Before Morgan could protest, Aoibh waved her arm, and the doorway became a portal. Beyond the room lay a green expanse of rolling hills so bright that it hurt her eyes. The trees andvegetation seemed sentient, the sky a shade of purple that looked alien. In the distance, large spires reached for the sky, the buildings gleaming like they were made from pure stardust.
The instant the last of them stepped through the doorway, the portal closed with an audible pop. Thanatos wandered toward the door and lifted a hand, then the air rippling before a crackle filled the air, much like the fizzle of sparklers. He nodded and dusted off his hands. “The portal has been sealed so they won’t be able to return that way.”
He turned toward her with a bright smile—like her world just hadn’t just imploded.
She wasn’t sure where to start first.
That she was possibly the granddaughter of death or that he had practically been living in her backyard without her being aware of it. It now made sense how she was able to access Tartarus, how she became the key—it ran in her blood.
That Atlas was related to that creature who wanted to kill them all.
Or that she had another mate and no one had fucking told her.
So many fucking fun choices!
She didn’t even have to think.
She whirled and glared at her mates.
All of her mates.
The wolves gathered at her feet, turning to growl at them as well.
“Maybe one of you would like to tell me why the hell you’re all lying to me?” She snarled the question, but it did nothing to ease the gaping hole in her chest at the deception.
She thought she could trust them, but now she went over every interaction with them, wondering what else they were keeping from her.
The guys winced, like she’d reached in their pants, grabbed their balls, and gave a vicious twist.
And damned if she wasn’t tempted, but she didn’t trustherself to get too close to them, not when her magic churned with agitation just under her skin, anxious to be called.
Ryder looked sick to his stomach, while Draven peered down at his feet like a child called to task. Atlas, Ascher, and Kincade stood to attention like troops being dressed down.
Kincade rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “It wasn’t our place to tell. We?—”
“Not your place?!” Her temper skyrocketed, and her necklace warmed and melted down until a single heart dangled from it, black cracks scorching the shiny metal. “You’re supposed to be my mates. My?—”
“Stop.” A vicious growl tore from Ascher, his clothes smoking as he stormed toward her. Hackles rose from the wolves at her feet, but Ascher just snapped his fingers to quiet them, and they docilely lay down with their heads on their paws.
When she would’ve backed away, not wanting him near, he grabbed her shoulders and refused to release her. “You will listen before you cast judgment.”
He didn’t say anything else, just waited for her confirmation.
It took much longer than it should have before she could get herself under control. She shivered, despite the warmth pouring from him, a bitter cold stone resting where her heart should’ve been. Only when she gave a small, jerky nod did she notice that his hands were trembling.
“Please don’t say anything until I finish. I will tell you everything, then you can ask any questions.” Again, he waited for her to nod.
This time, it was easier.
“You didn’t grow up in the supernatural world like us, so you know very little about mates.” He peered down at her, his riveting blue eyes earnest. “There is an order to things with mates. The female makes all decisions. Who is chosen. Who they favor. It isn’t the place for other mates to say anything.”
“But you each knew I had no knowledge about mating rituals.” It was all she could do not to kick him in the balls. “How was I supposed to know?”
Because how stupid could she be not to know that she had another mate?
“They were waiting for me to formally approach you.” Caedmon stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. Ascher backed away to give them space, and she nearly hauled him back to her side.
She’d faced down death more times than she could count, but she had the hardest time not fidgeting under Caedmon’s intense gaze. She crossed her arms, instinctively wanting to protect herself. “I don’t understand…why did you hide that you were my mate from me? I can understand your displeasure?—”
