Goddess Of The Underworld (Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 100

Chapter 100

Envy

I don’t think I’d ever get tired of watching him smile. That small, soft, real smile that didn’t tremble at the edges or flinch like he expected pain to follow. Just joy. Warmth. A child learning how to be a child. Elliot was already half–asleep, nestled under the covers in the room mum and dad had prepared for him. His crown lay softly on the pillow in a smoky form, a small comfort he would always have to know his place in this world. He clutched Fergus, the bear the quads had apparently fought over endlessly when they were little, as if the worn fur could keep nightmares at bay. Maybe it could. I brushed a strand of blond hair from his face and sat beside the bed, the mattress dipping under my weight. “Did you have fun today?” I asked softly. He nodded, eyelids fluttering. “Macey said we’re going to make a fort every day.” He yawned, then blinked up at me. “Can we? Even if I’m a prince?” I smiled. “Especially because you’re a prince. But even more because you’re a little boy who deserves to play.”

He hummed in contentment and snuggled deeper into the blankets. My heart ached in the best kind of way. How could someone so small hold so much courage? So much strength? He had been forged in darkness and still found a way to glow.

“Can you stay a little while?” he whispered.

I reached for the book on the nightstand. “Only if I get to read the next chapter of The Little Fire Wolf.” The book that Xavier had started reading to him

His face lit up, and I read to him with a quiet voice, his breathing slowing, his fingers loosening around the stuffed bear. I didn’t even make it to the end of the page before he was asleep. I closed the book, leaned down, and kissed his temple.

“You’re safe now,” I whispered. “You’re home.”

I looked up to the open door to find all four of my mates standing there, all looking with awe. I quickly, quietly walked out, shutting the door behind me.

“See something you like, boys?” I teased, and their eyes flashed black, their wolves looking right at me.

“We should put a pup in you.” Maddox’s deep voice said, and I giggled. “Oh, you don’t know yet?” Their eyes flickered to my still flat stomach as I smirked. Their eyes widened, four sharp intakes of breath filling the quiet hallway.

“You don’t mean…” Haiden stepped forward, voice barely above a whisper.

I bit my lip, letting the silence stretch before nodding once. “Yeah. I think our little prince might be getting a sibling.”

Xavier was the first to move, sweeping me up into his arms like I weighed nothing. “You’re serious?” he asked into my hair, voice thick with emotion. “You’re really?”

“Goddess blessed and approved.”

Noah whooped loud enough that I shushed him with a laugh, pushing Xavier’s chest until he reluctantly set me down. Levi had a hand over his mouth, eyes shining, and Haiden just dropped to one knee and pressed his forehead to my stomach.

“Hey there, little bean,” he murmured. “We can’t wait to meet you.”

A lump formed in my throat, tears burning the corners of my eyes.

“I didn’t want to say anything until things calmed down with the veil,” I whispered. “But now… I want them to grow up in a world that we built. Safe. Whole.”

Xavier’s hand came to rest over Haiden’s, Levi joining a second later. Noah knelt and kissed the side of my belly, over my shirt.

“Our family,” Haiden said softly, his voice reverent. It’s growing,”

“And

And so is our chaos,” Noah smirked, then wiggled his brows. “We’re going to have to fortify the fun room.”

I laughed, tears slipping free now, “You’re all ridiculous.”

“And you’re our everything,” Levi murmured, pulling me into his chest. “Thank you for choosing us. For giving us this. For giving them this.”

The following night, we held a special meeting with the pack. The stars were bright overhead as we stepped onto the balcony overlooking the Red Moon courtyard. Dozens of bonfires burned below, laughter and warmth spilling from every corner of our packhouse. The celebration had already begun: victory, survival, and family. Xavier’s hand rested gently on the small of my back, a steady warmth as the others flanked us. Below, pack members quieted, faces turning upward, expectant. Noah stepped forward first, flashing his signature grin that had always made him seem like mischief personified. “Alright, everyone. Settle in, we’ve got some big news.”

I slipped my fingers into Levi’s, grounding myself as the crowd hushed.

“We’ve fought, we’ve bled, and we’ve survived together,” Xavier said, voice carrying like thunder wrapped in silk. “We’ve rebuilt what was broken. And now it’s time to build something new.”

“This is Elliot,” I said, my voice catching only slightly. “He’s brave, kind, and stronger than any child should ever have to be. He’s a survivor of Marcus‘ cruelty… and now, he’s ours. He chose us and we chose him.”

The crowd erupted in cheers, a thunder of acceptance and love that stole my breath. Elliot looked up at me with wide, overwhelmed eyes, and I knelt to kiss his forehead.

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