Page 106 of Mating at Midnight: Book 1

I snaked my arms around his waist. “Levi is strong and I’m sure this will only make him stronger.”

“I hope you’re right, love,” Braxton said.

Chapter 58

Nyah

We sat in silence for another thirty minutes or so before rejoining the others to continue setting up for the barbeque. Every so often, I looked at the back door, waiting for them to come out. They finally came out a little over thirty minutes later.

Hand in hand, Kenia and Levi followed Lord Odin, Vidar, and Elder Nelah with James, Alpha Lennox, and Joaquin taking up the rear. I don’t know what it was but Levi seemed different. Not in appearance, but...I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

When Kenia and I made eye contact, I raised my eyebrow with questions. She smiled, mouthing, “Everything is fine. We’ll talk after dinner.”

I nodded as my head filled with numerous questions to ask.

Finally, everything was done, and we were all sitting at the tables. Lord Odin sat at the head with Vidar to his left along with Elder Nelah on his right. Daddy sat at the opposite end with momma on his right, Bryant next to her and James next to him. Braxton was seated on his left side, then me with Crown on my lap, Kenia, and Levi, then Alpha Lennox and Joaquin. Ballian and Skia sat not far behind Braxton and I with large vats for raw meats to be filled with.

Lord Odin stood, clanking his fork against his wine glass, getting everyone’s attention. Everyone instantly goes quiet.

“I cannot tell you the last time I had the opportunity to break bread with my followers like this. It is truly an honor,” he says as we clap our hands together. Lord Odin smiles as he continues. “We fought a hard battle today. Loved ones, mates, and friends were lost, but their deaths were not lost in vain. Every fallen member has already been received in my celestial pack.” He looked over to Alpha Lennox. “Lord Artio haswelcomely accepted your members.” Alpha Lennox lowered his head, placing his right fist over his heart. Lord Odin did the same before continuing, “Now I want to thank Alpha Noah for inviting me to the barbeque.” We laughed, knowing what he meant. Through his chuckles, Lord Odin waved his hand in front of him, quieting us down.

“Honestly, do you all know how many times I’ve looked down and salivated over Alpha Noah’s succulent meats? As Gods, we can do many things but the one thing that I hate is not being able to come down here when I want to. The only time we can is when the Packs under us are at war. So, best believe I’m going to enjoy every cut of meat Alpha Noah has prepared, and all the sides the ladies of the Pack have made. I’m not knocking the food for the God’s, but sometimes we crave for the simplistic ways of cooking and the taste. By Heavens...the taste.”

A loud crackle came from the clouds as another lightning bolt struck down next to Lord Odin. We stand to our feet, ready to fight again, thinking that it might be leftover followers of Fenrir.

As the glare of the lightning bolt drifts off, the shapely figure of a woman appears. The head of a fur covered Kodiak bear draped over her head barely showing her face and a brown fur sheath adorned her shoulders.

She lifted her head, and I would be lying if I said the woman was ugly because she was far beyond that. She was beautiful. Light brown eyes with flickers of blue scanned us. Her face was flawless, and her skin was tanned. Was she of mixed race or something else?

Looking at the bear head again, it dawned on me who she was...Goddess Artioof the bears.

Men gasped as she lifted her head, fully showing her features. Alpha Lennox and Joaquin damn near bust their heads on the edge of the table as they fell to their knees, bowing. The rest of their Pack members did the same as we remained in our seats.

“Artio, I’m surprised to see you here,” Lord Odin returned.

Goddess Artio surveyed the tables before letting out a roar of laughter. “Odin, I know you didn’t think I was going to let you enjoy this feast without me, especially when one of my Packs fought alongside yours.”

Lord Odin cleared his throat with a smirk. “For those of you who don’t know who this is, this is Goddess Artio, Goddess of the bear packs.

Elder Nelah frowned as she made room at the end of their table when one of the Pack members brought an extra chair for Goddess Artio to sit next to Lord Odin.

“Hello, Nelah,” Goddess Artio greeted as she sat down.

“Artio,” she returned dryly, looking everywhere else as dining ware were sat in front of Goddess Artio as her wine and water glasses were filled at the same time.

Kenia and I side-eyed each other, thinking the same thing,“What was that all about?"

“There are some things that you don’t need to know and shouldn’t ask about,”momma’s voice nicely said in our minds. Kenia and I looked as if we had just got caught with our hands in the cookie jar.

Closing our link, we refocused on the end of the table as Goddess Artio told Lord Odin, “Thank you for acknowledging my people with yours.”

“How could I not?” Lord Odin responded. “The allegiance between our Packs speaks volumes and I hope we can keep it that way for centuries to come.”

“As do I,” Goddess Artio said, smiling while batting her eyelashes.

Elder Nelah huffs under her breath. I jumped when Kenia kicked me in the shin under the table.

“Are you okay, love?” Braxton leaned over and whispered in my ear.

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