Chapter 38: Two.

"Lara, what's happened?" Char asked, when his room mate arrived home that night, completely flustered. "And, why is there a grumpy werewolf growling outside of the building?"

"You may as well call me Eloise now, Char. Seems my past has caught up with me at last." She sighed annoyed, before she flopped onto the couch beside her best friend.

"Eloise? Why would I call you that?" He asked confused, scanning over her ripped clothes with concern.

"Because it's my name, or it was. But, I expect thanks to that grumpy asshole outside it will be making a comeback. Argh!" She screamed into a cushion beside herself, before pausing and looking at her best friend speculatively, "Did you know Dax was a god? I mean I knew he was something special, but a god? And one, who by the way announced I was pregnant, right on the point of conception too. Asshole." She stated in disbelief.

Char sighed, scrubbing his face I his hands. He knew exactly who Dax was, always had. It was Dionysus that had suggested he take on Lara as a roommate six years ago, and he grew to love the sassy she-wolf very quickly, becoming very protective of her. A protective streak he would pass on to her pup if need be.

"I take it the afore mentioned *grumpy asshole* is the father then?" Char asked, wrapping his arm about his Lara in support.

"Yup," she responded popping 'p', "Oh, and he's my mate, and a complete and utter dick," Eloise sighed, leaning into Char's embrace.

Char smirked, "Anything else?"

"Yup. He is also Sammy's elder half brother. Seems old perfect Alpha Gray, wasn't so perfect. Had a secret family and everything. But, he abandoned Sammy before he even knew if she could shift. He lost his head for it when it all came out." Eloise summarised.

"Fuck!" Char swore, "No wonder D, was protective of her."

"D?" Eloise asked straightening up and squinting at her friend, "You knew about Dax. What, or rather who are you, Char? Dax, Dionysus told me you weren't human, and that you had an affinity with water. But, I'm thinking there is more to it. Plus, in six years I've never seen you near any water, other than to mix with your whisky. So, Mr. Ferrie, who are you?"

Char groaned, "An affinity with water? He said that? Prick, just because I used to work on one fucking river. He knows I hate the stuff!"

"Char? Talk now, I need all of the relevant information right now, before I freak out even more." Eloise demanded, chucking her cushion at her friend's head.

"My name is Charon. Ferrie, is just for tax purposes. Forty years ago, I was Mr. Boatman, not very original, but sometimes it serves to hide in plain sight. And the river I worked on, that was the Styx, a long time ago, and the furthest thing from water you can get." Char sighed, "I cant believe that trumped up junkie god said, I had an affinity with water."

Eloise stilled, her best friend was a god.

"Wait, the Styx? As in ancient Greek mythology, and Hades?" Eloise asked, "Wait, how old are you? And shouldn't you be like all skeletal and stuff? Oh my god, I just had a brain wave," Eloise exclaimed, looking toward the window, knowing exactly who was stomping around below. "Can I borrow Cerberus?"

"Jeeze, La.. Eloise, so much to answer, " Char responded, "But, it doesn't bother you? Who I really am?"

"I mean I always presumed the faint smell of death was because you worked at the morgue, but now I know it's this, I'm not so concerned about your hygiene anymore. As for being bothered, you've been my best friend for six years. I'm just sorry you didn't feel you could tell me sooner, did you think I'd run away screaming or something? Maybe presume you were a demon?" She laughed, "Please, I've seen you crying when the wrong queen is eliminated from *Ru Paul's Drag Race.* You my dear best friend are not scary in the slightest."

Char smiled a wide toothy grin.

"Now, about Cerberus?" Eloise asked.

"No." Char replied sternly.

"Please? I don't need him for long. Just enough time to chew off Henry's head, then you can take them both away. Pretty please? I'll make your favourite swordfish steak for dinner afterwards?" Eloise begged, making Char smirk.

"Sweetie, First off, Cerberus isn't mine, he belongs to Hades. Second of all, he is not a trained attack dog, he would rampage and cause carnage." Char siged, "And thirdly, you don't really want to kill your mate do you?"

Eloise pouted, crossing her arms, "No. But, I don't exactly want him hanging around here like a bad smell either." Then she added with a smirk, "That's what I have you for."

Char just chuckled under his breath, before pulling his friend close again, "You love me really, and we both know it."

"I do, indeed I do." Eloise smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder. "However, I can feel that idiot pacing outside, and I'm going to have to go and get rid of him." She added with a sigh.

"I'll do it. Been a while since I've went all skeletal. You can film from the window if you want? See how much he shits himself? Then send it to Sammy." Char offered, making Eloise snigger.

"Now there is an offer." She smiled, "But, if you go all death god on him, he will never leave me be, not until in his shrivelled up mind, I and his little one are safe and away from you. Which means I will never be rid of him. Gods, if it weren't for Sammy I would never have gotten home."

"How come?" Char asked concerned.

"It turns out, despite being unable to shift, Sammy has a stronger Alpha aura than her big brother." Eloise smirked, "She literally told him to sit down and shut up for five minutes, and he couldn't resist." I wish I could have stayed and laughed longer, but I had to use the opportunity to get a head start."

Char laughed, smiling brightly, "At least, your baby will have a fantastic Auntie it seems."

Eloise smiled at that, "Yeah, I guess they will." Her heart warmed at that thought, "And cousin, Dax, Dionysus shit, I don't know what to call him either, revealed she is also pregnant tonight. She found her mate last Hallowe'en, or rather he found her." Eloise smiled, her hand lightly resting on her tummy.

"That's great news, how'd she take it?" Char asked.

Eloise laughed out, "Apparently, she promptly gave both him and his Alpha a telling off at their haunted house then stormed out, socking poor Daniel in the jaw on her way when he tried to stop her."

Char guffawed with laughter, "Now that I wish I'd seen."

"So, at least my baby has one tough ass aunt and her pack if needed." Eloise smiled at the thought, "I may just have to drive out to Montana for a visit soon."

Char smiled down on his best friend, "Your baby has one tough ass mother to see them through as well. Don't you dare count yourself out Eloise!"

"Thank you," Eloise said, with tears gathering in her eyes.

"Anytime, My Girl." Char said, as he squeezed his friend tighter. "Anytime."

Eloise, was holding on tightly, when the door of their apartment swung open and hit the wall behind it.

Henry was almost foaming at the mouth in his rage as he stepped inside, "Get your filthy hands off what belongs to me!" He roared out

*Author's Note: How are we liking the story so far? and I just want Ron say a massive thank you to all who have read, I found out today from my editor that Oops, is in the running for the story of the year competition. So, thank you, thank you, thank you! B x*