Mother, May I

It’s been two months. Two months since we left Valhalla. Two months since we ran away with our tails between our legs. Two months since I found my mate. Two months since this shit should’ve been done.And what do I have to show for it? A semi-comatose mate who basically had to restart her entire goddess-making process when we moved from Valhalla to the Underworld. A rowdy, often undisciplined army that’s been on ice for two months. Traitors and defectors on all sides. And the worst case of blue balls I’ve had in my entire existence.To say I’m a bit on edge is the biggest understatement of the millennium.The worst part? Valhalla ran on a faster timeline than Earth. But the Underworld? Runs on Earth’s schedule.So yeah—two months to get Nyx back to where she was when we left. What would’ve taken two weeks in Valhalla took two fucking months down here.It doesn’t help that I’ve imprinted on her so much that I can’t screw anyone else without causing us both extreme pain. I could handle i

I wake to the feel of sparks flickering across my skin—and the delicious heat of my mates pressed against me. A soft moan escapes me, my core already wet. They do this to me every damn time. I hope I never get used to it.My thighs clench with growing need. A groan rumbles in front of me, and calloused hands skim up my leg, hitching it higher over the thigh of the male before me. The roughness of his hands tells me it’s Alexander. Which means I’ve rolled in my sleep—because I definitely fell asleep on Jacob’s chest.The sparks and movement have Alexander reacting, too. I feel his hard cock pressing against my inner thigh, just shy of where I want it most. I push myself closer, and the head of his cock slides between my lips, brushing my clit.“Fuck,” I whisper as he shifts, dragging the head across my clit again.“How are you already so wet?” Alexander murmurs against my lips. One hand grips my hip, the other cupping my breast.“Goddess, she smells so good,” Jacob says from behind. He

“There are several things you’ll need to do to complete your induction. First, you must enter the astral plane and receive Hecate’s approval—along with her prophecy for your reign,” I tell Freya. “Jaiden will go with you to serve as witness and provide a second set of ears to hear the prophecy.”She rolls her eyes. “Why can’t she just come to me? She’s in Valhalla—we could get a message to her. That would be so much easier.”I know it’s her anxiety talking, so I take a breath. No use stacking mine on top of hers.“It’s not just about talking to Hecate, Frey. It’s about reaching the astral plane, finding Jaiden, and then entering Hecate’s presence. Just getting into the astral plane takes serious power and control. Finding someone else in that space? Then finding Hecate?” I shake my head. “That’s another level. And if you were to see Hecate’s true form outside the astral plane... you’d burn up in flames.”“I might prefer that,” Freya mutters.I sigh. My poor girl. Anxiety has haunted he

“Mom, seriously? We can do this together. Or I could ask Jaiden or Nora. It doesn’t have to be Nathan. He’s already got enough going on,” I plead with her.You’d think that at almost twenty-one I’d be able to stand up for myself without sounding like I’m whining—but when Bella Martin sets her mind to something, very little can stop her.Including her daughter’s anxiety disorder.“Frey, Nathan is the most powerful witch-wolf hybrid in existence. His powers are very similar to yours. And it’s not like you don’t know each other—you practically grew up together. By the Maiden’s blood, he’s changed your diaper. You’re basically siblings,” she says, casually packing food into a cooler for me to take.I groan. Not just because I question my mother’s judgment in letting a seven-year-old change diapers, but because—of course—she has to remind me he was the one who did it.If it’s not completely obvious: I’m in love with Nathan Swift. Have been for years.So, yeah—being reminded that we have thi

“I just don’t understand why they’re coming after us specifically,” Devin says, arms crossed. “I mean, yeah, we’re powerful and shit, but at the end of the day, we’re just mortals. Why not go after the gods?”“Because he knows Nathan is here. And Lucifer knows he can’t truly keep Nyx unless he deals with Nathan,” Hermes replies, looking like he hasn’t slept in days. “Also, coming after you is the perfect distraction. The wolves and witches are highly favored by the gods—after all, you freed them from Tartarus, reclaimed Valhalla, and defeated a goddess. You’ve made some serious friends.”We’re seated in the large conference room we use for supernatural summits, thrown into war mode thanks to an ambush we didn’t see coming.Aubrey and Meredith are working double-time to summon as many supernaturals as they can. Bella and JoJo are reaching out to Hecate and Selene for guidance. Hakeem and Gael are on a call with Brandon and Chris, coordinating evacuation plans for pups, elders, and pregn