***Persephone's POV***

Standing before our thrones, four wounded Warriors of Death. Darius, Jackson, Ethan and Bryan, tried their hardest to mask their pain.

Serriphina, Alejandro. Mekhal and I descended from our thrones and stood before our angel warriors.

Pride shone brightly across each of our faces. The Chosen Ones before us were nothing but incredible. Each wolf cast his life to the side selflessly to watch over our angel Aubrey.

We walked our way to each warrior. Standing one in front of the other.

Serriphina lifted her hands to clasp them delicately on Jackson's shoulders. Jackson is the Warrior of Strength. His fortitude withstands the test of time.

Alejandro held Bryan, Guardian Warrior, between his hands. Bryan's heart held captive the angels in its purity. He brought rays of hope in darkened times, guarding other's from the darkness.

Mekhal gripped lightly on the cuffs of Ethan's biceps. Ethan is the Warrior of Encouragement. Always choosing what is right versus what is easy.

And my own hands were cupping each side of Darius face. The Punisher and Warrior of Protection. Where he takes death in his grip and lashes it's rampage against the wicked, he willingly protects the innocent.

We stared into the tired eyes of our Warriors.

"Wolves, your actions have once again enforced your positions as Warriors. We have asked much of you in these centuries. We will continue to as much of you in the future. But, today you stand before us after completing a 17 year mission. We stand before you to say Well Done." I declared.

Each Deity laid kisses upon the heads of our Warriors. Each Warrior unknowingly accepting their reward.

Power radiated thru each Deity's lips as the wolves bowed their heads in respect.

Serriphina stepped back from Jackson. Clasping her hands in his.

Alejandro stepped back from Bryan. Taking his hands in his.

Mekhal stepped back from Ethan. Holding his hands tightly within his own.

I slid my hands into Darius' strong hands and stepped back as well.

"Your blessing for completing your assignment has just been revealed." Mekhal announced.

Four sets of stunning eyes looked to their creators.

"Thank you for all you do, we appreciate every sacrifice you have made and will continue to make." Alejandro cooed.

"One sacrifice you each have made was too high a price to pay. We are rectifying this oversight starting today." Serriphina promised.

"No longer will you only serve your Deities and Packs." I proclaimed.

"You will each be blessed with a mate. One made just for you. He or she will complete the missing pieces of your soul that have been left aching to be filled." I announced.

Breathtaking smiles blinded the Chamber of Judgement as our words touched the ears of our faithful warriors. We matched those smiles with ones of our own.

Howls erupted from the Warriors lips as they showed pleasure in their futures.

"Now, we came today to discuss Aubrey." Serriphina interjected.

"Her time has come to meet with our panel of Deities. We must get to her before she makes a grave choice. I'm afraid her soul is too shattered to take another blow from Fate. We will intervene, finally!" Alejandro said with a huff.

"It's about time" Mekhal snickered.

"I'm so excited." Serriphina clapped. "I can't wait to finally meet her and look into her eyes."

"Me too" Darius exclaimed.

This created a crowd of confused looks.

"Um, Alpha, didn't you see her eyes when you helped her give birth?" Bryan questioned.

"I was distracted!" Darius growled.

We all laughed loudly.

"Okay okay" I cooed. "Let's not waste another minute."

We gathered around the Great Fountain to catch up to present time with Aubrey. Each of us anxious at what we may find.

The waters trembled as Aubrey's house appeared before us:

Aubrey pulled up to the driveway of her house. As she walked up to her porch and stared at the congratulations balloons and cards that must have been sent from her job, she ignored them as tears filled tired eyes.

Stepping into the doorway of her home Aubrey looked at all the baby items, tho not many, that laid as evidence of her loss. Suddenly, Aubrey did the same thing she had always done. She turned and closed the door, blocking out the pain. She walked out of the house, towards the woods in a dazed trance.

We watched, from the Fountain as she located her favorite spot in the forest.

We quickly descended the Heavens, teleporting to the tree line, to intervene when needed.

All four Warriors and all four Deities quietly stood allowing Aubrey to have her moment.

Aubrey stood in the middle of the forest and she screamed louder than I thought a human capable of. She cursed the gods for the cruel joke that they had played. Aubrey punched trees and broke her knuckles, the sound of cracking bones filling the isolated forest. She seemed to welcome the physical pain as her emotions wreaked havoc on her body.

Aubrey fell to her knees as she weeped, screaming out her mom's name. She continued to weep while calling for her grandma. Then, in the most gut wrenching sound to ever fall upon our ears, she screamed broken sobs for her silent angel.

The painful past she willingly endured came flooding thru as her body trembled with anger. Aubrey unraveled, atop the decaying leaves of winter. Her body shook with vengeance from the emotional havoc ripping thru her soul.

We witnessed as Aubrey fell apart. Silently crying at her pain.

She bled tears of torment and slowly begged for death to take her.

She screamed "I can no longer play a pawn in this disgusting game of chess I call my life."

"I pray for mercy as I wish for permanent sleep." She whispered as she curled into herself and fell fast sleep.

"I want to hold her" Darius pleaded.

"Go to her" Alejandro ordered.

Jackson, Ethan and Bryan took their rightful places around Darius as he held the angel in his arms.

Serriphina, Mekhal, Alejandro and I stood guard around the watchful wolves.

Hours passed while Darius placed kisses upon Aubrey's sleeping face, running his fingers thru her tangled hair.

We waited to wake her up until we agreed she had rested.

Darkness seeped into the forest and I beckoned the moon to illuminate the trees that surrounded us.

***Aubrey's POV***

I stirred slowly as I felt warm arms wrapped around me. I felt a current of electricity kissing my bare arms. I turned my head to see who was so close.

Recognition overwhelmed me.

"My stranger angel" I cooed. "Oh how I missed you."

Darius' eyes opened wide as he heard my words.

He blinked and turned his head, and finally I got to see his eyes.

"You have beautiful eyes" I whispered.

"As do you, sweet angel" Darius replied.

I saw his lips mumble an incoherent word.

Suddenly, I had a deep desire to touch his soft lips. Well if I'm dead and this is my welcoming party, I will gladly take it.

I reached up and rubbed my thumb across his full, deep red, bottom lip.

He kissed my thumb with a blinding smile following behind it.

Tingles ran up my arm and sent shivers down my spine.

"Oh Heaven, why did I wait so long to get here?" I thought.

Only then did I notice seven other people hovering around me and Darius. They were smiling and laughing softly.

"What?" I questioned.

"Um, you kinda said that out loud" A handsome young man confirmed.

"Oh, well that's embarrassing." I blushed.

"I'm Ethan" the handsome man who pointed out my flaw said. He was extremely good looking with hazel eyes and light brown hair.

"Can I ask who the rest of you are? And, why Heaven sent such a large welcoming committee?" I asked.

"Jackson" a stunning specimen with dark black hair announced.

"Bryan" a very good looking blonde proclaimed.

"I'm Persephone, this is Serriphina, Mekhal and Alejandro." The breathtaking woman who looked to be an angel introduced.

"Well that answers one of my questions" I deadpanned.

Giving them a little push, to answer the second, I widened my eyes in a "and" expression.

"You fell asleep on the forest floor" Serriphina stated.

"I'm alive? I'm awake? This isn't Heaven?" I stuttered out.

"No sweet angel, you are definitely not dead. Yes, you are awake. And, I'm glad we seem like things you encounter in Heaven, but you are very much in the forest outside your home." Darius sweetly stated while still holding me in his arms.

I probably should have been weary, but nah. Being surrounded by eight majestically gorgeous people was definitely something I could get used to.

"Why are you here, aside from my impromptu nap?" I questioned.

"We have been watching you" Persephone admitted.

"Kinda creepy, but did you enjoy yourself?" I asked.

"I like her" Alejandro stated.

"Well thank you! I try" I replied.

Laughter filled the air.

I wasn't sure what the hell was going on, but I liked these people. They could be my people.

"Can we, maybe, do this at my house? I'm kinda tired of being on the ground" I requested.

"We can go somewhere else. But, given you ended up here to escape your house, why don't we take you to our home?" Jackson insisted.

"Sure, why not" I agreed.

Well I probably shoulda asked where home was , because before I could resist we all were transported to an elegant castle in some country I had never known of.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"My castle" Darius explained.

"Midwives have castles" I asked thru squinted eyes.

"Fake midwives do!" Darius clarified.

"Yeah I'm gonna need a drink" I blurted out.

More laughter filled the air.

"What would you like to drink darling?" Darius asked.

"I'm not complaining, at ALL, but why do you call me those enchanting terms of endearment?" I asked Darius.

"Let me get you a drink, and then I will answer any question you have sweetheart" Darius winked.

"Oh for the love of all things holy my panties just turned to puddles" I thought.

Laughter erupted like thunder thru the air as Darius stared with a large gaping "O" formed on his lips.

"You said that out loud too" Jackson roared thru his side splitting laughter.

"Well fuck me running" I deadpanned as my face turned hot and I'm sure red was smothering my cheeks.

"I can't" Bryan busted out laughing.

"My sides hurt, she's too much" Mekhal cackled.

Serriphina and Persephone were giggling like school girls and I couldn't help but laugh too.

"Darius?" I asked.

"Yes Sweetheart?" He replied.

"I would like a VERY strong glass of vodka, and a sandwich if you don't mind, handsome" I winked.

Oh the look on his face, priceless.

Pink peaked thru his olive skin as he smiled right thru his deep blue eyes.

I wanted to fall before that man and worship his Greek God self.

"Coming right up" Darius called as he left the sitting room.

"Unbelievable" Jackson drew out.

"What?" I asked while shrugging my shoulders.

"You have been here for five minutes and already have the Alpha eating out of your hands." Jackson said with amazement.

"Well technically, I will be eating out of his" I quipped.

"For fuck sake!" Bryan yelled.

"What?" I asked again.

"You just have no filter, everything that comes out of your mouth is fucking genius." Bryan claimed.

"Well thank you, I will be here all night" I winked.

I must have been something these people had never seen, cause my smartass comments had them rolling on the ground laughing.

"Is that a promise, beautiful?" Darius questioned as he walked in holding my sandwich and drink.

"What promise?" I asked.

"That you will be here all night" Darius stated in a hopeful tone.

"I mean, if you think you can handle me, sure" I promised.

"Oh I'm sure Alpha will handle you" Ethan laughed.

Darius rammed an elbow straight into Ethan's side.

"What's an Alpha and why do they keep calling you that?" I asked Darius.

Must have been the right question cause all eyes were on Darius, impatiently waiting on an answer.

"You eat and drink and I will explain" Darius told me.

"About that." I started.

"Yes?" Darius questioned with a lifted brow.

"Jackson offered you to feed me" I winked at Jackson.

"That's not even what happened" Jackson corrected as he rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his large chest.

Everyone burst out laughing as Jackson fumed like a toddler.

"Jackson, you got steam coming out of your ears" I laughed.

"Just feed her before she makes us all die laughing" Bryan chortled.

And, just like that a delicious sandwich met my lips (straight from Darius hands).

"Yeah, I could get used to this" I said while taking a sip of my very strong beverage.