Dax storms off, his hands clenched into fists. He’s going to be a problem if he can’t get over himself.
“Should someone go after him? I feel like he’s going to be a loose cannon around here.”
“Don’t worry, baby.” Jayden grips my waist. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Are you sure you can handle it? I hate that we are leaving like this.” I step into him.
“I’ve got him. If he doesn’t stop, I’ll chain him until he calms the fuck down.”
“Okay, I have the shell if you need me. Adrian knows how to contact me on it or at least he has before.” I lean my head against his chest.
I grip Jayden’s shirt and squeeze my eyes shut, not ready to leave, even though I know we have to. There are so many unknowns. What-ifs could run amok in my brain the whole time.
“You’ll be back with the hammer before you know it, love. Focus on that. I’m gonna miss you like crazy.”
“I’m going to miss you so much. It’s like the fates cut off a limb when they did this. We’ve been through so much together, and then for the final battle we’re forced to separate? It’s barbaric.”
He’s become my rock even though for a while at the beginning I didn’t want him around. Now, it’s difficult to breathe without him. How can I trust that he’ll survive what’s to come without me? I shouldn’t have to because we should be together.
“We’ll be fine and once we win, we can just take a vacation or rest for like a year.” Jayden kisses me softly.
“You think we’ll get a year before the shifter war starts?” I raise a brow at him.
“Probably not, but we don’t have to fight in the shifter war.”
“You know why we do. If it hadn’t been for this war, there wouldn’t be a problem for the shifters.” I shake my head.
“And not one person would blame you if you said fuck it. I don’t want to fight, baby. You’ve been through so much already.”
“So have you,” I point out. “Me, you, Raven, and Greyson have been through all of this together. I’m not the only one who needs a rest.”
“We’ll get rest one way or the other. Trust me. Once this is over, I’m never letting you out of my sight again.” He rests his chin on my head.
“Promise?”
“Baby, I’m going to become the worst kind of stalker. I don’t want to let you go.”
“I look forward to you stalking me for the rest of our very long lives.” Tears threaten to fall even through the lighthearted conversation.
“You can bet your ass I will always find you.” He kisses my forehead. “For now, though, my love, you need to get on the road. Did Greyson contact Tristan yet?”
“I don’t know. Probably not.” I sigh. “You’re right, we need to go.”
“I love you, Beth. I’ll see you before you know it.” His mouth slams down on mine.
The kiss is too quick, and I lean forward as he breaks it. I never want it to end but we each have tasks to complete this time. It doesn’t make it any easier to leave him.
“I love you too,” I whisper.
“Beth, we have visitors,” Raven calls over.
I turn to the SUV and find a giant standing next to Artemis. I nod to Orion and walk toward them.
“Artemis, what are you doing here? We’re getting ready to head out.” I glance between the goddess and the giant.
“You holding up okay, baby sis?” Artemis asks.
“By a thread, if I’m completely honest.” I shrug.
