaned in and whispered, ¡°Here, kid? Nothing¡¯s pretend. Not anymore.¡±


    And with a flick of his fingers, he passed a glowing crystal into my hands. ¡°You hold this, and you imagine it. Whatever you picture, the room will make for you. You¡¯ll be able to use magic easier this way until we teach you a little more.¡±


    I took the crystal in both hands. It was warm. Like her hand had been. I closed my eyes and for the first time in my life¡­ I let myself dream.


    It pulsed gently, like a second heartbeat, and warmth curled up into my fingers. I didn¡¯t know what to imagine first; my thoughts were too <b>fast</b><b>, </b>too full, but the crystal was patient. It waited. I opened my eyes.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>


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 Underworld 96

    <b>Chapter </b><b>96 </b>


    ¡°Okay,¡± I whispered to it, to myself. ¡°I want a window. One that shows the stars. Real ones.<b>¡± </b>


    Light bloomed from the far wall. Arge arched opening grew like roots curling outward, and through it I saw the night sky, my sky. Not the one above the battlefield or the broken veil. This one was deep, endless, peaceful. Gxies spun in slow motion. Constetions I didn¡¯t know the names of winked down like old friends. A moon hung low and gold, just close enough to touch if I really wanted to try. I gasped. It was perfect.


    ¡°And books,¡± I said, barely above a whisper.


    D


    Shelves rose from the ground, twining upward like vines<b>, </b>filling with books that smelled like old paper and magic. Some were ancient, with gold- leaf pages and cracked leather spines. Others looked newer, with bright colors and titles that hinted at dragons<b>, </b>treasure maps, and impossible adventures. I stepped forward<b>, </b>running a hand across the nearest spine. My fingers trembled. I¡¯d never owned a book before.


    ¡°And<b>¡­ </b>music.¡±


    A soft hum began to y, like the lubies I imagined mothers might sing, if I¡¯d ever had one. Gentle, magical. The kind that made your chest ache in a good way.


    ¡°And a bed. A soft one.¡±


    The floor beside me shifted<b>, </b>rising like breath into a wide circr nest of pillows and plush nkets. It wasn¡¯t sharp¨Cedged or stiff; it looked like somewhere you could fall asleep and be safe. Truly safe. I stood in the center of it all<b>, </b>hands still clutching the crystal<b>, </b>heart pounding.


    Then I heard a voice behind me.


    ¡°Elliot.¡±


    I turned. Envy stood at the doorway, silhouetted in the starlight. Her smile wasn¡¯t pitying, it was proud. Warm. Real.


    <b>¡°</b><b>You </b>did this<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>she said softly. ¡°You made this.¡±


    I nodded slowly. ¡°It¡¯s mine?¡±


    ¡°All yours,¡± she whispered.


    <b>I </b>didn¡¯t know how <b>to </b>respond. The words in my throat weren¡¯t strong enough. So I just stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her waist, burying my face into her stomach.


    She froze, just for a moment, and then melted into the hug, pressing a hand to the back of my head.


    ¡°You¡¯re allowed to have soft things now, Elliot,¡± she whispered into my hair. ¡°You¡¯re allowed to dream<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    I squeezed tighter<b>, </b>then looked <b>up </b>at <b>her </b>with a small smile.


    ¡°I want to learn how to y<b>,</b>¡± I said. ¡°I want to learn how to <bugh</b><b>.</b>¡±


    Envy¡¯s eyes shone like moonlight on water. ¡°Then we¡¯ll teach you.¡±


    ¡°Are we ready to go to our other home?¡± Xavier asked behind her.


    The portal shimmered like a soap bubble caught in moonlight.


    I hesitated. Envy reached for my hand, no words, just a gentle squeeze, and I stepped through beside her. The moment wended, I was swallowed by sound. Laughter. Barking<b>. </b>Cheering. Children¡¯s shrieks <b>of </b>excitement. The sun here was warm and rich, the wind carried the smell of baking bread and fresh¨Ccut grass, and everything buzzed with life. This¡­ this was Red Moon. The moment the portal snapped closed behind us, a crowd surged forward.


    A tall woman with kind eyes and silver in her dark curls rushed to Envy<b>, </b>cupping her face. ¡°You did it,¡± she whispered, voice thick with emotion. ¡°My girl.¡±


    <b>That </b>must <b>be </b>her mother. Beside her stood an even older woman with sharp cheekbones and a spine like steel, who gave a single approving nod to Envy¡­ and then turned those eyes on me.


    1:07 PM P P


    ¡°You¡¯re Elliot,¡± she said. Not a question.


    I nodded.


    ¡°You¡¯re safe now.¡± And then, unexpectedly<b>, </b>she reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. Her touch was cold, but not unkind.


    ¡°Wee home, boy.<b>¡± </b>


    I didn¡¯t know what to say.


    Before I could try<b>, </b>three big men barreled into us, wrapping Envy in a hug. One had sea¨Css green eyes and a grin like he¡¯d won a bet. The others had wild curls and eyes like storm clouds. ¡°You scared the shit out of us,<b>¡± </b>one of the curly¨Chaired said. Then he looked at me, and his expression softened. ¡°Hey<b>, </b><b>little </b>man. Heard you helped save the realms<b>.</b>¡±


    <b>I </b>blinked. ¡°Maybe a little.<b>¡± </b>


    He winked. ¡°Not bad for your first week.¡±


    A girl darted toward us next, beautiful, confident, with a long braid down her back and a yful smirk. ¡°And this must be the new prince.<b>¡± </b>She gave a deep<b>, </b>overly dramatic bow. ¡°Aleisha. Sister to the chaos quads. Long¨Csuffering victim of their pranks. Wee to the madhouse.¡±


    A man stepped up behind her, resting a hand on her hip. ¡°And I¡¯m her mate, Tommy. Don¡¯t <b>let </b>that one near glitter or fireworks.<b>¡± </b>He pointed to Aleisha. ¡°Or you¡¯ll regret it.¡±


    ¡°I make no promises,¡± she grinned.


    I nodded mutely<b>, </b>stunned by how many people cared. Then something soft and fast mmed into my leg. I looked down and a little girl with wild brown curls and mismatched socks beamed up at me.


    ¡°You¡¯re him,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°I think so?¡± <b>I </b>answered.


    ¡°I¡¯m Macey,<b>¡± </b>she said proudly. ¡°I live at the orphanage. Wanna <b>see </b>my frog? His name¡¯s Toaster.¡±


    I blinked. ¡°Toaster?¡±


    She nodded. ¡°He jumps like one. I just found him today.¡±


    Before I could respond, she grabbed my hand and dragged me into the grass.


    The field was full of other kids, orphans like me, I realized. But they weren¡¯t afraid. They were alive. Laughing, running, their faces sunburnt and joyful. It didn¡¯t make sense. And yet it did. I turned to look for Envy, but she smiled and gave a small nod. Go on<b><i>. </i></b>Then the quads appeared. Noah, Xavier, Haiden, <b>and </b>Levi<b>, </b>all still glowing faintly with post¨Cbattle magic, grinned like wolves with a new game.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Levi pped his hands. ¡°First order of business for the little prince<b>: </b>capture the crown.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± <b>I </b>asked warily.


    ¡°A game we made up,¡± Xavier said. ¡°You¡¯ve got five minutes to build your kingdom out <b>of </b>anything in <b>the </b>yard. nkets, sticks, kids, whatever. Then we try to invade <b>it</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°What happens if I win?¡± I asked, intrigued despite myself.


    ¡°You name the next royalw,¡± Haiden said with a dramatic bow.


    Noah winked. ¡°But if we win, you owe us your dessert for a week.¡±


    I narrowed my eyes. ¡°Deal<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Macey shrieked and grabbed my hand again. ¡°Come on, we¡¯ll build a castle out of the old tree stump and the hay bales!¡±


    Children swarmed like bees, helping gather supplies. nkets, rocks, sticks and in the middle of it all, for the first time in my life that I could remember, <b>I </bughed. It startled me<b>, </b>but it felt real. Like maybe, just <b>maybe</b><b>, </b><b>I </b>wasn¡¯t broken after all.

 Underworld 97

    <b>Chapter </b><b>97 </b>


    <b>Noah </b>


    Gods, he really was ours. I watched him from the tree line, arms crossed, pretending to be assessing fort integrity<b>, </b>but really, I was just trying not to let anyone see the stupid smile on my face<b>. </b>Elliot was crouched in the grass beside Macey, the two of them deep in a whisper¨Chuddle like they were nning an international heist instead of building a fort. He pulled something from his pocket, the crystal, faintly glowing with his newly forming magic. I caught <b>the </b>shimmer of it even from <b>here</b>. <b>This </b>kid. We¡¯d barely brought him through the portal and already he had half the pack rallying behind him and Macey swearing vengeance in his name. She used to <b>cry </b>when someone knocked over her fort. Now she was plotting full- scale retaliation. With him. Gods, I loved him already.


    I wasn¡¯t even sure when it happened. Maybe it was the moment I saw him gripping Envy¡¯s hand like she was the sun and the only anchor he had. Or when he looked at me like I mattered. Like we mattered. Like we were safe. That kind of look sticks.


    ¡°He¡¯s gonna wreck us<b>,</b>¡± Haiden muttered beside me, arms folded. ¡°Look at that teamwork. They¡¯ve got a battle n. Schematics. Probably a war council<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°They¡¯re building battlements out of actual enchanted vines<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Levi said in disbelief. ¡°What even is that crystal he¡¯s using?<b>¡± </b>


    Xavier just chuckled. ¡°Envy¡¯s raw magic. It¡¯s <b>got </b>Macey taking notes. That¡¯s terrifying.¡±


    ¡°Honestly?¡± I said, watching Elliot as he smiled, really smiled, that full kind with crinkled eyes and augh that sounded like something blooming after winter. <b>¡°</b>I hope he wrecks us<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    My brothers went quiet for a beat. I didn¡¯t care. Let them see. Let them know. Because something inside me had already rearranged itself the moment Elliot took my hand back at the Veil and looked at me like I was more than just a warrior or a hellhound or a walking wall of loyalty. He looked at me like I was safe. Like I was home and gods help me, I wanted to be that for him.


    ¡°He¡¯s family now,<b>¡± </b>I said quietly.


    Xavier gave me a sideways nce. ¡°Already making adoption papers<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Damn right,¡± I said.


    Out


    in the field<b>, </b>Elliot and Macey beganyering illusions over their walls. Not just shields, trickery. Portals that looped back to the entrance. Decoys. Sound¨Cbased traps, Was that aughing fog cloud?


    ¡°Oh gods,¡± Haiden whispered. ¡°They¡¯re evil geniuses.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re <b>us</b><b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Levi said with a hint of pride and he was right. After absolutely decimating the other kids¡® forts<b>, </b>because tradition is tradition, we circled back as a unit, lining up in front <b>of </b><b>the </b>final stronghold. Elliot and Macey stood atop it like tiny warlords, their hands sped dramatically as they stared us down. ¡°We won¡¯t go down easy<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Elliot called.


    ¡°Not without a tickle tax<b>!</b>¡± Macey added.


    I grinned. Gods, I was so proud of this little nightmare prince already. He didn¡¯t just build a fort. He built a kingdom.


    Haiden


    This was supposed to be a game<b>. </b>A light¨Chearted, run¨C¡®em¨Cdown, knock¨Cover¨Csome¨Cpillows, let¨Cthe¨Ckids¨Cfeel¨Ccool¨Cfor¨Cfive¨Cminutes kind <b>of </b>game. But no.


    We were under siege. By children.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Imuttered, crouched behind a hay bale with mud on my face and moss in my hair, ¡°new rule: next time we let the tiny feral warlord design <b>the </b><b>game</b><b>, </b>we ask for a terrain walkthrough first.¡±


    You mean before the illusion fog tricked you into crawling into a pit of tickle vines?¡± Levi snorted, belly¨Ccrawling next to me with actual glitter stuck to his left eyebrow.


    That fogughed at me.¡±


    ¡°Itughed at all of us,¡± Xavier said grimly. His shirt was half¨Cmelted from an enchanted bubble trap. ¡°<b>I </b><b>saw </b><b>my </b>reflection wink before it exploded.¡±


    ?


    ¡°Are those bunnies still chasing Noah<b>?</b><b>¡± </b><b>I </b>asked<b>, </b>peeking over the edge of the barricade.


    Sure enough<b>, </b>off in the distance, Noah was being herded by three enchanted dust bunnies the size <b>of </b>watermelons, all squeaking aggressively. One had a crown. I didn¡¯t want to ask.


    Levi ducked beside me, breathless. ¡°They named it the Fluff Squad. We¡¯re losing.¡±


    ¡°Losing?¡± I repeated<b>, </b>narrowing my eyes toward the <b>so</b>¨Ccalled Royal Stronghold of MaceLot, which was still standing in the middle of the field like some kind of magical child¨Cbuilt citadel<b>. </b>¡°No<b>, </b>no. We don¡¯t lose. We adapt<b>.</b>¡±


    Xavier<b>, </b>ever the calm one, wiped <b>a </b>streak of mud off his cheek. ¡°n?¡°.


    ¡°Overwhelm their defenses,¡± I said. ¡°They¡¯re relying on enchantments and illusions. Let¡¯s push through with pure speed.¡±


    ¡°And when we hit another mirror maze?¡±


    ¡°We memorize theyout this time<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°You mean likest time when you ran into yourself and screamed?¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I snapped. ¡°First of all, that mirror was taunting me. Second, shut up. Third, on my count.¡±


    We regrouped, four full¨Cgrown hellhounds looking like we¡¯d been through actual war (and we have, this was worse), and took position behind the central barrier. Macey peeked her head over the castle wall and waved sweetly. Elliot stood beside her, arms crossed like a tiny king watching fools try to take his throne. Little punk looked proud.


    ¡°ONE,<b>¡± </b>I shouted.


    ¡°WE ARE SO GONNA DIE<b>,</b>¡± Levi yelled.


    ¡°TWO!¡±


    ¡°I REGRET EVERYTHING!¡± Xavier groaned.


    ¡°THREE!<b>¡± </b>


    We charged. First trap<b>? </b>Glowing hopscotch stones that exploded with flower¨Cscented smoke. Easy. We sprinted through. Second trap? A portal loop that kept sending us back to the same damn tree. Took us ten minutes to figure out it was <b>the </b>tree. Maddox headbutted it in frustration. Third? Sound¨Cbased distraction spells. Every time one of us spoke, our own voice echoed back but in baby talk.


    ¡°Haiden want a huggy¨Cwuggy?¡± the air squeaked when I yelled. ¡°No thank you, I want to burn everything down<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    By the time we reached the base of the fort, muddy, wheezing<b>, </b>slightly glittered and questioning all our life choices, <b>we </b>were hit with the final defense. A banner unfurled from the top of the castle:


    ¡°RULE <b>#</b><b>1</b><b>: </b>To Enter, You Must Answer <b>the </b>Riddle<b>¡­ </b>or Dance<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°What riddle?<b>¡± </b><b>I </b>snapped.


    ¡°THIS ONE<b>!</b><b>¡± </b>Elliot shouted from above, beaming. ¡°What has four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and none after the Fluff Squad attacks<b>?</b>¡±


    Noah, somehow recovered from his bunny ambush stumbled in beside us. ¡°I think it¡¯s us, guys. It¡¯s us.¡±


    Levi groaned. ¡°Okay, dance it is.¡±


    And


    <b>so</b>, four elite warriors of the Underworld performed the most miserable, uncoordinated<b>, </b>embarrassing dance the realms have ever seen. Elliot and Macey judged us from the wall. They <b>gave </b><b>us </b>a seven. Out of ten. Because ¡°Xavier had potential,¡± apparently and then<b>, </b>finally, they lowered the pillow drawbridge and let us in, Inside? Tiny throne. Snack pile. nket¨Ctunnel maze. A glowing sign that said;


    PRINCE ELLIOT¡¯S FORT <b>OF </b>DOOM & SNUGGLES.¡±


    <b>I </b><b>looked </b>around at <b>the </b>carnage. At my brothers, humiliated and breathless. At Macey giggling so hard she fell over. At Elliot, who wasughing. Reallyughing and I grinned, mud and all. Totally worth it.

 Underworld 98

    <b>Chapter </b><b>98 </b>


    <b>Xavier </b>


    A


    ?????????? ??????


    ¡°Do you <b>yield</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>Elliot shouted dramatically, stick raised high in his hand like it were a royal scepter.


    Levi was on his knees,ughing, covered in bits of <b>leaf </b>and bup. ¡°Fine! We yield. The mighty tree stump fortress is too strong!¡±


    Noah groaned, brushing off dirt from his shoulder. ¡°It wasn¡¯t the stump. It was the crystal booby traps.¡±


    ¡°I told you he was sneaky,¡± Haiden added, panting beside him. ¡°Never underestimate a kid with trauma and magic.<b>¡± </b>


    Iughed from where I sat on the ground, arms crossed, watching the scene with a pride I couldn¡¯t quite name.


    <b>¡°</b>You should¡¯ve seen yourselves,¡± Envy said as she entered the fort unscathed. ¡°Four grown hellhounds brought to their knees by a seven¨Cyear¨Cold and a pup.


    35


    Elliot turned toward me, eyes gleaming<b>, </b>and I couldn¡¯t help the warmth that bloomed in my chest. ¡°Did we win?¡± he asked.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t just win,¡± I said, hopping up and walking over. ¡°You crushed us. That fort was genius. You and Macey made an unbeatable team.¡±


    He beamed, practically vibrating with joy. Macey squeezed his hand in celebration, and the two of them did a little jumping dance of triumph that made Levi snort.


    ¡°Now,¡± Elliot said, clearing his throat and straightening like a miniature king, ¡°as per our agreement<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>


    My brothers and I groaned in unison.


    ¡°I dere,¡± Elliot continued, ¡°that I get all of your desserts. For a week.¡±


    ¡°A week?¡± Noah whined.


    <b>¡°</b><b>You </b>said it,¡± Haiden sighed,


    ¡°I was hoping he¡¯d <b>forget</b>,¡± Levi muttered, though his smirk betrayed him.


    Xavier raised a brow. ¡°We did shake on it.¡±


    Elliot folded his arms with mock authority. ¡°Swear it.¡±


    One by one, we knelt again<b>, </b>more dramatic than necessary, because gods, we were going to live to spoil this kid.


    ¡°We swear,¡± we all said.


    Levi was the first to scoop him up after that, slinging Elliot onto his shoulders with a triumphant whoop. ¡°You¡¯ve bested us in battle, Prince of Hay Bales. Time to feast.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll bring Macey with us!¡± Noah said, ruffling her curls before lifting her onto his hip. ¡°Let¡¯s head back before Mum eats all the pies.¡±


    As they wandered off<b>, </bughter trailing behind them, I lingered with Elliot still perched high on Levi¡¯s shoulders. From the corner of the courtyard, I spotted Tommy approaching, wiping his hands on a towel from helping with the food. The moment Elliot saw him, he asked, ¡°Are you


    the Beta<b>?</b>¡±


    Tommy nodded. ¡°That¡¯s <b>me</b><b>. </b>You need help with anything, kid, I¡¯m your guy.¡±


    Elliot studied him for a moment. ¡°Do you know how to build underground secret tunnels?<b>¡± </b>


    Tommy blinked, then grinned. ¡°I do.¡±


    Beside him, Aleisha sauntered over, her long braid swinging. ¡°I like your style, kid. I haven¡¯t seen my brothers bested for a very long time<b>.</b>¡±


    Elliot gave a <b>shy </b>smile.


    1:07 PM P


    ¡°<b>Well</b>,¡± she said, kneeling to his height, ¡°since you¡¯ve already imed their dessert, it¡¯s only fair I show you where Mum hides the good


    chocte.¡±


    His eyes lit <b>up</b><b>. </b>I watched <b>as </b>they led him <b>away</b><b>, </b>hand¨Cin¨Chand<b>, </b>already exining how the kitchen was technically off¨Climits unless you were very fast or <b>very </b>charming and behind it all<b>, </b>our <b>parents </b>stood just beyond the porch, eyes misty and full of quiet joy. Mum had her arm tucked around Dad¡¯s waist, and <b>he </b>whispered something in <b>her </b>ear that made herugh. They were already gone for him. Mum had a wrapped gift tucked under one arm<b>, </b>probably a <b>stuffed </b>animal or something overly expensive and Dad was holding a carved <b>namete </b>for a door.


    ¡°Should we tell them to slow down?¡± Levi asked, now at my side.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>


    Kerryn Day¨CFrancis


    7 days ago


    3

 Underworld 99

    <b>Chapter </b><b>99 </b>


    I shook my head, heart full.


    ¡°Nah,<b>¡± </b>I murmured, watching our little prince disappear into the bustle of family and warmth and love. ¡°Let them spoil him.¡±


    <b>Levi </b>


    There was something surreal about watching my parents fuss over a child again. Not in the way they did with us<b>, </b>strict but loving<b>, </b>loud but loyal<b>. </b>This was gentler, like they¡¯d learned the value of slowing down.


    ¡°Alright, hold it straight for me now,¡± Dad said<b>, </b>hammer in hand, a namete tucked under his arm.


    Elliot stood in front of the door of the room they had prepped. His door. His mouth slightly open as he traced <b>the </b>carved letters with his <b>eyes</b>.


    ¡°Elliot¡¯s Room.¡±


    <b>He </b>held the te carefully, his small hands trembling just slightly as Dad gently helped him level it.


    ¡°Right there?¡± Dad asked.


    Elliot nodded hard. ¡°Yes, sir.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°None of that now. You can call me Pa. <b>If </b>you want.¡±


    Something flickered in Elliot¡¯s expression. He nodded again. Slower this time. ¡°Okay¡­ Pa.¡±


    I could¡¯ve sworn my father¡¯s heart burst open right then. With a few solid taps of the hammer, the namete was in ce. Elliot stepped back, hands behind his back like he didn¡¯t quite know what to do with himself. Then Mum stepped forward<b>. </b>She was holding a gift box and knelt in front of Elliot and opened it.


    The moment I saw the ears<b>, </b>I choked.


    ¡°No way,<b>¡± </b>I whispered to Xavier beside me.


    ¡°<b>Is </b>that<b>¡­</b><b>?</b>¡± he blinked. ¡°It can¡¯t be.¡±


    ¡°Oh, it is<b>.</b>¡±


    Elliot¡¯s eyes went wide. <b>¡°</b><b>A </b>teddy bear?<b>¡± </b>


    Mum chuckled. ¡°Not just any bear. This little troublemaker nearly tore my household apart.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s Fergus<b>,</b>¡± <b>I </b>whispered, a grin breaking <b>over </b>my <b>face</b><b>. </b>¡°We fought over that bear <b>so </b>much that Mum had to hide it. I thought it was lost forever<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°No, no,¡± Mum said with a secret smile. ¡°I just needed him to survive your childhood. He¡¯s been in my <b>drawer </b>for thest decade.¡±


    Elliot hugged it to his chest like it was sacred. ¡°Thank you¡­Nanna¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee, sweetheart,¡± She whispered, brushing his hair back. ¡°He¡¯s always been meant for someone special,¡±


    Something swelled in my throat. Pride. Grief, Relief. Joy. I wasn¡¯t sure. But as Elliot was shown inside, where old toys of ours had been cleaned and disyed like tiny trophies<b>, </b>shelves lined with wooden dragons, plush hellhounds, and glow¨Cstone nightlights, I felt the world tilt slightly back into ce. He was already home.


    Afterwards, dinner with the pack was loud, Exactly how it should be. The long tables had been dragged out under the canopy <b>of </b>string lights, and <b>the </b>scent of roasted meat, herbs, and spiced cider hung heavy in the air. Kids ran between legs, chased by overly enthusiastic omegas pretending to be wild beasts. Someone <b>was </b>singing off¨Ckey nearby. Tommy and Aleisha were mid¨Cbanter over who made better gravy. Someone had spiked the <b>punch </b>again and Elliot sat nestled between Noah and Macey, a te piled high in front of him. He kept ncing around like he couldn¡¯t quite believe this was his <b>life </b>now. Xavier leaned close to me as he refilled my ss. ¡°You okay?<b>¡± </b>


    I nodded, watching <b>as </b>Elliot shyly offered Fergus <b>a </b>nibble of roast potato.


    107 PM


    ¡°I think,¡± <b>I </b>said softly, ¡°I¡¯ve never felt more okay.¡±


    This messy<b>, </b>noisy, love¨Cdrenched chaos wasn¡¯t just home. It was family and Elliot had finally found his ce in it.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized <b>and </b>constitutes copyright infringement


    <b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>

 Underworld 100

    <b>Chapter </b><b>100 </b>


    <b>Envy </b>


    I don¡¯t think I¡¯d ever get tired of watching him smile. That small<b>, </b>soft, real smile that didn¡¯t tremble at the edges or flinch like he expected pain to follow. Just joy. Warmth. A child learning how to be a child. Elliot was already half¨Casleep, nestled under the covers in the room mum and dad had prepared for him. His crowny softly on the pillow in a smoky form, a smallfort he would always have to know his ce in this world. He clutched Fergus, the bear the quads had apparently fought over endlessly when they were little, as if the worn fur could keep nightmares at bay. Maybe it could<b>. </b>I brushed a strand <b>of </b>blond hair from his face and sat beside the bed, the mattress dipping under my weight. ¡°Did you <b>have </b>fun today?<b>¡± </b>I asked softly. He nodded, eyelids fluttering. ¡°Macey said we¡¯re going to make a fort every day<b>.</b>¡± He yawned, then blinked up at me. ¡°Can we? Even if I¡¯m a prince?¡± I smiled. ¡°Especially because you¡¯re a prince. But even more because you¡¯re a little boy who deserves to y<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    He hummed in contentment and snuggled deeper into the nkets. My heart ached in the best kind of way. How could someone so small hold so much courage? So much strength? He had been forged in darkness and still found a way to glow.


    <b>¡°</b>Can you stay a little while<b>?</b>¡± he whispered.


    <b>I </b>reached for the book on the nightstand. ¡°Only if I get to read the next chapter of The Little Fire Wolf.¡± The book that Xavier had started reading to him


    His face lit up, and I read to him with a quiet voice, his breathing slowing, his fingers loosening around the stuffed bear. I didn¡¯t even make it to the end of the page before he was asleep. I closed the book, leaned down, and kissed his temple.


    ¡°You¡¯re safe now,¡± I whispered. ¡°You¡¯re home.¡±


    I looked up to the open door to find all four of my mates standing there, all looking with awe. I quickly, quietly walked out<b>, </b>shutting <b>the </b>door behind me.


    ¡°See something you like, boys<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>I teased, and their eyes shed ck, their wolves looking right at me.


    ¡°We should put a pup in you.¡± Maddox¡¯s deep voice said, and I giggled. ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t know yet?¡± Their eyes flickered to my still t stomach as I smirked. Their eyes widened, four sharp intakes of breath filling the quiet hallway.


    <b>¡°</b><b>You </b>don¡¯t mean¡­<b>¡± </b>Haiden stepped forward, voice barely above a whisper.


    I bit my lip, letting the <b>silence </b>stretch before nodding once. ¡°Yeah. I think our little prince might be getting a sibling.¡±


    Xavier <b>was </b>the first to move<b>, </b>sweeping me up into his arms like I weighed nothing. ¡°You¡¯re serious?<b>¡± </b>he asked into my hair<b>, </b>voice thick with emotion. ¡°You¡¯re really?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Goddess blessed and approved.¡±


    Noah whooped loud enough that I shushed him with augh<b>, </b>pushing Xavier¡¯s chest until he reluctantly <b>set </b>me down. Levi had a hand over his mouth, eyes shining, and Haiden just dropped to one knee and pressed his forehead to my stomach.


    ¡°Hey there, little bean,¡± he murmured. ¡°We can¡¯t wait to meet you<b>.</b>¡±


    A lump formed in my throat, <b>tears </b>burning the corners of my eyes.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to say anything until things calmed down with the veil,¡± I whispered. ¡°But <b>now</b>¡­ I want them to grow up in a world that we built. Safe. Whole.¡±


    <b>Xavier¡¯s </b>hand came to rest over Haiden¡¯s, Levi joining a secondter. Noah knelt and kissed the side of my belly, over my shirt.


    ¡°Our family,¡± Haiden said softly, his voice reverent. It¡¯s growing,¡±


    ¡°And


    And so is our chaos,¡± Noah smirked, then wiggled his brows. ¡°We¡¯re going to have to fortify the fun room<b>.</b>¡±


    Iughed<b>, </b><b>tears </b>slipping free now, ¡°You¡¯re all ridiculous.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re our <b>everything</b>,¡± Levi murmured<b>, </b>pulling me into his <b>chest</b>. ¡°Thank you for choosing us. For giving us this. For giving them this.<b>¡± </b>


    My heart stretched wide enough to hold the entire world in it.


    108 PM P P


    The following night, we held a special meeting with the pack. The stars were bright overhead as we stepped onto the balcony overlooking the Red Moon courtyard. Dozens of bonfires burned below,ughter and warmth spilling from every corner of our packhouse. The celebration had already begun: victory<b>, </b>survival<b>, </b>and family. Xavier¡¯s hand rested gently on <b>the </b>small <b>of </b>my back, a steady warmth as the others nked us. Below, pack members quieted, faces turning upward, expectant. Noah stepped forward first, shing his signature grin that had always made him seem like mischief personified. ¡°Alright, everyone. Settle in, we¡¯ve got some big news.¡±


    I slipped my fingers into <b>Levi¡¯s</b>, grounding myself <b>as </b>the crowd hushed.


    ¡°We¡¯ve fought, we¡¯ve bled, and we¡¯ve survived together,¡± Xavier said<b>, </b><b>voice </b>carrying like thunder wrapped in silk. ¡°We¡¯ve rebuilt what was broken. And now it¡¯s time to build something new.¡±


    Haiden¡¯s gaze swept over the crowd like he was memorizing every soul. ¡°Tonight, we want you all to meet someone officially. Our son.¡±


    Murmurs rippled, a few gasps audible even from up here. Levi turned and gently guided Elliot forward, the little boy holding tightly to his hand, a little shy but proud. Elliot stepped up beside me, wearing his crown and holding Fergus in one arm.


    ¡°This is Elliot,¡± I said, my voice catching only slightly. ¡°He¡¯s brave, kind, and stronger than any child should ever have to be. He¡¯s a survivor of Marcus<b>¡® </b>cruelty¡­ and now, he¡¯s <b>ours</b>. He chose us and we chose him<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    The crowd erupted in cheers, a thunder <b>of </b>eptance and love that stole my breath. Elliot looked up at me with wide, overwhelmed eyes, and I knelt to kiss his forehead.


    ¡°And that¡¯s not all,<b>¡± </b>Levi said, his voice a low rumble of pride. ¡°Because we¡¯ve got another one on the way.¡±


    I stood again, cing a hand over my stomach. ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± I said, loud enough for all to hear. ¡°I¡¯m pregnant.¡±


    There was a beat of stunned silence, and then the courtyard exploded with sound. Shouts. Apuse. Wolves howling in joy. Iughed, heart pounding<b>, </b>hand still pressed to my belly. Levi threw his arm around my shoulders, Noah lifted Elliot into the air like a little king<b>, </b>and Haiden looked as though he was moments from shifting just to runps of celebration.


    Haiden grinned down at the crowd. ¡°The Goddess of the Underworld has brought life into our world. Our Luna is carrying our heir.¡±


    ¡°Our <i>heirs</i>,¡± Xavier corrected, ncing at Elliot with pride so fierce it burned.


    The pack chanted Elliot¡¯s name, some younger children calling out to him, and I watched him glow under the weight of that love. Like it didn¡¯t crush him, it lifted him. And me? <b>I </b>stood in the center of it all<b>. </b>A Goddess. A Luna<b>. </b>A mother. A mate<b>. </b>


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin<b>, </b><b>is </b>an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution,jor upload outside NovelFlow<b>, </b>AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement


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 Underworld 101

    <b>Chapter </b><b>101 </b>


    94%


    Days began to mold together, blurring into one another, stitched with quiet routines and little moments of magic. Normal, or as normal as it could be in my situation. The guys had taken to Elliot effortlessly, wrapping him in a cocoon of fierce protection and unconditional love that made my heart ache with gratitude. Watching them with him was like seeing the futureid out in soft light: this child, our son, growing strong and sure, already carving his ce among us. It gave me a sense of peace; knowing our next child, the one I carried now, would be weed just the same. Elliot was blossoming. More and more, I saw him shed the shadows of his past, his tentative edges: softening with every smile, every burst ofughter shared with Macey and the other kids at the orphanage. Those afternoons were his favorite, running through the woods, conjuring sparkles of magic that painted the air, his eyes lighting up as he crafted secret hideouts and enchanted forts that defied even the oldest shifters imaginations. One evening, after Elliot had fallen asleep with Fergus clutched tight; I sat with the guys around the firepit outside the packhouse, the stars stretched vast and silent above us.


    ¡°I still worry,¡± I admitted quietly, voice low enough that only they could hear: About the Underworld. After everything he¡¯s been through¡­ is it really the right ce for him?¡±


    They exchanged looks, words unspoken passing between them.


    Xavier was the first to speak. ¡°He¡¯s stronger than you think and wiser. The Underworld isn¡¯t just a ce of death; it¡¯s a ce of bnce. And Elliot is learning to be a guardian of that bnce.¡±


    Levi nodded, tossing a stick into the fire. ¡°He¡¯s adapting. From pack to Underworld, he¡¯s stepping into each role like he was born for it.¡±


    Noah¡¯s grin was wry but sure. ¡°The kid¡¯s got heart. And some serious stubbornness. He¡¯s making it work, on his own terms.¡±


    Haiden¡¯s gaze was steady and fierce. ¡°He¡¯s not just surviving. He¡¯s thriving. That¡¯s what counts, and the souls love him in the reception area. He¡¯s a sweet wee into the next stage of life.¡±


    I let their words sink in, a soft warmth blooming in my chest. They were right. Elliot wasn¡¯t just the boy who¡¯d been broken; he was bing something whole, something powerful, and so was I. I reached down, cing a hand over my belly, feeling the steady,


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    rhythmic flutter that reminded me life was growing, resilient and unyielding, just like us.


    The next morning, I was in the throne room in the Underworld, having just finished a meeting with the Forgotten. Their endless bickering over space and rituals still rang faintly in my ears as I stood from the obsidian throne, stretching out the tension from my shoulders.


    3


    ¡°Mum!¡± Elliot¡¯s voice rang through the chamber like a bolt of joy, and I barely had time to turn before he skidded to a halt behind me, nearly slipping on the polished floor. His cheeks were flushed with excitement, mischief dancing in his eyes.


    ¡°Darling?¡± I asked, arching a brow. ¡°What are you doing?


    ¡°You have to hide me!¡± he whispered urgently, ducking behind my skirts like I was his shield and sanctuary all in one.


    ¡°Wh-¡±


    N


    Before I could finish, the doors were flung open again, and Haiden stormed in:like a man on a mission. Except¡­ he was covered in glitter. Not just a little shimmer either. No, this


    was a full¨Cblown sparkle explosion. It clung to his darkshes, his beard shimmered like


    ×Ó


    crushed stars, and a streak of neon pink ran across his cheek.


    ¡°Love,¡± I said, fighting a smile, ¡°I think you have a little something on your face.¡±


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 Underworld 102

    <b>Chapter </b><b>102 </b>


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    He ignored me, zeroing in on the small boy hiding behind my legs. ¡°Step away from your mother, Elliot,¡± he said, dead serious.


    Elliot hesitated, peeking up at me with a wide grin.


    ¡°Elliot¡­¡± Haiden warned, slowly conjuring something in his hand with a flick of his


    fingers.


    My son inched away from me with dramatic hesitation, hands raised in surrender. ¡°You


    wouldn¡¯t hit a prince,¡± he said with a smirk.


    A


    Haiden¡¯s smirk grew wider. ¡°I would absolutely glitter bombone.


    A


    And then heunched the conjured balloon across the room. It soared through the air like a colorfulet and sttered against Elliot¡¯s chest in a glittery explosion of gold and


    blue.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Elliot shrieked, halfughing, half scandalized, covered in sparkling dust.


    Consider us even,¡± Haiden said, brushing his hands together with satisfaction.


    Elliot narrowed his eyes, slowly brushing glitter from his arms. This means war.¡±


    ¡°Oh no,¡± I muttered, but I was already smiling. I turned to watch as Elliot dashed from the room again, no doubt nning his next strike. Haiden looked far too pleased with


    himself.


    Haiden chuckled and started after Elliot. ¡°Let the glitter warsmence.¡±


    I stood there a moment longer, shaking my head fondly as the sound of giggles and stomping feet echoed down the halls of the Underworld.


    Xavier portaled in not long after his presence always brought calm, steady, warm, grounding. He walked across the marble floor of the throne room like it was just our kitchen back home, leaning in to press a kiss to my lips, then dropping down to one knee to kiss the curve of my swollen belly.


    Hey, little one,¡± he whispered, voice thick with adoration. ¡°You stayingfy in there?¡±


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    promised him he could reap his first soul today.¡±


    Xavier¡¯s eyes lit up like I¡¯d just reminded him Christmas hade early. ¡°Oh! Right. His first reap. Such a milestone.¡± He clutched his chest dramatically. ¡°Our baby boy¡¯s growing up so fast.¡±


    ¡°Oh, what a special moment,¡± I said in mock¨Cseriousness, tilting my head. ¡°Make sure you


    take a picture for me?¡±


    He paused, blinking. ¡°A picture? Of the soul?¡±


    ¡°No, silly. Of him. In the robe. With the scythe,¡± I said, pointing a stern finger at him. ¡°I


    want one for the mantel. Next to his first spellbook and that macaroni crown he made for


    Macey.<b>¡± </b>


    Xavier rolled his eyes fondly. ¡°I don¡¯t think you can take pictures in the Underworld. Magic scrambles the lens.¡±


    I crossed my arms, lifting a brow. ¡°Then sketch it. Or summon a memory crystal. I¡¯m


    serious, Xavier. It¡¯s his first soul. It¡¯s a big deal.


    ¡°Okay, okay. Whatever you want,¡± he said with augh, pulling me into a hug. ¡°You¡¯re


    lucky I¡¯mpletely wrapped around your fingers.¡±


    I kissed his cheek. ¡°Don¡¯t I know it.¡±


    ¡°He went that way,¡± I added, gesturing toward the far corridor, where faint sparkles still hovered in the air like floating fireflies. ¡°Just follow the glitter trail.¡±


    Xavier squinted at it, thenughed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget the picture!¡± I called after him.


    ¡°Got it!¡± he yelled back. ¡°Robe, scythe, no glitter, unless it¡¯s intentional!¡±


    I leaned against the arm of the throne, smiling to myself as I looked down at my belly and whispered, ¡°You¡¯re going to have so much fun with your big brother.¡±


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 Underworld 103

    <b>Chapter </b><b>103 </b>


    <b>Xavier </b>


    I found Elliot after following the glitter trail. The glitter trail, ridiculous. He was hanging from a cage in the Pits, suspended by his ankles, and pelting glitter bombs at Noah and Haiden like it was some unholy game of dodgeball. The room was chaos, pure, glitter- coated chaos, and I loved it. Damned souls were cheering from the sidelines like they were watching the Super Bowl. Haiden was roaring withughter as he ducked behind an overturned table, while Noah was trying to conjure a shield out of shadows that glitter still managed to cling to. I waited until Haiden hurled a glowing pink cloud right back at the cage and Elliot squealed with delight. Then I teleported mid¨Cair, snatched him from his perch, and we both disappeared in a shimmer of ck and gold,nding with a soft thud on a quiet beach somewhere along the coast.


    ¡°Whoa,¡± Elliot breathed, stumbling a little in the sand as he stared out at the ocean. The sun was just dipping toward the horizon, painting the sky in streaks of molten orange andvender. Waves rolled in with a calming rhythm, far removed from the chaos we¡¯d left


    behind.


    ¡°Pretty cool, huh?¡± I asked, brushing sand off his shirt.


    ¡°Very cool,¡± he nodded, eyes wide. ¡°Is this the real mortal realm?¡±


    ¡°Yup. But what we¡¯re doing today? Even cooler.¡± I crouched in front of him, cing a hand on his shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s your first reap today. You ready?¡±


    His entire body buzzed with excitement, his heels bouncing in the sand. ¡°Yes! Yes, yes,


    yes!<b>¡± </b>


    I chuckled and gave his shoulder a squeeze. With a pulse of magic, a tiny reaper robe shimmered over his frame, ck with soft silver trim and little skull buttons down the front. His own miniature scythe materialized next, light as a feather, the de glowing faintly with potential.


    ¡°There,¡± I said. ¡°Now you look the part.¡±


    He twirled dramatically and puffed out his chest. ¡°Do I look scary?¡±


    <b>I </b>grinned. ¡°Terrifying.¡±


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    He giggled and gripped his scythe like it was a lightsaber. ¡°My mum¡¯s going to freak out. She said I wasn¡¯t allowed near sharp objects until I was ten.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± I said. ¡°She gave full consent for this. Also, she wants a photo.¡±


    He froze, blinking up at me.


    ¡°So,¡± I said, gesturing. ¡°We¡¯ll shift to the visible spectrum of the mortal realm. You smile. I click. Then we get back to work. Deal?¡±


    ¡°Deal!¡± he squealed.


    With a flick of my fingers, the shadows around us peeled back just enough for a mortal lens to capture the scene. He stood proudly at the water¡¯s edge, little blonde curls peeking from under his hood, his grin so wide I could count every one of his tiny teeth. Click. The


    image shimmered into a frame on my tablet. I¡¯d send it to his mumter. She¡¯d probably


    cry. Again.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said, shifting the screen toward him. ¡°Here¡¯s today¡¯s soul. M. She was four


    when she drowned in this cove a few years ago. Her spirit¡¯s been stuck here, caught


    between fear and memory.¡±


    Elliot¡¯s joy dimmed a little, but he nodded seriously, standing straighter.


    ¡°She¡¯s in the shallows right now,<i>¡± </i>I said. ¡°Do you see her?¡±


    He scanned the beach with those sharp little eyes, then pointed. ¡°There, there, she is! Is


    she picking up seashells?¡±


    ¡°She is. It¡¯s part of the loop she is caught in. It¡¯s what she was doing when she passed.¡±


    Elliot stepped forward carefully, his tiny scythe held gently at his side like he didn¡¯t want


    to scare her. I followed at a distance, watching with quiet pride. He knelt beside her. Her spirit shimmered faintly in the surf, translucent, barely real. A little girl with dark curls and a pink dress, soaked through from ghost¨Cwater. She was humming to herself, unaware of our presence until Elliot reached out and tapped her shoulder.


    She blinked up at him, frowning slightly. ¡°Are you a pirate?¡±


    He hesitated. ¡°No<b>¡­ </b>I¡¯m kind of like¡­ a helper.<b>¡± </b>


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    She blinked again. ¡°A helper for what?¡±


    ¡°To help you not be scared anymore.¡±


    She looked down at her dress. ¡°I¡¯m wet<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I know,¡± Elliot said gently. ¡°But you don¡¯t have to stay here. We¡¯ve got warm towels where we¡¯re going. And chocte milk. Probably. I¡¯ll ask Daddy Haiden.¡±


    Her brows knit together in thought. ¡°My mummy said I should stay where I am.¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t know you were stuck,¡± Elliot said, his voice so soft I almost didn¡¯t hear it. ¡°But


    it¡¯s okay now. I¡¯m here. And Daddy Xavier¡¯s here too, he¡¯s the boss.¡±


    She turned her head, squinting up at me. I gave her a small wave.


    ¡°I remember you,¡± she said suddenly. ¡°You came in my dreams once.¡±


    He smiled. ¡°I did. I¡¯ve been waiting until you were ready.¡±


    She reached out then, sliding her hand into Elliot¡¯s. Her form stabilized a bit more, less


    mist, more light. Elliot looked up at me, a silent question in his eyes. I gave a nod.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he whispered, turning back to her. ¡°Close your eyes, M. It¡¯s time.¡±


    She did. He raised his scythe, and the de shimmered bright gold as it passed through the air. No pain. No fear. Just peace.


    Her soul vanished before him.


    ¡°I did it!¡± Elliot said, and I ced a hand on his back. With a thought, I portaled us both back to the waiting room. The atmosphere shimmered as we stepped inside. Haiden, still glitter¨Cstreaked, blinked at us from the desk where he was now filling out new soul records. ¡°And how was it, young deathling?¡±


    ¡°Amazing!¡± Elliot said, beaming as he released the orb of M into the waiting light. ¡°She


    wasn¡¯t even scared.¡±


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Haiden said, already pulling out a tiny nket and plushie from a basket. ¡°They never are when someone kind shows up.¡±


    <b>00 </b>


    M reformed gently in the reception room¡¯s nursery corner, where several young souls now yed with blocks and crayons. She spotted the plushie, giggled, and toddled toward <ol><li>it. </li></ol>


    Elliot watched, blinking fast. ¡°Can I do another one?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow,¡± I said, ruffling his hair. ¡°One soul at a time.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± he sighed. ¡°But I want glitter bombs next time, too.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not,¡± Haiden and I said in unison.


    Elliot just smirked, then vanished in a puff of confetti andughter.


    I looked to Haiden, who wiped some glitter off his arm.


    ¡°You¡¯re enjoying this too much,¡± I said.


    ¡°I love chaos,¡± he replied proudly. ¡°Especially the sparkly kind.¡±


    I rolled my eyes and turned back to the portal. One soul reaped. One kid guided home. A future reaper trained with kindness. We were doing more than just ferrying the dead. We were building something better.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes


    copyright infringement

 Underworld 104

    <b>Chapter </b>104


    <b>Noah </b>


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    Everything had been running smoothly in the underworldtely, and we¡¯d worked out a


    nice routine: spend the nights here handling soul traffic, keeping the realms bnced,


    and then portal back to Red Moon during the day to manage pack duties and, more


    importantly, be with Envy. We still had a few hours left until sunrise, and with nothing


    urgent pressing down on us, I decided to let Hawk out for a proper run. The Underworld


    was quiet tonight, the veil steady, and the air thrummed with that low hum of death and


    magic that I¡¯d grown oddly fond of. I stepped out of the massive obsidian doors of the


    kingdom and inhaled deeply. That familiar scent, rich, smoky airced with iron and shadowed whispers, filled my lungs and made something settle inside me. Home. Then I


    shifted. Bones snapped and twisted, and heat burst through my spine as Hawk took over.


    We were massive in this form,rger than an Alpha wolf, almost bear¨Clike in size, with


    thick ck fur and deep red streaks that shimmered when we ran. Our paws thudded against the ckened stone, sending tiny cracks of embers dancing into the air. We took off toward the lower stretches of the underworld, away from the path of the forgottenmunities, just for the thrill of the run. The stone gave way to scorched earth, then eventually to the gardennds, an eerie, yet oddly beautiful section of the realm where Evelina had spent most of her nightstely. The moment her scent hit us, Hawk faltered in his step. <i>¡°</i><i>Mate</i>.<i>¡± </i>It flooded us, sweet, intoxicating, and impossible to ignore. She¡¯d always smelled sweet, a mix of softness and bite that matched her perfectly. But ever since she¡¯d fallen pregnant, her scent had changed. Sweetened. Ripened. Stronger. Now, it was like a song we couldn¡¯t stop hearing, a maic pull that yanked at every protective


    and possessive instinct inside us. We shifted back mid¨Cstride, panting slightly as I stood upright again. My hand went to my chest on instinct, feeling the thump of my heart slow from the run and speed back up from her nearness. She was close. I followed the scent trail down one of the winding paths that led into the underworld¡¯s royal gardens. Unlike


    mortal gardens, these pulsed with both life and death, petals that shimmered like soul


    dust, vines that slithered gently along ancient trellises, and glowing blue trees with silver leaves that hummed in the quiet. And there she was. Evelina. Envy. My mate. She was kneeling beside a flowering bush with glowing purple blossoms, her head tilted to one side as she whispered something to the petals, probably coaxing it to bloom in some magical way only she understood. The moonlight from the veil shimmered on her hair, catching on the strands that were thickening wildly with new growth, an after¨Ceffect, she said, of carrying a half¨Cdivine child. Her robe was loose, and I could just make out the slight curve of her stomach. That tiny bump had be our whole world. Hawk growled


    13:27 Wed, Sep 3 <b>GR </b>


    softly in my chest. Not from anger, no. From awe. From want. From the need to protect. She looked up then, and the smile that stretched across her lips was everything.


    ¡°Noah,¡± she said softly. ¡°I felt youing.¡± I walked closer, unable to help the way my eyes roamed over her, greedy and worshipful all at once.


    ¡°You know I can¡¯t stay away.¡± She stood, brushing her hands off on her robe, and reached out. I closed the distance and caught her fingers in mine, bringing her hand to my mouth to kiss her knuckles.¡°You shouldn¡¯t be out here alone,¡± I murmured, lips brushing her


    skin.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t alone,¡± she replied with a smirk. ¡°There are three guards nearby, and Levi enchanted the garden with a protective ward.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the point.¡± She reached up and cupped my face, her thumb brushing my jaw.


    ¡°Then what is?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± I said, voice low and full of that growl that wasn¡¯t quite mine. ¡°You and our pup. You smell like everything I want. And when you¡¯re near¡­ It¡¯s like the rest of the world disappears.¡±


    She smiled, lips soft, eyes glowing. ¡°You¡¯re such a sap.¡±


    ¡°Only for you,¡± I replied honestly. I leaned in, pressing my forehead to hers, both hands sliding down to her belly. She took a deep breath, and I felt it; our pup shifted slightly beneath my palms.


    ¡°They know you¡¯re here,¡± she whispered.


    I kissed her then<b>, </b>slow and lingering, and when we pulled apart, I stayed close.


    ¡°Come on. I¡¯ll walk you back to your chambers. You shouldn¡¯t be on your feet too long.¡±


    ¡°Just say you want to curl up with me.¡± She smirked.


    ¡°I always want to curl up with you.¡± Sheughed, looping her arm through mine, and together, we walked beneath the glowing silver canopy, back toward the castle, her scent wrapped around me like a promise. A promise of family. Of warmth. Of a future we¡¯d fought damn hard to earn. By the time we reached our chambers, her body was leaning


    heavier into mine. She wouldn¡¯t say it aloud, stubborn as ever, but I could feel the slight tremble in her steps. She was tired. I opened the door and guided her inside, letting it close with a soft thud behind us. The Underworld was quiet tonight, and in here¡­ it was like time slowed just for us. She rubbed at her belly absentmindedly as she moved toward the firece. I watched her for a moment, watched the way the fabric of her robe caught the flickering glow, the way it clung slightly to the swell of her stomach, still small, but unmistakably there. That little bump unraveled something primal in me every time I looked at it.


    ¡°Let me help you,¡± I murmured, already moving behind her. Her shoulders rxed when I brushed her hair aside and untied the sash of her robe. The silk slid off her shoulders like water, pooling at her feet, leaving her in nothing but a thin slip that hugged every new curve. I sucked in a quiet breath. She¡¯d always been beautiful. But now¡­ now there was something divine in her softness. The fullness of her breasts, the gentle roundness of her stomach, the faint glow to her skin, like moonlight lived beneath it. She was carrying our child, and I¡¯d never wanted anything more than I wanted her in that moment.


    ¡°I was going to make sure you got a nap in¡­¡± I said softly, fingers brushing her hips as I eased thest of the fabric down. She stepped out of the slip slowly, until she was bare in front of me. She turned, eyes meeting mine, luminous and knowing.


    ¡°And now?¡± she asked, voice hushed. I swallowed hard.


    ¡°Now I want to worship you.¡±


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    <b>Chapter </b><b>105 </b>


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    Shey there beneath me, hair fanned out across the pillows like starlight, lips parted as her chest rose and fell with quiet anticipation. My gaze roamed the gentle curve of her breasts, the soft slope of her belly, the subtle wideness of her hips that hadn¡¯t been there before. Every inch of her called to me. I leaned down and pressed a kiss to the hollow of her throat, then lower, to the curve of her corbone, the swell of her breasts, taking my time with each ce she shivered under my mouth. Envy arched slightly into my touch, her fingers sliding over my shoulders, nails grazing lightly down my back. ¡°Noah¡­¡± she breathed, her voice already husky.


    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± I murmured, lips brushing over her skin. ¡°Not going anywhere.¡±


    She sighed as I trailed kisses across her ribs and lower still, reverent with every press of my mouth. I wrapped my arms beneath her and held her steady, letting her feel how deeply I adored her. How fiercely I wanted her. When I returned to her lips, I kissed her with slow, aching devotion, tongue sliding against hers with a promise I couldn¡¯t put into words. Her thighs parted instinctively as I settled between them, and I paused, just for a moment, to look into her eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡± I asked, voice rough, barely held together.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been more sure of anything,¡± she whispered.


    I entered her slowly, letting every inch be a worshipful ache, our breath catching at the same time. Her body weed me, warm and soft and so damn right it nearly undid me. I had to fight the need to move too fast, to rush what deserved to be savored. We found a rhythm that was slow and deep, like waves rolling over the shore. Each thrust a silent vow. Each moan is a shared prayer. Her nails pressed into my shoulders, and her head tipped back as she whispered my name like it was the only word that mattered. My hand slid between us<b>, </b>finding the spot that made her tremble. I watched here undone, watched her eyes flutter and her lips part in the most beautiful cry. And when she broke, she took me with her, pulling me over the edge with a sharp, gasped ¡°Noah,¡± and the way her body clenched around mine. After, I stayed wrapped around her, pressing soft kisses to her sweat¨Cdamp skin, my hand smoothing over her stomach again as if to remind myself she was real. She was mine. And she was carrying the future we never dared to


    dream of.


    ¡°I love you,¡± I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.


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    She smiledzily, pulling me down into her arms. ¡°Even when I¡¯m glowing and moody and starving every three hours<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Especially then.¡± I kissed her again. ¡°You¡¯re the light in this realm, Evelina. Mine. Always<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Afterward, I stayed there for a while, just holding her, our bodies tangled, breath still shallow, the weight of the world outside the bedroom forgotten. Her fingers tracedzy circles over my chest, and I could feel her heartbeat finally beginning to slow, syncing with mine. But eventually, I eased myself from the bed, brushing a kiss to her shoulder as I murmured, ¡°Don¡¯t move.¡±


    Envy hummed something sleepy and contented, her limbs limp and boneless against the


    sheets.


    I padded barefoot to the ensuite, twisting the knobs of the wfoot tub until steam began to rise. I added a drop of thevender oil she liked, then the soft blossom of her favorite Underworld bloom that smelled faintly like violets and spice. The scent filled the air quickly, warm and floral. When I returned to the bed, she was already stretching like a satisfied cat, her hair messy and her body glowing in a way that had nothing to do with


    magic.


    ¡°You¡¯re drawing me a bath?¡± she asked, pleased.


    ¡°You earned it.¡± I leaned down and scooped her up easily, enjoying the little gasp she gave and the way her arms loopedzily around my neck.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to spoil me,¡± she murmured, nuzzling against my jaw.


    ¡°I n on it,¡± I replied, setting her gently into the water. ¡°Every damn day.¡±


    She let out a breathy moan as she sank into the heat, her head resting back against the curved porcin. ¡°Gods, that feels good. My back¡¯s been aching all day.¡±


    I knelt beside the tub, running a hand along her arm beneath the water, letting my fingers dance over her skin. ¡°You should have told me.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to worry you. You¡¯ve already been fussing over me like a mother hen.¡±


    ¡°I am worried. That¡¯s the whole point.¡± I kissed her damp forehead. ¡°You¡¯re carrying our


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    baby. That means <b>I </b>worry until the end of time.¡±


    She blinked up at me, misty¨Ceyed for a moment. Then, her nose wrinkled slightly. ¡°Gods, I need pickles.<b>¡± </b>


    I paused, trying to decide if I¡¯d misheard her. ¡°Pickles?¡±


    ¡°With honey,¡± she added,pletely serious. ¡°And a little salt. Maybe lemon juice. Oh! And that smoked jerky Haiden hides in the back of the pantry.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t stop the grin spreading across my face. ¡°That sounds¡­ horrific.¡±


    Her eyes narrowed. ¡°You said you¡¯d spoil me.¡±


    ¡°I did. I just didn¡¯t realize I¡¯d be ying fetch for a pregnant goddess with the cravings of a gremlin.¡± I kissed the tip of her nose. ¡°But I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± she said primly, sliding deeper into the tub. ¡°Because if you bring me the wrong kind of pickles again, I might cry and also set the bed on fire.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare.¡±


    I rose, giving her onest lingering look. Her skin shimmered in the candlelight, the curve of her stomach just peeking out of the water as she let her head fall back, glowing with life and warmth and everything I never knew I needed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back in ten,<b>¡± </b>I said, already heading toward the kitchen like a man on a mission. ¡°Try not to conquer any realms without me.¡±


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    <b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>


    65

 Underworld 106

    <b>Chapter </b><b>106 </b>


    <b>Noah </b>


    I should¡¯ve known better than to think I¡¯d get in and out of the pantry unnoticed. I moved like a man possessed, navigating the castle corridors in nothing but a pair of joggers and a look of grim determination. The Underworld didn¡¯t sleep, exactly, but the halls were mostly quiet, bathed in the flickering torchlight that hummed with low magic. Somewhere in the distance, a wraith moaned, probably getting exorcised. I didn¡¯t stop. First, I raided. the kitchen for the basics: pickles, honey, and lemon juice. Then salt, because apparently just regr pickles weren¡¯t disgusting enough. The moment I opened the pantry and reached for the bag of smoked jerky shoved behind a sack of dried herbs, I heard it.


    ¡°No.¡±


    I froze, hand halfway to the bag. I turned slowly.


    Haiden stood at the other end of the kitchen, shirtless, his arms crossed over his chest


    like an angry god guarding a holy relic. His ck eyes narrowed at the scene unfolding


    before him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he warned, stepping forward.


    ¡°She¡¯s pregnant,¡± I said tly, snatching the jerky before he could lunge.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean she gets my jerky, Noah.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s growing our child in her womb. She could ask for a phoenix egg marinated in moonfire, and you¡¯d better believe I¡¯d find it.¡±


    Haiden grimaced. ¡°Okay, first of all, don¡¯t say the word womb to me. Second, there were four bags in here yesterday. Why is there only one now?¡±


    I gave him a nd look. ¡°Because I ate the othersst week. Also, Xavier stole one.¡±


    His jaw dropped. ¡°That son of a¡­wait, he did sneak a bag yesterday, didn¡¯t he? I knew he smelled smoky!¡±


    I was already backing out of the pantry, prize in hand. ¡°I¡¯ll rece it.¡±


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    ¡°You can¡¯t rece that jerky,¡± he called after <b>me </b>like it was sacred. ¡°That was cured by demon monks in the obsidian caverns. Do you know how long I waited for that shipment?¡±


    I called over my shoulder, ¡°Then you shouldn¡¯t have hidden it in the obvious ce. Rookie move, Haiden.¡±


    There was a dramatic sound of him throwing his hands in the air. ¡°This is betrayal! Treason! I¡¯m telling Levi!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m terrified,¡± I deadpanned, kicking the kitchen door open with my foot as I bnced the haphazard stack of bizarre snacks.


    ¡°You should be! You¡¯re going to be a father, where¡¯s your moralpass?¡±


    I didn¡¯t answer. I was too busy hurrying back to Envy with my arms full of her cravings, grinning like an idiot because somehow this was what my life had be, stealing


    ancient jerky and lemon¨Csoaked pickles for a woman who made me want to burn the


    world down just to hear herugh. By the time I made it back to our rooms, arms full of the weirdest snackbination known to man or hellhound, I was already picturing the smile I¡¯d get from her. Envy¡¯s cravings were unpredictable, but her joy when I delivered


    them made the midnight kitchen raids worth every second. I nudged the door open with my shoulder, careful not to drop the honey jar.


    ¡°Baby, I-¡±


    The words died on my tongue. She was sprawled across the bed like a goddess reborn, hair still damp, skin flushed and glowing from the heat of the bath. Completely, breathtakingly bare. My pulse skipped. And Levi was between her thighs. His hands were firm on her hips, holding her in ce while his mouth moved with reverent, sinful focus. She arched with a moan that made my knees weaken, head tipped back, one hand fisted in the sheets,


    the other buried in his dark hair. I didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t interrupt. Just stood in the doorway, stunned and instantly hard again, staring at the scene like it had been hand- delivered by the gods themselves. Envy¡¯s eyes cracked open at the sound of the door and met mine. A slow,zy smile curled across her mouth, hazy and heavy with pleasure. ¡°You


    found the snacks,¡± she breathed, voice like velvet.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, low and rough, as <b>I </b>stepped in and set them down on the nightstand. I


    grabbed a piece of jerky and dropped into the armchair across from the bed, my gaze never leaving her. ¡°Was gonna feed you first¡­¡±


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    Her thighs quivered as Levi groaned against her, and she exhaled a shakyugh. ¡°And


    now<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


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    I tore off a bite of jerky with my teeth, eyes locked on where Levi¡¯s mouth was doing unspeakably good things to our girl. ¡°Now I¡¯m thinking you¡¯ve already got a full te.¡±


    Envy whimpered as Levi doubled down, like he was proving a point. Her body arched and trembled, her pleasure crackling through the bond so hot and fierce I felt it in my bones. My chest rose with a deep inhale, letting it fill me, her sounds, her scent, the shimmering wave of emotion spilling off her. She was radiant. Worshipped. Loved, and I didn¡¯t feel an ounce of jealousy. Just awe. This was what it meant to be hers. All of hers. No ego, nopetition, just love and reverence, given freely, shared fully. I bit down on another


    piece of jerky, watching with heat pooling low in my gut as her breath hitched and her hand tightened in Levi¡¯s hair. Her eyes rolled back as he pushed her over the edge, her


    voice breaking on a shattered moan that echoed through the room like the most sacred prayer I¡¯d ever heard.


    I leaned back in the chair, licking the salt from my fingers. ¡°Remind me to thank him when you can speak again.¡±


    Sheughed through the aftershocks, boneless and gleaming in the candlelight. ¡°You¡¯re


    terrible.¡±


    ¡°I brought you pickles dipped in honey,¡± I said, smug and smugger still when her eyes lit up. ¡°I¡¯m wonderful.¡±


    Levi shifted to press a kiss over her hipbone, his voice thick and gravel¨Cedged. ¡°He really


    <b>is</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Envy giggled, breathless and glowing, reaching for me with one hand. ¡°Come here,


    wonderful.¡±


    And just like that, I was up and across the room, sliding into the bed beside her, ready to feed her snacks and kiss her slow and maybe let her wreck me next. She was our queen. Our storm. Our sun. And we would worship her every damn day.


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 Underworld 107

    <b>Chapter </b><b>107 </b>


    <b>Levi </b>


    The quiet of the chamber wrapped around me as Iy beside where Noah and Envy are entangled, the soft rhythm of their breathing filling the space. Her heartbeat, steady and strong beneath my hand on her belly, was the only sound that truly anchored me, the pulse of the life growing inside her.


    Flint¡¯s presence stirred in my mind, an ever¨Cpresent shadow. His voice was low, calm, and steady, threading through my thoughts like a tether.


    <i>¡°</i><i>You </i><i>feel </i><i>it </i>too, <i>don¡¯t </i><i>you</i>?¡± Flint¡¯s mental voice rumbled gently, eyes glowing in the darkness behind my eyelids.


    I nodded, even though he couldn¡¯t see. The pup¡¯s heartbeat. Stronger every day.


    ¡°Good.¡± Flint¡¯s tone held approval, a subtle warmth beneath his usual gruffness. ¡°<i>Will </i><i>it </i><i>be </i>more <i>like </i>us? <i>Fierce</i>, relentless?<i>¡± </i>


    I smiled at the thought. ¡°Or <i>gentle </i><i>like </i><i>Envy</i><i>. </i><i>Stubborn </i><i>like </i><i>a </i><i>wolf </i><i>who </i><i>knows </i><i>her </i>own mind.¡±


    ¡°<i>You </i><i>hope </i><i>it </i><i>takes </i><i>after </i>me<i>,</i><i>¡± </i>Flint teased silently, and I felt a grin tug at my lips.


    <i>¡°</i><i>Maybe</i>,¡± I admitted. ¡°<i>You¡¯ll </i><i>be </i><i>an </i><i>excellent guardian</i>.¡±


    Flint¡¯s mental tail wagged, a ripple of energy that felt likefort and mischief all at once. ¡°<i>Guardian</i><i>, </i>protector, <i>shadow</i><i>, </i><i>and </i><i>daddy</i>.¡±


    I closed my eyes briefly and let the warmth of the moment settle around me. ¡°<i>We¡¯re </i><i>going </i>to <i>give </i><i>this </i><i>pup </i><i>a </i><i>world worth </i><i>fighting </i><i>for</i>.¡±


    And it will be worth every battle. I opened my eyes, looking at the peaceful forms of Noah and Envy, their bond unbreakable, their love fierce. Flint¡¯s presence pulsed in my mind like a heartbeat of its own, a reminder I wasn¡¯t alone in this. Together, we were ready for whatever came next. Thete nights, the early mornings, the cries, theughter, the love, the chaos. I¡¯m <b>ready </b>for all of it. The door creaked softly open, and Xavier slipped inside like a shadow, aforting presence in the dim light. He moved with that quiet confidence only he had, and even in his grim reaper robes, there was a gentleness that belonged only to family. He crossed the room without a word, kneeling beside Envy and


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    brushing soft kisses along the curve of her belly. Her skin shivered beneath his touch, and I caught the almost reverent tilt of his head as he murmured something only she could hear. I leaned back, watching the subtle exchange with a soft smile. The way Xavier treated her was different, older, wiser, like he knew the sacredness of this moment and the fragile hope it carried. Breaking the silence, he straightened and nced at me and Noah. ¡°Breakfast at the packhouse soon,¡± he said softly, voice steady but light. ¡°Elliot already portaled ahead with Haiden. They¡¯re up and working on waking Nanna and Pa. They want us all there.¡±


    Noah¡¯s eyes flicked open, a slow smile spreading as he processed the news. Envy stirred. beside me, eyes fluttering to the ceiling like she was trying to hold onto thest wisps of sleep.


    I stood, feeling the weight of the moment settle over us. ¡°Sounds like we¡¯ve got a full day


    ahead.¡±


    Xavier nodded, adjusting his scythe with that familiar case. ¡°We do. But for now, rest a


    little more.¡±


    Envy reached out, fingers curling around Xavier¡¯s wrist briefly, a soft smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Thank you.<b>¡± </b>


    He returned the smile, a quiet promise in his eyes, and then, just as silently, he was gone, leaving us in the warm quiet that only family can bring.


    <b>Haiden </b>


    The second wended at the packhouse, I took Elliot by the hand and led him down the familiar back pathway to my parents¡® cottage. The morning air was crisp and smelled faintly of pine and woodsmoke,forting in a way only home could be. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the worn path beneath our feet.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I began, lowering my voice a notch as we neared the door. ¡°This is the n. You just jump on Pa¡¯s bed and shake him a little. Nice and easy, nothing too crazy.¡±


    Elliot¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement, but before I could finish, he pulled a glitter bomb out of his pocket, waving it like a magician about to reveal his grand finale.


    ¡°Or¡­ what if I throw these? For dramatic ir?¡± he grinned, the mischief lighting up his


    whole face.


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    I sighed, already knowing there was no talking him down. Of course, he¡¯d want glitter bombs. Gods, I love this kid. He¡¯s cheeky and wild, with that spark of rebellion that reminds me so much of myself at his age. The same untamed fire, the same joy in stirring the pot just to see what happens. When I was a pup, I was always the one testing limits, pushing boundaries. Elliot? He¡¯s a mirror, a reminder of the reckless youth I thought I¡¯d left behind, but somehow, with him, I want to hold onto it.


    I nced at him, a slow smile creeping over my face. ¡°Fine. But just one. And if Pa doesn¡¯t wake up immediately, you¡¯re on your own.¡±


    ¡°Deal!¡± Elliot whooped, pulling the pin and lobbing the glitter bomb through the door as I opened it.


    The explosion of sparkling dust filled the small entryway with shimmering colors, and before the glitter had even settled, Dad grunted, groaning as he sat up in bed, blinking wildly at the unexpected wake¨Cup call.


    Elliot giggled, eyes bright and victorious. I shook my head,ughing despite myself. This little bundle of chaos is going to keep me on my toes forever, and I wouldn¡¯t have it any


    other way.


    ¡°What the hell?!¡± I heard Mum say in the kitchen just as she walked to the end of the corridor to see us. She stood there with wide eyes and a face full of glitter, and just as Iughed, her eyes shot to mine with a look I knew all too well.


    ¡°You¡¯re on your own, kid!¡± I said, spinning on the spot and running back out the door, I didn¡¯t even make it to the bottom of the steps before a rope materialized around my feet, and I went down, hard. Elliot¡¯sughter floated past me as he ran back towards the pack


    house.


    ¡°You¡¯re in trouble!¡± He sang on his way.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement

 Underworld 108

    <b>Chapter </b><b>108 </b>


    <b>Xavier </b>


    I stepped through the portal and into the cool morning air of the packhouse grounds, the scent of pine and warm bread from the kitchens greeting me instantly. The moment my boots hit the dirt, I caught movement in my peripheral, Elliot.


    He was a blur of energy, blonde hair catching the early light as he bolted full speed toward the back door,ughter spilling from him in a way that made it impossible not to


    smile.


    ¡°Don¡¯t break anything!¡± Haiden called after him, though there wasn¡¯t much heat in it.


    I didn¡¯t bother trying to stop him. There was no point. When Elliot got that wild sparkle in his eyes, you either got out of the way or got swept up in the chaos. He was halfway through the door already, bare feet skidding over the hardwood, and I followed at a much more reasonable pace; hellhounds didn¡¯t <i>run </i>before breakfast unless there was blood


    involved.


    Inside, the warmth of the packhouse wrapped around me. Conversations drifted from the kitchen, the scent of frying bacon and coffee making my stomach growl. Somewhere down the hall, Elliot¡¯s voice rang out, high and mischievous.


    I shook my head, lips twitching. ¡°This is going to be loud¡­¡±


    Maddox¡¯s voice floated through my mind. <i>¡°</i><i>I </i><i>think </i><i>he¡¯s </i><i>fun</i>. <i>He¡¯s </i><i>a </i><i>good </i><i>pup</i>, <i>our </i><i>pup</i><i>.</i>¡®


    I smiled at that. Maddox had taken him on as our own instantly. He is just as protective as I am. Just as in love as I am. The noise led me straight to the dining room. Chairs were askew, a few biscuits already missing from the breadbasket in the middle of the long oak table, and the unmistakable sound of suppressedughter drifted from somewhere low to the floor. <b>I </b>scanned the room. My sister, Aleisha, was seated far too casually at the far end, pretending to butter toast like she didn¡¯t have a squirming, blonde¨Chaired menace


    tucked under the table beside her.


    ¡°Aleisha¡­¡± I drawled.


    She kept her eyes down, lips twitching. ¡°What?¡±


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    Wed, Sep


    Before I could answer, Tommy, my ever¨Cloyal Beta, and apparently a <i>traitor </i><i>to </i><i>his </i><i>own </i><i>household</i><i>, </i>pointed straight at her feet without hesitation.


    ¡°He¡¯s under there.¡±


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    Elliot¡¯s muffledugh gave him away instantly. Aleisha groaned, swatting Tommy¡¯s arm. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be on my side.¡±


    ¡°I am,¡± Tommy said, grinning, ¡°but I¡¯m also not suicidal. Xavier¡¯s scarier.¡±


    I crouched slightly, catching Elliot¡¯s wide, mischievous grin in the shadows under the


    table. ¡°Out.¡±


    He pouted. ¡°You take all the fun out of breakfast.¡±


    ¡°Breakfast is <i>fun </i>when it doesn¡¯t involve chasing you through the halls.¡±


    Still chuckling, he crawled out, ruffling his already¨Cmessy hair. We all began settling in, my parents seated at the head of the table, my mother smiling warmly as she slid the


    basket of bread closer to Elliot despite his recent antics. Aleisha leaned against Tommy¡¯s side, still shooting me a mock re for ¡®ruining¡® her hideout. My brothers were sprawled across their chairs in varying states of alertness, Levi already halfway through his second te, Noah calmly sipping coffee like the chaos was just another morning. Haiden was leaning back, legs stretched under the table, eyes flicking to the doorway as if expecting someone. Sure enough, Envy stepped in a momentter, the hum of her magic brushing against the edges of my awareness. She looked tired but steady, her gaze sweeping the table before she slid into the seat beside Noah. Conversation picked back up instantly, jokes, soft arguments over who got thest of the bacon, and Elliot sneaking it anyway when no one was looking.


    Maddox rumbled with contentment. ¡°<i>This</i><i>¡°</i><i>, </i>he murmured, <i>¡°</i><i>is </i><i>what </i><i>we </i>protect.¡±


    Tommy was halfway through demolishing a te stacked with bacon when he caught my eye over the rim of his coffee mug. That look meant <i>business</i>, even if we were still surrounded by family chatter.


    I leaned back in my chair, lowering my voice just enough that it carried only to him.


    ¡°Anything I need to know before I start pretending today¡¯s just about breakfast?¡±


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    Tommy smirked, brushing crumbs from his fingers. ¡°Couple of things. Patrols picked up a rogue scent near the east borderst night. Just one, an old trail but I doubled the watch there just in case<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    I nodded, filing that away. ¡°Good. I¡¯ll send one of the guys outter to sweep the area.<b>¡± </b>


    He continued, voice still casual enough not to draw attention. ¡°Also, the southern farnd dispute? The Red Pine pack¡¯s beta reached out. They¡¯re backing off the im, but they want a formal meeting to ¡®keep rtions smooth.¡°¡±


    Trantion: they didn¡¯t want a fight but still wanted to test boundaries.


    ¡°I¡¯ll meet them this week,¡± I said, picking up my fork again. ¡°Make sure the council knows I¡¯m handling it personally. No gossip about tension until I¡¯ve had my say!¡®


    Tommy grinned. ¡°Already done. And¡­oh, your mother¡¯s still asking if you¡¯ve confirmed the date for the spring festival. She told me to ¡®remind you in a way you can¡¯t ignore<b>.</b><b>¡°</b>¡±


    I groaned, rubbing my temples. ¡°You¡¯re my beta, Tommy, not my mother¡¯s messenger.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wrong,¡± he said around a mouthful of toast. ¡°I¡¯m both.¡±


    Augh rippled down the table from Aleisha, who clearly <i>had </i>been eavesdropping, and soon the room was warm with ovepping conversation again, rogues, border disputes, and pack duties temporarily set aside in favor of coffee, eggs, and the scent of fresh bread. Movement at my side drew my attention, and Envy slid into the seat next to me, brushing a kiss against my jaw before reaching for a slice of toast. She didn¡¯t even nce up as she said, ¡°You¡¯re thinking about it too reactively, the rogues.¡±


    I arched a brow at her. ¡°And what would you suggest?¡±


    She shrugged, still buttering her toast. ¡°They¡¯re not just testing you for weaknesses; they¡¯re testing your response time. Double the patrols, yes, but also change the patterns. Make them unpredictable. Force them to second¨Cguess every step they take.¡±


    Tommy smirked. ¡°You know, I think I¡¯m starting to like her.¡±


    Envy grinned. ¡°Only starting?¡±


    Her suggestion had merit, and I knew it. ¡°Alright,¡± I said, turning back to Tommy. ¡°Work


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    her adjustments in<b>. </b>And let me know the second anything shifts<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    The conversation drifted back to lighter topics as coffee was poured, tes were refilled, and Elliot emerged from under the table with Aleisha pretending she hadn¡¯t been hiding him again. The warm hum of family life filled the room, settling over me like a weight I didn¡¯t realize I¡¯d been carrying until it was gone.


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    copyright infringement


    Chapter Comments


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 Underworld 109

    <b>Chapter </b><b>109 </b>


    <b>Envy </b>


    Theughter around the table was easy and warm, the kind that curled in your chest and made you feel like the world beyond these walls didn¡¯t exist. Elliot was wedged between Haiden and Tommy, stealing bites from both their tes without shame. My coffee was hot, my mates were calm, and for a rare moment, it felt like the chaos outside had taken the day off. Then Dad cleared his throat. It wasn¡¯t loud, but it carried. Every voice at the table faded, every eye shifting toward him. He sat tall at the far end, shoulders squared, his expression steady but unreadable. The kind of expression that meant whatever he was about to say was going to change the tone of the morning.


    ¡°I think,¡± he began slowly, ¡°it¡¯s time we decide what to do about Marcus.¡±


    The name hit like a cold draft under the door.


    My fingers tightened around my mug, the warmth bleeding into my skin. Marcus, still locked in the dungeons. Still breathing. Still a shadow I hadn¡¯t shaken, no matter how far


    I¡¯de.


    ¡°It¡¯s been long enough,¡± He went on, his gaze sweeping the table. ¡°He¡¯s healed enough to stand, and there¡¯s nothing left to be gained by letting him rot in a cell. The question is, do we end this now, or give him another trial he doesn¡¯t deserve?¡±


    I didn¡¯t need time to think.


    ¡°End it,¡± I said, my voice quiet but sure. I met Dad¡¯s gaze without flinching. ¡°I want this chapter closed. For good.¡±


    There was a pause, and then a small voice broke in from halfway down the table.


    ¡°I want to be there.¡±


    Elliot. He sat up straighter, eyes locked on his pop, his little chin tilted in that stubborn way I¡¯d seen a hundred times in the quads. The air in the room shifted instantly.


    ¡°Elliot-¡± Haiden started, but the boy cut him off.


    ¡°It¡¯s my right.¡± His voice didn¡¯t shake. ¡°After everything Marcus did to me, to all of us¡­


    13:29 Wed<b>, </b>Sep 3 GR


    It¡¯s my right to see him at the end.¡±


    The adults exchanged uneasy nces, Noah¡¯s jaw tightened, Levi¡¯s gaze flicked between his dad and me, and even Aleisha¡¯s usual smirk had faded.


    ¡°He¡¯s just a kid,¡± Xavier said finally.


    ¡°I¡¯m not just a kid,¡± Elliot shot back. His voice cracked slightly, but he didn¡¯t look away. ¡°I¡¯m someone he hurt. And I want to know he can¡¯t hurt anyone else. Ever again.¡±


    The room was silent for a long moment, the weight of his words pressing down on all of <ol><li><b>us</b><b>. </b></li></ol>


    I reached out, brushing my hand over his, grounding him. ¡°Then you¡¯ll be there,¡± I said.


    Dad studied me for a beat, then Elliot, before he gave one short nod. ¡°After breakfast, we


    settle this.¡±


    No one went back to eating. We sat quietly for a moment before I stood, and everyone


    followed.


    The air grew colder the deeper we went. The stone under my boots was damp, slick with the condensation that clung to these underground walls. Every footstep echoed too loud, too long, bouncing back at us in hollow reminders that we were descending into the bowels of the packhouse, into the ce where we had kept Marcus caged like the rabid thing he was. Elliot walked between Haiden and me, his shoulders square, chin high. There was no trace of the boy who had been hiding under the breakfast table this morning. His silence was sharp, heavy with something coiled tight in his chest. The guard at the heavy iron door stepped aside at dads¡¯s nod, unlocking the multiple chains that had beenid over it. As the final lock nged open, a stale, metallic scent seeped out, the


    smell of blood and rust.


    Marcus sat shackled in the corner of his cell, head tipped back against the wall. He looked up at us with eyes still burning, despite the bruises and weeks of confinement.


    ¡°Well,¡± he said, his voice hoarse but still dripping with that familiar arrogance, ¡°if it isn¡¯t


    the ungrateful little brat.¡±


    I didn¡¯t answer. He straightened as much as his chains would allow, his gaze cutting over


    each of us before settling on me again. ¡°Do you have any idea what you¡¯ve destroyed? The


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    vision I had for the realms? The order I built from chaos? Everything I¡¯ve done, the years, the blood, the power I¡¯ve gathered, you¡¯ve undone it like a child knocking over a sandcastle.¡±


    ¡°You built nothing but cages,¡± I said tly.


    ¡°Cages are necessary for control,¡± he snapped, chains rattling as he jerked forward. ¡°You don¡¯t understand the cost of freedom, what it takes to keep the worlds from devouring themselves. I could have given you everything, and you threw it away.¡±


    My jaw tightened. ¡°I have everything I need. And it doesn¡¯t include you.¡±


    Marcus¡¯s gaze slid past me, and his smirk returned, twisted, cold. ¡°And you brought the little ghost boy. How fitting. Tell me, Elliot, do you still dream of the dark? Still hear them


    calling your name from the other side? Have you told them what you are yet?¡±


    I saw it before I could stop it, the flicker of rage that darkened Elliot¡¯s eyes. The stillness


    that fell over him wasn¡¯t the stillness of fear. It was the stillness before the storm.


    ¡°Don¡¯t-¡± I started, but it was toote.


    The air around him shifted, deepened. His small frame seemed to ripple with shadow, stretching taller, broader. Bones elongated, wrapped in ck smoke that curled and coiled like living me. His eyes burned white, and when he opened his mouth, the voice that came out wasyered, his own, and something older, colder.


    <i>¡°</i><i>I </i><i>am </i><i>not </i><i>your </i><i>ghost</i><i>,</i><i>¡± </i>Elliot said, and the walls themselves seemed to shiver. ¡°<i>I </i><i>am </i><i>your </i>


    <i>end</i><i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    He moved faster than I thought was possible for him. One moment, Marcus was smirking, and the next, Elliot¡¯s hand was pressed t against his chest. The shackles rattled violently, the magic in them hissing as if they could feel what wasing. Marcus¡¯s eyes went wide, real fear blooming there for the first time. His breath hitched, then choked as ck light poured from Elliot¡¯s fingers, wrapping around his ribs and sinking in, and then it happened. His soul, ragged, twisted, ckened with centuries of cruelty, was ripped from him, screaming <b>as </b>it tore free. The sound wasn¡¯t in my ears; it was in my bones, my blood, the air itself. It was the sound of something final<b>. </b>Marcus¡¯s body crumpled like an


    empty shell<b>, </b>the light gone from his eyes before it hit the floor. Elliot stood over him, the spectral form of death itself shimmering in the torchlight, breathing hard. Then<b>, </b>slowly, the shadows folded back into him. The boy returned, chest rising and falling, his gaze


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    dropping to Marcus¡¯s still form.


    ¡°It¡¯s done<i>,</i><i>¡± </i>he said quietly, looking down at his feet as if he was too ashamed to be seen. I knelt before him, cupping his little face in my hands. ¡°Hey, you did good, okay? You did so good and I am so proud of you.¡±


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 Underworld 110

    <b>Chapter </b><b>110 </b>


    ¡°Elliot,¡± I said softly, reaching for him.


    He flinched, just slightly, and it cracked something in my chest.


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    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to tell you,¡± he whispered, his voice small, raw. ¡°Didn¡¯t want them to know. Didn¡¯t want you to look at me differently¡­ to not¡­¡± His voice cracked, ¡°¡­to not love me


    anymore.¡±


    My heart ached. I took his face in both hands and tilted it up so he¡¯d have to meet my eyes. ¡°Elliot, there is nothing, nothing you could ever do to make me stop loving you. Do you understand me?¡±


    He blinked, hisshes wet, and I pulled him into my arms. He didn¡¯t fight it this time. He melted against me like he¡¯d been holding himself stiff for far too long.


    ¡°You¡¯re my family,¡± I murmured into his hair. ¡°You always will be.¡±


    One by one, my mates came closer, Haiden first, his big hand cupping the back of Elliot¡¯s head, pressing a kiss to his crown. Then Xavier, silent but steady, rested a palm between his shoulder des. Levi crouched to his other side, murmuring something too soft for me to hear. Noah brushed his knuckles against Elliot¡¯s cheek before ruffling his hair.


    ¡°Nothing changes,¡± Haiden said firmly. ¡°You¡¯re still our kid.¡±


    Elliot gave a shakyugh at that, ncing between us all. ¡°You¡­ you don¡¯t think I¡¯m a


    monster?¡±


    ¡°Not even close,¡± Xavier said, voice like steel. ¡°You¡¯re ours. That¡¯s all that matters.¡±


    Haiden leaned back a little, tilting his head. ¡°So¡­ what are you, then?¡±


    Elliot¡¯s gaze dropped again, but this time it wasn¡¯t shame, just weariness. ¡°I¡¯m not a wolf,¡± he said quietly. ¡°Not like you. I¡¯m¡­ a soul eater.¡±


    The wordsnded with weight, but no one flinched.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I was so important to the spell,¡± he continued. ¡°Marcus¡­ he used to feed me <b>souls</b>. Not all at once, just enough to keep me alive in stasis. The souls gave me strength


    13:29 Wed, Sep 3 G <b>R </b>


    so I could survive until the spell was ready.¡±


    A shudder went through me at the thought, but I tightened my arms around him, grounding him. ¡°And now?¡±


    ¡°And now,¡± he said, looking up at me, ¡°I¡¯m free. But it¡¯s still who I am..¡± His voice dipped, uncertain. ¡°You¡¯re not afraid of that?¡± <ul><li>¡°Afraid?¡± I shook my head. ¡°Elliot, you just saved us all from a man who¡¯s haunted my nightmares for years. You didn¡¯t take something innocent. You ended something evil.¡± I cupped his cheek again, my thumb brushing away the tear track there. ¡°You are not the </li></ul>


    monster in this story.<b>¡± </b>


    Haiden gave him a crooked grin. ¡°You¡¯re the hero. Glitter bombs and all.¡±


    That finally earned us a real smile. Small, but real. We didn¡¯t stay down there a second longer than we had to. Dad ordered the guards to deal with Marcus¡¯s body, and the heavy ng of the cell door locking behind us sounded final. The torches along the passage hissed faintly as we started back up, but each step toward the surface felt lighter, like we were leaving something poisonous behind. Elliot kept close to my side, his hand clutching mine so tightly I could feel the tremor in his fingers. Haiden walked on his other side, not touching, but there, his presence steady as stone. The rest of the quads nked us, a silent wall of protection as we climbed. The damp, metallic air gave way to fresher currents as we neared the upper levels. Sunlight spilled in weak and golden through the open archway at the top of the stairs, and Elliot¡¯s steps faltered for just a heartbeat before he kept going. When we stepped outside, the morning air hit us, cool and clean, carrying the scent of pine and hearthfire from the packhouse kitchens. The sound of birdsong drifted over the fields. Elliot stopped in the middle of the courtyard and tipped his head back, closing his eyes like he was letting it soak in. His grip on my hand eased.


    ¡°It feels¡­ different,¡± he murmured.


    ¡°Because it is,¡± I said softly.


    He opened his eyes, ncing up at me. ¡°Marcus isn¡¯t here anymore.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I agreed. ¡°And he never will be again.¡±


    Haiden crouched in front of him, resting his forearms on his knees, his voice steady but gentle. ¡°This is it, kid. You get to choose whates next.<b>¡± </b>


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    The words hung in the air for a moment, carried on the cool breeze drifting through the


    courtyard. Elliot didn¡¯t answer right away. He stared down at the sun¨Cwarmed stone


    beneath his bare feet, his small shoulders lifting and falling with a long, thoughtful


    breath. The tension in his frame, the shadows that had clung to him since the dungeon,


    seemed to loosen by degrees. Then, slowly, his mouth curved, not into the mischievous grin I was used to, but into something softer. It reached his eyes, sparking that light I¡¯d


    missed so much.


    ¡°I¡­ want to y with Macey,¡± he said atst, voice a little shy but sure enough to make my heart ache.


    Augh bubbled out of me before I could stop it, breaking the tight coil in my chest. Haiden¡¯s answering grin was bright and unguarded. ¡°Now that¡¯s a n.¡±


    Levi stepped forward, ruffling Elliot¡¯s hair. We started through the packhouse together, the stone warm underfoot, sunlight spilling over us like a blessing. Ahead, Xavier reached the door first and held it open, his gaze sweeping briefly over the courtyard like he was silently marking the moment. For the first time in far too long, there was no shadow at our backs. Elliot had stood in the heart of his darkness and walked out the other side. And


    now, he was not just surviving but choosing how to live.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to head over to Tris for a bit,¡± I told the guys once we were inside. ¡°I think Zion and the pack deserve to know Marcus is no longer alive<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I¡¯ll take Elliot over to the orphanage to y with the kids,¡± Noah said, resting a hand on


    Elliot¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m with Tommy today,¡± Xavier added, straightening. ¡°We¡¯ve got to check out the border and make some changes to security measures.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯lle with you,¡± Haiden said, ncing at Levi, who gave an easy nod. Just like that, the rhythm of pack life slid back into ce, everyone knowing where they needed to be, what needed doing.


    I crouched down to Elliot¡¯s level, brushing a hand through his hair before pulling him into


    my arms. I kissed the top of his head, holding him just a little tighter than usual,mitting the warmth of him to memory. ¡°Make sure you say hi to all the kids for me,


    okay<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I will, Mum<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>he promised, his small smile blooming as he waved goodbye and slid his


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    hand into Noah¡¯s.


    I watched them go, his hair catching the light. He wasn¡¯t just walking toward the orphanage; he was walking toward the future he¡¯d fought for, and I was so proud of my


    son.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement


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    <b>Chapter </b>111


    93%


    The portal shimmered open just beyond the Tris border, spilling me into the cool morning air. The scent here was different from Red Moon, pine, iron¨Crich soil, and something faintly smoky that clung to the wind. I¡¯d been here before, but stepping onto this ground now felt heavier, like thend itself remembered the blood spilled on it. The guards stationed along the treeline stiffened when they saw me, but they didn¡¯t draw weapons. One of them nodded curtly before shifting back into wolf form and bolting toward the heart of the territory, no doubt to announce my arrival. By the time I reached the main clearing, Zion was already walking out of the packhouse. He was taller than I remembered, his broad shoulders squared under the weight of the Alpha mantle. His golden¨Cbrown eyes flicked over me, taking in every detail. Behind him, Theo emerged, his dark hair neatly tied back, posture crisp in a way that screamed Beta.


    ¡°Envy,¡± Zion said, stopping a few feet away.


    ¡°Zion.¡± My voice was even, though my heart ached at the subtle change in his scent, loss lingering beneath the usual clean cedar and wind.


    Theo¡¯s gaze shifted between us but stayed silent, standing just off Zion¡¯s shoulder like a


    true second.


    I took a breath. ¡°Marcus is gone.<b>¡± </b>


    Zion didn¡¯t flinch, but the muscle in his jaw ticked. He nodded once. ¡°I felt it. The bond to him¡­ broke.¡±


    Silence stretched for a moment. Then he said quietly, ¡°I won¡¯t pretend I¡¯m not¡­ grieving. He was my father, despite everything. But¡­¡± He met my gaze fully, his voice firm despite the rawness beneath it. ¡°¡­I also won¡¯t pretend I¡¯m blind to what he did. To you. To my pack. To everyone.¡±


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    Theo¡¯s head dipped slightly in agreement, but his eyes stayed on me, as if measuring my


    reaction.


    Zion stepped closer, close enough that I could see the faint shadows under his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Envy. For letting things get so far out of hand. For not stopping him sooner. For¡­ not saving you<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


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    Chapter <b>111 </b>


    The sincerity in his voice was heavy, and I knew how much it cost him to say it.


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    ¡°You¡¯re Alpha now,¡± I said quietly. ¡°You have the chance to make it right. For them. For yourself.<b>¡± </b>


    His lips pressed into a tight line, but he nodded. ¡°I will.¡±


    For a moment, we just stood there, two people linked by a past neither of us had chosen, facing a future that might finally be free of Marcus¡¯s shadow.


    Theo cleared his throat softly. ¡°We¡¯ll spread the word to the pack. They need to hear it from us.¡±


    I nodded, taking a step back. ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave you to it. I didn¡¯te here for politics. Just


    closure.¡±


    Zion¡¯s eyes softened, and there was something in his voice when he replied, something that sounded almost like gratitude. ¡°You have it. And Envy¡­ thank you.


    With that, I opened the portal back to Red Moon. As the swirling magic closed behind me, I realized I wasn¡¯t carrying the weight of Marcus anymore. I¡¯d left it here, in the heart of the pack he¡¯d once ruled. The portal deposited us just outside the Red Moon gates, the familiar scent of our territory curling around me. The sharp weight in my chest from the trip to Tris had dulled to something lighter, unfinished business finally put to rest. Haiden and Levi were waiting for me, leaning against the low stone wall near the


    entrance. Levi¡¯s mouth curved into one of his small, steady smiles.


    ¡°All good?¡± Levi asked.


    I nodded. ¡°Yeah. All good..¡±


    Haiden pushed off the wall, slinging an arm loosely around my shoulders as we started toward the vige path. ¡°Good. Now let¡¯s go see our boy before he¡¯spletely corrupted Macey with glitter bombs and bad ideas.<b>¡± </b>


    The orphanage sat at the edge of the vige, painted in bright, sun¨Cfaded colors and always smelling faintly of cinnamon biscuits from the kitchen. As soon as we stepped through the gate into the yard, I heard them, Elliot¡¯sughter ringing out, high and unrestrained, tangled with Macey¡¯s squeals. He was in the middle of the grass with a small knot of kids, half of them chasing him, the other half pretending to be ¡°the enemy.¡± His


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    blonde hair caught the sunlight as he spun away from Macey¡¯s reach, dodging her with the kind of agility only kids and pups could manage. The sight of him,ughing, running, carefree, did something to me. After everything he¡¯d faced in thest twenty¨Cfour hours, seeing him like this felt like proof that he was finding his way back to himself.


    Macey spotted us first, her eyes lighting up as she waved frantically. ¡°Envy! Haiden! Levi! Come y!<b>¡± </b>


    Elliot turned at her call, and when his gazended on us, his whole face lit up. He sprinted across the yard, not slowing until he crashed into me with enough force to make me stumble back a step. I wrapped my arms around him, breathing in the warm, sun- soaked scent of his hair.


    ¡°You okay?¡± I murmured.


    ¡°Better than okay,¡± he said, pulling back just far enough to grin up at me. ¡°Macey says I¡¯m the fastest runner here. And I told her you said I¡¯m the smartest, so I win both.¡±


    Levi chuckled and reached down to ruffle his hair. ¡°Sounds like you¡¯re making friends and


    enemies all at once.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how you know you¡¯re doing it right,¡± Haiden said with a grin, already eyeing the game the kids were ying like he was about to join in and take it way too seriously.


    For now, though, I just let myself watch Elliot, standing there in the sunlight with Macey tugging at his sleeve and the other kids shouting for him toe back and y. I took a seat in the sun to watch the kids while Levi and Haiden went back inside to prepare lunch for everyone. Layah materialised beside me, stretching out in the sun. ¡°<i>You </i>know<i>, </i><i>pup </i>or <i>not</i><i>, </i><i>that¡¯s </i><i>one </i>cool <i>kid</i>.<i>¡± </i>


    ¡°He <b>is</b><b>, </b>isn¡¯t he?¡±


    <i>¡°</i><i>I </i><i>think </i><i>he </i><i>likes </i><i>Macey</i>.¡±


    I giggled. ¡°Yeah, I think Macey likes him too.¡±


    Layah smirked, her eyes tracking the two of them darting around the yard. ¡°Love in <i>the </i><i>making</i>.<b>¡± </b>


    I <b>was </b>about to tease her back when the air shifted, sharp, wrong. My skin prickled, and the


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    familiar tang of blood and unfamiliar wolves hit my nose. The first snarl came from beyond the fence. Then another. I shot to my feet, my wings unfurling, just as the gate splintered inward, the wood shattering under the weight of a massive rogue wolf. Screams erupted, high, terrified cries from the children as more wolves surged in behind the first. Their eyes were wild, foam at their jaws, the stink of desperation rolling off them.


    ¡°Inside! NOW!¡± I roared, running for Macey and Elliot. Layah was already moving, magic sparking off her paws, but there were too many shapes in the treeline. The packhouse was too far, and the orphanage was being overrun.


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 Underworld 112

    <b>Chapter </b><b>112 </b>


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    Noah was a force of nature, his long strides eating up the yard as he gathered more pups into his arms. The youngest, Henry, clung to him, little fingers curled in his shirt, their wide eyes locked on the nightmare unfolding around them. He shoved through the orphanage door, barking orders for Nanna to take them deeper inside, then spun back toward the fight without hesitation. Layah was already a streak of ck and me, tearing into the nearest rogue. Her jaws locked around its neck, snapping with a sound


    that cut through the chaos. She tossed the limp body aside before charging the next.. Levi and Haiden burst out, moving with deadly precision. Levi snatched up two trembling boys,


    hauling them toward the door, while Haiden threw himself between a young girl and a lunging wolf, catching the rogue mid¨Cair and driving it into the dirt. I kept Elliot and


    Macey behind me, my magicshing out in bursts to push back anything that got too


    close. But they were everywhere, fast, unpredictable,ing from every angle. The circle


    tightened, shadows shifting as fur and teeth darted in and out of reach. Too many. Too


    close.


    My heart stuttered when I realized the next lunge would be too fast for me to block both kids, and then Elliot stepped forward. The air around him went still, unnaturally still. The shadows stretched toward. His eyes zed white, and when the first rogue closed the gap, he reached out and pulled. Its soul ripped free in a twisting wail, vanishing into him like smoke into wind. The rogue¡¯s body copsed, and Elliot turned on the next without hesitation. One by one, the snarls turned to silence as he drained them, leaving nothing but still forms in his wake. When it was over, he stood breathing hard, thest traces of shadow retreating into his small frame. His gaze darted instantly to Macey, worry flickering across his face.


    ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t scare you, did I?¡± His voice was soft, almost afraid. ¡°I didn¡¯t want-¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re my hero!¡± she interrupted, her eyes wide not with fear, but with awe. Sheunched herself at him, nearly knocking him over as she wrapped her arms tight around


    his neck.


    He froze for a second, then hugged her back just as fiercely, his face buried in her hair, and in that moment, despite the bodies around us, despite the adrenaline still thrumming in my veins, I knew this was a turning point. He was going to learn one way or another that it didn¡¯t matter what he was; he was family, he is loved, and he is fucking special.


    The courtyard was eerily quiet now, broken only by the sound of panting, mine, my mates,


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    even some of the kids who had run until they couldn¡¯t anymore. The metallic tang of blood hung heavy in the air. Haiden moved first, scooping up a small girl who had been frozen against the fence and carrying her toward the orphanage doors. Levi was right behind him, gently herding two older boys inside. Noah stayed near the doorway, scanning the yard to make sure nothing had been missed. I guided Macey and Elliot toward the steps, my hands steady on their shoulders even though my own pulse was still racing. Layah trotted alongside us in hellhound form, her dark fur flecked with ash and blood. Inside, the caretakers bustled about, gathering the children in themon room. nkets appeared from nowhere, cups of warm tea were pressed into trembling hands. The scent of cinnamon biscuits drifted faintly from the kitchen, an anchor in the chaos. Elliot stayed close to Macey¡¯s side, but I could feel it, the tightness in him. The way his gaze kept dropping to his hands as if they might still hold some of what he¡¯d taken.


    I knelt in front of him, resting my hands lightly on his shoulders. ¡°Hey. Look at me.¡±


    He did, reluctantly.


    ¡°You saved them,¡± I said softly. ¡°You saved all of them.¡±


    His throat bobbed. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to scare her¡­ or you. Or anyone.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t.¡± I brushed <i>a </i>strand of silver hair back from his face. ¡°You did what had to be


    done. That¡¯s what protectors do.¡±


    Macey nodded so hard I thought her head might fall off. ¡°You are my hero,¡± she said again, gripping his hand. ¡°You made them go away forever.¡±


    Noah, Haiden, and Levi joined us then, each of them cing a hand on Elliot¡¯s shoulders, hair, and back. A wordless show of unity. Of belonging,


    Haiden crouched low, meeting his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re one of us, kid. Always will be. Powers or no powers, wolf or no wolf, you¡¯re family.<b>¡± </b>


    Something in Elliot¡¯s expression eased at that, and he finally let himself lean into Macey¡¯s side, her small hand still wrapped in his. The door banged open, and heavy footsteps pounded through the hall. Xavier and Tommy burst in, the scent of sweat and fresh blood clinging to them. Xavier¡¯s eyes swept the room like a de, searching for threats before locking on me. He crossed the space in seconds, his handsing to my arms, his gaze fierce. ¡°Are you hurt?<b>¡± </b>


    I shook my head, squeezing his wrist to steady him. ¡°No. We¡¯re fine. Thanks to Elliot.¡±


    Xavier¡¯s focus shifted instantly to the boy still sitting on the floor beside Macey. Something in his eyes softened as he knelt, one big hand cupping the back of Elliot¡¯s head before pulling him into a tight embrace.


    ¡°You did good,¡± he said, his voice low but thick with emotion. ¡°Better than good. You took care of your mother. You took care of your pack. That¡¯s what an Alpha heart does.¡±


    Elliot stiffened for a moment, then melted into the hug, his small arms wrapping around Xavier¡¯s neck. ¡°I just¡­ didn¡¯t want anyone to get hurt.¡±


    Xavier smiled faintly against his hair. ¡°And because of you, they didn¡¯t. I¡¯m proud of you, kid. So proud of you.¡±


    Xavier stood and looked at me, mindlinking so as not to scare the kids. ¡°We¡¯ll have a pack meeting once the children are settled. The rogues led us on a wild goose chase and circled back to enter where we¡¯d already moved the patrol from. They¡¯re ying this smart, not like a normal rogue attack.¡±


    I nodded my head and looked around at all the kids who were still shaken.


    ¡°How about an indoor movie, and I order some pizza for everyone?¡±


    ¡°Can I have cheese with extra cheese?¡± Macey piped up, and Elliot giggled.


    ¡°You can have whatever you want, Mace.¡± He said, squeezing her hand.


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 Underworld 113

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    Tommy dusted off his hands and crouched beside Elliot, the big, battle¨Crough beta somehow managing a smile that didn¡¯t make the room feel any heavier.


    ¡°Alright, little terror,¡± he said, tone gentle beneath the tease. ¡°What you did out there? That was brave, controlled, and fast. You kept your head and you protected your people. That¡¯s pack.¡±


    Elliot ducked his chin, shy. ¡°I just¡­ didn¡¯t want anyone to get hurt.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the point.¡± Tommy tapped two fingers lightly against Elliot¡¯s sternum. ¡°Heart first, always. If you want it, you can starting to my junior training sessions. We¡¯ll make a


    spot just for you, age¨Cappropriate drills, control work, team tactics. No heroics, no pressure. We go slow, we go safe, and we do it together. Deal?¡±


    Elliot¡¯s eyes flicked to me, a silent question. I brushed my knuckles over his cheek and nodded. ¡°If you feel up to it.¡±


    ¡°I do,¡± he whispered, nodding hard. ¡°Deal.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Tommy pushed to his feet and looked over themon room.


    A rap at the back door cut him off, followed by the holy scent of melted cheese and garlic. Someone cheered. Two of the older teens hustled in with stacked pizza boxes and paper cups; caretakers swooped, turning the chaos into a tidy distribution line with the kind of battlefield logic only orphanage staff know. nkets were spread, a movie flickered onto


    the old projector, and the youngest pups started to settle, wide¨Ceyed, red¨Ccheeked, safe. Macey tugged Elliot to the end of a nket and plopped down, patting the spot beside her


    like a queen granting a throne. He hesitated, ncing at me again, and I gave him a little shooing gesture. Go on. He went, shoulders finally rxing as Macey handed him the first slice like an award. Layah padded over and curled protectively at their backs, a living shadow keeping watch. The room¡¯s sound shifted, less frantic, more human. Children whispering over toppings, caretakers counting heads, theforting clink of cups and tes.


    Haiden squeezed my hip as he passed me a slice. ¡°Extra cheese for the Luna.¡±


    Levi ghosted in behind him with bottles of water, setting them within reach of the kids


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    before crouching to check a scraped knee. Noah stood at the door, scanning faces and windows in that slow<b>, </b>methodical way that made my bones loosen. Xavier returned from a quick sweep of the yard, met my eyes, and gave a brief nod: clear.


    I knelt between Macey and Elliot. ¡°Two bites and a drink,¡± I said softly. ¡°Then I¡¯ll pop to the packhouse for a bit. You¡¯re staying here with the caretakers until we get back.¡±


    Elliot chewed, then swallowed, then leaned in so only I could hear him. ¡°You¡¯lle back?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Always,¡± I said. I kissed his temple, then Macey¡¯s hair for good measure. ¡°You two are on nket duty. No crumbs on the floor or Layah will file a formalint.<b>¡± </b>


    Macey giggled and fed Layah the tiniest pepperoni in history. Layah epted it solemnly like a signed treaty.


    Tommy pped once, drawing the room¡¯s attention without raising his voice. ¡°Warriors


    on rotation, two at each exit, one roaming interior.¡±


    ¡°Haiden,¡± Xavier said, shifting into alpha cadence, ¡°leave three with the caretakers, cycle


    fresh pairs every fifteen minutes. I want eyes on the treeline and the service road.¡±


    Haiden nodded, already assigning with quick chin lifts and hand signs. Noah handed the


    ¡°Ready?¡± he asked.


    I looked back once more, Elliot shoulder¨Cto¨Cshoulder with Macey under a nket, Layah a


    dark crescent around them, the room warm with pizza and the low murmur of a cartoon.


    The sight hit me in the soft ce I don¡¯t show anyone.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said. ¡°Let¡¯s go make sure it stays this way.¡±


    We slipped out. Thete afternoon sun nted across the yard, gilding the broken fence where the rogues had forced their way in. Warriors were already mending it, stacking fresh boards and setting iron posts with rune¨Cetched caps. The smell of sap and sawdust <b>cut </b>through the old blood. By the time we reached the packhouse, the war room was already lit. Maps of our territory stretched across the central table, corners weighted with river stones. Tommy stood at one edge with Aleisha, markers in hand; Dad was at the <b>head</b>, the quiet gravity of a man who¡¯d led too many battles, too many years.


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    ¡°Report,¡± Dad said.


    Xavierid it out clean. ¡°Breach at the orphanage¡¯s west fence. Numbers: twelve rogues confirmed down. No civilian casualties. Minor injuries only. Their entry was fast, messy, and aimed to scatter, not precision strikes.¡±


    Tommy added, ¡°Masks and ash on fur. Someone tried to blunt their scents. Not foolproof,


    but it slowed our detection.¡±


    ¡°Markers?¡± I asked, moving to the map, tracing our west perimeter with a fingertip.


    ¡°Found two,¡± Aleisha said, sliding photos across the table: crude bone totems wrapped with wire, smeared with something dark. ¡°ced low along the ditch line. Fresh, less than


    an hour before the push<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Levi set his tablet down. ¡°I¡¯veyered the orphanage doors and windows, reinforced the


    fence posts, and seeded proximity rms along the service road. Anything heavier than a fox trips them.¡±


    Haiden folded his arms. ¡°This wasn¡¯t random. They hit our most vulnerable location, at a


    time we¡¯re spread between realms. Somebody¡¯s testing response time and nerve.¡±


    ¡°Same read,¡± Tommy said. He touched three points along the southern ridge. ¡°Last week¡¯s sightings line up with a funnel. They pushed scent east, then curved north. Whoever¡¯s orchestrating isn¡¯t subtle, but they¡¯re learning.¡±


    Noah leaned in beside me, voice even. ¡°We shift from static routes to unpredictability. Double the night watch, but stagger the patterns. Dummy patrols. Decoys. And we expand the safe radius around the orphanage, no gaps, no assumptions.¡±


    I nodded. ¡°And we move the kids¡® outdoor blocks to the inner courtyard until we¡¯ve rebuilt the back fence with iron iys. They don¡¯t lose ytime, we just change the view.¡±


    Assignments moved like water: names to routes, times to teams, wardyers to doors and drains. When thest marker was set, Dad looked at each of us in turn, making sure we were still here, still whole. ¡°They wanted to rattle us,¡± he said. ¡°Instead, they reminded us who we are.¡±


    Family. Pack. A wall you do not breach.


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    ¡°Alright,¡± Xavier said, rolling his shoulders. ¡°We rotate out and check on the kids.¡±


    ¡°Save me a slice,¡± Haiden added, already halfway to the door.


    Tommy grinned. ¡°Only if you pass my fitness test: sprint to the orphanage and back without stealing from the pizza box.¡±


    ¡°Cruel and unusual,¡± Haiden muttered, but he went.


    As we filed out, I let my hand trail across the map¡¯s edge. The ink might shift tomorrow. The lines might move. But tonight, the orphans were safe, the doors were warded, and the pack was already adapting.


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 Underworld 114

    <b>Chapter </b>114


    By the time we step back into the evening air, the sky has slipped toward indigo. The scent of sap and sawdust still hangs over the orphanage fence, clean and ordinary against the old metallic bite of blood. I check the windows, tiny faces pressed to the ss, caretakers counting heads again just to be sure. Elliot spots me from the nket and lifts his hand. I lift mine back. We¡¯re okay. For now.


    ¡°East line first,¡± Tommy says, already jogging. Noah falls in beside him, and I match their


    pace<b>. </b>Haiden and Levi peel off toward the service road to reset thest of the rm sigils. Xavier hangs back to finish assigning rotations, then shadows us a beatter<b>, </b>quiet as a


    phantom. The forest swallows the vige hum in a handful of strides. Trunks rise like pirs, the understory dense with bracken and fern. The air is cooler here, sharper. Hawk paces at the edge of my consciousness through Noah, head low, ears forward, that deep, steady rumble threading through the bond.


    Something¡¯s wrong, Noah murmurs across our link. He doesn¡¯t have to say it. I feel it too. Not a scent, exactly, more like a hollow in the air where a scent should be. Levi¡¯s ward pings softly as we cross the east perimeter¨Cno rm now, just a slow pulse, acknowledging us. Tommy crouches at the ditch line, where the bone totems were found earlier. The ditch¡¯s damp edges glint faintly in the fading light.


    ¡°Fresh tracks,¡± he mutters, pointing. ¡°Heavier paws here, lighter here. They split and reconverged.¡± He looks up at me. ¡°It¡¯s messy on purpose.¡±


    ¡°Smudged¡­¡± Noah kneels beside him, frowning. ¡°Scent dragged. They¡¯re dragging their


    own trails with ash sacks.<b>¡± </b>


    I scan the treeline. Thest light slips through like spilled milk, blurring shadows. Layah materializes at my side, low and silent, hackles lifted.


    <b>¡°</b>We¡¯re not alone,¡± Levi <b>says</b>. He raises a palm; sigils spill from his skin, thin as cobweb, and drift outward until they kiss bark and rock and disappear. A secondter, they hum <b>back </b>to him in tiny pulses<b>. </b>His eyes narrow. ¡°Movement. Small. Fast. Stopping and


    starting<b>. </b>Not wolves.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Runners<b>?</b>¡± Tommy asks.


    Levi shakes his head. ¡°No heart¨Cthump. No heat signature<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>He nces at me, and


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    something unspoken clicks between us. The hollowness again, closer.


    Noah stands, tilting his head. Hawk¡¯s growl deepens. ¡°I¡¯ve got five distinct gait patterns within a hundred meters<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>he says. ¡°But I only smell three<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    A branch snaps to our left. Tommy is moving before the sound finishes, but the figure that stumbles from the underbrush isn¡¯t charging. It¡¯s a rogue male, gaunt, patchy fur, eyes clouded. He drags a forepaw like it¡¯s caught on a trip line we can¡¯t see. He stops six feet from us, head jerking as if holding himself back from lunging takes all his strength.


    I raise a hand. ¡°Easy.¡±


    His gaze flicks to me, then past me, searching. His nose lifts, but he doesn¡¯t sniff. It¡¯s a strange, abortive movement, as if the function is there but the instinct is not.


    ¡°Who sent you?¡± Tommy asks, voice low.


    The rogue shifts and his throat works. A rasp squeezes out, sand¨Cdry. ¡°Hun¡­ger.¡± His jaw trembles. A shiver ripples through him from spine to muzzle.


    ¡°Who?¡± I press, softer. ¡°Give me a name.¡±


    He sways. When he speaks again, it¡¯s not a name. It scrapes the air, brittle as bone. ¡°Kin.¡±


    My stomach drops, sudden and hard. The rogue jerks once, twice, and then his eyes widen like he¡¯s seeing something behind us. Levi reaches for him on instinct, a stabilizing spell on his lips, toote. A thin thread of nothing peels free from the base of the wolf¡¯s skull, fine as hair and darker than shadow. It retracts into the treeline before any of us can move. The rogue copses, a puppet with the strings cut. Silence ms down. Even the insects hold their breath. Tommy rolls the body gently, checking for breath he already knows isn¡¯t there. He looks up at me, jaw set. ¡°He didn¡¯t die. He was¡­ released.¡±


    ¡°Something rode him,¡± Levi says quietly. He¡¯s pale in the blueing light. ¡°Something that doesn¡¯t leave heat or sound. Just hunger.<b>¡± </b>


    Hawk huffs once through Noah. The sound isn¡¯t fear. It¡¯s distaste, deep as bedrock. Not prey. Not predator. Hollow. Xavier¡¯s boots whisper over the leaves as he steps beside me. He studies the corpse, then the treeline where the thread vanished. His voice is soft. ¡°These weren¡¯t attacks to kill. They were tests. How fast we gather. Where we reinforce. Who we send first.¡± He nces at the orphanage through the trees as if he can see Elliot


    through walls and distance. ¡°What we¡¯re protecting.¡±


    Not what, something in me corrects. Who. We double the circuit, slow and methodical. We find two more totems, both tucked low and wrapped tight with wire. Levi doesn¡¯t touch the smears this time. He whispers, and the residue lifts in tiny motes and curls into a ss vial that fogs on the inside like breath on winter ss. Back at the ditch, Tommy nts a new post, iron¨Ccapped, rune¨Cetched and sets the base deep. ¡°We should the whole east line in iron before the week¡¯s out,¡± he says. ¡°If they¡¯re sending puppets, I want


    a fence that cuts strings<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°And a patrol that refuses to dance,¡± Haiden adds as he joins us, wiping sawdust from his palms. ¡°South posts are done. Service road wards are keyed to Levi only.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± I say. But there¡¯s a pit opening in my stomach that has nothing to do with fences.


    We head back as the first stars pull through the sky. The orphanage glows warm at the edge of the vige. Inside, the movie is still ying and half the room has surrendered to sleep. Elliot¡¯s head is tipped against Macey¡¯s shoulder, both of them dead to the world, Layah¡¯s nose resting on Elliot¡¯s knee like she¡¯s cataloging every breath. I kneel beside him. and watch hisshes tremble in dreams. My throat tightens. He doesn¡¯t stir when I brush a curl from his forehead. Good. Let him rest. Let him have this.


    Tommy leans against the doorframe, arms folded, eyes still on the dark beyond the panes. ¡°You hear the word he used?¡± he asks, pitched for me alone.


    ¡°Kin,<b>¡± </b>I say.


    He nods. Doesn¡¯t say the rest. Doesn¡¯t have to.


    Levi holds up the little ss vial. The fog inside presses to the sides, then pulls back, restless as tidewater. ¡°This isn¡¯t wolf magic,¡± he says. ¡°It isn¡¯t witchwork, either.¡±


    Noah shifts closer, the red flicker of Hawk banked but ready. ¡°Then what is it?¡±


    I look at the nket where Elliot sleeps, at the way Macey¡¯s hand is tangled in his shirt.


    like she knows better than to let him drift.


    ¡°Something that doesn¡¯t want us,<b>¡± </b>I say, and feel the truth of itnd like iron. ¡°It wants


    one <b>of </b>ours.¡±


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    Xavier¡¯s reflection catches in the window, dark eyes steady. ¡°Then we make sure it never


    finds him.¡±


    <b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>

 Underworld 115

    <b>Chapter </b><b>115 </b>


    <b>Noah </b>


    Elliot and Macey were out cold on the same nket. She¡¯d fallen sideways against him somewhere between cartoon chase scene and moral¨Cof¨Cthe¨Cstory; he¡¯d shifted just enough. to let her settle. Fergus the bear was mashed between them like a truce g. Their hands had found each other in sleep and stayed. Envy stood with me in the doorway and watched them breathe. I could feel her decision before she said a word, steeling, then softening. Hawk pressed forward in my chest, head low, ears pricked. Protective. Content when they were both in sight.


    ¡°I want to take him home tonight,¡± she whispered. ¡°To the Underworld. It¡¯s safer, and I¡¯ll actually sleep if he¡¯s under our wards.¡±


    ¡°Then we do it,¡± I said, just as softly. I nodded toward the pair. ¡°And we take her too.¡±


    Envy¡¯s mouth tipped. ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve had big love for that pup since the day she told me my boots were ugly.¡± I watched Macey¡¯sshes flutter, watched Elliot¡¯s chest rise and fall steady as tide. ¡°She¡¯ll panic if he¡¯s gone when she wakes. They stay together.<b>¡± </b>


    Boots scuffed behind us. Xavier came up first, quiet as a habit, with Haiden and Levi in his shadow, all three of them reading the room the way wolves do, temperature, tension, threat. There was none of thest. Only sleep and sugar and the faint metallic ghost of


    earlier.


    ¡°We¡¯re taking them to the Underworld,¡± Envy told them, still watching the nket. ¡°Just for the night.<b>¡± </b>


    Xavier nodded once. ¡°We¡¯ll stay here, keep the rotations tight. If anything twitches, you¡¯ll


    know.<i>¡± </i>


    Haiden hooked his thumbs in his pockets and leaned a shoulder against the doorframe. In the blue light he looked younger, and then I remembered he used to be the kid under the nket. ¡°I¡¯ll keep the south patrol moving. No patterns. No easy guesses.¡±


    Levi tapped the frame with two fingers; the ward¨Clines brightened, then settled. ¡°I¡¯ll mirror your loft wards from here and anchor the rmttice to me and Elliot both. Inner


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    ¡°Perfect,¡± I said. ¡°I want the room to purr when he breathes.¡±


    A caretaker nced over, read our faces, and gave a little nod. She draped one more nket over the two lumps that were our kids, then stepped back to give us space. We moved like thieves stealing only what belonged to us. Envy went first, a practiced scoop, one arm under Macey¡¯s knees, the other cradling her back. The girl made a tiny sound, more sigh than protest, and burrowed under Envy¡¯s chin, Fergus crushed heroically between them. I slid my hands under Elliot and lifted. He¡¯s taller every week, heavier with sleep and trust, and I swear my bones remembered him at half this size and asked when that had happened.


    He stirred against my corbone. ¡°¡®S it over?¡± he breathed, the words thistle¨Csoft.


    ¡°For tonight,¡± I murmured into his hair. ¡°Sleep.¡±


    We stepped into the yard. The rebuilt stretch of fence gleamed with fresh iron caps, rune- etched and still smelling of sap. Two warriors at the gate watched us pass, their nods the


    quiet kind that say we¡¯ve got you.


    ¡°Call if you need us,¡± Xavier said. He didn¡¯t reach for the kids. He didn¡¯t have to. The set of his jaw said enough.


    ¡°We will,¡± Envy promised, kissing each of my brother¡¯s goodnight.


    We opened the portal together. The air curled back like a page being turned, color bleeding to shadow, heat to a cool, clean hush. The Underworld received us with that familiar low hum, kingdom heartbeat, steady and sane. For a moment, all I heard was breathing: theirs<b>, </b>mine, Envy¡¯s, the stone. Elliot¡¯s corridor recognized us. His door did too, Levi¡¯s cleantticework humming under my palm, Elliot¡¯s wild vine¨Cwork braided through it. The wards peeled back for us and settled again as we slipped inside. His room held night like a favorite song. The sky he¡¯d made drifted, stitched with constetions and onezyet on loop. The music he¡¯d set the walls to hum with, wind chime<b>, </b>music box, heartbeat, kept to a hush as we crossed the floor, then swelled the smallest bit in greeting. Iid Elliot on the bed<b>; </b>the mattress cupped him like a palm. Envy tucked Macey down beside him,ying Fergus on the pillow like a sentry. Without waking, Macey¡¯s fingers searched; Elliot¡¯s found them. Their hands stayed.


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    ¡°Keep them together,¡± Envy murmured, smoothing Macey¡¯s hair, then Elliot¡¯s. ¡°So she


    isn¡¯t scared when she wakes<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Always,¡± I said.


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    Layah padded in, shadow fur, bright eyes and coiled at the foot of the bed, chin on the


    frame, the curve of her body making a guardrail of herself. Hawk settled against my ribs in answer, a mountain easing into ce. We warded as parents, not kings. Envy pressed her palm to the lintel; moon¨Cpale sigils blossomed and sank, a scent¨Clock and a gentling charm that dulled sharp dream¨Cedges. I fed Levi¡¯sttice a slow thread of hellfire banked to warmth, then bled a little of my own pattern into Elliot¡¯s, heat without scorch, teeth without bite. The room answered with a satisfied purr that vibrated the bedsidemp. Something brushed the far edge of the. Not a pry. A listening. Levi¡¯s rune snapped once, sharp; Elliot¡¯s vines tightened, soft. I gave the wards one more breath of fuel. The brush withdrew. The quiet settled back down. We stood there longer than we needed to, because that¡¯s what you do when the two halves of your heartbeat are asleep in the same bed. Macey¡¯s mouth twitched like she was tasting pepperoni again. Elliot¡¯sshes trembled, then stilled. Theet took itszyp.


    ¡°Do we stay?¡± Envy asked, voice almost not there.


    ¡°I want to,¡± I admitted, and Hawk thumped his tail once in agreement. ¡°But they sleep better when we don¡¯t hover. We¡¯ll be two doors down. Three breaths away.¡±


    She nodded. Kissed Macey¡¯s hair. Kissed Elliot¡¯s temple. I did the same and tucked the nket a little tighter around four small knuckles and one ridiculous bear. At the door, I looked back. Two kids. One bed. A sky that listens. A room that sings. Layah holding the


    line without moving.


    ¡°They¡¯re safe,¡± Envy said, more to herself than to me.


    ¡°They¡¯re safe,¡± I echoed, and let the door ease shut on a promise.


    In the hall<b>, </b>the kingdom kept breathing. We walked hand in hand toward our rooms, slow because we could. Behind us, the wards hummed contentment. Ahead of us, nighty clean and ordinary and for the first time since the fence splintered, I let my body believe what my mouth had just said.

 Underworld 116

    <b>Chapter </b>116


    <b>Elliot </b>


    I wake up to my ceiling doing the thing I told it to do, being a sky instead of a ceiling. Stars drift slow as jellyfish. Theet I programmed takes itszyp, tail smudging light like chalk. The room hums the song I made for it ages ago: part music box, part wind chimes, part heartbeat. It never forgets. Something warm is tucked against my side. I turn my head and almost forget how to breathe. Macey. She¡¯s curled up facing me like a paw- sized wolf, one hand fisted in my nket, the other wrapped around Fergus¡¯s ear so he can¡¯t escape his duties. Her hair is a mess, the good kind. She makes a tiny whistling noise every few breaths and her nose scrunches when theet passes, like she can feel it through her eyelids. Macey has never been to the Underworld. For a second I think I¡¯ve dreamed her here, the way you dream food after a day with no snacks. But her skin is warm, and when I slide my fingers very carefully to her wrist, her pulse taps my fingertips: hello, hello, I¡¯m real.


    ¡°Hi,¡± I whisper anyway, even though she¡¯s sleeping. Fergus stares at me like a bodyguard.


    Rude.


    The room listens to me when I think at it. I ask the stars to be a bit softer so they don¡¯t


    wake her. They dim around the edges and fluff into bigger, sleepier shapes. The music tucks itself down another notch. The floor. dark and not¨Cquite¨Cwater, warms under my


    toes when I slide one foot out. How is she here? Levi did the neat lines on my door, the


    proper warding, the kind that keeps bad things out and lets good things in if I say so. I wrapped my own pattern through his like vines around a fence: teeth, nkets, stars, me. If something hollow tries to tug at the edges, I feel it like a cold breath in the back of my skull. I reach with that part of me and taste the room. The wards are purring. No frayed ces. No cold teeth at the seams. There¡¯s a thread I didn¡¯t put there, though, thin and silvery, tied to Macey¡¯s shoulder like a ribbon trailing off into dream¨Cstuff. It tastes like cinnamon sugar, sunshine, and pizza grease. Not the brittle, thirsty kind we felt at the fence. This one feels like¡­ home finding a person. Not a trap, then. Not a test. Just something that heard ¡°together¡± and decided to behave. My shoulders drop. I didn¡¯t know


    they were up around my ears until they aren¡¯t. I think aboutst night in a quick sh, Mum¡¯s arms full of Macey, Daddy Noah carrying me, moving like thieves who only steal back what¡¯s theirs. The portal opening like a page turning. The room lifting its head when we came in. I remember them putting us down side by side so Macey wouldn¡¯t wake up


    and <b>be </b>scared, and <b>I </b>guess <b>I </b>fell over right after, because here we are and nothing in the


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    world has ever been more correct. Layah is a dark curve at the foot of the bed, eyes half-


    lidded, pretending to sleep but watching everything. Her tail thumps once when she


    notices I¡¯m awake. I press a finger to my mouth and she huffs like, fine, but if anyone sneezes wrong I will eat them. <b>I </by back down and shuffle closer so Macey doesn¡¯t have


    to reach for the nket edge. She makes a tiny sound and scoots into me like she was just


    waiting for permission. Fergus ends up with one eye against my chin. He¡¯s braver up


    close.


    ¡°Do you know where you are?¡± I whisper, not expecting an answer.


    She mumbles something that might be ¡°stars.¡± Her fingers twitch, searching, and I offer


    mine. She catches them in her sleep and holds on. My chest does a soft, stupid flip. You shouldn¡¯t be this happy about something so small, I tell myself. I am anyway. A ripple brushes the outside wards, faint, polite, like someone sniffing from very far away. The


    of warmth the way Envy showed me, careful not to scorch, and the ripple slides off and goes looking for someone else to bother.


    ¡°Not tonight,¡± I tell it, and the room agrees with a satisfied little purr.


    I think about telling Mum right now, calling through the bond like, hey, something nosed


    the edge but I tucked it back to sleep and decided on morning to deal with it. She promised to love me even when the scary parts show their teeth. I promised to tell her


    everything. I will. After breakfast. After she sees us like this and smiles that soft way she


    does that makes my ribs feel bigger. I change the sky for Macey. Not much, just enough that the stars make a shape that looks like a wolf pup chasing aet. Theet goes


    slower so it won¡¯t outrun her. The music pulls in a little heartbeat I didn¡¯t know it could


    make until now. Maybe the room is learning me like I¡¯m learning it.


    ¡°Hey, Mace,¡± I say to the top of her hair, because secrets are lighter when you say them to someone even if they¡¯re asleep. ¡°If you ever want toe here again, I¡¯ll make the door open the right way. I¡¯ll make the scary things small. And I¡¯ll share Fergus if he signs the forms<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    She breathes out against my corbone. It tickles. I try not tough and fail a little. Layah¡¯s ear flicks like, quiet, gremlin, and then settles again.


    I close my eyes with my hand still around her wrist so I can count her pulse if I want. Theet drifts. The room sings. For once, the only hunger anywhere near here is mine for


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    pancakes when I wake up. If the hollow things out there are still listening, I let them hear it this time, as clear as I can make it: She¡¯s under my sky. Try it and find out.


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 Underworld 117

    <b>Chapter </b><b>117 </b>


    <b>Envy </b>


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    I woke to Underworld morning, no sun, but a clean, pearly light unfurling down the


    corridors and that steady, low hum of the kingdom¡¯s heartbeat. Noah was already propped on an elbow beside me, listening the way he does, like the stone itself can brief him if


    he¡¯s quiet enough.


    ¡°Hawk says the wards purred all night,¡± he murmured, mouth curving. ¡°No prying. One curious sniff on the around two, Elliot tucked it back to sleep before it finished the


    thought.¡±


    I blinked fully awake at that. ¡°He didn¡¯t wake us?¡±


    ¡°He shouldn¡¯t have had to.¡± Noah kissed my forehead. ¡°Proud?¡±


    Always. We dressed and padded the short hall to Elliot¡¯s room. His door felt warm under my palm; theyered wards, Levi¡¯sttice, Noah¡¯s banked heat, Elliot¡¯s vines recognized me and smoothed open. The room wore its sky like a favorite sweater, constetionszing, aet drag¨Ctail slow. Layah lifted her head from the foot of the bed, eyes bright, chin still on the frame: ¡°your pups are safe.¡±


    On the bed, two lumps under one nket: a blonde haired boy and a wolf pup of a girl, their fingers tangled, Fergus the bear wedged in the middle. Elliot stirred first, went very still the second his eyes found me and then smiled, that soft, relieved smile that


    unthreads every knot in my


    chest.


    ¡°Morning,¡± <b>I </b>said quietly.


    ¡°Morning,<i>¡± </i>he whispered back, like we might spook theet if we were too loud. Macey made a soft clicking sound and burrowed closer to him, which made Fergus slip, which made Elliot catch Fergus, which made Layah huff approvingly. It was the tiniest chain reaction, and I wanted to bottle it.


    ¡°I brought pancakes,¡± Noah announced.


    Macey¡¯s eyes popped open. ¡°I smelled them,¡± she said, then blinked around. ¡°Where¡­¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Underworld,¡± Elliot said, as gently as breath. ¡°My room. It¡¯s okay.¡±


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    She considered that. ¡°Okay,¡± she decided, and immediately tried to feed Fergus a corner <b>of </b>pancake when Noah lifted the lid.


    They ate tucked under the nket and by ¡°ate,¡± I mean honey ended up everywhere, including Elliot¡¯s cheek and Fergus¡¯s ear and somehow, improbably, Layah¡¯s eyebrow. It felt right.


    ¡°Tell me about the ¡®sniff¡® at two,¡± I said atst.


    Elliot¡¯sshes flickered. ¡°Something brushed the ward. Not a pry. Listening. I fed the a little warmth, and it went away.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± I said, because his instincts had been perfect. ¡°Right call.¡± I nced at the door. ¡°We¡¯ll have Levi look anyway.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m already here,¡± Levi said from the threshold. He stepped in, sleeves rolled, fingers already faintly bright with sigils. ¡°May I?¡±


    Elliot nodded and slipped his hand into Levi¡¯s without hesitation. Levi closed his eyes and tasted the room the way we do, topyer to bottom, ward to ward. The sigils blooming at


    his fingertips were neat and spare, nothing wasted.


    ¡°There,<b>¡± </b>he said after a beat, and swept two fingers through the air. A thread the width of


    a hair lifted, silver and soft, quivered like a plucked string, and settled back. Levi didn¡¯t touch it. ¡°Not hollow,¡± he said to me quietly. ¡°Not the brittle hunger we felt on the rogues.¡± Levi¡¯s eyes stayed on the shimmer hanging over the lintel. ¡°Not hollow,¡± he said again, voice clipped. ¡°And not wolf¨Cwork.¡±


    Noah shifted closer, Hawk¡¯s attention pressing forward through him like a weight behind his ribs. ¡°Then what?¡±


    ¡°A seeker¨Cweave,¡± Levi answered, tilting his head as if listening to rain. ¡°Somebody spun


    magic to follow a specific resonance. It doesn¡¯t force doors or bite wards. It sniffs. When it catches the right signature, it trails it.¡±


    My stomach went cold. ¡°A specific resonance¡­ Elliot¡¯s.<b>¡± </b>


    The thread quivered, an almost¨Csigh drawn toward the bed, toward the boy with honey on his cheek and a wolf pup of a girl tucked into his side. Layah¡¯s hackles lifted in one slow ripple. I set my palm to the frame; the ward¡¯s hum steadied under my skin. Elliot didn¡¯t


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    flinch<b>. </b>His fingers tightened around Macey¡¯s, but his eyes stayed on the shimmer, clear. ¡°It wasn¡¯t trying to get in,¡± he said softly. ¡°Just¡­ find me.¡±


    Macey blinked up at us, sleep¨Cdrunk and very serious. ¡°We came here with you,¡± she said, like she needed the record corrected. ¡°Envy and Noah brought us.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°We did,¡± I agreed, brushing her hair back. ¡°You¡¯re exactly where we put you.¡± I nodded at the tiny thread. ¡°This isn¡¯t about you, little wolf. It¡¯s trying to follow him.¡±


    Macey screwed up her nose. ¡°That¡¯s rude.¡±


    ¡°Extremely,¡± Noah said gravely.


    Levi¡¯s mouth ttened. ¡°It¡¯s keyed to your soulprint,¡± he told Elliot. ¡°Whoever cast it, they want something badly enough to seek it.¡±


    Elliot swallowed. ¡°Me.¡±


    I cupped the back of his neck, thumb under the edge of his jaw. ¡°They don¡¯t get to have


    you.¡±


    His jaw unclenched. ¡°Okay.¡±


    The thread nosed the ward again, drawn like a moth to glow. Levi lifted his hand and


    traced a small arc. Sigils flowered, neat and spare, and settled like a glove over the


    shimmer. ¡°I¡¯m muting it. It¡¯ll still sniff, but it¡¯ll smell what we choose.¡±


    ¡°Mask him,¡± Noah said. ¡°Blunt the resonance.¡±


    ¡°And thicken the room¡¯s listening,¡± I added, feeling the ward answer my palm.


    Levi nodded and got to work: a gauze¨Cthin veil over the ward that flexed without opening;


    a softening weave that wrapped Elliot¡¯s signature the way a nket wraps heat, warming without letting it escape. The room purred, content. Layah¡¯s hackles sank.


    ¡°Can I help?¡± Elliot asked.


    Levi¡¯s eyes warmed. ¡°Yes. Lesson one: mirror¨Csnare.¡± He conjured a shallow dish of ck ss that drank theet¡¯s light. <b>¡°</b>If a seeker touches your ward, ask the ward to keep a reflection of it. Not the whole thread, just a hair. Enough to study.¡±


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    Elliot slid carefully from under the nket and sat cross¨Clegged at the edge of the bed. He took the dish in both hands.


    ¡°When it sniffs again,¡± Levi murmured, ¡°feed the ward one breath of warmth likest


    night. Then ask it to show you what touched it.¡±


    The shimmer nosed at the veil, eager¨Ccurious. Elliot exhaled, slow and warm. The veil listened, not opened. In the ss, a thread drew itself, a hairline ribbon of ash¨Csilver,


    vibrating at a pitch you felt more than heard.


    Levi bent close. ¡°Say hello,<i>¡± </i>he whispered to the reflection.


    The thread in the dish made the faintest brittle sound. The shape of a word traveled along


    it: ¡°Kin¡°. Not amand. An invitation. Somehow worse.


    Macey leaned over the bowl, hair falling like a curtain. ¡°No, thank you,¡± she informed it, scandalized. ¡°You can¡¯t sniff my best friend. That¡¯s a rule.¡±


    Hawk approved. I felt it in Noah¡¯s chest like a satisfied thump. Levi tapped the rim; sigils


    sank and locked the image. ¡°Origin¡¯s smeared with ash and river water,¡± he said, frowning.


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    Cheap ways to blur direction. But there¡¯s a vor under it I recognize.¡±


    ¡°From the rogues,¡± Noah said.


    ¡°The hands that rode them,¡± Levi corrected. He tilted the bowl so I could taste the magic. It was wrong in my mouth, dry bone, cold soot and under that, a thin salt¨Chunger


    stretched too long.


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 Underworld 118

    <b>Chapter </b><b>118 </b>


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    We waited until both kids were sticky¨Cfaced and lost in a movie. Layah stayed curled at the foot of the bed, eyes half¨Cclosed, pretending sleep.


    I touched Noah¡¯s wrist and jerked my chin toward the hall. ¡°You too, Levi.<b>¡± </b>


    We stepped out and let the door ease shut on the purr of the wards. The corridor outside


    Elliot¡¯s room holds its own hush, a gentled echo the pce keeps for its smallest


    residents. I didn¡¯t realize I was holding my breath until I heard it bounce and thin.


    ¡°We need a family meeting,¡± I said, voice low but steady. ¡°Today. Us, Xavier, Haiden, Dad,


    Mum, Aleisha, Tommy. No dys.¡±


    Levi nodded once, no argument, just a quick, assessing flick of his eyes as if he were already cing chairs.


    I didn¡¯t sugarcoat it. ¡°Twice now we¡¯ve heard the word ¡®kin.¡® Once from a rogue¡¯s mouth that wasn¡¯t his to use, and again from the seeker¨Cweave at our door. This isn¡¯t random scavenging. Someone is looking for Elliot. Not to devour. To <i>im</i>.¡±


    Levi¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°The weave¡¯s construction fits that: follow, taste, wait. No bite. It


    doesn¡¯t want to break the door. It wants the door to open itself.¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze slid to Elliot¡¯s lintel<b>, </b>to the faint gleam where his vines braided through Levi¡¯sttice. ¡°We don¡¯t open doors we didn¡¯t choose,¡± he said, easy and iron at once. Hawk agreed, a silent thud. <i>Mine</i><i>¨C</i><i>to</i>¨C<i>guard</i>.


    I rubbed a thumb under my ring, an old habit when a decision scraped. ¡°We present this to the family together. We say the word we¡¯ve been circling: these are Soul Eaters. Maybe


    not his blood, but his species. They¡¯re testing our fences without leaving fingerprints.¡±


    Levi folded his arms, thinking in that neat, precise way he does. ¡°There¡¯s a chance they¡¯re not unified,¡± he said. ¡°The thread¡¯s vor wasn¡¯t the same as the hands that rode the


    rogues. Same craft, different caster. One faction scouts; another uses wolves like gloves.


    Both want the same thing. Methods diverge.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Ends don¡¯t,¡± Noah said. ¡°They want our boy.¡±


    I felt the barest tremor under my palm where it rested on the wall. The kingdom listens


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    when you decide something; the corridors tighten like muscle, ready.


    ¡°We keep our circle small,¡± I said. ¡°Just family and the senior leads. We tell the pack there was a seeker on the wards, that we¡¯ve increased protection, that the orphans are safe. No panic. No rumor mill that might drift across borders.¡±


    Levi tipped two fingers against his temple. ¡°I¡¯ll anchor a secure gate between the war room and our council chamber here. Ward¨Clocked on both ends, keyed to our voices. We can meet as one room with no one moving through public space.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± I let the word sit. ¡°And Elliot?¡±


    Noah answered before Levi could. ¡°He¡¯s earned a seat,¡± he said. ¡°We tell him as much as


    we tell anyone. He¡¯s wiser beyond his years and this does involve him.¡±


    Something eased in my chest I hadn¡¯t named, even as the protective part of me snarled at the thought of sitting our boy down and saying <i>your </i><i>kind </i><i>is </i><i>at </i><i>the </i><i>fence</i>.


    Levi¡¯s eyes softened, empathy threaded through analysis. Flint moved in him like a shadow agreeing. <i>Teach</i><b><i>, </i></b><i>don¡¯t </i><i>terrify</i>.


    ¡°Speaking of,¡± Levi went on, back to business, ¡°I want topound what we started this morning. Masking can¡¯t be a trick he does when we remind him. It has to be reflex. Breath in, dim. Breath out, brighten. Like a heartbeat he controls.¡±


    ¡°Drills,¡± Noah said, already mapping them. ¡°Short. Frequent. Woven into y. Layah can cue him. Hawk will ride the corridor with the cadence.¡± He nced at me. ¡°And your gentling charm on his dreams every night until the threads give up.¡±


    I nodded. Pregnancy makes you an altar to small superstitions; I¡¯ve learned which ones are spells and which ones are just breath. The gentling charm is both.


    ¡°We should also talk to Dad about diplomacy,¡± I added, surprising myself. ¡°A message into the dark can be safer than waiting for the dark to finish its thoughts. We state inly:


    he¡¯s under our protection. If there is awful envoy, they will request audience under our conditions.<b>¡± </b>The words tasted like strategy and ash in equal measure. ¡°If they refuse the


    terms, we name them hostile and act ordingly.¡±


    Levi¡¯s mouth twitched, the kind of humor he uses when he agrees with me and hates the necessity. ¡°I¡¯ll draft the terms. And bind them to a truth¨Cknot. Anyone who swears by


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    them bleeds if they lie<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Subtle,¡± Noah said dryly.


    We stood a while in the hush, the Underworld¡¯s heartbeat in the stone and the soft, stubborn rhythm of pancakes settling behind Elliot¡¯s door. There¡¯s a moment in every fight where the fear in you and the fight in you bnce on a knife. We stepped past it.


    Noah straightened. ¡°I¡¯ll ping Xavier. Twilight. We¡¯ll have Haiden off the service road by then. Tommy can pull from border patrol and be there in fifteen.¡±


    ¡°Make sure Aleisha sits in,¡± I said. ¡°Her nose for tells is better than my magic some days.¡±


    A thin bell rang from deeper in the corridor, one of Levi¡¯s new notes, high and crisp as ss tapped with a fingernail. He went still, listening with his whole body.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked, already feeling Layah uncoil at my spine.


    ¡°The decoy,¡± he said. ¡°They came back.¡±


    My gut dropped. ¡°Same thread?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± His eyes cut to me. ¡°And not alone.¡±


    Hawk surged, Noah didn¡¯t move, but the stone under his hand spidered with the tiniest hairline crack where power pressed. I gripped his wrist; the crack stopped.


    ¡°Talk to me,¡± I said, keeping my voice even.


    Levi¡¯s gaze went far and precise. ¡°Three seekers at the false door. The first, the one from this morning, says <i>kin </i>again. The second repeats it like an echo, unsure. The third¡­¡± He blinked. For the first time, something like surprise loosened his posture. ¡°The third is smaller. New¨Cwoven. It doesn¡¯t say <i>kin</i><i>. </i>It says <i>child</i><i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    My hand found my belly without my permission, palm t to a life that kicked back once as if answering a roll call only I could hear.


    Noah¡¯s head tilted, Hawk parsing cadence. ¡°Tone?¡±


    ¡°Notmand,¡± Levi said softly. ¡°Not lure. A¡­ searching. It doesn¡¯t know the shape of what it asks for<b>. </b>It only knows the word it was given.¡±


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    ¡°Then someone is training new threads,¡± I said, throat tight. ¡°Teaching them ournguage one word at a time.¡±


    Levi nodded toward the council chamber. ¡°All the more reason to convene now.¡±


    I exhaled. ¡°Call them. Lock the gate.¡±


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 Underworld 119

    <b>Chapter </b><b>119 </b>


    <b>93</b>%


    He lifted his hand, and a circle of air a few paces away went still and bright, a polished coin waiting for a stamp. ¡°Gate primed,¡± he said. ¡°Keyed to our names.¡±


    Noah squeezed my hip, grounding me back into my body. ¡°We¡¯ll make the kids lunch here after,¡± he said, practical as a prayer. ¡°We keep the day ordinary where we can.¡±


    ¡°Ordinary,¡± I echoed, letting the word tame the edges of the fear. I took onest nce at Elliot¡¯s door. The ward hummed. The vines hugged. Layah¡¯s presence smoothed like a


    hand on my back.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I said. ¡°We¡¯ve got a family to brief.¡±


    Levi touched the gate and spoke the first name. The air turned, and beyond it the war room¡¯s map table red to life, Red Moon¡¯s borders drawn in ink and river stone. One room, two worlds, one wall we would not let break.


    Behind us, the decoy door took another soft tap. The third thread tried its new word again, hopeful as a child repeating a lesson.


    ¡°Child,¡± it breathed to a room that wasn¡¯t ours. We didn¡¯t answer. We were busy building


    thenguage of no.


    Levi¡¯s gate hangs in the corridor like a polished coin, still, bright, waiting. He speaks the names one by one, and the surface ripples each time like a breath taken in.


    ¡°Mum, Dad.¡± The war room resolves on the other side: my father at the head of the map table, sleeves rolled, river stones anchoring the borders. ¡°Xavier. Haiden. Aleisha.


    Tommy.<b>¡± </b>


    They look up as if we¡¯ve stepped through, though neither side crosses the threshold. One room<b>, </b>two ces. It¡¯s a neat trick, and I¡¯m grateful for the neat ones today.


    ¡°Report,¡± Dad says, but there¡¯s gentleness under themand. Noah gives them the bones: the seeker¨Cweave nosing Elliot¡¯s ward, Levi¡¯s mirror¨Csnare catching a reflection,


    the decoy room down the linen corridor.


    ¡°Twice now it used the same word,¡± I finish. ¡°Kin. And the third thread, smaller¡­.said child.¡± <b>I </b>look down the table, make sure itnds. ¡°This isn¡¯t a random swarm. It¡¯s a


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    search.<b>¡± </b>


    Tommy leans in, forearms braced on the wood. ¡°Soul Eater craft?¡±


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    Levi¡¯s mouth pulls thin. ¡°Close enough to call it that. It¡¯s sympathetic magic: keyed to a soulprint, trained to trail and wait. The hands that rode the rogues used a harsher weave; this one is patient. Different casters. Same quarry.¡±


    Haiden whistles low through his teeth. ¡°So we¡¯ve got more than one set of eyes in our


    trees.¡±


    ¡°Not just eyes.¡± Aleisha studies the map, then me. ¡°Ears. That ¡®kin¡® isn¡¯t for us. It¡¯s for him. Call and response. See if the door knows the word.¡±


    Silence settles over the map like a held breath. I can feel the moment the room tips, when possibility hardens into the thing we all already know.


    Dad is first to say it aloud. ¡°They¡¯re not hunters,¡± he says quietly. ¡°They¡¯re kin¨Cseekers.¡±


    Xavier¡¯s jaw works once. He hates the admission, not the logic. ¡°Kin¨Cseekers who rode rogues into our yard,¡± he says, but there¡¯s less argument in it than steel. ¡°Family or not,


    they don¡¯t get a free pass<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Noah¡¯s voice is even. ¡°They¡¯re his people in some way, blood, species, culture. They think


    the word kin is a key.<b>¡± </b>


    Aleisha taps a finger against the edge of the map, eyes far. ¡°They¡¯re teaching their threads anguage. Kin. Child. Next they¡¯ll try home.¡± Her gaze flicks to me. ¡°We don¡¯t let them


    tell the story first.¡±


    Levi¡¯s mouth is thin, but he nods. ¡°Agreed. Our choice is not between silence and surrender. It¡¯s whether we shape the contact or react to it.¡±


    Tommy huffs a breath that isn¡¯t quite augh. ¡°So we put a letter under the door and tell


    them the rules<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Or we invite them to a vestibule that looks like a door and is actually my fist,¡± Haiden says, deadpan. The corner of his mouth lifts. ¡°Kidding. Mostly.¡±


    My hand smooths over the river stones, anchoring borders that suddenly feel more like


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    vows than lines. ¡°We put the idea on the table:munication, with conditions so strict they choke out any danger.¡± I look to Dad. ¡°We draft terms. We choose the ground. We decide the hour.


    Xavier blows out a slow breath. ¡°If it saves us weeks of them gnawing at our fence with threads, I¡¯ll sit on a rock and glower while Levi ys diplomat.¡±


    *I¡¯m not the diplomat,¡± Levi says mildly. ¡°I¡¯m the wall that listens.¡± He nces at me. ¡°But I can carry a message.¡±


    ¡°Not from Elliot.¡± The words leave me before anyone can suggest it. ¡°Not in his voice. Not signed with anything that smells like my boy. Ites from us, his guardians.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s say it,¡± Noah adds, and even the map seems to lean closer. ¡°We acknowledge the rumor. We state he is under our protection, healthy, and not avable for im. We set a singlewful path to dialogue. One envoy, unarmed, under a truth¨Cknot, at a neutral site. Any attempt to approach outside those terms is hostile.¡±


    Dad nods once. ¡°Lake Narra sandbar.¡±


    Tommy lifts a hand. ¡°Before we stamp the invitation: we anchor contingencies. Perimeter teams on both banks. Wards under the sand, iron, salt, holy water. No riders, no threads, no mours. If anything twitches wrong, we close the vestibule and cut the line.¡±


    ¡°Done,¡± Xavier says, already shifting stones, already moving pieces on a board no one else


    can see. ¡°Haiden can seed passive wards on the approach. No one gets within two hundred yards without tripping a bell.¡±


    Levi sketches quick sigils into the gate¡¯s light, uses, conditions, the shape of the knot that will bite a liar¡¯s tongue. ¡°The truth¨Cbinding will sit on the envoy¡¯s name. If they try to borrow a face, the knot will fail and I¡¯ll feel it snap.¡±


    Haiden leans back, hands in pockets. ¡°And if they bring us a child of their own to soften our edges?¡±


    ¡°Then they learn we have edges either way,¡± Noah says. It isn¡¯t cruel. It¡¯s simple.


    ¡°Elliot?¡± Dad asks me. ¡°Does he sit this meeting?¡±


    ¡°He sits the family briefing,<b>¡± </b>I answer. ¡°He hears Soul Eater from our mouths, not the


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    dark. He learns the posture is not fear, it¡¯s choice. He does not see the envoy. He does not carry the weight of anyone else¡¯s words.¡±


    Levi¡¯s eyes soften. ¡°And we keep training. Masking on breath, mirror¨Csnares automatic, saying no so a door believes him<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°We keep the decoy door open,¡± Aleisha says, ¡°and we keep listening. They¡¯ll say more if they think someone friendly is on the other side.¡±


    ¡°Friendly doesn¡¯t mean foolish,¡± Noah murmurs.


    ¡°Never has,¡± Dad agrees. He straightens, the old general lining up with the man who taught us to hold hands crossing a road. ¡°Alright. We send a message into the dark on our


    terms. Levi?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll speak it through the false room,¡± Levi says. ¡°Not a voice, an impression. A hearth with rules. They¡¯ll understand the shape even if they hate it.¡±

 Underworld 120

    <b>Chapter </b><b>120 </b>


    <b>Xavier </b>


    Levi¡¯s gate sealed to a dull shimmer and the corridor took back its hush. The moment the war room faded, I caught Envy shift her weight, subtle, a little wince she tried to hide as she rolled her ankle and set her hand at the small of her back.


    That was all it took. Maddox lifted his head inside me, ears forward, a low, warning rumble pressing against my ribs. ¡°Off your feet. Now.¡±


    I stepped to her, palms finding her hips. ¡°You good?¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± she lied, which would¡¯ve worked on anyone who didn¡¯t know the way her jaw tightens when her spineins. The swell beneath her dress curved a little fuller thanst week, our child making their quiet case for more room. It did something fierce and


    foolish to me every time I looked.


    ¡°Meeting¡¯s over,¡± I said, already deciding. ¡°Noah can handle topside. Levi¡¯s got the decoy.


    You¡¯re with me.¡±


    Her brow arched. ¡°Alpha voice? In my house?¡±


    ¡°In our house,¡± I corrected, soft. ¡°And our house says sit.¡±


    A second set of bootfalls,zy on purpose. Haiden slid in beside us, hands in his pockets, gaze flicking once to Envy¡¯s belly and staying there with a look that was half prayer, half grin. ¡°Talen¡¯s pacing,¡± he said. ¡°If I don¡¯t put him where he can watch you breathe, he¡¯s going to chew through a door.<b>¡± </b>


    I snorted.¡± Pack of reasonable¨Cmen¡°, Maddox grumbled in my head, deeply pleased. Move


    her.


    ¡°Levi,¡± I said through the midnlink


    ¡°Listening,¡± came his answer, dry as ever.


    ¡°You¡¯re on our. Sing out if the cord twitches.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>It will,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ll wake you if ¡®when¡® bes ¡®now.¡® Go away.¡±


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    ¡°Bossy<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Haiden muttered, already sliding an arm around Envy¡¯s waist. ¡°C¡¯mon, mdy. Your fan club insists.<b>¡± </b>


    She rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t fight us, which was how I knew she was tired, pregnancy rolling in hard and making her need regr naps. We steered her down the moonlit hall toward our rooms; the Underworld¡¯s heartbeat kept time under our boots, slow and sane. At the door, our wards lifted like a cat leaning into a hand. I peeled them back, set them


    to purr<b>. </b>


    ¡°Couch or bed?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Couch,¡± she said. ¡°<b>If </b>Iy t I¡¯ll be out before I can pretend to argue with you.¡±


    ¡°Promises, promises.¡± Haiden detoured to the sideboard,ing back with water, fruit, and the indecent stash of honey biscuits he swears are for the ¡®guests.¡®


    I eased Envy down, then knelt at her feet and unbuckled her sandals, thumbs circling the bone at her ankle. Heat shimmered under my hands as Maddox lent me a little of his warmth; I worked up her calf, slow, steady, watching her eyes unfocus, the tight line of


    her mouth soften.


    Haiden dropped onto the other end of the couch and lifted her legs into hisp, kneading the arches with his knuckles like he was trying to convince the knots to sign a treaty. ¡°There she is,¡± he murmured when her shoulders finally let go. ¡°Hello, spine. Remember what not¨Churting feels like?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re insufferable,¡± she sighed, half augh.


    ¡°urate,¡± he said, without shame.


    I leaned over and brushed a kiss against the curve of her belly. ¡°Hey, little one,¡± I said, low and private. ¡°Your other daddys ran a very boring meeting. We fixed it by stealing your


    mother.¡±


    A tap answered from inside, light, curious. Maddox went very still, the way a great beast does when a birdnds on its nose. I pressed my palm there and felt the answering push. Every time feels like the first time.


    Haiden¡¯s face went soft in that way he pretends it never does. ¡°Talen says if anything in this realm breathes wrong, he¡¯ll personally handle the paperwork for its funeral.¡± He


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    nced at me, smirking. ¡°He wrote ¡®personally¡® in blood.¡±


    ¡°Tell him to use ink,<b>¡± </b>I said. ¡°We¡¯re housebroken now.¡±


    Envy¡¯s eyes fluttered, not quite asleep. ¡°What about Noah?¡±


    ¡°Topside,¡± I said. ¡°Hawk¡¯s in his glory. Dad and Tommy are already moving pieces. We¡¯ve got two hours of quiet, minimum. We¡¯re hoarding them.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°And Mum¡¯s making some more of that cake you liked the other day.¡± Haiden said softly.


    Haiden¡¯s mouth quirked. ¡°And Mum¡¯s making more of that cake you liked.¡±


    Envy¡¯sshes fluttered. The room tilted sweeter, the way it does when her scent warms, sugar and heat curling through the room like a secret. Maddox rumbled, pleased and very sure of our next priorities. ¡°Now.¡±


    I bent, kissed the smile trying to hide at the corner of her mouth. ¡°Caketer,¡± I murmured. ¡°You first.¡±


    Haiden shifted, sliding in closer until her calves were bracketed in hisp. He rubbed slow. circles into her arches, then trailed a thumb up the soft inside of her ankle,zy, patient, devastating. ¡°Tell me when anything pinches,¡± he said, voice gone rough velvet.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you,¡± she whispered, already arching into my palm as I smoothed a hand along the curve of her hip and up. I took my time with the buttons at her corbone, kissing each patch of skin I uncovered, letting her chase my mouth when she wanted more. She did. Gods, she did. Maddox prowled inside my chest andy down, guarding; Talen uncoiled in Haiden, a low, content purr vibrating through his touch. We shifted her sideways on the couch, propped in myp, her back to my chest, Haiden angling in at her knees. Supported. Framed. Worshiped.


    ¡°Easy,¡± I breathed against her temple, one hand syed over the gentle swell of her belly. The other traced her mating marks, slow and reverent. ¡°You¡¯re safe.¡±


    She turned her face, found my mouth with hers, soft at first, then hungry. Haiden kissed the inside of her knee, then higher, then higher still<b>, </b>his breath stuttering when she made a sound that went straight through both of us. I swallowed it, kissed it back to her, felt her rx further into the bracket of our bodies.


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    <b>13:34 </b>Wed, Sep 3


    ¡°Perfect,¡± Haiden coaxed, lips at her thigh, at the ce her pulse beat wild. ¡°Tell us what you need<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°Closer,<b>¡± </b>she said, breath catching. ¡°Both of you<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    We obliged, closing the distance inch by inch. I mapped the new lines of her body with my hands, memorizing every curve that hadn¡¯t been therest week, kissing the ce where our child pressed against my palm. Haiden¡¯s knuckles skimmed my fingers; he looked up, eyes dark, and we moved together, a practiced, careful choreography, no rush, no strain, everything cradled and easy. Herughter bubbled up when I teased the corner of her mouth with my teeth; it melted into a sigh when Haiden¡¯s tongue traced a slow line where her skin was most sensitive. The room seemed to lean closer,mps dimming on


    their own,


    wards humming like a low note under our breathing. Maddox¡¯s satisfaction rolled through me; Talen¡¯s purr climbed, a bass thread under hers.


    ¡°Xavier,¡± she said, warning, praise, plea. I answered with my mouth, with my hands, with a promise against her skin: ¡°I¡¯ve got you.¡±


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 Underworld 121

    <b>Chapter </b><b>121 </b>


    93%


    We took our time on purpose, like a prayer we meant to say right. I let her steer with the smallest signals: the catch of her breath, the way her fingers tightened in my hair, the soft ¡°there¡± breathed against my mouth that drew me back to the exact ce she wanted me. Every time I cupped the new curve of her, her body softened under my hand; every


    time I kissed the line beneath her ear, she tipped her throat to me like surrender was anguage we¡¯d built together. Haiden moved lower with unhurried intent, teasing patience out of her until it frayed intoughter and then into a sound that made both of us curse softly. His chuckle broke when she caught his wrist and tugged, closer, no words, just a pull that threaded heat through all three of us. We found the rhythm that belongs only to us and guarded it like a me in wind, hands braced, pressure sure, nothing careless near


    the life we cradled.


    ¡°Easy, little one,¡± I breathed into her hair, palm spanning her belly, the other mapping the old marks and the newer ones with my mouth. She answered by rolling her hips back into me, by chasing my kiss with her own, by breaking off a gasp into my throat when Haiden traced a slow path higher, then higher, until her shoulders pressed hard to my chest. Maddox paced pushed forward, watchful and pleased; Talen purred through Haiden, that low, predatory thread that always spikes when she sighs his name.


    ¡°Greedy,¡± Haiden murmured against the inside of her knee.


    ¡°Always,¡± she said, breathless and smiling, and dragged him closer again.


    We obeyed her everymand, her hands guiding, our hands answering. I learned the new shape of her with my palms: the satin stretch of skin, the fierce strength beneath, the tender ces that made her tremble and hide her face in my neck. I spok? nonsense and vows against her mouth, felt her swallow them and give me back wordless thanks. <b>I </b>slipped my pants down past my hips and haiden lifted her to staddle me, using his ws to gently tear the pants and panties clean off her. He held her up, hovering her over my length and slowly, so slowly, lowering her onto my cock. Her slick, wet, warmth pulling me in. Haiden made quick work of his own clothes, before leaning over and whispering in her ear. ¡°Rx, my love. I need to be inside you too. Can you do that? Can you take us both? I know you can; my good girl, just rx. He cooed as he pressed the tip of his dick beside my own and inch my inch he opened her wider, stretching her as she moaned around us, throwing her head back onto his shoulder while I looked up at her in all her glory. My sweet, beautiful girl. When Haiden bottomed out, he cursed and we moved, in and out together, her pussy holding us together<b>, </b>so tight, so needy, she is such a good girl


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    for <b>us</b><b>. </b><b>I </b>leaned upwards<b>, </b>taking a nipple in my mouth, my tongue flicking around the sweet little nub <b>as </b><b>she </b>whimpered and moaned, a fucking mess for us. She was perfect like this<b>, </b><b>so </b>fucking perfect.


    ¡°Fuck, her <b>pussy </b>is trying to milk us, brother. Can you feel that?¡±


    ¡°Fuck yes I feel that. Are you going to cum, sweet girl? Cum for us, cum all over us, baby.¡±


    and she did, her pussy mping down hard as she gushed, down my thighs, over our


    cocks. The room filled with our moans, the scent of our sex, our love, our lust, us, as Haiden and I crumbled with her, filling her pretty little pussy with our seeds.


    After, we didn¡¯t rush to move. We let the minutes pool warm and golden. Envy melted


    across me, boneless and smug, her stomach fitting to my chest like we were made on the


    same loom. Haiden curved along her legs and tucked her feet beneath his arm, drawing


    idle circles at her ankle until her breathing evened. Our hands found each other over her


    back andyered there his, then mine, like we could stack time and make it behave.


    ¡°You ruin me,¡± she mumbled, hoarse and pleased.


    ¡°Repair included,¡± Haiden said, fishing a contraband honey biscuit from the sideboard and splitting it without looking away from her. ¡°Payment due inpliments.¡±


    She bit, hummed, then turned her head to kiss my jaw slowly,zily, the kind of kiss that makes promises out of air. Her fingers slid down, caught Haiden¡¯s wrist, and she pressed her mouth to the tender skin there, a thank you, a im. He inhaled, eyes dark, thest of Talen¡¯s purr easing to a satisfied thrum.


    ¡°Water?<b>¡± </b><b>I </b>asked. She nodded, eyes still closed. Haiden helped her sit, I held the ss to her lips and chased a stray drop from her mouth with my thumb. Under my palm, our


    child answered with another curious tap. Every time still feels like the first time; every time<b>, </b>Maddox rumbles approval he¡¯ll deny if I tease him for it.


    ¡°Cake<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>she decided atst, voice warm andzy.


    ¡°Boss<b>,</b>¡± Haiden said, brushing hair from her brow. He kissed her hand again, because he can¡¯t not, then pushed up to go charm the kitchens like a menace with dimples.


    ¡°Five minutes<b>,</b>¡± I bargained, kissing her temple. ¡°Then I carry you to the table and pretend I¡¯m not feral for you<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


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    She cracked one eye. ¡°Alpha voice again. In my house.¡±


    ¡°In our house,¡± I corrected, slipping an arm under her knees, the other around her back. ¡°And our house says cake.¡±


    Sheughed into my throat and let me lift her, trusting me to move the world around her without jostling what we¡¯d built. Maddox rose, daring anything on the path to breathe wrong. The wards purred. The kingdom kept its steady heartbeat. And we took our two quiet hours like thieves with treasure, slowly, reverently, crumb by crumb. I must be the luckiest guy in the world, alongside my brothers of course.


    Chapter Comments


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 Underworld 122

    <b>Chapter </b><b>122 </b>


    <b>Haiden </b>


    I left those two in the kitchen with a te the size of a shield between them, Envy humming like a content cat, Xavier pretending he wasn¡¯t counting the seconds between her happy noises. Mum¡¯s cake does that to people. I kissed Envy¡¯s cheek, got swatted for trying to steal thest raspberry, and solved the problem by cutting three fresh slices.. One for me (quality control), two for the gremlins currently masquerading as angels in


    Elliot¡¯s room.


    Talen paced inside my ribs as I walked the moonlit corridor, his mood stretched between satisfied and go check the pups. He¡¯s never subtle.


    ¡°On it,¡± I told him, nudging the ward rune with my knuckles. It purred and lifted, the door


    easing open.


    Elliot¡¯s room always gets me. Layahy at the foot of the bed, alert but lounging, chin on paws: guardian at half¨Cmast. She thumped her tail once at the cake.


    ¡°Bribery,¡± I said, and set a saucer¨Csized crumb by her paw. She epted it with dignity befitting a queen who has standards. What I did not expect was the new¡­ architecture.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I breathed, grinning. ¡°You¡¯ve been busy.¡±


    Elliot popped out from behind a velvet curtain with the kind of smile that splits a face in half. He wore a paper crown scissored from star¨Cmaps and a cape fashioned from one of my old ck shirts, sleeves safety¨Cpinned into a proper swoop. ¡°Daddy Haiden!¡± he announced, grabbing my wrist with sticky fingers. ¡°Come quick. There¡¯s a situation.¡±


    ¡°How dire?¡±


    ¡°Princess Macey is in a tower,¡± he said gravely, and tugged me around the bed.


    He¡¯d grown a tower in the corner, the little menace<b>. </b>Not tall, just high enough to impress a small wolf pup, spiraling up from the floor in pale stone veined with silver. There was a balcony with twinkly lights, a banner bearing a hand¨Cdrawn wolf, and a door halfway up that looked suspiciously like it required a password. The whole thing had Elliot¡¯s signature: useful<b>, </b>beautiful, and a little dramatic.


    Macey leaned over the balcony with Fergus under one arm and a ribbon in her hair that matched the banner. She gasped when she saw me. ¡°Sir Haiden! Help! There¡¯s a dragon!<b>¡± </b>


    Layah lifted her head exactly one inch and blinked at me like, do not judge me, however, unfurled with interest. ¡°I¡¯ll be the dragon.¡±


    ¡°Seems we¡¯ve found our cast,¡± I murmured, and let a little rumble thread my chest. Not scary, stage thunder. ¡°Rawr,¡± Talen contributed, a bass purr that rolled under the floorboards. Macey shriek¨Cgiggled and clutched Fergus tighter.


    Elliot nted his fists on his hips, hero stance: perfected. ¡°I will save you, Princess Macey,¡± he dered, then looked up at me, nervous¨Cproud. ¡°I made a real working tower,¡± he whispered. ¡°It feels like stone but it¡¯s soft if you fall.¡±


    I knocked the wall with my knuckles. It sounded satisfyingly castle¨Cy. ¡°Looks up to code,¡± I told him. ¡°Any rescue protocols?¡±


    ¡°There are three trials,¡± he said, deeply serious. He held up fingers, sticky with glitter somehow. ¡°One: pass the guardian. Two: answer the door¡¯s riddle. Three: kiss of true¡­


    um<b>¡­ </b>friendship.¡±


    Macey went scarlet and hid behind Fergus. Right. Cake first, mortal peril second.


    I set the tes on a little table Elliot had conjured into existence and cut the slices into smaller squares. ¡°Fuel for feats,¡± I announced. ¡°Heroes and princesses don¡¯t rescue well


    on empty stomachs.¡±


    Macey¡¯s eyes went round. ¡°<b>Is </b>that Nana¡¯s cake?¡±


    ¡°The very one.¡± I forked a bite and held it out. She epted like a princess. Elliot tried to look cool and failed, opening like a baby bird whenever I shed a fork in his direction. We lost two crumbs to Layah¡¯s strategic tail thump; she maintains it was an ident.


    Fortified, Elliot wiped his face with regal dignity and turned back to the tower. ¡°¡±Trial one,¡± he said<b>, </b>squaring up to Layah. ¡°Guardian, may I pass?<b>¡± </b>


    Layah considered him<b>, </b>then me, then the cake. She huffed and rolled to her side, offering her belly for scratches as the toll. Elliot paid in full<b>, </b>both hands, sound effects included. Satisfaction achieved, Layah lifted one paw, permission granted.


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    Wed<b>, </b>Sep


    ¡°Trial two,¡± Elliot dered, stepping to the door halfway up the spiral. ¡°Riddle!¡±


    The door glowed faintly and a tiny face formed in the wood. The voice that came out was Elliot doing a very serious ent. ¡°What has a heart that does not beat, a face that never sees, and gets smaller the more you use it?¡±


    Macey bounced. ¡°I know! Cake!¡±


    ¡°Incorrect,¡± the door intoned. ¡°Though a strong guess.¡®


    Elliot looked at me, eyes bright. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s a¡­¡±


    ¡°Pencil,¡± I said, letting the answer hang like a question.


    ¡°Pencil!¡± he echoed.


    The door beamed and popped open with an audible ding. ¡°Proceed.¡±


    He scampered up thest steps and reached the balcony, but paused, ncing down at me. ¡°Can she¡­?¡±


    ¡°Trial three,¡± I reminded, and folded my arms, mock¨Cstern. ¡°Terms?¡±


    He swallowed, brave and shy at once. ¡°Kiss of true friendship.¡±


    Macey didn¡¯t even hesitate. She leaned over, smacked his cheek with a kiss, then grabbed


    his sleeve and hauled him onto the balcony. Fergus got squeezed between them like a


    third wheel. Layah¡¯s tail thumped again, punctuating the triumph.


    ¡°Rescued!¡± Elliot crowed.


    ¡°Hero!¡± Macey insisted, pointing at his paper crown. ¡°And you¡¯re my knight.¡±


    Talen, who pretends to be a creature of pure violence, did something undignified in my chest. ¡°Ours¡°, he said, soft as he ever gets. It does things to me, that word.


    We did cake round two on the balcony, Macey fed crumbs to Fergus, Elliot identally got honey on his crown and didn¡¯t care. I sat on the step below, watching, trying to memorize the precise angle of light on their ridiculous tower. Not letting my brain wander to threads and cords and the word child said by something that didn¡¯t know how to mean it. Not right now.


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    13:34 Wed<b>, </b>Sep 3


    ¡°Did you make the tower to feel safe?¡± I asked, casual as fruit.


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    Elliot followed my gaze to the seam where his warding vines wove into the stone. ¡°I made it because she said she wanted to be a princess and I wanted to be the one who knew how to climb,¡± he said simply. Then, quieter: ¡°And also so she feels safe.¡±


    He shouldn¡¯t have to think like that. He does. We teach him to do it well.


    ¡°Good nning,¡± I said, and flicked the banner to make it ripple. ¡°Also good aesthetics.¡±


    Macey leaned over the railing, hair ribbon glinting. ¡°Haiden?¡±


    ¡°Yes, your highness?¡±


    ¡°Can we keep the tower?¡±


    ¡°You built it in a kingdom that listens to you,¡± I said. ¡°It¡¯s yours until you decide on a


    pirate ship.¡± (Elliot¡¯s eyes went wide. Note to self: ship¨Cbuilding tomorrow.)


    We cleaned fingers, stored tes and I herded them back down the spiral as dusk drifted across the ceiling¨Csky. Layah rose and did a perimeter loop, two steps, a sniff, satisfied. I


    checked the wards, a reflex, a prayer, felt Levi¡¯s neat under Elliot¡¯s vines, my own


    touchyered in, and let the coil in my shoulders ease.


    <b>Chapter </b>Comments


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 Underworld 123

    <b>Chapter </b><b>123 </b>


    <b>Envy </b>


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    Later that evening we kept the living room soft on purpose,mps down, hearth banked to a low, steady glow. The Underworld doesn¡¯t do ¡°evening¡± the way the topside does, but tonight the pce obliged us with shadows that felt like dusk. Layah sprawled at the threshold, head on her paws, the picture of casual until you noticed her ears, forward,. listening. Elliot came in fresh from washing up, hair damp, paper crown forgotten on the.. table where he¡¯d left it after the tower adventure. He clocked the four of them on the couch, Xavier, Haiden, Noah, Levi and then me in the armchair opposite. His shoulders did a little lift¨Cand¨Cset that told me he felt the weight in the room but wasn¡¯t spooked by <ol><li>it. </li></ol>


    ¡°Am I in trouble?¡± he asked, careful but not scared.


    ¡°No,¡± I said, patting the cushion beside me. ¡°You¡¯re in the loop.¡±


    He climbed up, knees folded under him, and leaned into my side until I tucked an arm around him. He smelled like our soap and a smear of honey he¡¯d missed near his jaw. Fergus sat on the table between us, dignified and ready to take minutes.


    Xavier took the start, voice even, hands open on his knees. ¡°We¡¯re going to tell you everything we know,¡± he said. ¡°No secrets, no scary surprises. If it gets too much, you say ¡®pause¡® and we reset. Deal?¡±


    ¡°Deal,¡± Elliot said, eyes moving from face to face. ¡°Is this about the sniff?¡±


    ¡°In a way,¡± Noah said. ¡°The thing that sniffed is part of a bigger pattern.¡±


    Leviced his fingers, patient as a book waiting to be opened. ¡°You already know the word for what you are,¡± he said, not unkind. ¡°Soul Eater. That¡¯s a name other people gave the species you belong to. It doesn¡¯t define you; it describes a kind of magic you can do. It also means there are others like you, somewhere.¡±


    Elliot went very still, then tipped his head, thinking. ¡°Okay.¡±


    Haiden leaned forward, forearms on his thighs. ¡°We think some of those ¡®others¡® heard a rumor. The rumor says one of their own lives with us. They¡¯re trying to find out if it¡¯s


    true.¡±


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    ¡°<b>How</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>Elliot asked.


    ¡°Two ways<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Levi said. ¡°First, by riding rogues, controlling them from a distance to test our fences and see how we move. That¡¯s the ugly, loud way. Second, with a quieter kind of magic that follows a soulprint.¡± He lifted a hand and drew a small curve in the air; a faint shimmer answered over the coffee table, the echo of what he¡¯d caught earlier. ¡°A seeker- weave. It doesn¡¯t break doors. It sniffs for a particr signature. Twice today it used the same word when it thought it found you: kin. A smaller one said child.¡±


    Elliot¡¯s mouth tugged to the side. ¡°Kin means family.¡±


    ¡°It can,¡± I said. I smoothed my palm over his back when his breath hitched. ¡°It can also be a word you use because you want someone to open a door.¡±


    His eyes flicked to me, then to the shimmer. ¡°Did you answer it?¡±


    ¡°We answered in our way,¡± Noah said. ¡°We didn¡¯t open our door. Levi made a fake door down the corridor. If they want to talk, they talk to that.¡±


    Levi nodded. ¡°I listened through it. I told them we have rules. That if anywful envoy wants to speak to us, they can do it under our conditions, one person, unarmed, no magic that rides or pulls, in daylight, on neutral ground. Otherwise the answer is no.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Lake Narra sandbar,¡± Haiden added, because he can¡¯t resist adding color. ¡°We¡¯ll put iron and holy water under the sand and surround it with bored¨Clooking warriors. Aleisha gets


    to sit on a rock and nose out lies.<b>¡® </b>


    <i>¡°</i><b>¡± </b>


    Elliot¡¯s mouth quirked despite himself. Then he sobered. ¡°Are they my¡­ family?¡±


    The word caught. My throat did too. ¡°They¡¯re your species,¡± I said carefully. ¡°They might be kind. They might be cruel. They might be both. What we know is they¡¯re looking. What


    we¡¯re telling you <b>is </b>this: they don¡¯t get to take you. Ever. You choose where you belong. We¡¯re choosing to protect you while we find out what they want.¡±


    He breathed once, deep. ¡°Okay.<b>¡± </b>


    Xavier reached across the table and tapped the bear¡¯s ear, like he¡¯d do with any anxious pup. ¡°You don¡¯t have to decide anything tonight<i>,</i><i>¡± </i>he said. ¡°Nothing changes about who you are to us. You¡¯re ours because you¡¯re you, not because of what you can do.¡±


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    13:34 Wed, Sep <b>3 </b>


    Elliot¡¯s fingers found mine and squeezed. ¡°Do I go to the meeting?¡±


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    ¡°No<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Noah said<b>, </b>gentle but unarguable. ¡°You don¡¯t meet strangers who use threads to


    knock on doors. But you do get a voice. If you want us to ask questions on your behalf, we ask them. If you want <b>us </b>to say no to certain things, we say no.¡±


    ¡°Can I¡­ write them something?¡± Elliot asked slowly. ¡°Like a rule. So they know before they talk.¡±


    Levi¡¯s eyes warmed. ¡°You may. And I¡¯ll stitch your words into the decoy itself so they can¡¯t pretend they didn¡¯t hear.¡±


    Elliot considered. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll think.¡±


    Haiden drummed his fingers once against his knee, then leaned in again. ¡°Between now


    and whenever they answer, we train. Not drills that hurt your head. Breathing. Masking. Mirror¨Csnares. Layah will be your metronome. We¡¯ll build the way you say no so your door


    believes you.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Stealth mode,¡± Elliot said, a flicker of pride there now.


    ¡°Technical term,¡± Levi deadpanned. It pulled a real smile out of him, quick and bright.


    I pressed my lips to Elliot¡¯s temple. ¡°We¡¯ll also keep Macey¡¯s visits warded with a guardian¨Cknot,¡± I added. ¡°So she can be here without the threads trying to hitchhike on her. You didn¡¯t bring danger to her. We won¡¯t let danger borrow her path.¡±


    ¡°Is she okay?¡± he asked immediately.


    ¡°She is currently a princess who has demanded a pirate ship,¡± Haiden said solemnly. ¡°So


    yes.¡±


    Some of the tension left his shoulders. He bent, picked up Fergus, and set the bear precisely on the table so both ss eyes faced Levi. ¡°If they¡¯re my species,¡± he said, quiet and steady, ¡°and they say kin and child¡­ what if they¡¯re not bad? What if they¡¯re just¡­ looking?¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll find that out,¡± Xavier said. ¡°By asking the right questions, under our rules. And if there is something good there, we¡¯ll decide how to bring the good in without letting the bad through.<b>¡± </b>


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    ¡°And if they are bad,¡± Noah added, ¡°we will close the door and cut every thread they send and go on living our ordinary days. Rescues. Towers. Cake.¡±


    Elliot huffed augh that sounded like him again. ¡°Okay.¡±


    Chapter Comments

 Underworld 124

    <b>Chapter </b><b>124 </b>


    93%1


    Levi nced at me, a small ask in his eyes. I nodded. He turned his palm up on the table. ¡°Want to hear what I told them?¡±


    Elliot nodded. Levi didn¡¯t speak words. He let a pattern rise from his skin, warmth without heat, shape without teeth. In my chest the meaning tranted as a picture: a hearth, a


    hand held up at chest height. ¡°Come with one. Come empty¨Chanded. Come under truth.


    Any other way is no¡°.


    Elliot watched it until it sank again. ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± he said. ¡°It sounds like¡­ home that isn¡¯t stupid.¡±


    ¡°High praise,¡± Haiden muttered, grinning.


    We let quiet sit a moment then. The good kind. I felt the kingdom listening and choosing


    to hum instead of press.


    ¡°Questions?¡± I asked atst.


    Elliot worried his lip, then let it go. ¡°Two. One: do I have to be a Soul Eater all the time?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I said. ¡°You get to be a boy who throws glitter bombs and builds towers and learns hard things when he¡¯s ready. Your magic is part of you. It is not all of you<b>.</b>¡±


    He nodded. ¡°Okay. Two: what if I hear them in my head? What if they know how to talk that way?¡±


    ¡°Then you use the rules we teach you,¡± Levi said. ¡°You do not answer. You tell us. And if you get scared, you use the word.¡±


    ¡°Pause,¡± Elliot said immediately.


    ¡°Good,¡± Noah said. ¡°And if it happens when we¡¯re not in the room, Hawk and Layah will feel it through the wards. We¡¯lle.<b>¡± </b>


    I squeezed his hand. ¡°Always.¡±


    He breathed out, shoulders finally loosening all the way. ¡°Can I write my rule now? Before I forget the words<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


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    <b>13:34 </b>Wed<b>, </b>Sep


    ¡°Of course,¡± Xavier said, already conjuring a pad and a pen that smelled faintly of cedar.


    He slid them across<b>. </b>


    Elliot bent over the page, tongue between his teeth the way he does when he¡¯s building something that matters. He wrote slowly, careful block letters, then pushed the paper to


    Levi.


    The rule was simple: My name is Elliot. My home is here. You cannot call me out of it. If you talk, you talk to my family first.


    Levi read it like a contract and then like a blessing. ¡°I¡¯ll stitch it into the decoy and tie it to our knot,¡± he said. ¡°Anyone who speaks through that door will know this before they make a single sound.¡±


    Elliot slid off the couch and came around the table without warning,unching himself at Xavier first, then Haiden, then Noah and Levi in a quick, fierce circuit. He ended back with me, climbing into myp like he hadn¡¯t done in months. ¡°Okay,¡± he said into my shoulder. ¡°Now I¡¯m sleepy.¡±


    ¡°Good timing,¡± I said, kissing his hair. ¡°We¡¯re very good at bed.¡±


    Xavier stood, stretching. ¡°I¡¯ll walk him back,¡± he said. ¡°Princesses get cranky when knights arete for dreams.¡±


    Haiden ruffled Elliot¡¯s hair. ¡°Tomorrow: pirate ships.¡±


    ¡°Stealth pirate ships,¡± Elliot said, already half¨Cgone.


    ¡°Best kind,¡± Noah agreed.


    We broke the circle the way packs do, touch on a shoulder, a look that says I¡¯m still here even when we leave the room. Levi tucked the paper into his pocket like a relic.


    At the doorway, Elliot looked back. ¡°Hey,¡± he said. ¡°Kin is a nice word. But it doesn¡¯t mean the same thing when you <b>say </b>family. Okay?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Okay,¡± <b>I </b>said, and had to swallow around it.


    He nodded, satisfied, and let Xavier carry him toward his room, Layah ghosting after them like a moving shadow.


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    13:34 Wed<b>, </b>Sep


    <b>Elliot </b>


    Sleep didn¡¯te. All the words sat in my head like marbles, clicking into each other when I moved. Kin. Child. Terms. No. My rule in Levi¡¯s pocket. My family in this room and in the hall and upstairs in the breathing world. Maybe¡­maybe¡­ I had family somewhere


    else too. Same blood.


    I rolled onto my back and watched my ceiling¨Csky breathe. I said the word out loud, to see how it tasted in my mouth. ¡°Kin.¡±


    Inside my mouth it was warm. It tasted like pack¨Chouse bread and hands on my back


    when I was brave. Not brittle. Not hungry. Just¡­ big.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I told the ceiling. ¡°Two truths can sit in the same chair.<b>¡± </b>


    I shut my eyes and tugged on the edge of a memory like a knot in string. Marcus left holes where memories should be. He scraped and rewrote until the outside and the inside


    stopped shaking hands. But some things hid from him, little pieces that went quiet when he walked by. If I¡¯m careful, I can coax them out.


    Grass first. The smell of it when you lie down and stick your face in it because the clouds don¡¯te close enough. Not pack¨Chouse grass, not Underworld garden grass. Wider. Wilder. Bees bumping flowers, yellow petals on my nose. Buttercups. I know the word now; I didn¡¯t then. Wind. Not underground wind, not corridor breath. Upwind that tastes like sun. Augh. Woman¡¯s. Not nervous. Not polite. Augh that tips her whole head back and lets the sky see all her teeth. It pops in my chest like soda bubbles. There are freckles when I look up. She is taller than anyone and also the exact right size for my


    arms<b>. </b>


    ¡°Elliot!¡± A man¡¯s voice, strong as a hand on your shoulder when you run too fast downhill. The way itnds makes something in me go still, then steady. I could walk on a fence with that voice under my feet and never fall. He doesn¡¯t sound worried. He sounds proud. I don¡¯t know why it matters that I know the difference, but it does, very much. Anotherugh, smaller and closer to my ear. It isn¡¯t augh, actually. It¡¯s that hup¨Ccry noise toddlers make when their sadness fights with their breath and loses. I¡¯m sitting in grass. My knees are knobby. There¡¯s a knee on my thigh too, tinier, bruised blue like the sky¡¯s mirror. Sticky fingers on my shirt. Jam? Honey? Something sweet that has gotten everywhere it shouldn¡¯t be. ¡°Hey,¡± I hear my own voice say, little and bossy. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± I pull the little one in because that¡¯s what you do. He fits under my chin like a puzzle piece.


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    His hair is lighter than mine, or maybe the sun just likes him better. He clutches my neck like a drowning sailor and I don¡¯t mind at all. His heart hits my ribs like a puppy tail. He stops making the sad noise. I can¡¯t see his face. The memory won¡¯t let me. But the weight of him is real. The way my hand rubbed circles on a tiny back is real. The satisfied sound the man made when he saw us stop crying is real. The woman said, ¡°My boys,¡± and her voice did a thing my voice does now when I say my pack. My throat hurts all of a sudden because my body remembers a feeling my head doesn¡¯t have words for.


    Chapter Comments


    5 2

 Underworld 125

    <b>Chapter </b><b>125 </b>


    I stared at theet until my chest felt less crowded. It helped. A little. Not enough.


    ¡°Mace?¡± I whispered.


    Her eyes didn¡¯t open<b>, </b>but her eyebrows did a question. That counts.


    ¡°I think my real family might be looking for me,¡± I said, the words small and big at the same time. ¡°Like¡­my same kind. Maybe same blood.¡±


    She made an encouraging ¡°mm,¡± then nudged Fergus toward me so he could hear properly. Half¨Casleep Macey is very generous with her staff.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if they¡¯re nice,¡± I went on, because if I didn¡¯t say all the pieces, they¡¯d keep rolling around. ¡°The threads said kin and child. Levi says they¡¯re Soul Eaters like me. Maybe they¡¯re just trying to see if I¡¯m real. But what if my family here doesn¡¯t like them? What if my family here hurts my¡­ maybe¨Cfamily?¡± Thest bit tasted wrong together. <b>I </b>swallowed and tried again. ¡°What if they hurt you?¡±


    Macey¡¯sshes fluttered. ¡°You¡¯re right here,¡± she mumbled into the nket, very practical. Then, like she just remembered, her hand fished out from under the duvet and patted my cheek twice. ¡°Two hands,¡± she dered.


    I turned my head. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°One for old family,¡± she said, holding up a finger without opening her eyes, ¡°one for new family.¡± Second finger, very wobbly. ¡°If one hand is mean, you put it down.¡± Both fingers dropped onto the nket to demonstrate. Then she found my palm and set her small


    hand there. ¡°This hand is for me.¡±


    That helped more than theet.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want anyone to bite anyone,¡± I said, which was true, even if the picture of Layah snapping at a rude thread made a satisfied ce in my chest purr.


    At the foot of the bed, Layah¡¯s tail thumped once without her lifting her head. Correct.


    ¡°I think there was a little boy,¡± I whispered, because the words wanted out even if she wasn¡¯t fully listening. ¡°Before Marcus<b>. </b>I think I held him when he cried and told him it


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    was okay, and it was. He might be my brother.<b>¡± </b>


    93%


    Macey shifted closer until her forehead touched my shoulder. ¡°Do we like him?¡± she asked


    the nket.


    ¡°I hope so.¡± The hoping tugged something sharp and soft inside my ribs. ¡°I don¡¯t know him enough to miss him. But my body remembers him and gets sad about it.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± she said, decisive and drowsy at the same time. ¡°If we find him and he¡¯s nice, I


    will share Fergus.¡± A pause, enormous sacrifice measured. ¡°Sometimes.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes is generous,¡± I said solemnly.


    ¡°If he¡¯s mean,¡± she added, practical as a judge, ¡°he doesn¡¯t get Nana cake. House rule.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Good rule.¡± I squeezed her hand under the covers. Her fingers were warm and a little sticky because half¨Casleep children are mostly glue. ¡°What if my maybe¨Cfamily wants me to go with them?¡±


    Macey¡¯s hand tightened around mine, small and fierce. ¡°You can¡¯t leave me¡­but I can¡¯t go with you either.¡±


    Hearing her bossy little voice put the chair back under me. ¡°Right,¡± I said. ¡°Right.¡±


    ¡°Also,¡± she added, because diplomacy had just urred to her, ¡°if they¡¯re scared, we give


    practice cake. Not Nana cake. The other one.¡±


    I snorted and tried to turn it into a cough. ¡°Practice cake is excellent policy.<b>¡± </b>


    She hummed agreement and tucked Fergus under her chin, leaving his felt paw in my direction like a high¨Cfive. ¡°You¡¯re Elliot,¡± she said, already sliding toward sleep again.. ¡°You¡¯re mine.¡± Softer: ¡°I¡¯m yours.¡±


    Something in me stopped trying to be in two ces at once. I rolled onto my side so I could face her and still look up at the sky. Over us, theet blinked like it was taking notes. The music turned down a notch. I slid my free hand to the wall and fed the ward a little breath the way Levi and Envy taught me, nket, not re. The room purred. <i>Got </i><i>him</i>, it said. <i>Sleep</i><b>, </b><i>small</i>.


    ¡°<b>Be </b>kind or be far,¡± I told the dark, not loud, not scared. I put it next to the other rule and


    13:35 <b>Wed</b><b>, </b>Sep <b>3 </b>


    they didn¡¯t fight. Macey¡¯s grip loosened as sleep pulled her under. I kept holding anyway, <b>because </b>sometimes the job is to be the person who stays awake long enough to make sure the small person doesn¡¯t drift away. Layah inched higher until her back pressed against <b>my </b>feet and pretended she meant to all along.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I whispered after a while, in case the universe was still taking requests. ¡°If the little boy is real, and he¡¯s mine, let him be the kind who says it¡¯s okay and makes it true<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Theet winked like it had written it down. The room warmed the floor another fraction. The marbles in my head finally stopped cking and stacked into something like a bridge. Curious is allowed. Leaving is not. I tucked that beside Macey¡¯s hand and let sleep find me, two truths sharing a nket, Fergus on guard, Layah breathing slow at our feet, the kingdom¡¯s heartbeat steady under the bed, our family building a vestibule in the dark where words have to tell the truth. If the little boy with jam hands is real, he¡¯ll know


    it already.


    Dreams slide open like a door I didn¡¯t have to knock on. Grasses first, always: buttercups painting my knees yellow, bees bumping the world gentle. The sky is close and forever. Augh spills into it, hers, bright as a handful of coins. Freckles, sun in her hair, the shadow of a braid tickling my cheek when she leans down. ¡°Elliot!¡± a man calls, and the namends steady, the way a handnds between shoulder des so you don¡¯t tumble. Leather, pine sap, bread. He has a nick in his knuckle from fixing something that was stubborn. He expects me to reach. There¡¯s a smaller weight tucked under my chin, jam¨Chands, bruise¨Cknee, the little puff of breath that hups when crying forgets itself. My palm circles a tiny back. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I say, and feel truth click into ce like a bead on


    a string.


    ? ?


    We are four shadows in wide light. A nket that smells like line¨Cdried cotton. A wooden cow with one ear, carved wonky and beloved. A tin mug. The woman ties a red thread around my wrist and another around the small boy¡¯s. ¡°So I can find you,¡± she teases, but her eyes say keep close.


    Names float near and won¡¯t settle. I catch scraps:little star, my boys. The man¡¯sugh is a low river; when I bnce on the fence he stands nearby, not catching, trusting. Wind lifts the field and turns it into a sea; the boy ps and yells ¡°boat!¡± I hoist him like a mast. He smells like sugar and dirt. A song drifts, a luby that hums the same three notes my


    room now sings<b>. </b>


    Dream tries to end. I hold thest frame: four shadows, threads bright on two wrists, the


    path home a red line only we can see.

 Underworld 126

    <b>Chapter </b>126


    <b>Envy </b>


    Night in the Underworld isn¡¯t dark so much as thoughtful. The pce dimmed itself to a hush; our living room woremplight like a shawl. I¡¯d tucked Elliot in an hour ago, Macey starfished beside him, Layah at their feet and still my shoulders sat wrong, like I was wearing a worry that didn¡¯t fit.


    ¡°We need to pick when,¡± I said, because dancing around it made the room feel smaller. ¡°If they answer our terms, we decide the when.¡±


    Levi¡¯s palm hovered over the ward¨Cthread that ran through the lintel, listening. ¡°The cord is still at the decoy,¡± he murmured. ¡°Patience.¡±


    Noah sat to my right, calm heat at my nk. Hawk pressed forward in him, watching, not crowding. ¡°Daylight was part of the terms,¡± he said. ¡°No meeting until the sun¡¯s up topside, no matter how politely they knock.¡±


    ¡°Lake Narra sandbar,¡± Haiden reminded from the kitchen doorway, carrying tea like a waiter who definitely stole a biscuit on the way. ¡°We¡¯ll protect ourselves with the grounds. Aleisha will be there on watch as well. We¡¯ll Have Tommy, Mum, Dad here with the kids and pack.¡±


    Xavier didn¡¯t say anything at first. He came behind me and set his hands on my shoulders, thumbs finding the knot that had been pretending to be part of my spine since dinner. He didn¡¯t push, didn¡¯t knead, just held, steady as a doorframe. The knot relented a


    fraction.


    ¡°They might be his family,¡± I said, the word snagging. ¡°Or close enough to wear the word. He heard it. He felt it.¡± The memory of Elliot¡¯s face when he said kin and didn¡¯t flinch made my chest burn in a way love does when it¡¯s sharper than you think you can stand.


    Levi nced over, reading the tightness I didn¡¯t hide. ¡°We control pace,¡± he said. ¡°First light tomorrow is too soon. We need time toce the sandbar and brief the leads. We can offer second dawn, three bells after sunrise. If they repeat that back through the decoy, we proceed. If they don¡¯t, we don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Three bells<b>,</b><b><i>¡± </i></b>Noah echoed, approval a low rumble. ¡°Gives us a night and a morning to set


    <b>13.35 </b>Wed<b>, </b>Sep


    every seam.¡±


    Haiden passed me a mug, then crouched at my knees and kissed the back of my hand like an oath. ¡°We¡¯ll make it ugly for anyone who tries to be clever. Dummy approach paths.


    Phantom patrols. Two dozen ces to step wrong before they even see the water.<b>¡± </b>


    Xavier¡¯s thumbs drew slow circles at the base of my neck, thoughtful as a craftsman. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the crown of my head. ¡°You don¡¯t have to pretend you¡¯re not scared,¡± he said against my hair. ¡°It doesn¡¯t make you less of a wall.¡±


    I let out a breath I hadn¡¯t noticed I was rationing. ¡°He asked me if he had to be a Soul Eater all the time,¡± I said. ¡°He wrote his rule like he was building a door he could carry.


    It¡¯s¡­ a lot for small shoulders.¡±


    Noah turned, slid his palm over the curve of my belly. He wasn¡¯t asking for kicks, he was listening, the way he does, to the quiet of a life that already knows our voices. ¡°We¡¯ll carry the sharp parts,¡± he said simply. ¡°He carries the words, but this is still his journey. One that was written long before we had any say in it.¡±


    Levi stood and came to sit at my other side, taking my wrist gentle as a sparrow. He traced three light sigils over the skin, no spell, just shape, meant to convince the body to unclench. It worked. ¡°I¡¯ll speak three bells after sunrise into the decoy,¡± he said. ¡°Tied to the sandbar and to the truth¨Cknot. If they bring anything with teeth, threads, riders, mours, the knot bites and the vestibule shutters.¡±


    Haiden slid to the floor and rested his cheek against my knee, shameless as a cat, then leaned forward and kissed the swell of my belly. ¡°For luck,¡± he said. ¡°And because Talen


    will riot if I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Seconded,¡± Xavier murmured, dipping to press his mouth there too, a touch that felt like a promise to both of us. Noah followed, one more kiss, warm and brief, his breath steadying something I hadn¡¯t named. Levi,st, only set his palm there, fingers spread, reverent. Flint moved like a dark tide in him, and I felt the echo of ¡°mine¨Cto¨Cguard¡± without a single word spoken.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said, because the room had finally stopped trying to lean me forward. ¡°Second dawn. Three bells. <b>If </b>they repeat it, Levi opens the vestibule. If they don¡¯t, we stay silent and keep cutting threads.¡±


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    <b>Xavier </b>squeezed my shoulders once and let his hands fall, but stayed close. ¡°I¡¯ll ping


    <b>13:35 </b>Wed, <b>Sep </b>


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    Tommy and Dad now. We keep the pack¡¯s message simple: increased wards, children safe, leadership meeting at first light. No rumors<b>, </b>no names.<b>¡± </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Noah<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Levi said, already half in the weave, ¡°tell Aleisha to sleep with her boots by the


    door.¡±


    ¡°She always does,¡± Noah said, and Hawk sent the mental equivalent of a grin.


    Haiden stood and tugged me, gentle, until I was on my feet. ¡°Walk?¡± he offered. ¡°Just the


    corridor. Let the stone take some of it.¡±


    We looped the hall once, the kingdom¡¯s heartbeat steady under our steps, the wards purring as we passed. When we came back, Xavier had finished with the pings; Levi¡¯s eyes were unfocused in that way that means he¡¯s speaking pattern; Noah was waiting with a nket like he knew I¡¯d finally be cold.


    Levi blinked back to us. ¡°It¡¯s ced,¡± he said. ¡°The decoy carries the hour, the terms, and Elliot¡¯s rule. If they repeat it clean, we¡¯ll hear it.¡±


    ¡°And the cord?¡± I asked, because I had to.


    ¡°Listening,¡± he said. ¡°And learning the word when the right way.¡±


    I nodded, and the nod didn¡¯t wobble. Xavier drew me down to the couch and settled behind me so my back could remember what being held feels like. Noah tucked the nket over my legs. Haiden draped himself like an unruly scarf across our knees. Levi sat with one ankle over a knee and pretended he wasn¡¯t watching me breathe. Our beasts settled at the thresholds: Maddox a mountain, Talen a shadow, Hawk a heat, Flint a tide.


    ¡°Tomorrow,<b><i>¡± </i></b>Noah said softly.


    ¡°Second dawn<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Levi added.


    ¡°Three bells<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Haiden supplied.


    ¡°And cake after<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Xavier finished, because he knows exactly when to make meugh.


    I put both hands <b>over </b>the ce our child answered with a small, sure tap, and let the room¡¯s quiet finally do what it had been trying to do for hours: ease me.


    ¡°Okay,<b>¡± </b><b>I </b><b>said </b>into <b>the </bmplight. ¡°Then we sleep.¡±

 Underworld 127

    <b>Chapter 127 </b>


    Second dawn came, mist sitting low, light peeling up from the east one quietyer at a time. We¡¯d spent the night turning ns into muscle memory, then walking those muscles until they stopped shaking. We kept it simple and stacked.


    Xavier and Tommy rebuilt the rota with a pencil and a ruler: no loops, no tells. Two pairs on the ridge, two along the east bank, one roamer on the service road. Runners stationed at the old boathouse and the north copse, each with a whistle and strict hand signs if the. wind swallowed sound. Dad stayed at the packhouse with Mum, Elliot, and Macey, cooking breakfast he didn¡¯t really need to cook, ordinary on purpose, three warriors at the back fence forpany.


    Haiden and his team were movement men all night. He walked the culverts and the narrow footbridges and left quiet markers only we would read, chalk arrows at ankle height, a nail glinting where a blind spot used to be, a length of bright cord threaded through reeds to show the one safe line from trees to bar. Heid scent decoys that started and stopped and doubled back, then scuffed them with water so nothing could chart our habits. He was still tugging a g taut when the first bell rang. We made the sandbar honest and obvious. A rope and stake boundary at knee height, red cloth fluttering in the easy breeze. One chalked circle for the envoy to stop in, one for us. Visible. Fair. A folding table sat ten yards back with water jugs and a med kit and nothing that could be mistaken for a weapon. Anything sharp lived zipped into a canvas bag behind my feet and didn¡¯te out unless the rope dropped. Terms were simple and aloud, no parchment, no sigils. Daylight. One envoy. Empty hands. Stay on the dry side of the rope. Speak your name. No one steps closer than the circles. If anyone moved wrong, we ended it by standing up and walking away. No drama. No show. Just distance.


    Aleisha took the rock at the crown of the bar,ces loose, elbows on her knees, a bored girl watching water skim stones. We knew better. She was counting breaths and watching pulse jump at a throat, tracking the way the wind slid off skin and told her who had been where. Noah stood upwind with his shoulders loose and his gaze never still, reading the ripples and the way reeds showed the shape of anything that thought to hide. Haiden became a hinge between treeline and water, a man who looked like he might have just wandered over and stayed for the view. Xavier hovered at my left shoulder, close without crowding, the kind of stillness that makes a line for other people to steady against. Levi stood at my right with his hands open and his eyes quiet, ready to ask clean questions and hear the words in the spaces between answers. I checked the rope knots one more


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    time because superstition is allowed if it doesn¡¯t make you stupid. The stakes held. My throat remembered where to swallow. Under my palm the baby rolled once and went still again, a small reminder to breathe where my feet were.


    ¡°Time,¡± Levi said, not looking at a clock so much as feeling the way mornings have a different weight when a promise is about to be collected. We didn¡¯t fill the quiet. We held it. Waiting is work, and we did it with our bodies. The heron downriver lifted, thought better of it, and settled. A fly made a brave circle around Haiden¡¯s ear and left when it realized it didn¡¯t have his attention. Theke kept its mirror. The smell was all mud, green, iron tang where the rope had rubbed the stake tops and bled a little rust.


    Movement at the east treeline. Not magic, not shimmer, just the ordinary physics of a person parting brush. A coat the color of road dust. Boots that had walked more miles than they wanted to. Empty hands, fingers spread before they even reached the rope so we couldn¡¯t miss it. The envoy stopped at the gs and didn¡¯t test them with a toe. Good.


    ¡°Smell?¡± Xavier asked low enough that it barely counted as sound.


    Aleisha¡¯s answer was the tilt of her head and the smallest nod before she mindlinked.


    ¡°Travel. Smoke, river. No wolf. No blood. No pack¨Cscent on their coat.¡± She breathed


    again. ¡°No fear¨Csweat either. They walked themselves steady.¡±


    Levi¡¯s voice stayed gentle. ¡°Your name.¡±


    The envoy lifted their chin. ¡°Ie under your terms. Empty hands. Alone.¡± The voice was low, clean. ¡°I give the name Irin.¡±


    Levi didn¡¯t need a knot to hear a lie. He watched blink rate, listened for the click in a swallow, tracked shoulder set and the way people borrow time when they¡¯re trying to think and pretend they aren¡¯t. He gave the smallest nod. ¡°Approach to the line,¡± he said. ¡°Stop at the chalk.¡±


    Irin stepped forward. No rush, no test. The rope fluttered against their thigh and they didn¡¯t try to catch it. They took the circle and stood like they¡¯d practiced, weight even, hands down, throat uncovered, no tilt of the head meant to sell humility. They looked like someone who had decided to be seen exactly as they were.


    ¡°I am Envy,¡± I said. ¡°Xavier, Haiden, Levi, Noah, Aleisha.<b>¡± </b>I didn¡¯t list titles. Titles make people posture. ¡°We hold the terms. We end this if they¡¯re bent.¡±


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    ¡°<b>I </b>understand,¡± Irin said. Their eyes went to the chalk at my feet and back to my face, a small<b>, </b>useful tell. They wanted distance as much as we did.


    ¡°We were told,¡± they went on, choosing each word like it mattered, ¡°there is a child here who carries our making.¡±


    Before and after sat down together in my chest.


    ¡°My son is safe,¡± I said. ¡°He isn¡¯t a door you get to knock on. You speak to us.¡®


    Irin absorbed that without flinching. ¡°We have lost many,¡± they said after a beat. ¡°We look


    for what is not ash.¡±


    Levi¡¯s hands rested easy at his sides. ¡°Words first,¡± he said. ¡°Before ims.¡±


    Irin nodded once. A muscle jumped along their jaw, settled. ¡°Then we both tell the truth,¡± they said, ¡°and see what matches.¡±


    Haiden rolled his shoulder and the line of him slid into a stance that could be a sprint or a stand in a breath. Noah took in the envoy¡¯s boots, coat, empty belt. Xavier mapped paths in and out that none of us would have to think about if we needed them. We had picked the hour. We had set the rope. We had put our people where they needed to be and left the rest to discipline.


    I put both hands on the curve under my ribs and gave Levi a small nod.


    ¡°Begin,¡± I said.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>

 Underworld 128

    <b>Chapter </b><b>128 </b>


    Levi tipped his chin. ¡°in terms, Irin. Why are you here?¡±


    Irin didn¡¯t nce at the rope again; they kept their eyes on us. ¡°We¡¯ve heard talk,¡± they


    said. ¡°A boy survived a collector. One of ours, taken long ago. His parents want him home. His brother misses him. A child needs his people, and his people want him.¡±


    Haiden¡¯s posture thinned into purpose. ¡°Name the collector.¡±


    ¡°A man who hoarded what he could not be.¡± Irin¡¯s mouth ttened. ¡°You call him


    Marcus.<b>¡± </b>


    Noah¡¯s gaze slid down and back up. Your rumor got that much right


    Irin nodded once. ¡°Then hear the rest in the same honesty. Wee peaceful because we honor your rope.¡± Their hands opened, palms bare. ¡°But if you keep what is not yours, if you refuse family their blood, others wille who do not honor rope. They will call it a war. I am sent to tell you this so that you may choose the wiser path.¡±


    8


    42


    A


    The word put a chill through the morning that had nothing to do with mist. No one moved except to breathe.


    4


    A


    Levi¡¯s voice stayed even. ¡°A threat ends a conversation here.¡±


    6.4


    444


    257


    A


    Irin didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°It is not my threat. It is the truth of those behind me.¡±


    37


    Xavier didn¡¯t raise his voice. He never needs to. ¡°Then carry this back to them: a child is not a thing to be reimed. He is a person. He is safe. If anyonees with war in their mouths, they will never reach him.¡±


    I put it simpler. ¡°He isn¡¯t yours.<b>¡± </b>


    Irin held my stare. ¡°He was before he was taken.¡®


    ¡°And after he was taken?¡± I asked. ¡°After he was wrapped in someone else¡¯s hands,


    starved, used? We were the ones who cut him loose. He chose us back. That choice


    matters more than blood spoken by strangers<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Something tugged at Irin¡¯s jaw and let go. ¡°You would deny his parents the right to hold


    him?¡±


    ¡°I would deny anyone the right to take him,¡± I said. ¡°Holding is earned. It is done carefully. It takes time.¡±


    Haiden let his hands hang, loose and ready. ¡°You want something from us? Try helping instead of telling us what happens if we don¡¯t cave. Give us proof you¡¯re not the same people who ride wolves into yards.¡±


    ¡°We are not,¡± Irin said, quick enough. ¡°We split long ago. Those who use wolves are not mine.¡±


    ¡°Then prove you are who you say,¡± Levi said. ¡°If there¡¯s a mother and a father and a brother, put proof in my hand. Tell us something we can check without spilling the boy¡¯s heart on the ground. A luby line. A scar only family would know. Where he learned to say his name before anyone taught him to write it.¡± He spread his fingers. ¡°And expect nothing in return but a message received. This is not a bargain. It¡¯s the first step of not being a liar.¡±


    Irin¡¯s gaze dipped, not submission; calction. ¡°I will ask. But you know what they will


    ask back.¡±


    ¡°They can ask,¡± Noah said. ¡°Asking isn¡¯t taking.¡±


    Irin¡¯s chest lifted on a long breath. ¡°He has a brother,¡± they said, and their voice changed a fraction, less rehearsed, closer to bone. ¡°Smaller by two years. The boy does not sleep


    well since¡­¡±


    The red cord in my pocket felt heavier. I didn¡¯t take it out. ¡°Then tell the boy this,¡± I said. ¡°There is a path to kindness and a path to being far. You stood with us here, so you already know which one we take<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Irin¡¯s mouth tipped at the corner, not a smile. ¡°That is tidier than the words I was given.¡±


    ¡°The boy is not a prize. He will never be handed over. When he¡¯s older, if he asks, we¡¯ll set a table in daylight and he can hear what you know about his people. Until then, any contact goes through us. Letters under an open sky. One voice at a time. Anything else is done.¡±


    Irin looked at each of us in turn, in the eye, not past and stopped where they started, on <ol><li>me. ¡°If I return with letters and no demands, if I ask for another rope and another morning two days from now, you wille?¡± </li></ol>


    Levi angled his head. ¡°If your letters are clean and your steps stay where we put them, yes. Second dawn, same hour. One envoy again.¡±


    Irin gave a single, steady nod. ¡°I¡¯ll take your words back exactly as you said them. Two mornings from now. Same time. Ie alone.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Levi said. ¡°And if you bring anything for us to verify, keep it in. No speeches. Facts we can check.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡± Irin nced once at the chalk circle, then back to me. ¡°I¡¯ll ask for real details.¡±


    ¡°And no one shows up here before then,¡± Noah added. ¡°No scouts, no testing our borders. If anyone tries, this ends.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make that clear,¡± Irin said.


    Haiden tipped his chin. ¡°And if the ones behind you start using the word war again?¡±


    ¡°Then I won¡¯t be the one whoes,¡± Irin said simply. ¡°But I¡¯ll still give them your


    answer.¡±


    Xavier stepped half a pace forward, not crowding the line, just making sure the pointnded. ¡°Repeat it for me.¡±


    Irin held his gaze and repeated it back, clean and in order. ¡°The boy is safe. He is not being handed over. When he¡¯s older, if he asks, you¡¯ll arrange a meeting in daylight and he¡¯ll hear what we know. Until then, all contact goes through you. One person at a time. If anyone shows with threats or tries to go around you, it¡¯s finished.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Xavier said.


    Irin nodded once more. ¡°Then we¡¯re done for today.¡± They eased a step back from the chalk. ¡°Three steps, then I turn.¡±


    We didn¡¯t track them with our eyes. We watched the gs. Brush closed where they¡¯d split it. Theke went back toke.


    ¡°Same read,¡± Aleisha said after a breath. ¡°Steady going out. No spike when we drew lines.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Xavier said. He looked at mest. ¡°Packhouse?¡±


    ¡°Packhouse,¡± I said. The word loosened something I hadn¡¯t realized I was still holding.


    We left the rope and the water jugs and walked the short path up from the shore.


    Halfway up the rise, Levi fell in beside me. ¡°Two days,¡± he said, not quite a question.


    ¡°Two days,¡± I echoed. ¡°We keep it in. We keep it ours.¡±


    Noah reached for my hand, squeezed once. ¡°We already did the hard part.¡±


    ¡°Which part?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Not flinching when they said family,¡± he said.


    I blew out a breath and watched it disappear into the cool. ¡°Let¡¯s go see ours.¡±


    Chapter Comments


    4

 Underworld 129

    <b>Chapter </b><b>129 </b>


    By the time we climbed the porch steps, the pack house was beautifully ordinary. The screen door sang on its hinge, butter and cinnamon fogged the hallway, and someone had left a tiny sock on the stair like a white g. Dad met us with a spat and a look that said <i>everyone¡¯s </i><i>fine</i><i>, </i>then ruined the tough part by ruffling my hair. ¡°Pancakes going cold.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll fix that,¡± Xavier said, and squeezed past him into the kitchen.


    Elliot and Macey were on stools, elbows nted, faces striped with sunlight and icing sugar. Mum had braided Macey¡¯s hair into something that could defeat gravity; Tommy had a dish towel over his shoulder and the doomed patience of a man being used as a napkin. Fergus had been issued a saucer.


    ¡°There you are,¡± Mum said, like we¡¯d been to the letterbox and back. ¡°Elliot, love, no more licking the spoon while you talk.¡±


    Elliot froze, spoon midair. ¡°But what if the spoon needs encouragement?¡±


    Tommy lost the towel. ¡°Then you give it a pep talk after it goes in the sink.


    We traded nces across the ind that said <iter </i>and <i>now </i>and <i>we </i><i>do </i><i>this together</i><i>. </i>Noah topped up water sses. Levi pulled a chair, turned it backward, and straddled it like he was about to teach algebra, calm and in.


    ¡°We met your messenger,¡± I told Elliot, no preamble. He sets better when you don¡¯t try to slide the truth under his feet. ¡°They came alone and did as we asked them to.¡±


    Elliot¡¯s shoulders did the small lift¨Cand¨Cset that means he¡¯s bracing and ready anyway. ¡°Okay.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°They said there are¡­ people,¡± I went on, finding the clean words, ¡°who think you might be theirs by blood. Parents. A little brother.¡±


    Macey leaned into his arm. He didn¡¯t stop her.


    Levi kept it simple. ¡°We told them you¡¯re safe, and that you¡¯re not being handed to strangers who say the word family. We asked for details we can check, real things, not stories. If they bring those, we meet again in two mornings. Same ce. One person. No surprises<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    (<b>1</b><b>) </b>


    ¡°What kind of details?¡± Elliot asked.


    ¡°Things that don¡¯t travel in rumors,¡± Xavier said. ¡°A line from a song your mother sang. A


    small scar nobody would know to invent. A pet name you had before words got bigger.<b>¡± </b>


    Elliot¡¯s mouth went soft around a thought. He licked a sugar smudge off his knuckle, frowned at it, then wiped it on Tommy¡¯s sleeve on purpose.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Tommy said without heat.


    ¡°It¡¯s for luck,¡± Elliot said. Then, quieter: ¡°I¡­ remembered a little morest night. In dreams.<b>¡± </b>


    Mum put a te down as quiet as a hand on a back. ¡°Would you share with us?¡±


    Elliot¡¯s eyes went to the window. ¡°There was a field. Buttercups. A womanughed like she meant it. A man said my name and it felt¡­ steady. Like a fence when you¡¯re walking on it. And a little boy with jam hands. He stopped crying when I told him it was okay.¡± He swallowed, brave and neat. ¡°If there¡¯s a brother, I think I held him.


    Tommy¡¯s jaw moved, then set. ¡°That¡¯s a good anchor,¡± he said softly.


    I slid my hand into my pocket and brought out the red thread Irin had left on the sand, sun¨Cfaded in one spot, the ghost of an old knot in the middle. I set it on the ind between the tes.


    Elliot¡¯s breath caught. ¡°I know that,¡± he blurted, then flinched like he¡¯d said the wrong thing. ¡°I mean, it looks like¡­ like something from the dream. Thedy tied something on my wrist. She tied one on his too.¡±


    ¡°Find¨Cyou string,¡± Macey supplied, matter¨Cof¨Cfact. ¡°Nana does blue ones at the markets.¡±


    Elliot touched the thread with one finger, like it might be shy. ¡°It had two knots,¡± he said, eyes far. ¡°For two boys.<b>¡± </b>


    Levi didn¡¯t move like a hunter around a spook. He moved like a librarian around a book someone had brought backte and sorry. ¡°Do you want to keep it?¡± he asked. ¡°Or should I hold it until the next meeting?¡±


    Elliot looked at me. He¡¯s good at asking without asking. I nodded. ¡°Your call.<b>¡± </b>


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    <b>1 </b>


    92<b>% </b>


    He slid the thread to his side of the ind, folded it once, and tucked it into the pocket of his shorts like he¡¯d been born with that pocket. ¡°I¡¯ll hold it,¡± he said. ¡°But if it makes my head feel weird, I¡¯ll give it back.¡±


    ¡°Deal,¡± Levi said.


    Noah set a ss of water near his elbow. ¡°Is there anything else you remember?¡±


    Elliot¡¯s face did the listening thing, like he was turning a radio dial inside his chest. When he spoke, the words came slow and careful, like he was carrying eggs.


    ¡°Sleep, small star,¡± he said, barely above the clink of forks. ¡°Boat on the barley, back to the bales. I¡¯m here, I¡¯m here.¡±


    Mum¡¯s hand went to her mouth. The kitchen changed shape for a second and then remembered itself.


    ¡°That,¡± Levi said, not quite under his breath. He made a note on his phone with three words: small star / barley/bales..


    ¡°We¡¯ll ask for a song line,¡± he told Elliot. ¡°If they bring anything different, we know the rumor mill did the cooking.¡±


    Elliot nodded. He pushed the te away, appetite yielding to thought. ¡°What if they are my family?¡±


    ¡°Then we sit with you while you feel it,¡± Xavier said. ¡°We¡¯ll help you through whatever you decide.¡±


    ¡°And if they bring threats,¡± Tommy added, because his job is to say the thing everyone hopes we won¡¯t need, ¡°we end it at the path.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of paths,¡± Dad said from the stove, easing the room back onto its feet with a familiar tter, ¡°Haiden sent word. He and Aleisha are checking the south culvert.¡±


    ¡°He said anything?¡± Xavier asked, already reaching out along the of minds thatces the property like good fencing.


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Dad said. ¡°But I don¡¯t like the south culvert. Never have.¡±


    <b>Macey </b>poked at a strawberry like it owed her money. ¡°Culverts are rude,¡± she announced.


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    ¡°They always ssh mud at my socks.¡±


    ¡°Socks have asked you to stop jumping in them,¡± Tommy said.


    She considered this and shrugged, unrepentant.


    Elliot¡¯s hand went back to his pocket, checked the thread like a talisman, then came back to rest on the ind.


    <b>I </b>kissed Elliot¡¯s hair. ¡°Finish two bites,¡± I told him. Then we¡¯ll go home and put up the pirate ship. You promised Macey.¡±


    ¡°Stealth pirate ship,¡± Macey corrected, mouth full of strawberry


    ¡°Best kind,¡± Elliot said, and his smile had edges but it was real


    Elliot slid off his stool and came around the ind. He didn¡¯t climb me; he just leaned


    into my side until my hand found the back of his neck.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere,¡± he said into my shirt. ¡°Even if they are my family. You¡¯re family


    too.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± I said. ¡°And if you ever wanted to see them¡­If it was safe¡­I¡¯d take you to meet


    them.¡±


    He nodded and let go. Maceymandeered his free hand. ¡°Come on,¡± she ordered.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>

 Underworld 130

    <b>Chapter </b>130


    <b>Xavier </b>


    ¡°Alpha,¡± one of the guards said, chin dipping. ¡°East gate. Alpha Zion, Beta Theo, and Felix request entry.<b>¡± </b>


    The kitchen shed its warmth in a single heartbeat and then put it back on like a coat. Dad didn¡¯t look up from the pan. ¡°Tell them we have coffee,¡± he said, which in our house means <i>bring </i>them <i>in</i>.


    ¡°Escort them in,¡± I told Niall. ¡°No weapons past the porch. Straight to the dining room.¡±


    He was gone before I finished the sentence.


    Envy¡¯s hand brushed my arm. ¡°I¡¯ll move the kids to the sunroom,¡± she said. ¡°Mum¡¯ll make it a game<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mum was already moving, tes gathered, voices low, Macey bribed with the world¡¯s tiniest muffin. Elliot looked at me, asking without asking if this was the kind of meeting he should worry about.


    ¡°Boring grown¨Cup talk,¡± I said. ¡°Pirate ship after.¡±


    ¡°Stealth pirate ship,¡± he reminded me, dead serious.


    ¡°Obviously,¡± I said, and touched the back of his neck. He softened under my hand and let Macey tow him out, Fergus tucked like a loaf under his arm.


    We shifted the dining room to its war¨Ctable setting without changing a chair. Map rolled open. Pens. A carafe of coffee. Enough cups to make a point: we were expecting more than one conversation today. Levi took the head for a breath, read the room, then slid his chair half a space so I could sit where the paper creased. Noah poured. Tommy took the door, easy and watchful.


    Niall ushered them in a minuteter, Zion first, every inch the alpha without trying, Theo half a step behind at his left shoulder, Felix on the right, older and all edge, a man who¡¯s seen too much and still shows up. They¡¯d left their knives with Niall and he hadn¡¯t had to ask twice.


    ¡°Zion,¡± I said, standing. ¡°Theo. Felix!¡± We sped forearms, no theatrics. ¡°Coffee¡¯s better thanst year.<b>¡± </b>


    Theo huffed. ¡°Low bar.<b>¡± </b>


    They took seats. Felix stayed standing long enough to scan the corners; when he sat, he did it like a man who might need to stand fast.


    ¡°What¡¯s got you at our fence?¡± I asked. No sense circling.


    Zion¡¯s mouth went grim. ¡°Odd attacks,¡± he said. ¡°Last three nights.¡± He traced a quick line along our eastern ridge on the map and then out beyond our border to his side. ¡°Here, here, and at the old mill. They don¡¯te to finish. Theye to look almost, but still


    attack.¡±


    Noah slid the coffee toward him. ¡°Describe the wolves.¡±


    ¡°Off,¡± Theo said, before Zion could temper it. ¡°Eyes are wrong. They move like they¡¯re listening to another room. Scent¡¯s blunted, like river and ash over the top. We tagged two with paint, set them loose and they still peeled off at the culvert like they¡¯d taken a


    wrong turn on purpose.¡±


    Felix reached into his battered satchel and set three things on the table, one by one, a cloth scrap streaked gray and gritty, a little ss vial with residue stuck to the sides, and a bone charm wired with rusty twist¨Ctie. He didn¡¯t look pleased to be carrying any of it.


    ¡°Found under the bridge at Orchard Run,¡± he said. ¡°Ash and mud, like the boys said. Vial smells like bitter, not sweet. Charm was tied low in the grass, wrong side of the wind. We snipped it off.¡±


    Aleisha slipped in quiet, passed me a look that said Haiden was still outside sweeping our circles. She took a seat, elbows on knees, eyes on the charm like it had told a bad joke in church.


    Levi nudged the vial with a pen. ¡°We¡¯ve pulled the same,¡± he said. ¡°Empty bottles, ash rings, charms ced where a patrol head dips without thinking. We¡¯ve been scrubbing culverts since dawn.<b>¡± </b>


    Zion exhaled like someone had let a notch off his chest. ¡°So it¡¯s not just us losing our minds<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I said. ¡°You¡¯re seeing what we¡¯re seeing. We¡¯ve had an envoy too. Not from the ones using wolves.¡± I let thatnd and kept it simple. ¡°Different group. Came on foot asking


    about our boy.¡±


    Theo¡¯s eyes flicked up, quick. ¡°You weren¡¯t going to tell us?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to tell you <i>this </i>part because it touches your fences,¡± I said, and let the rest stay where it belonged, with Elliot. ¡°The envoy said the ones pushing rogues call themselves


    Hands. They smear ash with river mud, hide under bridges, old drains. They like ces no one looks. That matches what you¡¯re bringing me.¡±


    Felix grunted. ¡°Calling them Hands gives them too much dignity,¡± he said. He tapped the charm. ¡°This isn¡¯t work thates from nothing. Someone taught them. The timing¡¯s too


    neat.¡±


    ¡°It is,¡± Levi agreed. ¡°We¡¯re rearranging patrols so there are no patterns to learn.


    Randomize gate checks. Walk under the bridge as often as you walk over. And tell your pups the drains are off¨Climits for a while, make it a game, make it aw, I don¡¯t care


    which.¡±


    Zion nodded. ¡°We¡¯ve already pulled outdoor blocks closer in. But we¡¯re spread thin. We lost three in thest year to Marcus¡¯s fallout, and vacancies don¡¯t fill themselves.¡±


    He didn¡¯t have to say he hated asking for help. It was there, pressed into the shape of his


    shoulders.


    ¡°Then we share a line,¡± I said. ¡°Night rotations staggered between our ridges, your mill,


    and the service road that runs stupid between them. We¡¯ll put two of ours on your east run tonight, and two of yours can walk our creek line. If the Hands are mapping habits, we


    erase the chalk.¡±


    Theo drummed a finger twice and stopped himself. ¡°Signals?¡±


    ¡°Three short whistles for eyes¨Con, one long for pull back, two long for copse¨Cto¨Ccentre,¡± Tommy said from the door before I could open my mouth. ¡°If the wind eats sound, gs. Red for stop, white for eyes¨Con, yellow for wait.¡±


    ¡°Rys?¡± Zion asked.


    ¡°<b>Boys </b>on bikes,<i>¡± </i>Dad said, appearing with more coffee like he¡¯d been summoned by the


    14.02 Wed<b>, </b>Sep


    word itself. ¡°We¡¯ve got five. Yours can keep the helmets, they¡¯re pack¨Cpainted.¡±


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    Felix shot him a look that could have been gratitude if you squinted. ¡°We¡¯ll pay you back in fence¨Cposts andbour.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll pay me back by eating a full te like a civilized man before you go back out,¡± Dad said, unbothered, and dropped a tray of scrambled eggs in the middle of the map like that was reasonable. It kind of was.


    We hashed the rest out in ten minutes the way packs do when the topic¡¯s ugly and the fix is simple: who walks where, what time, which boys carry which gs, whose radio stays on at theundry room. Felix left the charm; I didn¡¯t touch it again. We¡¯d burn itter. Envy got a phonecall towards the end and excused herself and when they stood to go, Zion squeezed my forearm. ¡°Thank you,¡± he said, and the words didn¡¯t feel like a debt. They felt like a line thrown across moving water.


    Chapter Comments


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 Underworld 131

    <b>Chapter </b><b>131 </b>


    <b>Haiden </b>


    I watch my brothers walk the three Tris wolves back out the front door. I don¡¯t care for them much, helpful today, sure, but where were they when Envy was growing up? Not my cup of tea. Fine. Today we share a problem.


    I¡¯m leaning on the door Envy slipped behind to take a call. She¡¯s talking low to her brothers, by the sound of it. I catch pieces, not the whole. I lean in. The door swings. I fall in andnd on my ass.


    ¡°Woah there, wobbles. I thought we were past this?¡± Envy looks down, smirking, then offers me <i>a </i>hand.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be falling head over ass for you the rest of my life, love.¡± I take her hand, grin. ¡°Who was on the phone? Sounded serious¡­¡±


    ¡°Eavesdropping, are we?¡±


    ¡°Only when it¡¯s you.¡®


    She exhales. The joking stays on her mouth but not in her eyes. ¡°Family meeting. Dining


    room. Now.<i>¡± </i>


    That tone moves a house. Dad kills the burner. Mum scoops kids with a game voice. Tommy peels off the wall and ghosts toward the hallway. Levi¡¯s already got a pad and two


    pens<b>. </b>


    Noah shoulder¨Cchecks me on the way past. ¡°Up,¡± he says. I¡¯m up.


    We take the dining room again, map rolled to the corner, coffee down the middle, chairs that have seen worse. Envy stays standing at the head, one hand on the chair back, the other low on her belly. Hauntingly quiet. Steady.


    <b>¡°</b><b>I </b>just got off the phone with my brothers,¡± she says. ¡°Mchi. Julius. Arztec. They were trying to fix something before telling me.¡±


    <b>Dad </b>nods once. ¡°Your birthday?¡±


    <b>1/4 </b>


    <b>92</b>%


    ¡°In six nights,<b>¡± </b>she says. ¡°Midnight. They say I¡¯ll take the Lycan whether I want to or not.¡± She taps two fingers against her stomach. ¡°They say it¡¯s dangerous. For the baby<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°Shit.¡± Noah cusses. ¡°Do we have options?<b>¡± </b>


    Envyces her fingers. ¡°Mum says we need an anchor. A living tether dumps steady into you while your body breaks and remakes. Bleeds off the surge. Keeps it off the baby,¡±


    There¡¯s a soft knock. Niall edges in. ¡°Felix is on the porch,¡± he says. ¡°Asked to speak. He¡­ heard enough to know what it¡¯s about.¡±


    ¡°Bring him,¡± Envy says.


    Felix steps in. He tips his chin to Dad, then to Envy. ¡°I won¡¯t pretend I wasn¡¯t listening,¡± he says. ¡°The walls in this house are polite, not deaf.¡±


    <b>I </b>like him a little more for not wasting our time.


    ¡°I know the tether you¡¯re talking about,¡± he says. He sets both palms on the table. ¡°I¡¯ll stand in for you, Envy. If you¡¯ll have me.¡±


    ¡°You understand the ask?¡± Noah says.


    Felix¡¯s mouth doesn¡¯t waver. ¡°A life for a life.¡± He nods. ¡°I¡¯ve already been given a second chance and I¡¯m not sure I used it well enough.¡±


    Dad studies him the way you test adder rung. ¡°Certain?¡±


    Felix looks at Envy, not Charles. ¡°You want to meet your pup,¡± he says. ¡°I owe you this.¡±


    Envy¡¯s eyes go soft for a beat, then firm. ¡°Have you spoken to Theo about this?¡±


    ¡°Quickly on the walk down the driveway, yes. He understands why I want to do this.¡±


    Felix doesn¡¯t blink. Doesn¡¯t dress it up. Just squares his shoulders like a man measuring a load.


    ¡°I know what I¡¯m offering,¡± he says. ¡°I don¡¯t walk out after. I give what I¡¯ve got and your child gets to breathe. That¡¯s the cost.<b>¡± </b>


    Envy doesn¡¯t look away<b>. </b>¡°Why you?¡± Her voice is even.


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    He nods once, eyes steady. ¡°Because I was pulled out of a hole I dug myself, on the promise I¡¯d put my back between you and anything that wanted you. You¡¯re alive, but I didn¡¯t stop all of it. Marcus still got hands on your life. That¡¯s on me.¡± He lifts a palm, stops her from arguing the history. ¡°You don¡¯t owe me absolution. I owe you a job


    finished.¡±


    ¡°Felix¡­¡± Dad starts.


    Felix doesn¡¯t budge. ¡°This isn¡¯t noble,¡± he says. ¡°It¡¯s arithmetic. You¡¯re Luna. You carry pack and child. I¡¯m a man with years I can spend all at once. If you need a life, my life, you can have it.¡±


    Silencends like a clean board. No one fidgets.


    Envy¡¯s jaw tightens, then eases. ¡°It has to be your choice,¡± she says.


    ¡°It is,¡± he says. ¡°It¡¯s the only thing that¡¯s made sense in a long time.¡±


    Levi¡¯s voice stays level. ¡°Thank you, Felix, really, thank you.


    We all say something along the same, because what more can you say when a man stands


    before you offering to die so that your pup can survive? Okay, yeah, I like this guy now.


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to it and be back on your birthday. I¡¯ve got some goodbyes to say and some people to hold tight beforehand.¡±


    <b>Envy </b>


    I go to the sunroom because I need to see small faces doing small things. Mum¡¯s turned pirate school into art ss. Macey¡¯s hair has three new ribbons. Elliot¡¯s shoebox treasure chest now rattles when you shake it because someone tucked pebbles in with the biscuits.


    ¡°Home time,¡± <b>I </b>say..


    Two heads pop up. Elliot reads my mouth before my voice finishes. ¡°Underworld home?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Your ship can sail tomorrow.¡±


    Macey tucks Fergus under her arm like a football. ¡°Okay. But I dibs the big nket.¡±


    ¡°Fair,¡± Noah says, already looping it off the back of the couch. He scoops Macey with the


    14.02 Wed, Sep


    same motion. She goes without fuss, a soft oof and then a grin.


    92%


    Xavier offers Elliot his hand. Elliot takes it, serious. The shoebox thumps against his shin as they walk.


    We portal from the apple tree shade. One step and our living room meets us: skyzy- blue.


    ¡°Hands,¡± Macey says, holding both of hers out. Noah lowers her to the floor. She pats Layah with grave ceremony like she¡¯s nothing but a big puppy. Someone puts the TV on and I sitfortably on the outside. On the inside I¡¯m a mess. A <i>life </i><i>for </i><i>a </i><i>life</i>. Things weren¡¯t perfect for me growing up, but Felix loved me, he spent time with me, he taught me things, we have¡­history. Now I¡¯m supposed to ept that he will give his life for the one growing inside of me?


    ¡°Hey, little mate.¡± Xavier says softly sitting next to me and pulling me in close as he ces a hand on my growing belly. ¡°It¡¯s all going to be okay, you¡¯ll see.


    2


    ¡±


    2


    I nod, because words right now would threaten to make the tearse.


    Chapter Comments


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 Underworld 132

    <b>Chapter </b><b>132 </b>


    <b>Noah </b>


    Envy sleeps hard, nket to her chin, one hand on her belly. She needed this nap. We make the kingdom quiet on purpose. Xavier leaves water on the table. Haiden writes a note to let her know where we are. Levi checks the thermostat and leaves it warm. Elliot and Macey build a harbor out of cushions. Layah parks beside them, chin on paws, always


    watching<b>. </b>


    I take the corridor loop under the throne room with Hawk stretching in my skin. He likes this, stone, distance, the hum of the Underworld breathing. By the storage hall Levi¡¯s decoy door purrs, content. Nothing curious at its edges.


    The mindlink hits like a knuckle on ss.


    ¡®Noah¡°. Tommy, topside. Short on breath. ¡°North fence, orchard run. Ten, no, twelve. Moving wrong. We¡¯re engaged.¡±


    I stop. Hawk lifts his head and starts to pace. ¡°We go.¡±


    Copy,¡± I send. ¡°Hold the line. Don¡¯t overextend. Where¡¯s Zion¡¯s pair?¡±


    On your creek line. We¡¯re pulling them in.¡± A beat.¡± Ash and river on the wind.¡±


    I¡¯m on my way.¡± I turn back down the hall. ¡°Levi,¡± I say out loud and on the link.


    Listening,¡± Levi answers from two rooms over.


    Tommy¡¯s fence. Orchard run. Twelve. I¡¯m going up.¡±


    I¡¯ll hold here,¡± he says. ¡°I¡¯ve got the decoy and the kids¡® door. Haiden¡¯s outside I¡¯ll link


    im<b>.</b>¡±


    Do it,¡± <b>I </b><b>say</b><b>. </b>¡°Let Envy sleep.¡±


    <b>[</b>awkes up fast. I shift in the hall and take the stairs three at a time, ws ringing on tone, then nothing as the portal takes me.


    <bnd </b>in the orchard and the world is sound. Whistles. Snarls. The hard thunk of bodies


    into boards. Apples knocked down and rolling underfoot. The smell hits a half second


    Hawk goes low and long. We clear the first row of trees and see them. Twelve. Coats dirty,


    eyes ssy. They move like they¡¯re listening to someone on the other side of a window. Our warriors are tight, three¨Cand¨Cthree, no gaps. Zion¡¯s pair is already sliding to the nk, good.


    ¡°Don¡¯t chase,¡± Tommy calls<b>, </b>not loud and everyone hears him anyway. ¡°Drag and pin.¡±


    I hit the first rogue from the side, shoulder to ribs, take his feet out without breaking his leg. He snaps at air. Up close I see ash ground into the fur along his jawline, a smear under one eye. He smells like river and candle ends and something sweet gone wrong. ¡°Left:, Hawk warns. We pivot. Another wolf lunges and then, stops. Not a check. A full halt like a leash got yanked. He blinks like waking and then surges past me, eyes empty, headed for the gap that isn¡¯t there. Aleisha steps in, hooks his front legs, and drops him


    into a hold.


    ¡°Under the bridge,¡± Tommy throws me, chin flick to the north. Saw a coat.¡±


    <b>54 </b>


    1


    3


    <i>Human</i><i>. </i>Not wolf. The word doesn¡¯t go out loud. Hawk wants the run. I give it to him. We


    break off the main tangle and take the service path, dirt slick, reeds whispering. The humming is there if you don¡¯t try to hear it, thread¨Cthin, steady, like someone**


    remembering a tune and not caring if the notes are wrong. We hit the culvert and the world narrows. Shade. Drip. A tin can on a string tied to the grate, spinning slow, the


    sounding from inside it like a caught insect. At the far edge, a figure in a coat the


    color of old paper slides up the bank and into brush. They¡¯re fast. Not wolf¨Cfast. Human- running¨Cfast, which is clumsy and loud in reeds.


    Hawk surges. ¡°Let me.¡±


    We go. Up the bank. Over the low fence. We catch a sleeve just shy of the treeline and it tears off in my teeth. White fabric, ash rubbed into the cuff. The figure doesn¡¯t look back. They vanish into sumac and the old quarry trail where we can¡¯t run without announcing ourselves to the whole county<b>. </b>I drop the sleeve. We listen. The humming fades. Back at the culvert, I nose the can without touching the metal. Inside: a little twist of wire and bone suspended on a thread, a crescent cut through a straight sliver, the same mark as the bridge post. The can makes the sound when the wind hits it. Cheap, ugly lure. Smart.


    <b>Aleisha </b>arrives at my shoulder, breath easy, eyes hard. ¡°Saw the coat?¡±


    <b>14:02 </b>Wed<b>, </b>Sep 3


    92<b>%</b><b>1 </b>


    ¡°Ran,¡± I answer through the link. I shift back, grab a stick, and tip the can into a evidence bag without using my hands. ¡°Left this.¡±


    ¡°Same mark,¡± she says.


    We bag two more off the grate, tiny vials with grit clinging to ss, a twist of hair bound with red thread that isn¡¯t ours, a scrap of paper with a single word scrawled in a tight hand: <b>hands</b><b>. </b>


    Aleisha snorts. ¡°They named themselves after the work,¡± she mutters. ¡°Unimaginative.¡±


    ¡°Or hiding in the name everyone else uses,¡± I say.


    Back at the fence, the fight is over. Threes, one tranq. No pack injuries past scrapes and pride. Zion¡¯s pair has two wolves hogtied and panting and that¡¯s when it happens. They shift, forcefully by the looks of it. They buck once, twice, then go still in the wrong way. Their eyes roll white and then fix. Not seeing us. Seeing past us. Their mouths open. The jaws don¡¯t move. The soundes anyway. Layered. t.


    ¡°The child is ours.¡±


    Everything stops without stopping. You can feel a pack hold a breath.


    Tommy doesn¡¯t step back. ¡°Who am I speaking to?¡±


    Both wolves: ¡°The hands you keep swatting.¡± A beat. ¡°Witches, if you need the old word.¡±


    Aleisha¡¯s knuckles go white on the line. Zion¡¯s pair shift their feet, ready and not rushing.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± I ask. No theater.


    ¡°The child in the womb,¡± the voices say, in sync. ¡°Order will be restored.¡±


    Tommy¡¯s voice stays level. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°The moon will take what is owed.¡± The tone never rises. It doesn¡¯t need to. ¡°Promise made. Promise kept.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Your promise isn¡¯t ours<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>I say. <b>¡°</b>If you want to my child. You will die.¡±


    Theyugh<b>, </b>t, wrong, like a recording yed through bad speakers.


    ¡°Tell me your name,¡± I tell the air. ¡°Own it.¡±


    Both wolves tip their heads at the same angle. ¡°We speak for Salira.¡±


    Aleisha¡¯s mouth curves without humor. ¡°Of course you do.¡±


    ¡°We will have the child. You have no choice.¡±


    And then they drop, dead, lifeless. Nothing more, nothing less. Fuck.


    ¡°Why do so many want our pups?¡± Hawk growls in my head.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know buddy, but we¡¯re going to war.¡±


    He nods in agreement. ¡°War. I want blood.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll have it.¡±


    Chapter Comments


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 Underworld 133

    <b>Chapter </b><b>133 </b>


    <b>Envy </b>


    92%


    I woke to quiet. nket to my chin, hand where it goes now, right on my little bump. My


    mates were surrounding me; honestly, it was a little creepy how they were all staring.


    ¡°Did I miss something?¡± I asked, stretching my legs.


    ¡°You did, little mate,¡± Xavier said softly.


    That tone flipped me from warm to on¨Cguard in a heartbeat. I pushed up on my elbows.


    ¡°Witches,¡± Levi said.


    ¡°They¡¯re the ones using the rogues,¡± Noah added.


    ¡°Do I dare ask what they want?¡±


    No one answered. Four sets of eyes dipped, not far, just enough to hit the curve under my


    palm.


    ¡°Our baby,<i>¡± </i>I whispered.


    They nodded.


    Air thinned for a second and then remembered my lungs. ¡°Tell me all of it,¡± I said. ¡°in and simple.¡±


    Noah slid a ss into my hand like he¡¯d rehearsed it. ¡°Two wolves were controlled at the north fence,¡± he said. ¡°Eyes wrong. Mouths open. Voices came out that weren¡¯t theirs. They said they speak for Salira and they want our baby.¡±


    Haiden hooked his thumbs in his pockets, jaw tight. ¡°We burned what we could burn. No pack injuries. Pride took a bruise.¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡± <b>I </b>swore under my breath and was already reaching for my phone. ¡°I need to call


    my mum<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Four heads nodded. No one tried to talk me out of it. Xavier thumbed the speaker off so it would be <b>just </b><b>us</b><b>. </b>I paced once, two steps, turn, back because sitting felt like drowning.


    She picked up on the first ring. ¡°Evelina?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s me.<b>¡± </b><b>My </b>voice came out steady. ¡°Witches, have been getting close¡± I said. ¡°They used two of our wolves like mouthpieces. Said the name Salira. Said they want my baby.¡±


    Silence, and then the sound of a chair scraping. ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°Home. Underworld. Safe.¡± I pressed my palm low, like I could hold the promise there.


    ¡°Your brothers are already on their way so they can be there for your shift. This isn¡¯t good timing, they must know you and your pup will be vulnerable during the transition period.¡±


    ¡°What do I do, Mum?¡± The words came out small before I could stop them. For a second it felt like the floor kept sliding and I was just a girl again, waiting for someone to tell me


    where to put my feet.


    ¡°You stay strong,¡± she said, steady as a post. ¡°You protect yourself, you protect your family, and you keep fighting anything and everything that stands in your way. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I whispered, letting her strength settle into my spine.


    ¡°We¡¯ll speak soon. I love you, Evelina.¡±


    ¡°I love you too, Mum.¡±


    I ended the call and stared at the ck screen long enough to see my own face in it. Then I looked up. Four men, four different kinds of worry. All mine. I sat and tucked my phone into myp and stared at the ck screen a moment too long. My chest was tight, lungs


    stubborn.


    ¡°Envy.¡± Xavier¡¯s voice pulled me back. He crouched in front of me, his hands sliding up my calves to steady me. ¡°Breathe, little mate. You¡¯re not in this alone.¡±


    Noah slid onto the couch beside me, arm around my shoulders. Haiden hooked his chin into my hair from the other side, his warmth immediate, solid. Levi didn¡¯t crowd me¨Che just reached across the table and rested his palm open, steady, like I could anchor there if


    <b>I </b>needed to<b>. </b>


    <b>¡°</b>You¡¯re safe,<b>¡± </b>Xavier <b>said</b>, leaning closer. His thumb brushed over the curve of my bump. ¡°We¡¯ll keep it that way<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Wed<b>, </b>


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    My throat worked, but words came thin. ¡°They want our baby. My mum¡­ she told me to stay strong. But that feels so small when the whole world keeps trying to take pieces of us<b><i>.</i></b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°It¡¯s not small,¡± Levi said quietly. ¡°It¡¯s the core of it. You¡¯re still here. Still fighting. That¡¯s everything.¡±


    Haiden kissed the side of my head. ¡°And you don¡¯t carry it alone. We¡¯ll bleed before they touch you. All of us.¡±


    I pressed into Noah¡¯s chest, let him wrap me tighter, and finally exhaled.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Xavier said after a moment, voice shifting fromfort tomand. ¡°We face what¡¯s in front of us. Three fronts. First: your shift. Six nights. It¡¯s not a choice, it¡¯sing. Felix has already put himself forward. That means it¡¯s on us to make it clean. Safe. Controlled. We n it like a battle. Time, ce, who¡¯s standing where. Nobody improvises.¡±


    Levi leaned forward, forearms braced on his knees. ¡°Second: the witches. Salira has been behind the rogues from the start. We¡¯re not talking about shadows anymore, we have a name. And if she¡¯s bold enough to announce herself, she¡¯s bold enough to slip. That means she leaves a trail. We use it. Ward the borders, pull trackers in, and start tracing herwork. She wants you afraid, Envy. We turn it back on her.¡±


    Noah¡¯s tone was steady, the one he used when he wanted me to feel his certainty. ¡°And third: the envoy. Elliot¡¯s people. Two mornings from now. They¡¯ll bring proof or lies. Doesn¡¯t matter which. We meet them with our eyes open and our questions sharp. If they¡¯re family, they¡¯ll show it. If they¡¯re enemies, they¡¯ll expose themselves. Either way, we¡¯ll be ready.¡±


    1122


    The silence after wasn¡¯t heavy, it was grounded. The weight hadn¡¯t lessened, but it had been shared out, each piece imed by someone who knew how to hold it. My hand slid back over my bump, and four bigger handsyered over mine, one by one. A wall.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I whispered. ¡°Then we fight. On all of it.¡±


    ¡°Damn right,¡± Haiden said, grinning like a man itching for the next swing. ¡°I¡¯ll sharpen my teeth.¡±


    ¡°Together,¡± Xavier said, steady as stone.


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    ¡°Always,¡± Noah finished.


    Levi just looked at me, quiet and unflinching, like a man promising with his silence what words could never hold.


    I looked down at my belly, softly making circles. Look <i>at </i><i>your </i><i>Daddys </i>protecting you <i>already </i><i>little </i><i>one</i><i>. </i><i>You </i>will <i>be </i>so <i>loved</i><i>. </i>


    Chapter Comments

 Underworld 134

    <b>Chapter </b>134


    The weight of strategy still hung in the air when a knock, small, uneven, like someone using their knuckles and then forgetting halfway through, sounded at the door. It opened before anyone answered. Elliot led the charge, Macey close behind, arms full of paper and glue. Layah padded after them, dark fur catching themplight.


    ¡°Look!¡± Macey announced before she even cleared the threshold. She pped a sheet of paper onto the table between all the coffee cups and maps. ¡°It¡¯s us. See? That¡¯s you.¡± She jabbed a finger at a stick figure with wild yellow hair and a scribbled crown.


    ¡°That¡¯s me?¡± Haiden asked, mock offense in his tone.


    ¡°Obviously,¡± she said, rolling her eyes like it was the dumbest question in the world.


    Elliot held his own drawing close until I reached for it. Then, shyly, he let me take it. ¡°It¡¯s the Underworld,¡± he exined. ¡°But I made the sky bigger, so you don¡¯t get squished.¡±


    The paper was all stars, heavy dots of crayon pressed until the wax broke. In the center, a small figure with a round belly and four taller ones around her. He didn¡¯t say who they were, but he didn¡¯t need to. My throat caught anyway.


    ¡°Beautiful,¡± I whispered.


    Layah stretched, tail flicking, then tipped her head toward me. The link brushed soft against my mind. ¡°<i>You¡¯ve </i><i>had </i><i>a </i><i>hard </i><i>day.</i><i>¡± </i>


    ¡°<i>You </i><i>were </i><i>there</i>¡°, I sent back. You saw it too.


    <i>¡°</i><i>I </i><i>did</i>. <i>And </i><i>I </i><i>will </i><i>again</i>. <i>But </i>for now¡­¡± She stepped closer, pressed her nose to my palm. Warmth slid through me like a tide rolling back in. Then her shape dissolved, folded, and she was gone, her presence settling back into my skin, back into me.


    I exhaled, lighter than I had been all day.


    ¡°Hey, Mum,¡± Elliot said, tugging my sleeve. ¡°Can we put these on the fridge? So you see them every time you get snacks<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Yes,¡± I said, scooping him into myp. ¡°Every single time.¡±


    3


    14:03 Wed, Se


    Noah leaned over my shoulder to study the drawings, pressing a kiss to the top of my


    head<b>. </b>¡°Best art this house has ever seen.<b>¡± </b>


    And just like that, the air shifted. Not war, not witches, not fear. Just crayons, glue, and little hands reminding me what we were really fighting for.


    We tucked Elliot and Macey into bed with all the usual negotiations, one more sip of water, one more story, Fergus tucked just right under the nket. Layah sprawled across the rug like she had every intention of standing guard till morning. By the time their


    breathing evened, my heart had unclenched a little. I slipped into the hall, quiet on purpose. That¡¯s when I saw them. Four shadows, four sets of eyes catching the low light. Maddox, Talen, Hawk, and Flint. The hellhounds. My mates¡® other halves. All waiting.


    Before I could say a word, they moved as one, brushing up against me, nuzzling my hands, crowding my legs like oversized wolves who¡¯d decided subtlety wasn¡¯t on the menu tonight. Heat, muscle, smoke¨Cand¨Cearth scents pressed close.


    Iughed, helpless. ¡°What¡¯s all this?¡±


    Xavier¡¯s voice slid into my head through the bond, warm and sure. ¡°<i>They </i><i>voted</i><i>. </i><i>Apparently</i><i>, </i><i>it¡¯s </i><i>their </i><i>time </i><i>with </i><i>you</i><i>. </i><i>No </i><i>objections </i><i>epted</i><i>.</i>¡±


    I hummed, stroking Maddox¡¯s thick fur, Talen pushing his massive head into my palm. Hawk paced at my side, smug as ever, while Flint leaned against my thigh like he¡¯d been there all along.


    ¡°Alright¡°, I answered, amusement and affection in equal measure. ¡°Then let¡¯s not keep them waiting.¡±


    Together we walked back to our chambers, my little entourage padding silent and steady at my sides. One by one, each hellhound got their moment, scratches behind ears, hands pressed into warm ruffs of fur, whispers just for them. They soaked it in, tails low and pleased, like kings granted audience. By the time I curled up on the couch, they¡¯d settled in around me, pirs of shadow and fire keeping the world at bay.


    Morning in the Underworld never meant sunlight, but I felt the difference all the same, like the whole ce inhaled at once and waited for us to move. The house stirred early. Elliot ttered through the hall in boots that weren¡¯t evenced, Macey trailing behind with Fergus tucked under her arm. Layah paced them like a drill sergeant, making sure they ate at least two mouthfuls before they could go raid the cushion fortress again. Breakfast was quick and noisy, coffee strong, tes passed fast, the scrape of chairs.


    Normal in all the best ways, even with tension riding under it.


    91%


    <b>Xavier </b>spread a rough map over the dining table, weighting corners with mugs. ¡°Rota¡¯s clean. North fence doubled, west culvert sealed until we can sweep again. Zion¡¯s men run <b>second </b>watch.<b>¡± </b>


    Leviid his notebook beside it. ¡°Envoy meeting tomorrow. They¡¯ll expect us at dawn. I¡¯ve marked the clearing<b>. </b>No distractions between now and then.<b>¡± </b>


    Haiden leaned on the chair back, hair damp from a run. ¡°Felix checks in today. Says he wants to set anchor early, let us test it before your shift.¡± His eyes flicked to my belly, then back up. ¡°I told him he¡¯s got a week¡¯s worth of packing into a day. Man¡¯s stubborn, but he¡¯ll be ready.<b>¡± </b>


    Noah slid a te in front of me, toast cut just the way he knows I like it. ¡°And we don¡¯t let the witches set the pace. Salira thinks she can scare us with parlor tricks and borrowed wolves. We show her our line, and we hold it.¡±


    I ate, even though my stomach was tight. Because they watched me. Because I promised my mum. Because this pup deserved more than fear. When the table cleared, we split by habit. Haiden and Noah to the border, Xavier and Levi to the wards, Elliot and Macey passed off into Mum¡¯s capable orbit. And me? I stood a beat longer, hand on the map,


    tracing the path that would bring us face to face with every storm waiting on the horizon.


    Today we prepared. Tomorrow, we fought.


    <b>Chapter </b>Comments

 Underworld 135

    The following day came quickly. Mist clung low over the sandbar, the kind that soaked into boots and coats before you¡¯d been standing ten minutes. The rope was staked, the chalk circles drawn. Xavier at my left, Levi at my right, Haiden watching the treeline like he meant to set it on fire. Noah stood a little forward, shoulders loose but eyes everywhere. We were ready for the envoy. Only, it wasn¡¯t the envoy who stepped out of the brush. A woman came instead. Alone. No coat meant to disguise her scent. No practiced envoy gait. Just a woman, walking steady, carrying nothing but her own shaking hands. The moment I saw her face, my stomach dropped. Elliot¡¯s face looked back at me


    in older lines, softened by years and grief. The shape of the jaw, the wide eyes that didn¡¯t blink fast enough when theynded on us, his eyes. She stopped at the rope and didn¡¯t test it. She only reached into her coat pocket and pulled out something small, holding it


    out in both hands like an offering. A strip of cloth, sun¨Cfaded but unmistakable. Red, with


    two knots tied close together.


    My chest tightened. Elliot had described it almost word for word.


    Her voice was raw when she spoke. ¡°Is¡­my son okay?¡±


    The air shifted. Xavier braced beside me. Levi¡¯s pen paused mid¨Cturn in his fingers.¡±


    Haiden didn¡¯t move, but his stance changed, weight bnced like he was already in a fight. Noah¡¯s gaze flicked to me once, <i>your </i><i>call</i>.


    I swallowed, my palm unconsciously pressing against my bump.


    ¡°Proof,¡± Levi said quietly<b>, </b>cutting through the stillness. ¡°You knew we¡¯d need it.¡±


    She nodded, eyes shining. ¡°He was born with a scar, here¡­¡± she touched her own small finger, curling it, ¡°from when the midwife¡¯s de slipped cutting the cord. And when he


    wouldn¡¯t sleep, I sang him the same song my mother sang me. Sleep, small star. Boat on <b>the </b>barley, back to the bales. I¡¯m here, I¡¯m here.¡± Her voice cracked, but the wordsnded


    whole.


    I felt the world tilt. Elliot had whispered those very words in my kitchen just days ago. The rope felt thinner than ever between us<b>. </b>I walked towards her slowly, and I pulled out <b>my </b>phone<b>, </b>touching it once so it lit up and I turned it around to show her. She reached for it with a gasp, tears welling in her eyes as she looked down at the screen.


    <b>3 </b>


    <b>C </b>


    14:03 Wed<b>, </b>Sep 3


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­perfect. He has the biggest heart, and he loves to y, even though he¡¯s wise beyond his years.¡± I spoke softly, mother to mother, like it came naturally.


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    Her hand trembled over the phone, not daring to touch the ss like it might break if she pressed too hard. A sob slipped out, thin and unguarded. ¡°He¡¯s alive.¡± Her lips formed the ¡®words like she hadn¡¯t believed them until now.


    ¡°He¡¯s more than alive,¡± I said quietly. ¡°Heughs. He builds forts with his best friend. He makes us all stop in our tracks with the way he sees the world.¡±


    Her tears fell faster, catching on her chin. She nodded, once, sharp. ¡°That¡¯s my boy.¡±


    Behind me, Xavier shifted closer, just enough to remind me he was there. The weight of his presence steadied me, even as every instinct screamed at me not to give this woman, Elliot¡¯s mother, by blood, too much ground too fast.


    ¡°Why now?¡± I asked, lowering my voice but keeping it firm. ¡°Why send an envoy first, and then you? Why note the first time?¡±


    Her gaze lifted, raw and red. ¡°Because I was not allowed. They said it had to be tested first, that you¡¯d never believe without proof. But I couldn¡¯t¡­¡± Her voice cracked. ¡°I couldn¡¯t let strangers speak for me anymore. I had to see him. To know.¡±


    Levi¡¯s voice cut through, calm, controlled. ¡°And what do you want now that you¡¯ve seen proof of him?<b>¡± </b>


    She swallowed hard, eyes flicking to my stomach, then back to the phone still glowing between us. ¡°To hold him again. To tell him I never stopped looking. That I never¡­¡± She stopped, gathering herself. ¡°But I know I can¡¯t just walk in and take him. You¡¯re his family now too. I see it. I¡­ I don¡¯t want to hurt him. I just couldn¡¯t not try.¡± She looked down at my belly with a small smile. ¡°You would understand.¡±


    Her words rang true, but truth wasn¡¯t the same as safety. My hand stayed pressed to my bump. I opened my mouth to respond, but branches snapped like rifle shots before I even felt the wards strain. Xavier was already moving, voice sharp. ¡°Attack!¡±


    The tree line shattered. Wolves poured out in a tide of fur and teeth, eyes ssy, movements stiff, like marites pulled by cruel hands. Ash streaked their coats, smeared down their muzzles. They didn¡¯t fight like living creatures, they lunged too hard, recovered too fast, as though their bones didn¡¯t care if they broke. From the ridge. From


    1


    the bank. From behind. Every angle at once.


    ¡°Hands<b>,</b>¡± Levi spat, eyes narrowing. He was already mapping the field, every strike and counterstrike falling into invisible lines.


    Haiden braced, shoulders squared, a rumble starting deep in his chest. The sound rolled across the clearing, enough to make the nearest rogue stumble mid¨Ccharge. Noah was beside him<b>, </b>steady and coiled, waiting for the break. And then one slipped through. Too quick. Low. Its eyes fixed on me. My hand flew to my stomach before thought could catch up, my body moving on nothing but instinct. One step back, heart lodged in my throat as


    I tripped and fell backwards, watching almost in slow motion as the wolf lunged for me


    but it never reached me.


    The air cracked like thunder. The wolf froze mid¨Clunge, suspended, legs kicking at


    nothing. In front of me stood Elliot¡¯s mother. Her hair whipped back in an invisible wind, her eyes zing with the same strange light I had seen once before. Elliot¡¯s light, when he had stopped rogues dead in their tracks. She lifted her hand, fingers spread, and the wolf


    screamed. Not through its mouth. Through its marrow. A sound dragged up from somewhere deep and wrong, tearing free as a shimmer of pale light peeled itself out of its body, its soul, raw and writhing. With a sharp twist of her wrist, she closed her hand, and the light shattered. The body dropped in a heap, lifeless, ash trickling into the grass. Everything stopped for half a breath.

 Underworld 136

    <b>Chapter </b><b>136 </b>


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    Noah broke a neck clean, dropping a body with brutal grace. Haiden tore another down, his growl snapping into a roar that shook the branches. Xavier waded forward like a wall, every strike measured and final. But she, she was a storm. Elliot¡¯s mother strode past the corpse at her feet, words spilling from her lips in a tongue I didn¡¯t know. Her voice was low, steady, but the air bent around it, humming, vibrating like it was strung too tight. Another rogue faltered under her gaze. Its soul ripped free in a streak of white fire, sucked from its chest as though the body was just a shell. She turned and caught another; hand clenching, and the clearing filled with the sound of breaking ss as its spirit


    cracked apart. One by one, they fell. Three. Four. Each soul ripped from its anchor and scattered like sparks into nothingness. With every kill, her presence swelled, raw power pressing against my skin until the hair on my arms stood on end. She wasn¡¯t just fighting, she was unmaking.


    By the time thest wolf dropped, silence mmed down. Heavy. Suffocating. Even the leaves seemed to shiver before settling back into ce. Smoke curled low to the ground, clinging to the mix of ash and torn fur that littered the dirt. She turned slowly, chest heaving, but her stance never faltered. Her gaze locked with mine. Those eyes, Elliot¡¯s eyes, brilliant and burning, carrying the same stubborn light too heavy for a boy his age. On her, they were older, haunted, carved by years of loss, but no less fierce. I sat stunned on the ground, useless, breath caught. She crossed the distance in a rush, hand outstretched, and before I even thought, I took it. She hauled me to my feet with a strength that surprised me, and then her hands skimmed over my arms, my shoulders, quick, efficient, checking me for harm.


    ¡­you saved me.¡± My voice broke against the weight of it. ¡°Why would you save me?¡±


    ¡°You¡­


    Her eyes softened, though her chest still rose hard with each breath. ¡°Because you love my son. And if I¡¯m right, he must love you too.¡±


    The words sank deep. Before I could reply, she stooped, plucked my phone from where it


    had fallen in the dirt, and nced again at the glowing screen, at Elliot¡¯s picture. The


    tears standing in her eyes almost undid me.


    ¡°Would


    you like to see him?¡± The words were out of me before reason could stop them.


    She gasped, sharp and small<b>, </b>gaze snapping up to mine.


    14:03 Wed, Sep <b>3 </b>G.


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    ¡°Envy<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>Xavier¡¯s voice cut in, firm as steel. He was already at my side, leaning down to murmur in my ear<b>. </b>¡°You don¡¯t even know her name yet, let alone if her intentions are


    good<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    She heard him, of course she did. Her spine straightened, voice clear. ¡°Reina. My name is Reina. And I swear on everything I am, I mean no harm. I would give my very being just to hold him once again.<b>¡± </b>


    I looked at my mates, their faces carved with suspicion, calction, concern. My hand pressed low against my stomach, grounding myself. Then I turned back to her.


    ¡°She¡¯s his mother,¡± I said, voice steady. ¡°Just as I am. And keeping them apart, when she could have let us die here and solved her problem, that would be wrong. She didn¡¯t. That says something.¡±


    They hesitated. Then, one by one, each of them nodded. A quiet pact.


    I reached out my hand to Reina. ¡°Come. He¡¯s in the Underworld.¡±


    She gasped again, this time stumbling back half a step. Fear flickered across her features.


    I couldn¡¯t help theugh that escaped me, small but real. ¡°Oh, right. I should have mentioned¡­¡± My wings unfurled in a rush of shadow and power, my cloak settling across my shoulders as my scythe shimmered into being at my side. Her eyes widened, reflecting every inch of it.


    ¡°I am Queen of the Underworld,¡± I told her, calm and true. ¡°And your son? He is Prince.¡±


    The Underworld opened around us like a held breath released. Reina froze on the


    threshold, her eyes going wide as the ceiling shifted into sky, soft constetions weaving across the dark, endless dome. The floor thrummed faintly underfoot, alive, steady, the heartbeat of my kingdom. She didn¡¯t move at first, just turned slowly, taking it all in. Her gaze snagged on the mantle. Pictures framed in wood, Elliot¡¯s gap¨Ctoothed grin beside Macey¡¯s ribbons, a smudge of paint across his cheek in one. She reached for it with trembling fingers, brushing the ss lightly like she was afraid the boy inside might feel it. Her eyes moved next to the crooked lines of drawings pinned above the hearth, stars, ships, wolves with lopsided smiles. She swallowed hard, the sound raw.


    ¡°This is his home,¡± I said gently. ¡°Part of it, anyway.¡±


    Her lips parted, no words, just a sound like awe and grief knotted together. I led her down- the hall. Each step seemed to weigh on her more than me. She trailed her fingertips along the wall as if memorizing the ce by touch. When we reached the open doorway, I paused, letting her see before I said anything. Elliot¡¯s room. His sky stretched wide overhead, his towers of cushions and books stacked into forts. Macey, fierce little pup, brandished a wooden spoon like a sword, Elliot countering with a rolled¨Cup map. Theirughter rang high and true, careless of the world outside. Layah stood at the edge, a dark sentinel, ears forward, body taut. She caught Reina¡¯s scent and rumbled low, a growl deep


    in her chest.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± I said, stepping forward. Layah¡¯s gaze flicked to mine, held, then softened. Her shape shimmered, folding, copsing until she was me again, every line and angle familiar.


    Reina¡¯s gasp broke the quiet. She stared, eyes wide, mouth parting as she tried to reconcile what she¡¯d just seen. But then her gaze slid past me. To him. Elliot had stopped mid¨Cswing, wooden spoon forgotten in his hand. His head turned, slow, careful, as if his body already knew before his mind caught up. His eyes, those same brilliant, burning eyes locked on hers. The room hushed around that single look. Macey blinked, confused, ncing between them, but Elliot didn¡¯t move, didn¡¯t speak. He just stared, caught between recognition and disbelief. And Reina¡­ she didn¡¯t breathe. Not once.

 Underworld 137

    <b>Chapter </b><b>137 </b>


    ¡°Elliot¡­ sweetheart. This is your mother. Your biological mother.¡±


    The words felt like ss breaking in the quiet, sharp and irreversible. Elliot¡¯s spoon hit the floor with a small tter, ignored. He stared, wide¨Ceyed, chest rising and falling too fast. Macey pressed closer to his side, her little hand finding his sleeve, but even she seemed to understand this wasn¡¯t her moment to speak.


    ¡°My¡­ mother?¡± His voice cracked, the single word bnced between hope and fear.


    Reina swallowed hard, stepping closer, slow like she might spook him. ¡°Yes, baby. I¡­¡± Her breath caught, tears welling until her voice was just a rasp. ¡°I¡¯ve been looking for you. Since the day they took you, I never stopped. Not once.<b>¡± </b>


    Elliot¡¯s brow furrowed, lips trembling as if he wanted to believe and couldn¡¯t. ¡°But¡­


    Envy¡¯s my mum.<b>¡± </b>He darted a look at me, quick and desperate, like he needed me to anchor him. My chest squeezed tight.


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± I said softly, steadying him with a hand over his. ¡°I am. Nothing changes that.¡± Then I tilted my chin toward Reina. ¡°But this is the woman who gave you life. The one who held you before Marcus stole you away.¡±


    Reina¡¯s face crumpled at the name, but she nodded, kneeling down to make herself smaller, less frightening. ¡°Elliot¡­ do you remember buttercups? Do you remember a song? Sleep, small star¡­¡±


    He froze. His mouth worked soundlessly, then the words tumbled out, a whisper: ¡°Boat on the barley, back to the bales¡­ I¡¯m here, I¡¯m here.¡±


    Her sob broke the air. She covered her mouth, then reached out trembling fingers but didn¡¯t close the distance, waiting for him. ¡°Yes. That¡¯s it. That was ours.¡±


    For a long heartbeat, Elliot didn¡¯t move. His eyes darted between us, me, Reina, Macey, and then, slow as sunrise, he stepped forward.


    ¡°Are you really my mum?¡± he asked, voice so small it nearly broke me.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she whispered. ¡°<b>If </b>you¡¯ll have me.¡±


    A791%T


    His hand lifted, trembling, and brushed hers. Just fingertips at first, as if he feared she¡¯d vanish like smoke. But when she didn¡¯t, when her fingers curled instinctively around his, Elliot¡¯s whole body shuddered. The dam broke. He lurched forward, burying himself in her, a sob tearing out of him so raw it split me open just hearing it.


    ¡°Mumma.¡± The word cracked. Shattered. He said it again, harder this time, like it had been waiting all this time, locked in his chest. ¡°Mumma!¡±


    Reina folded around him like she had never let go. Her arms shook but they held tight, her face pressed into his hair, her tears soaking into the crown of his head. Their cries tangled, one small, one older, the same rhythm of loss finding its echo.


    I felt Macey¡¯s little hand slip into mine. I looked down to find her chin wobbling, eyes wide with something she couldn¡¯t name. ¡°He¡¯s like the luckiest boy ever,¡± she whispered fiercely, ¡°he gets two mums? I don¡¯t even get one.¡± Her pout nearly undid me. I bent, lifting her against my hip, kissing the corner of her damp.cheek. Shhh, you know how loved you are, kiddo. You¡¯ve got us. A whole family.


    Her tiny arms hooked around my neck. ¡°I know,¡± she mumbled, pressing her forehead to mine.


    t


    When I looked back, Reina was cradling Elliot¡¯s face in both hands, her thumbs tracing the curve of his cheeks like she was memorizing him one feature at a time. Her voice broke soft and reverent. ¡°How does he still look the same? After all these years?¡±


    I exhaled slow, steady. ¡°He was kept in a stasis spell. Technically, he still is. His body ages, but so slowly you might not notice. And¡­ he won¡¯t ever be able to die.¡±


    4


    Reina gasped. Her fingers tightened protectively on his cheeks, pulling him closer until his forehead pressed to hers. ¡°Oh, my boy. I am so sorry. I am so, so sorry.¡±


    Elliot sniffed, shaking his head, voice muffled against her shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mumma. Look.¡± He waved one hand, the gesture almost childlike in its eagerness. ¡°I got all this for my hard work.¡± He pointed around the room, at the cushion fortresses, the drawings taped to the wall, the shelves stacked with his treasures. His voice softened, brightened. ¡°And I got another family too. This is Macey! She¡¯s my best friend.¡±


    At her name, Macey wriggled out of my arms and bounded forward, Fergus dangling from one hand. She didn¡¯t hesitate, just plopped herself straight into their embrace like she¡¯d belonged there the whole time.


    O


    |||


    14:03 Wed<b>, </b>Sep


    ¡°Hi!¡± she beamed, cheeks still streaked with tears but her smile wild and bright.


    91%


    Reina let out a startledugh through her tears. ¡°Hello.¡± Her arms curved wider, making space, and for the first time in years she looked like a mother surrounded by her children.


    The sight of it hit me like a blow and a balm all at once.


    For a second, I couldn¡¯t breathe. Elliot¡¯s face was pressed against hers like he¡¯d found something he hadn¡¯t known he was missing. Macey wriggled in too, her little body warm against theirs, Fergus squished between them all like he belonged in the circle. It should have felt right. It should have been nothing but joy. But my chest clenched instead. Because for the first time since Elliot hade into my life, I wasn¡¯t the only mother in his world. I stood a little apart, hand at my stomach, feeling the steady pulse of the pup beneath. My whole life had been built on loss, on being left at borders and raised with scraps of love that never quite fit. And Elliot, Elliot had been mine. My boy. The one who


    crawled into myp when the nightmares got too loud. The one who called me Mum without hesitation. And now he whispered that same word into: someone else¡¯s shoulder, like it had always belonged there.


    Xavier¡¯s hand brushed mine, grounding me before the ache could spiral. His thumb circled


    once, deliberate. ¡°<i>He¡¯s </i><i>still </i><i>yours</i><i>¡°</i><i>, </i>he mindlinked, warm and certain. <i>¡°</i><i>This </i><i>doesn¡¯t </i><i>take </i><i>that </i>


    <i>away</i><i>.</i>¡±


    *


    69


    .


    Levi¡¯s eyes flicked to me too, quiet but sharp, reading the tremor in my shoulders the way he always did. Haiden leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, watching the scene like


    a man weighing storm against sunlight. Noah shifted closer, his presence steady as stone


    at my back. They didn¡¯t speak, but I felt it, every thread of their reassurance wrapping


    around me.


    Still<b>, </b>the whisper in my chest didn¡¯t ease. Reina looked up, her eyes shining through the


    tears. They were Elliot¡¯s eyes, only older, heavy with years I couldn¡¯t take from her. She brushed a hand through his hair with the kind of reverence I¡¯d felt a hundred times myself. And when she smiled, small and breaking, she looked at me too.


    ¡°You¡¯ve kept him alive,¡± she said softly, voice carrying the weight of gratitude and guilt all at once. ¡°You¡¯ve given him love. I can see it.¡±


    I pressed my hand harder to my stomach. My baby shifted under my palm, a reminder, a tether. <i>You¡¯re </i><i>still </i><i>Mum</i><i>, </i>I told myself. <i>You </i><i>always </i><i>will </i><i>be</i><i>. </i>

 Underworld 138

    <b>Chapter </b><b>138 </b>


    I cleared my throat, gentle so I didn¡¯t break the moment. ¡°Why don¡¯t you y with them for a while?¡± I said to Reina. ¡°They¡¯ll show you every drawing they¡¯ve ever made if you let them<b>.</b>¡±


    Elliot¡¯s eyes lit likenterns. ¡°Yes! Come on! I¡¯ll show you the tower Macey made, and then my pirate ship, and my sky. Mumma, you have to see the sky!¡± He tugged her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. Reina looked at me once, checking, maybe asking permission, but I just nodded. My voice came out steadier than I felt. ¡°Go on. He deserves this time with you.¡±


    Macey took Reina¡¯s other hand, Fergus tucked under her arm, already chattering about treasure maps and glue. Layah shadowed them, ears twitching, but calm. My heart twisted as I watched the three of them vanish into the yroom, voices rising bright and unbroken. When the door clicked shut, I let my shoulders drop.


    Xavier was at my side in a second, pulling me into his chest. ¡°Talk to me, little mate,¡± he murmured.


    The words lodged in my throat. It was stupid, selfish maybe, but it still wed out of me: ¡°He called her Mumma.¡± My hand pressed against his shirt like I could hide the shake in it. ¡°He looked at her like¡­like I wasn¡¯t enough anymore.<b>¡± </b>


    Noah crouched in front of me, steady and close, eyes level with mine. ¡°Envy, stop. That boy loves you. You¡¯re not receable. He¡¯s got more room in his heart, that¡¯s all. It doesn¡¯t take away from what you are to him.¡±


    Levi leaned back in his chair, watching me with that quiet, piercing calm of his. ¡°He found something today. A piece of himself. You gave him the safety to do that. Don¡¯t mistake that for loss, it¡¯s proof of what you built.¡±


    Haiden crossed his arms, jaw working like he wanted to punch something for me. ¡°You carried him through hell, Envy. She wasn¡¯t there for that. Don¡¯t you dare forget it. Don¡¯t you dare let yourself believe you¡¯re less than his everything.¡±


    I breathed out, shaky. The sting behind my eyes burned, but I didn¡¯t fight it. ¡°But what if he wants her more? What if one day he chooses¡­<b>¡± </b>


    91%


    Xavier¡¯s voice cut me off, low and final. ¡°He already chose. Every day he crawls into yourp. Every time he runs to you first. That doesn¡¯t vanish because he got a piece of his past back. He chose you. He¡¯ll keep choosing you.¡±


    Noah took my hand, kissed the inside of my wrist. ¡°And even if he needs her too, that¡¯s


    `not taking him from you. That¡¯s just giving him more people to love him the way you do.¡±


    I shut my eyes, leaned into Xavier¡¯s chest, let their words root in me. My baby rolled


    under my palm, a soft nudge that steadied me even more.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to be okay,¡± I whispered, maybe for them, maybe for myself.


    ¡°We are,¡± Xavier said, firm and certain. His hand covered mine on my bump. ¡°Because he¡¯s


    ours. And so is this one.¡±


    <b>Levi </b>


    I let them have the moment. Envy curled into Xavier¡¯s chest, Noah rubbing circles into


    her wrist, Haiden pacing like a caged animal ready to tear throats. They needed it. She


    needed it. But the quiet couldn¡¯tst, not when the blood and ash still stung the back of my throat.


    I cleared mine. ¡°We can¡¯t stay in this bubble.¡± Their heads turned, the warmth cooling quick when they saw my face. ¡°We were just hit. Again. Not shadows this time. Not whispers. Broad daylight. Teeth to fence. Twelve wolves moving like puppets, and we were almost overrun.¡±


    Envy stiffened, one hand flying instinctively to her bump. Xavier¡¯s arms tightened around her<b>, </b>but I kept going. She deserved the truth unwrapped.


    ¡°These witches aren¡¯t testing us anymore. They¡¯re pressing. They want to know how close they can get before we break, and today they got close enough to make me sweat.¡±


    Haiden¡¯s growl was low, dangerous. ¡°You saying we couldn¡¯t have held?¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°I¡¯m saying we barely did. They¡¯re strong. Stronger than anything Marcus yed with. And Salira isn¡¯t wasting pawns, she¡¯s carving at us piece by piece until we either hand over what she wants or die from the bleed.¡±


    Noah leaned back, jaw tight, eyes darker than usual. ¡°And she made it clear what she


    91%


    wants. Our child. That¡¯s not just a threat, it¡¯s obsession. That means she¡¯ll throw everything she has at us when the timees.<b>¡± </b>


    Envy¡¯s voice wavered, but she forced it out. ¡°And she has a lot.¡±


    ¡°Too much to ignore,¡± I said. ¡°We¡¯ve been reacting. Patching holes. But if we don¡¯t start putting a n in motion, something bigger than just holding the fences we¡¯ll get buried under the weight of it.¡±


    I didn¡¯t flinch when Envy looked at me, eyes wide, fear and steel tangled together. ¡°Then what do we do?¡± she asked.


    Before anyone could answer Envy¡¯s question, small feet pped against the floorboards. The living room door creaked, and Reina stepped out with Elliot at her side, Macey clutching Fergus to her chest. They must¡¯ve heard more than we wanted.


    Elliot¡¯s voice cracked, small but sharp enough to slice the air. ¡°Mum¡­ are they going to take my sister?¡± His eyes went straight to Envy, wide and wet, like she was the only answer he¡¯d ept. He crossed the room quick, climbing into herp, arms curling around her waist, cheek pressed right against her belly. Comforting her, even while asking the question that made her throat close.


    Envy smoothed his hair, swallowing hard. ¡°No,¡± she whispered, fierce under the softness: ¡°No one is taking your sister.¡±


    NI


    Reina¡¯s gaze swept the room, steady despite the tremor I caught in her hands. ¡°This¡­ this is who attacked you today?¡±


    Envy nodded once, shoulders squaring as if saying it out loud anchored her. ¡°The same witches who scarred my life before it began. They ripped me out of my mother¡¯s womb, sacrificed me in a ritual that should have killed me. The ones who stood with Marcus, who hurt your son, who used him like a tool. They¡¯vee back. And now¡­ they think they¡¯ve perfected what they failed the first time. They want my baby.¡± Her hand clutched Elliot closer as she said it, like both children were one heartbeat away from being snatched.


    Reina didn¡¯t blink. Her jaw set, voice calm in the way iron is calm. ¡°Then it¡¯s over my dead body.¡± She shifted her stance, fierce eyes cutting to every one of us. ¡°If they had a hand in hurting my boy, if they think they can try to hurt his sister, then they¡¯ve dered war on me and mine too. My people will stand with you. This fight belongs to all of us now.¡±


    91%


    No one spoke right away. But something changed in the room, the line between us and her blurred just enough that I could see it: for the first time, she wasn¡¯t just Elliot¡¯s lost past. She was a weapon pointed at the same enemy.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>

 Underworld 139

    <b>Chapter </b><b>139 </b>


    <b>Envy </b>


    Layah eased forward, shadows rippling until she was standing outside me, her form stretching, shaking her fur like she was shaking off my nerves. She nosed at Elliot and


    <b>Macey</b>, then nced back at me. I understood without words.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I said gently, brushing Elliot¡¯s curls back. ¡°How about you two take Layah out to the garden? Those Death Lilies are blooming. Pick some for your mumma, she¡¯d love


    them.¡±


    Elliot¡¯s face lit like antern. ¡°Really?¡± He spun to Reina, who nodded, her smile watery but real. Macey squealed, already tugging Elliot¡¯s hand. Fergus got scooped under her arm and off they went, Layah padding behind them like a knight on duty. Theirughter was already chasing down the hall before the door shut.


    <b>I </b>sagged back into the chair. My palm pressed low, protective, the way it always does now. ¡°We can¡¯t keep pretending they¡¯re safe here,¡± I said, voice tight. ¡°Every attack gets closer. The witches aren¡¯t throwing shadows at us anymore, they¡¯re pushing hard. When theye again, and they will, the children will be the easiest leverage.¡±


    Four sets of eyes met mine. My mates didn¡¯t argue, didn¡¯t dismiss it. They knew. They felt it too. The air itself was stretched thin with what wasing.


    I turned to Reina. ¡°If your people are willing to stand with us, then maybe¡­ maybe Elliot and Macey should go with you for now. Just until this breaks. Elliot would be over the moon to meet the rest of his family, and Macey¡­¡± my throat caught, ¡°she¡¯d follow him anywhere, she¡¯s an orphan, but she¡¯s ours, just as he is. I¡¯m not ready to let them go, but it might be the only way to keep them from being pawns in this.¡±


    Reina¡¯s eyes went ssy<b>. </b>She leaned forward, her hand covering mine where it clutched the bump. ¡°Envy<b>,</b>¡± she said softly, steady, ¡°if this is what must be done, then I¡¯ll guard them with everything I am. But know this, I¡¯m not going to take him away from you. From any <b>of you</b>.<b>¡± </b>Her voice thickened. ¡°I can¡¯t undo the years I lost. You gave him love, safety, a home. <b>You </b>raised him when I couldn¡¯t. That means when this is done, when it¡¯s safe, we share him. He is ours<b>, </b>together. My son, your son. And I¡¯ll never stop being grateful for


    <b>that</b>.¡±


    Wed, Se


    I blinked hard. ¡°You mean that?¡±


    ¡°I swear it,¡± she said, and for the first time, I believed every syble.


    91%


    Xavier¡¯s hand closed over my shoulder, grounding. Haiden leaned against the table like he was guarding us both. Levi¡¯s nod was small but certain. Noah just reached for my hand, folding it between his.


    The door banged wide before anyone could breathe out the tension. Elliot and Macey


    came in like a storm, arms overflowing with lilies, petals brushing their cheeks, stems


    dripping dirt on the floor. Layah padded after them, looking smug about her haul.


    ¡°Look, look!¡± Macey said, nearly tripping over Fergus. ¡°We picked all the pretty ones.¡±


    Elliot grinned wide, cheeks flushed. ¡°For Mumma,¡± he said, rushing the flowers into Reina¡¯s arms like it was the greatest treasure he¡¯d ever found. Her hands shook a little as she took them, pressing her face into the blooms.


    I smiled, though my chest was tight. ¡°Hey, you two. Can we sit for a minute? Big people


    talk.¡±


    Elliot frowned but obeyed, climbing onto the couch with a bounce. Macey followed, hugging Fergus like a shield. I sat across from them<b>, </b>my mates nking me, Reina clutching the flowers like lifelines.


    ¡°It¡¯s not as safe here right now as we¡¯d like,¡± I began carefully. ¡°So, we think it might be best for you both to stay with Mumma for a little while. Elliot, you¡¯d get to know her people, your people, and your family. Macey, you¡¯d go too, so you¡¯d stay together.¡±


    Elliot¡¯s whole face lit. ¡°Really?!¡± He twisted to Reina, eyes wide. ¡°Mumma, do I have a little brother? I remember¡­ I think I remember someone small, crying, and I held him<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Reina¡¯s breath caught, but she nodded, voice soft. ¡°Yes, sweetheart. You do. His name is Elias, but he¡¯s just as big as you now.¡±


    Elliot¡¯s grin nearly split his face. ¡°I knew it.¡±


    Macey tugged on my sleeve, eyes big. ¡°I really get to go too? I get to stay with Elliot?¡±


    <b>I </b>kissed her forehead. ¡°Of course you do. You¡¯re best friends. Where he goes, you go.¡±


    They both leaned forward at once, questions spilling over each other.


    ¡°What¡¯s it like there?¡± Elliot asked.


    ¡°Do they have snacks?¡± Macey demanded.


    ¡°Is it big?¡±


    ¡°Are there other kids?¡±


    Reinaughed through her tears, wiping her eyes quickly. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s big. Yes, there are other kids. And yes, snacks, though maybe not as many as you sneak here.¡±


    ¡°I think,¡± he said seriously, ¡°that I¡¯d like to go. But only if Macey¡¯s with me. And only if I


    cane back here too.¡±


    ¡°You will,¡± I promised, though my throat ached around the words. ¡°This is always your home. Always.¡±


    ¡°Do you two want to go pack some bags?¡± I asked, smoothing Macey¡¯s hair where it had gone wild from the lilies. ¡°Just the things you can¡¯t sleep without. Fergus, treasure boxes, ribbons<b>, </b>whatever you need.¡±


    They scrambled off the couch in a whirl of socks and giggles. Their chatter echoed up the hall, ovepping about how many socks counted as ¡°enough¡± and whether or not crayons


    were a necessity.


    I rubbed my hand low on my belly and looked at Reina. ¡°There¡¯s something else you need


    to know. About Elliot.¡±


    Her shoulders stiffened. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Being in that stasis spell¡­ it did more than slow his body,¡± I said carefully. ¡°And being being prince of the Underworld gave him certain¡­ abilities. They don¡¯t alwayse out in predictable ways. He¡¯s strong. Too strong for a boy his age.¡±


    Reina¡¯s lips parted, worry starting to edge into her eyes. ¡°What kind of abilities?¡±


    Before I could answer<b>, </b>Haiden leaned his elbows on the table, a grin tugging at his mouth. ¡°Glitter bombs<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Reina blinked. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯tugh<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>I muttered, though my own lips twitched.


    1%


    Haiden spread his hands, enjoying himself. ¡°Last month? He sneezed during training and the entire corridor looked like a unicorn exploded. Three grown warriors slipped on


    rainbow dust. Took us hours to scrub it out.¡±


    ¡°He can project raw power,¡± Levi rified, patient as ever. ¡°Ites out in bursts.


    Sometimes light. Sometimes force. Sometimes¡­¡± He shot Haiden a t look. ¡°¡­glitter.¡±


    Reina pressed a hand to her mouth, half in shock, half in augh she couldn¡¯t quite smother. ¡°So he¡­ leaks magic?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one way to put it,¡± Xavier said. ¡°Most of the time he¡¯s steady. But when his emotions spike, happy, scared, angry, it can get¡­ messy.¡±


    Reina nodded slowly, absorbing every word like she was carving it into herself. ¡°Then I¡¯ll


    watch for it,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯ll keep him safe.¡±


    I studied her face, saw no hesitation there. Just a mother willing to carry what she¡¯d been


    given.

 Underworld 140

    <b>Chapter </b><b>140 </b>


    4.91%


    The thunder of feet came first, then voices. Elliot and Macey barreled back into the room, arms full of bags that looked more like treasure chests than travel kits. Macey¡¯s was dragging half her nket across the floor; Elliot¡¯s bulged oddly, clearly stuffed with crayons<b>, </b>socks, and the shoebox he called his ¡°essentials.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re ready!¡± Macey announced proudly, Fergus¡¯s ear sticking out the top of her pack. like a g.


    ¡°Snacks too,¡± Elliot added seriously. ¡°In case we get hungry on the way.¡±


    I bit down on a smile. ¡°Good thinking.¡±


    They climbed up beside Reina, who smoothed their hair as if she¡¯d been doing it forever,


    and my chest tightened.


    I cleared my throat, looking at her. ¡°Where¡¯s home, Reina? So I can open a portal.¡±


    Her eyes softened. ¡°The high cliffs by the southern sea. We¡¯ve lived there since¡­¡± She faltered, but recovered. ¡°It¡¯s safe. Secluded. The air carries far; no onees without us


    knowing.<b>¡± </b>


    I nodded, focusing on the steady hum under my skin. The air shimmered, light bending until it peeled into an archway. Salt wind rushed through, and I saw it, the cliffs carved by centuries, waves breaking in a steady heartbeat against stone. A house of pale wood and dark beams sat back from the edge, smoke curling gentle from the chimney.


    Reina¡¯s breath caught. She took Elliot¡¯s hand, Macey¡¯s too, and stepped through.


    The moment we crossed, the door burst open. A man strode out, tall, broad¨Cshouldered, worry carved deep into his face. His eyes locked on Reina, wild with relief.


    ¡°Reina,¡± he breathed, grabbing her arms. ¡°You¡¯re safe. I thought¡­¡± His gaze cut to me, then the others, before swinging back to her. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have gone alone.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I had to,¡± she said softly. ¡°I had to try.¡±


    Then Elliot shifted at her side, clutching her hand. The man froze, the world falling silent except for the waves.


    14:04 Wed, Sep <b>3 </b>


    ¡°George,¡± Reina whispered, voice breaking. ¡°Look.¡±


    Elliot lifted his chin, nervous but brave. His small hand waved once, uncertain.


    The man¡¯s knees nearly buckled. He stared, disbelieving, before taking one step, then another. ¡°My boy?¡±


    And when Elliot didn¡¯t flinch, when he took half a step forward too, George swept him into his arms<b>, </b>cradling him like a miracle he thought he¡¯d never see again. His voice cracked wide open.


    ¡°My boy.¡±


    Elliot clung, whispering something muffled against his shoulder. George pressed his face.


    into his son¡¯s hair, shoulders shaking.


    Behind them, Reina¡¯s hand found mine, squeezing once, hard. Gratitude. Vows unspoken.


    George smothered Elliot against his chest for another long heartbeat, his hands running


    over the boy¡¯s hair, his shoulders, as if trying to memorize every inch. When he finally


    eased back, his eyes were wet, but his smile¨Cgods, it could have lit the cliffs.


    Then his gaze shifted, catching the smaller figure hovering nearby. Macey, clutching


    Fergus under one arm, looking equal parts curious and protective as she leaned a little.


    into my side.


    ¡°And who,¡± George said gently, voice still rough with emotion, ¡°is this sweet little girl?¡±


    Macey¡¯s chin tipped up, her eyes bold. ¡°I¡¯m Macey,¡± she dered. ¡°I¡¯m Elliot¡¯s best friend.


    I look after him.¡±


    George¡¯s chest shook with augh that wasn¡¯t mocking, it was warm, broken, grateful. He crouched slightly, so his eyes were level with hers. ¡°Do you now?¡±


    Macey nodded hard. ¡°He makes me castles. I make him snacks. We¡¯re a team.<b>¡± </b>


    Elliot wriggled down just enough to grab her free hand. ¡°She¡¯s family,¡± he said fiercely, like daring anyone to argue.


    George¡¯s gaze flicked up, meeting mine, then Reina¡¯s. Understanding passed through it, quiet and whole. He reached out and, with all the care in the world, ruffled Macey¡¯s hair


    14:04 Wed, Sep <b>3 </b><b>G </b>


    just once. ¡°Then that makes you my girl too. I¡¯ve always wanted a daughter,¡± he said softly.


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    Macey beamed, wide and proud, before promptly shoving Fergus at him. ¡°You have to hold him if you mean it,¡± she instructed.


    George blinked at the scruffy bear in his hand, thenughed again, pulling both children close, bear and all. Reina slid into the circle beside him, her arm around them both, and for a moment it was nothing but waves, the smell of salt, and a family long broken finding its pieces again.


    Another voice rang out from deeper inside the house, young and impatient. ¡°Dad? Who¡¯s


    at the door?¡±


    All of us turned as quick footsteps pped against the wooden floor. A boy appeared in the doorway, hair a few shades lighter than Elliot¡¯s but the same bone structure, the same wide¨Cset eyes. For half a heartbeat he froze, staring at Elliot like he was looking in a mirror he¡¯d never known existed.


    Then the pause broke.


    ¡°Elliot!¡± he shouted, andunched himself forward.


    They collided in a hug so fierce it nearly knocked them both off their feet. Elliot¡¯s arms. went around him without hesitation, the shoebox treasure still clutched in one hand


    pressed between them.


    For a moment, the two of them were indistinguishable, their size nearly exact, their features so alike it was uncanny, save for the contrast in hair. Two halves of something that had always been meant to be whole.


    ¡°I knew it,¡± Elliot breathed, voice muffled in his brother¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I remembered you.¡±


    His brother clung tighter, shaking with sobs. ¡°I thought you were gone forever.¡±


    Behind them<b>, </b>George¡¯s face crumpled, one arm pulling Reina close as tears ran freely down his cheeks. Macey clutched Fergus tighter, watching wide¨Ceyed, before whispering into my ear, ¡°They look like twins now.¡±


    I nodded<b>, </b>throat tight. Twins. Brothers. Family made whole again, at least for this


    <b>3/4 </b>


    moment.


    91%


    George held out his hand, introducing himself to Xavier, Haiden, Noah and Levi and then


    when he got to me, he opened his arms. ¡°You must be the one I¡¯ve heard rumors about.¡±


    ¡°Envy.¡± I smiled up at him.


    ¡°Elliot¡¯s mum.¡± Reina saiding to squeeze my hand again.


    ¡°I am forever in your debt. We¡­we didn¡¯t know if he was¡­¡± He shook his head. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter now.¡± He smiled warmly at the kids. ¡°It looks like we have a lot to talk about.¡±


    ¡°Yes, and I may need to cash in that debt, now.¡± I half joked, but when he cocked an eyebrow at me in question, Reina answered for me. ¡°Elliot and Macey are going to stay with us for a little while. Come, let¡¯s talk.¡±


    I swear I could see the moment George¡¯s broken heart stitched itself back together just from that.


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    <b>Chapter </b><b>141 </b>


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    The house smelled like salt and lemon oil, the kind of clean you only get when the wind does half the work. We crowded around the long kitchen table, pale wood, scuffed in the spots a family always sits. George set out cups with hands that still shook and Reina slid into the chair across from me, never taking her eyes off the doorway where the kids¡®


    voices echoed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you the short truth,¡± I said, palms t to the table. ¡°Marcus took Elliot when he


    was small, obviously you know that. He kept him in a stasis cell, fed him souls to keep that spell alive and used him. We found him in one of Marcus¡¯s holds but we couldn¡¯t pull


    him out as he was basically holding the veil between The dead, living and Devine. I¡¯m sure you heard, or more saw when that dropped, when chaos started riddling this realm. That


    was the moment Elliot was set free and he found his way to us. He¡¯s been with us ever since: Underworld at night, packhouse by day. He¡¯s¡­ more than just a boy now. Some of


    that is what Marcus did. Some is what the Underworld made him.¡±


    George¡¯s jaw tightened. Reina¡¯s fingers curled into her shirt.


    ¡°He saved us,¡± I went on. ¡°In so many ways. He stopped a rogue push at our orphanage, saved so many children and us, he took the souls out of the ones who wouldn¡¯t stop and he ended Marcus in our dungeon when Marcus tried to y god onest time. He also helpped me build a new veil. He literally saved the world. Since then, the attacks haven¡¯t stopped. Witches, calling themselves the Hands, led by one named Salira, the same line that hurt me as a newborn and stood with Marcus while Elliot was used. They¡¯re back, organized, and they¡¯ve started getting bold. They want the baby I¡¯m carrying. I think they think they¡¯ve perfected whatever ritual failed on me.¡±


    George swore under his breath. Reina reached across and covered my hand with hers, simple and fierce. From the hall a small tangle of feet thumped closer. Elias hovered in the doorway, torn between listening and doing what he¡¯d been told. Reina caught his eye. ¡°Take Elliot and Macey,¡± she said gently. ¡°Show them his room, the house. No going outside alone. We¡¯ll talk about thatter.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mama,¡± he said and then he did something that told me exactly who he¡¯d be when he grew up. He walked straight to my mates first.


    He offered his hand to Xavier, to Haiden, to Noah, to Levi, one by one, grip sure, chin up. ¡°Thank you for keeping my brother safe,¡± he said, as if he understood the weight of the


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    ¡°It¡¯s an honor<b>,</b>¡± Xavier told him.


    ¡°Anytime,¡± Haiden added, eyes a little brighter than usual.


    ¡°Always<b>,</b>¡± from Noah.


    Levi squeezed his shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ll keep doing it.¡±


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    When Elias turned to me, my chest just¡­ moved. I didn¡¯t think. I stood and wrapped him up. He went stiff for a heartbeat, then melted into it like he¡¯d been waiting for someone to hold the both of them together all this time.


    ¡°No thanks needed here,¡± I murmured into his hair. ¡°He¡¯s safe. That¡¯s what matters.¡±


    He nodded against me, then backed toward the hall. ¡°Come on,¡± he told Elliot and Macey. ¡°I¡¯ve got a window that looks at the sea. And a jar of shells Dad hates because they stick to your


    your feet.¡±


    ¡°Do you have snacks?¡± Macey asked, already trailing him.


    ¡°Obviously,¡± Elias said, scandalized, and the three of them vanished, their voices tumbling


    down the corridor.


    The silence that followed was softer. The kind that lets adultsy the world out where


    children can¡¯t see it.


    Reina folded her hands. ¡°You were right to bring them. The witches found your fences in daylight. They¡¯ll test the cliffs too, but we have eyes and long paths here. We can keep the children out of reach while you brace for what¡¯sing.¡±


    She looked between us, steady. ¡°But understand something: Elliot won¡¯t stay here forever. He has two homes now. Two families. When it¡¯s safe, we¡¯ll share his time. He needs both halves of himself.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I want,¡± I said, relief loosening something I hadn¡¯t even known I¡¯d locked. ¡°And when we start splitting time, Elias is wee with him. If being apart is hard on them and it will be, then we make the path easy<b>.</b>¡±


    George huffed augh that was half a breath of gratitude. ¡°You mean we might get a date


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    <b>¡°</b>Dangerous concept,¡± Haiden said, deadpan. ¡°Might start a trend.¡± He smirked at me.


    Reina¡¯s smile cracked and then held. ¡°We¡¯ll take turns on school, on training, on holidays<b>,</b>¡± she said, quick now that the picture made sense. ¡°We¡¯ll argue and adjust. We¡¯ll keep the doors open.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Good,¡± Levi said. ¡°And until the split starts, we set rules. Inside the house unless


    escorted. No cliff paths without an adult. If Elliot¡¯s power spikes, he sits, breathes, counts, he knows the drill. If he leaks¡­ glitter¡­¡± Haiden coughed, grinning. ¡°¡­.you call us. If anything feels wrong, you call us<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Xavier leaned in, forearms on the table. ¡°We¡¯ll leave a warded line that rings our side and the Underworld both. Day or night.¡±


    George looked to the window where the ocean hammered the rock in an old, patient


    rhythm. ¡°We may not be pack, but we know how to protect and we¡¯ll do that with everything we have.¡±


    Reina inhaled, slow. ¡°Do you think the witches will try here?¡±


    ¡°I think they¡¯ll try everywhere if they¡¯re desperate enough,¡± I said, honest. ¡°But I can feel


    a swelling, and I don¡¯t want the children anywhere near it.¡±


    She reached out again, took my hand, squeezed. ¡°Then we stand the line together.¡±


    ¡°Together,<b>¡± </b>I said. The baby rolled under my palm as if to agree.


    From down the hall came a shout of victory, Elias had clearly found the shell jar and Macey¡¯s giggle spilled over it like a ribbon. Elliot¡¯sugh was in there too, high and bright.


    For the first time in a long while, the sound didn¡¯t make my chest ache. It steadied me. It reminded me why the maps, the watches, the fights were worth the bruises.


    Xavier¡¯s knee bumped mine under the table like a promise. Haiden was already ncing at the doors as if daring anyone to try them. Levi clicked his pen and started a neat column titled Cliff House Protocols. Noah set his palms to the wood like he could press steadiness straight into it.


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    Family at one end of the hall. War at the other. We¡¯d hold both.


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    <b>Chapter </b>142


    <b>Noah </b>


    Goodbyes never sit right with me. Even when they¡¯re temporary, even when I know the


    road back is short. I can feel it in my ribs, like Hawk pacing, restless. Elliot clung tight to


    Xavier first, then Levi, then Haiden, his orbit, his anchors. Macey gave them all fierce


    little hugs that belonged to someone twice her size. By the time it was my turn, she¡¯d stered Fergus between us like he needed thefort too.


    ¡°You okay, little shadow?¡± I asked, crouching so we were eye to eye.


    She bit her lip, nodding a little too fast. ¡°I¡¯ll miss you.¡±


    I brushed a strand of hair back from her cheek. ¡°I¡¯ll miss you too. But you¡¯ve got Elliot,


    and Elias, and Mumma and Dad here. And you¡¯ve got us just one call away. You know the


    word, right?¡±


    She whispered it with me. ¡°Pause.¡±


    ¡°Good girl.¡± I kissed her forehead. ¡°And you remember, we wille if you need us. Always.¡±


    She hugged me again, hard enough that my shoulder popped. When she let go, I made myself stand. My chest felt tight, but I smiled for her.


    That¡¯s when Elliot¡¯s fingers twitched. Just a little spark at first, then, zip. Glitter streaks shot out, sharp and bright, scattering over the floorboards like tiny fireworks. Elias¡¯s eyes


    went huge.


    ¡°That¡­¡± he breathed, awed. ¡°That¡¯s so cool!¡±


    George and Reina looked like they¡¯d been hit with a storm, eyes wide, caught between fear


    and wonder.


    But for us? It was familiar. Expected. I crouched in front of Elliot, taking his hands gently in mine. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s alright. Breathe with me. In, Out.¡±


    Haiden knelt beside us<b>, </b>calm as stone. ¡°Glitter bombs mean too much heart, buddy. Not a bad thing. Just heavy feelings<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


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    Xavier ruffled his hair. ¡°You¡¯re safe. You¡¯ve got this.¡±


    Levi crouched on his other side, steady voice anchoring. ¡°Never far, Elliot. You need us,


    we¡¯re here.¡±


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    Elliot¡¯s chest hitched, then steadied. The sparks fizzled down to nothing. He looked from


    me to Reina, eyes still wet but clearer now.


    ¡°You¡¯re not leaving me forever, right?¡± he asked, small but sharp.


    I squeezed his hands. ¡°Never. Just for now. Just so you¡¯re safe. And we¡¯ll be back before you¡¯ve even used up Elias¡¯s snack stash.¡±


    That earned me a wateryugh. He nodded, pulling Macey close like she was part of the


    promise. And as we turned for the door, I carried the weight of it in my bones: witches, war, shifting. But I also carried thatugh. That glitter. Proof of the fight we¡¯d never stop showing up for.


    Haiden


    I pped my hands together, loud enough to make Elias jump and Elliot snort. ¡°Alright, that glitter disy? Pretty impressive. But, uh¡­¡± I leaned down, dropping my voice into a conspiratorial whisper, ¡°maybe next time aim it at the house walls, yeah? Give this ce some reinforcement.¡± I winked.


    Elliot¡¯s eyes went wide like I¡¯d just handed him state secrets. His fingertips twitched again, just the tiniest spark. Macey gasped dramatically and grabbed his arm.


    ¡°We could make it imprable,¡± she said, solemn as a general, then ruined it with a grin.


    ¡°Like forts<b>!</b><b>¡± </b>


    I barked augh. ¡°Exactly, pup. Glitter fortress. No witch in the realms would dare step


    inside.¡±


    Elliot tilted his head, thinking, cogs whirring so loud you could almost hear them. Elias folded his arms, trying to look unimpressed, but his mouth betrayed him with a twitch of


    a smile.


    ¡°Alright<i>,</i>¡± I said, straightening up. ¡°You two start drawing up blueprints. I expect turrets, hidden traps<b>, </b>the whole works. And Fergus the bear? He¡¯s head of security.¡±


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    Macey giggled, clutching Fergus tighter like she¡¯d just been handed her firstmand. Elliot¡¯s shoulders unknotted,ughter breaking through thest of the tears.


    Mission aplished. Sometimes the best way to hold the line wasn¡¯t teeth or ws. Sometimes it was forts, glitter, and the ridiculous promise that the walls could always be made stronger if we made them together.


    I caught Envy¡¯s eye over their heads and shrugged, grin tugging. ¡°What? Kids need ns


    too.¡±


    Sheughed and hooked her arm in mine. ¡°Alright Wobbles. Good job.¡± She joked, but I puffed my chest out in pride anyway. I was pretty good at this Dad stuff.


    <b>Levi </b>


    The portal dropped us back into the Underworld, and for the first time in days, the ce felt too big. Too quiet. No Macey darting through the halls with Fergus. No Elliot


    peppering us with questions or sneaking glitter into corners. Just stone, stillness, and the hum of the kingdom waiting. The silence pressed. My hellhound stirred in my chest,


    restless, ws scraping against my ribs like he wanted out. ¡°Run¡°, he whispered, low and


    insistent.


    I rolled my shoulders. ¡°We need to let some of this out,¡± I said, breaking the hush. ¡°A


    run.¡±


    Xavier¡¯s mouth ticked, already hearing Maddox pacing inside him. Haiden¡¯s grin was quick, sharp. ¡°Talen¡¯s about to chew a hole through my skin if I don¡¯t.¡± Noah just nodded,


    no argument needed.


    ? ? ?


    Envy looked at me, brow lifted. Then Layah¡¯s presence shimmered through her, curling close like smoke. She stretched, not out but with, and in the next breath, she was shifting, feathers of shadow, me of fur, light and dark folding over one another. I slowed, just to watch. The way she and Layah could move apart, two bodies, two presences<b>, </b>or fold into one, seamless, as if the line between woman and hound didn¡¯t matter at all. Either way, both forms hers. Both forms Layah¡¯s. Both beautiful.


    ¡°You¡¯re staring,¡± Haiden muttered, shoulder¨Cchecking me.


    ¡°urate,¡± I said, not looking away.


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    Then we shifted, one by one. Maddox a ck wall of Xavier. Talen¡¯s eyes burned red with Haiden. Hawk poured out of Noah like a storm breaking. Flint wed free of me, all iron and smoke, shaking his head once before rubbing himself against his mate. Envy and Layah, together took the lead. Her wings snapped open, catching the low glow of the realm like they were built to own it. She nced back once, eyes alight with fire and


    promise, and then she ran.


    We followed. Stone turned to blur, wind rushed through caverns, the heartbeat of the Underworld drummed underfoot. Every stride stripped away the weight we carried, leaving. nothing but muscle, breath, and the rhythm of running together.


    For a little while, it wasn¡¯t about witches or wars or promises waiting to break. It was about the pack, the bond, the chase. It was about being alive. And gods, it felt good.


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    <b>Chapter </b><b>143 </b>


    <b>Xavier </b>


    Layah slowed first, her paws sinking into the damp moss at the pool¡¯s edge, breath steaming in the cool Underworld air. My chest went tight when I saw her properly, her body fuller, the curve of her belly carrying our pup clear even in her hound form. Maddox


    stirred hard inside me, teeth bared not in threat but in hunger, primal and reckless. Nothing drives him madder than that sight, our mate, swollen with life, radiant even under shadows. But we keep careful. Always.


    Maddox prowled closer, circling her, yful growls rising in his throat but softened,


    tempered, made gentle. He lunged, but it was no real attack, just a roll of muscle and


    weight as he softly tackled her to the moss and pinned her with his chest. His nips


    weren¡¯t meant to bruise, just touches at her ear, her throat, the ruff of her fur, teasing, worshipful, reverent of what she carried.


    Haiden, Levi and Noah joined in, their hounds folding close, pressing warmth around her without ever crowding. It wasn¡¯t roughhousing anymore, not like before. It was guarding. in motion, primal y stripped down to careful devotion. Layah huffed, tail thumping, paws batting at them one by one as if to scold them for fussing, but her eyes glowed


    proud, knowing. Then it was too much for her to hold, and in a shimmer of light she shifted. Envyy beneath us, human again, breathless and flushed, dark hair spilled across


    the moss. Her dress clung damp to her skin, the curve of her belly undeniable as she looked up at us, her four Alphas, her Kings, her shadows and her fire. Pinned, surrounded, imed. My mate. My queen. My everything. Maddox pressed forward through me, hungry, and I let him. Because gods help me, nothing was more beautiful than her there, carrying both our child and our kingdom, smiling like she belonged to the moment and to us. And every one of us, hounds and men alike wanted her exactly like that.


    I shifted first


    bones snapping clean into ce until I stood tall over her. The grin split across my face wasn¡¯t just victory, it was possession, triumph, hunger. My brothers moved in sync without needing to be told, their hounds circling once, then folding into the grass like loyal sentries, eyes gleaming as they watched and waited. The air was thick with their restraint, but their intent pulsed against the bond we all shared. I stripped my robe and let it fall carelessly to the moss, the fabric already forgotten as I dropped to my knees before her. My hands found her calves first, warm and strong under my touch, sliding upward<b>, </b>savoring every inch of milky skin until I reached the soft swell of her thighs. Her scent shifted in the air, sweeter, sharper, enough to make my fangs ache. I leaned down,


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    reverent<b>, </b>and kissed where my hands had been, first one thigh, then the other, slow and deliberate<b>, </b>my mouth mapping her as I pushed her dress higher with every touch.


    ¡°Rip it off her. I want to see her naked.¡± Levi¡¯s voice cut through the link, low and certain.


    My lips curved against her skin. I let the ws push through my fingertips, the sharp edge humming with want. One smooth drag down her side, then the other, and fabric gave way like it was made to be torn. The dress fell in ribbons to the ground, useless now. I sat back on my heels and looked at her, our queen, our mate, our everything. She was bare and breathtaking, the soft rise of her breasts, the flushed curve of her thighs, the swell of her belly carrying our pup. My hand trembled once as I slid it over that curve, reverent, possessive, aching with a pride so raw it nearly gutted me.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I whispered, more to myself than anyone else, though they all felt it through me. ¡°Pregnancy suits you, little mate.¡± My thumb circledzily over her skin, tracing the quiet


    kicks beneath. A vow settled hard in my chest, one I knew all of us shared. <ol><li>tipped my head back to drink her in again, body already tight with the urge to take, to </li></ol>


    im, to breed her full until she carried us a thousand times over. A lifetime of pups, of


    swollen bellies and nights like this, where shey beneath us, glowing with the proof that


    she was ours. And gods help me, I¡¯d spend every breath making it so.


    I took my time with her, settling myself between her legs and she hooked them over my shoulders and I licked slowly, right through her core, circling her clit before moving back down and her breathy moans filled my ears like a reward. She gripped my hair and pulled


    me closer as her back arched and I continued top up her pleasure, her sweet pussy riding across my tongue like she couldn¡¯t sit still. She guided me right where she wanted me, taking what she needed and when I pulled back for a moment she whimpered. I smirked at her and slid two fingers inside that pretty pussy, before lowering my head again. Licking while my fingers pumped in and out of her. Her pussy baring down on me like she wanted to suck me in and keep me there forever. She pulsed around me and I knew she was close, so fucking close, but that orgasm was mine, I wanted to ride it with her, to feel it on throbbing cock. I pulled my fingers free and she growled, actually growled at me, making meugh.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you what you need, little mate.<b>¡± </b>I whispered, low and husky, as I pulled my cock free from my pants, not even bothering to take them all the way off. <b>I </b>lifted her thighs, settling them over my shoulders and push myself into her slick, wet heat. Her moan was louder now, needy and it filled me with such pride and pleasure. Fuck, the feeling of her


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    <b>Chapter </b>144


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    My hands found her hips, lifting her ass off the ground so I could rut into her, pulling her back while I pushed forward. I was careful of her belly, always so careful these days. Her peaked nipples drew my attention, and I spread her legs further so I could lean down and pull one into my mouth. Her back arches, pushing more of her breast against me, and I took my time flicking my tongue, nipping, and sucking. My whole focus was on my pretty little Queen; every thrust earned me a moan, a hiss, a breathy sound that spurred me on


    further.


    ¡°Xavier,¡± She moaned out as I felt her pussy clench around me.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, little mate, cum for me. I can feel it, feel you. You want to milk my cock, don¡¯t you? Fuck. Cum for me!¡± I roared out as she did exactly what I told her to. Her eyes closed, her body tensed, and her pussy pulsated around my cock as I came with her. I thrust a few more times into her, pushing thest of my seed further in when I saw Talen hade to stand at my side.


    <b>Haiden </b>


    <i>Our </i>turn. Talen spoke to me, shifting beside Xavier, who was cing a kiss on our girl¡¯s temple. She was breathless, chest rising and falling quickly, and slick with sweat. Fuck, she looked gorgeous like this. She whimpered as I took Xavier¡¯s ce between her legs. Her pussy was wide open to me and leaking his and her cum. I took two fingers to it, scooping up their mess and pushing it back inside her, making her whimper again.


    ¡°Aw, pretty little love. You like my brother¡¯s cum inside you?¡± I asked, and she nodded, biting her lip.


    ¡°Do you need more, love? You want more cum inside you? You want me to fill you up?¡± I whispered to her as I lowered myself to kiss her neck.


    ¡°Yes. Please. Fuck me.¡± She whispered back, and I didn¡¯t need to be told twice. Talen growled lowly as I pushed my cock inside of her, her warmth wrapping around me, so wet and needy. I thrust into her, once, twice, three times before grabbing her hips and rolling


    us <b>so </b>she was on top, my cock never leaving that sweet little hole.


    <b>¡°</b>Ride me, baby. Show me how much you want my cock.¡±


    14:05 Wed<b>, </b>Sep <b>3 </b>


    She ced her hands on my chest, her dark hair falling around her face as she looked down at me with a smirk, and slowly, so fucking slowly, she started rocking back and forth, grinding her hips down onto me. I sat up slightly to kiss her, my hands going to wrap in her hair, but I smirked as I saw Hawk and Flint prowling closer behind her. I nodded once before they shifted, and Levi knelt between my legs, wrapping her hair around his fist. She gasped in surprise, clearly lost in her pleasure.


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    He reached around with his other hand, steady and firm on her neck as she continued to ride me. ¡°Can I fuck you back here, doll?¡± He asked, kissing up her neck.


    ¡°Yes.¡± She breathed out.


    Just as Iy back down, knowing exactly where this was going. Levi pushed her forward


    onto me, her growing belly gliding against my own, safe and secure in this position. Noah came to stand over me, and I shut my eyes, not really wanting to stare directly at his junk,


    but fuck, it made it all the more exciting when we got to fuck her together.


    ¡°And I want to fuck you here.¡± I heard Noah say. Opening my eyes quickly to see him


    sliding his thumb out of her mouth. She nodded eagerly, and I couldn¡¯t help but watch as his cock slipped in past those sexy little lips. She stopped rocking on my cock for just a


    moment, and then I felt her pussy get even fucking tighter as Levi pushed himself into her ass. His fingers were sliding around where my cock was in her pussy, gathering up her juices and spreading them across himself. Fuck we¡¯re some filthy bastards¡­but fuck, she loves it. Levi grunted as he bottomed out, and I could feel his cock through the thin wall


    in her pussy that separated us, as he pulled out and mmed back in, pushing her forward onto me and Noah, both of us moaning in sync. Our girl moaned around Noah¡¯s


    dick as we pushed and pulled her between us, the sound of skin pping on skin and our


    sloppy, wet pleasure was loud in the open forest. She always took us to well, so fucking well. I could feel my balls tightening with every thrust, every moan, every goddam twitch of my cock inside her, and her little nails digging into my chest fucking undid me. I


    grabbed her hips as Levi quickened his pace. There was no stopping the inevitable when she let out a garbled moan and started squirting on my cock. I came so fucking hard with


    her, and Levi and Noah weren¡¯t far behind.


    The world started to spin again as her Levi pulled out of her slowly, and her pussy stopped strangling me. I opened my eyes at the wrong fucking time to see Noah pulling his cock out of her mouth, and a string of drool fell onto my forehead¡­Fuck I hope that was drool. Then Xavier came from wherever he was, enjoying the show, and scooped her up off of me. Holding her in his arms and whispering praise for being such a good girl for


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    all of us. She was such a good girl. She deserved to be fucked to the fullest extent and have as many orgasms as he wanted. That right there was my mission in life, that and raising our kids. Yep. Fuck my girl, raise the kids. Good motto.


    ¡°Come on, it¡¯s gettingte,¡± Levi said over me as I realised I was the only one still lying in the grass, probably smiling up at the sky like an idiot in love. I rolled over and shifted, ready to retreat to that memory in my mind for a while longer while he took us home.


    <b>This </b>work<b>, </b><b>Goddess </b>of the Underworld <b>by </b><b>Sheridan </b>Hartin<b>, </b><b>is </b><b>an </b><b>exclusive </b><b>intellectual </b>property <b>legally </b>contracted with <b>NovelSnack</b>. <b>Any </b><b>reproduction</b>, distribution<b>, </b>or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, <b>NovGo</b><b>, </b><b>and </b>Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement.


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 Underworld 145

    <b>Chapter </b>145


    <b>Envy </b>


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    The kingdom felt too still without little feet pattering through the halls. No Elliot calling out for Layah to join his games, no Macey giggling as she tried to sneak biscuits before dinner. Just quiet. Too quiet. My mates didn¡¯t let me sit in it for long. The moment we stepped inside, Xavier brushed past me and into the kitchen. ¡°Sit,¡± he ordered gently, already pulling things out of the fridge. ¡°Food first.¡±


    Haiden dropped onto the couch beside me, tugging my legs over hisp so he could rub slow circles into my calves. ¡°You¡¯ve been on your feet too much today,¡± he muttered, not even waiting for me to argue before his thumbs dug deeper.


    Noah returned a few minutester with a tray of sandwiches, fruit, and water. He set it in front of me with a pointed look. ¡°Eat. No excuses.¡±


    Iughed softly, even as my stomach growled on cue. ¡°You¡¯re all fussing like I¡¯m made of ss<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Levi took the spot on my other side, one hand smoothing over my belly with care that made me melt into him. ¡°Not ss,¡± he said. ¡°Treasure.¡±


    ¡°Corny,¡± Haiden teased, but his grin softened when I leaned into Levi¡¯s touch.


    Later, Xavier drew me up from the couch and into the bath he¡¯d already run. Steam curled in the air,vender oils scenting the water. He undressed me carefully, fingertips lingering reverently over the curve of my stomach. ¡°You deserve peace,¡± he murmured. ¡°Let us give it to you<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    I let myself sink into the warm water, my head pillowed against his chest while the others moved in and out, passing towels, kneading my shoulders, kissing my temple. By the time they helped me dress in a soft robe, the tension in me had loosened. The night ended piled together on the couch, a movie ying low, tes of half¨Cfinished snacks scattered across the table. Iy tucked between them, head resting on Noah¡¯s chest, Haidenbing his fingers through my hair, Xavier stretched along the floor, rubbingzy circles on my ankle, Levi pressing absent kisses to my hand every so often.


    ¡°You¡¯re staring again,<b>¡± </b>I teased quietly.


    <b>14:05 </b>Wed, Sep 3


    Xavier didn¡¯t even deny it. ¡°You¡¯re worth staring at.¡±


    91%


    Layah<b>, </b>of course, decided to get in on all the extra attention materializing from me and lying across Xavier¡¯sp. He smirked at me and shifted, letting Maddox curl around her. This, right here, this is what we¡¯ve been missing amidst all the crazy. I have to wonder if we¡¯ll get many moments like these. If our children will.


    The next morning came soft and slow, the kingdom humming around me like it always


    does. I blinked awake to the faint glow of the stones, my hand instinctively sliding to my


    belly before I even sat up. The bed was warm with the weight of my mates scattered


    around me,


    Xavier already half¨Cawake, Levi sprawled with a notebook still open on his


    chest, Haiden snoring lightly, and Noah propped on an elbow, watching me with that quiet little smile. The phone on the side table buzzed. I frowned, reached for it, and answered. Reina¡¯s voice carried through, warm but a little tight with emotion.


    ¡°Envy? It¡¯s me. We just wanted to check in.¡± <ol><li>sat up straighter, heart giving a small leap. ¡°How are they?¡± </li></ol>


    ¡°They¡¯re good,¡± she said, and I could hear the relief under her words. ¡°Elliot slept with his brotherst night. They both refused to let go of each other. Macey¡­¡± her voice softened even more, ¡°¡­Macey¡¯s already teaching Elias how to braid ribbons. George says our house hasn¡¯t been this loud in years.¡±


    <b>I </b>smiled, pressing the phone closer. ¡°That sounds about right.¡±


    George¡¯s voice rumbled faintly in the background, and then he came closer on the line. ¡°They¡¯re settling, Envy. Really. Elliot¡¯s been showing us his drawings, telling us all about pirate ships and glitter bombs.¡± He chuckled, low and a little bewildered. ¡°That boy has a light to him. You¡¯ve done well by him.¡±


    My throat tightened. ¡°We just love him. That¡¯s all.¡±


    There was a pause, then Reina spoke again. ¡°I know this can¡¯t be easy for you, but I wanted you to hear it from us. He¡¯s happy. They both are. We¡¯ll keep them safe, and we¡¯ll make sure they feel every ounce of love, from both sides of their family.¡±


    I pressed a hand to my bump, the other gripping the phone. ¡°Thank you,¡± I whispered.


    When I ended the call, four pairs of eyes were already on me. ¡°They¡¯re alright,¡± I said,


    <b>2/4 </b>


    voice a little shaky but smiling through it. ¡°They¡¯re happy.¡±


    91%


    Haiden leaned back against the headboard, exhaling. ¡°Good. That¡¯s all we needed to hear.¡±


    Noah kissed my temple. ¡°Now we keep doing our part. For them. For this one,¡± his hand joined mine over my stomach, ¡°and for each other.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, about this one,¡± I thought out loud, rubbing my hand over the swell of my stomach. ¡°We still haven¡¯t picked out a name yet.¡± The words softened something inside me, because for all the chaos outside our walls, the thought of the little bundle inside me,


    that Elliot swore was a girl, was a light I held tight.


    Xavier leaned forward first, his grin slow and sure. ¡°What about something strong?


    Helena. Means bright, torch¨Cbearing. She¡¯d light up every room.¡±


    Haiden shook his head, smirking. ¡°Too formal. She¡¯d end up being called ¡®Lena,¡® and you know I¡¯d never stop teasing her about it. What about something bold, like Freya? Goddess, warrior, queen in her own right. Fits.¡±


    Noah raised his eyebrows, sipping his coffee like he had all the time in the world. ¡°Freya¡¯s nice, but maybe something softer. Aria, maybe. Like a song. She¡¯ll already be fierce just by being yours, envy. Give her a name that reminds her of peace.¡±


    Levi, ever deliberate, tapped his notebook with a finger. ¡°Names carry weight. She¡¯ll inherit two legacies: yours and ours. What about something that bridges both worlds? Liora, means ¡®light for me.¡® She¡¯d carry her own glow, even in the Underworld.¡±


    Iughed softly, shaking my head as I traced a circle over my bump. ¡°You realize none of you agree, right?¡±


    Haiden leaned back in his chair, grinning. ¡°Of course not. We¡¯re four men and one very pregnant queen. Did you think this was going to be simple?¡±


    Xavier reached over, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. ¡°We¡¯ll know when it¡¯s right.


    When we see her.¡±


    Noah pressed a kiss to my temple. ¡°Until then, we¡¯ll throw names around and hope one


    sticks<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Levi closed his notebook with a snap, though his eyes softened. ¡°And when it does, it¡¯ll fit


    <b>so </b>well we won¡¯t believe we ever doubted.¡±


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement.


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 Underworld 146

    <b>Chapter </b><b>146 </b>


    <b>Xavier </b>


    The house was too quiet without the kids. Envy tried not to show it, but I saw it every


    time she passed their room, or when her hand lingered on the back of the couch where Elliot usually perched like a crow. Maddox paced inside me, restless with the silence, restless with the waiting. So I filled the space with work, patrols, training, and maps drawn and redrawn for the packs defense. But when I came home, my priority was her. Making sure her te was full. That her feet were up. That she knew she wasn¡¯t carrying any of this alone. She tried to brush it off when I kissed her belly each night. But I saw the way her fingers tightened in my hair. Fear and love mixed together.


    <b>Haiden </b>


    I hated the quiet more than I admitted. Talen hated it more. He prowled inside me, snapping at shadows, itching for blood. I let him run long nights to burn it off, but it didn¡¯t stop the tension coiling tighter as Envy¡¯s birthday crept closer.


    She didn¡¯t want a celebration anymore. No cake, noughter. Not without the kids. I got it. But hell, if I was going to let the day pass like any other. So when Levi pulled out the idea, take her back to the ce he¡¯d taken her first, the one she¡¯d called theirs, I agreed before he¡¯d even finished the sentence. A dinner, just us, no titles, no war. I¡¯d fight the gods themselves to give her that.


    <b>Levi </b>


    Details matter. Especially now. I kept the pack steady, the Underworld running, the schedules running smoothly, so there were no cracks for panic to fall through. But under it all was her shift. Each sunrise was a reminder that we were closing in on something bigger than all of us. So I nned. We¡¯d take her to our spot in the hills, where she made the hillse alive with a million little flowers. Where we oncey together and talked about life. When things were as simple as a boy trying to get a girl to love him. We¡¯d take all her, and the babies favourite foods<b>, </b>candles, nkets, a touch of magic and it would be


    perfect.


    <b>Noah </b>


    Hawk and I carried most of the weight outside. Fences, scouts, keeping Zion¡¯s men folded


    170


    into <b>the </b>line. He liked the rhythm, liked the constant movement that kept his teeth from finding something worse to bite. But inside? Inside, it was about her. I rubbed her back when the weight in her spine grew too much. I pressed water into her hands when she forgot. I stayed awake through the night when she couldn¡¯t, just to remind her she wasn¡¯t facing the dark alone. She thought she hid it well, the ache of missing the kids, the fear of what the witches wanted. But I knew. And when she leaned against me on the couch, whispering that she didn¡¯t want a birthday, didn¡¯t want a party, I kissed her hair and let her know: we weren¡¯t asking for a celebration. We were asking for a night with her. Just


    her.


    <b>Envy </b>


    I woke to the smell of cinnamon and coffee. Warmth pressed in all around me before I


    even opened my eyes, voices low, footsteps careful, the weight of love filling the room.


    When I finally blinked awake, they were there. My four mates, grins in varying degrees of


    smug and soft, each bncing a te, a mug, and a flower stolen from the garden.


    ¡°Happy birthday, little mate,¡± Xavier said first, setting a tray across myp with a flourish. Pancakes, berries, and toast cut just the way I liked.


    ¡°Happy birthday, love,¡± Haiden muttered, scratching his jaw. ¡°I tried to make eggs.


    Maddox still won¡¯t speak to me about it.¡±


    Levi rolled his eyes and set down fresh orange juice with a precision that made meugh. ¡°I remade them. Properly. Happy birthday, doll.¡±


    ¡°Happy birthday my Luna, time to feed the baby,¡± Noah added, pressing a kiss to the top


    my head before slipping my fork into my hand.


    of


    Before I could even thank them, Noah thumbed the phone screen on, and Elliot and Macey¡¯s faces filled the room. They were crammed together, hair mussed, smiles wide.


    ¡°Happy birthday to youuuuu,¡± they screeched in unison, Macey off¨Ckey, Elliot too serious about keeping the rhythm.


    I pped a hand over my mouth, but the tears came anyway. ¡°Best gift I could ever get<b>,</b><b>¡± </b><b>I </b>whispered, voice cracking. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Love you, Mumma,¡± Elliot said solemnly.


    3


    ?


    <


    ¡°Love you too!¡± Macey yelled, blowing a kiss that nearly knocked the phone over.


    When the call ended, the quiet that followed wasn¡¯t heavy. It was full. I ate every bite they put in front of me, because I knew they were watching, waiting for me to keep my strength. When I finally slid out of bed and stepped into the shower, the steam swallowed Ime whole. Water beat down, hot and steady, but the weight of the day pressed harder. Hands braced against the tile, I dropped my head, eyes closed. My palm found its ce low, over the swell that seemed to grow every morning.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, little one,¡± I whispered, voice trembling as water ran over my cheeks. ¡°You¡¯ll be okay. I swear it.¡±


    The words weren¡¯t just for the pup. They were for me too.


    This work, Goddess of the Underworld by Sheridan Hartin, is an exclusive intellectual property legally contracted with NovelSnack. Any reproduction, distribution, or upload outside NovelFlow, AnyStories, NovGo, and Readink is unauthorized and constitutes copyright infringement.


    Chapter Comments

 Wolf v 147

    <b>Chapter </b>147


    <b>Envy </b>


    By the time I stepped out of the shower, my skin flushed warm from the steam, the house already smelled different. Not just cinnamon and coffee anymore, but also something savory that was making my stomach rumble. They were busy in the kitchen. I could hear them murmuring, tes shifting, sses clinking. I dressed slowly, letting the towel linger around my shoulders. The mirror showed me what they saw every day now. A softer roundness, a belly that stretched my shirt in a way that both scared andforted me. My hand found it again, instinct. ¡°Happy birthday, little one,¡± I whispered. ¡°Guess we share it today.¡±


    When I walked into the living room, four sets of eyes immediately found me. Haiden was the first to grin, shameless and wide, like he¡¯d been waiting for the chance. ¡°Look at her. Birthday girl and all grown up.¡±


    ¡°Shut up,¡± I muttered, rolling my eyes, but I couldn¡¯t help the smallugh.


    Xavier was already pulling out a chair at the table, the one he¡¯d clearly set for me with a nket draped across it and a pillow for my back. ¡°Sit,¡± he ordered gently. ¡°You¡¯re not lifting a finger today.¡±


    ¡°Okay, bossy boots,¡± I said with a smirk.


    Levi had arranged the tes a little too neatly, too deliberately not to notice, and slid one in front of me. ¡°Eat first,¡± he said, his voice soft but firm. ¡°We have ns forter.¡±


    Noah leaned against the counter, watching me, like he could see past skin and bone into the exact ce my thoughts turned sharp. ¡°We¡¯ve got tonight sorted,¡± he promised. ¡°Somewhere quiet.¡±


    I sank into the chair, my chest tugging tight with both love and ache. ¡°You¡¯re all fussing too much.¡±


    ¡°Not possible,¡± Haiden said, already reaching to pile food onto my te. ¡°You¡¯re ours. That means we can fuss all we want.¡±


    68


    I shook my head, but I didn¡¯t fight it. I let them serve me, let them fill the quiet with chatter, let myself enjoy the simple normal for a moment. Every bite felt like more than food; it felt like a promise they were trying to push into me, that I¡¯d be here tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.


    Still, the shadow of what wasing crept in. Betweenughter and kisses pressed to my temple, I caught myself staring at the clock. Counting the hours instead of candles.


    Xavier noticed, of course, he did. His hand slid over mine under the table, strong and grounding. ¡°One thing at a time,¡± he murmured. ¡°Today, you¡¯re ours. Tonight, too. The rest¡­ We¡¯ll face it together.¡±


    Xavier


    After breakfast, the tes were cleared, but none of us moved far. The house was still


    too quiet without the kids, but today, it felt softer. She was sitting on the couch, nket tucked around her shoulders, hair still damp from her shower, one hand on her belly like she couldn¡¯t help it. She looked tired, but she looked¡­ happy. At least for now. I wanted to keep her in that feeling. I sat beside her first, holding the box in myp until she noticed. Her eyes flicked from me to it, then back, suspicious. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°Happy birthday, little mate,¡± I said simply, passing it into her hands.


    She lifted the lid, and her breath caught. Nestled inside was a set of throwing knives, each bnced perfectly, polished steel with ck leather grips. The hilts were engraved with runes Maddox had insisted on, the kind that caught the light like fire when it


    moved.


    Her lips parted, and for a moment, she didn¡¯t speak. Then sheughed softly, shaking her head. ¡°Of course you¡¯d give me weapons.¡±


    ¡°You love weapons<b>,</b>¡± I reminded her, leaning close so only she could hear, ¡°And these are yours. Bnced to your hand, sharp enough to cut through whatever tries to touch you. Even me.¡±


    ¡°Never you,¡± she whispered, but her smile said she liked them more than she let on.


    Haiden was next, clearing his throat like he was embarrassed, which made me grin


    18:10 Fri<b>, </b>Sep 5


    ¡­


    68


    already. He set a small box on herp. When she opened it, her hand flew to her mouth. Inside was a mobile for the baby with tiny hot air balloons made of painted wood, strings of stars between them, light enough to sway with the faintest breeze.


    Her eyes went glossy again. ¡°Haiden¡­¡±


    He rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°I figured¡­ every pup deserves something to look at while they dream. Thought they¡¯d like this.¡±


    ¡°They will,¡± she whispered, voice breaking.


    Noah stepped in before she could cry too hard. He carried something t, wrapped in brown paper. He set it gently across herp and helped her peel it open. Inside was a canvas painting, bold and messy, sshed with color. Elliot and Macey¡¯s handprints filled the corners, little hearts painted between them. Envy pressed her lips together tight, but the tears came anyway. Noah sat beside her, pulled a smaller box from his pocket, and ced it in her palm. She opened it to find a delicate silver locket, engraved with vines. Inside, a photo, one I remembered well. She¡¯d fallen asleep under the apple tree, sunlight across her face, Elliot curled into her side, Macey sprawled over herp, both kids looking like they¡¯d never let her go.


    Her hand shook. ¡°Noah¡­¡±


    He kissed her temple. ¡°I wanted you to have it close. Even when they aren¡¯t here.¡±


    Levi had been quiet through all of it, which was never a good sign. Finally, he pulled a bag from under the table and handed it over. She opened it and frowned, confused, until she pulled out the stash of Haiden¡¯s jerky.


    Herugh broke through the tears, bright and sharp. ¡°You didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Oh, he did,¡± Haiden growled, lunging for it, but Levi shoved him back with a grin. ¡°The baby¡¯s been craving it. You thought you could hide it? Rookie mistake.¡±


    Envyughed harder, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. ¡°Best gift ever.¡±


    ¡°Not done,¡± Levi said, and nodded toward the window.


    Outside, under a tarp, sat a new bike. Sleek, ck, built tost.


    Her jaw dropped. ¡°Levi¡­¡±


    ¡°Before you even think about it,¡± he said firmly, ¡°you¡¯re not touching it until after the baby¡¯s born. I mean it.¡±


    She bit her lip, smiling despite herself. ¡°Spoiled. That¡¯s what I am. You spoil me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re ours,¡± I told her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°That¡¯s not spoiling. That¡¯s just how it is.¡±


    And the way she leaned into us then, clutching the jerky in one hand and the locket in the other, told me we¡¯d given her exactly what she needed.


    <b>68 </b>


    Chapter Comments

 Wolf v 148

    Haiden


    F:.


    ¡°We have brunch at Mum and Dad¡¯s today,¡± I said casually, after the excitement of the


    gifts was over.


    ¡°Okay, that sounds nice,¡± Envy replied with a small smile.


    00


    We stepped through the portal together, hand in hand, andnded on Red Moon soil. The shift was instant, the familiar tang of pine and smoke in the air, the cool weight of the mountains pressing close. Talen stretched under my skin, restless but curious, and I had to shove him back down before he prowled out. Mum¡¯s cabin sat just where it always had, tucked into the tree line like it belonged there more than we ever did. Smoke curled from the chimney, and the smell of herbs drifted from the garden bed she swore she didn¡¯t tend, even though everything in it thrived. The door opened before we knocked. Mum barreled out, apron already dusted with flour, and didn¡¯t hesitate for a second. She swept Envy into her arms like she¡¯d been waiting a lifetime to get her hands on her.


    ¡°My girl,¡± she said, rocking her side to side with surprising strength. ¡°You look radiant. Happy birthday, love.¡±


    Envyughed, cheeks pink, letting herself be fussed over. ¡°Thank you, Mum.¡±


    From the kitchen window, Dad¡¯s voice bellowed out like thunder. ¡°Boys, get your asses in here. I need a hand.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I hear you,¡± I muttered, but I didn¡¯t move right away. Instead, I hung back with Mum and Envy in the living room. Mum was already pulling Envy down onto the couch, chatting like she hadn¡¯t seen her in years, telling her about the herbs she was drying, the brunch she had nned, and who in the pack had been annoying hertely.


    Then, as casually as if she were offering a cookie, Mum reached into the basket by the side table and pulled out a blunt. She handed it toward Envy with a grin. ¡°For the nerves, sweetheart. Do you good.¡±


    I was across the room in a second, snatching it before it touched Envy¡¯s fingers. ¡°Are you


    serious, Mum? She¡¯s pregnant.¡±


    Mum rolled her eyes like I was being dramatic. ¡°I smoked all the time when I was carrying you lot, and look, you turned out just fine.¡±


    ¡°Debatable,¡± I muttered, ring at her while Envy tried not tough.


    Mum smirked. ¡°See? She thinks I¡¯m funny.¡±


    I lit the blunt myself and took a long drag. ¡°She doesn¡¯t get it. End of discussion.¡±


    Talen purred in the back of my head as I exhaled toward the ceiling. Envy leaned into


    me with that little smile of hers, the one that said she was equal parts amused and


    exasperated.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m okay without it,¡± she said softly.


    ¡°Damn right you are,¡± I said, pulling her closer with my free arm. ¡°I¡¯ll take this one for


    the team.¡±


    Mum cackled, loud and unbothered, and for the first time in weeks, I saw some of the tension ease out of Envy¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°There¡¯s my pretty girl.¡± I whispered, kissing her temple.


    Dad¡¯s voice bellowed again from the kitchen, louder this time. ¡°Haiden! Get in here before I burn the bloody sausages!¡±


    I groaned, taking another drag before stubbing out the blunt in Mum¡¯s little y ashtray. ¡°Fine! But I swear to god, Mum, don¡¯t get my mate high while I¡¯m gone.¡±


    Mum widened her eyes in mock innocence, hand over her chest like I¡¯d just used her of murder. ¡°Who, me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, you,¡± I shot back, pointing a finger at her as I stood. ¡°No tricks, no ¡®just a puff<b>,</b>¡® none of it. She¡¯s pregnant, for fuck¡¯s sake.¡±


    Envy pressed her lips together, trying not tough, her hand on her bump like she


    <b>18:10 </b>Fri<b>, </b>Sep <b>5 </b>


    :


    already knew this circus was part of marrying into my family.


    Dad hollered again. ¡°If the kitchen goes up in mes, I¡¯m ming you!¡±


    ¡°Coming!¡± I barked back, then muttered under my breath, ¡°God help me.¡±


    I left Mum and Envy on the couch, Mum already fussing over her with a nket and a te of sliced fruit she swore would ¡°bnce her hormones.¡±


    68


    The kitchen was chaos, Dad had the ce looking like a war zone. I could see Xavier out the back window setting up the table, while Noah and Levi were trying their best to make a cake. Shit was flying everywhere. There was spokeing from one of the pans and Dad shoved a spat into my hand like I was a recruit on his war front.


    ¡°About time,¡± he grumbled. ¡°Your mate likes things cooked right, doesn¡¯t she?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, sliding into ce with a sigh. ¡°Which is why I¡¯m here. Otherwise, you¡¯d


    feed her charcoal and me me for it.¡±


    He snorted but didn¡¯t argue, and we fell into the familiar rhythm of cooking together.


    From the other room I could hear Mum¡¯sugh and Envy¡¯s softer voice, the sound blending in a way that made something tight in my chest ease. Talen stretched inside me, calmer now, purring like sappy mutt he was. Maybe brunch with my parents wasn¡¯t such a bad idea after all. By the time we brought the food out, Mum had Envy swaddled in one of her knitted throws like she was about to tuck her in for a nap, not brunch.


    ¡°Sit, sit,¡± Mum ordered, patting the chair beside her. ¡°You¡¯re glowing, darling. Honestly glowing. That pup of yours is going to be beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Mum,¡± I warned, setting down the tter of eggs and bacon.


    She swatted me with a tea towel. ¡°What? I canpliment my daughter¨Cinw.¡±


    Envyughed lightly, though her hand instinctively went to her bump. ¡°Thank you. I feel¡­ rounder than glowing most days.¡±


    ¡°Rounder is good,¡± Dad said, dropping a te of pancakes on the table. ¡°Means healthy.


    :


    Means the baby¡¯s thriving.¡±


    We all sat, the table crowding with food, bacon, eggs, pancakes, and fruit. Mum, of course, tried to heap Envy¡¯s te full.


    ¡°Eat, love. You¡¯re feeding two now.¡±


    68


    Envy picked delicately at her te, though I noticed she let Mum fuss. Levi gave me a small smirk across the table, like he was enjoying watching me squirm. The rest of brunch carried on in the same chaotic, warm way it always did at my parents¡® ce. Dad told a story about me setting the curtains on fire when I was six. Mum told Envy I¡¯d been a colicky baby who never slept. My brothers added their own digs here and there, smirks on their faces. And through it all, Envy sat wrapped in Mum¡¯s knitted throw,ughing and listening, her cheeks glowing brighter than I¡¯d seen in days. I looked around the table, at my parents, at my brothers, at my mate, at her, and felt something I hadn¡¯t in a long time. For a few hours, war and witches and fear weren¡¯t the center of our world. Family was. And damn if it didn¡¯t feel good.


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 Wolf v 149

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>149 </b>


    <b>Noah </b>


    ))


    <b>68 </b>


    We left Mum and Dad¡¯s cabin with full bellies and fuller hearts, thete afternoon sun nting gold through the trees. Envy walked between us, one hand brushing her bump, the other caught now and then by whoever was closest. It wasn¡¯t a conscious thing, we just couldn¡¯t stop touching her, steadying her, making sure she knew we were right there. Always.


    ¡°Feels like we got fed for an army,¡± Haiden muttered, stretching his arms behind his head.


    ¡°That¡¯s because Mum thinks Envy is too skinny,¡± Xavier shot back with a grin. ¡°She¡¯s been saying it since we walked through the door.¡±


    Envyughed, soft and sweet. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever leave your parents¡® meals without feeling like I¡¯ve been rolled down a hill.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the goal,¡± Levi said. ¡°Proper Red Moon hospitality, feed you until you can¡¯t fight back.¡±


    ¡°Guess that¡¯s why you boys grew up so big,¡± she teased, eyes sparkling.


    We groaned in unison, and I bumped her hip gently with mine. ¡°Careful, little Luna. You¡¯ll make them cockier than they already are.¡±


    Her cheeks flushed, but she smiled wider. For a while, we just walked, soaking in the quiet hum of birdsong and the crunch of gravel under our boots. It wasn¡¯t the Underworld¡¯s silence, or the tense waiting at the borders. It was real peace, rare, and worth clinging to. She didn¡¯t once ask where we were going; she just let us guide her through the trees, happy and content to be here with us. The trail curved, and the caverns came into view, dark mouths set into the hillside, ringed with wildflowers and cool shadow. The air here was cooler, touched with the mineral tang of stone and water. Envy slowed, recognition dawning.


    ¡°This ce¡­¡± she murmured. ¡°Levi, this is where you brought me.¡±


    <b>18:11 </b>Fri, Sep <b>5 </b>


    68


    He dipped his head, eyes soft. ¡°Our spot. Figured it was the right ce to bring you back


    to.¡±


    Before she could answer, a sh of blonde darted forward from the cavern entrance.


    Aleisha. She was practically vibrating with excitement, grinning ear to ear. Behind her,


    two women carried baskets and rolled cases, their white tunics giving them away


    instantly.


    ¡°What¡¯s all this?¡± Envy asked, brows lifting.


    Aleisha pped her hands together. ¡°A spa day! Massages, facials, the works. Just for you and me.¡± She leaned closer, stage¨Cwhispering, ¡°The boys needed an excuse to kick us out so they could do whatever they¡¯re plotting for tonight.¡±


    Envy¡¯s eyes widened, then softened, augh escaping her. ¡°You nned this?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Aleisha said, looping an arm through hers. ¡°You deserve to be spoiled, Envy.


    And trust me, I¡¯m not passing up free pampering.¡±


    Xavier pressed a kiss to Envy¡¯s cheek. ¡°We¡¯lle get you after. Just rx, enjoy it.¡±


    Haiden smirked. ¡°And don¡¯t let Aleisha talk you into trouble.¡±


    Envy shook her head,ughing again as Aleisha tugged her toward the cavern entrance. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± she promised, though the glow in her eyes said she already felt lighter. As they disappeared inside, I looked at my brothers. The air between us shifted with


    purpose, clicking back into ce. Tonight wasn¡¯t just about spoiling her, it was about giving her one night of peace before everything changed¡­again. She¡¯d been through so much change since we¡¯d known her. Just been constantly thrown into the deep end and expected to swim. She was a true warrior in her own right. For dealing with us, for ruling the underworld, for being the perfect Luna, and mother. And now? Now, while she¡¯s in one of the most precious times of her life, carrying our first child, she¡¯s going to have to shift and hope to whatever Goddess is watching that it all goes right. I know it will<b>, </b>our girl is simply too bad ass for it to go wrong, but she deserves this right now. A bloody good pampering for everything she¡¯s been through, and everything she will go through.


    ¡°Let¡¯s make it perfect,¡± I said.


    18:11 Fri, Sep <b>5 </b>


    Three heads nodded. And we set to work.


    <b>Envy </b>


    68


    The cavern smelled ofvender and salt, candles tucked into the rocks, throwing soft light against the stone. The waterfall echoed off the walls, and the water held that beautiful blue hue I would never forget. The massage tables were already set, covered in thick white linens that looked far too inviting for me to resist. One of them had a nice, big hole for my growing belly. Aleisha tugged me forward with that irrepressible grin of hers, like she¡¯d just pulled off the prank of the century.


    ¡°See?¡± she said, flopping onto her table without hesitation. ¡°You¡¯ve been tense as hell, and don¡¯t even try to deny it. You need this.¡±


    Iughed as I eased onto the table, careful of my belly. ¡°Are you saying I look like a stress ball?¡±


    She smirked. ¡°You are a stress ball. But a glowing, pregnant stress ball. Totally different


    category.¡±


    I swatted at her arm, and we both broke into giggles, the sound bouncing off the stone walls. The women working on us set warm towels across our shoulders, the heat sinking in deep. My eyes drifted shut. I let my muscles unclench, and my body rx.


    ¡°You know,¡± Aleisha saidzily as fingers worked into her shoulders, ¡°if anyone deserves to be spoiled rotten, it¡¯s you. Queen of the Underworld, mother¨Cto¨Cbe, mate wrangler, Luna, royal princess, basically, you¡¯re doing five full¨Ctime jobs.¡±


    I cracked an eye open. ¡°And you¡¯re what, my hype girl?¡±


    ¡°Damn right.¡± She peeked over at me with a wicked grin. ¡°Somebody¡¯s gotta remind you how badass you are while the boys drown you in pancakes and foot rubs.¡±


    Iughed, ¡°You¡¯re good at this.¡°,


    ¡°I am good at this. It¡¯s one of my many talents. Along with day drinking and pretending to care about border reports.¡±


    :


    I snorted so hard the masseuse paused to check if I was okay. I waved her on, wiping at the corner of my eye. ¡°God, I¡¯ve missed this.¡±


    <b>68 </b>


    Aleisha¡¯s expression softened, her smirk giving way to something warmer. ¡°I¡¯ve missed it too. And seriously, Envy¡­ I know you feel like everything¡¯s on your shoulders right now, but you¡¯re not alone. Not ever. You¡¯ve got four overprotective idiots, me, and an entire pack behind you. We¡¯re not letting anything happen to you or that baby.¡±


    The lump in my throat rose so fast I had to swallow hard to keep it down. I reached across the space between our tables, and sheced her fingers through mine without


    hesitation.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I whispered.


    She squeezed. ¡°Always.¡±


    For the next however long, we let ourselves just be two women sprawled out in a candlelit cavern, gossiping about the boys,ughing until our stomachs hurt, and letting other people take care of us for once. For a moment, the weight of war, witches, and all the unknowns faded. It was just me, my best friend, and the tiny little kicks inside my belly reminding me what all this fighting was for.


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 Wolf v 150

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>150 </b>


    Levi


    <b>6 </b>


    The hill hadn¡¯t changed. The flowers Envy had coaxed into being all that time ago still bloomed like they¡¯d never heard of seasons, stubborn and wild. Pinks, yellows, deep


    violets sprawled across the slope, thick and alive, as if her magic had rooted them too


    deeply to ever fade. The sun was sinking low, throwing gold fire across the petals, and I swear it looked like the earth itself was waiting for her toe back.


    ¡°Perfect ce for a date,¡± Haiden muttered with a smirk, stretching his arms out like he was presenting the whole view.


    ¡°About time we put this spot to good use,¡± Xavier added, already rolling his sleeves like


    he was about to build a house instead of a dinner setup.


    Noah chuckled low. ¡°Let¡¯s make it better than perfect. She deserves it.¡±


    We all smirked at each other, that silent agreement running deeper than words, and then


    we got to work.


    I started with the path, because Envy notices the details first. With a flick of my hand, candles rose from the ground, ssnterns curving up in little arcs, lining the trail that wound from the bottom of the hill to the clearing at the top. Each me lit one after the other, soft golden glow leading the way. I added a scattering of petals across the dirt, letting the breeze toss them just enough to look natural.


    Haiden leaned over my shoulder. ¡°Fairy lights next.¡±


    I nodded. Together, we strung them between the trees at the lower edge of the hill. Tiny sparks floated into the branches like fireflies, catching on the leaves and weaving themselves into strands until the whole treeline shimmered with soft light. When the wind moved through, they swayed gently, like stars that hade down to sit with us.


    Xavier took charge of the space itself. Heid out thick rugs first, fluffy andyered, deep jewel tones against the wildflowers, so the whole ce looked warm and inviting instead of staged. He smoothed them t with that same focus he used with maps,


    making sure no corner curled, no thread caught.


    ¡°Big enough for her to stretch out,¡± he muttered. ¡°She doesn¡¯t need to be cramped.¡±


    Next came low tables, conjured up between us. Sturdy wood, round edges, not too tall, just enough to hold tters and candles. I ran my hand over them, and little runes sparked to life along the edges, faint and glowing, casting a warm pulse. They weren¡¯t for magic, just for beauty.


    Noah handled the projector and screen. He set it against the backdrop of trees, the canvas pulling taut between two posts he¡¯d conjured. When he tested it, the screen flickered with soft light, the perfect stage for whatever film she wanted. ¡°Something light,¡± he said under his breath. ¡°Something to make herugh.¡±


    He scatterednterns around the rugs too, low to the ground, the glow soft instead of harsh, throwing long shadows and warm pools of light.


    Haiden set the finishing touches: jars of flowers plucked straight from the hillside, arranged in rough bundles that somehow looked effortless. He tucked one near the pillows, another on the tables, a third just inside the path so she¡¯d notice before she


    even reached us.


    68


    The food camest. Weid out everything we knew she loved: fresh fruit, honey- drizzled pastries, a tter of meats and cheeses, her favorite bread warm from the oven. The stolen jerky, was stacked neatly in its own bowl, because we knew she¡¯d look for it. And in the center sat a small cake, iced simply and waiting for candles. By the time we stepped back, the hill had transformed. Fairy lights twinkled like constetions strung low, the candles flickered along the path, and the rugs, tables, andnterns made a space that felt both magical andpletely ours. I nced at my brothers, their faces lit in the fading light. Xavier with his quiet pride, Haiden smirking like he¡¯d already won the


    night, Noah with his steady satisfaction.


    ¡°<b>This</b>,¡± I said, sweeping a hand out over the hill, ¡°this is worthy of her.¡±


    Haiden grinned. ¡°Damn right it is.¡±


    Xavier smirked. ¡°Now all we need is our girl.¡±


    And just like that, the nerves were gone. We were ready.


    I reached out along the bond, brushing Aleisha¡¯s mind with a thought. ¡°<i>You </i>two <i>finished</i>?¡±


    Herugh came back bright and quick. ¡°<i>Yep</i><i>. </i><i>She¡¯s </i><i>rxed</i><i>, </i><i>glowing</i>, <i>and </i><i>about </i><i>to </i>start wondering <i>what¡¯s </i><i>taking </i>so <i>long</i>. <i>Are </i><i>you </i><i>guys </i><i>ready</i><i>?</i><i>¡± </i>


    I smirked, ncing at my brothers, the hill lit behind us like something out of a dream. ¡°Yep. We¡¯re ready. Bring her up.¡±


    Her acknowledgment pulsed warm in my head, then faded. We didn¡¯t linger. All four of


    us moved as one, walking down the slope until we reached the bottom of the candle¨Clit path. The fairy lights shimmered above the trees, the candles flickered along the trail,


    and the flowers swayed in the evening breeze. It was everything we¡¯d imagined, but it


    didn¡¯t feelplete yet. Not without her. So we waited. Shoulder to shoulder, a line of


    four men and the weight of four hellhounds just under our skins. Straight¨Cbacked,


    steady, every one of us caught between nerves and pride. We weren¡¯t kings of the


    Underworld right now, or warriors, or leaders. We were just her men, standing at the start of the path, waiting for our girl toe and see what we¡¯d built for her.


    68


    Branches shifted at the end of the path, and then I saw them. Aleisha came first, grinning like she¡¯d been holding onto the secret all day. She waved at us, her giggle carrying as Tommy appeared behind her, his hand on her elbow, making sure she didn¡¯t trip on the uneven ground.


    ¡°Go on,¡± she whispered loudly to Envy, then winked at me before darting off. Tommy caught her hand, shaking his head, and the two of them disappeared back into the trees, leaving her there, our girl standing in the spill of candlelight. And gods, she took my breath. The white dress flowed around her like it was made of light, simple but elegant, hugging her in all the right ces and spilling softly to her ankles. The fabric skimmed the gentle swell of her bump, the curve of new life growing inside her, and instead of hiding it, the dress made it the most beautiful part of her. She glowed, not just with the shimmer of fairy lights, not just with the sunset bleeding gold across her shoulders, but with something deeper, something only she could carry.


    I thought about how lucky we were. How impossible it still felt sometimes that she was


    89


    ours, standing there with her belly round with our pup, smiling like she had no idea she could undo us with one look. I swallowed hard and forced my feet to stay nted, even though every part of me wanted to run to her, take her face in my hands, and kiss her until she forgot the world. Instead, I let myself look, really look at her, and I knew my brothers were doing the same.


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 Wolf v 151

    <b>Envy </b>


    :


    68


    The world opened up as I stepped out of the tree line, and for a moment, I couldn¡¯t


    breathe. The path before me glowed like something out of a dream. Small candles floated in ss jars, leading the way up the hill in a soft, golden line. Fairy lights spilled from the trees below, strung high but low enough that their twinkle brushed across the grass, each one catching on petals of the wildflowers still blooming from the night I¡¯d first imed this ce as ours. It felt enchanted, yes, but not in the dangerous way magic so often feels. This was love¨Cmade. Hands and hearts had shaped every detail, and I could feel it as sure as the ground under my feet. My eyes moved first to them, my mates. They were waiting for me at the base of the hill, lined up in a way that made meugh quietly under my breath because, of course, they had positioned themselves like guards. My guards. My kings. My men.


    Xavier stood tall in the center, steady and strong, Maddox pacing under his skin, his


    gaze steady on me like I was the only thing in the world. Haiden had his hands in his


    pockets, pretending at casual, but I could see Talen pressing forward in the set of his jaw


    and the way his eyes sparked when I caught them. Levi was calm, always calm, but his


    lips tipped at the edges, proud and quiet, like he¡¯d been holding this moment close in his chest for weeks. I¡¯m sure Flint had a hand in preparing the ideas. And Noah¡­ gods, Noah. Hawk stretched in the way his eyes tracked me, every muscle tuned, ready to anchor me before I even thought I needed it. I knew I was staring, but I couldn¡¯t help it.


    Each of them, looking at me like that, lit me up from the inside out. For weeks it had


    been ns and battles, witches and threats, the constant ache of missing the kids. And


    here they stood, not as kings, not as warriors, but as <i>my </i><i>men</i><i>. </i>My <i>family</i>. Their gazes traced over me in the dress Aleisha had slipped me into, the soft white fabric falling over


    the curve of my belly. I knew what they were seeing, I saw it in the way their throats bobbed and the quiet reverence that lingered in their eyes.


    The bump made me feel round most days, heavy, slow. But tonight, under their stares, I felt beautiful. Powerful. Like this life inside me made me glow instead of weighing me down. I lifted my skirts slightly, taking the first step onto the candlelit path. My heart beat hard, steady and strong, in my chest and in my belly, where the little one shifted gently as though sensing it too. Each step up the hill brought me closer to them, and closer to what they¡¯d built for me. The rugs spread across the crest of the hill looked


    68


    impossibly soft,yers uponyers, fur and woven threads that begged for bare feet. Small wooden tables were scattered across them,id with dishes and ss jars, some already glowing faintly with the reflection of candles set carefully around. In the branches of the trees, strings of lights cast a soft starlight that mingled with the real stars above, making it impossible to tell where magic ended and the sky began. And there, at the edge, a screen stretched wide, a projector already set up behind it. A movie under the stars. Our stars. My chest tightened because I remembered Levi once saying he wanted to give me all the normal things too, the small, human pieces of life that war


    and magic so often stole. And here it was. I looked back across the hill at them, my throat tight, my eyes stinging. ¡°You did all this?¡± My voice carried, soft but clear.


    Xavier¡¯s lips curved, steady and sure. ¡°For you, my love. Always.¡±


    Haiden¡¯s grin broke through his rough edges. ¡°Think of it as a warm¨Cup. Dinner, movie, and maybeter we¡¯ll drag you into a dance.¡±


    Noah¡¯s gaze softened as he stepped closer. ¡°We wanted you to feel like today was about


    you. Just you.¡±


    And Levi, quiet but fierce in his own way, tilted his head. ¡°You once called this spot ours.


    It still is. Always will be.¡±


    My hand went to my belly again, a protective instinct I couldn¡¯t break, and I smiled through the sting of tears. I¡¯d thought my birthday didn¡¯t matter without the kids, that it would only ache. But standing here, surrounded by the people who had fought and


    bled and built this moment just to remind me I wasn¡¯t alone, I knew this was more than a birthday. This was a promise.


    They guided me to the center of the rugs they¡¯did, the air smelling of the tes of food already set out, with dishes I loved. ¡°Sit,¡± Xavier said, gently but with that


    ¡°Dinner first, movie after,¡± Levi said, fussing with the table until it was lined perfectly, napkins folded like he¡¯d been born a waiter.


    18:11 Fri, Sep <b>5 </b>


    ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous,¡± I teased, but my smile gave me away.


    68


    ¡°Ridiculous gets results,¡± he answered smoothly, setting a fork in my hand before kissing


    the back of it.


    Haiden dropped to the rug beside me, close enough that his warmth pressed against my thigh. ¡°Eat up, pretty girl. You¡¯ll need energy for dessert.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°You mean the tarts?¡±


    His grin was shameless. ¡°Sure, that too.¡±


    Noah passed me a te already loaded with food. ¡°Don¡¯t listen to him. We nned


    tonight to spoil you, not to tease you.¡±


    ¡°Teasing is part of spoiling,¡± Haiden cut in, smirking.


    Noah ignored him and kissed my temple. ¡°Just rx and let us love you a little extra.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help it; my throat tightened. ¡°You already do.¡±


    They ate with me,ughing and tossing banter back and forth while I stole bites off their tes. At one point, Levi leaned in and brushed a smudge of cream from the corner of my mouth with his thumb, his eyes so soft it made my chest ache.


    When the tes were cleared, Haiden stretched out on his back, folding his hands under his head. ¡°Alright, who picked the movie?¡±


    ¡°Me,¡± Noah said, smug. ¡°Something light. She deserves tough tonight.¡±


    I nced up at him. ¡°What did you pick?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll see.<i>¡± </i>His smile curved slowly. ¡°But fair warning, I get the first cuddle when the


    credits roll.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°You all get cuddles,¡± I muttered, settling back into Xavier¡¯s chest, my belly pressed


    warm between his hands.


    ¡°That¡¯s the best deal we¡¯ve ever made,¡± Xavier murmured against my hair.


    The lights dimmed, the projector flickered to life, and the first notes of some ridiculous. romanticedy spilled across the clearing. Iughed at the opening scene and felt each of them rx around me, like the sound itself had peeled something heavy away.


    Chapter Comments


    <b>68 </b>


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 Wolf v 152

    <b>Chapter </b><b>152 </b>


    :


    68


    The movie flickered out, thest notes of the soundtrack fading into the night. I was still curled into Xavier¡¯s chest, warm beneath the nkets, when his voice rumbled low


    against my ear.


    ¡°Little mate,¡± he said, careful with his words, ¡°Felix will be here soon. We¡¯ll need to start


    preparing.¡±


    The reminder pierced the bubble we¡¯d built, dragging back the weight of what wasing. My Lycan shift. The danger to the baby. Felix is giving his life for ours. My heart clenched, and I pressed my hand to my bump like I could hold the pup closer just by touch. But then Haiden pped his hands together, cutting through the heaviness. ¡°Not yet. We¡¯ve still got cake.¡±


    Noah grinned, conjuring a spark of light to guide them as they ducked to the side, and momentster, they returned carrying the cake they¡¯d worked so hard on earlier at Mum and Dad¡¯s. It was imperfect, lopsided on one side, with too much icing pooling at the bottom, but gods, it was beautiful.


    ¡°Happy birthday to you¡­¡± They started, voices ovepping, off¨Ckey, but louder with every line.


    By the time they finished, I wasughing through the tears sliding down my cheeks. I leaned forward, closed my eyes, and whispered into the candles: <i>Keep </i><i>them safe</i><i>. </i><i>All </i>of <i>them</i><i>. </i>Then I blew them out in one breath, the smoke curling up into the fairy lights


    above.


    Noah conjured music next, something soft, stringed, that hummed into the night like it had been waiting for us. Levi offered his hand with a crooked smile.


    ¡°Dance with me,


    doll.¡±


    I stood, slipping into his arms. His movements were steady, practiced, leading me slowly across the rug as the candlelit path glowed around us. ¡°You look radiant tonight,¡± he whispered. ¡°Even more than the first time I brought you here.<b>¡± </b>


    :


    68


    Before I could answer, Haiden cut in, pulling me into his chest with a cocky grin. ¡°My turn.¡± He spun me once, carefully, mindful of the bump pressed between us, then kissed my cheek. ¡°You¡¯re mine, birthday girl. Always.¡±


    Xavier stole me next, his hands warm and grounding on my waist. He didn¡¯t move fast, didn¡¯t spin me, he just held me, forehead pressed to mine, swaying in the soft glow of the lights. ¡°You¡¯re everything,¡± he murmured, so quiet I almost thought I¡¯d imagined it. And then Noah swept me in, his lips brushing my temple as he moved us in time with the music. ¡°We¡¯ll carry this with you,¡± he promised. ¡°Every step. Every breath.¡±


    Iughed and cried all at once as they passed me between them, spinning me gently, kissing me softly, telling me in every way they knew how that I wasn¡¯t alone. For a little


    while, the music was louder than the fear. But when the song faded and I turned toward


    the treeline, I saw him.


    Felix stood at the edge of the clearing, watching, his silhouette cut against thest strips of twilight. For a heartbeat, I didn¡¯t see the man who kept secrets, who let Marcus twist too much of my life. I saw the man who raised me. The man who once tied ribbons in my


    hair and taught me how to hold a de.


    I stepped forward, and his arms opened like they always had, like nothing had ever


    broken between us. I fell into them, the sob catching in my throat.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± he whispered, his voice cracking. ¡°For what I didn¡¯t stop. For what I didn¡¯t protect you from.¡±


    I pulled back just enough to look at him, tears blurring my vision. ¡°I love you,¡± I said simply. ¡°No matter what. I love you.¡±


    His face crumpled, and he held me tighter. And in that moment, I let myself believe he was still the man who had loved me first.


    Felix held me like he had when I was small, like nothing could touch me as long as his arms were there. For a moment, I let myself believe it. That maybe he¡¯d never faltered, that maybe none of it had happened. But reality sat between us, heavy and unyielding. Behind me, footsteps drew close. My mates formed a circle, not crowding, just steady. Four walls of strength bracing me in ce.


    <b>18:11 </b>Fri, Sep 5


    :


    Xavier was the first to break the silence. His voice was low but strong. ¡°Felix¡­ thank you. For offering this. For standing here. I won¡¯t pretend it¡¯s easy to ept, but I need you to hear me; we¡¯ll never forget it.¡±


    168


    Haiden stepped forward next, his jaw tight, shoulders squared. ¡°I¡¯ve seen warriors die for less. You¡¯re giving your life so hers and the pup¡¯s can continue. That¡¯s more than duty. That¡¯s love. And I respect the hell out of it.¡±


    Levi¡¯s tone was softer, but no less sharp. ¡°We wouldn¡¯t ask this of you. You chose it. And I won¡¯t let your choice be brushed aside like it¡¯s a simple thing. It matters, Felix. It


    matters more than words can reach.¡±


    Noah¡¯s hand found my back, steadying me, before he spoke. ¡°You raised her. You stood in when no one else did. And even though mistakes were made, even though things broke, you¡¯re here now. You¡¯re still protecting her. I¡¯ll make sure your sacrifice means


    something, every single day that pup breathes.<b>¡± </b>


    I turned back to Felix, my throat raw, tears hot. ¡°You hear them? You hear me?¡± I cupped his face, forcing him to meet my eyes. ¡°This is not something I want. Not something I¡¯d ever ask of you. Are you sure? Truly sure?¡±


    His gaze didn¡¯t waver. ¡°I am,¡± he said firmly. ¡°Envy¡­ I was given a second chance at life. I used it the best I could, but I failed to keep Marcus from touching you. This¡­¡± his hand ghosted over my belly, reverent, never quite touching ¡°this is where I make it right. A life for a life. Yours. The pup¡¯s. It¡¯s not a burden. It¡¯s my honor.¡±


    The words broke something in me. I clung to him, the sob tearing free, and he held me as though we had all the time in the world. My mates pressed closer, their presence wrapping around us like armor. For a fleeting moment, it wasn¡¯t about fear of what wasing. It was about family. About love paid forward in blood and sacrifice. And when I finally pulled back, wiping my eyes, I knew. We weren¡¯t walking into this shift alone. We carried him with us, his choice, his love, his promise.

 Wolf v 153

    <b>Chapter </b><b>153 </b>


    I was still holding Felix¡¯s hand when more voices drifted in from the trees. I turned, and my breath caught. Theo and Zion came first, their steps steady, quiet strength written in every line of their bodies. Behind them, oh gods, three familiar figures emerged from the dark. Mchi. Julius. Arztec. For a heartbeat, I thought I¡¯d imagined them, that my mind had conjured them out of memory because I needed them so badly. But then Mchi¡¯s gaze locked on mine, and I broke. I ran. The ground disappeared under my feet until all I felt was the solid weight of his arms as I crashed into him. His chest was as broad and strong as it had always been, and hisugh rumbled through me even as his own voice


    shook.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think you would make it,¡± I whispered against him, the tears spilling hot and


    fast.


    ¡°We wouldn¡¯t miss it for the world,¡± Mchi replied, his lips pressing to the top of my


    head.


    When I finally pulled back, Julius was already reaching for me. He lifted me clear off the ground, his arms locked tight around me. ¡°You think you¡¯re doing this without us? Not a chance, little sister.¡±


    I sobbed andughed at the same time, clutching at him before turning into Arztec¡¯s waiting arms. His hug was bone¨Cdeep, steady, the kind that said without words that I was


    safe, that I was his blood, always.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re here,¡± I said, pulling back to look at all three of them, memorizing the lines of their faces like I had to prove to myself they were real. ¡°You made it.¡±


    ¡°Of course we did,¡± Julius said firmly. ¡°We¡¯re your brothers, Nothing on this earth, or under it, was going to stop us.¡®


    ¡°¡±


    Arztec tipped his head toward my belly, his voice softer. ¡°We came for you. And for them. Whatever happens tonight, you won¡¯t face it alone.¡±


    I swallowed hard, my hand tightening over the swell of my bump. Around us, my friends and their parents now stood close, forming a circle of strength. Felix lingered at my side,


    9:24 Sun, Sep 7 B..


    ¡­


    :


    and Theo and Zion took their ce behind him, silent but unmovable in their support.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡± Dad checked his watch, then looked up at the sky. ¡°Not long now.¡±


    71


    Mum slid closer and wrapped her hands around my forearms. ¡°Bet you wish you had that joint now,¡± she muttered with a crooked smile, catching the tremor in my fingers.


    I huffed augh that wasn¡¯t really augh and looked at Felix. He stood steady in thentern light, the worry in his face softened by something gentler.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got this, little warrior,¡± he said.


    I pulled him into onest hug, breathing in smoke and soap and the aftershave I¡¯d known since I was small. When I stepped back, my mates were already in position,


    Xavier, Haiden, Levi, Noah, shoulders squared, eyes on me, a wall you couldn¡¯t get through. My brothers, Mchi, Julius, Arztec, took the outer ring with Theo and Zion. Aleisha and Tommy were shadows at the edge of the trees. Mum and Dad stood just


    behind my shoulder. Felix took my hands and we waited.


    The pain started low, like a fist closing deep in my gut. I locked my gaze on Felix¡¯s, on the steady heat of his palms. I could feel him, his pulse, the hum of his life like a rope in my hands.


    ¡°<i>Slowly</i><i>,</i><i>¡± </i>Layah¡¯s voice brushed the inside of my mind, firm and calm. ¡°<i>You </i><i>take </i><i>what </i><i>you </i><i>need </i><i>in </i><i>threads</i><i>, </i><i>not in </i><i>fists</i>. <i>Breathe </i><i>with </i><i>me</i><i>.</i>¡±


    I inhaled through my nose, counted four, exhaled six. A thin line of warmth bled from Felix¡¯s hands into my wrists, spread up my arms, and slid down the center of me to where our baby rolled once and went still, listening. Then my right shin snapped. White light burst at the edges of my vision. The bone twisted, lengthening, the joint grinding. My knee buckled. I dropped, palms pping dirt, and Felix went with me, never letting my hands go. A sound tore out of me, raw and animal. My skull throbbed against my skin like it was trying to split. The world rocked on its axis.


    ¡°Stay with me,¡± Felix said, voice low, every word anchored. ¡°Envy, look at me.¡±


    I did. I clung to that rope of heat and hauled another thread across. Not all. Not too much. A breath. A stitch. My left thigh seized. Something inside it tore and re¨Cknit in the


    9:24 Sun, Sep 7 G ¡­


    :


    <b>71 </b>


    same heartbeat. I tasted metal and bit it back. The baby pushed, a flutter against my palm. I curved over the bump, protecting it with my body without thinking, a reflex older thannguage.


    <b>Milly </b>


    I rushed forward and knelt on the grass at her side, unable to simply watch, one arm around her shoulders, the other smoothing her hair back when it stuck to her damp face. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± I whispered into her ear. ¡°You¡¯re doing it. Breathe, sweetheart. In for four. Out for six. Again.¡±


    Her hand reached out, one still on Felix¡¯s, her fingers crushed mine, and I let them. I knew this edge. I¡¯d walked it for them, all four of my boys, and for others through the years. Change hurts, even when it¡¯s meant for you.


    ¡°Almost there,¡± I promised, even though we were only beginning. ¡°You¡¯ve got a whole


    house behind you. A whole pack. You¡­¡± The air tore. It felt like hands closed around my


    lungs and wrung them dry. My words cut off, shredded. A force like a wave hit me square


    in the chest and flung me backward. The world went end over end, sky, ground, sky, and


    then a tree rushed up and caught me. Bark mmed my spine. Stars burst across my


    eyes. I slid down the trunk and hit the roots so hard my teeth clicked.


    ¡°Milly!¡± Charles¡¯s shout ripped across the hill.


    He sprinted, but a sharp stream of cold light knifed through the dark and struck him in the shoulder. He spun and went down hard, rolling once before he mmed t. A line


    of light sizzled across his jacket where it hit.


    ¡°WITCHES!¡± Xavier¡¯s voice snapped the night.


    The quiet hill became a battlefield in a blink. Shapes broke from the tree line, cloaked figures, pale faces marked with ash and crescent shes, hands cutting the air in hard,


    practiced lines. The first st seared the grass where Envy had been lying two heartbeats before Noah dragged her an arm¡¯s length sideways and took the brunt of it on his shoulder. He didn¡¯t fall. He bared his teeth and shoved back,


    ¡°They¡¯re here for the baby,¡± I rasped, forcing air into my chest, fighting for my feet. ¡°They want my grandbaby.¡±


    9:24 Sun, <b>Sep </b>7 B¡­

 Wolf v 154

    <b>Charles </b>


    :


    71


    The world tilted the moment Milly was torn from my side. One second, she was crouched over our daughter, whispering strength into Envy¡¯s ear, and the next, she was flung like a ragdoll across the field. Her scream cut short as if someone had ripped the air out of her lungs. I moved. Fast. Age be damned, muscle and bone still answered the call of rage. My boots tore through grass, every stride burning with the singr thought: get to her. But before I closed the distance, white¨Chot light seared across my shoulder. It burned like liquid fire, spun me off my feet, and mmed me into the dirt. My ears rang. My vision blurred. But nothing could drown out the scent. Milly¡¯s blood. Itced the air, sharp and coppery, thick enough that Tobias snarled inside me. My wolf wed at the edges of my skin, desperate, relentless. ¡°<i>She¡¯s </i><i>ours</i>. <i>They¡¯ve </i><i>spilled </i><i>her </i><i>blood</i><i>.</i><i>¡± </i>I forced my head up. Envyy in the circle, still clinging to Felix, her body convulsing as the change ripped through her bones. My boys, <i>our </i><i>boys</i>, formed a wall around her, shoulders braced, weapons of tooth and w ready. Mchi, Julius, and Arztec fought like storms unleashed, their Lycan forms towering over the chaos. Still, the witches¡® magic rained down like jagged lightning, searing the earth, cracking stones, and throwing men sideways.


    But my eyes found her again. Milly. <i>My </i><i>mate</i><i>. </i>Shey crumpled beneath a tree, dark hair tangled, blood slicking the roots around her. Her chest lifted shallow, too shallow. And through the smoke and chaos, I saw a figure of a witch gliding toward her with hands lifted, fingers curled like talons ready to strike. Tobias roared, a sound that ripped through my ribs, rattled my teeth, and split my skull. My vision went red.


    ¡°Tear <i>their </i><i>fucking </i><i>throats </i><i>out</i><i>,</i>¡± I growled, and Tobias surged forward, taking me with him. The shift hit hard, but I didn¡¯t fight it; I weed it. Bones snapped, lengthened, split skin. My hands split into ws, my teeth into fangs. My chest broadened, my senses red wide, and the air filled with a thousand heartbeats, a thousand scents, but I locked onto hers. <i>Milly</i><i>. </i><i>My </i><i>mate</i>. <i>My </i><i>world</i><i>. </i>The witch raised a hand, light pooling in her palm. Too slow. Tobias and I lunged as one, fury propelling us faster than thought. My jaws mped down before she could release the spell. Her scream was cut short as I ripped into her throat, hot blood spraying across my muzzle. She copsed in a heap of robes and ash at Milly¡¯s feet. I nted myself between my mate and the war. My fur bristled, my breath came in hot snarls, my ws dug trenches into the dirt.


    <b>9:24 </b>Sun, Sep 7 B¡­


    ¡°You¡¯ll <i>not </i><i>touch </i><i>her </i>again,¡± Tobias thundered through me. ¡°<i>Not </i><i>while </i><i>we </i><i>breathe</i><i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    <b>71 </b>


    Milly stirred, a small sound leaving her lips, but she didn¡¯t wake. I bent low, pressed my muzzle to her chest, and felt the weak but steady thump of her heart. Relief cracked through the rage, but only for a heartbeat. Around us, the battlefield roared on, witches screaming incantations, wolves snarling, the air alive with fire and frost. Tobias and I agreed, we couldn¡¯t move, wouldn¡¯t move. Our duty above all else is to protect our mate.


    <b>Theo </b>


    The battlefield was chaos.. My ears rang with every explosion of light, every scream of man and wolf. But my focus stayed locked on one ce, the circle where my father still knelt, hands bound with Envy¡¯s, his soul being pulled piece by piece into her so the child could live. He had chosen this. Chosen death in ce of her and the pup. I hated it, hated the quiet eptance in his eyes when he told me this was what he <i>owed</i>. But if he fell before he could give that gift, then it was all for nothing. And I would not, could not, let that happen. I fought like hell around him, de in one hand, ws ripping with the other. My wolf surged under my skin, urging me to tear and maul until nothing stood, but I forced control, because reckless meant leaving a gap in the wall around my father. And there could be no gaps. Not tonight. A warlock lunged for the circle, robes ring, eyes zing with dark fire. I intercepted, ramming my shoulder into his chest and driving him into the dirt. His spell cracked into the ground instead of my father¡¯s heart. I drove my de through his ribs, hot blood spilling across my hands, and snarled into his


    face, ¡°Not today.¡±


    But there were too many. Always more. They came in waves, their voices tangling into a


    chant that made my skin crawl. Sparks flew, streaks of light hissed across the field, and I barely managed to duck one before it shattered the tree behind me into splinters. I gritted my teeth, nted myself back in front of the circle, and cut down another. But exhaustion was wing at me already. My arms burned. My lungs heaved. And still they


    came.


    ¡°Stay down!¡± I shouted, spinning and driving a witch back with the t of my de before she could breach the line. My eyes flicked once to my father. His head was bowed, but his grip on Envy never faltered. His face was pale, too pale, but steady. He met my


    eyes across the space, just for a breath.


    9:24 Sun, Sep 7 G


    ¡­


    :


    <b>71 </b>


    <i>Protect </i><i>her</i><i>, </i>his gaze said. <i>Let </i>me <i>do </i><i>this</i>.


    Another spell struck me in the side, heatncing through my ribs. I staggered, roared, swung back on instinct, and caught the caster in the throat. Blood sprayed. But I was slowing. My knees threatened to buckle. Onest witch came at me, faster than the others, her hands dripping with violet fire. I brought my de up, blocked once, twice, then mmed into her with everything I had left. We went down together, rolling in mud and blood. I drove my fist into her face, once, twice, until bone cracked under my knuckles. She screamed, wing at my side, trying to get close enough to burn me alive. I forced her back, but the world tilted. My breath came shallow. ck crept at the edges of my vision.


    <i>Not </i><i>now</i><i>, </i>I thought. <i>Not </i><i>before </i><i>he¡¯s </i><i>finished</i>. <i>Not </i><i>before </i><i>I¡¯ve </i><i>kept </i><i>him </i><i>safe</i>.


    But the dark was stronger. It pulled me under, heavy and merciless, until I couldn¡¯t feel the ground beneath me anymore.


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    9:24 Sun, Sep 7 B¡­


    Goddess Of The Underworld.

 Wolf v 155

    Zion


    :


    <b>71 </b>


    The roar ripped out of me before I even knew it had left my chest. Theo went down, my Beta, my brother in all but blood, sprawled in the dirt with a witch¡¯s fire still crackling across his ribs. He had been fearless, unyielding, but even steel bends when struck too


    many times. I felt him falter, and my own wolf staggered inside me. Just a moment. <b>Just </b>one breath of weakness. And that was all it took. Light mmed into me from three


    sides at once, jagged bolts of red and white that cracked bone and sent me to one knee. My ck wolf buckled, teeth snapping at empty air as the force drove me into the mud. The witches saw it, my hesitation, and they pounced. Their chants rose like knives


    scraping stone, the ground itself trembling with their call. I forced my head up, vision


    blurring through blood and smoke. Around me, the battlefield churned, Lycan giants


    tearing through ranks, wolves snapping bone, men screaming as fire and frost tore


    across the field. Envyy still in the centre of it all, Felix bound to her, his life bleeding


    into her with every breath. The Alpha Kings were holding the line, their power shaking


    the air, but even they couldn¡¯t block every strike.


    Theo¡¯s bodyy yards away, too still. My Beta. My anchor. The one who¡¯d kept me from


    breaking more times than I could count. Fury rose, a tidal wave in my chest, drowning out the pain. My wolf howled inside me, snapping the chains of weakness. <i>¡°</i><i>Up</i>. <i>Fight</i>. <i>For </i>


    <i>him</i><i>.</i>¡±


    I surged back to my feet. Magic seared across my nk, but I didn¡¯t stop. I couldn¡¯t. I


    barreled into the nearest witch, jaws mping down on her arm. Bone snapped like dry wood. She screamed, but the sound was lost in the storm of my rage. I shook her once,


    twice, until she crumpled into a heap.


    ¡°Zion!¡± someone shouted, but I barely heard. My eyes were on Theo. His chest rose shallow, too shallow, but it moved. Alive. He was still alive. That was enough. I nted myself over him, hackles raised, teeth bared at the witches circling.


    Bolts of light rained down, striking the earth around us, but I stood unmoving. Even if the sky itself fell, I¡¯d stand between Theo and death¡­and death, I think it¡¯sing,


    soon<b>. </b>


    9:25 Sun, Sep 7 B¡­


    Aleisha


    :


    )


    <b>71 </b>


    We were meant to see theming. Meant to be the eyes in the dark. But they covered themselves, no sound, no scent, no warning. And now chaos tore the clearing apart. Wolves shing. Magic burning the sky. Envy writhing on the ground, her body buckling with the shift that could kill her and her pup. Tommy shifted first, his wolf leaping forward. I was right behind him, my bones breaking into fury and fur. My eyes locked on her, the girl who was my anchor, my friend, my Luna, and I swore I¡¯d make it to her. We made it no more than five steps before the world caved in. A st of raw magic mmed into Tommy¡¯s side. The sound that left his wolf cracked my chest in half. He careened into me, the force so hard it knocked us both off our feet. We tumbled into the dirt, tangled, the breath ripped clean out of me. By the time I forced my head up, he wasn¡¯t moving. His chest rose, shallow but there. His eyes closed. His wolf whimpered low in his throat. No, no, no, I thought, my own wolf keening inside me. I nudged him, frantic, nosing under his jaw, desperate to feel him answer. A shadow fell over us. I dragged my eyes up and there he was, a warlock, tall, and hands raised high. Magic pulsed between his fingers like a living de. He smiled like he¡¯d already cut us down. I didn¡¯t think. Didn¡¯t weigh choices. I threw myself over Tommy¡¯s body, pressing every inch of my wolf against him, covering as much as I could. His warmth soaked into me, my heart hammering against his chest as if I could lend him its rhythm. <i>Please</i><i>, </i>I prayed, though I didn¡¯t know who to. The Moon. The Mother. The dead. Anyone. <i>Not </i><i>him</i><i>. </i><i>Take </i><i>me </i><i>instead</i><i>, </i>


    <i>but </i><i>not </i><i>him</i><i>. </i>


    I shut my eyes, bracing for the strike, for the burn of magic tearing through us both. My wolf growled low, a final vow. If the warlock wanted him, he would have to go through me first.


    Felix


    I hold on to her with everything I have left. My fingers are locked around hers, though the strength in them trembles. Each time another piece of my life force is pulled from me, I feel it, like threads snapping inside my chest, unraveling what little time I still have. But I do not let go. Around us, chaos reigns. Our people are falling like trees in a storm. I see her mother¨Cinw already down, her body limp, Charles¡® wolf standing bloody and broken over her, taking blow after blow just to keep her breathing. My gaze drifts further, and I find Aleisha. My heart clenches. She has thrown herself across her mate¡¯s body, small wolf frame spread wide to protect him, even as witches close in. She


    <b>9:25 </b>Sun, Sep 7 G¡­


    looks so much like her mother in that moment. Sacrifice runs through this family like blood.


    <b>71 </b>


    Then the sound that tears my soul in two. My boy. Theo. His body crumpled under a strike, the weight of him hitting the ground. For one terrible heartbeat, I nearly tear free from Envy¡¯s hands to reach him. My chest caves with grief, but then I see Zion¡¯s wolf nting himself over Theo¡¯s fallen body, roaring his defiance at death itself. Zion takes the blows that were meant to end my son. I can¡¯t tell if Theo is alive. I pray. And if he isn¡¯t, then I know we will meet again in the afterlife. Envy¡¯s mates are no better off. They are scattered across the field, each one fighting with everything in them, but I see the toll it takes. Their bodies buckle under every spell, their teeth and ws shing but never fast enough. One by one, they are driven back, dragged farther away from her, until they can no longer shield her. The Alpha Kings, are now held high in the air like puppets, their Lycan forms suspended, their massive bodies straining and writhing. Below them, covens of witches chant in unison. They are rendered useless, powerless, their strength caged.


    Which leaves only me. The battlefield narrows until it¡¯s just her and me, her body convulsing, bones cracking as the shift tears through her. She is helpless. The child is helpless. And I¡­I am herst defense. Then ites. The strike that sears through me so hard it feels like my very blood ignites. Fire courses through my veins, my body arches, jerks, and then copses, my head hitting dirt I don¡¯t even feel. Darkness rushes in. Thest thing I see is her, my little warrior, screaming, her body torn between worlds.


    Thest thing I think is that <i>I </i><i>have </i><i>failed </i><i>her</i>. <i>Again</i>.


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 Wolf v 156

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    <b>Chapter 156 </b>


    <b>Envy </b>


    ))


    <b>71 </b>


    The moment Felix¡¯s hands slip from mine, everything tears open. His strength, the


    steady anchor holding me against the storm, vanishes. Pain rips through me in waves so


    brutal I can¡¯t breathe, can¡¯t think. My scream splits the air, raw and jagged. Every bone


    in my body cracks, breaks, and reshapes. My spine arches violently, ribs snapping like


    brittle branches, muscles tearing to reform. The agony is endless, unrelenting, and I feel every single second of it. The pup inside me kicks hard, a desperate pulse of life, and my arms curl instinctively over my belly. <i>Hold </i><i>on</i><i>, </i>I beg. <i>Please </i><i>hold on</i>. But the pain is too much. It drags me down into the dirt, nails wing furrows in the soil as my throat burns from the endless sound of my own screaming. Inside my head, Layah howls, the sound so sharp it feels like ss shattering in my skull. Around me, I hear the howls of my family echoing hers, Xavier, Haiden, Noah, Levi, all of them calling to me, calling for me. But their howls are strained, broken by pain and battle. They¡¯re dying. They¡¯re all dying. Through the haze of agony, I see shadows closing in. Witches. Cloaked in ck, eyes glowing, moving slowly and sure. My vision flickers in and out, the world turning to smears of red and gray, but one face slices through the blur like a de. <i>Salira</i>.


    She walks toward me like she¡¯s been waiting centuries for this. Her steps are unhurried, deliberate, a predator savoring the final strike. She kneels before me, her robe whispering against the ground, and her gaze fixes not on my face, but on the swell of my stomach. <i>My </i><i>child</i><i>. </i>


    ¡°I¡¯ve waited a very long time for this,¡± she says, her voice low and venomous. She smiles, cruel and sharp, as she pulls a knife from her robe. Its edge glimmers with a sickly light. Her other hand lowers, hovering just above my belly. ¡°Thank you for your sacrifice.¡±


    Her touch burns like ice. Rage explodes inside me. <i>This </i><i>witch</i><i>. </i><i>This </i><i>power</i><i>¨C</i>hungry<i>, </i><i>bloodthirsty </i><i>bitch</i>. The one who made me prey. The one who thinks she can take what¡¯s mine. Not my child. Not again. My vision tunnels. I focus on her hand pressed to me, on the flow of magic pulsing under her skin. I pull. Hard. With everything I have left, I lock her hand in ce with my power and turn her own life against her. My magic digs into her veins, into her soul, and I start to take it. Slowly at first, then faster, <i>greedier</i>. Her eyes widen. The smugness vanishes. She thrashes, tries to wrench her hand away, but I¡¯ve chained her to me. Her scream rips through the battlefield, louder than the sh of


    9:25 Sun, Sep 7 B¡­


    :


    teeth, louder than the chants of her coven. Her soul shimmers, a pale, writhing light, and I rip it free piece by piece. The surge hits me like fire in my blood. My body seizes, then breaks again as the final stage of my shift detonates inside me. ck¨Cgold light erupts around me, scorching the earth. My Lycan bursts free, massive, towering, a beast born of rage and blood and survival. I stand tall, my paws sinking into the earth, my chest. heaving with power. Salira copses at my feet, nothing but a husk, her body shriveled, her life force drained dry. <i>Dead</i><i>. </i>Finally.


    Layah materializes beside me, molten fur and golden eyes gleaming, no longer bound to my body. She is her own, and I am mine, two halves of the same whole. She looks up at me, lips curling into a savage snarl. I meet her gaze, my Lycan breath steaming in the cold air. We nod once, a promise sealed in blood.


    ¡°Let¡¯s ughter everyst one of them,¡± I growl.


    Layah¡¯s answering snarl shakes the field. Together, we turn toward the witches. Tonight, we are not prey. Tonight, we are death and we¡¯reing to reap these fucking souls. Power roared through my veins, hot and alive, my Lycan body towering, my hellhound at my nk. Layah¡¯s molten fur zed like wildfire, her eyes glowing like twin suns, and together we became a force no witch could stand against. I countered every strike, magic sparking at my fingertips, ws tearing through flesh. A st of green fire came for me, but I caught it in my palm, twisted it with a snarl, and hurled it back into the chest of the witch who cast it. Her scream cut short as my ws ripped her apart. Another thought they could nk me, I spun, my ws shing, opening their throat in a spray of red. Layah lunged at my side, jaws closing around a warlock¡¯s ribs, her weight dragging him down before she snapped his spine with a sickening crack.


    We ran first to Aleisha and Tommy. My heart dropped, their bodiesy motionless, Aleisha¡¯s wolf sprawled over his in a desperate shield. Rage wed its way up my throat, and I let it free. I tore through the witches circling them, one after another, clearing a wide bloody ring until there was nothing left standing near them. I spun on my heels and charged to Dad¡¯s wolf was next, Tobias, massive and ck, standing like a fortress over Mum¡¯s broken body. He was a wall of fury, not letting a single spell or strike through to his mate, even as magic seared his fur and cut into his shoulders. I barreled in with a snarl, cleaving through the witches that dared to surround them, ripping limbs and throats, clearing the field. Tobias met my eyes for a split second, his fury matched with mine. We didn¡¯t need words. We both knew, no one touches our family. The


    9:25 Sun, Sep 7 <b>B</b>¡­


    <b>71 </b>


    chanting reached my ears then, low, ugly, insidious. My brothers. I turned, fury burning white¨Chot, and bolted for the circle of witches. Mchi, Julius, and Arztec hung suspended in the air, their massive Lycan forms straining against invisible chains. The


    witches beneath them chanted louder, hands raised, power thick enough to choke the air.


    They never saw using. Layah and I hit them like a storm, tearing through the circle.


    My ws sank into the spine of one, ripping him apart. Layah bowled two others over


    and crushed their skulls between her jaws. The chanting broke, the spell shattered, and my brothers dropped to the ground in heavy thuds that shook the earth. They rose at once, shaking the haze from their eyes, already rejoining the fight, their towering forms surging back into battle to aid Zion, who stood over Theo¡¯s crumpled body like a mountain ready to split the earth.


    Layah and I didn¡¯t pause. We rushed to my mates.


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 Wolf v 157

    <b>Chapter </b><b>157 </b>


    <b>71 </b>


    Talen, <i>my </i><i>wobbles</i><i>, </i>was down<b>, </b>three witches striking at once, their magic carving into him like molten des. Bolts of searing light and shards of ice tore across his chest and arms, knocking him back into the dirt. His snarl cracked the night, furyced with pain. Before they could finish him, Layah roared and leapt into the fray. Her molten body collided with two at once, the sound of bones snapping under her weight as her jaws mped down on the shoulder of one. She tore him apart in a spray of blood, half his body hitting the ground before the rest of him did. The second witch tried to scream an incantation, but Layah¡¯s ws ripped through her chest, silencing her with a wet, choking gasp. The third turned, raising her hands, ready to st Layah away, but Talen surged back to his feet, his eyes burning like a storm unleashed. Blood streaked down his jaw, smoke rising from his wounds, but rage made him unstoppable. He ripped the witch¡¯s throat open with a savage twist of his ws, their head dangling grotesquely before he tossed the body aside like it weighed nothing. He and Layah stood shoulder to shoulder, breath steaming in the night, blood dripping from their teeth.


    I veered left. Xavier was cornered, blood soaking his side, a witch towering over him with a de raised high. My rage detonated, hot and blinding. I lunged, ws sinking into the bastard¡¯s spine, dragging him backward. ¡°Not my mate!¡± I snarled, my voice more beast than woman. I snapped his neck with a vicious twist, the crack echoing like a gunshot, before hurling his body across the field. It mmed into another witch mid¨Cstrike, sending both of them tumbling. The opening was enough. Hawk lunged in, his ws glowing faintly with his magic, and raked deep into the downed witch¡¯s chest, tearing him open until his body split into two bloody halves. The smell of iron and ash filled the


    air. Levi was fighting like hell, his body drenched in sweat and blood, his chest rising in harsh gasps. His de shed in one hand, his ws in the other, but he was tired,


    slower now, and I saw the witch creeping in behind him, magic burning in their palm. I didn¡¯t think. I was there in a blink, my ws sinking into the witch¡¯s stomach before they could strike, dragging them open from belly to ribs. They dropped at Levi¡¯s feet, choking on blood. Levi looked at me, face streaked crimson, and together we roared, feral, furious, a sound that made the witches stumble back. It wasn¡¯t just rage. It was a warning.


    And then<b>, </b>for the first time since this nightmare began, the tide shifted. The witches faltered. Their chants stuttered. Their lines broke, scattering like dry leaves in the wind. The ground beneath us was littered with their dead bodies, twisted spells dying in their


    9:25 Sun<b>, </b>Sep 7 B¡­


    ))


    throats. Around me, my family rose again<b>, </b>bloodied, battered, but unyielding. Haiden, steam rising off his wounds. Xavier, blood still dripping but standing tall. Noah, his sword dripping red. Levi, shaking with exhaustion but still deadly. My Lycan bared her teeth, taller than them all, my magic sparking like fire at my fingertips. At my side, Layah prowled forward, her molten fur glowing, her eyes hungry for more blood.


    Together, our gazes cut across the field, locking on the witches who dared to remain.


    This wasn¡¯t defense anymore. This was the beginning of the ughter.


    71


    As my brothers¡® Lycans thundered into the line, the ground shook beneath us. Mchi, Julius, and Arztec loomed like mountains, their roars vibrating through bone and marrow. It didn¡¯t need to be said, didn¡¯t need to be ordered, we were one. One purpose. One oath. <i>Not </i><i>a </i><i>single </i><i>witch </i><i>would </i><i>leave </i><i>this </i><i>field </i><i>alive</i><i>. </i>We surged. My Lycan form tore through the line first, ws dripping, jaws snapping bone from flesh. Layah matched my pace, molten and furious, fire spilling in her wake. Together we carved a path, every strike fueled by blood¨Cdeep rage, every kill a promise paid in full. Haiden and Talen ripped a warlock apart limb from limb, their roars rolling across the battlefield like thunder. Noah moved like a storm surge, Hawk taking over, crushing skulls and leaving nothing but ash in his path. Levi fought with precision, every strike calcted, every spell countered, while Xavier cut through their ranks with sheer brutal strength, Maddox


    snapping necks as they shifted between forms seamlessly.


    The witches faltered. They stumbled. Their chanting broke apart, their magic sparking and guttering as fear finally bled through their arrogance. My brothers drove the point home. Mchi mmed one witch into the dirt so hard the earth split beneath her.


    Julius bellowed, his jaws closing on another¡¯s head, the crack of bone echoing sharply. Arztec hurled a screaming warlock into the air, catching him mid¨Cfall with a swipe that split him in half. And still, we pressed. The field became a ughter. My ws raked


    deep, sending another witch spinning into the dirt, her spell dying on her lips. Layah¡¯s howl split the sky as her molten body swallowed two more, leaving nothing but charred husks behind. Blood and ash coated my fur, the metallic taste filling my mouth as I drove my ws through chest after chest, their hearts giving way under my grip. They had wanted <i>my </i><i>child</i>. They had dared to touch <i>my </i><i>family</i><i>. </i>Now they would die for it.


    One by one, they fell until the field was littered with their corpses. Not a single one escaped. Not one whisper of their cursed chanting remained. Only silence, heavy and final, broken by the sound of our breathing, of blood dripping from ws, of Lycans, wolves, and men standing tall in victory. I lifted my head, my Lycan eyes glowing, and


    <b>9:25 </b>Sun, Sep 7 B¡­


    71


    looked across the battlefield at my family, bloodied and battered. The witches were dead, but at what cost? I shifted fast, my feet unsteady for a moment as Haiden quickly caught<ol><li>me.</li></ol>


    ¡°Envy?¡± He said with wide eyes, hands on my belly.


    But I didn¡¯t have time to assure him I was okay, I wasn¡¯t even sure I was okay. My eyes were skittering across the bodies of our own thaty unmoving. Mum, Aleisha, Tommy,


    Theo, Felix. Were any of them alive?


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    Semecke Cobb


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    dang¡­.this book is phenomenal. need more fast lol


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 Wolf v 158

    <b>Chapter </b><b>158 </b>


    My legs were still unsteady when Haiden caught me, his hand instinctively syed over my bump like it was the only thing that mattered in the world. My own eyes were already darting past him, across the battlefield. The smoke, the blood, the bodies, too many of them were ours. My chest tightened until I could hardly breathe. Mum. I didn¡¯t think, I ran. The woman who had taken me in with no hesitation, who had hugged me like I belonged, who baked the kind of cakes that made you forget the war for one damn bite. Who teased me about glowing, who swore swaddling me in nkets fixed everything. She couldn¡¯t be gone. Not her. Tobias stood like a wall of ck fur and muscle, his massive wolf body blocking her from the world, teeth bared and lips curled back in a snarl. His muzzle dripped with blood that wasn¡¯t his own<b>, </b>his eyes zing gold. He growled the second I came close, every line of his body screaming: mine. Do <i>not </i>


    <i>touch</i><i>. </i>


    I skidded to a stop, breath catching in my throat. ¡°Please,<i>¡± </i>I whispered, my hands already reaching, trembling.


    Xavier came up behind me slowly, palms out, his voice steady and calm. ¡°Dad. It¡¯s Envy. It¡¯s safe. Stand down. Let her see Mum.¡±


    Tobias¡® growl deepened, low and guttural, his head dropping closer to Milly¡¯s prone body. Her hair was tangled in dirt and blood, the back of her skull slick with it. I swallowed hard, my heart racing.


    ¡°Dad,¡± Xavier said again, firmer now. ¡°She¡¯s not here to take her from you. She¡¯s here to


    help.<b>¡± </b>


    For one long, agonizing beat, I thought Tobias would lunge. But finally, with a shudder that rattled through his massive frame, he stepped back, his growl tapering off into a warning rumble. His eyes never left me, but the way was open.


    I dropped to my knees at her side. Blood pooled thick at the base of her skull, matting the dark strands of her hair, and my hands shook as I reached to cradle her head. Her skin was mmy, her breath shallow, but there, they were breaths. And her heart. Weak, fluttering, but there. Relief cut through me, jagged and sharp, and my magic surged forward on instinct, the urge to heal overwhelming. I pressed my hands to the wound,


    ready to let the light pour from me, but before I could release it, Haiden was there. His hands closed over mine, pulling them away.


    ¡°Love.¡± His voice cracked on the word. ¡°You can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I can save her!¡± My voice broke, desperate. ¡°I can heal this, Haiden, I know I can!¡±


    ¡°You just shifted,¡± he cut in, voice hard and trembling at once. ¡°You¡¯ve poured every ounce of power you had into fighting, into keeping us alive. We don¡¯t even know if the baby is okay.¡± His eyes dropped, just for a second, to the swell of my belly. Fear and love warred in his gaze. ¡°I can¡¯t let you risk them. Not like this. Remember what happened when you saved Levi?¡±


    The memory hit me like a de. My body copsing, the darkness closing in, my magic spent. He was right. If I tried to heal her now, I might burn outpletely<b>. </b>


    ¡°Fine!¡± I snapped, jerking my hands back, throwing them up as frustration wed through me. My throat tightened, my chest heaved. ¡°Fine. Then conjure me up some gods¨Cdamned medical supplies. Bandages, poultices, whatever you¡¯ve got. I¡¯ll do it the hard way. Someone check the others!¡±


    Haiden didn¡¯t argue, just barked orders, his voice carrying over the wreckage of the battlefield. Noah was already sprinting toward Theo and Felix. Levi and Xavier ran to check on Aleisha and Tommy. My brothers¡® towering Lycans moved like shadows over the field, clearing what witches still twitched.


    I stayed where I was, kneeling in the dirt, my hands shaking as I brushed blood away from Mum¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re not leaving me,¡± I whispered fiercely, pressing my forehead to hers. ¡°You¡¯re too damn stubborn for that. Stay with me, Mum. Please.¡±


    Hershes fluttered once, but her eyes didn¡¯t open. Still, I swore I felt her fight.


    Haiden conjured a full medical kit, the leather bag snapping into ce at my knees. I grabbed it with hands that wouldn¡¯t stop trembling and yanked it open. Gauze, herbs, antiseptics, sutures, the sight of them made my throat close. It had been too long since I studied this, back when I thought medicine might be my calling. Back before blood and magic had stolen all of that from me<b>. </b>I prayed it was still somewhere inside me. Mum¡¯s breathing was shallow, her chest rising in quick, uneven bursts. I tilted her head


    carefully, grimacing at the blood matted thick into her hair, the gash at the back of her skull still oozing. ¡°Okay, okay,¡± I whispered, more to myself than her. ¡°Airway, breathing,


    cirction. I remember this. I can do this.¡±


    <b>Noah </b>


    I ran for Theo and Felix. Zion shifted back, fur sinking into flesh. He fell to his knees beside Theo, his hands shaking as they pressed at his friend¡¯s throat. ¡°Come on,¡± he choked, his voice raw. ¡°Don¡¯t do this to me, not you.¡± He pressed harder, his ear dropping to Theo¡¯s mouth, searching for breath. ¡°Wake up! Damn it, Theo, wake up!¡± His voice cracked into a roar, half¨Ccry, halfmand. I knelt by Felix. His body was wrecked. Skin grey and ck, chest blistered like someone had pressed fire straight into his ribs. He looked ten years older and drained. My fingers pressed hard against his wrist. Faint. Weak. But there. ¡°Still breathing,¡± I rasped.


    Zion¡¯s curses filled the air behind me, broken and desperate.


    I leaned over Felix. ¡°Felix. Hey. Stay with me.¡± My palm cupped the side of his face, gentle, firm. ¡°Felix?¡±


    His eyelids fluttered,shes clumped with sweat. For a second, I thought it was just reflex, but then his lips parted. ¡°¡­Where¡¯s Theo?¡± The words were slurred, shredded, but they were there.


    I swallowed hard. ¡°He¡¯s here. Zion¡¯s with him.¡±


    Felix¡¯s eyes opened wider, panic flooding the grey. ¡°Where¡¯s my son?!¡± His hands wed at the ground, trying to haul himself upright. His chest spasmed, the burn splitting as blood welled.


    I shoved him gently but firmly back down. ¡°Don¡¯t. You¡¯ll kill yourself. Just wait.¡±


    ¡°My boy!¡± he roared, and the sound ripped straight through me. ¡°That¡¯s my boy! Let me¡­¡± He coughed hard, blood wetting his lips. His whole body shook with the effort to rise again, his gaze locked past me to where Theo stilly unresponsive.


    Zion¡¯s voice was hoarse in the distance. ¡°Come on, brother. Come on!¡± He pped Theo¡¯s face lightly, then harder, his shoulders shaking.


    13:25 <b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>8 </b><b>N </b>


    78


    Tears streaked Felix¡¯s soot¨Cstained cheeks as he rasped, ¡°He¡¯s all I have. Please, don¡¯t you understand? That¡¯s my son!¡±


    I tightened my grip on his wrist, grounding him even as my own throat burned. ¡°I do understand. Which is why you stay alive. For him. You hear me? For him.¡±


    But his eyes never left Theo. And mine, mine couldn¡¯t either.

 Wolf v 159

    <b>Levi </b>


    Xavier and I hit the ground running, boots sliding in the churned dirt until we dropped to our knees beside them. Aleisha and Tommy. Their wolves were tangled together, her sprawled over his chest like a shield, her fur matted dark with blood. For one awful


    heartbeat, I couldn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t breathe.


    78


    ¡°Help me,¡± I rasped, and Xavier was already there, hauling Aleisha¡¯s body gently aside while I pulled Tommy¡¯s t against the grass. Weid them both out, their heads turned toward each other even now. My fingers pressed hard to Aleisha¡¯s throat, searching, begging for any flicker of a pulse. Xavier¡¯s hands moved in the same rhythm on Tommy, steady but frantic, searching like he could force their hearts to answer. Nothing.


    Nothing.


    I heard it then, Felix¡¯s voice ripping across the field, guttural and broken, screaming for his son. Noah¡¯s low voice was trying to ground him, to pin him down as blood poured from his chest. My head jerked up just in time to see Zion shaking Theo¡¯s body, his voice shattering as he begged his friend to wake. And then my gaze dragged left. To Mum. Envy had made a ce for her. Our spot, our sacred ce, turned battlefield now into a makeshift ward. She¡¯d spread a white sheet over the ground and had Mum¡¯s head in herp sideways, hands stitching carefully, her fingers trembling as she worked. Dad¡¯s wolf prowled a ragged circle around them, snapping and pacing, foam on his muzzle, too broken to shift back, too terrified to leave her unguarded, and Haiden was trying desperately to calm him.


    I swallowed hard and forced myself back down to my little sister. My baby sister, whom I once held in my arms and swore the world stopped spinning just to revolve around her light. To my beta. To my best friend. I pressed again at her throat, desperate for something, anything. But Aleisha¡¯s chest didn¡¯t rise. Tommy¡¯s ribs stayed still. They weren¡¯t breathing.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I whispered, the word tearing out of me.


    When I looked up, Xavier¡¯s face was pale, his eyes hollow. He shook his head once<b>, </b>slowly, like the world had just caved in. My throat closed.


    13:25 Mon, Sep 8 <b>N </b>


    And then it happened. My whole body locked as a shimmer rose from them, two shapes, mist and light peeling up and out of their wolf forms. Tommy and Aleisha, translucent, ghostlike, but so achingly them. They stood side by side<b>, </b>hands brushing, eyes burning with the same defiance they¡¯d always carried. Their bodies might have been still, but their souls stood ready for war.


    ¡°Levi!¡± Aleisha¡¯s voice tore through me, loud, fierce, desperate. ¡°Levi, we have to fight! What are you doing?! We have to kill the witches!¡±


    Her ghostly eyes locked on mine, and in that moment, I didn¡¯t know if my heart was breaking or if it had already broken.


    <b>Xavier </b>


    Levi¡¯s voice cracked as he spoke to them, Aleisha and Tommy, or what was left of them. Their souls shimmered like smoke caught in the wind, standing where their bodiesy, eyes locked in that relentless loop. They weren¡¯t here with us, not really. They were trapped in the fight, still convinced the witches were circling, that Envy was down, that they had to defend her.


    ¡°Levi!¡± Aleisha¡¯s spirit cried again, her voice as sharp and desperate as it had ever been. ¡°She needs us! Why aren¡¯t you moving? We have to fight, we have to save her!¡±


    Tommy¡¯s misty form snarled like his wolf had taken over, his chest heaving though there was no breath. ¡°Come on, brother! The witches areing, we can¡¯t leave her!¡± His eyes burned like embers, fixed not on Levi but on the battlefield that no longer existed. Levi¡¯s hands trembled, his jaw tight, tears streaking through the blood on his face. ¡°It¡¯s over,¡± he whispered, voice breaking. ¡°Gods, it¡¯s over. You don¡¯t have to fight anymore.¡± His words hit the air like stones, heavy, sinking fast, but they didn¡¯t understand; they were still stuck in their death loop.


    I felt it then, sharp and brutal, the grief wing up my throat. My chest tightened so hard I thought it might split. A sob ripped out of me before I could stop it, raw and desperate. My knees hit the dirt. ¡°Envy!¡± I choked out, a plea, a prayer. I didn¡¯t even know what I was asking her to do, only that I needed her, needed her magic, her strength, her presence. She looked up from where she was working over Mum<b>, </b>her eyes wild and red, her hands stained with blood. For a heartbeat, she froze, then her gaze


    delete


    homes


    pg up


    pg dn


    found them, found Aleisha¡¯s soul. And the moment their eyes locked, I swear the whole field stilled, time itself holding its breath. Aleisha¡¯s spirit faltered mid¨Cstep, her <b>voice </b>caught in her throat as recognition flickered there. ¡°Envy?¡± she whispered, her tone softer, trembling, like she was finally seeing her.


    Haiden came and copsed beside me, his hands tearing at his hair, a cry bursting from his chest so guttural it didn¡¯t sound human. His grief bled into the sound, breaking something in me all over again. Noah was already running, sprinting toward us, his sword ttering to the ground behind him as though nothing else mattered. His <b>face </b>was streaked with blood, eyes locked on the souls of our sister and our Beta. And then<b>, </b>the sound that cut through everything. Tobias. Dad¡¯s wolf. His howl shattered the air, broken and raw, carrying agony so deep it felt like the earth itself might split open to swallow it. It echoed and echoed, rolling across the field of corpses, across the trees, across the night, one long, grieving call for everything we were losing. I pressed my hand to Levi¡¯s shoulder, grounding him even as my own body shook. We were surrounded by blood, by


    ghosts, by the stench of death. But nothing, not the witches, not the war, hurt as much as this. Watching them linger in that half¨Cworld, desperate to keep fighting, desperate to protect the one person they had given everything for, even as their bodiesy cold in the


    dirt.


    My baby sister and my best friend¡­they¡¯re gone.


    Chapter Comments


    4 Reviews >


    <b>?? </b>


    Visitor


    19 hours ago


    gut wrenching and raw emotions¡­.even I felt their pain.


    2

 Wolf v 160

    <b>Envy </b>


    CO


    Xavier¡¯s voice shattered the air, raw and jagged. ¡°Envy!¡± His grief cut through me, through everything, and I spun just in time to see what he saw. Aleisha and Tommy. Or rather¡­their souls. They stood there like misty figures, half¨Cshaped, glowing faintly with the silver hue of death¡¯s hand. Their eyes were wide, frantic, locked not on their bodies sprawled in the dirt but on the battlefield as though it was still raging. They were lost, trapped in the loop of the fight. My chest hollowed, my stomach turning inside out. And then Tobias¡® howl rose, broken and earth¨Csplitting. My head whipped toward him, my father¡¯s wolf, pacing mad, grief rolling off him like waves. His matey limp under the tree still, and now he thought he¡¯d lost his daughter too.


    ¡°Shift. Now!¡± My voice cracked like a whip, full Alphamand, full Queen.


    Tobias¡® body shuddered, the dominance in my tone cutting through his grief. He obeyed, his form shrinking, breaking, twisting until Charles was on his knees in the dirt. His hands shook as he scrambled forward to Milly, pulling her gently into his arms. His shoulders wracked with silent sobs, his tears running down her blood¨Cmatted hair.


    ¡°Hold your mate,¡± I ordered, softer now, but no less firm. He clutched her tighter, rocking her like he could keep her tethered by will alone.


    And I¡­I ran.


    The ground blurred beneath me, my heart pounding in my ears, until I skidded to my knees beside Aleisha and Tommy¡¯s wolves. Their bodiesy side by side, beneath their souls. My throat closed at the sight. Their souls stood just a step away, staring at me, confusion all over their faces.


    ¡°Envy¡­¡± Aleisha¡¯s spirit whispered, tilting her head. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why are you down there?¡±


    I swallowed hard, reaching for them, though my hands passed through nothing but air. ¡°Look.¡± My voice cracked. ¡°Look down.¡±


    13:25 Mon, Sep 8 <b>N </b>


    8703


    Both turned. Their eyes widened. They saw their own bodies, the still fur, the unmoving chests, the blood that clung to their mouths and paws.


    Tommy staggered back a step, horror twisting his face. ¡°We¡¯re¡­ we¡­¡±


    Aleisha¡¯s voice brokepletely. ¡°We¡¯re dead?¡±


    ¡°Not for long,¡± I growled.


    Haiden¡¯s voice reached me, sharp and desperate, ¡°Envy, don¡¯t! You can¡¯t¡­think of the


    baby!¡±


    But rage and grief boiled in my veins, louder than his plea. My Lycan bristled beneath my skin, and Layah snarled in my mind.


    ¡°They will not die for me!¡± I roared. ¡°Not because of me!¡±


    I dropped to the earth between them, one hand pressing to Aleisha¡¯s fur, the other to Tommy¡¯s. Their bodies were cold beneath my palms, their hearts still as stone. My magic thrummed, heavy and dangerous, curling in my veins like molten fire. I closed my eyes and pulled.


    ¡°Come back,¡± I whispered, my voice trembling, then louder,manding. ¡°Blood, retreat. Hearts, beat. Souls, find your way back home.¡±


    Power surged from me, tearing through my chest like ws raking bone. The air cracked, light sparking across my skin as my magic poured out, threads of blue hues weaving from my hands into their bodies. I tugged at their souls, tethering them, dragging them back into flesh. Aleisha and Tommy screamed, their spirits and bodies both, as their essence was forced into form again. My lungs burned, my vision blurred, and the ground tilted beneath me. I felt my baby roll inside me, a sharp twist of protest, and terror wed at the edges of my resolve. My energy was bleeding away, life itself draining with every second I held on.


    ¡°Live!¡± I shouted, my voice raw, breaking. ¡°Come back to us! Come back to me!¡±


    Their chests hitched. Once. Twice. My magic surged harder, darker, until I felt my body slipping, until I wasn¡¯t sure where I ended and they began. And still<b>, </b>I didn¡¯t let go.


    I


    <b>13:25 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>8 <b>N </b>


    876


    didn¡¯t let go until I felt thest piece of their souls stitch back together to their bodies<b>, </b>and then, I let my eyes close, and the pure exhaustion pull me under.


    Elliot


    The tunnels stretched all through the cabin, twisting and curling like a secret yground only I could make. The walls glowed faintly where I¡¯d pressed my palms, magic humming through my fingertips, shaping the wood and stone into slides and curves. Macey squealed as she shot down one, hair flying, while Elias crawled up another tunnel like it was the best adventure of his life.


    ¡°It¡¯s way past bedtime,¡± Macey giggled, popping her head out of one hole before sliding


    back down another.


    ¡°That¡¯s the point,¡± I grinned, sending another wave of energy through the wall so the tunnel widened into a chute that dropped them into the rug pile below. ¡°Magic makes sneaking out of bed easy.<b>¡± </b>


    Theirughter echoed through the halls, and for a moment, it was nothing but fun. Then


    it hit me.


    That twist in my stomach. Heavy. Cold. The exact same one I¡¯d felt before, when Mum, Envy, was trying to hold the veil together with only Layah. My chest squeezed tight, my throat closing.


    ¡°Mum,¡± I whispered. My hand pressed to my stomach like I could hold it still, but the pull only got stronger. The new veil tugged at me, tethered me to her, to everything. And it felt wrong. Too heavy. Too sharp.


    ¡°Mum¡¯s dying.¡± The words slipped out, quiet, almost to myself.


    Macey froze halfway out of a tunnel, her big eyes round. Elias looked at me like I¡¯d just broken the world.


    I swallowed hard, panic crawling up my spine. ¡°Mace¡­ I have to go.¡± My voice shook, but the decision was already made. ¡°Go wake Mumma and Dad. Tell them something¡¯s not right with Mum. Hurry.¡±


    Her lip trembled. ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Please,¡± I begged, the tug in my stomach pulling harder, like she was slipping away, like the thread holding her was about to snap. ¡°Please, Mace. Just do it.¡±


    She nodded, tears shining, and scrambled up the slide, Elias hot on her heels.


    I closed my eyes and braced myself against the pull. If Mum was slipping, if she was fading, then I had to get to her. I had to help her, no matter what it took.


    Chapter Comments


    1

 Wolf v 161

    <b>Chapter </b><b>161 </b>


    <b>Elliot </b>


    The tether burned in my chest, pulling so hard it felt like it would rip me in two. I focused on it, her voice in my bones, her heartbeat in my blood, the bond that wasn¡¯t just magic but everything that made me me. I pressed both palms out, fingers shaking, and forced the world to split. The portal ripped open, light bending until it became a hole in the air. I didn¡¯t think. I jumped. I dropped onto hard ground, knees scraping grass and stone. The world smelled wrong. Sharp. Metallic. The stench of blood coated my tongue before I even looked around. Broken fairy lights hung from branches, torn and dangling, a few still sparking weakly. Candlesy toppled in the dirt, some still smoking. A movie flickered on a torn projector screen, the reel half¨Cshredded, colors bleeding nonsense into the night. And then¡­the bodies.


    So many. Scattered across the field, twisted in ways they shouldn¡¯t be, blood soaking into the earth until it shone ck in the low light. Souls drifted like mist above them, confused, circling, lost. Their whispers scratched at my ears. My stomach heaved. I wanted to cry, to scream, to run back through the portal. But the tether yanked tighter, pulled my eyes forward. Past the blood. Past the ruin. To them. Four men. My Dads. Kneeling in the grass, their bodies ringed around someone. Protecting her. Holding her. <i>Her</i><i>. </i>My mum.


    ¡°Mum!¡± The word ripped out of me, raw and desperate. My legs moved before my brain could, carrying me across the torn¨Cup field.


    All four of them turned at once, their faces streaked with blood and tears, their eyes wide and broken. For a moment, they looked like I¡¯d torn their hearts out just by standing there. Uncle Arztec moved first. Fast. His massive body blurred as he sprinted and scooped me up before I reached them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look,¡± he said, voice harsh, trembling as he pressed my face into his chest. ¡°Don¡¯t look, Elliot. It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s okay.¡±


    But it wasn¡¯t. I kicked, shoved, and punched at him with everything I had. My throat burned from screaming.


    ¡°Get off me! Let me go! Mum!¡±


    I could still feel her through the tether, faint and flickering. Fading. And every second I


    wasn¡¯t by her side felt like betrayal.


    678


    ¡°Mum!¡± I screamed again, thrashing, my nails digging into Arztec¡¯s arms. ¡°Please, let me


    go!¡±


    Arztec¡¯s arms tightened around me, iron bands locking me against his chest. His heartbeat thundered in my ear, heavy, frantic, but it wasn¡¯t the one I needed. It wasn¡¯t


    hers.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look, Elliot,¡± he begged, voice cracking. ¡°Don¡¯t look¡­¡±


    ¡°I have to!¡± I screamed, my throat raw, tears streaming hot down my face. The tether inside me was fraying, screaming that she was slipping, slipping away, and if I didn¡¯t reach her now, I¡¯d lose her forever. The panic broke something open inside me. My body burned, my veins lit with fire, and before I even thought about it, the magic surged. My hands pressed t against Arztec¡¯s chest, and I shoved, not with strength, but with power. A shockwave burst out. Arztec flew backwards, his massive frame crashing into the dirt with a grunt, his eyes wide with shock. I scrambled to my feet, my whole body shaking. Mchi and Julius stood in my path, arms wide, trying to block me, their faces pale and wet with grief.


    ¡°Elliot, no¡­¡± Mchi¡¯s voice cracked.


    ¡°Stay back!¡± Julius pleaded.


    But I couldn¡¯t. I wouldn¡¯t. I ran straight at them, tears blurring my vision. And just as their hands reached for me, I ripped the world again. A portal bloomed beneath my feet, bright and wild, and in the next heartbeat, I spilled out on the other side, inside the circle. Inside, where my dads knelt, surrounding her. Her. My mum. Shey so still. Too still. Blood in her hair, her skin pale as moonlight. My Dads¡® hands hovered over her body, protecting, pleading, praying.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look, son,¡± Xavier said, his voice breaking like ss.


    ¡°Elliot, please,¡± Levi begged, his eyes shining with despair.


    ¡°She¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay,¡± Noah whispered, but his voice shook too hard to believe.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­don¡¯t do this to yourself, pup,¡± Haiden muttered, tears streaking down his <b>face</b>.


    Their words mmed into me from every side, their grief crushing, but it only made the rage burn hotter in my chest. The magic surged with it, wild and sharp, until it felt like my whole body was shaking apart.


    ¡°SHUT UP!¡± I roared.


    The words ripped out of me, thunderous, maging every syble. It cracked across the battlefield like lightning, carrying above every cry and plea. And they obeyed. My dads, the strongest men I knew, fell silent. The world narrowed to her. I dropped to my knees beside her, my hands shaking so badly I could barely dig into my pocket. But I found it. The crystal. Her crystal. The one containing her raw magic. The one they gave me the day she called me son, the day she made me family. It pulsed faintly, a soft light in the dark. I pressed it to her chest, right over her heart.


    ¡°Come on, Mum,¡± I whispered, tears dripping onto her skin. My hands trembled, but I held the crystal steady, willing it to connect, to matter.


    I closed my eyes and breathed. In. Out. In. Out. The way she taught me when fear was


    too big.


    ¡°I need you,¡± I whispered. ¡°We all need you. Please. Please don¡¯t leave us.¡±


    I called to her tether, the bond in my chest that tied me to her, to Layah, to everything that had ever made me more than just a scared boy. I called to her blood, her magic, her soul. I begged them toe back. To stay with me. <i>Please </i><i>stay </i><i>with </i><i>me</i><i>, </i><i>Mummy</i><i>. </i>The crystal pulsed harder, brighter, beating in rhythm with mine. I breathed. In. Out. In. Out.


    ¡°Live,¡± I whispered. My voice cracked. I pressed harder, willing the magic into her. ¡°Live, Mum. Please live.¡±


    And as the light grew, I felt it, the faintest flutter. A heartbeat, weak but real, answering mine.


    But it wasn¡¯t enough. The faint flutter under my hand wasn¡¯t enough. I needed more, I


    needed her heartbeat strong, loud, alive. I needed her. Tears streamed hot down my face as the desperation twisted into rage. My whole body trembled with it, magic sparking in my veins, pouring down my arms into the crystal.


    ¡°Fucking live, Mum!¡± I screamed. The words tore my throat raw, but the power answered.


    The crystal red, blinding white¨Cgold, and the surge mmed into her chest. Her body arched, her back bowing off the ground as if lightning had struck her. For a heartbeat, everything froze. Then her eyes blew open.


    She dragged in a huge, shuddering breath that rattled the air. Her lips parted. And with a rasp that was both broken and sharp as ever, she croaked: ¡°Elliot. Language!¡±


    I let out augh that cracked right through my sobs, half¨Chysterical, half¨Crelieved, and I whispered through my tears, ¡°Don¡¯t you ever do that to me again, Mum. Please.¡±


    Pam Bishop


    18 hours ago


    Wow. Im a mess. That was incredibly moving.I can¡¯t wait for more.

 Wolf v 162

    <b>Chapter </b><b>162 </b>


    Haiden


    I didn¡¯t realize I was holding my breath until she moved. Until her eyes blew open and she sucked in that first raw gasp of air. Relief tore through me so hard my knees gave out. I dropped down right there in the dirt, one hand pressed to my chest because it felt like my ribs might crack open from the force of it. Envy was alive. My mate was alive. Elliot clung to her like he was trying to fuse himself into her side, his little shoulders shaking with sobs as he buried his face in her neck. She held him weakly but sure, whispering something soft I couldn¡¯t hear over the sound of my own heart thundering. Noah had both arms around them<b>, </b>Xavier¡¯s forehead pressed to hers, Levi crouched so close his hand never left her. And me, I just sat there, staring, letting the truth sink in. She was back. She hadn¡¯t slipped away. I would¡¯ve stayed there forever if not for the sound that followed. A sharp little throat¨Cclearing. Every head whipped around. My heart stuttered all over again when I saw them. Aleisha. My sister.


    Sitting up. And Tommy. Shaky, pale, eyes wide like he¡¯d just stared death in the face¡­which he


    had.


    They were both upright, on either side of Envy, looking shell¨Cshocked as hell.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Aleisha¡¯s voice was rough, but she still managed that edge of sass she always carried. ¡°That was dramatic.¡±


    Tommy dragged both hands down his face, voice trembling. ¡°That was the worst experience of my life.¡±


    Iughed. A sharp, broken sound that was half relief and half disbelief. My chest ached with it, but I didn¡¯t care. They were alive. Envy was alive. Against all odds, my whole world was still


    breathing.


    ¡°Guys?!¡± Zion¡¯s voice cracked across the hill, raw, desperate. He was on his knees now, human and shaking, clutching Theo¡¯s limp body. ¡°Any more magic left in there for my best fucking friend?¡± His voice broke into a sob. ¡°Please. Please¡­he¡¯s all I¡¯ve got.¡± My chest squeezed so hard I thought it might cave in. Theo hadn¡¯t moved since he went down. Felix had dragged himself across the dirt, broken and battered, his head resting on his son¡¯s chest. He was weeping into Theo¡¯s shirt, rocking like a man who had already lost too much. And then Elliot moved. My brave little man. He pushed to his feet, small fists clenched, eyes fierce like his mother¡¯s. ¡°My Mum says not to usenguage like that,¡± he scolded softly, and before I could even think to stop him, he was running. He dropped to his knees beside Theo, crystal in hand. That same crystal Envy had given him. His little hands pressed it to Theo¡¯s chest, and he bowed his head, breathing like she taught him. In. Out. Steady. For a second, nothing. Then Theo¡¯s back arched, his lungs dragging in a ragged breath so sharp it whistled. His eyes flew


    open, wild and disbelieving. He stared at Elliot, then down at the crystal. ¡°What the hell is in that thing?¡± he rasped, half awe, half fear.


    Elliot¡¯s grin split his tear¨Cstained face. ¡°It¡¯s Mum¡¯s magic.¡±


    Relief broke over Zion so hard he copsed forward, clutching Theo¡¯s hand like he¡¯d never let go again. Felix sobbed out loud, the sound gutting enough to crack bone.


    Then Elliot turned, still holding the crystal, and pressed it over Felix¡¯s chest as hey half broken over his son. ¡°Come on. Come on!¡± His voice wavered, higher, cracking. ¡°Please work¡­.please.¡± The crystal glowed, sparks leaping across Felix¡¯s chest. But the light sputtered, dimmed. It wasn¡¯t working.


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t it working, Mum?¡± Elliot¡¯s voice broke as he whipped his head toward her.


    Envy was weak, barely standing, my brothers holding her up by the arms. She looked hollowed out, but she came anyway, her eyes locked on Felix. ¡°Why isn¡¯t it working?¡± Elliot asked again.


    Levi knelt beside Felix, his hands steady as he checked what none of us wanted to admit. He closed his eyes for a second, then looked up at Envy. His face was pale, his voice low but


    certain.


    ¡°Because half of his soul is gone,¡± Levi said.


    The words hung like a death bell. Levi met Envy¡¯s eyes, grief sharp in his. ¡°You took some when you shifted. Not enough to kill him, but enough that he¡¯s not whole. You can¡¯t fix what isn¡¯t there.¡± His hand pressed over Felix¡¯s burned chest, gently, as if to soften the truth. ¡°I don¡¯t think any magic will work on him.¡±


    ¡°So what do we do?! He¡¯s hurt!¡± Elliot¡¯s small voice cracked as he looked between us and Felix, clutching the crystal like maybe it could still work if he just tried harder.


    Levi crouched in front of him, forcing a smile that didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s see if modern medicine can make him feel better then, huh? Why don¡¯t you go check on Nanna for me? She¡¯ll want to see your face.¡±


    Elliot hesitated, torn between obedience and stubbornness, but finally he nodded and ran off, ncing back over his shoulder like he didn¡¯t quite trust us to keep things together without him. As soon as he was gone, the pretense dropped. I looked at Levi, my chest tight. ¡°How bad


    is it?¡±


    Levi didn¡¯t answer right away. His eyes went first to Theo, clinging to his father, then to Zion, crouched close with red¨Crimmed eyes, beforending back on Felix.


    Felix gave a crooked smile, his skin pale and his chest rising in shallow, ragged pulls. ¡°Just give it to me straight, doc.¡± His voice rasped, but there was no fear in it, only resignation.


    Levi sighed, shoulders heavy, and finally spoke. ¡°You can¡¯t live with half a soul. The burn on your chest? That¡¯s what it looks like when the body¡¯s trying to hold without enough spirit left to anchor it. By the looks of the aging already setting in¡­¡± He trailed off<b>, </b>swallowing hard. ¡°I¡¯d say you¡¯ve got weeks. Days maybe. It¡¯ll be like growing old in fast¨Cforward.¡±


    Theo made a choked sound, his grip tightening around his father like he could anchor him to the earth through sheer force. Zion bowed his head, jaw clenched<b>, </b>shoulders shaking.


    Felix coughed, wincing, but then he chuckled softly, a sound wet and broken. ¡°Well. That¡¯s more time than I thought I had when the day started.¡± His eyes flicked to Envy, then to the rest of us, tired but steady. ¡°Enough to make it count.¡± (2)


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 Wolf v 163

    <b>Chapter </b><b>163 </b>


    Milly¡¯s


    The world slid back in slow pieces, sound first, the rush of breath and murmurs of voices, then touch, the warmth of strong arms cradling me close, and finally sight, blurred shapes that sharpened into the faces I loved most. Charles. His arms were locked around me, his chest shaking against my cheek. His eyes were rimmed red, wet with tears he hadn¡¯t bothered to hide.Then a small voice pulled me back entirely.


    ¡°Nanna!¡±


    I turned my head and gasped. Elliot. My sweet boy, kneeling beside me, cheeks flushed, eyes wide and shining with something too heavy for a child.


    ¡°Elliot,¡± I breathed, my hand flying to cup his face. ¡°What are you doing here? You shouldn¡¯t¡­¡±


    He cut me off with a smile, so proud, so sure. ¡°I¡¯m saving the day, Nanna. And making sure Pa doesn¡¯t cry anymore because you were sleeping.¡± He nodded toward the glowing crystal in his hand, now fading as he lifted it away from my chest.


    Oh gods. My heart clenched, and I pulled him close, pressing a kiss to his cheek. ¡°Oh, you sweet, little boy.¡± My voice broke. ¡°How did we get so lucky with you?¡±


    He hugged me back fiercely, as if afraid to let go.


    When I finally looked up again, Charles was still staring down at me. The way he looked at me made my chest ache all over again, like I was both the wound and the balm. His cheeks were still wet, tears cutting paths through the grime of battle, and I reached up with a trembling hand to wipe them away.


    ¡°What happened?¡± I whispered, my throat raw. My gaze flicked past him to the wreckage of the hill, to the bodies being tended, to the blood that painted the earth. ¡°Is everyone¡­ okay?¡±


    Charles swallowed hard, his jaw working. He nced away for a moment, as if the weight of answering was almost too much, then looked back at me. His hand covered mine, holding it to


    his face.


    ¡°The short of it?¡± he said, voice low and steady, though I could hear it crack at the edges. ¡°We were attacked. Harder than we ever expected. Envy shifted¡­ the witches came for her and the baby. Felix gave half his soul to keep her alive; she took the whole of Salira¡¯s toplete the shift. Zion nearly lost Theo. Aleisha and Tommy¡­¡± his breath hitched, ¡°¡­they died, Mil. But


    Envy brought them back. Our daughter brought them back. She sacrificed her own life for them. Everyone was in pieces¡­and then Elliot


    howed up.¡± He looked proudly at Elliot, ¡°He saved everyone.¡±


    Tears blurred my vision as I pulled Elliot tighter against me, grounding myself in the fact that, against all odds, we were still breathing.


    Charles kissed my forehead, his hand lingering in my hair. ¡°We lost too much tonight. But we¡¯re still here. And we¡¯ll make damn sure no one ever touches our family again.¡±


    The world blurred in and out until new shapes filled it. My daughters, my sons. They came to us battered, bloodied, but still on their feet. Envy stumbled on thest few steps before falling to her knees beside me. The second her arms wrapped around me, the dam broke. We cried into each other¡¯s shoulders, tears hot and salt¨Cheavy, sobs shaking through us both.


    ¡°My girl,¡± I whispered, clutching her tight, needing to feel that she was really here, alive. ¡°You¡¯re here.¡±


    She nodded against me, but the tremor in her chest told me how close it had been. My hand slipped from her back down to her middle, pressing softly, instinctively. I pulled back just enough to look her in the eye.


    ¡°The baby?¡± My voice cracked. Iid both hands over the swell of her bump. ¡°Is the baby okay?¡±


    Everything stilled. My boys froze where they stood, chests heaving, eyes fixed on Envy. Even Charles went rigid at my side, his arms tense around me as if he already braced for the answer.


    Envy¡¯s mouth opened, then closed. She shook her head, her voice hoarse. ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­¡±


    The silence was heavy enough to crush.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± I said firmly, wiping my tears with the back of my hand and shifting my weight against Charles. ¡°Charles, help me up. We need to get to a doctor. We need a scan, now!¡±


    ¡°Milly¡­¡± Charles tried, but I cut him off with a look that had carried through decades and raised four sons and a daughter who thought they knew better.


    ¡°No,¡± I snapped. ¡°Don¡¯t you argue with me. She just fought for her life and that baby¡¯s, and I¡¯ll be damned if we sit around waiting to see if fate is kind. We move. We go. Now.¡±


    Back into mother mode. That was the only thing holding me together. There were orders to give and steps to take. My family had just nearly died. My grandbaby¡¯s fate was still a question


    mark. And I wasn¡¯t about to waste a second finding out the answer.


    Elliot


    I cleared my throat, suddenly remembering the small, ring problem. ¡°I should probably go tell Mumma, Dad, Elias, and Macey I¡¯m okay. I may or may not have¡­ snuck off.¡±


    The reaction was immediate. Xavier¡¯s sharp inhale cut through the air like a de. Noah gave a sharp tut, his jaw tight. Levi grumbled under his breath, shaking his head like he was already nning the lecture. Haiden, though, threw his head back andughed, reaching out to rough up my hair.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to give someone a bloody heart attack one of these days, kid,¡± he said, grinning despite the blood on his jaw.


    I straightened my shoulders, poked out my tongue, and fired back, ¡°Yeah? Well, at least I have a crystal that can bring the dead back.¡±


    The field went quiet for half a beat. Their eyes, my dads, my uncles, my whole family, shifted toward me. Not angry. Not scolding. Something heavier. Something I didn¡¯t quite understand. The crystal pulsed faintly in my pocket, warm against my palm when I touched it. I thought of Mum, gasping back into life, her eyes locking on mine, telling me off for swearing even though she¡¯d almost died. I thought of Aleisha and Tommy sitting up, dazed and alive¨CTheo¡¯s shocked breath. Nanna is smiling at me again, and I pointed to her, ¡°See?¡± I said, a little softer. ¡°It was worth sneaking out.¡±


    Haiden gave me a look I couldn¡¯t read, something between pride and heartbreak, then pulled me into his chest with one arm. ¡°You¡¯re impossible,¡± he muttered into my hair. And for once, I


    didn¡¯t argue.

 Wolf v 164

    <b>Chapter </b><b>164 </b>


    <b>Envy </b>


    My arms still ached from holding Elliot, from feeling his magic surge through <b>me</b><b>, </b>from watching him do the impossible. My son. My miracle. But I knew, looking at the blood, the bruises<b>, </b>the pale


    faces around me, we couldn¡¯t stay here any longer.


    ¡°We should probably get Elliot back home to his other family first,¡± I said, my voice steady<b>, </b>though my chest clenched at the thought of letting him go.


    Mchi stepped forward, his Lycan still rumbling under his skin, his eyes sharp but soft when theynded on Elliot. ¡°We¡¯ll take him,¡± he said. ¡°Julius, Arztec, and I will go back with him so you can get the pup checked. That¡¯s where you need to be now.¡±


    Arztec made a face, somewhere between a grimace and a joke. ¡°Not exactly keen on traveling by a hell portal, but¡­ alright. I¡¯ll do it. Someone¡¯s got to keep this kid in line anyway.¡±


    Elliot grinned, wide and mischievous, even with exhaustion stamped across his face. ¡°Good luck.¡±


    I swallowed augh, leaning down to kiss his forehead. He smelled like smoke and magic, like my baby and not¨Cmy¨Cbaby all at once. He held out the crystal then, small fingers wrapped tight around its glow.


    ¡°Maybe you should take this with you,¡± he said, his voice wobbly but earnest. ¡°In case you need it


    again.¡±


    I curled his fingers back over it. ¡°No,¡± I whispered. ¡°It¡¯s clearly in the right hands with you. You keep it safe. That¡¯s your piece of me, always.¡±


    His chin trembled as he nodded, and I pressed one more kiss to his temple before watching Mchi gather him close. Julius and Arztec nked them, three towers of strength around the boy who had just saved us all. My heart splintered as they walked toward the portal Xavier opened, but I forced myself to stay still. Letting go was moreplicated than any battle.


    Zion¡¯s voice cut across the quiet. ¡°We¡¯ll take Felix back to our pack.¡± He and Theo were already bracing the man between them, his face lined and ashen, his body shaking.


    Felix looked at me once, that same soft smile that had raised me, hidden me, lied for me, and loved me all the same. I nodded back because there were no words left.


    ¡°Quick travel,¡± Xavier said, his voice sharp as he ripped open another dark seam in <b>the </b><b>air</b>.


    I turned to my mates, my hand instinctively finding the swell of my stomach. ¡°If anyone <b>is </b><b>touching </b>my baby with one of those wand things, with all that technology,¡± I said firmly, ¡°then it¡¯s <b>going </b><b>to </b><b>be </b>Sharlene. We¡¯re going to Tris too.¡±


    The four of them nodded without hesitation, stepping in close, ready to move with me. Because <b>that </b>was what we did. We fought. We bled. And then we picked each other up and went where we needed to go.


    Aleisha¡¯s voice rang out behind us, hoarse but steady. ¡°I¡¯ming too. I¡¯m not missing out on seeing my little niece or nephew!¡±


    I turned to see her, pale but standing, Tommy¡¯s hand on her elbow as if he wasn¡¯t sure she could manage the weight yet. He didn¡¯t look thrilled about the idea, but I saw it in his eyes, the same stubborn fire I¡¯d seen in battle. He would follow her anywhere, even straight into hell.


    ¡°It¡¯s a girl.¡± Haiden said crossing his arms.


    ¡°Maybe.¡± I said quietly.


    ¡°Well hopefully we can find out right now.¡± Mum threw in with a warm smile. Dad looked torn and protective, his wolf still pacing hot and restless under his skin, but when Mum set her jaw, he gave in. They¡¯d go to the ends of the earth for her, for all of us.


    ¡°Fine,¡± he muttered, voice thick. ¡°But I¡¯m not letting you out of my sight.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it,¡± Mum replied, her tone sharper than her body allowed. She clung to his arm, and the sight made my chest ache. Even broken, bleeding, we still chose each other.


    One by one, we gathered close. My mates braced around me. Zion and Theo bent together with Felix between them, carrying his weight as gently as they could. Tommy¡¯s hand never left Aleisha¡¯s back. Dad and Mum leaned into each other.


    Xavier opened the portal, and the ck¨Cred seam split wide, the smell of smoke and iron bleeding through. We stepped. The battlefield blinked away, and wended in the Tris infirmary in one shudder of air and light.


    Sharlene was there, behind her desk, chopsticks halfway to her mouth. The cup of instant noodles in her hand wobbled. She blinked at us¨Cbloodied, bruised, half¨Cdead and fully alive¨Cand nearly dropped her dinner.


    ¡°What in the actual hell?¡± she sputtered, wide¨Ceyed. ¡°You can¡¯t just-¡± She stopped, her gaze catching on me, on my belly, and then flicking to the group behind me, battered and wrecked. ¡°Oh gods. What did you people do?¡±


    I let out a breath, shaky but sure. ¡°We survived. Now you¡¯re going to make sure my baby did too.¡±


    Sharlene set her noodles down like they were suddenly offensive. ¡°Right. Okay. Triage, then scan.


    Let¡¯s move.¡±


    The room smelled faintly of antiseptic and something sweeter,vender maybe, a trick Sharlene always used to soften the sharp edges of the clinic. Machines hummed low, steady, the kind of sound that reminded you of hospitals but somehow felt safer here. My people filled the space, my mates close at my sides, and even Felix propped up in the bed, pale but refusing to be anywhere else.


    The nurses moved quickly, efficient hands checking vitals, swabbing blood, stitching cuts. They got Felix settled despite his grumbling protests, then checked over Theo with Zion still glued to his side. Bandages wrapped. Needles pressed. The quiet hum of care filled the air. But then Sharlene turned, gloves already on, eyes flicking to my belly. The rest of the room hushed in an instant.


    ¡°Alright,¡± she said, voice calm but firm. ¡°Let¡¯s check how this little pup is doing.¡±


    Iy back, heart hammering harder than it had ever in battle. Xavier slid his hand into mine, grounding me. Noah hovered close, his thumb rubbing circles against the back of my other hand. Haiden¡¯s jaw was tight, like he was ready to break the machine if it didn¡¯t say what we wanted. Levi kept his eyes on Sharlene, cataloguing every move she made like he could read the oue before it came. The cold gel made me flinch, but it was nothingpared to the storm inside me. Sharlene pressed the wand to my skin, moving with practised ease, her eyes scanning the monitor. The silence was unbearable. Every second stretched, every shadow on the screen could have been something.


    ¡°Come on, little one,¡± I whispered, my voice cracking. ¡°Show us you¡¯re still here.¡±

 Wolf v 165

    <b>Chapter </b><b>165 </b>


    A sound broke through. Fast. Strong. Rhythmic. <i>Thump</i>¨Cthump<i>¨C</i>thump¨Cthump. A heartbeat.


    Sharlene¡¯s lips curved into the first smile we¡¯d seen from her all night. ¡°There she is,¡± she said softly, angling the monitor so we all could see. ¡°Strong heartbeat. Your pup¡¯s holding on just fine.¡±


    The room exhaled at once. Noah bowed his head like he¡¯d been punched in the chest with relief. Xavier squeezed my hand so hard it almost hurt. Haiden muttered something under his breath that sounded like a prayer. Levi scrubbed his face with both hands, the sharp line of his shoulders loosening for the first time in hours.


    I pressed my hand over my mouth as tears spilled free. On the screen, she moved, a tiny flutter, a little kick like she knew we were all watching.


    ¡°There,¡± Sharlene said, her voice warm now. ¡°That¡¯s a fighter if I¡¯ve ever seen one.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t stop smiling through the tears. ¡°That¡¯s my girl,¡± I whispered. ¡°That¡¯s our girl.¡±


    Felix, pale and weak in the corner bed, let out a shakyugh that turned into a cough. ¡°Told you,¡± he rasped, voice thin but sure. ¡°Little warrior.¡±


    Sharlene¡¯s brows pinched in concentration. She angled the wand again, lips pressing together. ¡°Actually¡­¡± She paused just long enough for everyone to still. ¡°¡­that, right there, is a boy.¡±


    The room froze.


    ¡°What?¡± My voice cracked, and I whipped my head toward her.


    ¡°A boy,¡± she confirmed, her smile quirking like she¡¯d been waiting for us to notice. She tapped the screen gently, pointing out the proof.


    Xavier swore under his breath. Haiden sat up straighter. Noah barked augh that sounded half like disbelief. Levi blinked so hard I thought he might faint.


    Mum pped her hands together, tears springing back into her eyes. ¡°A grandson!¡± she squealed. ¡°Oh, Envy, a grandson!¡±


    From beside me, Aleisha let out a chokedugh. ¡°Elliot is going to be so mad he was wrong.¡±


    Iughed too, shaky and wet. My son had sworn to anyone who would listen that he had a little sister growing in me.


    <b>1/4 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>165 </b>


    Sharlene kept moving the wand, her eyes flicking over the monitor with the steady calm of someone who¡¯d done this a thousand times. ¡°He¡¯s healthy,¡± she said, her tone professional again. ¡°Heartbeat strong, measuring right where he should be. No signs of distress.¡±


    Relief shivered through me, but itsted only a heartbeat before her expression shifted again. She tilted the wand. Paused. Tilted again.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡±


    The whole room stilled.


    20 25 50


    ¡°Oh my god,¡± Sharlene whispered. ¡°There¡¯s another one.¡±


    The room erupted.


    ¡°What?!¡± Xavier and Levi shouted together.


    Sharlene adjusted the image, zooming slightly, and sure enough, another tiny form flickered to life on the screen.


    ¼t¾GµÝ


    ¡°Another boy,¡± she said, her voice firm, her finger circling the image for us. ¡°Heartbeat steady. Strong. Perfectly healthy.¡±


    Haiden¡¯s jaw dropped. He dropped back into the nearest chair as if his legs had given out. ¡°No


    way.¡±


    Noah dragged his hand down his face. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me. Two?¡±


    Iughed again, stunned, pressing my hand over my mouth. ¡°Two. We¡¯re having two.¡±


    ¡°Twins!¡± Mum cried, bouncing like a girl. Dad groaned, but his eyes glistened, his hand mping over hers.


    The wand moved again, slow, careful. Sharlene¡¯s lips parted and her eyes widened.


    ¡°You¡¯re joking,¡± I whispered, my stomach dropping.


    She shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not. A third.¡± She angled the monitor and tapped the screen. ¡°Another boy.¡±


    Silence. Absolute silence. My mates all looked pale, four sets of stunned eyes flicking from me to the monitor and back again.


    I pressed both hands to my face, halfughing, half sobbing. ¡°Three? Three boys? Are you


    Chapter <b>165 </b>


    serious<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Sharlene nodded, firm. ¡°Yes. Three. And all of them are strong, healthy, and have noplications. Measuring beautifully.¡±


    ¡°Three,¡± Noah muttered under his breath like he was keeping count in battle. ¡°Three sons.¡±


    Haiden swore, a low, muttered curse that sounded like he was already imagining chasing three tiny terrors around the Underworld. Levi looked like his mind had skipped straight to logistics, lips moving silently as if calcting how much gear we¡¯d need. And then¡­Sharlene gasped.


    Her tone softened. ¡°And¡­ one more.¡±


    My heart mmed into my ribs. She angled the monitor again, her movements tender. There, tucked against the others, was another shape. Smaller, but strong. A rhythmic flicker. A steady


    beat.


    Sharlene smiled. ¡°This one¡¯s a girl.¡±


    The room exploded.


    Mum shot to her feet with a squeal. ¡°Three grandsons and a granddaughter! Oh, Charles, do you hear that? A granddaughter! You¡¯re going to get so big, Envy! Oh, I can give you all my old maternity dresses!¡±


    Dad groaned again, though he pulled her into a hug, his lips trembling against her hair. And my mates¡­ gods. My mates. Xavier was pale, but his lips broke into a grin. Haiden¡¯s head was in his hands as he muttered something I couldn¡¯t catch. Noah froze, eyes wide. Levi whispered, ¡°Four,¡± under his breath, as though saying it out loud might make it more real.


    Iughed through the tears streaming down my cheeks. ¡°Four. There are four. Three boys¡­ and


    a girl.¡±


    Then I wiped my face, half giddy, half terrified, and turned to Sharlene. ¡°Can you double- check? Triple check? Because I swear to the gods, if there¡¯s a fifth in there, I¡¯m walking straight back into the battlefield.¡±


    The whole roomughed, loud, shaky, hysterical. And through it all, my heart swelled until I thought it might burst.


    Xavier ran a hand down his face, muttering, ¡°Four? Four infants at once? How the hell are we supposed to keep track of that many?¡±


    ¡°Forget keeping track,¡± Noah said, wide¨Ceyed. ¡°What about sleep? Do you know how often one


    baby wakes up in the night? Four of them, all with different schedules? We¡¯re screwed.¡±


    Haiden groaned, tipping his head back toward the ceiling. ¡°We¡¯ll have to build a bigger house. Or at least a wing dedicated to cribs. And soundproof the walls.¡±


    Levi, ever the nner, was already calcting. ¡°We¡¯ll need quadruple the bottles, quadruple the nkets, quadruple the¡­¡± He froze. ¡°We don¡¯t even own one crib yet. We¡¯re behind before


    we¡¯ve even started.¡±


    Their voices ovepped, building into a chorus of nerves and disbelief until Mum finally pped her hands, loud and sharp, like she was silencing a room full of squabbling pups.


    ¡°Enough.¡± She looked at each of them. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine. More than fine. I did just fine raising four of you, and I didn¡¯t have a quarter of the help you lot have. One mate. One set of hands. That was it. You?¡± She jabbed a finger at them. ¡°You¡¯ve got a whole army of people who¡¯d die for those babies. You¡¯ll manage.¡®


    And then Aleisha, bless her blunt little heart, leaned forward in her chair with a sly grin. ¡°But your tits are probably never going to look the same afterwards.¡±


    I blinked at her, mouth falling open. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    She shrugged innocently. ¡°Just saying. Four kids. That¡¯s¡­ a lot of mileage.¡±


    Before I could even respond, Mum nced down at her own chest, then back up at me with a deadpan expression. ¡°She¡¯s right. They won¡¯t.¡±


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    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    <b>Chapter </b>166

 Wolf v 166

    Sharlene wiped down the wand and printed out a strip of glossy photos, four tiny shapes, four tiny heartbeats frozen in ck and white. I clutched them like treasure, smoothing the edge of the paper with shaking fingers. Proof. My babies. Our babies.


    ¡°Triple check?¡± I asked, half¨Cserious, half¨Cpraying.


    Sharlene chuckled, tapping the screen onest time before shutting it off. ¡°Triple checked. No more hiding in there.¡±


    A shakyugh broke out of me, and I pressed the photos to my chest. ¡°Good. Because if there were a fifth, I¡¯d need sedation.¡±


    The room smiled with me, but the exhaustion was sinking deep now, pulling at all of us. Mum


    stretched stiffly, Dad already at her elbow to steady her, and Aleisha leaned heavily into Tommy, her head on his shoulder.


    ¡°You all need to rest,¡± I said, softer than amand but firm enough to make it clear. ¡°Go home. Heal. We¡¯ll be alright here.¡±


    Mum kissed the top of my head, whispering, ¡°So proud of you, darling,¡± before she and Dad stepped into Xavier¡¯s portal. Aleisha winked and squeezed my hand, Tommy gave me a nod, and then they were gone too.


    The room felt quieter without them.


    I turned my eyes to Felix. He looked impossibly fragile, older than he had only hours ago, but


    his


    eyes burned with life. I crossed to his bedside, lowering myself slowly. ¡°I¡¯ll be back,¡± I promised. My throat caught. ¡°And thank you. For all of this. For everything you¡¯ve given us.¡±


    His cracked lips curved into the softest smile. ¡°I¡¯m happy,¡± he rasped. ¡°Happy I was here to see this. To see you alive. To see them alive.¡± His eyes flicked to the strip of photos in my hand. ¡°Little warriors, every one of them.¡±


    I bent, kissing his forehead, tasting salt and sweat and grief. ¡°Rest,¡± I whispered. ¡°We¡¯ll see you


    soon.¡±


    And then it was time.


    My mates gathered close, their hands finding mine, steadying me as Xavier opened the portal. The air shimmered, rippling with dark light, and on the other sidey Elliot¡¯s house¨Cthe ce he now called home, with his brother, his family, his safety.


    I took onest look at the photos clutched in my hand, then stepped forward, ¡°Let¡¯s go see our


    boy.¡±


    Together, we walked through.


    The first thing I noticed wasn¡¯t the smell of fresh bread or woodsmoke; it was the noise.


    It was early morning, the sun barely pushing through the curtains, but the house was alive with sharp voices and heavy pacing. Reina was practically wearing grooves into the floor, her steps quick, tight, her hands cutting the air as she spoke. Elliot, Macey, and Elias were lined up on the couch like they¡¯d been nted there, eyes wide, their shoulders hunched against the storm of her worry.


    Mchi, Julius, and Arztec leaned against the far wall, smirks tugging at their mouths as


    though they¡¯d seen this scene y out a hundred times before. Beside them, George sat heavily in a chair, rubbing his temples, looking like the weight of both fatherhood and


    sleeplessness had finally won.


    ¡°What if something had gone wrong?¡± Reina demanded, her voice sharp enough to cut ss. She spun on Elliot, her eyes zing. ¡°What if I couldn¡¯t get to you in time? Do you have any


    idea what could have happened? You can¡¯t just portal away from us like that without a word!¡±


    ¡°Mum¡­¡± Elliot started, but she cut him off with a raised hand.


    ¡°No. Don¡¯t ¡®Mum¡® me. We could have helped! We would have helped! That¡¯s what we¡¯re here


    for, Elliot. To keep you safe. To keep you alive!¡± Her voice broke on thest word, the fear


    under all that fire slipping free.


    Elliot shrank back against the cushions, guilt creeping across his face, but stubbornness too- the same stubbornness that lived in his blood. Macey reached over and squeezed his hand, while Elias frowned at the floor, as if staring hard enough would make him vanish into it.


    I stepped forward, the weight of my presence pulling every gaze in the room to me. My mates


    closed in around me like a wall, silent but solid, and for a moment, the noise softened into


    silence.


    Reina froze mid¨Cstep, her chest/heaving, her hands still clenched. Her eyes found mine, wide and wet, and the storm in her face flickered.


    ¡°We¡¯re here now,¡± I said softly, my hand resting instinctively on my bump. ¡°He¡¯s safe. We¡¯re all safe.¡±


    But in the air between us, the tension still hummed like a live wire.


    Reina¡¯s head snapped toward me, her pacing halting mid¨Cstep. Her features were etched with raw fear, her hands trembling even as she balled them into fists..


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said, her voice shaking, her eyes bright with unshed tears. ¡°I don¡¯t care if


    you¡¯re the Goddess of the Underworld or not, I cannot¨Cwill not¨Callow my son to just disappear like that! Do you understand me? I already lost him once. I won¡¯t survive it again.¡±


    The air in the room went taut, every heartbeat stretching thin between us. My mates stiffened at my sides, ready to step in and defend me if this turned ugly. But I moved before they could. Slowly, carefully, I crossed the room and reached for her. Her shoulders were rigid, her breath sharp, but I wrapped my arms around her anyway, holding her as she tried to resist, until finally she sagged against me, shaking.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± I whispered against her hair. ¡°I can¡¯t begin to understand how scared you must have been. What that felt like for you.¡±


    Her breath hitched, the fight bleeding out of her as she clutched at the back of my dress. For <i>a </i>long moment, we stayed like that, two mothers bound by the same boy, fear and love burning in our chests in equal measure.


    When her trembling eased, I leaned back just enough to meet her eyes. ¡°I know that he should havee and told you. And in an ideal world, he would have. But Reina, I need you to understand something. Your son is not fragile. He¡¯s not vulnerable. He¡¯s no longer prey in this


    world.¡±


    Reina blinked at me, caught between disbelief and the truth she had already seen.


    And then, from the side, Arztec snorted. ¡°She¡¯s right.¡± He tugged his shirt up, revealing an ugly bruise that spread across his ribs, already purpling deep. He grinned, teeth shing. ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s a beast. Nearly knocked the wind out of me.¡±


    Reina¡¯s eyes widened, her mouth parting, and Elliot squirmed on the couch, his ears pink. The room shifted then¨Ctension breaking, the fear still there but softened by the reality staring us all in the face.


    Her son wasn¡¯t lost anymore. He wasn¡¯t a shadow in the dark. He was power. He was family. He was alive.

 Wolf v 167

    <b>Chapter </b><b>167 </b>


    Reina¡¯s eyes flicked to the bruise across Arztec¡¯s ribs, her lips parting like she wanted to argue but couldn¡¯t quite find the words. Elliot ducked his head, cheeks flushed, though pride glimmered under his embarrassment. Noah stood in front of her, his voice gentler, though no less fierce. ¡°Reina, when Envy¡¯s heart stopped¡­ it wasn¡¯t me who saved her. It wasn¡¯t any of us. It was your son. Elliot held that crystal to her chest and willed her back to life. He brought her back to us.¡± His lips curved faintly. ¡°That¡¯s not a boy you need to protect from the world. That¡¯s a boy who¡¯s already saving it.¡±


    Tears welled in Reina¡¯s eyes, her hands trembling as she pressed them to her mouth.


    Levi stepped in, pragmatic as always, his voice cool but sharp. Levi¡¯s eyes softened as they flicked to Elliot. ¡°That¡¯s loyalty. That¡¯s courage. That¡¯s not prey.¡±


    Xavier then spoke, ¡°Elliot is powerful, not just with magic, not just with what¡¯s in his blood. His mind and his heart are powerful. We also struggled with letting someone so young, someone who had already been through so much, be able to make his own choices. But he makes good choices, always. He was born to be more than just our son, more than just your son.¡±


    ¡°And we all have to give him the chance to show us just how crazy good he is.¡± Haiden smiled.


    Silence felt heavy, the kind that hummed with truth too big to deny. Reina finally looked back at Elliot, and for the first time, her expression cracked wide open, not with fear, but with awe.


    And Elliot, shifting nervously under all their eyes, muttered, ¡°I just did what Mum would¡¯ve done.¡±


    Reina¡¯s shoulders slumped as if the weight of years finally slid free. Her eyes shone, wet and bright, but her mouth curved in a trembling smile. She reached for Elliot, cupping his cheek like she used to


    when he was small.


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she whispered, her voice breaking on the words. ¡°You¡¯re not the same boy I lost. You¡¯re more. Stronger. Braver. And I¡­ I have to see that now.¡± Her thumb brushed across his cheekbone as if memorising him all over again. ¡°You¡¯re not just surviving anymore, Elliot. You¡¯re living. And gods help me, you¡¯re leading.¡±


    Elliot ducked his head again, though his lips twitched with a shy kind of pride. The room softened with it, every face carrying relief, reverence, and a little awe.


    And then, of course, it was Macey who broke the silence. She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing at my hand, which I¡¯d forgotten was holding something. ¡°Um¡­ what¡¯s that?¡± she asked, pointing.


    I nced down, blinking at the ck¨Cand¨Cwhite sheets clutched in my fingers. Ultrasound photos. The proof of the little lives still fluttering inside me.


    ¡°Oh,¡± I said, smiling despite myself. ¡°These?¡±


    The room instantly went still, every eye locked on me. I lifted the first photo slowly, holding it where


    they could all see.


    ¡°This,¡± I said softly, ¡°is our baby boy.¡±


    Mchi shot up, pumping a fist into the air. ¡°HA! I knew it!¡± he whooped, loud enough to rattle the windows. Julius shoved him, grinning just as wide, while Arztec just shook his head with a smirk.


    Elliot, though, he scrunched up his face, nose wrinkling in disbelief. ¡°Wait¡­ a boy?¡± he muttered, clearly confused. ¡°But I said¡­¡± His voice trailed off as I carefully lifted the next photo.


    ¡°And this,¡± I continued, voice a little shaky with awe, ¡°is another baby boy.¡±


    Gasps filled the room. Arztec swore softly under his breath. Levi let out a dryugh, pinching the


    bridge of his nose. Julius looked like someone had just hit him with a spell, blinking hard like he


    might be imagining it.


    Macey squealed and pped her hands. ¡°Two babies! Oh, my gods, TWO babies!¡±


    Before anyone could process, I lifted the third photo. My heart pounded as I angled it toward them. ¡°And here¡­ is a third. Another boy.¡±


    The silence that followed was almostical. My brothers all looked pale, four strong Alpha kings suddenly struck dumb. Reina had her hands over her mouth, tears spilling past her fingers.


    But then I pulled thest photo free, my hands trembling. ¡°And this,¡± I whispered, the words catching in my throat, ¡°this is your sister. Our little girl.¡±


    The room erupted all over again, but Elliot didn¡¯t move at first. His eyes locked on the photo in my hand. Slowly, reverently, he reached forward, his fingertips brushing the glossy paper. His lips trembled, but his voice was steady when he finally spoke.


    ¡°I knew it,¡± he whispered, his touch lingering on the image of his baby sister. His eyes shone as he looked up at me. ¡°I told you. I knew she wasing.¡±


    Haiden leaned back on the wall, smirking, but his voice was deceptively casual. ¡°So¡­ we¡¯re still


    12:57 Fri, Sep 12 <b>B </b>


    doing the whole kid swap thing, right?¡±


    63


    The room went dead quiet for a beat. George groaned, dragging a hand down his face like the weight of the world had justnded squarely on his shoulders.


    ¡°Five magical kids in one house,¡± he muttered, voice muffled behind his palm. ¡°Yeah, no biggie. You can do this, George.¡± He let his hand fall away, looking skyward like maybe the gods themselves might drop down and bail him out.


    Reina shot him a look that was equal parts exasperation and amusement. ¡°You survived one warlock rebellion and three coups, but this is what¡¯s going to break you?¡±


    ¡°Reina,¡± George said tly, jabbing a finger toward the stack of ultrasound photos still sitting on the coffee table, ¡°that¡¯s four infants. Four. And we already have three in the house. That¡¯s not a family anymore, that¡¯s a¡­¡± he floundered for a word, ¡°that¡¯s a magical circus troupe!¡±


    Mchi barked augh. ¡°Rx, old man. You¡¯ve got reinforcements.¡± He pped Julius on the back hard enough to make him grunt. ¡°We¡¯ll babysit.¡±


    ¡°Define babysit,¡± Julius drawled. ¡°Becausest time you ¡®babysat,¡® Elliot nearly burned the front porch down with that glitter bomb spell.¡±


    ¡°That was an experiment,¡± Elliot piped up indignantly, his face red but proud. ¡°And it worked.¡±


    Haiden grinned like he¡¯d just won a bet. ¡°See? This is going to be great. Chaos, yes, but great.¡±


    Levi pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. ¡°More like catastrophic. Do you people have any concept of what four infants at once means?¡±


    The room went quiet again, this time not heavy, but thoughtful. I nced around at all of them and Iughed, the sound soft but certain, breaking through the tension. ¡°We¡¯ll figure it out. We always


    do.¡±


    Elliot leaned back into the couch cushions with a smug little grin. ¡°Our family is crazy.¡±


    That earned a chuckle from almost everyone, even George, though he muttered something about


    circus tents under his breath.


    I reached across the table, gathering the photos back into my hands, holding them close. My future. Our future. However chaotic, however impossible, it was ours.

 Wolf v 168

    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>168 </b>


    :


    Xavier stretched a hand through his hair, the exhaustion on his face mirrored in every line of his brothers. ¡°It¡¯s still early morning,¡± he said quietly, but with the weight ofmand behind it. ¡°We


    all need to rest.¡±


    53


    Elliot¡¯s head shot up immediately. ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°I want to go too,¡± Macey blurted, her small hand gripping Elliot¡¯s tightly.


    Reina stepped forward at the same time I did, our voices ovepping. ¡°No.¡±


    The kids blinked at us, wide¨Ceyed. Reina softened first, crouching in front of them. ¡°Not tonight. You stay here, both of you. Your mum and dads need to rest after¡­ after everything.<i>¡± </i>Her voice shook, but her hand was firm when she brushed Elliot¡¯s hair back. ¡°We¡¯ll see them tomorrow.¡±


    I knelt, cupping Macey¡¯s cheek. ¡°She¡¯s right. Let us sleep tonight, little wolf. We¡¯lle for you in the morning, I promise.¡±


    Elliot¡¯s lip trembled, but he nodded reluctantly. ¡°Okay¡­ tomorrow then.¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow,¡± Noah assured, crouching so he was level with them. His hand ruffled Elliot¡¯s hair before he tapped Macey¡¯s nose with a faint smile. ¡°That¡¯s a promise.¡±


    Behind us, Mchi cleared his throat, ncing at his brothers. ¡°Speaking of tomorrow, think we could get a portal back?¡± He gave me a meaningful look. ¡°And Envy¡­ you shoulde see Mum as soon as you can. She needs to know you¡¯re okay. And you know she¡¯ll want to see those pictures of the pups.¡±


    Arztec snorted softly. ¡°If we don¡¯t bring those back soon, she¡¯ll skin us alive for holding out.¡±


    Julius just smirked, tilting his head toward the stack of photos still clutched in my hand. ¡°Better start nning, sister. You thought one baby was chaos¡­ wait until Mum finds out about four.¡±


    Exhaustion pressed at my bones, but warmth curled through me, too. Tomorrow woulde soon enough. Tonight, we¡¯d rest.


    <b>Xavier </b>


    I opened the portal with a flick of my wrist, the silver light spilling into the room like water. Mchi, Julius, and Arztec sped my hand onest time before stepping through, promising to <b>see </b>


    <b>10:33 </b>Mon, Sep 15


    553


    us soon. The kids got their hugs next, Elliot clinging to Envy a little longer<b>, </b>Macey whispering ¡°goodnight, Mumma,¡± into her chest. I kissed the tops of their heads, tucking their stray hair back like I¡¯d done since the day we met them, before watching George gently steer them all back into the


    house.


    The portal snapped shut behind them, leaving only silence, moonlight, and us. I turned to my mate. Our mate. Envy looked exhausted, her shoulders rounded under the weight of the night, but her eyes still glimmered when they found mine. I brushed a kiss against her temple. ¡°Let¡¯s get you home.¡±


    The packhouse greeted us with a quiet that felt alive but gentle. Moonlight spilled through the tall windows<b>, </b>catching every one of the suncatchers she¡¯d hung over the months. Hundreds of tiny rainbows were scattered across the walls and floor, little shards of colour dancing as if to remind us of that life still sparkled after the blood and chaos.


    I helped her out of her cloak first, easing it off her shoulders with slow fingers. Piece by piece, I undressed her, reverent, careful. She didn¡¯t fight it, she only leaned into me, letting me carry the weight. Behind us, I could hear Levi running the bath, the steady stream of water filling the copper tub until steam curled into the air. Haiden was already in, sprawled like he owned the whole damned thing, his chest bare, his arms open. ¡°Come here, little mate,¡± he murmured, voice deep, ¡°I¡¯ll be your water pillow.¡±


    Noah, of course, was fussing. ¡°Which soaps? Thevender or the honey? Maybe the mint might help her muscles. And does she need a snack? Bread, cheese? Something light before she sleeps. Or¡­<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Breathe, brother,¡± Levi cut in with a rare grin. ¡°She¡¯s not going to vanish on us.¡±


    I nced at Envy, at the swell of her belly where our children¨Cfour children¨Cgrew and bent low to kiss the skin there. ¡°You¡¯re home,¡± I whispered against her, more for me than for her. ¡°You¡¯re safe. All of you.<b>¡± </b>


    <b>Haiden¡¯s </b>


    Xavier¡¯s hands were steady when he lowered her into mine, but my chest still clenched like he was passing me something breakable, ss¨Cthin and priceless. The waterpped softly around us, warm steam rising in little curls. I leaned back, settling her against my chest, and she fit just right. Round belly pressed against my hand, her hair damp against my shoulder. She sighed, the sound vibrating through both of us.


    ¡°See?¡± I murmured, brushing my chin along her hairline. ¡°Told you I make a damn good pillow.¡±


    Herugh was breathless, almost sleepy. ¡°You¡¯re too hard to be a pillow.¡±


    <b>10:33 </b>Mon, <b>Sep </b>15


    ¡°Hard?¡± 1 flexed my chest beneath her, smirking. ¡°That¡¯s all muscle, sweetheart. Premiumfort,¡±


    ¡°More like premium rock.¡±


    I grinned, kissing the crown of her head. ¡°Rock solid, baby. You¡¯re wee.¡±


    Levi knelt beside the tub with the seriousness in the world. He dipped the sponge, wrung it out slowly, and dragged it down her arm.


    I tilted my head at him. ¡°You¡¯re not giving her a facial, Levi, you¡¯re washing her. She¡¯s not porcin.¡±


    Levi didn¡¯t even nce at me, just worked the sponge over her shoulder like he was polishing silver. ¡°Shut up. You¡¯ll ssh her.¡±


    ¡°Ssh her?¡± I scoffed, shifting just enough to send a ripple down the water. Envy elbowed me


    weakly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t encourage him,¡± Levi said, though the corner of his mouth twitched. He reached for the <i>soap</i>,thering it in his palms before smoothing it along her corbone, down her chest.


    My hands tightened around her waist. ¡°Oi. Watch it.¡±


    Levi gave me a look. ¡°You think I want her inbour months early because you don¡¯t have the patience for basic hygiene?¡±


    ¡°She smells fine,¡± I muttered.


    ¡°She smells like blood and smoke,¡± Levi countered, scrubbing a little harder. ¡°She¡¯s getting washed.¡±


    Envy groaned softly, melting into my chest as if Levi¡¯s fussing was secretly heaven. I kissed her temple again, whispering low, ¡°Traitor.¡±


    She giggled, her fingers ying with the water. ¡°I think I like this. My own personal spa.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, don¡¯t get used to it,¡± I teased, though the truth was I¡¯d sit here every night forever if it meant she looked this rxed again.


    Levi dipped the sponge lower, over her thighs, meticulous as ever. ¡°Haiden, lift her leg.¡±


    I arched a brow. ¡°Say please.¡±


    53


    <b>10:33 </b>Mon, Sep 15


    He shot me a re sharp enough to cut steel. I smirked and obeyed anyway, lifting her knee so he could finish his work.


    Noah¡¯s voice piped up from the counter where he was rummaging through soaps. ¡°Lavender next! Lavender will soothe her nerves.¡±


    Envyughed, the sound bubbling through her like champagne. ¡°You four are ridiculous.¡±


    ¡°Ridiculously devoted,¡± I corrected, tightening my arms around her and resting my cheek against


    hers.


    And maybe it was the warm water, perhaps it was the ridiculousness of all of us crammed into one bathroom fussing over her, but for the first time since the battlefield, she looked like herself again. Safe. Loved. Home.


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 Wolf v 169

    <b>Chapter </b><b>169 </b>


    Noah


    Thevender soap warmed in my hands as I worked it into ather, slow and careful. I pressed it gently along Envy¡¯s skin, tracing the curves of her shoulders, down her arms, over the swell of her belly. My thumbs circled as if I could smooth away the bruises, the exhaustion<b>, </b>the pain of everything she¡¯d just endured. Gods, I¡¯d almost lost her. The thought still made my chest tighten, a sharp ache I couldn¡¯t shake. The image of her still body on that battlefield, Elliot screaming, Felix fading, it branded me. And yet here she was, warm in my hands, breathing, ours. I lingered over her stomach, washing softly around the curve that was no longer just one life, but four. Four. The number kept echoing in my head like a prayer and a warning all at once. Four little ones who were half her, half us. My throat thickened.


    What would they look like? Would one of them have Xavier¡¯s scowl, softened by her smile? Or Haiden¡¯s sharpness, tempered by her steady heart? Levi¡¯s calcting gaze, bnced by her wildness? Maybe one would carry my eyes, but her gentleness. Gods, I hoped they all held her kindness, her grit, that stubborn light that refused to go out no matter how many times the world tried to snuff it. I slid the sponge over her ribs, careful of every breath she took. She hummed softly, leaning into my touch, and I pressed a kiss to the curve of her shoulder, whispering, ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted kids. Always. And now we¡¯re going to have four.¡±


    She didn¡¯t answer; her eyes were closed, rxed in the water, but my chest swelled anyway.


    My thoughts drifted. Macey. Elliot. Elias. How would they handle four newborns crying at once? Macey would probably try to mother them all, bossing them around with that fiery little attitude of hers. Elliot¡­ he¡¯d protect them, no question. Gods, he already had, again and again. And Elias, I wasn¡¯t sure yet, but I wanted him to know he belonged here, too. My hands stilled for a moment, soap dripping from my fingers into the bathwater. The thought I¡¯d buried wed its way back up. The papers. Sitting in my desk drawer for months now, waiting. Adoption papers for Macey. She was already ours in every way that mattered. She¡¯d imed us as much as we¡¯d imed her. She¡¯d imed Envy, maybe most of all. And I¡¯d wanted to make it official. To give her a name and a ce that couldn¡¯t be taken away from her again. I ran the sponge down Envy¡¯s arm, my chest burning with the weight of everything. Maybe it was time. Maybe after this battle, after what we¡¯d almost lost, it was time to stop waiting.


    I kissed Envy¡¯s temple, resting my forehead there, breathing her in. ¡°You¡¯ve given me more than I ever dreamed, little mate,¡± I whispered, voice breaking just for her. ¡°I¡¯ll spend the rest of my life making sure none of you ever slip away again.¡±


    She stirred faintly against me, murmuring, ¡°Hmm?¡±


    10:33 <b>Mon</b><b>, </b>Sep <b>15 </b>


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I said quickly, kissing her again. ¡°Just thinking about our future.<b>¡± </b>


    <b>Levi </b>


    43


    Noah finally pulled his hands away, his voice steady butced with that quiet reverence he always carried around Envy. ¡°She¡¯s clean enough,¡± he said, and the way he said it almost sounded like he was dering her sacred. I stood already waiting, towel warmed in my hands. Noah lifted her carefully, water sliding down her skin in rivulets, and passed her into my arms like she was something fragile, though I knew better. Our mate was forged in fire, tempered in blood. Still, I took her like she was the most precious thing in the world. The towel wrapped around her, cocooning her in heat. She shivered faintly and leaned into my chest, and I pressed my lips to the crown of her damp hair. ¡°I¡¯ve got you,¡± I murmured, carrying her out of the bathroom and back into our room.


    Moonlight from the suncatchers spilled across the walls, broken into shards of colour that painted her face in blues and golds. Iid her down carefully on the bed, taking an extra towel Noah passed me. With slow hands, I worked the moisture from her skin, blotting gently until her body was dry. Then came her hair. I brushed it out in long, careful strokes, the tangles slipping free as the strands dried soft between my fingers. She sighed at the touch, her eyes fluttering closed, and the sound alone unravelled something tight inside my chest. When her hairy smooth, I reached for the jar of moisturiser Mum had insisted on pressing into my hand weeks earlier. <i>It¡¯ll </i><i>help </i><i>with </i><i>stretch </i><i>marks</i>, she¡¯d said with a knowing smile. I dipped my fingers in, warming the cream before smoothing it over Envy¡¯s belly, her thighs, the soft curve of her breasts.


    I should¡¯ve been thinking only of the practical side of it. But the truth was, I didn¡¯t want to stop the marks. I wanted them. I wanted her branded forever with the evidence that she carried our children. That her body made beating hearts, shifted her organs, bent to the will of life itself to house them. The idea of it, of her, marked permanently by what we¡¯d created together, made my throat tight and my cock stir with heat I had no business entertaining right now. Was it getting me hard? Fuck yes. Did I want to see those marks every day, worship them as proof of her strength, her sacrifice? Even


    more.


    But not now. Not tonight. Tonight wasn¡¯t about me. It was about her. About them. Our little army of lives is already shaping the future inside her. So I swallowed down the hunger and kept my hands gentle, kneading the moisturiser into her skin until she was glowing in the moonlight. I tucked the nkets around her, brushed onest kiss against her temple, and whispered, ¡°Rest, baby. We¡¯ll take care of everything else.¡±

 Wolf v 170

    <b>10:33 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>15 </b>


    Goddess Of The Underworld.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>170 </b>


    I woke to the faint sound of movement, drawers opening, voices low but steady. The room smelled like coffee and soap,fort wrapped in chaos. Blinking into the morning light filtering past the curtains, I pushed myself up against the pillows. My belly felt heavier than yesterday, a gentle reminder that four little lives had made themselves at home inside me. My mates were already moving. Xavier was by the desk, flipping through notes. Noah had his phone to his ear, murmuring something sharp but calm. Haiden carried two mugs of coffee<b>, </b>setting one by my side before taking a swig of the other. Levi, of course, looked far too put¨Ctogether for men who should¡¯ve been asleep.


    ¡°You¡¯ve all been up a while,¡± I said, my voice still scratchy with sleep. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve been at this sincest night.¡±


    Four sets of eyes turned toward me, guilty in different shades.


    Xavier rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°We¡­ didn¡¯t sleep.¡±


    I frowned. ¡°At all?¡±


    Noah shook his head, sliding his phone into his pocket. ¡°There wasn¡¯t time. We¡¯ve been making arrangements for Felix. Setting up care so he¡¯sfortable and not alone. Theo and Zion will stay with him, but we¡¯ll check in every day, and now he¡¯ll have a nurse full¨Ctime and better living


    conditions.¡±


    Levi added without looking up from the papers in his hand, ¡°And splitting shifts between here and the Underworld. Keeping things steady.¡±


    Haiden plopped into the chair beside me with a grin that didn¡¯t quite reach his tired eyes. ¡°Ss is pulling more weight than he should. Might have to give the guy a raise at this point.¡±


    Levi finally nced up, his expression t as a de. ¡°Ss doesn¡¯t get an ie.¡±


    That earned him a bark ofughter from Haiden and even a slight smirk from Xavier. I covered my mouth, half¨Cgiggle, half¨Cgroan. ¡°Gods, you¡¯re all hopeless<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Noah leaned his hip against the bed, eyes softening as he looked at me. ¡°Hopeless, maybe. But we¡¯re not stopping until everything¡¯s handled.¡±


    I reached for his hand, squeezing it. ¡°You should at least rest. Just for a little while.¡±


    Xavier leaned down, pressing a kiss to my forehead. ¡°Later,¡± he murmured. ¡°After we know you and


    <b>10:33 </b>Mon, Sep 15


    the babies are settled.¡±


    Their stubbornness was exhausting andforting in equal measure. My little army, always morning. always carrying more than they should, yet always circling back to me.


    ¡°I want to go see Felix today,¡± I said after a long moment, my hand smoothing over my bally. The thought of him lying in a bed, fading piece by piece, made my chest ache. ¡°I¡¯d like to spend some


    time with him while I still can.¡±


    should


    Xavier looked up from where he was buttoning his shirt, his brow furrowed. ¡°Then maybe you take the kids with you,¡± he said carefully. ¡°Elliot, Macey, even Elias, if Reina agrees. Kids always seem to bring a little more life into a room.¡±


    Noah nodded immediately. ¡°He¡¯d like that. He lights up around them.¡± His eyes softened as he rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°Sometimes, kids are the best medicine.¡±


    Levi and Haiden exchanged a look but didn¡¯t argue for once. After I washed up and pulled on a <b>soft </b>dress, I let them herd me into the dining hall for food before we left. I wasn¡¯t even <b>fully </b>through the doorway before a groan slipped out of me. Aleisha and Tommy were already there, hunched over tes piled with eggs and toast like it was theirst meal. Aleisha¡¯s hair was a wild mess, <b>Tommy¡¯s </b>eyes ringed with shadows, both of them looking like they¡¯d runps around the castle before


    breakfast.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± I muttered, nting my hands on my hips. ¡°Does no one in this ce know how to


    rest?¡±


    Aleisha looked up mid¨Cbite, her cheeks puffed like a chipmunk. ¡°Rest is for the dead.¡± She swallowed and grinned. ¡°And apparently, we don¡¯t stay there long around you.¡±


    Tommy chuckled around his mug of coffee, the sound dry but fond. ¡°She¡¯s not wrong.¡±


    I dropped into the nearest chair with a sigh, rubbing my temples. ¡°God save me from stubborn people. You¡¯d think after dying you¡¯d enjoy a nap<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Haiden leaned against the doorframe with a smirk. ¡°You¡¯re one to talk, love<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    I tossed him a re, but couldn¡¯t keep the corner of my mouth from twitching upward.


    Aleisha speared another forkful of eggs and wagged it at me like a weapon. ¡°Bossy pregnant queen mode. You can¡¯t fool me. You¡¯re just mad someone beat you to the kitchen.¡±


    10:33 <b>Mon</b>, Sep <b>15 </b>


    ¡°I¡¯m not mad,¡± I shot back, reaching for the toast Noah slid in front of me. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ mildly irritated<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Tommy snorted into his coffee. ¡°That¡¯s the same thing.¡±


    Levi slid into the seat across from me, deadpan as ever. ¡°You should both be in bed. Doctor¡¯s orders.¡±


    ¡°Not a doctor,¡± Aleisha sing¨Csonged, rolling her eyes.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m wrong,¡± Levi countered smoothly, already scribbling something into that little notebook he always seemed to have.


    Haiden leaned on the back of my chair, his chin on top of my head. ¡°Don¡¯t listen to her. She¡¯s always been allergic to authority.¡±


    Aleisha flicked a grape at him. It bounced off his shoulder and rolled down the floorboards. ¡°And you¡¯ve always been allergic to shirts, so maybe don¡¯t talk.¡±


    Xavier raised his mug of coffee like a toast. ¡°If this is what breakfast looks like, no wonder no one in this house rests. Too busy throwing food and making smart remarks.¡±


    Noah leaned over to kiss the top of my head, slipping a berry onto my te. ¡°Better this than silence.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t wrong. The room felt alive, even with everyone bruised, scarred, or stitched from the night before. Alive was enough.


    My hand brushed over my bump. Four little heartbeats under my skin. Four futures. Our babies. I nced at my mates, each of them so different, all of them hovering like I might shatter, and my chest ached with something sharp but sweet. Love, and relief, and the simple luxury of sitting at a breakfast table with everyone breathing. This was what we fought for. Not crowns. Not realms. Not even power. This. Coffee rings on the table. Grapes on the floor. Laughter mixed with the clinking of forks. For a heartbeat, it was almost ordinary. And ordinary had never felt so precious.


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 Wolf v 171

    The air was still warm with toast and jam when we stepped through the portal into Elliot¡¯s house. The smell of coffee and syrup hit first, then the sound¨Cspoons clinking, kidsughing, the scrape of chairs. Elliot, Macey, and Elias were bunched together at the table, tes still smeared with breakfast. Crumbs everywhere, faces sticky, the picture of childhood chaos.


    Reina was already clearing dishes with quick, nervous movements, her eyes flicking to me the moment I came in. ¡°You¡¯re early,¡± she said, though her voice softened when her gaze dropped to my


    bump.


    ¡°I wanted to ask something.¡± I stepped closer,ying a hand on the back of Elliot¡¯s chair. ¡°Would it be alright if I took them to see Felix today? He¡¯d like thepany. Elias cane too, if he wants.¡±


    Elias¡¯s head shot up, eyes wide. ¡°Really? Me too?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± I said with a smile. ¡°If you¡¯d like.¡±


    Reina¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°Envy¡­¡± Worry painted her features in. ¡°After everything¡­¡±


    But George leaned over from his chair, interrupting gently. ¡°Rein, maybe this is the perfect chance. Didn¡¯t we talk about that date? Just the two of us? You deserve that.¡±


    Her brows pulled, torn between fear and longing. Elias bounced in his seat before she could answer. ¡°I¡¯ve never been through a portal before!¡± His grin split wide. ¡°Can we really?¡±


    Elliot and Macey exchanged a look, equal parts smug and excited.


    I reached across the table, brushing Elias¡¯s hand with mine. ¡°Yes, really. Today, you¡¯ll see.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s okay with your mum, of course,¡± I added gently, looking at Reina.


    Her eyes darted to George, searching his face like she always did when she was weighing the hard choices. For a moment, silence stretched in the kitchen, broken only by Elias¡¯s impatient foot tapping under the table. Then Reina exhaled, slowly, shoulders lowering just a fraction.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she said atst, voice soft but certain. ¡°You three can go.¡±


    The kids practically vibrated in their chairs, Macey already reaching for her little bag as if she¡¯d been packed and ready for weeks. Elliot¡¯s grin was smug, and Elias bounced in his seat like he¡¯d just been handed the moon. But before <b>I </b>could thank her, George cleared his throat and leaned forward, palms


    <b>10:33 </b>Mon, Sep 15


    t on the table. ¡°Actually¡­ maybe they should stay the night.¡± His tone was casual, but <b>his </b>eyes were steady on me. ¡°If we¡¯re going to get into the habit of sharing them<b>, </b>I¡¯d like it to start now. Before I¡¯m handed another four magicals to juggle.¡±


    Heat crept into my cheeks, and from the corner of my eye, I saw all four of <b>my </b>mates tense with varying shades of smirks, groans, and wide¨Ceyed stares.


    ¡°George,¡± Reina muttered, half exasperated, half amused<b>, </b>but she didn¡¯t tell him no.


    Elliot¡¯s grin only grew, Elias nearly toppled his chair with excitement<b>, </b>and Macey pped like she¡¯d just won something.


    Iughed softly, pressing a hand to my bump. ¡°Fair enough. Tonight, then.¡±


    The kids lined up at the threshold like soldiers about to march into battle. Elliot stood tall and smug, like he¡¯d done this a hundred times (he had). Macey clutched Fergus under one arm and Elias¡¯s sleeve in the other, already bouncing on her toes. Elias, though, his wide eyes drank in every detail of the shimmering air as I opened the portal. The circle of light rippled, colours sliding like cil on water, and he leaned forward so far Xavier had to gently put a hand on his shoulder to keep him from face¨Cnting.


    ¡°Is it going to eat me?¡± Elias whispered, half thrilled, half terrified.


    Macey snorted. ¡°No, silly. It just tickles.¡±


    Elliot rolled his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t close your mouth or you¡¯ll taste metal. It¡¯s gross.¡±


    ¡°Elliot,¡± I warned, though I couldn¡¯t quite bite back my smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m just preparing him,¡± Elliot muttered.


    Haiden bent down so he was eye level with Elias. ¡°It¡¯s just a step, kiddo. Like walking through <i>a </i>doorway. Only this one¡¯s cooler than all the others<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Elias took a deep breath, squared his small shoulders, and announced, ¡°Okay. I¡¯m ready.¡±


    Macey tugged him forward, Elliot slipping in beside them, and together they vanished into the light.


    On the other side, they stumbled out into the familiar halls of the Tris infirmary, where the <b>air </b>smelled faintly of herbs and disinfectant. Felix¡¯s room <b>was </b>down the hall, the door cracked <b>open</b><b>. </b><b>I </b>could already hear the low rumble of Zion¡¯s voice inside, murmuring something <b>steady</b><b>, </bforting<b>. </b>


    <b>10:34 </b>Mon, Sep 15


    ¡°See?¡± Elliot said, brushing his hair out of his face as if it was nothing. ¡°Told you.¡±


    Elias¡¯s eyes were enormous as he spun in a circle. ¡°That was awesome! Can we do it again?¡±


    ¡°Later,¡± I said gently, my hand resting on his head. ¡°Right now, let¡¯s go see Felix. He¡¯s been waiting for you all.¡±


    And with that, I guided them toward the door.


    The room smelled faintly of antiseptic and peppermint, thetter thanks to the half¨Cempty bag of sweets Theo must have smuggled in. Felix was propped up in the bed, his face pale, the lines around his eyes deeper than I remembered even yesterday. But when the door opened and the kids spilled in, the weariness dropped from him like a cloak.


    ¡°Look who¡¯s here,¡± he rasped, his voice tired but warm. His eyes shone as Elliot stepped forward, tugging Elias with him like he was presenting a treasure.


    ¡°Felix,¡± Elliot said, serious as always, ¡°this is my brother. Elias.¡±


    Elias hesitated, hanging back half a step, but Felix¡¯s smile grew so gentle it softened all the harshness of his age. He reached out a trembling hand, and Elias stepped closer, cing his smaller one in Felix¡¯s palm.


    ¡°My boy,¡± Felix whispered, his thumb brushing across Elias¡¯s knuckles. ¡°Your eyes¡­ gods, you¡¯ve got your brother¡¯s eyes.¡±


    Elliot leaned in, chin high. ¡°We came to make you feel better.¡±


    Felix let out a softugh that turned into a cough, but his joy was real. ¡°Then you already have.¡± His free hand tapped the paper bag at his bedside. ¡°Now¡­ you three like candy, don¡¯t you? Theo thinks I¡¯m going to eat all of this myself, but I was waiting for reinforcements.¡±


    Macey darted forward like a shot, climbing onto the edge of the bed and digging eagerly into the bag. ¡°Best reinforcements ever,¡± she dered, mouth already full.


    Elias¡¯s face lit with a shy grin as Felix pressed a wrapped sweet into his palm. Elliot took one too, though his expression was more solemn, as if candy was secondary to making sure Felix smiled. I stood back with my mates, watching the scene unfold, my heart aching and easing all at once. For a moment, there was no battlefield, no witches, no grief waiting in the wings. Just children at a bedside, and a man who loved them with everything he had left.


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