Gods

EVERETT

The Red Moon Pack is back, weeks ahead of the end of their promised truce. It’s exactly what I’ve been expecting and preparing for. It’s war—to the death.

Chaos rumbles in agreement. ~No one is taking our mate or pups. Not while we live~.

I claim Aurora’s lips in a long, lingering kiss. “Don’t worry. No one will touch you.” With one last look at her and my children, I take a deep breath and stroll out of the room.

Lucius follows behind me, the two of us united in our anger. I know that my pack will fight with me, down to the last member.

“Did the plan work?” I ask him.

He nods. “Yes, alpha. They allowed Ace to lead them to the back of the pack house for another parley.”

“Perfect.” We’d figured they’d try for a sneak attack. We’d decided to pretend not to know so that we could lure them into an advantageous position for us.

“Their warriors are in the woods, nearly seventy of them,” Lucius adds. “We’re watching them.”

Twenty more than we thought they’d had. “That’s fine. We still outnumber them two to one.”

Their waiting fighters will have to pass through the square to reach Martha, giving us a chance to stop them. This is the battleground my warriors and I have been preparing.

As soon as I come around the corner, all of the Red Mooners’ attention snaps to me. They can smell my fury, and I see them realize that there will be no peace talk.

Martha’s mouth is a thin line, the lines around her eyes tight. I can see she doesn’t expect to win, but she shows me her teeth, determined to fight.

I stop, our gazes locked. “Last chance. Back down, leave, and never bother my family again. If you do, you live.”

She sneers at me. “Never.” She draws a slim knife from a sheath at her waist, and the battle is on.

With howls and growls, our warriors clash, some in wolf form, others as humans. Spears and swords clash, and fur flies. The air is full of the sounds of combat, both here and in the distance.

I release Chaos and charge at Martha. She retains her human shape, slashing at me with her knife. We dance around each other, drawing blood, but neither getting the upper hand.

The fight rages on, growing to a fever pitch. Every breath is acrid with fear, pain, and anger. I’m limping on one leg, and Martha is bleeding heavily from her temple. The next clash could finish it.

An ear-splitting roar of thunder rumbles through us all, nearly knocking me to the ground. I hear glass crack from the force. At the same time, a searing light flares, blinding me.

From the confused barks and shouts, I can tell it’s done the same to the rest of the combatants, effectively stopping the battle.

I hear a scream—Aurora? She should be inside, but I can’t be sure. The scents of blood and violence are too strong for me to smell her, and my vision is still whited out.

The light fades slowly and I blink furiously, trying to clear my vision. Finally, it’s gone completely and I can make out the clearing again. My blood turns to ice.

Everyone’s regained their ability to see, but no one is making any move to resume the battle. That’s because the clearing is now full of gods and goddesses glaring at all of us.

They’re all glowing with a holy radiance, their sheer presence holding us all still. I think I recognize a couple of them—that must be the Moon Goddess—and I feel incredibly small.

Aurora appears at my elbow, but she doesn’t stop, doesn’t even look at me. She sprints toward the gathered deities without an ounce of fear. I try to chase after her, but I can’t move.

It’s more than just awe keeping me in place. The gods are actively holding us. I wonder what we’ve done to displease them.

One of the goddesses opens her arms and Aurora falls into a hug, crying and smiling. That must be her mother, Helena. I can see the resemblance, a little—they have the same red hair.

Helena holds Aurora close for a moment, then gently pushes her aside, murmuring something to her. The softness in her face vanishes as she looks over the rest of us, and I can’t help but cower under her stare.

She glides forward, the grass completely undisturbed by her passing. The anger in her gaze is humbling, the disappointment nearly unbearable.

It makes me remember destroying my mother’s garden roughhousing with Ace and Lucius, and the guilt I felt at putting her through that pain.

“I am Helena, a goddess of the Evermore,” she says, voice echoing. “We have named ourselves protectors of the child called Jason, and you go against us by trying to circumvent our protection.”

Another god from the other group glides forward. “I am Helios,” he says in a deep voice. Aurora gasps and the blood drains from her face. I share her fear. The Tartarus are not usually good news.

“We have named ourselves protectors of the child called Lucina.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “We, too, are displeased by this bloodshed.”

“We offer this compromise to you. Lucina will be promised to the son of the next Red Moon alpha—providing she approves of the match.” I see him glance at Aurora, something sweet showing on his terrible face.

“The Red Moon Pack is to be recognized as a separate clan, and name a new alpha and luna. Those who wish may return.” I’m angry to have this decision made for me, but I won't fight a god.

Martha looks excited but still nervous. “But, sir, these children are the Red Moon’s by law. Surely—”

“Silence!” Helios booms and she shuts her mouth. “My grandchildren are a god and goddess, not mere wolves. I am being generous in this compromise. If you wish peace, you will take it.”

Helena puts her hand briefly on Helios’ shoulder. They lock eyes and share a brief, wistful smile. Then they glare at us, and their wrath is like a wave.

“Any attempt to steal or harm these children will be met with the full fury of both our branches,” Helios says, eyes blazing.

“This is fate. Do not attempt to fight it. Instead, find a way to accept things as they are.” Helena’s gaze falls on me as she speaks.

They both turn to look at Aurora, and the love that swells from them is even more potent than their previous anger. As if they’d planned it, they open their arms in unison.

She steps forward to let them both embrace her, and despite everything, I can feel nothing but pure joy at seeing my luna get the love she deserves. ~Congratulations, little mate~.