Claimed by Hera
695 Words
Michael's POV
I stand there, drowning in humiliation, when the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on steps through the portal Goddess Selene created.
Her scent hits me like a tidal wave, wrapping around me completely. Wildflowers warmed by sunshine fill my lungs, making my head spin.
Mate!
My wolf howls with joy.
Go to her, Asher practically demands.
I hesitate.
Fear crashes over me.
She's a literal Goddess, Asher. If Mariah didn't want us, why would someone as beautiful as her ever want us?
Stop letting what our former mate did to us cloud your judgment. Look at her. She's staring at us right now like we're a chocolate dessert she's dying to devour.
I end the mind link and look up.
Sure enough, my mate slowly licks her lips.
"Mine," she growls.
Before I can react, she launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and crashing her lips against mine.
For a heartbeat, I freeze.
A Goddess... is kissing me.
Then instinct takes over.
My hands slide into her sandy-blonde hair as I deepen the kiss. She lets out a soft moan, and a possessive growl rumbles from my chest as the scent of her arousal fills the air, sweet and intoxicating.
A polite cough breaks us apart.
Only then do we remember we have an audience.
"Hera," Selene says with an amused smile, "I know you've waited a very long time for your mate, but could you at least introduce yourself to Michael before the two of you mate in front of everyone?"
My mate chuckles shyly as she looks up at me.
My eyes nearly pop out of my head.
Did Selene just say Hera? As in Queen of the Gods... Hera?
"Zeus is going to strike me down," I mutter.
My mate reaches up and gently pinches my cheek.
"Fear not, my mate. Zeus and I have not been together since long before soulmates existed. He'll be receiving his own mate soon."
Relief floods through me so quickly my knees nearly buckle.
"Oh, Selene," Hera giggles like a schoolgirl. "He's absolutely adorable."
Then her gaze shifts past me.
The warmth in her honey-colored eyes vanishes, replaced by glowing golden irises burning with divine fury.
She releases me and turns toward Mariah.
Mariah stumbles backward until her back slams against the wall, terror written across her face.
Hera crosses the room in an instant.
She seizes Mariah by the throat with one hand and lifts her off the ground as divine power pours from her in crushing waves.
"You hurt my mate!" Hera roars.
"You tried to steal his child and pass it off as another man's!"
I watch in stunned fascination.
This glorious Goddess is defending me.
Divine power radiates from her in shimmering waves, making the very air tremble. It should terrify me.
Instead, I can't look away.
She is magnificent.
Beautiful.
Fierce.
Possessive.
Every ounce of her wrath is directed at the woman who shattered me.
How is she so unbelievably sexy right now?
A proud rumble vibrates through my chest as Asher practically purrs.
Our mate is perfect.
"Please, Goddess, have mercy," Beta Female Alice pleads, dropping to her knees and pressing her forehead against the floor. "She's young. She didn't know any better."
"The only reason I haven't snapped her neck," Hera growls, "is because the child she's carrying belongs to my mate."
Alice sobs, keeping her forehead pressed against the floor.
Go to her! Asher shouts. Hold her. Calm her.
I walk up behind Hera and gently wrap my arms around her waist.
Leaning down, I press a soft kiss against the back of her neck.
"Mate," I whisper.
Instantly, every muscle in her body relaxes.
Her fingers open, and Mariah crumples to the floor in a coughing heap, desperately trying to catch her breath.
"It's okay, love," I murmur, holding Hera close. "She can't hurt me anymore."
"I have you now."
Hera leans back against me, releasing a slow breath.
Selene waits until the room falls silent before speaking.
"Hera."
We both turn toward the Moon Goddess.
"Would you like to tell everyone what will be happening regarding the child?"
- Writer
