Page 6 of Unsanctioned (Devilish #2)

Six weeks earlier…

Celeste picked her way through the halls of Valhalla, stepping over drunken men with her head held high.

It wasn’t in her to beg, and she wouldn’t, but she knew in her gut when something should be.

Her glimpses into the future with Audor had always been hazy, and she had never been sure why.

She had suspected it had something to do with her brother, since Audor had been destined to end up in Wulfe.

Now she saw it. Audor was meant to love a wolf.

Only once since the beginning of time had Celeste found a loophole to bring a wolf and vampire together.

A human had been fated to end up with either, so he had gotten both.

Odin had been furious with the loss of an alpha.

Now here she was again with another alpha on the hook.

Odin might very well go to war over this one.

She had no idea how this conversation would end. But, as always, she had a plan.

Odin huffed at the sight of her. “No. Whatever it is, no. You never come here unless you want something, and I never like it.”

Celeste laughed. Despite all their differences, Celeste liked him better than other gods. They had never fought. Their creations had always banded together. She didn’t understand why he couldn’t see how much stronger they could be as a team.

“Don’t worry. I haven’t come to ask for anything.” She held up the dice she carried. “I’ve come to wager you for it.”

The eye Odin still possessed sparkled with laughter. “You’ve come to lose, eh?” He motioned toward the chair across from him and waved for everyone to leave them. “Sit and say what it is you’re after, then.”

If Odin didn’t already know, it showed how little attention he paid to his packs. “Waylon Black’s soul.”

A roar of obnoxious and obviously faked laughter echoed from the walls of the great hall. “You must be joking. What is it you plan to lose, then? You’ve already stolen one alpha from me.”

“I didn’t steal Raff. You were handsomely rewarded.”

“Recompense, not reward. I think that’s what you meant.”

Celeste waved away his words. She sat and tucked a strand of her shining blond hair behind her ear.

Celeste eyed him, sizing him up. Odin was a massive guy with scars and muscles for days.

He had seen some things. Odin was a warrior through and through.

Celeste wasn’t sure she had much to offer he would accept, but this was too important not to try.

She dumped the dice on the table. “Best of three. If I win, I get Waylon. You win, and you can have a night with me.”

Odin’s eyebrows shot up. It was obvious she had shocked him speechless. No one got a night with her.

Celeste couldn’t hold his stare. She humbled herself for no one, but she was in love with falling in love. Celeste couldn’t break Waylon or Audor by pairing them with anyone else. She picked up the dice, ready to toss them if he was ready to deal.

Odin’s giant hand covered hers, stopping the motion.

Celeste lifted her gaze.

Odin stared at her in a kind way she had never experienced from him. “Say you want one night with me for real, and not on some lost wager. If that’s true, I’ll give you more than Waylon. We can discuss joining our clans.”

Her pride pricked, making her want to deny any type of true desire. Celeste’s mouth didn’t give a fuck about her pride. It beat her good sense to the punch. “I want you for real.” That was saying a lot, considering how muted emotions were here.

Odin sat back hard, as if shock took the wind from his sails. “Then you should stay.”

Celeste felt the way those words shifted everything for the future. She practically felt history reshape. “Okay.”

Like that, her fate was sealed.

Present day…

Waylon couldn’t stop staring at himself in the mirror.

The scar on his neck was an even bigger miracle than he ever dreamed, except it was also a nightmare.

Audor had disappeared again. There was a hole in the center of Waylon’s chest, and he had no idea who to ask if this was real.

Maybe he had just gotten so old, his scars finally showed.

He had no clue. All he knew was this shouldn’t be possible.

Yet he felt Audor missing from him like a limb and he realized now he had since the first night Audor ended things.

I can feel you missing from me. Please come back.

He kept making the silent plea, only to be met with more emptiness. Waylon had no idea where Audor had gone, but it was as if he was dead. He couldn’t feel Audor at all. It was suffocating.

I’m the alpha here. I can’t leave to find you. Please.

Waylon begged no one, but he couldn’t stop.

There was no way Audor understood the place he was in.

When Waylon had accepted his position to lead this pack, he had known it meant he had to stay with them.

The only way he could chase Audor was if he stepped down.

The temptation was massive. He had given enough.

When would it be his turn? Waylon mentally flipped through the list of possible replacements.

They were all too young. Too hot headed. Fuck. He hated this.

“You didn’t show up for work. People are worried after your fight last night.”

Waylon met Riku’s stare in the mirror. “You just popping into people’s homes now?”

Riku flashed a smile. “Godling. I do what I want. Plus, I was genuinely concerned. Audor marked your skin and took your blood, but you haven’t taken his.

That’s a dark place to be in. You belong to him, but he doesn’t yet belong to you.

I had to make sure you weren’t planning something stupid. The pain is massive.”

Waylon moved away from the mirror and grabbed a shirt. He angrily pulled it on. It seemed he had to go to fucking work or this whole goddamn town would be at his door—like he wasn’t allowed one damn night of losing his temper. “What would you know about it?”

Riku followed him from the bathroom into the bedroom. He sat on the bed. “A lot, actually. I have an unclaimed mate.”

That froze Waylon in his tracks. “I hadn’t heard that.”

A soft chuckle rumbled from Riku. “This gossipy town doesn’t know everything.”

Finding out Riku had an unclaimed mate had shocked him for half a second, but he landed on enraged in the end.

“You have a mate and they’re just out there hurting because…

why? That’s a shitty thing to do to a person.

” He knew he was projecting, but damn. Waylon didn’t understand why people were handed blessings straight from Celeste and turned their backs.

How could Riku do that? It was cruel. Just like what Audor did to him now.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.

Vampires and Weres weren’t supposed to be possible, but they were.

Defying all odds, Audor belonged to him.

This was massive. It was beautiful history-making.

This was the most hateful thing anyone had ever done to him, denying him love.

How fucking dare Riku so casually speak of doing the same?

“It’s Lucifer.”

Waylon sat. Thankfully, the bed was there to catch him. One second, he stood. The next, he was on his ass. His gaze locked on Riku and wouldn’t budge. He was serious. It was in his eyes. “Holy shit.”

A sad smile touched Riku’s lips. He looked away. His throat moved on what looked to be a painful swallow. “Yeah. That was pretty much my reaction too.”

Waylon’s problems were all the way forgotten. “What do you plan to do?”

Riku’s hands rose and fell, landing on his lap. “I’ve been round and round in my head and I don’t know. But I know I won’t make it much longer one way or the other. I’m old and strong, but this is beating me. Every day is like setting myself on fire. But what am I supposed to do?”

Waylon had no idea. What would happen if Riku claimed Lucifer?

The prospects were endless and horrific.

Another thought sneaked in. Riku was the best person he knew.

Maybe he had just projected his anger on the guy, but Riku watched out for this town every bit as much as Waylon.

He certainly prayed for them more than anyone.

With an open line to the gods, that meant a lot.

No one with that much heart would be given a challenge he couldn’t handle.

“You should claim him.”

Riku’s gaze shot his way. “You realize that could mean the end of everything. I’m a descendant of Jormungandr. Lucifer’s future is shrouded in darkness, hidden from even Celeste.

Jormungandr has always been predicted to end the world.

This could be the catalyst. Do you think Jormungandr would approve of this match? ”

Waylon shrugged. “I don’t know anything about the guy, but Celeste wouldn’t have chosen you if she didn’t believe in you.

She’s obviously still seeing a future—no matter what you choose.

So, obviously, the world isn’t nearing its end.

” That seemed pretty cut and dry to Waylon.

If Celeste saw all except her brother, things obviously worked out.

Surely Riku would know if she saw the end of the rest of them.

Riku looked away again. “Maybe everything works out because I choose death.”

Waylon’s shoulders fell. He hadn’t considered that, but obviously, Riku had.

Without thinking, he took Riku’s hand and squeezed, bringing Riku’s gaze his way.

Waylon waited until he had Riku’s attention.

“What do you think Lucifer would do if you chose that path?” Waylon was genuinely curious.

It was obvious this was the true reason Lucifer kept showing up in his town.

There was no way Lucifer didn’t know Riku was his.

Lucifer was known for his greed. Waylon couldn’t imagine what would happen if a gift from his sister slipped through his fingers.

Truly, he couldn’t picture it. He had no idea how someone evil like Lucifer would view this.

Riku held his stare. “I can’t say for sure, but I have a bad feeling I know. That’s why I haven’t done it.”

The weight of the situation fully fell on Waylon’s shoulders.

If Riku chose death, Lucifer would raze this town to the ground, but likely the rest of the world would be saved.

Sometimes, there were no good choices. Only choices.

One day very soon, Riku would have to decide, and it would affect them all.

Audor roamed the perimeter of King Jonathan’s Louisiana hidden fortress.

It was endless acres of magical land that expanded as needed.

It couldn’t be found on any map or seen at all unless your name was on a guest list or personally invited.

Thankfully, Audor’s name was on the list. He needed the peaceful respite.

The moonlight poured down on him, enveloping him in its healing hold.

His mate was out there, under this same moon.

Audor rubbed his chest. He heard Waylon’s thoughts.

His pleas. He knew Waylon would never beg anyone.

Yet he did Audor. It was heartbreaking. An alpha should have never been brought so low.

Waylon didn’t deserve this. He should have been given a wolf's mate to run beneath the full moon with him. Now Waylon was stuck feeling more than he should for someone he hadn’t wanted beyond sex.

Even then, he had considered being with Audor as a waste of time.

How was Audor supposed to return to Wulfe?

Everyone knew Waylon hadn’t been his when Audor marked his skin.

He looked like a fucking fool. Topping things off, this match shouldn’t even be.

Odin would likely see him dead first. He kept waiting for the lightning to strike.

“Your thoughts are exhausting. I’m having a hard time understanding why Celeste wanted this for you.” Audor spun. At the sight of the gigantic, scarred warrior in an eye patch, Audor immediately hit his knees. Odin wasn’t his god, but he was still a god, deserving of honor.

“Stand up, boy. I’m too old to be cricking my neck like this.”

Audor slowly moved to his feet. He didn’t know what to say. This was a position he never even entertained. He licked his lips. “Sorry. I don’t actually know how to greet you. How may I be of service?”

“You can get your ass back to Wulfe and accept the gift Celeste has given you, dumbass.” Odin pinched the spot between his eyes.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this. First time in my entire existence, I thought with my dick.

” He muttered the words under his breath.

Odin dropped his hand. His one bright blue eye pinned Audor in place.

“Waylon was handpicked by me as the northwest pack leader. He’s a wolf of worth.

You insult me and Celeste by turning your back on this honor you’ve been bestowed.

Goddess knows I wouldn’t have chosen this.

” He paused and stared at nothing. “Not that I have regrets. The opposite, in fact. I should get back.” Odin disappeared as quickly as he appeared, leaving Audor reeling.

“Holy shit. Was that Odin?”

Audor forced his head to turn toward the voice. Tam was nearby, riding his husband’s shoulders in an attempt to climb a tree. The pair were frozen, staring at where Odin had stood only moments earlier, and proving Audor hadn’t imagined things.

“It would seem so.” Even Audor heard the shock in his voice.

Tam visibly swallowed. “He’s much bigger than I expected.”

Audor nodded, feeling frozen by the experience.

“You should do as he says.”

Audor nodded again, wondering if his mind had finally snapped.

“You know, you could just have your mate take you up the tree with his mind, right?” Audor didn’t know why he said the words. It was like his mouth needed to do something while his brain sat frozen.

Tam blinked. “I know. This isn’t about being in the tree. It’s about living the experience of the climb. We’re making a happy memory.”

Fuck. He was so right. All along, his love had never been about ultimately becoming Waylon’s mate.

He had adored every second of the experience of just being with Waylon with zero hope of this miracle.

But now, he had reached a goal he hadn’t even known possible, and he got to keep this love forever.

He would always know his love was real, regardless of this blessing because he had loved Waylon even when there had been no hope.

Each second the shock thawed, the bigger the truth got.

This was real. It was really real. Celeste and Odin had chosen them.

Holy shit. He was floored. What was he supposed to do now?