Chapter 14 - Steven's Arrival

Chapter 14 - Steven's Arrival
Steven's P.O.V.

It's dawn, and I'm outside with the warriors while the other packs join us. We have a large group, even bigger than I had anticipated. With so many men, we should be successful. Once everyone is gathered, I get their attention.

"Thank you all for coming. It's time that we take over and the Alpha King and the Queen be put to death. They have been in power for too long. I will be your new king. When we arrive at the palace, we kill everyone except for Misty. She is mine." I figure it's best not to tell them what my plans are with Misty because they'll think it's incest. Only I know she isn't my biological daughter. I will tell them all once I have her power, but not before.

We load up into trucks and SUVs and head toward the palace. My beta, Sal, and I are in the SUV in the front with a few warriors. I hope we can catch them by surprise. When I see the palace in the distance, I smile to myself. You thought you were safe, you little bitch. Just wait and see what I have in store for you.

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Misty's P.O.V.

When I wake up, I'm in a tangled mess with Ivan and Vaughn wrapped around me like ivy. I wanted to get up and make them breakfast like they did yesterday, but I guess that's going to be impossible with them in this position. I try to move, but they hold onto me tighter. I glance toward the window and see the sun is just beginning to rise.

"Misty, they are coming." When I hear Athena in my head, I almost jump out of bed. I didn't know she could mindlink me.

"Who's coming?" As soon as I ask the question, I feel like an idiot. Who else would be coming other than Steven and his merry men? "Never mind. I'll get everyone up so we can be ready. Thanks, Mom."

"Take care of yourself, sweetheart. I love you." I smile. I will never tire of hearing her say that to me.

"I love you too." I turn to my sleeping mates.

"Hey guys, it's time to wake up. Mom said that Steven is coming." I don't speak loudly, but they hear me because they both jump out of bed.

"Let's get ready! I'll mindlink everyone.  Misty, you get Karina and Justin into the basement. Ivan go to the palace and stay with the king and queen. Misty and I will be there in a few minutes." Vaughn says as we all throw our clothes on. Ivan gives me a kiss before running out the door. I run downstairs, and Adam, Karina, and Justin are there waiting for me.

"We got Vaughn's mindlink," Adam says.

"Good. Karina, you and Justin go to the basement and don't come out until you get the mindlink from us." I hug her, and she starts to go downstairs, but Justin wraps his arms around me.

"You promised you wouldn't leave Auntie Misty," he says against me. I squat down and hug him.

"I'm not leaving, but we have to fight some bad people. So I need you to keep your mommy and Madeline safe until we're done. Can you do that for me?" I kiss his cheek, and he nods.

"Okay, but don't be long." He hugs me, his dad, and Vaughn before he and Karina go downstairs. We run outside and get into the awaiting car. Within minutes, we're at the palace and running inside. Ivan is with the King, the Queen, and several warriors.

"One of our lookouts saw a caravan of trucks and SUVs heading this way," Gerald says.

"I suppose we can't talk you into changing your mind. Will you go to the safe room?" Vaughn asks them. Both shake their heads.

"No. This is our palace, and you are our family. We will fight by your side." Victoria answers. I love them.

"At least don't put yourself in the front line. Let us see what we're dealing with." They both nod at Ivan, even though I can tell they want to argue.

"They're almost here." We get a mindlink from one of the guards. Everyone goes outside and waits. We can hear the vehicles as they get closer. When they reach the gates of the palace grounds, they drive through them. I can see Steven looking at me through the windshield of the truck in the front. He smirks at me while I glare at him. He looks angry when he sees everyone waiting for him. What's wrong, bastard? You weren't expecting such a big welcoming party. We have tricks in our bags, too.

When they come to a stop, they all jump out of their vehicles while we remain standing where we are. Steven looks even more pathetic than he did before. He walks ahead of everyone else, keeping his eyes on me.

"Well, my dear daughter, I see you've decided to welcome me with open arms. Why don't you come down here and take your place with me where you belong?" I don't move as I stare at him in disbelief.

"First of all, I am not your daughter. You and your bitch of a mate kept the truth from me, but I know everything now. Have you told anyone else with you what exactly they're fighting against?" I look around at the men with Steven, who all look from me to him.

"What's she talking about?" one of them asks. The way Sal is looking, I can tell he doesn't know either. I never could get a good read on Sal. He and his mate always kept to themselves.

"So, I'm right — you didn't tell them. You see, Steven and Marie are not my parents. Athena, the goddess of war, is my mother. She sent me here to fight in her place. That's why I have two mates and why we're all three covered in the gold markings of the gods. Is this a fight you really want to engage in?" I look at Vaughn, and he picks up a huge boulder and throws it in the air. When it comes down, he punches it, making it turn into sand.

"We have been gifted some of the abilities of goddesses and gods. I will ask you again. Do you want to be in this fight?" Some of the men look at each other and turn around.

"Sorry, Steven, you're on your own. Fighting with gods and goddesses is not something we signed up for." One man says. More than half of those with him jump into their vehicles and take off. I look at Sal, and he seems unsure.

"He didn't even tell you, did he? Are you aware of what he's doing to the omegas?" Sal looks at me and shakes his head.

"I had my suspicions, but Ava and I tried to stay out of the way. He killed Marie last night," Sal replies. Steven is staring at him angrily.

"Adam, can we believe Sal?" My brother knows Sal better than I do.

"I believe him. Steven never involved him in any of the conversations we had." That was my instinct as well, but I wanted to be sure.

"Sal, you don't have to follow him. You still have a choice." I keep my eyes on his even as Steven is practically growling.

"If you go against me, then I will kill you and your bitch Ava after I rape her." Sal looks at him and then looks at me.

"I should have left him a long time ago. Don't kill him. I would like for you to take him back to Golden Moon so the people he has hurt can get their revenge. Not everyone is on his side; many are scared." Sal takes a step toward me, and Steven grabs his arm. I run down the steps with lightning speed, get Sal, kick Steven in the face, and return to my mates with Sal.

Some of the other men rush to their vehicles when they see what I've done. Sal is breathing heavily, and Steven looks like he's ready to kill.

"You're going to pay for that, bitch!" Steven yells. I smirk at him as I crack my neck. We will do what Sal asked. I think the omegas deserve to get their revenge, too. It's time to put this dog to sleep.

"No, you're the only bitch here, and the only one paying is you."