by Lisa Oliver
“I have a mate now.” Hades never did take well to being teased. “The place needed a few modifications. You’re welcome, Baby. I know we don’t chat much, but if you’re looking for some peace and quiet, and time on your phone, the house is a lot quieter than here.”
Ali wrinkled his cute little nose. “Smells better too.”
Baby had been raised with manners – his older brother Artemas had seen to that. Leaping to his feet, sending his magazine flying, he executed a courtly bow. “I’ve never felt more welcome anywhere. I can tell you don’t expect anything from me, and you’re not going to hassle me like…” Baby stopped. One of his new vows was to not come across as a whiner. “I’ll take you up on it. You won’t know I’m there, although I could give your sex energies a bit of a boost if you’re having any trouble in that direction, Uncle? After all, I imagine it’s been a while.” He winked, but it seemed neither Ali nor Hades got the joke.
“Hades doesn’t need any help in that department,” Ali said with a show of spirit. “Thank you for the offer, weird though it was. But you’re welcome. You’re welcome here and at the house in Greece, isn’t he, Hades?”
Baby caught Hades wince and said quickly, “Too many people there, Uncle Ali. Honestly, this realm is fine for a while. I promise I won’t get in your way. It’s enough that no one can find me here.”
Hades nodded, probably relieved that Baby didn’t want to go to Greece. Honestly, it’s not like I go looking for trouble. I told them that.
“We’re busy the rest of the afternoon, but you can join us for dinner about eight if you’re hungry,” Hades said. “In the meantime, we have places to be. Pop your ear plugs in, sweetness. I’ll get you out of here before those cute eardrums of yours burst.”
Baby wanted to laugh, but he settled for a wider grin. “Cute eardrums? That’s positively adorable. I didn’t know you had it in you, Uncle, but I’m so glad you do. It was lovely to meet you, Uncle Ali. I’ll see you at dinner.”
Baby settled back in his chair quietly pleased Hades had left his sound barrier around him. He’d sit for a bit longer, then head up to the house and have a shower and blink up a change of clothes. After all, he didn’t want to insult his hosts, looking like a hobo.
Chapter Two
The Underworld – Hades Palace.
Dinner had been going splendidly. Baby managed to keep his mind off any heavy topics, chatting to Hades about Artie and his new mate. It seemed Hades knew Silvanus and agreed the ancient god would be a perfect mate for Baby’s academic brother. The food was succulent, and Hades hadn’t stinted on the wine, so Baby was feeling particularly mellow when Ali piped up.
“Why do you do that?”
Baby hadn’t been aware the young chipmunk had been watching him throughout dinner. “Do what? Pose you mean?” he laughed. “Don’t let it upset you. I don’t mean anything by it. People expect me to be sex personified, regardless of what species they are. Isn’t that right, Uncle?”
Unfortunately, it seemed Hades preferred to express his own opinion than back him up. “You are your own person, Baby. Just because both of your father’s were raging nymphos doesn’t mean you have to be. Sei changed his behavior, so can you.”
Like I haven’t tried. “I don’t know how to be anyone else. My gods, just being around Himeros…”
Ali interrupted. “Hang on a minute. Are you suggesting your other father was Himeros? The Greek god of desire?”
I don’t need reminding. “I’m sure that was mentioned back at the pits where we met, but yes, he is and now you see my problem. Sei was known as a shag master from the beginning of time. He got Himeros, the god of desire himself up the duff, and I’m the result. What no one seems to understand is that none of the trouble that follows me from one freaking place to the next is my fault. Mortals, paranormals, even other gods fall all over me the moment they see me, and I’m supposed to do what? Ignore them? How am I supposed to know if they’re married, or have a significant other when they’re draping themselves all over me?”
Baby shuddered, thinking about one of his more recent encounters. The man was mortal and married. When the wife found out, instead of getting angry like Baby thought she would, she decided she wanted in on the action, too. Which was a disaster. It was as if they were both playing themselves off one against the other with him in the middle. Baby couldn’t get out of there fast enough when they both started hounding him, insisting he determine who he thought was the best fuck.
“You could try having a conversation before you unzipped your pants.”
Of course, Hades would think like that. Before Hades showed signs of being affectionate with his mate, Baby used to think his zipper had rusted shut. “Yeah and look how that turns out for me.” Baby shook his head. “That just gives more people in the same place the idea I’m worth fighting over because they get the impression, I’m playing hard to get. Face it, I am what I am. An unwanted bastard. Himeros couldn’t get rid of me quick enough when he found out he was preggers. Sei was too busy filling his own bed with random nobodies to ever pay attention to me growing up. If it wasn’t for my brothers, I probably would’ve been a foundling growing up with wolves or something equally depressing.”
“At least you had someone on your side growing up. Your brothers must care for you.” It was Ali who spoke up this time, but Baby was sinking into his depressive thoughts that were becoming all too common.
“They’re all busy with their own mates now,” he scoffed, Hades and Ali’s sweetness and coziness getting too much for him. “You know, I thought Sei was bad before, but now he’s had the twins, he’s suddenly decided to become father of the year. Insisting I stick with him, babysit the twins, don’t go out, don’t go messing with Claude’s blessed wolves. For fuck’s sake, I’m over a thousand years old. I know how to behave, it’s others that don’t.”
“I thought you’d been spending time with Himeros.” Of course, Hades would be all calm and collected. He had no idea of what Baby lived with every day.
“He’s worse.” Baby pushed back his chair. His skin was crawling, and he was so upset he wanted to punch something hard. “He didn’t have anything at all to do with me when I was a kid, right? Nothing. Nada. He gave birth, shoved me in Sei’s direction and took off, blaming me for his stretch marks. Now, all of a sudden since Sei met Claude, he wants to be my bosom buddy. Lure that guy in, Baby, see if you can get into that woman’s pants over there, Baby, prove how much you’re my son. Let’s see if we can upset Zeus, Baby, and start a gang bang on fucking Olympus.”
Baby knew he was shouting. It was well passed time for him to leave. But he couldn’t do that without saying one last thing. He slapped his fist across his chest. “There has to be more to me, right? I have to have some value to someone, surely, besides what my dick or mouth can do. Someone, somewhere must see me as something more than a sex machine.”
“Baby, please sit down,” Ali said in that low sweet voice of his. “You know we don’t expect anything from you here. Maybe we can help?”
A chipmunk, helping me? When all the gods across all the pantheons are only interested in what they can score. The idea was so novel, so damned unexpected, Baby reacted with his patented scorn. He didn’t know how else to respond. “No disrespect, little Unc, but you don’t have any idea what it’s like growing up as me. The only thing you ever had to worry your little head about was finding nuts. Oh yeah,” Baby’s laugh was harsh. “Maybe we do have something in common after all. That’s all I ever find too, is nuts.”
Hade had got to his feet and Baby knew he was going to get a blasting for being disrespectful to Ali. “No, no, I know, I’m going. No dissing the mates. I’ll go now. Thanks for dinner. See you in the next millennium or so.” He made his exit, his flashbang probably seen as nothing more than a petty annoyance to the happy couple.
I am so sorry, Uncles, he thought as he disappeared. I just wish I had someone to talk to, who actually understands what I am going through. Ali might have been t
hat person, he seemed genuine enough, but Baby knew with Hades hovering, the chances of a decent conversation was nil. No. It was better that he left. That’s all he ever seemed to do, but then it wasn’t as though anyone wanted him to stick around.
/~/~/~/~/
Claude and Poseidon’s pack - Tulsa
“I’m sorry, sir, I can’t let you go up there. The alpha’s quarters are off limits to pack visitors without an invitation.”
Owen brushed aside the hand planted firmly on his chest. When he’d arrived at Claude’s club, the fact it was busy didn’t bother him. He knew where he needed to go and pack members and others just out for a good time, had scurried out of his way as he’d crossed the room. Only one wolf actually stood up to him and was currently barring his way upstairs. Truth be told, Owen would have relocated to Claude’s apartment directly, but as it was after ten at night when he arrived, he assumed Claude and Poseidon would have been playing with their pack members. Although, as Owen sent his senses out, Maybe now isn’t a good time to translocate in there. I could give him a few minutes.
Owen fixed his attention on the stubborn wolf, who clearly didn’t know what his nose was for. “The son of Fenrir will see me. Advise him Owen is here.”
“Look, buddy,” the wolf snarled, flexing his biceps and getting all uppity like wolves were prone to do. It was almost laughable, at least for Owen. “I haven’t heard of no Owen, and the alpha didn’t tell me he was expecting visitors this evening. So, either make an appointment like normal people do, or hang around at the bar and have a drink. If the alpha does show up, although I’m not expecting him at this time of night, I’ll point him in your direction, but that’s the best I can do. You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”
Oh, no I won’t. “I wouldn’t expect you to know the name Owen, but as I doubt you could pronounce my actual name, this one will be easier for you to remember.” Owen drew in a long breath, conscious of every soul in the building, including the fornicating couple upstairs. As he exhaled, he sent out threads of his power, like smoke from a fire on a windless night. All the noise in the room died down and Owen was conscious of more than a hundred eyes all resting on him – watching, waiting. Only the wolf in front of him wasn’t affected, and that was intentional on Owen’s part.
The decrease in noise level and the unusual behavior of the wolves didn’t go unnoticed by the one guarding the steps. “Who the devil are you? What did you do? Don’t you know our alpha mate is the Lord Poseidon himself – an ancient god and ruler of the seas? He protects this pack from magic users like you.”
“I am hardly a magic user and I’m well aware of Poseidon’s presence,” Owen said loftily, giving the impression of looking around. “In fact, I expect… ah, here he is now.”
Poseidon came running down the stairs, tucking his shirt into his pants, his breathing rushed as though he’d been interrupted mid-coitus – which he hadn’t been. Owen had given him time to get off. “Owen, my gods, what did you do to the pack? You know how protective Claude is of the little darlings.”
Owen didn’t yawn, although he gave the impression he might have done as he spoke. “This overzealous puppy wouldn’t let me up to see you. I would have just translocated directly to your bedroom, but I sensed you were in the middle of something. Rather than be forced to witness the show I am sure you’d have given me, I decided to walk through the club and knock on your door. I determined that delaying my arrival by two minutes would allow you to finish and put your cock away. As you can see, I’ve been thwarted by this puppy and rather than hurt him, I attracted your attention in another way. It worked.”
Poseidon roared with laughter. “You know damn well I last longer than two minutes, especially when Claude is in the driver’s seat. That man has a cock like a piston and can go for hours if he has the right incentive.”
Owen allowed himself a small smile. “Regardless, your twins are already stirring from their slumber, so I’ve done you a favor by disturbing you now. Shall we go up?” He pointed in the direction of the stairs, ignoring the posturing wolf completely.
“My lord, Alpha Mate, what about the pack?”
“Our precious wolves haven’t come to any harm, Bruno,”” Poseidon said fondly. “Owen might have unusual ways, but he never hurts anyone unless his precious animal spirits are under threat. He was merely gaining their attention, weren’t you Owen?”
“Our pack is made up of shifters, not animals.” Bruno defended hotly.
“Yet, in spirit, they are one and the same.” Owen flicked his hand, releasing the shifters from his thrall. “May we speak privately Sei? I fear I don’t have a lot of time as I have other places I need to be this evening.”
“That’s always been part of your problem, Owen,” Sei said as he headed up the stairs. “Always too busy for anyone.”
“Not anymore,” Owen muttered as he followed the lord of the sea.
The apartment upstairs was warm, comfortable and had a decidedly homely feel. Owen frowned. Caruthers might have been right. His palace might not be the most suitable home for his new mate, especially if Claude’s abode was what Baby was more used to.
“Have a seat,” Poseidon waved at the couch. “I’ll just go and settle my little darlings – I’m sure my mate is with them – and apparently it was him you wanted to see.”
“I wanted to speak to both of you, if that’s all right.” Owen didn’t move from where he was; just a wave of his hand and his favorite armchair was resting behind his knees. He sat down, his back straight, debating how to start the conversation he needed to have.
“Owen?” Two footsteps, and Owen was enveloped in a huge hug. Claude was an anomaly among alphas, perpetually happy and very affectionate. “I haven’t seen you in at least a hundred years,” the alpha said when he straightened up, slapping Owen on the shoulder. “If you’ve come to congratulate me on my mating, you’re a little late. Our offspring are walking now.”
“My apologies.” Owen spread his hands. “Time passes, you know how it is. But definitely, my warmest congratulations on finding your true mate, and on the birth of your twins. They have interesting spirits.”
“I’m sure you would find them interesting,” Claude chuckled as he settled on the couch. “But if it wasn’t my mating, or the twins that attracted your attention, then why are you here? Don’t tell me, you are hoping for a wolf shifter mate of your own. The Fates have certainly been busy. Did you know Hades is now mated to my good friend Ali?”
“The little chipmunk?” Owen’s smile was genuine. “I am very pleased with that pairing, although I hadn’t heard about it, no. But if anyone can convince Hades that there is more to life than hanging around with dead people, then it is that little shifter. I will remember to send them a gift.”
“So, is that why you’re here? Mate hunting?” Poseidon had returned, perching himself on Claude’s lap. Their mingled spirits exuded a warmth that spread around the room. “I swear, babe, we should set up our own agency. There are so many people finding their mates among wolf shifters, we could make a killing.”
“It’s not as though we’re short of money, babe,” Claude laughed. “But Owen, I have to confess, if you’re looking for your true mate among shifters, wouldn’t you have found him by now, what with the way your powers work and who you are?”
“I have been aware of my true mate since he was born roughly a thousand years or so ago. No, I came here asking for you Claude, because I know you to be a voice of reason, whereas your mate not so much. I want your blessing and permission to court him.”
“Who the hell are you talking about?” The anger Owen expected was evident in Poseidon’s voice. “Artemas, Lasse, and Nereus are already mated. That can only mean… you can’t be talking about my little Baby, surely?”
“Baby is hardly little,” Claude said quickly. “He is a grown man, an adult in his own right. But shit, Owen, are you sure he’s your fated mate, because I’ve never known the Fates to make such a colossal mistake before.”
“No.” Claude and Poseidon spoke in unison. “Although,” Poseidon continued, “you have to admit, for a person who’s been around since the winds first crossed the plains, no one really knows anything about you as a person. But that’s not why we’re concerned. Baby is… Baby is… difficult.”
“Baby is a pain in the ass, a trouble maker, and someone who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants if his life depended on it,” Claude said harshly. “He stirs trouble wherever he goes and shows no sign of accepting any responsibility for his actions. He’s a menace, that’s what he is. A goddamn menace.”
Owen was starting to seriously reconsider his decision to ask permission to court his mate first. Baby was well passed the age of consent. It was just he’d felt asking permission from a father figure added a certain weight to his claim, and he wanted Baby to take him seriously. Now it seemed he’d caused a bone of contention for Poseidon and Claude.
“Snookums,” Poseidon appealed to his mate. “My son isn’t that bad. He can’t help his genetics, or where he came from. He’s like me. He just has to walk into a room and people fall all over him. That’s not his fault.”
“He could learn to say no. He could learn to change his mannerisms, so he didn’t reek of sex and a good time the moment he sees anyone. He could…”
Owen stood up. “Clearly coming here was a mistake. I was trying to do the right thing, because I want Baby to see how seriously I take the business of claiming him. I expected better from you, Claude, seeing how accepting you are of everyone else. I can’t believe how little you care for your own stepson.”
“And as for you Sei; did you ever consider that maybe Baby never learned to take responsibility for his actions or even try and temper them a little, because until you found your mate you never did either. You hit on anything with a pulse and that damned Himeros is no better. So maybe, instead of passing the blame, or trying to justify your genetics, you should start taking responsibility for the piss poor job you made raising your son.”
