Roman’s POV“How is this the first time I’m hearing of this? Your mother wasn’t the kind of person to help someone out of the kindness of her heart. Fucking witch didn’t have a heart.” Hector took a step away from Axel as he revealed vital information.“It wasn’t my place to become involved.”“Like hell it wasn’t! How do you know it was your mother that helped?” I wanted to speak but instead sat there watching as my father’s went at it.“Because I saw them. I saw this red headed woman in my mother’s office. She begged her for help. Told my mother that her sister was to be mated to the king of the underworld. That she had a vision of what would happen should they bond and have a child.”“Daphne’s mum. They were twins.” Axel just nodded his head as he looked over Hector’s shoulder at me.Standing from the ground I walked over to him and punched him. He knew something about my mate yet when we asked, he kept quiet. Angry didn’t even come close to describing how I felt.“Roman I’m sorry!”
Cleo’s POVThe smell of burning flesh was quick to overpower the scent of blood and feces. This was a side I knew Roman had but a side I never wished to see. Todd’s screams had me paralysed my eyes glued to his mangled yet breathing body. How anyone could withstand what they were doing was beyond me. To even dish out that kind of torture had my stomach twisting.As Todd fell unconscious from the pain of his flesh being melted away, Roman was quick to use his air element to rapidly cool the burning causing it to blister. With the cool air it also bought Todd back around. It was then the viscous gut-wrenching screams would continue. My hand covering my mouth as I witnessed first hand just how ruthless my mate and his father could be.My mate so stuck and focused he hadn’t even registered me standing there. His father however had, a look of horror on his face. After he walked away unscathed when I set him ablaze, I had my suspicions. This here only confirming he still had his gift. Axel
Cleo’s POVAs Daphne became distracted by Eric, Roman took the opportunity to restrain her. I knew she thought I had mind linked Roman but in truth I was communicating with Eric. Who else better to distract someone than their mate? It may have been a desperate move, but it worked.“Why didn’t you tell me the moment you knew she was here? Do you have any idea what could have happened?” Roman gripped my folded arms as I watched my sister lay still on the ground. I had half expected for her to kick and scream but she didn’t. She remained quiet her eyes closed. She wasn’t unconscious, she was listening.“You were busy, so I called Eric. Besides their taking her to the dungeon so you would have known shortly anyway.” I tried to keep the sarcasm from my voice, but I was just so pissed off with him that any trying was futile.“And you think that Eric would have been able to protect you had a fight broke out with the other wolves?” I knew he wouldn’t, he wasn’t half as strong as my mate, but
Romans POVDaphne’s wolf spoke for her that much I was certain of. Though it worried me she was able to come forward at all. There were zero doubts in my mind that magic of some kind was at play, but I needed to know how much control it had over her. And what the source of it was. Magic had it limits as did those using it. To re-enable someone to shift wasn’t something your ordinary witch was capable of. It would have taken the entirety of a powerful coven at the very least, and there wasn’t many that powerful around. No coven that would weaken itself for a wolf anyway. All signs led to the work of Hades; coincidence just wasn’t an option.Not giving Daphne or her wolf the chance to provoke Cleo further, I pushed her from the cell nodding to Eric who knew to quickly pull the door shut sealing it from the inside. I was fine with having given Daphne a chance, but now, in my eyes her wolf had just made a declaration of war on my family. That was something I wasn’t about to let slide. No
Cleo’s POVI knew Roman had me locked out for my own good. I understood yet couldn’t help but hate him at the same time. Daphne was my sister and although she deserved to pay for her crime, there was no possible way I would have been able stand idly by and watch Roman be the one to do. In a twisted way it would have felt like I was betraying my own flesh and blood.“I Eric Blair, reject you Daphne Barton as my mate.”Hearing Eric’s rejection I fell to the ground. The sound of Daphne’s screams had my heart aching like I’d never before experienced. Rejection was said to be like a knife to the heart. Half your soul ripped away, leaving you an empty shell just hoping the moon goddess would take pity and bless you with a second chance before the craziness drove you to take your own life. The problem being second chances, they were about as rare as someone having multiple mates.Unable to hear her scream I went back to the pack house and straight to the private library. Hades, my father. H
Romans POVOut of nowhere my vision became blurry, pictures of Cleo shifting entering my mind. It was as if I was there, both as a witness and participant to everything that happened. The beads of sweat on my neck proof of the pain she felt as her body changed. When the shift was finished there she stood. No longer a wolf but a beast similar to that of a Lycanthrope thanks to her demonic half. The thing Johnathon from the council feared as he warned me on the phone the night I called him had happened. Cleo and Freya had become one.Suddenly the pictures disappeared my vision once again taking in the sight of the cell in which we stood. I knew it was only a matter of time until something else was going to happen. There was no way Cleo would have taken this step had she not had a plan. I tried to connect to her, to feel what she felt but was met with nothing but a cold darkness. The second I described what I saw Kai reached out to those on border control asking them to keep their eyes p
Cleo’s POV The flames burned for all but a second before they became more of an annoyance. That scared me. Fire, heat anything that extreme should have hurt me. Should have left me scarred, breathless and begging for release but it hadn’t. Flames created my own hand didn’t hurt me, but this was hell fire. Engulfed in flames of hell I felt relaxed a sense of calm and the feeling of home that even Roman couldn’t provide me. As the flames disbursed Freya rose from her knees. In the legend’s hell, the underworld was pictured as an underground cave. Lava rivers flowing throughout waiting to snuff the life from anyone that dare touch and every soul damned to this place. That picture however was very, very wrong. This place looked nothing like the underworld pictured in Hercules as I grew up. No, I wasn’t standing in a cave but what looked to be a desert. The skies were a blood orange which seemed to be home to giant flying beasts as they circled above me. ‘What are those things?’ ‘Guard
Cleo’s POV “Time moves differently here Cleo; you’ve been here what? A few hours? That would be few weeks up there. You really ought to have done your research before venturing places you have no clue about.” Hades lifted his gaze fixing at me for a split second, a small smile playing at the corner of his thin lips. “By now I’m sure your mutt is going out of his mind. That is unless he found some other bitch to share his bed in your absence. Lucille perhaps?” Growling I launched myself in Hades direction only he was two steps ahead of me. Raising his hand, it connected with my face sending me skidding across the ground. Everything within me hated this man and the way he was able to get under my skin with just a few words. Looking at my bump the seriousness of the situation I was in began to weigh heavily on my mind. If the time difference was true, it meant I would have maybe two hours left until my world would change forever. Each minute was now critical. “Oh Cleo, I’m joking. About
Cleo’s POVAs Angel took her place on the front row of seats, Axel stood with Roman and me. This would be his first act as the leader of the newly formed council, but to look at his face, you wouldn’t think it. He looked more confident than I had ever seen him. If Athena were looking down, she would be proud of her mate for serving her justice and rebuilding after so much loss.The regular couple would now enjoy their reception, eat, dance and be merry, but we had one more ceremony to complete before we could enjoy the remainder of the evening. I was scared shitless, but I knew I could do it with Roman at my side.“Evening, everyone. As you are all aware, tonight is special for multiple reasons. Not only has my son married his beautiful mate, but he will also take his place as our new reigning King. A role of such power is earned, not just born into. Roman and Cleo have shown us time and time again that they are more than equipped to handle anything that’s thrown their way. This new l
Roman’s POVTonight everything would change. Not only would we become husband and wife, but we would gain the titles of King and Queen.I wasn’t normally a nervous man, but today, I was. Today my heart beat wildly in my chest as I counted down the hours until it finally was time. Standing alone under the wooden archway, I fiddled with my fingers, my palms becoming sweaty. There was no doubt whatsoever in my mind I wanted this, so why was I nervous?I had hoped Kai would be back by now, I’d wished to have him stand at my side as my best man, but I understood his situation. He had lost his other half, his reason for living, and had that been Cleo, I knew I wouldn’t survive.Watching out over all the faces in the crowd, I tried my best to remain calm. Balthazar spoke words of encouragement in my mind, but it wasn’t helping. Taking a deep breath, I looked up to the moon and prayed that, for once, Cleo would be on time. I didn’t mind waiting on the woman any other time, but not tonight. If
Chapter SeventyCleo’s POVMy eyes fluttered open as the sunlight beamed into the room through the open blinds. Rolling over, I found the bed empty. Roman’s side had been made and was stone cold. Worrying I’d overslept, I checked the time on my phone only to find a message from the missing man himself.‘I didn’t want to wake you, but I have a few things I need to take care of today. I’ll be back in time for tea, have a good day, and remember I love you.’Smiling to myself, I placed the phone back down. As I went to swing my legs over, a light knock came from the door.“Can I come in?” Angel’s voice came from the door's other side, causing my stomach to form in knots. I knew I’d have to face her today, but I’d at least hoped to have some coffee in my system first.“Of course. Is there something wrong?”“Actually, there is, the wedding….“ I couldn’t decipher the look she was giving me, which worried me.“Roman told you, didn’t he? I’m sorry if I sound like an ungrateful bitch.” And I tr
Chapter Sixty-NineCleo’s POVAngel wanted to help organise the wedding, and I begrudgingly agreed. Though now, as the day approaches, I wish I hadn’t. I had never been the type of girl that was bothered by diamonds or gold. I liked what I liked, and that was it. A lavish white wedding had never been in my dreams. I wanted the wedding, yes, but I wanted the marriage more. I wanted a husband who loved me unconditionally and a family we would share.As the seamstress continued with her alterations, I neared wit’s end. The dress wasn’t me. I didn’t like how it sat and was not too fond of the strapless design.“Miss, will you please stand still? With you fidgeting, it’s impossible to get the hemline right.”Oh, and I didn’t like the seamstress. She was rude and snobby, and I didn’t want her.“Ouch!” feeling the point of the pinprick on my skin was the final straw.“Well, perhaps if you did as I asked…” growling, I heated her stupid needle and pins, smirking when they burnt her and caused
Chapter Sixty-EightRoman’s POVI couldn’t be any prouder of Cleo even if I tried. Watching as the darkness held on, its claws dug deep into her, she never wavered. She never once screamed for Henrik to stop, and I’m ashamed to say that I thought she would. The hours that followed were the most heartbreaking. I wished I could take everything from her and suffer in her place, but I couldn’t. We would walk many paths together, but this wasn’t one of them.I remained by her side the entire time, holding her tight and keeping her grounded as her fear took hold. We knew that there might one day be a consequence for stripping Cleo of her rule of hell, that the Brotherhood may seek revenge. But if that day did come, we would fight together.The obstacle we thought would be toughest, however, ended up being the easiest, bonding with our daughter. Scarlett was a bright, strong energy, and I knew she would one day take this world by storm. Seeing mother and daughter together was a sight like no
Chapter Sixty-SevenCleo’s POVHaving explained Jake’s situation as best as I could, I asked a nurse to help me get Roman into a wheelchair. His grandfather was currently in the ICU on life support, and there was no way Roman was well enough to walk.As we exited the lift, we were met with faces that lined the corridor leading to Jake’s room. Holding my head high, I pushed my mate down the corridor where his fathers met us. Kissing Roman on the cheek, I turned to walk away, leaving his fathers to take him inside.“Cleo, where are you going?” Hearing Axle’s voice, I stopped and turned to face him.“I’m going to get some air while you spend time as a family. It’s all right; you need it.”“Your right, we do, but you’re also a part of this family, Cleo. None of us would be here right now if it weren’t for you. Angel wouldn’t be able to say goodbye to her mate if it wasn’t for you.” Holding his hand out for me to take, I hesitated for a second before accepting.As I took his hand, he yanke
Cleo’s POVYesterday stood a building of authority and importance, and now, an ashen wreck. The carnage it caused, the devastation, it rattled even me. To witness first-hand what can happen when power, no matter the source gets out of control. Before now my mind had been like frisbee, back and forth with my decision on returning hellfire to where it belonged. But after today, my mind was set. I no longer wanted this.Twenty-Four hours before…As the walls and floor began to shake, I missed my mark; my fireball hitting the window, sending the glass shattering. Another tremor, and my legs went from beneath me.“You’re too late. You’ve doomed us and yourselves.” Clinging to the furniture, I watched the elder try to escape safely.I was in front of him in a heartbeat, my hand gripping his throat as I turned him to ash. As the smoke began to pool at my feet, I turned around coming face to face with the council’s leader. He pulled a blade from his belt and swung for me without saying a word
Roman’s POVI thought I was getting through to Cleo until she pushed me backwards and took off. I went to run after her but was held back by my fathers.“Let her go, son; she’s not ready.”“She’s on a mission just as we are. Let her do what she needs to, and then we will help you get her back. Whatever it takes.” Nodding at my father’s, we took the second set of stairs. As much as I hated to admit it, they were right.Cleo had gone to the next floor, so it made sense for us to go up again. Whether she liked it or not, we would clear this place together. Level three was where the armoury was kept. Weapons collected over the centuries from all different species are locked away. From fairy dust, rogue’s poison, and enchanted blades to a witch’s grimoire. Anything they could get their hands on and use would be inside that vault. We just needed to get it open.As proof of how untouchable the council thought they had become, they hadn’t bothered to disguise the front of the vault. The metal
Cleo’s POVI wasn’t going to let him die, not for me. I didn’t deserve it, and I didn’t deserve him. His pack needed him to survive. After overhearing what Roman and his family intended to do, I knew I had to get there first. This all began because of me, and it would end with me. I’d be damned if anyone else would lose their lives because of me.Closing my eyes, I pictured the Wolf Embassy. The building had recently been refurbished due to a fire a few years ago, and I remembered seeing it on the billboard back in the orphanage. It was shaped like a large townhouse, at least four floors high. The wooden fronts were replaced with blacked-out glass panels from the bottom to the third floor. The fourth floor was brick and held only a couple of windows.Any passerby wouldn’t think anything of it, but in my mind, that would be where they met and held their most secretive meetings. It offered the most coverage and was high enough that they had more chance to get away if something happened