Chapter Nineteen
“I want to show you something.”
Rudy glanced up from where he was supervising Timothy’s attempt to build a block tower without knocking it over. “Show me what?”
Sobek shifted his weight, suddenly nervous in a way he hadn’t been since...
well, since he’d first realized Rudy was his mate.
He’d been planning a huge surprise for his mate for more than a week, and now…
well, now the day had come, everything was ready, and all Sobek had to do was get Rudy to show up.
“I thought we could go to my realm - the Egyptian realm. I thought...the kids would enjoy it. They could shift freely there and run around without worrying about being seen.”
Interest sparked in Rudy’s eyes. “Really? Is that allowed? You can take us there?”
“Of course.” Sobek crossed the room, crouching beside Timothy and steadying a block before it could topple. “It’s not somewhere I go very often, but I felt that as you’re my mate, and these little ones are my family, then you should get a chance to see it, too.”
Rose looked up from her coloring book. “Can I climb the pyramids?”
“There are no pyramids in my realm, little one.” Sobek ruffled her hair. “But there are trees. Very tall trees and rocks, perfect for climbing.”
“Will I be allowed to shift? Is it safe there?” Jack asked quietly. He’d gotten a lot better since being able to shift regularly, but out of all three of the children, he was the one who had the most issues with his animal side - likely because he’d seen his family killed in their furry forms.
Sobek’s chest tightened, and he forced a smile. “You can shift whenever you want. All of you can. That’s the point of going.”
Rudy’s expression softened, and Sobek felt the rush of gratitude and love that swept through his mate. Rudy reached over, squeezing Sobek’s hand. “When did you want to go?”
“Now, if you’d like.” Sobek kept his voice casual, even as his heart hammered against his ribs. He knew everything was ready, Ra had confirmed it this morning through the Paulie app. But just because the preparations were complete didn’t mean that Sobek was ready for what he was about to do.
Rudy blinked and looked down at his soft T-shirt and worn pants. “Now? I’m not exactly dressed for…”
“There’s no dress code. You’re perfect the way you are.” Sobek stood, pulling Rudy to his feet. “Trust me.”
Rudy studied him for a long moment, those bright blue eyes searching Sobek’s face. Then he smiled. “Okay. I’m sensing there’s a surprise in this visit somewhere, but I’m game. Let’s go.”
Sobek gathered the children close, wrapping his power around all five of them. The living room dissolved, replaced by warm golden light and the scent of lotus blossoms. They materialized in the heart of the Egyptian realm, and Rudy wasn’t the only one who gasped.
The ceremony space stretched before them, nestled between towering palms and flowering acacias.
White silk draped from the branches, billowing gently in a breeze that smelled of honeysuckle and river water.
Golden lanterns hung suspended in midair, casting soft light over the assembled guests.
Long tables laden with food lined one side of the clearing, and at the center, beneath an arch woven from lotus flowers and papyrus, stood Ra.
The Father of Everything was not the imposing figure most people assumed when they thought of the ruler of the Egyptian pantheon.
He was taller on the realm when he was in his godly form, but he still looked young.
Sobek, who’d seen him in passing many times on Earth, always thought Ra looked like an out-of-work college student.
On his right stood Kirill, the vampire, beautiful and deadly in black silk.
On his left, Arvyn, the wolf shifter, grinned at them while holding three-year-old Aziza on his hip.
Rudy froze. “Sobek. What...”
“Marry me.” Sobek turned, catching both of Rudy’s hands in his. “Properly. I know we’re already claimed, already bonded, but I wanted to give you this. A ceremony. A proper celebration. I wanted you to have a day where everyone knows you’re mine and I’m yours.”
Rudy’s eyes filled with tears. “You sneaky, wonderful, impossible man.”
“Is that a yes? Apparently, I need to hear a yes.”
“That’s a yes, you ridiculous crocodile.” Rudy laughed loudly. “Of course that’s a yes.”
Sobek barely had time to register the agreement before Rudy threw his arms around his neck, kissing him hard. Behind them, someone whistled. Someone else - probably Seth - laughed.
When they finally broke apart, Sobek turned to find their children staring at them with wide eyes.
“Papa’s marrying Daddy?” Timothy asked, his voice small and uncertain.
“Yes.” Sobek crouched, meeting the hatchling’s gaze. “If that’s alright with you.”
Timothy launched himself forward, wrapping his small arms around Sobek’s neck. “Yes, yes, yes, yes.”
Rose joined the hug, followed quickly by Jack. Sobek held them close, feeling Rudy’s hand on his shoulder, anchoring him.
“Come on then.” Ra’s voice carried across the clearing, warm with amusement. “Let’s make this official before someone decides to object.”
The children scattered, racing toward where Bastet stood with outstretched arms. The goddess scooped Rose up with a laugh, while Luka - Seth’s mate - knelt to greet Jack and Timothy with a gentle smile.
Near them, Anubis bounced twin babies on his knees while Loki lounged against his mate’s side, looking thoroughly entertained.
Sobek had considered asking gods from other pantheons - the ones with kids - but he didn’t want Rudy overwhelmed.
For now, it was enough that Rudy would meet the people he still spoke to in his pantheon.
Sobek offered Rudy his arm. Together they walked toward the flower arch, and with each step, Sobek felt the rightness of it settle deeper into his bones. This was home. This was family. This was everything he’d never let himself hope for.
They stopped before Ra, and the Father of Everything smiled. “Sobek. Rudy. You stand here today already bound by the Fates, already claimed by love. What we do now is simply... acknowledgment. Celebration.” His gaze shifted to Rudy. “Do you understand what it means to be married to a god?”
Rudy’s chin lifted. “It means I get to love him forever. It means our kids get to grow up safe. It means I don’t have to be alone anymore.” He glanced at Sobek, his eyes shining. “It means I get him.”
Ra’s smile widened. “And you, Sobek. Do you understand what it means to be married to this man?”
“It means I have a home.” Sobek’s voice came out rougher than intended. “It means I have a family. It means I get to wake up every morning and know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
“Then let’s not waste time.” Ra gestured, and golden rings appeared hovering between them. “These were forged in divine fire, blessed by the Fates themselves. They cannot be lost or damaged, and they will mark you as bound for all eternity.”
Sobek plucked one ring from the air - the smaller one - sized perfectly for Rudy’s hand. The band gleamed warm gold, but when the light hit it right, hieroglyphs shimmered across the surface. Beloved. Mate. Forever.
Rudy’s breath caught as Sobek slid the ring onto his finger.
“With this ring, I claim you.” Sobek’s voice dropped low, meant only for Rudy. “Not just as my mate, but as my husband, my partner, and the center of everything I am.”
Rudy fumbled for the second ring, his hands shaking. When he finally grasped it, he held Sobek’s hand and slid the band home. “With this ring, I claim you right back. As my husband, my family, and my everything.”
The rings flared with light, sealing the bond between them even tighter than before. Through their connection, Sobek felt Rudy’s overwhelming joy, his disbelief that the ceremony was real, and his fierce determination to never let go.
Ra raised both hands. “Then by the power vested in me as Father of Everything, I declare you married. Bound not just by fate, but by choice. Not just by magic, but by love.” He grinned. “Now kiss before Loki makes an inappropriate comment.”
“Too late,” Loki called from across the clearing. “I’ve got at least three hovering there on the tip of my tongue. I’m just conscious that there are children present.”
Laughter rippled through the assembled gods and their mates. Sobek ignored them all, cupping Rudy’s face and kissing him deeply. The world narrowed to just Rudy’s lips against his, Rudy’s hands fisted in his shirt, Rudy’s heart beating in perfect time with his own.
When they finally broke apart, cheers erupted.
The children came running, shouting, and laughing.
Rose reached them first, demanding to see the rings.
Timothy climbed straight up Sobek’s leg, chattering excitedly about how pretty everything was.
Jack hung back slightly, but when Rudy held out his hand, the boy took it without hesitation.
“Come on.” Arvyn appeared beside them, Aziza still perched on his hip. “There’s food. And you look like you could use a drink.”
“Several drinks,” Kirill added, materializing on Rudy’s other side. “You married a god. That requires at least three drinks.”
“I’m driving the kids home,” Rudy protested weakly.
“I’m translocating the kids home,” Sobek corrected. “Which means you can have as many drinks as you want.”
They made their way to the tables, where platters of food stretched as far as the eye could see. Roasted meats, fresh fruits, honeyed pastries, and delicate fish dishes. It was a beautiful spread. Rudy’s eyes looked as though they were going to fall out of his head.
“Did you plan all this?”
“Ra helped.” Sobek pulled out a chair for his mate - his husband - and settled beside him. “And the goddess Bastet. She’s really supportive of her kin who have children.”
“The kids seem to like her already, which is lovely to see.” Rudy still looked as though he wanted to pinch himself. “I didn’t notice Horus here. Did he get invited?”
“He was, but you’ve met him, and you hadn’t met Seth and Luka. Horus still won’t go anywhere near Seth - a long family feud that has no place here today. I wanted Jack to meet Luka because he’s an omega wolf, and they have their own ways of helping other shifters feel good.”
“We can invite Horus for lunch another day,” Rudy said, looking around for the children. Around them, the other gods and their mates filtered to the tables, claiming seats and filling plates. The children, however, had different plans.
“Can we shift now?” Rose asked, waving her arms around with excitement. “You said we could shift here.”
Sobek glanced at the other parents. Luka nodded, already herding his twins toward the open grass. “Absolutely. Go run. Just stay where we can see you.”
Rose needed no further encouragement. She stripped off her dress with zero self-consciousness, shifted into her sleek black panther form, and took off running.
Jack followed more slowly, carefully folding his clothes before becoming a gray and brown wolf pup.
Timothy wiggled out of his shorts, shifted, and waddled after them slowly, happy to enjoy his time in the grass.
Within moments, the clearing filled with shifter children.
Luka’s twins - both wolves - tumbled over each other in mock battle.
Aziza, a gorgeous gold and white wolf cub, yipped and chased after Rose.
Even Anubis and Loki’s twins - barely old enough to walk in human form - managed wobbly partial shifts, their jackal features emerging in fits and starts.
“They’re beautiful,” Rudy whispered, his eyes tracking their children across the grass. “All of them.”
“They are.” Seth appeared on Sobek’s other side, claiming a seat and pouring wine into goblets. “And gods help us all when they hit their teenage years.”
“Don’t remind me.” Luka dropped into the chair beside his mate, accepting a kiss before stealing Seth’s wine. “Darius already tried to challenge Hephaestus last week. He’s two.”
“That’s my boy.” Seth grinned, utterly unrepentant.
Conversation flowed easily after that. Stories were exchanged - horror stories about exploding diapers and teething babies, as well as happier stories about first words and first shifts. Rudy seemed to relax more every minute, seemingly understanding that there were people around who understood.
These gods and their mates weren’t just dealing with normal children. They were raising shifters and demi-gods. They knew the fear of discovery, the challenge of keeping secrets, the desperate need to give their kids normal lives despite impossible circumstances.
Sobek watched his mate laugh at one of Loki’s outrageous stories, watched him lean forward with genuine interest when Arvyn described Aziza’s first successful stalking of a giant moth. He belongs, Sobek realized.
And that was what Sobek had wanted. Not just a wedding ceremony, but being able to show Rudy proof that they weren’t alone. That there were other families just like theirs, and that those same families would be the support system Rudy hadn’t had until now.
“You did good,” Ra murmured, appearing at Sobek’s shoulder. “This...what you’ve built. It’s exactly what we all needed.”
Sobek glanced at one of his oldest kin. “I just wanted Rudy to be happy.”
“And he is.” Ra nodded toward where Rudy was now deep in conversation with Kirill about something that had them both gesturing wildly. “But more than that, you’ve given him hope. You’ve shown him his children have a future. That’s worth more than any ceremony.”
Warmth spread through Sobek’s chest. Through their bond, he felt Rudy’s contentment, his joy, his overwhelming relief at finding others like them.
Out on the grass, Rose tackled Jack, both of them rolling over each other in a play-fight that sent Timothy scrambling out of the way. Aziza joined in, and soon all five children were tumbling across the clearing in a chaotic, joyful pile of fur, scales, and laughter.
“Best wedding present ever,” Rudy said softly, appearing at Sobek’s side. He leaned against his husband, watching their children play. “Thank you. For all of this.”
Sobek wrapped an arm around Rudy’s waist, pulling him close. “You’re welcome. Though technically, I think the wedding was the present.”
“The wedding was perfect. Being married to you - the man I love more than life itself - settles my soul.” Rudy turned, leaning down to press a kiss on Sobek’s jaw. “But this...knowing we’re not alone? That’s the icing on top of the wedding cake.”