Chapter 85
CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE
Alight manifested in front of them, and they heard her before they saw her.
Reiya’s high-pitched, agonizing screams echoed throughout the area.
Then, as the light faded, Hunter stood next to a man that was holding a screaming Reiya, her body writhing in pain as perspiration dripped from her forehead.
Levi was instantly at her side, scooping her from Endymion’s arms. He didn’t know what was wrong with her or why she was in pain. Confusion set in when he saw Ken standing in front of him. He growled lowly as Ken reached for Reiya.
“Let me help. She needs this, too,” he said, lowering his hand on Reiya's stomach and ignoring the growls from Levi.
Levi felt her body relax, and her face no longer showed her pain. She took in deep, heavy breaths before she slowly opened her eyes. She gazed at Lee, then looked at Ken. When Ken started to pull away, she reached out and grabbed his hand.
“Thank you,” Reiya said quietly.
Ken nodded his head and looked at Levi. “She’s alright now. I’m going.”
He disappeared before Levi could say anything to him, but he figured something out in that moment and would definitely be going after Ken to have a chat. Only one thing could explain why Ken reacted the way he did. He looked down at Reiya and leaned his forehead onto hers.
“I can’t believe you. I should be furious with you instead of elated,” he whispered.
“What’s going on?” Brody asked.
Selene jumped into Endymion’s arms, and he twirled her back and forth, holding her flush against his body. “I missed you so much, you crazy woman,” Endymion cooed to her as she cried in happiness.
A puff of black smoke appeared, manifesting into a woman. Her ivory skin and black hair were familiar, but her eyes were no longer obsidian. They were now a shade of dark green. A genuine smile raised on her face when she saw her brother standing with Selene.
“Thank goodness this all worked.” Kali sighed happily. Endymion reached out to Kali with his other hand and wrapped the two women in his embrace.
Hunter wrapped his arms around Freja. “I told you I would come back to you,” he whispered into her hair.
Freja’s green eyes were watery as she leaned her head onto his chest. She hugged him tightly, relaxing into him.
Lita leaned into Asher and smiled. It was over. Finally, the war with the demons had ended. Would they fight with demons again? Probably. Another war was inevitable, but for now, it was over.
“We have so many exciting things to look forward to now.” Asher sighed in relief as he held Lita close.
“Was that supposed to be that painful?” Xander asked as walked up to Lee and Reiya. Hunter and Freja were also standing next to them.
Reiya smiled and glanced at Freja. “My energy was drained.”
“Did you see Slayer? Did you kick its ass?” Chasen asked as the group began to crowd them.
“Yeah, we saw Slayer, but it wasn’t Reiya and I that won that battle.” Hunter chuckled as he glanced at his mother.
Reiya motioned for Lee to set her down, but he refused. She giggled and looked out over everyone, then raised her hand and laid it on her stomach. “My little demigod that I’m growing came to the rescue and saved us.”
“Dammit Reiya, you’re pregnant?!” Brody scowled and looked up at Levi accusingly.
“I didn’t know. Hell, leave it to Reiya to be able to finally keep a secret!” Lee looked down at her but he couldn’t be angry.
“See, Levi? You let your mate have too much rein. My mate would never pull something like that,” Hunter said smugly, and Reiya burst out laughing.
“Well, dear …” Freja lifted her gaze up at him and bit her bottom lip, smiling. “We’re also expecting.”
Hunter looked at her in shock before an incredibly silly grin spread over his face. “You’re going to have my pup?” he asked in excitement. When she nodded her head, he lifted her up and twirled her in circles.
“I told you I would fight even if you got me pregnant.” Freja giggled when he finally sat her down.
“Don’t you ever keep something like this from me again. I agree with Levi. I should be furious with you, but dammit if I’m not completely overwhelmed with excitement.” Hunter squeezed her tightly against him.
“I wonder if she’ll be able to shift into a dragon and a wolf,” Xander said, holding Lila close while looking at Reiya.
Kali approached Hunter and Reiya. “Thank you for bringing my brother back to us. I may have lied to you about the purpose of the black pearl.” She reached out her hand, which held four necklaces with black pearl shards hanging from them.
She handed one to Reiya, two to Hunter, and passed the last one to Lita.
They all stared at the object in their hands.
“What is it?” Lita asked.
“More convenient than riding hippogryphs,” Kali said with a grin.
“The black pearl can open a portal to any of its connecting shards. The wearer can open their side and close it, allowing as many people as you want to pass through it.” She smiled and shrugged.
“I know how hard it is to be separated from your loved ones. I figured this way, there’s nothing stopping you all from seeing each other whenever you want.
It would be just like opening a bedroom door. ”
Reiya squealed and wiggled out of Lee’s grasp. She jumped into Kali’s arms, giving her a big hug. “Thank you so much for this.”
Kali smiled and patted Reiya’s head. “You’re welcome.” She then pointed to the pearl. “To return, when you open the portal again, it will take you back to where you originally opened it, unless you direct it to another pearl shard.”
“Why did you give me two?” Hunter asked.
“For your future daughter,” Kali said with a smile. “Werewolves, vampires, fairies, and dragons can now always be close, no matter where you are.”
Freja’s eyes watered, and she smiled at Kali. So, they would have a daughter. And this way, they would always be able to see her, even when she was living with the vampires.
Selene walked up to them, her arm interlocked with Endymion’s. “You’re going to need to talk to him,” she said, looking at Levi. “Because of his enemies among the deities, he doesn’t want to accept her.”
Levi growled. “Forgive me if I’m not keen on my unborn daughter already having a mate.”
“Join the club.” Chasen said with a huff. “Wait, a mate? Who?”
“The Kraken.” Lita nodded in understanding.
“He’s her mate, Lee. You know how painful it is to know your mate and stay away from her.” Reiya flashed him a wide smile.
“I know, my fairy.” Lee chuckled. “I’ll talk with him. But I understand where he’s coming from. It’s hard to accept your mate if you think you’ll be bringing danger to her.”
“But the little fairy princess growing in there is unlike any demigod ever,” Endymion said quietly, making everyone lift their gazes toward him. “I felt her presence and power.”
Selene nodded. “Yes, you’re right. I’ve seen her future as well. She is special.” She would be a divine fairy princess and would become the ultimate protector of the fairy kingdom. “Ken will have to come around. She’ll need him by her side.”
"Why were she and Ken connected? Their connection is stronger than normal mates," Reiya asked Selene.
Selene smiled. "It’s because of the type of mates they are.
They’re not unlike Lita and Asher, but their bond is even stronger.
They’re soul mates, and it’s unheard of for a deity to have a soul mate.
That connection will make their souls call to one another, even before she feels the mate bond.
And once she does, the force pulling them together will get stronger. "
Selene gazed at the Chain family, smiling. “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done and for the people you are. We’ll be taking a more hands-off approach for now. I need a nice break.”
“Of course, don’t hold her to it because she’s never ever able to stay out of people's business.” Kali laughed and smiled happily at Selene.
“Let’s go back to the moon together,” Selene said, reaching for Kali. “Thank you all once again. I’ll be watching over you, and I’m sure I’ll see you again.” She looked at Levi. “Of course, I’ll be seeing you again.” She chuckled.
They watched as the three people disappeared from their sight. Reiya leaned into her mate. It was almost surreal, knowing everything was finally over.
Jin and Chelsie stood outside, looking up at the sky.
Jin was bouncing on her toes as if it would allow her to see above the clouds.
Harley chuckled behind them. “Relax, little ones. They’ll be here soon.
” He had gotten word from his men that victory was theirs and that they were on their way back to the Black Ice Pack.
Shadows from the sky soon fell over them as dragons began to lower, carrying the group that had remained at the battlefield, including Reiya, Brody, and their parents.
Jade also came back with them. Reiya was excited when she found out that the mysterious dragon that saved Lee was actually Xander’s sister.
Chasen and Brody hopped off the dragons before they reached the ground and dove into their mates. Jin squealed and wrapped her legs around Chasen’s waist as she barraged him with light kisses on his face. Chelsie kissed Brody deeply as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Kristen ran up to her sons and Garrett. Merida and Renee did the same. Rosa and Susan squeezed Sam and Caden, hugging them tightly as the guys explained about Caden losing his wolf and how he’d almost died as well.
The dragons shifted into their human selves.
The heavy aura of the commanding dragon royalty filled the air.
But they weren’t just kings and queens of the dragons.
Just like how Hunter and Freja weren’t just the King and Queen of the Werewolves, how Reiya, Asher, and Lita weren’t just fairy royalty, and how Levi wasn’t just a deity.
They were all family now. They were connected by a deeper bond and appreciation for one another.
“Well, let’s get to it,” Lita said, grabbing her bags.