Chapter 43
CHAPTER 43
B attle slowly came awake and found his arms were still around Zeus. The god was currently sleeping, resting his head on Battle’s chest. Battle internally shook his head. He couldn’t believe the Fates had paired him with the Zeus. He sent a prayer of thanks to the Fates. He then dropped a kiss on the top of Zeus’ head.
He felt the god move and kiss his chest. “Best morning ever,” Zeus said, kissing his chest again, then rubbing his cheek against Battle’s chest.
“Agreed. Morning, Boo,” Battle said, grinning.
Zeus looked up and laughed. “Boo?”
Battle nodded.
Zeus laughed and sat up, leaning in to kiss his mate. He slowly pulled back and smiled. “I never thought the Fates would bless me with a mate. But then, my family started finding theirs and I began to hope that maybe one day they would smile upon me.”
“There is no way the Fates wouldn’t give you a mate,” Battle grinned cheekily, playing with a strand of Zeus’ hair. “They were just waiting for your perfect partner to turn up.”
Zeus laughed. “How about breakfast in bed?”
“That sounds lovely, but let’s work up more of an appetite first, shall we?” And with that, Battle launched himself at Zeus, making him fall backwards on the bed, laughing as Battle covered his body and proceeded to work up a mighty appetite.
The breakfast table was buzzing the next morning. The barbecue had gone on long into the night and everyone seemed to be laughing, joking, and bonding.
Breakfast was coming to an end and Blake looked at Puff and Tudor. “Puff, Tudor, can you spare a few minutes after breakfast? There is something I want to run past you.”
Puff looked at Oz and Dask. Is that okay? I’ll come to lessons as soon as we’re done?
Both Dask and Oz nodded.
“That’ll be fine. I want to discuss schooling with the triplets anyway,” Dask replied.
“And I have a spot quiz for everyone else,” Oz said grinning.
And suddenly I’m busy with king stuff all day, Puff said.
“That’s okay, Oz can give you the test tonight,” Atticus told him.
Puff scowled at him. Hey now, you’re supposed to be on my side.
“I am. You need to learn everything you can, and if I can help, I will.”
Gah, stop talking sense, Puff said, leaning into him.
Atticus dropped a kiss on his head.
Puff looked across the table at his brother who had a lightness about his being.
You look happier, brother.
Peyton smiled. “I am. Cade emailed his family to find out every bit of information he could and their response has been extremely helpful. It’s a lot to go through, and Oz has already started sorting through it all. Neither of us can wait until this curse, or whatever it is, is broken.”
Cade picked up his hand and kissed it. “I can imagine the family will have a large party when this is all over.”
“I can’t wait to meet them,” Peyton said.
“I wonder how Battle and Zeus are getting on,” Blake said to Baylan.
“I’m glad he’s found someone to love. Sure, he’s surrounded by family, has more children and grand-whatevers than anyone should, but under all that he’s been hoping for his mate like the rest of us.”
“And what better than a new recruit? Will you join Puff, Tudor, and I in the meeting after this?”
Baylan nodded. “I will.”
Blake, Baylan, Puff, Mateo, Atticus, Tudor, and Alex sat in the library.
“Are we having a king meeting?” Tudor asked.
“We are,” Blake replied.
“Do you want me to take notes?” Atticus offered.
“I’d not thought about that. I guess so,” Blake answered honestly.
Atticus pulled out his phone and opened it to the notes section.
“What I wanted to discuss is this: when new recruits turn up, I have them swear to me and our pack. I’m thinking that should be changed. Have them swear to the pack, plus to the three of us. What do you think?”
Are you sure? Puff asked through the link. True, the three of us are kings, but I mean, we all think of you as our Alpha.
Blake nodded. “I’m sure. I’ll take their pledge as Alpha of the pack, but I think they should pledge separately to each king.”
“I don’t have a problem with that if you are sure all original pack members should stay just pledged to you but anyone new pledges to the pack and then the three of us,” Tudor said.
Alex gently took his hand.
“The dragons and gargoyles, will they need to pledge to you?” Mateo asked.
Blake shook his head. “No, they will stay just pledged to Puff and Tudor.”
You’re gonna have a big pack, Puff said. Didn’t you want to be a lone wolf?
Blake groaned. “I really did. Now look at me, King of land-based shifters and I have gods pledged to me.”
“I wonder if Zeus will pledge to you,” Atticus said with a laugh.
“Now there’s a thought. Truthfully, he was already a member of the pack because of the wonder twins and other gods here. He doesn’t need to pledge to me.”