No more anger or grudges.
Just an Alpha who misses his Omega.
And loves her… in all her forms.
Chapter 18
Maliki
A Few Minutes Earlier
The underworld Hades builtis beneath the Netherworld Kingdom.
Which is utter Styx. Because not once did he mention the existence of a damn labyrinth. Hades has always been mysterious in that superior God sort of way, but I never realized how much he kept me in the dark until these last few days.
First with the escape plan.
Now with taking Sera to some sort of twisted maze created topunishhis Persephone.
Normally, I stay out of his affairs. But this… this is too fucking far. “There has to be a way to break through the wards,” I say to Morpheus, interrupting whatever he and Typhos Lucifer were just discussing.
Because I don’t give a Styx about politics.
I care about Sera. And I amnotleaving her with Hades in what is likely a complex network of horrors.
“Who can we talk to?” I press, aware that everyone in the room is now staring at me. “Give me a name. Any name. I’ll go wherever we need to go if it means saving Sera.”
“Interesting that you think the Omega needs to be saved,” Typhos drawls. “Isn’t Hades her Alpha?”
“He’s mated to her soul,” I tell him. Not that he needs or deserves an explanation. But if he has an idea that could help, it may be worth taking a few seconds to elaborate. “But Sera—theperson, not theOmega—is unclaimed. That’s why her impending heat sent off that signal. Right?”
I look at Morpheus for confirmation. I don’t actually require it, but solidarity in this situation is important. I know Typhos. He values and rewards demonstrations of loyalty. And perhaps he’ll be more amenable if he sees us as a united front.
Or maybe he’ll just try to cut a deal.
That’s fine. I think he’ll find that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get to Sera.
She’s mine to protect. My charge. My responsibility. And that includes protecting her from the one who assigned her to me in the first place.Hades.
Because at some point, I decided she was my priority. Not him.
I’m guarding her because I want to, not because I have to.
And Hades has made me question everything.
“Well, this is fascinating,” my brother says, his violet eyes looking me over with interest. “I had no idea youfinally found a mate. I just assumed you and Hades were, well, you know.”
I glare at him. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Oh.” He glances at Ajax. “He hasn’t figured it out yet.”
Ajax snorts. “Shocking.”
“I believe his relationship with Hades is similar to yours with Typhos. Claimed, but not in a sexual way,” Morpheus murmurs.
“I am notclaimed,” I tell him. “I also haven’t found a mate. Sera is mycharge. And you all are wasting my time with your idle gossip.” I focus on Morpheus. “Do you have any suggestions or not?”
“Actually, Hades’s claim on you might be useful,” he says, his expression pensive.
