Chapter ~ Chapter Eleven ~
Liliana moaned as she slowly blinked her eyes open. She sighed in contentment as she snuggled into a sleeping Cayden. He moaned as he tightened his arms around her. “You’re such a little minx, aren’t you?” He asked gruffly.
Liliana let out a small, husky laugh as she wiggled against him. Then, she released a breathless gasp as he quickly rolled on her and gently pinned her wrists down next to her head. “You, my adorable little minx, are going to be the death of me,” Cayden whispered with lust-filled eyes.
Liliana blushed as she bit her lip. Cayden groaned as he leaned down and took her mouth in a hungry kiss. She let out a breathy moan as she kissed him back with just as much hunger. He let his hands travel down her body as her hands wandered over his back, shoulders, and into his hair. She gripped his hair tightly as they devoured each other.
As Cayden traveled rough kisses down her neck and chest, she knew then and there that she was ready to be entirely his. As soon as they saved Anna, she would give him every single part of herself.
Liliana let out a gasp that quickly turned into a moan as he roughly suckled on her neck, most definitely leaving behind a mark that would tell the world she was his.
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. “Alpha. Luna.” James said through the door. “I am sorry to interrupt, but everyone is awake and waiting for you. We’re all ready to leave.”
Liliana and Cayden both groaned as Cayden rested his forehead against Liliana’s. “Give us five minutes, James,” Cayden called out.
Liliana let out a giggle. “I guess we better get dressed then,” she said with a frown.
He chuckled as he pressed a teasing kiss to her lips. “We’ll have plenty of time later, little dove,” he whispered as he nipped at her bottom lip.
Liliana groaned as Cayden jumped out of bed and held his hands out to her. “Come on, dove,” he said with a smile.
Liliana placed her hands in his, and he pulled her out of bed and into his arms. She giggled as she wrapped her legs around his waist. “I thought we were supposed to be getting dressed,” she whispered breathlessly against his lips.
Cayden chuckled. “We are,” he kissed Liliana lovingly and whispered. “I just can’t seem to get enough of my little dove,” he set her on her feet and kissed her forehead before grabbing their clothes.
Liliana took her clothes from him, and they quickly got dressed. Once they were presentable, they made their way to the living room. “I would ask what took you two so long,” Daedalus said with a smirk. “However, judging from that wicked mark on Liliana’s neck, we can all take a guess.”
James and Marcus chuckled as Liliana blushed bright red. Lucas simply shook his head with a smile. “Alright, guys. Let’s get going. The sooner we get to Prometheus, the sooner we can get to Anna,” Cayden said as he held Liliana close.
They all ensured they had their things and made their way out to the SUV. “We’ll take turns driving until we get to South Russia, and then Daedalus can take over from there,” Liliana said from the passenger seat.
Everyone agreed, and Cayden started driving.
Everyone made small talk during the trip. Sometimes the group just listened to the music on the radio. Finally, after a few hours, Liliana leaned over to whisper to Cayden. “We should stop soon. None of us have eaten yet, and I have to use the bathroom,” she blushed as he raised an eyebrow at her. “Don’t look at me like that,” she mumbled as she sunk back into her seat.
Cayden chuckled but did as she asked. Then, he pulled off at the next exit so that everyone could stretch their legs, get food, and do anything else they had to do.
They all sat down at a restaurant, waiting for their food when Liliana went to the restroom. She walked back toward Cayden and the others when she bumped into someone. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she mumbled as she looked up.
The man looked down at her, and she felt a chill down her spine. “Do I know you?” She whispered as she tilted her head slightly in confusion.
The man smirked. “You will,” he grabbed her arm and started dragging her toward the back exit.
Liliana fought against him. “Let me go,” she said as she struggled to get free.
“No can do, baby doll. My boss would like to have a word with you,” he said with a sadistic smirk.
Liliana felt the tears gather in her eyes as she tried to get away from the man dragging her away from her beloved mate.
A deep voice stopped them in their tracks just as they got to the door. “I believe the little lady asked you to let her go,” he said as he stepped out of the shadows.
The man, who had a tight grip on her arm, glared at the new stranger. “I don’t know who you are, but this is none of your business. Get out of here before you regret it,” he got out between his gritted teeth.
The stranger tilted his head ever so slightly with a wicked grin. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was gone. Liliana felt her heart race in her chest at the thought the newcomer had just abandoned her when the stranger reappeared behind the man holding her arm in a bruising grip. “I told you to let the little lady go,” he snarled as he gripped the man’s throat, causing him to let go of her arm.
The stranger lifted the man who had been trying to kidnap her off of his feet. “Get out of here, you piece of filth, and don’t come back,” the stranger growled before throwing the other man outside and across the alleyway.
Liliana looked up at him as she pressed her back to the wall and sniffled. “Thank you,” she whispered. “How can I repay you for your help?” She asked quietly.
The stranger shook his head as he walked closer to her. “There is no need to thank me, little lady,” he reassured her.
“Who are you?” Liliana asked curiously.
The stranger sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. “My name is Roman,” he bowed slightly in her direction. “My father sent me to help you,” he explained.
“Who’s your father?” Liliana questioned with wide eyes.
That same wicked grin appeared on his face. “Hades.”
Liliana’s eyes went wide. “Artemis never said anything about Hades helping us,” she said breathlessly.
Roman laughed. “My father has been helping Artemis look after you since your parents passed away. When you met Jacques, they couldn’t help as much, but they’re still watching over you. My father saw what was happening and sent me to help.”
Liliana took a deep breath. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help,” she said softly.
Roman gave her a genuine smile. “If you want to repay me, I’m sure I’ll eventually think of something,” he shrugged. “I’m going to be with you for quite a while.”
“You’re going to help us in the war?” She asked excitedly.
Roman chuckled at how fast her moods could change. “Yes, little lady. I am going to help you,” he looked around the back of the restaurant where they were standing. “Where’s your beloved mate and the others you were with?” He questioned.
Liliana pointed towards the lobby of the restaurant. “They’re waiting for me at our table. We had just ordered when I came back here.”
Roman nodded and held his arm out to her. “Shall we join your beloved then?” He asked with a small smile.
Liliana gave him a bright smile as she grabbed onto his arm, and they made their way to the table where Cayden and the others were waiting.
Cayden sighed as he leaned back in his seat. He didn’t like his little dove to be out of sight, but he knew she was just in the restroom. They were in a public place and hadn’t heard anything from Atlas or his goons. After a few minutes, he couldn’t help but feel something was wrong.
Cayden looked towards the restrooms and frowned when he spotted Liliana walking towards their table with a tall man dressed all in black. He quickly jumped to his feet and stared the man down. Liliana rushed towards him and hugged him tightly. He looked down at her and frowned when he saw the tear streaks on her face. He glared at the man she had been walking with her. “What did you do to her?” He demanded.
Liliana shushed him as she gently grabbed his face in her hands. She pulled his face down to hers and pressed a light kiss to his lips. “It’s alright, my beloved. He saved me,” she whispered reassuringly. “This guy grabbed me when I left the restroom and was trying to take me to Atlas. Roman helped me,” she quickly explained.
Cayden took a deep breath. “Okay,” he sighed heavily. “You said his name was Roman?” He asked her.
Liliana nodded. “Yes. Roman’s a son of Hades,” she said as they pulled away. “Hades sent him to help me. So he, Artemis, and Apollo are watching over us,” she said with a smile.
Cayden nodded as he turned to Roman. “I apologize for being rude. I just saw the tear stains on her cheeks and lost it a bit,” he said to Roman.
Roman raised his hands to show he understood and wasn’t angry. “It’s alright. I’ve seen plenty of shifter couples in my day. I understand the overprotectiveness and whatnot,” he waved him off.
Cayden gestured to an empty seat at their table. “We already ordered, but feel free to order anything you’d like when the waiter comes around.”
Roman sat down and nodded. “Thank you. I didn’t get a chance to eat before my father sent me.”
Everyone sat down and started eating once the waiter brought their food. Roman ordered his food before the waiter left. It only took a few minutes for the waiter to bring his food. Once everyone ate, they made small talk and got to know each other better.
When everyone had finished, they took off for the rest of their journey to Prometheus.
It didn’t take them too long to get there. Daedalus was a crazy driver, and everyone agreed he would no longer be driving. They all climbed out of the SUV, and Lucas grabbed his bow and an arrow. “I got this,” he said as he aimed at the eagle flying through the sky. He waited just a minute for the eagle to swoop down and let his arrow fly loose. It hit the eagle square in the chest. As the eagle fell to the ground, Lucas turned to the others with a smirk. “He’s all yours.”
“I’m glad he’s on our side,” James said with a shake of his head and a smile.
Liliana walked up to Prometheus and crossed her arms over her chest. Before she could even say anything, Prometheus let out a loud laugh. “Finally,” he said in joy. “Someone has come to set me free.”
Liliana raised an eyebrow. “I can’t say I blame you for being ecstatic about that,” she shrugged. “I would be, too, if I were in your place.”
Prometheus looked down at her from where he was still chained up. “Who are you, little one?” He questioned.
“I’m Liliana,” she said with a smile. “I’m the runt wolf in the prophecy.”
Prometheus’s eyes went wide. “Has it been that long already?” He questioned in shock.
Daedalus chuckled as he took a step forward. “You have been chained here for quite some time, my old friend,” he said.
Prometheus laughed again. “Daedalus. Is that you? You were older the last time I saw you.”
Daedalus shrugged with a smirk. “What can I say? That old body was getting rusty.”
Prometheus chuckled as he turned his attention back to Liliana. “So you’re the wolf going to lead us to victory?”
Liliana gave him a single nod. “Yes, but I need your help first.”
Prometheus raised an eyebrow. “How can I help you then?” He questioned.
“We need to get to Adrestia so we can save a young demigod from Uranus,” she explained.
“How long does she have?” Prometheus asked.
“Five days from today,” Liliana said softly. “It’s already getting late, so once we get to Adrestia, we’d have to rest again. So it’d be four days from tomorrow.”
Prometheus nodded. “Alright. Get me down from here, and I’ll take you to Adrestia.”
“How do we know you won’t try to betray us once we let you down?” Cayden demanded, thinking of his little dove’s safety.
Prometheus chuckled as Roman explained from his spot next to Cayden. “He can’t betray the one who breaks his chains. If he did, he’d be right back here as soon his betrayal was complete.”
Prometheus nodded in agreement. “Yup. Zeus did put that part in there as insurance.”
Liliana nodded. “Does anyone have anything I can use to break these chains?” She questioned.
Daedalus smirked. “All you had to do was ask.”
Prometheus rolled his eyes. “Always have to have an arsenal of weapons, don’t you, D?” He asked as Daedalus handed an ax to Liliana.
Daedalus chuckled. “Of course. Can’t leave the house without it.”
Liliana walked behind Prometheus and brought the ax down the chains as hard as she could. The chains broke free, and Prometheus jumped to the ground. He groaned in relief as he stretched his body out. “Oh yeah. That feels so good.”
Daedalus chuckled as he turned to Liliana. “So now that you have Prometheus, is there anything else you need from me?” He questioned.
Liliana ran a hand through her hair and nodded. “Yes. I should’ve asked last night, but it slipped my mind. I was just so exhausted,” she exhaled quickly. “I was wondering if you would be willing to come back with us to help with our security. Also, to set up traps around our territory.”
Daedalus tilted his head to the side as he studied her. Then, after a minute, he shrugged. “Okay. Sure.”
Liliana’s eyes lit up in joy. “Really?” She asked as she handed him the ax.
Daedalus nodded as he put it away. “Yes.”
Liliana excitedly squealed and hugged him tightly, obviously catching him off guard. “Thank you so much.”
Daedalus chuckled. “It’s no problem.”
Liliana pulled away and grinned in excitement as she walked to stand beside her beloved. Cayden wrapped his arms around her waist. “Calm, little dove,” he whispered into her ear. “We must get going if we’re going to get to Adrestia by nightfall.”
Liliana took several calming breaths before nodding. “Right. Alright,” she skipped towards the SUV. “Let’s go, people,” she turned to Prometheus. “You’re driving, but please tell me you don’t drive like Daedalus.”
Prometheus looked at her with a wide smile. “You guys let this old man drive you here?” He asked rhetorically. He shook his head with a chuckle. “I’m surprised you guys made it here in one piece.”
Daedalus glared at him. “I can drive just fine,” he muttered.
Prometheus rolled his eyes as he climbed into the driver’s seat. “Why don’t you sit in the passenger’s seat and watch an expert.”
It was Daedalus’ turn to roll his eyes as everyone got situated in the SUV.
Once everyone buckled up, Prometheus started driving to where Adrestia was hiding.