Page 16

Chapter 13

Psyche

P syche sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers gripping the soft fabric of her blanket as she stared at the wall. The distant sounds of laughter and conversation drifted through the halls of the pack house, a reminder of the celebration happening soon. But she couldn’t bring herself to join in, not yet.

She exhaled sharply and ran a hand through her hair. Normally, she had ways to calm herself—structured tasks, repeating patterns, deep breathing—but none of it was working. Her thoughts kept circling back to Eros, to the way she had ended things.

It was the right choice. It had to be.

Didn’t it?

She clenched her jaw and shook her head. Emotions were never something she allowed to dictate her actions. Logical choices, ones that protected her had always been her path. And being with Eros, a god with an existence so far removed from hers, had never made sense in the first place. But if it was the right choice, why did it feel like she’d just torn something vital from herself?

And why couldn’t she shake the feeling that something else was happening?

Psyche frowned, her fingers drumming against the mattress. There had been a dream—at least, she thought it was a dream. Eros and Bob talking. But about what? It was hazy, slipping away from her the more she tried to grasp at it.

“Damn dreams,” she muttered under her breath. They were always too vivid for her, always lingering in her mind longer than they should. But this one felt different. Important, somehow.

She pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them, staring blankly ahead. Something wasn’t right, though she just didn’t know what it was yet.

The flight back to Anchorage kept playing in her mind, like a cruel loop she couldn’t escape. The feel of Eros’s arms around her, the way his grip lingered even after they landed. The hesitation, the unspoken words. And then, just like that, he was gone, walking away before she could process it. Before she could even breathe.

She shook her head, inhaling sharply through her nose. Focus. The party was in a few hours. She had to keep herself together.

Psyche exhaled, forcing her shoulders to relax. She could do this. She had to. It wasn’t like she was new to navigating social situations—she’d done it her whole life. Masking was second nature by now, blending in, keeping herself from standing out too much.

She stood from the bed and moved to the mirror, studying her reflection. Her face was neutral, but if she just softened it a little—yes, that slight upturn of her lips, that would work. Not too much, not too little. Just enough to look like she belonged in the celebration without drawing attention.

She adjusted her posture, pulling her shoulders back. The plan was simple: slip into the party, make small talk when necessary, and blend into the crowd. No one would be paying much attention to her anyway, not with the twins being the focus of the day. And if she saw Eros…well, she would just keep walking.

Right. That was the plan.

Still, she couldn’t shake the lingering sadness in her chest. The way he had held onto her for that extra moment before letting go. The way he had walked away without another word. It had felt final, and that was what she wanted. Wasn’t it?

Psyche swallowed hard and turned from the mirror. It didn’t matter what it felt like. It was done.

She smoothed down her clothes and took a deep breath before stepping out of her room. Time to put the mask on.

Just as she reached the front door, she heard her name.

“Psyche, dear.”

She stopped mid-step, turning to see Aphrodite standing in the hallway, draped in a flowing golden dress that shimmered even under the soft lights of the pack house.

Psyche quickly plastered on a polite smile, her muscles tightening in anticipation. “Lady Aphrodite,” she greeted.

The goddess approached, her gaze sweeping over Psyche in a way that felt oddly assessing. “How are you, darling?” Her voice was light, but there was something beneath it, something careful.

Psyche hesitated, caught off guard. It felt strange, like an off note in a familiar melody.

“I’m fine,” she said quickly.

Aphrodite tilted her head, her perfectly manicured fingers brushing over a golden bracelet. “Are you sure?”

Psyche’s heartbeat ticked up a notch. She had no doubt that Aphrodite was perceptive, but it seemed unlikely that Eros had told her anything. He wouldn’t, right?

Trying to keep her expression neutral, Psyche asked, “Why? Do you think something is wrong?”

Aphrodite paused for the briefest moment, her lips curving into a slow smile. “Oh, I don’t, dear.”

Psyche held her gaze, the silver-blue eyes the exact same as her son’s. She tried to decipher the goddess’s meaning, but Aphrodite was unreadable—poised as always. A small flicker of unease curled in Psyche’s stomach.

Not wanting to linger on whatever Aphrodite wasn’t saying, she shifted the conversation.

“You’re here early,” she noted. “I thought the party wasn’t for another couple of hours.”

Aphrodite let out a light laugh, tucking a strand of golden hair behind her ear. “Oh, Hephaestus and I had to speak with Eros about something. We thought it best to do so before the festivities.”

Something in the way she said it made Psyche’s skin prickle, but she nodded. “Oh. Okay.” She forced herself to sound casual. “Well, I should go help Artemis with the setup.”

Aphrodite’s smile stayed in place, but her gaze lingered on Psyche for a second longer. “Of course, dear. Don’t let me keep you.”

Psyche nodded and turned toward the door, resisting the urge to glance back. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Aphrodite knew something. Or at least, suspected it.

She decided to check out the backyard of the Alpha’s house first, but it was empty. The pen where the babies sometimes played was quiet, and she didn’t hear any of the usual bustling activity. With a small sigh, she turned back toward the front of the house.

As she rounded the corner, she spotted Artemis walking up the porch steps, the babies’ magical carriers floating behind her. The twins were nestled inside, their little faces peering out with curiosity.

Psyche called out to them, and Artemis turned, her face lighting up. “Hi!” she said warmly. It looked like she was genuinely happy to see her.

“I was just looking for you all,” she said, glancing at the twins.

Artemis grinned. “They were getting restless, and I think they know something special is happening today. They’ve been excited all morning.”

Psyche knelt in front of the carriers, offering a smile to the twins. “Hello, babies,” she said softly. The twins giggled and kicked their little feet in response.

“They’re always so happy,” she observed, glancing up at Artemis.

Artemis nodded. “Yes, they are. And I swear they know this day is all about them.”

“That, or they just love being the center of attention,” Psyche chuckled.

Artemis led them to the living room, and she set the magical carriers down. With a flick of her wrist, the enchanted restraints faded away, allowing the twins to crawl and toddle freely. They wasted no time, giggling as they explored the space, their little hands grabbing at anything within reach.

Psyche settled onto the couch, watching as Liam made his way over and plopped down near her feet. She smiled and reached out, letting the baby grab onto her fingers.

“They’re fast,” she noted, amusement in her voice.

Artemis chuckled as she leaned against the arm of a nearby chair. “Oh, you have no idea. It’s like they’ve got a built-in radar for anything they shouldn’t touch.”

Psyche grinned. “That sounds exhausting.”

“It is,” Artemis admitted with a laugh. “But at least I’ve learned what to prioritize. Like leaving all the party setup to Hannah and the events team. They know exactly how I like things now.”

“That’s nice,” she said, watching as Phoebe made a beeline for Artemis and raised her arms, demanding to be picked up. Artemis obliged, scooping her up.

“Yeah,” Artemis said, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s head. “Motherhood forces you to pick your battles. I used to stress over every little detail, but now? As long as my babies are happy and safe, everything else can wait.”

Psyche watched them, feeling a mix of admiration and something she couldn’t quite put a name to. Maybe it was longing. Maybe it was just the realization of how much life had changed in such a short time.

Phoebe babbled, waving her tiny hand as if she had something very important to say. Artemis smiled and nodded as if she completely understood.

“She’s got a lot to say.”

“Oh, always. And I’m pretty sure half of it is about how she’s already in charge of us all,” Artemis said fondly.

Liam, still holding onto Psyche’s fingers, suddenly used his grip to pull himself up.

Psyche gasped slightly but adjusted quickly, steadying the baby with her hands. “Whoa, look at you,” Psyche said, laughing as Liam wobbled on his little legs, beaming up at her with a toothy grin.

“He’s showing off,” Artemis teased.

“Well, it’s working,” she replied, feeling some of the tension from earlier ease away.

“So, how has work been?” Artemis asked.

“It’s been interesting. The research is fascinating, but it’s a dig, so everything goes slow.” She laughed lightly. “You know, revealing the fossils, a little at a time.”

Artemis laughed along with her, clearly amused. “Sounds like it requires a lot of patience,” she remarked, her eyes twinkling.

Psyche nodded, her smile widening. “Definitely. Some days it feels like we’re barely making progress, but then you find that one little piece, and it makes it all worth it.”

“That sounds…painstaking.”

“It is, but that’s part of the appeal. There’s something satisfying about it, you know? Finding something that’s been buried for millions of years and carefully bringing it back into the light.”

“I get that. It’s like tracking—patient work, but the reward is worth it.”

Psyche tilted her head, considering. “Yeah, I guess it is kind of like that.”

Liam babbled something unintelligible, smacking a tiny hand against Psyche’s knee.

Artemis grinned and ruffled his hair. “They’re fascinated by you, you know.”

Psyche looked down at the child, who stared up at her with wide, curious eyes. “They’re just being babies.”

Artemis shook her head. “No, they like you.”

Psyche smoothed the fabric of the baby’s onesie absentmindedly. “They like everyone, don’t they?”

Artemis gave her a knowing look. “They’re a little picky, actually.”

Psyche let out a small laugh. “Well, I guess I should feel honored then.”

“You should,” Artemis said, settling back against the couch. “You have good energy. Babies are drawn to that.”

Psyche didn’t know what to say to that, so she just smiled and focused on the warmth of the tiny body against her. She didn’t always understand how people saw her, but right now, in this moment, she felt…steady.

She shrugged. “They’re easy to understand. When they want something, they just let you know.”

“Speaking of things that aren’t so easy to understand…what about Eros?”

Psyche’s smile faltered for a moment, then she said, “Oh,” her voice barely above a whisper.

Artemis studied her for a beat before continuing. “Well, I saw him earlier, and he wasn’t himself, so of course, I couldn’t let that go.” She shook her head. “He told me what happened between you two, and that was so out of character, you know? He seems really off.”

“I see,” Psyche said as she absorbed Artemis’s words. She thought back to everything—the connection, the confusion, the ending.

“We were seeing each other, but that’s ended.”

“I’ve known Eros his whole life. He’s never been with anyone like he was with you,” she said, her words hanging in the air.

Psyche fell quiet, and she absently traced patterns on the fabric of her pants. “I don’t know what to say,” she finally murmured.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Artemis said. “But I think you should at least hear me out.”

Psyche exhaled through her nose, still not meeting Artemis’s eyes. “Go ahead.”

Artemis shifted in her seat. “Eros doesn’t open up to people. He never has. And when he does let someone in, it’s never for long.” She paused. “But with you, it was different. He changed.”

She scoffed lightly, though there was no real humor in it. “Did he?”

“Yes.” Artemis leaned forward. “Do you think I’d say this if I didn’t mean it? I’ve never seen him like this. He’s always been distant when it came to love, to relationships. He never let anyone get too close.”

Psyche looked down at Liam, who was now contentedly babbling in her lap. “Maybe that was the problem. Maybe I got too close.”

Artemis tilted her head. “And is that why you ended it?”

Psyche hesitated, then shook her head. “No. I ended it because it wasn’t going to work. It never could.”

“Because you’re mortal?”

Artemis studied Psyche as the silence stretched between them.

“Do you love him?” Artemis asked gently.

“That’s…complicated.”

“That’s not a real answer,” Artemis scoffed.

Psyche sighed, rubbing at her temple. “It’s the only one I have right now.”

“You don’t have to tell me, but you should at least be honest with yourself.”

Psyche frowned but didn’t respond. She knew Artemis wasn’t trying to pressure her, but the words still felt like they were pressing down on her. She let out a slow breath and stared down at her hands, pressing her fingertips together, grounding herself in the sensation. Hearing it said out loud— he’s never been with anyone like he was with you —felt like a weight pressing against her ribs.

She finally looked up. “This doesn’t change anything.”

Artemis tilted her head. “Doesn’t it?”

Psyche exhaled sharply. “I had to end it. I had to.”

“I’m not arguing that,” Artemis said calmly. “I’m just saying…whatever you two had, it wasn’t nothing.”

“I know that,” Psyche admitted. “But knowing doesn’t make it easier.”

Artemis nodded. “You don’t have to explain it to me. I just wanted you to know—he’s not okay. And neither are you.”

Psyche let out a short laugh, though there was no humor in it. “I’ll survive.”

“I know you will.” Artemis leaned back, watching as Phoebe tugged at her shirt. “But surviving isn’t the same as living, is it?”

Psyche didn’t have an answer for that. A strange unease settled over her, a nagging feeling she couldn’t quite place. Something was off, but she didn’t know what. “I don’t know,” she finally said, glancing at Artemis. “I just…feel like something isn’t right.”

Artemis studied her for a moment, then exhaled. “I think you should know something.”

Psyche’s brow furrowed. “What is it?”

“Bob put you under a spell,” she said carefully. “It made you sleep. And while you were under, he demanded the pyxis.”

Psyche’s breath caught in her throat. “What?”

Artemis nodded. “Eros went to the Underworld to get it.”

Psyche stared, her heartbeat quickening.

“He made it through the Fields of Punishment,” Artemis continued, “and then into the Acheron River.”

Her breath grew unsteady as she tried to process Artemis’s words. A spell. Bob. The pyxis. The Underworld. Eros.

Her mind felt like it was struggling to catch up, like puzzle pieces scattering before they could fit together.

“He—” Her voice faltered, and she swallowed hard. “He went to the Underworld?”

Artemis nodded. “Yes. Straight into the Fields of Punishment and then into the Acheron River.”

Psyche shook her head. “But—why?” Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her jeans. “Why would he do that?”

Artemis gave her a look like she already knew the answer but wasn’t going to say it for her.

Psyche exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. “That’s—” She hesitated. “That’s reckless. The Acheron? Do you know what that does to souls?”

“I do,” Artemis said. “And so does Eros.”

Psyche’s stomach twisted. The Acheron wasn’t just another river of the Underworld. It was a river of pain, of suffering. Souls that touched it lost themselves. It drained them, hollowed them out. And Eros—he had gone in willingly?

She felt her chest tighten and pressed a hand against her sternum as if trying to steady the chaotic emotions building inside her.

She had ended things with Eros. She had told herself it was for the best. They shouldn’t have started anything in the first place. But now—this changed things. He had gone to the Underworld. Risked himself.

For her.

The thought left her shaken.

She forced herself to meet Artemis’s gaze. “I need to talk to him.”

Artemis nodded like she had expected that. “Then you should do it soon.”

“Where could he even be?” Psyche asked, shifting her weight as an anxious energy settled in her chest.

“Oh, he’s at the archery lesson behind the barn. I make him teach archery to our packmates.”

Psyche nodded, her fingers tightening at her sides. “Oh, okay. I should go there.”

She crouched down, placing Liam gently on the floor, smoothing a hand over his soft curls. “Bye, baby. I’ll see you later.”

Liam gurgled in response and smiled at her.

“See you later,” Artemis said with a smile.

Psyche rushed out of the house, her heart beating a little faster as she made her way toward the barn. When she got closer, she slowed down, spotting him immediately. Eros stood at the archery range, bow in hand, his stance steady and effortless. He released an arrow, and it sliced cleanly through the air, hitting its mark. He looked good—too good, really—but she forced herself to focus.

Then he turned to a teenager nearby, adjusting the boy’s grip with careful, precise movements. His voice was calm, instructing, and patient. Then, as soon as he was done, he walked away.

Oh no.

Psyche’s stomach twisted, and she picked up her pace. But he was moving too fast.

She started walking faster. Then, realizing she wouldn’t catch up, she broke into a run.

“Eros!”

He stopped and turned just as she reached him—too fast to stop herself and she collided with his chest.

“Psyche?” His hands caught her waist, steadying her before she could fall. His touch sent a jolt through her, and for a moment, everything else seemed to disappear.

Psyche steadied herself, heart pounding, hands still pressed against Eros’s chest. His warmth seeped through his shirt, but his expression was unreadable. Everything she had just learned sat heavy in her chest, and the words tumbled out before she could stop them.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Eros blinked, his brows pulling together. “What?”

“Why didn’t you tell me about Bob?” she demanded, stepping back slightly.

Eros exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. “Fucking Artemis,” he muttered. “I shouldn’t have told her anything.”

Psyche’s stomach twisted. “Why didn’t you tell me that you had to get the pyxis?” she pressed, her voice firmer now.

He let out a slow breath. “I didn’t want to seem manipulative,” he admitted. “You wanted to break up, and I wanted you to know that I respect your feelings.”

She stared at him, her heart aching. “But, Eros…all those things you did—it means that you love me,” she said, searching his face. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

His carefully guarded expression faltered. Then, after a beat, he shrugged and said, “It might be genetic.”

She blinked. “What? How can that be genetic? That doesn’t make sense.”

He shook his head, a small smile ghosting over his lips. “Forget it, Psyche.”

She stared at him, exasperation and disbelief swirling inside her. “How can you be so dumb?” she asked, voice thick with frustration and something deeper—something raw and aching.

He let out a short laugh, though there was no real amusement in it. “Jeez, tell me how you really feel,” he said, arching an eyebrow.

“Oh, I will,” she shot back. Her pulse was racing, but she didn’t hesitate. “You know I wasn’t sure about us, but for you to go through all those things because of me? It’s obvious.”

She lifted a hand, fingers trembling slightly as they pressed gently against his face. His skin was warm beneath her touch, his sharp features softening as he leaned into her palm.

“Do you love me?” she whispered, searching his silver-blue eyes. She could see it now—everything he had been through and felt, all laid bare before her: the exhaustion, the pain, the devotion.

“Yes,” he said, his voice low but steady. “Of course, I love you. I’m crazy about you.”

A breath she hadn’t realized she was holding left her in a rush as she surged forward, pulling him into a kiss. His lips met hers with an urgency that sent a shiver down her spine. It felt right, like something slotting into place, like something she should have always known.

When she pulled away, her forehead rested against his, her fingers still cradling his jaw. “I love you, Eros. Can we love each other and be together?”

His answer came not in words at first but in another kiss—deeper this time, full of unspoken promises. When he finally broke away, his breath mingled with hers.

“Yes,” he murmured, his hands tightening around her. “That’s what I want—so much.”

She smiled up at him. “I’ve never felt this certain about anything before,” she said, her voice steady. “Somehow, you and me, we make sense.”

He chuckled, his eyes glinting with something both warm and mischievous. “Hold on,” he murmured, tightening his arms around her.

Before she could question it, the air around them shifted—her stomach swooped, like the moment just before a fall, and then suddenly, they weren’t outside anymore. The scent of pine and crisp Alaskan air was gone, replaced by the familiar scent of her room in the pack house. Her feet were on solid ground again, but her head spun, disorientated.

“What just happened?” she asked, blinking as she looked around.

Eros smirked, clearly pleased with himself. “We teleported.”

“How is that possible?”

“I got my powers back,” he said smugly.

“Really?” she asked, excitement creeping into her voice.

He nodded. “Yeah. I guess I know what it means to be human now.” His expression softened, and he cupped her cheek. “The council said I would regain my powers once I understood that.”

“Oh, Eros,” she whispered, her heart swelling as she threw her arms around him. She pressed herself into him, warmth spreading through her chest as his strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her impossibly close.

He held her tight, his lips brushing against her hair in a way that made her shiver.

Then she pulled back slightly, tilting her head. “But why are we here?”

His lips curled into a wicked grin, his eyes darkening with intent. “Well,” he said, lowering his voice, “we’re going to have make up sex, and I didn’t want to wait—especially since there’s a party we still have to go to.”

“You’re impossible,” she laughed. She barely had time before Eros claimed her lips in a kiss that sent a rush of heat through her body. It was deep and slow at first, his lips moving against hers like he was savoring the moment, memorizing her taste. He slid his hands down her back, pulling her flush against him, and she melted into his touch, her fingers threading through his hair.

Eros chuckled, brushing his fingers over her cheek. “You check all my boxes, and I didn’t even know that I needed them,” he murmured against her lips.

Psyche pulled back slightly, and she started snapping her fingers, the rhythmic clicks filling the space between them.

Eros tilted his head, watching her with curiosity. “What’s this?” he asked, motioning toward her fingers.

She giggled, her face lighting up. “This is stimming too—but I’m happy,” she explained, the excitement in her voice unmistakable.

Eros grinned, brushing his nose against hers. “Checking all my boxes makes you happy?” he murmured.

She nodded enthusiastically, her fingers still snapping. She practically vibrated with joy.

His grin widened. “Oh, right. You like lists. Should I write it down for you?”

Psyche’s smile softened, and instead of answering, she leaned in and kissed him. Her heart pounded, and she clutched at his shirt, pulling him closer as if she could fuse them together. He groaned softly, tilting his head to deepen the kiss, and her knees nearly gave out beneath her.

Eros caught her easily, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other sliding up to cup the side of her face. His thumb brushed over her cheek, gentle in contrast to the raw hunger in his kiss.

The kiss shifted, growing more intense and urgent, like he had been holding himself back for too long. His lips pressed harder, his breath warm against her skin, and she felt everything they had been through in the way he kissed her. It was an apology, a promise, a confession all at once.

Psyche felt everything in that moment—love, relief, longing, the unshakable certainty that this was where she was meant to be. And as she kissed him, she poured all of it into him, letting him feel it too.

Then she felt a pull so fierce it stole the breath from her lungs and hit her all at once.

Psyche’s body locked up, her vision blurring at the edges as a searing heat swept through her veins. It was overwhelming like something inside her was being unraveled, pulled away, piece by piece, yet she didn’t feel empty. She felt…connected.

Her hands clutched at her chest as if she could physically hold onto whatever part of her was slipping away. But she wasn’t losing anything—she was gaining something. Or rather, someone.

Eros.

Her soul stretched toward his, recognizing, claiming, binding. It wasn’t just a feeling—it was a knowing, something ancient and instinctual, something written into her very bones. A breath hitched in her throat as her heart seemed to stop—and then it restarted, beating in perfect sync with his.

She could feel him. Not just his presence, but his emotions intertwining with hers—his awe, his need, the way he struggled to steady himself even as the bond overwhelmed him. His feelings surged through her like a tide, undeniable and inescapable, merging with her own in a way that left her breathless.

Eros stared at her, his silver-blue eyes wide with something between wonder and disbelief. “What’s happening?” he breathed.

She pressed a hand over her chest, feeling the invisible threads of the bond pulling tighter, weaving something unbreakable between them. “It’s the anami ekarde ,” she whispered. “My wolf chose you to be my mate. Our hearts and souls ripped themselves apart to knit together.”

A sharp gasp left her lips as another wave of the connection crashed over her. She felt him—his warmth, his strength, his hesitation, and the way he was trying to make sense of something so primal, so absolute.

He lifted a hand, pressing his palm to his chest. “Psyche—” he started, but the words faded as something deeper took hold, pulling them into a fate neither of them could escape.

The bond was sealing.

And then, with one final snap—it was done.

A rush of warmth flooded her, unlike anything she had ever known. It was safety, belonging, certainty. A love so deep it settled into her very being, reshaping her world in an instant.

She gasped, meeting his gaze, and the silver-blue depths of his eyes were filled with the same wonder, the same undeniable truth.

They were bound. Forever.