Wedding day Choas

Ry clutched Jaden's hand as they walked down the narrow stairs side by side. He gritted his teeth as he tightened his grip on her trembling hand, wishing there was something of comfort he could say to her.

"I'm so sorry… I… I… didn't think… I know Russ can be rash, but I should have put more thought into my actions… and my words. I shouldn't have put you in such a position." She paused halfway down the stairs, tears streaming down her cheeks. "And on such an important… such a dangerous day… It was thoughtless and selfish of me." 

She tried to pull her hand away, but he tightened his grip. Ry blew out a frustrated sigh and took a few more steps below her so that they could be on a more equal footing. He cupped her face, wiping the tears with the pad of his large thumb. "My brother didn't mean any of what he said in there… directly at you or Russ. It was solely meant for me. As for the other wolves knowing… well, it is what it is. I'm not embarrassed by what I am to you or Russ either." He sent her his most charming smile. "Even if you hadn't marked me, what had you expected once you had my child?" He brushed away a damp strand of her hair. "Did you expect me to ignore you and the child both? No, I'll be an active part of both your lives in whatever capacity you will allow." His smile widened. "And I'll do so with the full realization that some will recognize my relation to the child. Just as the wolves can sense your marks on my body now, the gods will be able to sense my blood in my children's veins. You should know that now before we continue further."

Jaden nodded. "That is fine with me. I want your child. But still… I should have waited… Russ should have as well…"

Ry chuckled as he pulled her closer and pressed his forehead to hers. "I can't argue that, but when has Russ ever done anything for convenience." He sent her a sly smile. "And I'll guess seeing his mark made you want to mark me as well?"

A dark blush spread across her cheeks as she nodded against his grip. "How did you know?"

He thought back to what Russ had said that morning and shrugged. "A guess…" He brushed away any traces of smudged makeup before asking. "Now, are you ready to find Russ?"

She nodded and slipped her hand back into his waiting out-stretched palm. She pressed her forehead against the back of his dress shirt as he turned his back to her. "You really are the kindest man I've ever met… I wish there was a way you could mark me…"

Ry paused once again. He turned back to her and pressed her palm over the concealed tattoo on his chest. "Perhaps there is a way, if you would really want me to do such a thing…"

Before she could answer, Russ's voice echoed from the foot of the stairs. "There you are. Is Jaden with you?"

Ry turned his attention back around and guided her down with him. "She is. Are you ready?"

Russ hesitated as he glanced back at the office door he'd just come out of. "Yeah… I just finished talking with Jos… but some cloaked woman went in there after me…"

Ry clasped Russ's other hand as he headed for the back door. "Trust me, whatever she has planned just keep out of it. Arei is well aware and doesn't have a single desire to stop her."

Russ furrowed his brows. "But…"

Ry shook his head. "No use, I've tried several times now to talk with both of them. She thinks he's clueless, and he refuses to tell me his own twisted plan in all this… only that he more or less knows what she's got in mind…" He shook his head. "I'm half tempted to throw you both back in the vehicle this very second and drive as far away from this damn island as possible, as fast as possible."

Clueless of their surroundings Jaden and Russ both pulled him to a stop at the edge of the back walkway leading to the main seating area. "We can't do that. It would look too suspicious and put them in danger." Russ barked out in a low voice as Jaden nodded in agreement.

The muscles of Ry's jaws clenched as his own desire warred against the logic of their words. He squeezed both their hands with a growl as he continued walking toward the seating area. "Fine but back row and the second I say we leave… we leave… got it."

They were both agreeing when their path became blocked, and their conversation interrupted. Ry instinctively tightened his hold on Russ's hand as he tried to pull away. A smirk curved his lips when Jaden involuntarily clasped his hand with both hers and stepped closer, nearly hiding her entire body behind his arm. His gaze narrowed on the glaring eyes burning into them from over his father's shoulder.

Poseidon's excitement shifted, and his nerves began to reflect as he stumbled over his words. "Son… Funny story…" He ran his hand through his hair as his gaze continued to move from his son's hands and the nervous eyes of the two individuals standing on either side of him. He did his best to block them with his body but knew good and well it was much too late for that as he heard heavy breathing behind him. He forced an awkward smile as he held out a hand. "Guess who happened to show up late to the party the other night after you'd already left no less… I'd mentioned this splendid occasion and what do you know, here she is… hahaha…ahh…" His smile began to slip as Artemis stepped out from behind him in silence.

Ry stepped forward pushing Russ and Jaden both behind him as he did. "Artemis…" Her name had barely left his lips before a sharp slap flew across his face. He closed his eyes against the sting of her strong hit.

She furrowed her brows in anger as her glare moved between him and the two wolves. "This is why you were so eager to be rid of me after I rescued you from that gods forsaken island? So, you could get back to the pups you're fucking?" Her glare moved to them. "You realize you are nothing more than a plaything to him? A passing fancy until he gets bored and finds another new toy to play with? You think because you mark him, he will stay?" She snarled her nose. "There is nothing man, beast, nor god that can tame this animal's savage heart. Trust me."

Jaden clenched her fists as she stepped forward. "Then why are you here and so angry now if that is the case? Why not be glad that he has found a new passing fancy and leave it at that?" She bowed her head. "My goddess?"

Seeing the vengeful rage burning in Artemis's eyes, Ry grabbed Jaden and clung to her with one arm as he made sure to press Russ more snuggly behind him with the other. "You're right. These two are the reason I was on that island… and the reason I didn't want to be with you while I was on it… and the one and only thing I had to live for…" His eyes shot behind him to Russ. "My motivation for living while there, and my motivation for getting off…" His gaze hardened on her. "Now that you've seen the truth with your own eyes, leave Artemis."

Her lips curled over her teeth. "How dare you!"

Ry blew out an irritated sigh. "What are you going to do, Artie? Are you going to try killing me again because I won't be with you? Are you going to force me to spend another 1000 years as an animal? Move on. I've never been more than a trophy for you anyway. That's not love."

She gritted her teeth as she quickly reached over her shoulder and her bow and quiver materialized. Ry flicked Jaden behind him in one rapid movement before holding his hands out wide. "Shoot me… but this time save us both the bother and actually hit a vital organ, will you?"

Having enough of the dramatics, Poseidon stepped between them. "Enough. He reached out his hand and placed it on Artemis. Within a blink of the eye, they were both gone. A few seconds later Poseidon was back. He blew out a heavy sigh. "I do apologize for that." He ran his hand through his hair again as he glanced between the trio. "I must admit, this is not at all what I expected to see here today… Um… congratulations… I suppose… though I'm not entirely sure what she was referring to."

Ry cleared his throat as he sent Russ and Jaden both a questioning glance. When they both nodded and stepped out beside him, he cleared his throat again. "Dad… we… Um… decided to… Um… be together… the three of us…"

Poseidon arched a brow. "I… see… interesting… And the others… they know already?"

Ry nodded. "Russ told Jos earlier, and I told Arei and Peg."

Jaden blushed heavily. "Shelly and some of the others kind of found out the… um, hard way…" Her embarrassed gaze moved up to meet his. "Similar to you."

Poseidon nodded. "I understand. I imagine it has come as a shock then. His curious gaze moved between the trio. "And... may I ask what brought this about?"

As Ry searched for a response, and Russ remained frozen in place, Jaden cleared her throat. "It seemed like the most practical option so that we all three got what we wanted most" Her cheeks reddened as she glanced up a Ry who she was still clinging to. "Though I may be getting the better deal of the three..."

Poseidon's brow arched. "I couldn't imagine, dear..."

Ry coughed to cover his surprise and irritation at his dad's true meaning. "If that's all, dad... We'll be going..."

"Yes... indeed..." Poseidon was still staring after the odd trio when a familiar giggle sounded from behind him.

"Children of these times. They really could give you and brother's younger selves a run for your money sometimes."

Poseidon shook his head as he turned to greet Hades and Persephone, who was still covering giggles with an intricately decorated fan. "I'm sorry, you've found me at a loss for words." He continued shaking his head as he turned back to watch them, his attention now on the other onlookers.

"I must admit, I too am curious as to what shall come of such a union. I'm glad Joslyn has decided to put trivial matters in the past." Zeus declared as he strolled up between his two brothers.

Persephone's laughter ended abruptly. "If you'll excuse me, gentlemen... Zeus..." She made her way toward the seating without another word, taking one near enough to exchange pleasantries with Ry and his companions.

Poseidon narrowed his eyes. "Yes... Rather nice of her indeed, though trivial would not be the exact word I'd use to express the devastation caused to the life of a descendent."

Zeus threw his arm around Poseidon's shoulder as a wide smile curved his lips. "Well then, I'd say it is wonderful that Jos is much more understanding than you, brother."

Poseidon narrowed his eyes. "Yes... remarkably so..."

Zeus looked around the back lawn. "So, tell me, brother. Where are those amazing grandchildren of yours that I've heard so much about? Our granddaughter? Yes?" He nudged him with his elbow.

Poseidon gritted his teeth. "The nursery. I was just about to head in and get them." He snarled his teeth. "I suppose if Jos has allowed you to visit with Shiori already, it would be no harm in you joining me now..."

Zeus rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Oh yes! I've gotten to meet with her twice now, though I must admit the little kit isn't quite taken with me just yet." He shrugged. "But I'm sure it's fine. She's still new to the family. I bet she's still a bit standoff-ish with everyone."

A sarcastic grin curved Poseidon's lips as they entered the rear of the house and made their way toward the nursery. "I wouldn't say standoff-ish... not with everyone." He had no sooner pushed open the nursery door and stepped through before Shiori and Cam were both running toward him. He quickly lowered to a crouch and held out his arms for them both. "How are my two favorite kiddos? What have the two of you to show me today?"

He sent Zeus a smirk as the children grabbed each other's hands and a tiger suddenly appeared in the room. "Big cat." Cam said happily.

"Oh yes. It looks very life-like. I'm so proud." Poseidon cooed as the tiger licked its giant paw in the center of the room.

Zeus's smile of amazement vanished as his head tilted to the side. "Brother, the girl... she is a Kitsume, correct..."

"Yes, why?"

"What is the other child, again?"

Poseidon arched a brow as he continued playing with the children, paying the tiger in the room no heed as it turned its attention to them in curiosity. "A Gin, why?"

The tiger stood and a toy crushed under its massive paw. Zeus swallowed hard. "Kitsume have always interested me because of their ability to draw out and amplify other creatures' magic..." He clasped Poseidon's collar and yanked him and the kids backward out of the room with one hand as he slammed the door closed with the other. A loud thump sounded on the other side causing the door to crack under the weight of the large cat.

Poseidon stared at the door with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. He clutched the children against his pounding chest as he struggled to control his breathing. Suddenly the door across the hall burst open and Jos ran out. "What was that?!"

As more thrashing sounded inside the room more people inside the house came running. When Shelly was informed of what had happened, she quickly called Rin. Rin teleported into the room to deal with the tiger while Shelly repeatedly apologized outside in the hallway. Zeus was thanked as a savior and all the chaos stirred up from Ry's romance debacle of earlier had quickly been forgotten... and the hooded woman had been undetected by all as she crept back out of the office.

Jos blew out a sigh as she stared into the broken mirror on the nursery wall. The room was a complete wreck. "What will we do now?"

"We will do what we always do... rebuild and move on with our lives..." Arei smiled back at her in the broken fragments. He wrapped his arms around her waist.

She frowned back at him. "I told you it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding... look at how today has gone. It's been a complete disaster, and we haven't even made it to the yard yet."

Arei chuckled. "It doesn't matter. It's our wedding day and come hell, rain, or apocalypse I'm going to marry you."

She couldn't help but giggle. "Be careful what you say... you could jinx us more."

He spun her around and cupped her chin. "Bring it on. Regardless of what happens today, I'm here beside you until the very end. I love you, Joslyn. Forever and always." He pressed his lips to hers then pulled away giving her ass a light slap. "Now wiggle that tight little ass out that door and down those steps so we can finally get this thing done!"

Jos sent him a wide smile as she nodded. She held her smile as she watched him head out of the house and toward the waiting crowd, all gathered for their wedding. Her smile faded as a cold chill crept down her spine. She clasped her hands around her arms.

"You're not getting cold feet on me now, are you?" The familiar voice echoed through the room as cold eyes stared back at her from the mirror.

She shook her head. "No... but you heard what Themis said to me earlier in the office, didn't you... If I fail, she will see all my family punished as traitors..."

Hypnos sent her a wide, wicked smile. His hand reached through the mirror and caressed her cheek. "Even more reason not to fail then, isn't it?"