Page 9 of Unsanctioned
Audor roamed the perimeter of King Jonathan’s Louisiana hidden fortress. It was endless acres of magical land that expanded as needed. It couldn’t be found on any map or seen at all unless your name was on a guest list or personally invited. Thankfully, Audor’s name was on the list. He needed the peaceful respite.
The moonlight poured down on him, enveloping him in its healing hold. His mate was out there, under this same moon. Audor rubbed his chest. He heard Waylon’s thoughts. His pleas. He knew Waylon would never beg anyone. Yet he did Audor. It was heartbreaking. An alpha should have never been brought so low. Waylon didn’t deserve this. He should have been given a wolf's mate to run beneath the full moon with him. Now Waylon was stuck feeling more than he should for someone he hadn’t wanted beyond sex. Even then, he had considered being with Audor as a waste of time. How was Audor supposed to return to Wulfe? Everyone knew Waylon hadn’t been his when Audor marked his skin. He looked like a fucking fool. Topping things off, this match shouldn’t even be. Odin would likely see him dead first. He kept waiting for the lightning to strike.
“Your thoughts are exhausting. I’m having a hard time understanding why Celeste wanted this for you.” Audor spun. At the sight of the gigantic, scarred warrior in an eye patch, Audor immediately hit his knees. Odin wasn’t his god, but he was still a god, deserving of honor.
“Stand up, boy. I’m too old to be cricking my neck like this.”
Audor slowly moved to his feet. He didn’t know what to say. This was a position he never even entertained. He licked his lips. “Sorry. I don’t actually know how to greet you. How may I be of service?”
“You can get your ass back to Wulfe and accept the gift Celeste has given you, dumbass.” Odin pinched the spot between his eyes. “I can’t believe I’m doing this. First time in my entire existence, I thought with my dick.” He muttered the wordsunder his breath. Odin dropped his hand. His one bright blue eye pinned Audor in place. “Waylon was handpicked by me as the northwest pack leader. He’s a wolf of worth. You insult me and Celeste by turning your back on this honor you’ve been bestowed. Goddess knows I wouldn’t have chosen this.” He paused and stared at nothing. “Not that I have regrets. The opposite, in fact. I should get back.” Odin disappeared as quickly as he appeared, leaving Audor reeling.
“Holy shit. Was that Odin?”
Audor forced his head to turn toward the voice. Tam was nearby, riding his husband’s shoulders in an attempt to climb a tree. The pair were frozen, staring at where Odin had stood only moments earlier, and proving Audor hadn’t imagined things.
“It would seem so.” Even Audor heard the shock in his voice.
Tam visibly swallowed. “He’s much bigger than I expected.”
Audor nodded, feeling frozen by the experience.
“You should do as he says.”
Audor nodded again, wondering if his mind had finally snapped.
“You know, you could just have your mate take you up the tree with his mind, right?” Audor didn’t know why he said the words. It was like his mouth needed to do something while his brain sat frozen.
Tam blinked. “I know. This isn’t about being in the tree. It’s about living the experience of the climb. We’re making a happy memory.”
Fuck. He was so right. All along, his love had never been about ultimately becoming Waylon’s mate. He had adored every second of the experience of just being with Waylon with zero hope of this miracle. But now, he had reached a goal he hadn’t even known possible, and he got to keep this love forever. He would always know his love was real, regardless of this blessing because he had loved Waylon even when there had been no hope. Each second the shock thawed, the bigger the truth got. This was real. It was really real. Celeste and Odin had chosen them. Holy shit. He was floored. What was he supposed to do now?
Chapter Five
ExhaustionweighedheavilyonFrost’s shoulders. His job at the hospital, coupled with what felt like nonstop back-to-back emergencies with the supernatural community, had him half dead. He had no idea how he was any use to anyone, especially Gemini. Frost fought a wave of sadness. He knew Gemini would feel it.
I love you so much. Just come home. I’ll fix it.
Frost smiled as Gemini’s voice brushed his mind. He loved the man he had married so fucking much. Frost wanted to do better by him. He deserved more. Just ten more minutes in the car and they would be together.
“For fuck’s sake. Just quit the hospital and work on-call for the community. You act as if the world is ending.” Lucifer laughed at his own bad joke.
Frost shook his head at Lucifer’s sudden appearance in his passenger seat. “I’d leave the hospital in a lurch. From what I gather, they had a hard time finding a doctor willing to move here before they found me.”
“First off, so? How’s that your problem? Second, you’re such a strange little man.”
A bark of laughter burst from Frost. He didn’t know why, but he genuinely liked Lucifer. That was likely the dumbest thing on the planet, and it had nothing to do with Lucifer literally being the most beautiful creature in existence. He was caustic and self-proclaimed evil. But if Lucifer wanted anything from him, he hadn’t revealed his hand yet, and it was honestly refreshing. Lately, it felt like everyone wanted something. Frost tried keeping up his end of the conversation through the fatigue.
“First off, it’d become my problem the moment someone I love can’t get help because the hospital is short staffed. Secondly, I know I’m odd, but what the fuck? What did I do to you?”
“In the first place, you’re not scared of me. Second, you didn’t even startle when I popped in.”
Frost shook his head again. He didn’t understand Lucifer. “I felt you coming, and it’s like you want me to be scared. Aren’t you tired of everyone’s fear? That sounds draining.”
Lucifer was so quiet, Frost might have thought he disappeared if he couldn’t see the golden skin from the corner of his eyeand smell the faint scent of a campfire mixed with melting marshmallows.
“Melting marshmallows?” Lucifer snorted.
Frost watched the road and smiled. “Yeah. If you don’t like what you hear, then don’t read my thoughts.”
