Hera

The forest surrounding the house was silent, like all the creatures around were holding their breath. Waiting for me to break the news to Selen.


There was no way out of this. If she didn't tell her, she would leave and telling her could affect the pregnancy.

I could feel her anxiety and excitement. I stared at the coconut juice in my hand, Selen had come to like it as her pregnancy grew but I knew that the sweet taste won't calm her down.

Sighing, I opened the door.


Her instant smile made my desire to kill that bastard grow.

'Is that for me?" she asked, looking at the juice in my hand.


I nodded and handed it to her.

'Selen…"

'Hmm? Don't worry, I won't drink much. I don't know how your magic will affect me or the babies, I don't want to add nausea to the problem."

I don't want to do this. She looks so happy.

'I thought about this as you were gone. You can't just appear in his house, it will scare him shitless and everyone would be wary of us…We'll have to appear a distance away from the pack and then walk into it…Not a far distance because I know how you worry about the kids, it'll be weird if you carry me into the pack…"

Goddess…I really don't want to do this…

'I can't wait to introduce you to him…"

'Selen…"

She stopped and stared at me 'Hera?"

Her smile reduced, her eyes became cautious.

'What's wrong?"

'You can't go to meet him."

Selen pained and slowly blacked away from me. 'No…"

What was she…?

'He's not dead" I quickly added, understanding her reaction.

'Then what? Is he hurt? We'll just kidnap him and treat him."

I couldn't drag this out anymore.

'...He has found his mate."

I watched as shock, confusion, denial, hurt and anger fought for dominance in her expression.

But, anger won.

'Did he look happy?" Her voice was calm but the look in her eyes told me otherwise.

'Yes."

Selen had described him vividly once when she longed for him, that was how I was able to identify him.

I wonder if he still remembers her face.

'Take me to him."

'No…think about the babies Selen."

Her eyes flashed.

'Take me to him Hera."

'Selen…"

Her eyes began to glow and the room got darker. I could sense the power that was always dormant in Selen. It was stirring.

Panting, I tried to take in air but it was getting harder to breathe.

'You will take me to him volana." Her voice was still calm yet it wasn't. She sounded like rumbling thunder.

'Selen…can't breathe…" I choked out.

She blinked. Her eyes turned to normal. I coughed dragging in much needed oxygen.

When I could breath normally, I noticed that the room had gone back to normal.

'I'm sorry." There were tears in her eyes. 'I really just need to see him. To confirm that he has really abandoned me…I didn't mean to hurt you…"

I hugged her…"I'll take you. But you have to remember, you're a mother now."

I felt her nod.

****

My focus was on Selen. We stood close to a stall, my powers disguising us as two people we had seen leaving the pack.

Carlson and his mate were in the stall opposite us. They talked and laughed with the merchant, Carlson's hand curled around her waist through out the conversation.

The look in Selen's eyed broke my heart. It wasn't anger or hurt. It was sadness. Deep lonely sadness.

Apart from her eyes, her expression was neutral. There was no clenching of fist or jaws, no frowns or false smile. Just nothing.

Carlson stopped in front of us, smiling so brightly.

'Selen…" he said, speaking to Selen, '...I thought you were leaving today."

Selen smiled, 'I am."

****

Selen's a beautiful mother.

Before she gave birth, I was worried that she would hate the children that were a mixture of her and the man that left her behind.

But I worried for nothing.

Her children were her life. Her whole being was focused on protecting and giving her children the best. It was beautiful to watch every time.

'Mommy?!" Liam screamed, I could hear his tiny feet running to the front of the house.

A wide smile appeared on Liam's face once he layed his eyes on his mother and I. It turned to a cute pout.

'Mummy, Leila took my stuff again. Tell her to stop, she won't listen to me" the four year old complained.

'I didn't take his stuff." His twin denied. She hung her hand on his shoulder, ignoring his pout.

'And he's my twin, what belongs to him belongs to me and what belongs to me belongs to him. That's what Hera said."

Selen turned to me and I ignored her gaze.

'Leila…what did I say about secrets?"

'That I wasn't supposed to tell anyone…oh!" Selen's mini self blushed as she realized.

Selen laughed.

'I'm sorry Hera."

I shook my head smiling, 'it's okay. I'll forgive you this once."

Leila beamed making Liam smile subconsciously.

'Thank you…"

****

I opened my eyes. Liam was hugging me just right, the way I like it. It was still dark outside but it was morning.

Antonio had somehow seen Amelia's last memory before I blocked her mind link and was starting his search for us in two days.

Xander decided we would take the fight to him. He wanted to keep the innocent people of this village safe but his primary goal was to use the element of surprise on Antonio.

I admired Liam's sleeping face.

Did he envy Leila? Xander had announced their mating yesterday. They were congratulated and blessed.

Liam was really happy for the two of them and I can't help but wonder if he actually wants a true mate. Wonder why he returned my feelings even when I was the one that nursed him.

'Babe…it's too early to think…" he murmured sleepily, dragging me closer to him

'Does it disgust you?"

He opened his eyes and I stared at him.

'That I practically raised you and yet we are like this. Does it disgust you?'

'Never..