Page 85 of The Alpha's Mates

"How did she manage that?"

Lyas sighed. "Since the first creation Celinda has been in love with another God. Arune swayed him to her side and he betrayed Celinda. It's not really my story to tell," she said, when I opened my mouth to ask another question. "But once our sister was outof the way, Arune came after me. She had help," Lyas said with a twist of the lips. "Other Gods who enjoy the chaos her schemes would cause on Elaria."

I glanced over at Katashi, wondering if he had anything to do with it all. He was known as a trickster, after all.

Lyas must have read my thoughts on my face. She shook her head. "Katashi has always been loyal to Celinda. Calix, as well. As soon as she went missing, they went to Fate to find out what had happened. They rallied others to help us both, knowing that a world with Arune in control would be left in absolute shambles. Because of them, Celinda and I had the allies to help us fight. Gentle creatures, like George, chose their sides and helped hold Arune at bay while you grew into the powerful shifter you are today."

My heart wrenched inside my chest as I thought about what I needed to tell Lyas. "Celinda is...gone," I said, voice soft. "We went to visit her, and she set us on the path to find you."

Lyas's brows drew together at my words. "Gone?"

I nodded. "I'm so sorry. We didn't know how to help her. Or that she even really needed it."

Lyas tilted her face upward until a stream of light hit her cheek. She looked like she was just basking in the warmth. With the Gods here, a lot more light penetrated the Dreiken Wood. There hadn't been this much sunshine either of the times I'd gone through before. "She's not gone."

I opened my mouth to correct her, but the door to the giant stone mansion in the middle of the clearing was thrown open, interrupting me. My eyes widened as a female golem stepped out onto the grass. Her glare swept over us, but eased the moment she saw her mate. The squeal that split the air had me clapping my hands over my ears.

She rushed forward, tossing herself into George's arms. The move sent George stumbling backward about three paces beforehe caught his footing. My insides melted as I watched him hold his mate close while they reunited.

"Guess females are all the same, no matter the species."

I glared over at Calder. "You be quiet. This is so sweet."

Atlas chuckled as he and the others walked forward. "You can throw yourself at me anytime, Mate." His eyes roamed over me as he spoke.

I gave him a chastising look, then glanced around at all the people who were listening in. I should have realized that wouldn't stop my mates from flirting with me.

Calder stepped closer until his body was pressed against mine. He bent down, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, "You know you want to."

A shiver worked its way through me and I had to fight back a groan. The pull I'd always felt for these men had deepened when we'd become mates. Now that we were fated mates? There was no resisting. I was going to end up a panting puddle of need despite the fact that my mother and Goddess were watching with knowing smiles.

George saved the day. Again. He came forward, holding hands with the female golem, a proud smile on his face. "My Goddess," he said with a bow of his head, "my mate, Maria."

Maria's eyes widened, then she gave her mate a sharp look. "You need to warn me when you bring a Goddess home," she snapped, slapping his shoulder. A chunk of hardened clay broke off, rebounding off a nearby tree, causing Calix to have to jump out of the way or risk being clobbered with it.

I watched in fascination as new clay welled up to fill the hole that'd been left. George murmured apologies to his mate, appeasing her. Maria stepped forward. "I'm so happy to meet you, Goddess," she said in a sweet tone. "Our home belongs to you. As does our loyalty." She bowed her head as Lyas stepped closer.

Lyas was tall, at least six and a half feet, but she was short compared to the golems standing before her. They were massive. And so in love it radiated from every fiber of their beings. It made my heart ache with happiness for them and for the future I knew we had in store. Every being on Elaria was better for having the Moon Goddess back. I just knew it. That didn't mean that our work was done.

"It's so nice to meet you," Lyas said, taking Maria's hand. The golem looked shell shocked that a Goddess was touching her. "I can't tell you how appreciative I am of everything that you and George have done for me."

Maria looked between Lyas and Katashi. "You know?"

"Of course," Lyas replied with a kind smile. "I couldn't affect anything here on Elaria while I was bound under the sea, but I could watch. I saw you step forward and offer your, and your mate's, services to Katashi when he was gathering allies."

If a golem could blush, Maria would have been. "I'm sorry to say, I never liked your sister," she admitted.

"Few do," Lyas replied, her laugh rippling through the air. "Arune is...an acquired taste."

"Come," George offered, motioning toward the huge stone home. "It’s safe here." He cocked his head. "You can stay as long as you want."

"Thank you, George," Lyas said, reaching out and squeezing his palm as well. Now she was holding both their hands. "We'll rest here for a few days and then we'll be traveling back to the Selkin Forest."

We followed the golems inside their home and even though I still had so many questions, I let my mates lead me to the room that was going to be ours for the remainder of the stay. My eyes were drifting closed without my consent. Pausing at the doorway, my eyes found my mother’s. "Wait-"

"It's okay, Reese," she told me, moving forward to wrap me up in another long hug. "I'll be here when you wake up."

Nodding, I let Soren lead me into our room. I couldn’t stop the yawns that kept coming.

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