Death's Mate

Of Gods and Wolves: Death’s Mate G.K. DEROSA Copyright © 2023 Mystic Rose Press All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system known or hereafter invented, without written permission from the publisher, Mystic Rose Press. Print ISBN: Cover Designer: Sanja Gombar Fantasy Book Covers Published in 2023 by Mystic Rose Press Palm Beach, Florida www.gkderosa.com Created with Vellum To all the girls who love the villain ;) Contents Quote Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Epilogue 38. Sneak Peek of Sweet Temptation - Hitched Live Season Two Also by G.K. DeRosa Acknowledgments About the Author "Destiny is a worrying concept. I don’t want to be fated, I want to choose." - Jeanette Winterson Chapter One Thane By the gods if Hades has hurt my Attie, I’ll rip his insides from his throat and stomp across his intestines until the god of the Underworld is nothing more than an unrecognizable mound of bloodied pulp. I’ll raze all of Divus to the ground, destroy Azar, rain down heaven and hell over the human world until she’s back in my arms. I’d do anything for her, my Attie. My wings beat at a frenzied pace, attempting to keep rhythm with my thundering heart as I soar across Divus. Attie, I’m coming. Astra, can you hear me? A growl grinds through my clenched teeth at the heavy silence across our mate bond. Why didn’t my gods’ damned lupine abilities work when I needed them most? With Hecate’s soul trapped in Somnis, we were so close, so close to finally having the happiness we deserve. A baby, of my own flesh and blood. Gods, the idea fills me with so much joy and fear it’s unfathomable. Hades what have you done? For the hundredth time since leaping from the gilded mountain of Somnis, I attempt to summon my old mentor. Either Hades is ignoring me, or my divine telepathic abilities are still stunted. I’ll end him. I’ll bind him in manacles and force him to endure the endless torture of his dark souls in Tartarus. What seems like an eternity later with grisly images consuming my thoughts, the towering crags of Castle Moirai finally appear at a distance. I propel my body forward, my wings whipping wildly. I soar over the bridge and land atop the third-floor balcony, just outside my chambers. My hands close around the antique knobs, a tremor racing through my fingertips. Please gods, let Astra be safe. I whip the doors open, and they fly off their hinges from the force. My gaze scans the dark bedroom, and icy panic surges through my veins. “Astra!” I dart from the main chamber to the bathroom, to the sitting room, my movements wild and erratic. “Astra, where are you?” My pulse thrums so chaotically it’s catapulted itself from my ribcage and taken permanent residence in my throat. Each nook and cranny found vacant only intensifies my rage, my paralyzing fear. What if my mother, Nyx, told Hades of the prophecy? She said herself it was time to choose a side. What if she’s chosen that of the god of the Underworld? No, it cannot be. I drag my hand through my hair and tug at the wild ends. A ghostly presence stirs in my core. My missing wolf… He senses the absence of his mate as acutely as I. Astra’s guards. Where are they? I dart out of my bedroom and race down the spiral staircase. “Remus? Romulus?” I bellow their names across each level. With each step I descend without a response, the fear grows deeper. I finally reach ground level and sprint toward the kitchens. An unnamable force guides my feet further into the bowels of the castle. I crash through a barred door, and my heart plummets. Romulus and Remus’ torn and battered bodies are splayed out across the marble floor. “Oh gods, no.” I sink to the ground beside their unmoving forms. They never would have let any harm come to my Attie. Which means only one thing… They protected her to the end. Inching beside Romulus, I whisper, “I’m so sorry, belanima.” I run my hand over his lids, covering that unseeing lilac gaze, then repeat the same with his brother. The one Astra loves so. A hint of hope blossoms in my chest, and I rise, scanning the dark space for their lingering souls. Since I hadn’t ferried them to Somnis, they could still be floating around the Veil. “Romulus, Remus!” I shout again and again. Not a spirit stirs. Despair consumes me, my knees tremble and my legs give way. I bury my face in my hands as the tremor rolls through my shoulders. I allow myself only a moment of anguish before I force myself to rise. I am Death. I am Thanatos, the Reaper. And today, I will come for you, Hades. I clench my fingers into a fist, and my glimmering scythe appears in my hand. My wings snap out, and I soar across the room toward the dark passageways of my fortress. I will not rest again until Astra is back in my arms. “Thanatos!” A familiar voice echoes from the upper level. “What’s happened? I felt something terrible…” My wings carry me up the stairs, and I nearly barrel into the goddess Luna and her lupine lover. Her face is pinched, eyes wide. “Something’s happened to Rom and Remus.” I nod slowly. “Hades has taken Astra,” I snarl. “And