Cade shook his head firmly. “Absolutely not, Geri. Your ceremony deadline is up. You only have a year in Olympus to become immortal. We can handle this.”
“What’s going on?” Artemis, who had been passing by the table, asked before sitting down.
Cade and Xavier exchanged a look before Xavier picked up where he left off. “I’ve been able to gather some intel. The type of explosives and the amount indicate a high level of expertise. They aimed to cause maximum damage with minimal traces left behind. It’s clear that they wanted to send a message.”
Artemis’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think this was a personal attack on the pack, or could it be related to something bigger?”
“That’s what we need to find out,” Xavier replied. “I’ve been digging into potential motives and suspects, but who might be behind this is unclear. There are a few groups and individuals who might have the resources and the motive to pull off something like this, but we need more information.”
“See, I really have to stay here and help,” Geri proclaimed. “I can’t leave you and the pack now, Cade. Not when you’re in danger.”
“No, no.” Cade shook his head vehemently. “There’s no way you’re missing your chance to be with your mate forever.” While Apollo was, indeed, immortal, there was no evidence that even a god could survive the breaking of the mate bond. “I can take care of this.”
“Apollo, please,” Geri grasped her mate’s arm. “There must be something…the council…we can tell them this is anemergency. Surely, they can defer my stay in Olympus for a couple of months.”
“I…I’m sorry, baby.” Apollo sighed. “It was hard enough to get them to agree in the first place.”
“No.” Geri’s mouth set into a grim line. “I can’t…don’t make me choose, please.”
“Baby.” He slipped his arms around her. “I won’t…I mean, surely Cade can take care of this?”
“I can,” Cade answered. “You need to go, Geri. Continue on with your life. We’ll be fine here.”
Geri shook her head vehemently as she disentangled herself from Apollo’s arms. “No. Absolutely?—”
“What do you need, baby?” Apollo said, reaching out to touch her shoulder gently. “What would it take to reassure you?”
She inhaled a deep breath. “I don’t know. I just need to know what’s happening and be here to protect my pack.”
Apollo paused. “Would it help…if I stayed instead?”
“What?” Geri’s eyes widened. “Stay here?”
“Yeah. I can be pretty handy, as you know.” The two of them exchanged smiles, and obvious but silent communication passed between them. “What do you say?”
“But that would mean I’d be alone in Olympus.”
“I could come back every night. Or check in with you every few hours.”
Cade grunted. “You can’t leave my sister up there alone for hours. It’s a strange place. She’ll need your support. We’ll be fine, Geri, I swear.”
“I…I wish there was a way for you to be in two places at the same time. I mean…that’s not possible, is it?”
“‘Fraid not, baby. I—wait.” Apollo’s tone changed.
“What is it?” Geri asked. “Apollo?”
“While I can’t be in two places at the same time, there is the second-best thing.” He grinned, then turned to Artemis. “Artemis, can you help Cade with this investigation?”
“Me?” Artemis looked surprised but nodded. “Of course, Apollo. I’ll do whatever I can to assist.” She stood up and placed a hand on Geri’s other shoulder. “I’d do anything for you, especially since you’ve taken my brother off my hands.”
Apollo snorted.
“Oh, and by the way?” Artemis leaned over and poked a finger at her brother’s chest. “I am definitely not second best.”
Cade couldn’t suppress a groan. The sound drew amused looks from those around the table.
Artemis raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. “Not thrilled about the idea, Alpha?”
