Chapter 33
“Why did you block me from talking to you?” Atticus countered, dropping his mates’ hands and stepping closer to his brother.
More of Atticus’ family stepped forward. Two young men that looked like younger versions of Atticus. An older male, who looked like Atticus, and a stunning woman, who must have been his mother.
“You all blocked me. If you hadn’t, I would have told you I was fine.”
“You missed your call.”
“I was unconscious at the time,” Atticus admitted.
“What the hell, Atty!”
“And that is why we came. We couldn’t reach you,” the older male said.
“Archer,” Atticus ran a hand down his face. “Why bring everyone?”
“We couldn’t reach you, dummy. What were we supposed to do?” Archer demanded.
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe contact King Blake and find out what had happened. Or just come and find out what happened by yourself.”
His mother stepped forward. “Your brother obviously didn’t think about any of those things.
Although he assured us that he had checked everywhere.
We were all concerned and decided to come and rescue you.
The rest of the clan wanted to come, but we left them on standby,” she walked closer and touched his cheek.
“It’s only because we care, my darling.”
Atticus pulled her into a hug. “Thank you, Mother.”
He pulled back and got hugs from the rest of his family.
“Let me introduce you to the others,” Atticus said, taking his mother’s hand and leading him to his mates, Blake and Baylan, who had joined them at some point.
He stopped in front of his mates. “Mother, father, brothers, these are my mates. This is his majesty King Puff McDuncan and King Bob, and Mateo Thomas, our guardian, and this is the Alpha King, his majesty King Blake Hayes and his consort Baylan Adams and Zeus, King of the Gods. Gentlemen, this is Andromeda, Antares, Archer, Artimus and Andrew.”
Andromeda stepped forward, looking at Mateo and Puff. “How delightful. Finally, one of my children has mates,” she pulled Puff into a hug first. “You are simply gorgeous, your majesty.”
Puff hugged her back. “Thank you, and please call me Puff.”
“Thank you.” She then pulled Mateo into a hug, as Antares hugged Puff.
“You’re gorgeous as well. My son is so lucky,” she said, pulling back.
“Thanks,” Mateo said, “but we’re the lucky ones.”
They then moved on to shake hands with Blake and Baylan and Zeus, as Atticus’ brothers came and introduced themselves.
Archer stood in front of his brother, arms crossed over his chest. “Why were you unconscious?”
“It wasn’t only me,” Atticus said.
Puff and Mateo walked to their mates’ side.
“It’s a long story, but my brother used black magic to try and strip a family member of their dragon,” Puff explained.
“The dragon in question, Silver, used to be my brother’s, and he wanted him back.
To save Silver and Brook, your brother, the rest of our dragon family and I used a lot of magic to stop that happening.
It exhausted us, and we were unconscious for twelve or more hours. ”
“As soon as Atticus woke up, one of his first thoughts was ringing you. He was worried about what you would do,” Mateo told him.
“Black magic, bad business,” Antares said, looking a bit stunned at meeting Zeus.
Zeus looked at Blake. “See, that’s the reaction I used to get - stunned looks.”
“I’ll practice my stunned face for the next time you show up,” Blake replied.
“Oh my gods, would you look at that, Zeus has graced us with his magnificent presence,” Jason teased, walking close and trying for a look of awe.
Zeus looked at Jason. “One of these days I’m going to smite you.”
Everyone burst out laughing, except for Atticus’ family, who still looked shocked.
“Atty, how do you know a God?” Andrew asked.
“He’s part of our family. But he’s not the only God we have in this pack; there are others,” Blake replied for him. “Indeed, our dragon brother Brook is mated to God as is Jason.”
“Just wow,” Antares said, shaking his head. “I’m glad we came to rescue you now.”
“How come none of you answered me?” Atticus asked. “If you were looking for me, because you thought I was in trouble, why didn’t any of you answer?”
“We were too busy talking amongst ourselves as we flew. We were thinking up different rescue scenarios,” Antares replied with a dismissive wave of his hand.
Atticus sighed and rubbed his hand down his face again.
Puff laughed and leant against him. “Maybe at the beginning, but once you came up with some solutions, you were closer to here than you were home, so you ignored him.”
“And that would be why I moved far away from home.”
“Sure it was, honey, not for the fact that you found both of us,” Mateo said, grinning.
“Gah,” he said, quite out of character.
“Atticus, I hate to leave, but I still need to help the triplets,” Puff said softly.
Atticus kissed his head. “You and Mateo go and help, and I’ll see you later.”
“Thanks,” Puff said, then looked at Blake and Atticus’ family. “Mateo and I need to go for a bit, but we’ll be back as soon as we can.”
“Off you go,” Blake said.
Mateo moved to Puff’s side and took his hand. “We’ll be back as soon as we can.”
Atticus looked at them. “If you need help, just call.”
Puff leant up and kissed his cheek. “Will do.”
Mateo kissed his other cheek and the next moment they were gone.
“You could have gone too if you were needed, son,” Antares said, looking at him.
“It’s okay. Paris is with them,” he replied.
Frederick, Jaxton, Sergeant Cowell and Major Delinga walked out of the cells.
“I feel the need to have a shower,” the Major said.
“And disinfect my nose,” Sergeant Cowell said.
“At least we found out everything we could,” Jaxton said.
“You all did. I’ve never been so grateful that you three are on our side,” Frederick replied. “You were all incredible to watch.”
“Without his magic, he was a complete wimp,” Jaxton said. “I barely touched him, and he caved like a house of cards.”
“He certainly wasn’t the bravest person I’ve come across,” the Major added.
“When do you think he’ll stop crying?” Sergeant Cowell asked.
Jaxton laughed. “A few hours maybe.”
“Or when he’s dead,” the Major said. He paused and looked at Frederick. “Next time you speak to the kings, ask if one of the new buildings could be a pub.”
Sargent Cowell nodded. “Yes, please.”
Frederick laughed. “I will see what I can do.”
“Thanks, Sentinel Barbuda,” the Major said.
“Call me Frederick.”
“Charlie,” the Major replied.
“Tory,” the Sergeant added, “and now I need to go.”
“Me too. If you need us again, just shout,” Charlie said.
“Will do, thanks,” Frederick said as the two men walked away chatting.
“What do you want me to do, Frederick?” Jaxton asked.
“No idea, I really don’t need protection.”
“I know, but you’re Lord Hades’ mate; he wants you safe. Truthfully, so do we. Lord Hades has been alone for a long time; you are his mate and make him happy. So, if we need to follow you everywhere to protect you, we will.”
“He makes me happy as well,” Frederick replied. “I need to find Blake. Do you want to come or go and have a break?”
“I’ll come with you,” Jaxton replied and fell into step beside Frederick.
They walked back to the pack house when Frederick saw people gathered in the lower garden, including Blake and Zeus.
Blake spotted him first and walked over to him. “We’ve been invaded by dragons on a rescue mission.”
“What? Who needs rescuing?” Frederick asked in surprise and concern.
“Atticus apparently. He missed a check-in with one of his brothers because he was resting. Atticus’ family came to rescue him,” Blake explained.
“Okay, as long as no one is in actual danger,” he replied. “So, the shaman has given up all his secrets. I’ll send you the recording, and I’ve been asked if one of the new buildings could be a pub.”
Blake grinned. “That is a really good idea, and that can definitely happen. Oh... and apparently, I can see demon shadows as can Henry.”
Frederick opened and closed his mouth for a moment before shaking his head. “I keep telling myself that nothing can surprise me anymore and then something else does.”
“I know, imagine my surprise when I saw Tatum’s shadow,” Blake replied.
“How did you find it?” Jaxton asked. “No one usually can.”
“It shimmered. I was helping Saxon, his mates, Peyton and Henry, but then the dragons arrived.”
“How did the dragons arrive?” Frederick asked.
“They flew in. The flight was amazing.”
“Were they seen?” Frederick asked in concern.
“No, Bob shielded them, thank goodness. We should have a BBQ tonight.”
“That sounds like a good idea. I’ll text Hades and Han,” Frederick replied, pulling out his phone.
“And I’ll let everyone else know.”