Goddess Of The Underworld. Chapter 99

Days began to mold together, blurring into one another, stitched with quiet routines and little moments of magic. Normal, or as normal as it could be in my situation. The guys had taken to Elliot effortlessly, wrapping him in a cocoon of fierce protection and unconditional love that made my heart ache with gratitude. Watching them with him was like seeing the future laid out in soft light: this child, our son, growing strong and sure, already carving his place among us. It gave me a sense of peace, knowing our next child, the one I carried now would be welcomed just the same. Elliot was blossoming. More and more, I saw him shed the shadows of his past, his tentative edges softening with every smile, every burst of laughter shared with Macey and the other kids at the orphanage. Those afternoons were his favorite, running through the woods, conjuring sparkles of magic that painted the air, his eyes lighting up as he crafted secret hideouts and enchanted forts that defied even the oldest shifters’ imaginations. One evening, after Elliot had fallen asleep with Fergus clutched tight, I sat with the guys around the firepit outside the packhouse, the stars stretched vast and silent above us.

“I still worry,” I admitted quietly, voice low enough that only they could hear. “About the Underworld. After everything he’s been through… is it really the right place for him?”

They exchanged looks words unspoken passing between them like old magic.

Xavier was the first to speak. “He’s stronger than you think. And wiser. The Underworld isn’t just a place of death, it’s a place of balance. And Elliot is learning to be a guardian of that balance.”

Levi nodded, tossing a stick into the fire. “He’s adapting. From pack to Underworld, he’s stepping into each role like he was born for it.”

Noah’s grin was wry but sure. “The kid’s got heart. And some serious stubbornness. He’s making it work, on his terms.”

Haiden’s gaze was steady and fierce. “He’s not just surviving. He’s thriving. That’s what counts and the souls love him in the reception area. He's a sweet welcome into the next stage of life.”

I let their words sink in, a soft warmth blooming in my chest. They were right. Elliot wasn’t just the boy who’d been broken, he was becoming something whole, something powerful and so was I. I reached down, placing a hand over my belly, feeling the steady, rhythmic flutter that reminded me life was growing, resilient and unyielding, just like us.

The next morning I was in the throne room in the Underworld, having just finished a meeting with the Forgotten. Their endless bickering over space and rituals still rang faintly in my ears as I stood from the obsidian throne, stretching out the tension from my shoulders.

“Mum!” Elliot’s voice rang through the chamber like a bolt of joy, and I barely had time to turn before he skidded to a halt behind me, nearly slipping on the polished floor. His cheeks were flushed with excitement, mischief dancing in his eyes.

“Darling?” I asked, arching a brow. “What are you doing?”

“You have to hide me!” he whispered urgently, ducking behind my skirts like I was his shield and sanctuary all in one.

“Wh—”

Before I could finish, the doors were flung open again and Haiden stormed in like a man on a mission. Except… he was covered in glitter. Not just a little shimmer either. No, this was full-blown sparkle explosion. It clung to his dark lashes, his beard shimmered like crushed stars, and a streak of neon pink ran across his cheek.

“Love,” I said, fighting a smile, “I think you have a little something on your face.”

He ignored me, zeroing in on the small boy hiding behind my legs. “Step away from your mother, Elliot,” he said, dead serious.

Elliot hesitated, peeking up at me with a wide grin.

“Elliot…” Haiden warned, slowly conjuring something in his hand with a flick of his fingers.

My son inched away from me with dramatic hesitation, hands raised in surrender. “You wouldn’t hit a prince,” he said with a smirk.

Haiden’s smirk grew wider. “I would absolutely glitter bomb one.”

And then he launched the conjured balloon across the room. It soared through the air like a colorful comet and splattered against Elliot’s chest in a glittery explosion of gold and blue.

“Hey!” Elliot shrieked, half laughing, half scandalized, covered in sparkling dust.

“Consider us even,” Haiden said, brushing his hands together with satisfaction.

Elliot narrowed his eyes, slowly brushing glitter from his arms. “This means war.”

“Oh no,” I muttered, but I was already smiling. I turned to watch as Elliot dashed from the room again, no doubt planning his next strike. Haiden looked far too pleased with himself.

Haiden chuckled and started after Elliot. “Let the glitter wars commence.”

I stood there a moment longer, shaking my head fondly as the sound of giggles and stomping feet echoed down the halls of the Underworld.

Xavier portaled in not long after his presence always brought calm, steady, warm, grounding. He walked across the marble floor of the throne room like it was just our kitchen back home, leaning in to press a kiss to my lips, then dropping down to one knee to kiss the curve of my swollen belly.

"Hey, little one," he whispered, voice thick with adoration. "You staying comfy in there?"

I laughed softly, brushing a hand through his hair as he stood. “Have you seen our son? I promised him he could reap his first soul today."

Xavier's eyes lit up like I’d just reminded him Christmas had come early. “Oh! Right. His first reap. Such a milestone.” He clutched his chest dramatically. “Our baby boy’s growing up so fast.”

“Oh, what a special moment,” I said in mock-seriousness, tilting my head. “Make sure you take a picture for me?”

He paused, blinking. “A picture? Of the soul?”

“No, silly. Of him. In the robe. With the scythe,” I said, pointing a stern finger at him. “I want one for the mantel. Next to his first spellbook and that macaroni crown he made for Macey.”

Xavier rolled his eyes fondly. “I don’t think you can take pictures in the Underworld. Magic scrambles the lens.”

I crossed my arms, lifting a brow. “Then sketch it. Or summon a memory crystal. I’m serious, Xavier. It’s his first soul. It’s a big deal.”

“Okay, okay. Whatever you want,” he said with a laugh, pulling me into a hug. “You’re lucky I’m completely wrapped around your fingers.”

I kissed his cheek. “Don’t I know it.”

“He went that way,” I added, gesturing toward the far corridor, where faint sparkles still hovered in the air like floating fireflies. “Just follow the glitter trail.”

Xavier squinted at it, then laughed.

“Don’t forget the picture!” I called after him.

“Got it!” he yelled back. “Robe, scythe, no glitter, unless it’s intentional!”

I leaned against the arm of the throne, smiling to myself as I looked down at my belly and whispered, “You’re going to have so much fun with your big brother.”