Page 66 of Hunted By Her Demon Wolves

“She doesn’t hate you.” Hecate placed a hand over Daeva’s womb, a slow smile spreading across her face. “And I won’t have you risking your unborn child.”

Daeva froze like a deer caught in high beams. Her mates gaped at her.

“Ch-child?” She stammered while looking to Horatiu to back her up. “I-I’m not with child.”

Hecate’s smile widened. “You are.”

She stumbled back, grasping Horatiu’s arm.

Her mates led her to a stone bench. She placed a hand on her flat abdomen, looking at it as if an alien was growing inside. “I-I didn’t think I could conceive in hell.”

Hecate clasped her hands to her heart, her eyes shining with excitement. “The cub must’ve been conceived when you and Horatiu visited the mortal plane.”

This was a big deal for them, for demons couldn’t conceive in hell unless they used dark spells to make children as Eilea and Hecate had done. But that spell had weakened them since they had to relinquish some of their magic to their offspring. Most mages didn’t want to part with their powers. Perhaps if they hadn’t drained their own magic, they would’ve been less susceptible to the Vindictus, but Eilea had no regrets. She loved her demon sons as much as she loved her Amaroki children.

Daeva continued to stare down at her stomach, placing a protective hand over her womb. “I didn’t know I was blooming.”

“You sure?” Horatiu knelt beside her and tenderly kissed her knuckles before a wicked grin split the hard lines of his face. “The sex was amazing. It was the only thing that made the trip worthwhile.”

Tor let out an aggravated groan. “Do you think you two could save this conversation for another time?”

“Have you been wanting a child?” Hecate asked Daeva.

Daeva looked to Horatiu, before she, too, was smiling. “Well, yes.”

“Then your body seized the opportunity to conceive,” Hecate answered. “Nature found a way—it always does.”

Daeva’s mates threw back their heads and let out joyful howls. Horatiu silenced his brothers when he noticed the floor shaking beneath them, apologizing to Daeva while squeezing her knees.

“Will it be like the Amaroki?” Daeva asked. “Will I have four boys and a girl from each of my mates?”

“Only if you and your other mates make four more visits to the mortal realm.”

Daeva chewed her nails, casting her mates a worried glance. “The Amaroki may not welcome any of us after this.”

Eilea grimaced, knowing she was right, and Eilea’s mates would lead the ban on demon visitors. How was she supposed to change their minds? She turned up her chin, determination hardening her resolve. “They won’t have a choice if I have anything to say about it.”

Daeva wiped her eyes as Cyrus and Lucian held her hands. “Thank you.”

Eilea gave her a curt nod before turning to the Amaroki chieftain. “Tor, my nephews are right.” When he went to speak, she held up a hand. “They’re better equipped to fight demons, and my celaris magic can’t extend to all of you.” She motioned toward everyone. “Shielding the five of us, plus a dragon will be taxing enough. Besides, if I don’t return, I’ll need you to explain to my mates.”

Tor dragged a hand down his face. “If you don’t return, I won’t be able to face the Amaroki again.”

She knew this was hard for him and also killing his pride. Having lived with two alpha wolves these past several years, it was sometimes a balancing act soothing their egos while establishing herself as the most powerful in the pack. Clasping her hands in a prayer pose, she looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Please, Tor.”

His shoulders sagged in resignation. “Very well.”

She sighed in relief. “Thank you.” Now all she had to do was save her sons and their mate while protecting her dragon and nephews. She looked sideways at Jezebeth, who was no longer a djinn tied to her lamp. Jezebeth still had her magic and would be responsible for protecting herself. Eilea had enough to worry about.

Jezebeth glared at Hecate. “You’re not volunteering to go?”

“My sister needs to stay here and guard Atlantia,” Eilea cut in before Hecate could answer. She gave her sister a sharp look. “We can never leave our city vulnerable again.”

“Agreed, sister.” Hecate nodded, a longing in her eyes like she wanted to say more, but Eilea had no time to listen to her sister’s apologies as she performed the resurrection spell on her team, the same spell that had enabled Daeva, Phoenix, Horatiu, and her to return from obliteration. She wouldn’t take any chances, just in case their rescue failed. Her reconciliation with her sister would have to wait until she returned—if she returned.

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