Chapter 167
[ 1,223 words ]
Goddess Of The Underworld.
Chapter 168
Xavier stretched a hand through his hair, the exhaustion on his face mirrored in every line of his brothers. “It’s still early morning,” he said quietly, but with the weight of command behind it. “We
all need to rest p>
53
Elliot’s head shot up immediately. “But p>
“I want to go too,” Macey blurted, her small hand gripping Elliot’s tightly.
Reina stepped forward at the same time I did, our voices overlapping. “No p>
The kids blinked at us, wide–eyed. Reina softened first, crouching in front of them. “Not tonight. You stay here, both of you. Your mum and dads need to rest after… after everything. ” Her voice shook, but her hand was firm when she brushed Elliot’s hair back. “We’ll see them tomorrow p>
I knelt, cupping Macey’s cheek. “She’s right. Let us sleep tonight, little wolf. We’ll come for you in the morning, I promise p>
Elliot’s lip trembled, but he nodded reluctantly. “Okay… tomorrow then p>
“Tomorrow,” Noah assured, crouching so he was level with them. His hand ruffled Elliot’s hair before he tapped Macey’s nose with a faint smile. “That’s a promise p>
Behind us, Malachi cleared his throat, glancing at his brothers. “Speaking of tomorrow, think we could get a portal back?” He gave me a meaningful look. “And Envy… you should come see Mum as soon as you can. She needs to know you’re okay. And you know she’ll want to see those pictures of the pups p>
Arztec snorted softly. “If we don’t bring those back soon, she’ll skin us alive for holding out p>
Julius just smirked, tilting his head toward the stack of photos still clutched in my hand. “Better start planning, sister. You thought one baby was chaos… wait until Mum finds out about four p>
Exhaustion pressed at my bones, but warmth curled through me, too. Tomorrow would come soon enough. Tonight, we’d rest.
Xavier
I opened the portal with a flick of my wrist, the silver light spilling into the room like water. Malachi, Julius, and Arztec clasped my hand one last time before stepping through, promising to see
1/4
10:33 Mon, Sep 15
Chapter 168
553
us soon. The kids got their hugs next, Elliot clinging to Envy a little longer, Macey whispering “goodnight, Mumma,” into her chest. I kissed the tops of their heads, tucking their stray hair back like I’d done since the day we met them, before watching George gently steer them all back into the
house.
The portal snapped shut behind them, leaving only silence, moonlight, and us. I turned to my mate. Our mate. Envy looked exhausted, her shoulders rounded under the weight of the night, but her eyes still glimmered when they found mine. I brushed a kiss against her temple. “Let’s get you home p>
The packhouse greeted us with a quiet that felt alive but gentle. Moonlight spilled through the tall windows, catching every one of the suncatchers she’d hung over the months. Hundreds of tiny rainbows were scattered across the walls and floor, little shards of colour dancing as if to remind us of that life still sparkled after the blood and chaos.
I helped her out of her cloak first, easing it off her shoulders with slow fingers. Piece by piece, I undressed her, reverent, careful. She didn’t fight it, she only leaned into me, letting me carry the weight. Behind us, I could hear Levi running the bath, the steady stream of water filling the copper tub until steam curled into the air. Haiden was already in, sprawled like he owned the whole damned thing, his chest bare, his arms open. “Come here, little mate,” he murmured, voice deep, “I’ll be your water pillow p>
Noah, of course, was fussing. “Which soaps? The lavender or the honey? Maybe the mint might help her muscles. And does she need a snack? Bread, cheese? Something light before she sleeps. Or… ”
“Breathe, brother,” Levi cut in with a rare grin. “She’s not going to vanish on us p>
I glanced at Envy, at the swell of her belly where our children–four children–grew and bent low to kiss the skin there. “You’re home,” I whispered against her, more for me than for her. “You’re safe. All of you. ”
Haiden’s
Xavier’s hands were steady when he lowered her into mine, but my chest still clenched like he was passing me something breakable, glass–thin and priceless. The water lapped softly around us, warm steam rising in little curls. I leaned back, settling her against my chest, and she fit just right. Round belly pressed against my hand, her hair damp against my shoulder. She sighed, the sound vibrating through both of us.
“See?” I murmured, brushing my chin along her hairline. “Told you I make a damn good pillow p>
Her laugh was breathless, almost sleepy. “You’re too hard to be a pillow p>
2/4
10:33 Mon, Sep 15
Chapter 168
“Hard?” 1 flexed my chest beneath her, smirking. “That’s all muscle, sweetheart. Premium comfort p>
“More like premium rock p>
I grinned, kissing the crown of her head. “Rock solid, baby. You’re welcome p>
Levi knelt beside the tub with the seriousness in the world. He dipped the sponge, wrung it out slowly, and dragged it down her arm.
I tilted my head at him. “You’re not giving her a facial, Levi, you’re washing her. She’s not porcelain p>
Levi didn’t even glance at me, just worked the sponge over her shoulder like he was polishing silver. “Shut up. You’ll splash her p>
“Splash her?” I scoffed, shifting just enough to send a ripple down the water. Envy elbowed me
weakly.
“Don’t encourage him,” Levi said, though the corner of his mouth twitched. He reached for the soap, lathering it in his palms before smoothing it along her collarbone, down her chest.
My hands tightened around her waist. “Oi. Watch it p>
Levi gave me a look. “You think I want her in labour months early because you don’t have the patience for basic hygiene p>
“She smells fine,” I muttered.
“She smells like blood and smoke,” Levi countered, scrubbing a little harder. “She’s getting washed p>
Envy groaned softly, melting into my chest as if Levi’s fussing was secretly heaven. I kissed her temple again, whispering low, “Traitor p>
She giggled, her fingers playing with the water. “I think I like this. My own personal spa p>
“Yeah, well, don’t get used to it,” I teased, though the truth was I’d sit here every night forever if it meant she looked this relaxed again.
Levi dipped the sponge lower, over her thighs, meticulous as ever. “Haiden, lift her leg p>
I arched a brow. “Say please p>
3/4
53
10:33 Mon, Sep 15
Chapter 168
He shot me a glare sharp enough to cut steel. I smirked and obeyed anyway, lifting her knee so he could finish his work.
Noah’s voice piped up from the counter where he was rummaging through soaps. “Lavender next! Lavender will soothe her nerves p>
Envy laughed, the sound bubbling through her like champagne. “You four are ridiculous p>
“Ridiculously devoted,” I corrected, tightening my arms around her and resting my cheek against
hers.
And maybe it was the warm water, perhaps it was the ridiculousness of all of us crammed into one bathroom fussing over her, but for the first time since the battlefield, she looked like herself again. Safe. Loved. Home.
Chapter Comments
Write Comments
1
SHARE
If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.