Chapter 1 - Josefina

“You have to get my mother here now!” I scream at Hermes, my hand gripping the collar of his shirt. I have to pass on this prophecy. Mom has to know so she can get the message to everyone. People need to know that Lucifer is back.

Of course, it doesn’t help that I’m screaming because I’m in fucking labor. The lower back pain I was apparently experiencing? Yeah. Those were contractions. And one rips through me the second I’m finished talking.

“Asteráki mu (my little star), we’ve gotta get you into a room and ready to deliver the girls. And we’ve gotta get Jacob and Alexander here too,” Hermes says, scooping me into his arms and carrying me toward the registration desk like a damn bridal carry at a wedding I did not agree to.

“Hey, Gloria,” he says, reading her nametag with a casual charm that would be ridiculous if I weren’t doubled over in pain. “This is my mate, Josefina Vegter. Her water broke about three minutes ago. She's in labor—about three weeks early—with triplet girls. Her OB is Dr. Fern.”

Gloria stares at him, mouth hanging open like he just descended from the heavens—and okay, technically, he kind of did.

It might have something to do with the fact that he’s got his glowed-up god form turned on. Not full god, because mortals can’t handle that, but definitely glowing enough to make heads turn and drool fall.

I mean, I get it. He’s sexy as hell. But I am in pain here, and we need to get this show on the damn road.

My hand slaps down on the counter. “Gloria, I get that he’s hot and all, but I’m in need of some medical attention right now.”

Gloria blinks like she just woke up from a dream. “I’m so sorry. Yes, come this way. Nurse Stephanie will take you back to a room.”

“Cool,” I grunt, then turn to my mate. “Two things. Mindlink my mom, Alex, and Jake—get them here. And tone down the pretty. I need doctors and nurses focusing on me, not drooling over you.”

Hermes stares at me for a beat and then starts laughing so hard tears actually fall down his cheeks. He follows Nurse Stephanie, still cackling like a damn hyena.

It isn’t until he sets me on the hospital bed and another contraction hits that he finally sobers up, taking my hands in his.

Once it passes, he waves a hand to magic away my clothes, leaving me in a maternity bra with a blanket over my lap. “I already linked our mates and your mom. Did it while you were yelling at Gloria. I didn’t think you’d get jealous while in labor, asteráki mu. It was kinda sexy.”

“I’m not jealous, Hermes. But if your looks distract the people responsible for delivering our pups, we’ve got a problem,” I snap.

He gives me a little salute. “Toning down the pretty.”

Immediately, the glow fades. He looks more human—freckles, asymmetries, wild curls. Still one of the hottest men alive, but not radiant enough to stop traffic.

“Want me to ease your pain a little?” he asks, and his voice changes. The humor drops.

Hermes uses jokes for everything—awkwardness, stress, boredom, flirting. So when he stops joking? Something’s wrong.

He’s worried.

I cup his cheek, press my forehead to his. “Let Dr. Fern check me first. The pain matters. It tells us if something’s wrong.”

He nods, but before he can answer, another contraction rolls in, and I grab his hands to ride it out.

I know all three of my mates can feel my pain through our bond. I feel Alex pouring calm and love through it. Jacob gives me strength and excitement. And Hermes? Hermes gives me comfort and pride.

It doesn’t take the pain away, but it takes away some of the fear.

Because I don’t care how many times you go through labor—there’s always fear.

And on top of everything, there’s still the prophecy. Lucifer is back, and I still haven’t told my mom.

“Where are they?” I pant as the contraction eases.

Hermes is quiet for a second. “On the road. About two turns from the hospital.”

I nod, lean back against the pillows, and breathe.

A cool cloth wipes sweat from my skin, and I smile with my eyes closed. “Thanks, love.”

“You don’t have to thank me, asteráki mu,” he says gently. “You’ve got hard work ahead. I’ll do anything I can to ease it.”

I smile again, though my eyes stay shut. “Have you gotten the names out of Alex yet?”

Hermes groans. “Alexander should teach warriors how to keep secrets under torture. He’s like a fucking vault.”

I actually laugh at that.

As a god, Hermes is expected to have a lot of kids. Like, a lot a lot. Selene showed me a glimpse of my future, and yeah—we’ll be buying diapers for a long-ass time.

And each pregnancy? Triplets. Every damn time.

So we made a deal. Each pregnancy, one mate gets to pick all three names.

Hermes picked first—hence the very Greek names: Brison, Calix, and Demetrios.

This time, it’s Alex’s turn. He has a theme. He’s picked the names.

But he won’t tell anyone what they are.

To keep track, we decided to go alphabetically.

Alex is “A.” Hermes will take “H.” Jake and I both cover “J.”

That’s why our first set starts with B, C, and D.

So now, we know these girls will be named something starting with E, F, and G… and that’s it.

And it’s driving Hermes insane.

He cannot stand not knowing.

Honestly, I think that’s the only reason Alex is keeping it a secret.

Just then, Dr. Fern walks in.

“Who’s ready to meet some new pups today?” she asks, bright and chipper as ever.

I give her a wry smile. “Me, apparently.”

She grins. “I’ll be the judge of that.”

I scoot down the bed and open my legs so she can check me. She asks the usual questions—when did labor start, has my water broken, how far apart are contractions?

Hermes answers everything like an overachiever. Looks like I’ve been in back labor most of the day, but the contractions only regulated when my water broke—about thirty minutes ago. They’re three minutes apart, lasting a minute.

Dr. Fern hums thoughtfully, then stands. “Well, you’re 10 centimeters and 100% effaced. We’re ready to get started.”

And just like that, chaos descends.

Nurses flood the room—some for me, some for the babies.

Machines and monitors are wheeled in. The energy shifts from calm to go time.

Hermes waves a hand over me to ease the pain—but only after I make him ask Dr. Fern first. I still need to feel the pressure to know when to push.

I smile at him in thanks just as another contraction rolls in. The pain’s gone, but the pressure still squeezes my lungs.

Dr. Fern moves into position, two nurses at her side.

“Push, JoJo,” she commands.

I do as she says, but my eyes immediately search for Hermes. “Where are they?” I gasp.

“We’re here!” Jake shouts as he bursts in, Alex right behind him.

Relief floods me—my mates are all here.

“We’re sorry it took so long, baby,” Alex says as he climbs onto the bed behind me, lifting me into a supportive hold. This was Hermes’s position last time. Jake’s will be next.

Hermes and Jake grab my hands just in time for another contraction.

“Push, JoJo,” Alex murmurs in my ear, giving me something solid to lean on as I bear down.

I squeeze their hands so hard I swear I hear bones pop.

Then—release.

“We’ve got baby girl number one!” Dr. Fern announces. The room erupts into motion as a nurse takes our screaming daughter.

All three of my mates smile at each other. Pride. Joy. Awe.

“One down,” Dr. Fern says cheerfully. “Two more to go. Rest for a second, JoJo.”

I take a breath and close my eyes. One baby here. Two more to go. A prophecy still burning in my chest.

And a war waiting just beyond the hospital doors.

But for this one moment? I have my mates. I have one of my daughters in the world. And I’m doing this.

I can do this.