Butterscotch Souls: The Morningstar Series: Book 4
Butterscotch Souls – Chapter 32

I woke up with a jolt.

“Wait!” I shouted as I shot up in the bed.

It was too late. I’m already back home. Actually, I’m in my bed and completely naked with sheets wrapped around me.

The sun was setting outside and it was giving off a soft glow through my windows. I laid back on the bed and tried to catch my breath.

Just as my breath evened the door opened. Ambrose came rushing in. His eyes scanned the room before settling on me.

“What’s wrong?” He asked worried.

“Nothing.” I said.

Ambrose walked in and sat on the bed next to me.

“You were freaking out I could feel it through the bond.” He said calling me out.

I rolled my eyes.

“Okay well.. something happened but..” Where do I even start? “Is Tate here?” I asked.

Ambrose shook his head.

“After you started to pass out I brought you back here to sleep. That was two hours ago. When I went back to get Tate he was doing much better and asked if he could have dinner at Ziggy’s house. I told him that was fine but that I would be coming to get him right after.” He told me.

I nodded and sat up. The sheet fell from my body and Ambrose’s eyes traveled down to my chest. L**t sparked inside of me. I had to shake my head and cover myself back up. Stay focused.

“No time for that.” I said as I got up and went to Ambrose’s closet.

My mate followed me and watched as I sifted through his clothes until I settled on a white T-shirt.

“No time for s*x? Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” Ambrose asked me in a teasing tone.

I rolled my eyes and shoved on his chest. Ambrose let me lead him back to our bed. He sat down and watched me as I began to pace. And then I told him everything. I remembered every single thing about the conversation I had with the Gods.

Ambrose listened intently and patiently. He didn’t interrupt me at all, which was great since I was rambling on and on. I think I might be on the verge of a freak out. By the time I was finished I think I burned a line in our rug.

Ambrose remained silent for far too long and it was making my panic worse.

“Say something!” I shouted at him as I finally stopped pacing.

“We need to tell the others.” Ambrose told me as he stood up and went to my closet.

When he came out he threw a black pair of my sweat pants at me.

“Right now?” I asked surprised.

Ambrose pulled his phone out and then put it up to his ear.

“Yes. Get dressed.” He ordered me and I was not going to argue with him. “Tia, get everyone together, now. Epperly just had a visit from her five Gods. We need to talk.” He said and then hung up the phone.

I stuggled to put my pants on as the anxiety was getting worse inside of me.

“I’m freaking out Ambrose.” I told him.

My mate closed the distance between us and put his hands on my arms. He started to rub his hands up and down and the sparks were sending me tons of mixed signals. L**t, comfort, more l**t. My Gods Epperly, get a grip.

Why am I acting like this?

Ambrose was staring into my eyes. I could feel his own l**t start to build and it was making my own harder to ignore. For a moment, a very short and intense moment, I thought that he was going to act on it. I wasn’t sure to be excited or try and stop what I thought was about to happen.

Then Ambrose shook his head and started for the door.

“We don’t have time for that baby, let’s go.” He said as he held the door open for me.

I stared at him, willing myself to go out that door.

“I…” I stopped to lick my lips. “You sure we don’t have a little bit of time?” I asked with a bit of a whine.

Ambrose’s eyes went wide for a moment.

“Are you being serious?” He asked me.

I shrugged and bit my l*p.

“You started it.” I stated.

“Me?” Ambrose asked incredulously.

“Yes, you.” I said and then crossed my arms.

Ambrose deep chuckle sounded throughout the room, causing warmth to spread through my body.

“Your l**t evoked my l**t so it’s actually your fault.” He told me.

I turned my eyes to him fully intending on aruging about this, but I had a better idea.

“You’re right.” I said as I walked up to him. “It was me. Let me make it up to you.” I said as I ran my hands up his chest.

Ambrose shivered but grabbed my hands stopping me.

“Baby we have other things to worry about right now.” He told me.

I pouted.

“Surely we have some time to kill while they all get gathered up.” I countered.

Ambrose shook his head and chuckled.

“Epperly, you and I are never quick enough to do this. Our last ‘quickie’ was in the shed and it lasted over 45 minutes.” He told me.

“Really?” I asked.

I didn’t know we were in that shed for that long.

“Yes baby, now let’s go before I change my mind and let you have your way with me.” He said before pressing a soft and short k**s to my lips.

Ambrose grabbed my hand and pulled me though the door. We rushed to the school, by rushed I mean Ambrose power walked and I had to sprint to keep up. At one point he threw me over his shoulder until we got to the conference room.

I agrued that we could just teleport or slow down but Ambrose said he liked the view too much. Whatever that meant. I guess it’s a nice evening today.

Once we reached the conference room everyone was already there waiting. I guess Ambrose and I really wouldn’t of had time to do anything. Tia and Max are sitting on one side of the table.

Max is rubbing her belly lovingly while she goes over some papers in front of her. Lydia and Kasyn are talking with Lucifer a few feet away from them. Kee isn’t here, but Robby, Azai, Ares, Bexley, and another girl I don’t know are here.

Ambrose looked around before turning his attention to his older sister.

“Why are they all here?” He asked.

“I asked them to come. Belle and Olive are with the kids and will be updated later. We have updated them thus far but I thought we should all hear what you have to say.” Tia told him.

“You told them all?” I asked.

Tia looked at me and nodded.

“It’s better to have our best warriors in the know so that if anything happens they know how to react.” She told me.

I nodded.

I guess that makes sense. We would need all the help we could get if the Gods were really coming.

“Epperly come sit next to me!” Bexley called out.

Ambrose’s grip on my hand tightened.

“She is going to sit with me.” He told Bexley.

The blonde girl smirked.

“Then you sit next to me.” She offered.

“Not a chance Bex. You probably superglued that chair.” He grumbled out before sitting in the chair closest to us and pulling me into his lap.

“Boo.” Bexley said with a pout. “I wanted Nix to get to know her.”

“Nix?” I asked.

“Yeah!” Bexley said as she looked to the girl next to her. “This is Phoenix, my best friend, my other half.” She introduced us.

The girl rolled her eyes at her friend but smiled. She is an absolutely stunning young women. Her black hair is shinier than mine. It’s super curly and thick, and very long, going all the way down her back. Phoenix’s skin is pale and looks even paler next to Bexley who has a golden glow about her. The girls lips are full and look naturally red.

What stuck out the most were Phoenix’s eyes though. One of her eyes is a bright green, almost glowing like Kee’s do. The other is a golden yellow color with a long scar starting in the middle of her forhead, down her left eye and face, ending in the middle of her cheek. Wow… Phoenix has a breathtaking beauty about her.

“It is very nice to meet you Epperly. I am honored to fight for you.” She stated.

“Th-Thank you.” I stuttered out.

“Okay, back to buisness.” Tia said getting everyone’s attention.

Now everyone is sitting at the table patiently, or impatiently waiting.

“What is so important that we all had to gather?” She asked us.

“After leaving here Epperly and I-” Ambrose abruptly stopped.

I turned my head to see him look at everyone else. His cheeks turned pink. What is he blushing about?

“You and Epperly…?” Bexley urged amused.

“We, uh, well, we had a nice chat outside.” He decided to go with that I guess.

“Outside?” Phoenix asked.

“Yeah out back, well, in the weapons shed. Anyways-“

“So that was your thong I found!” Bexley shouted accusingly as she pointed a finger at me.

My face heated so fast I thought I was going to pass out. Ambrose went rigid behind me. Everyone else seemed to be amused, except for Tia who didn’t really look like she cared at all, and Ares who looked like he was ready to kill somebody if we didn’t get on with it.

I turned to look at my mate.

“I thought you said you cleaned up our clothes.” I whisper yelled.

“I thought I did.” He mumbled back.

“You thought wrong homie.” Bexley said amused.

“Can we fg get on with this st already?” Ares said angrily. “You and your mate f*d in the weapons shed, who hasn’t? Mov-“

“I haven’t.” Bexley said.

“Me neither.” Phoenix added.

“Have you Ares? I thought you were waiting for your mate?” Bexley asked him.

Ares face flushed. This was the first time I have seen him look something other than angry. I almost laughed at his reddened cheeks. His eyes flickered to his parents and back to Bexley, who looks smug as hell with what she asked.

“My sx life if no one’s business.” He gritted out. “Worry about your fg self Bexley.”

“Whatever you say Ares.” She said but then her and Phoenix snickered.

“Any-f*****g-ways.” Ares said. “You guys were outside, then what?” He asked.

“Epperly got unreasonably exhausted.” Ambrose continued.

“Unreasonably?” Bexley asked. “I haven’t had s*x before but I doubt that with a Morningstar it would be unreasonable.” She said with a laugh.

“That, you are completely correct about my dear Bexley!” Lucifer chimed in proudly.

I could feel Ambrose’s irritation growing through our bond.

“Okay, enough. We all need to pay attention.” I said scowling at Lucifer and Bexley.

“Sorry..” They both mumbled.

“I passed out and had a dream, but it wasn’t a dream. I was summoned to the meeting grounds of the five Gods Lockern had told us about.” I said.

“Isn’t Selene totally beautiful and warm? Her aura just wraps you in a hug.” Bexley said dreamily.

I turned my head to her and smiled.

“She is very amazing.” I agreed.

“So, what did they say?” Max asked.

I spent the next hour or so explaining what had been discussed. Everyone kept interrupting me to ask me questions here and there. I wasn’t annoyed but I was starting to kick myself for not asking the Gods some of these questions. When I was finally done there was a long pause between the group.

“So,” Pops (he told me to call him that) started. “What was Bersek Tyr like? I haven’t gotten to meet him myself but I hear many things.” He told me.

“Well, at first he didn’t seem to fond of the Morningstar’s. He said something about Selene mating me to a b***d thirsty monster. But then he said that I would be fine because of my mate and his family. So, I’m not really sure how he feels about you. He loves me though. Gave me a giant hug before he left. And he laughs a lot.” I told him.

“Figures, all of the war Gods tend to think indifferently about me.” Pops said.

“What about Venus? What was she like?” Bexley asked me.

“Kind, and loving. She wanted to talk about Ambrose a lot.” I said with a giggle.

Phoenix scrunched up her face.

“Why would she want to do that?” She asked making Bexley snort.

I shrugged.

“She wanted to know what kind of mate he is. It was sweet. She’s very big on romance.” I said.

Bexley sighed dreamily. “I can’t wait to meet my mate.”

I giggled at her.

“And the others?” Tia asked. “What were they like? Do you trust them?” She asked.

I nodded.

“I trust them all, even Lockern.” I said with an eye roll. “Selene was amazing. She told me a lot of really interesting things about Tate and is very positive that Kee will be able to break the seal in my mind. Lockern was…. well Lockern. And Poseidon.. He was quiet. I think he is afraid to go against his brother, but I can’t blame him. Family is important, I wouldn’t want to go up against my own brother if I had one. But I could tell that his heart is in the right place.” I told them.

Pops scoffed.

“We will see about that.” He said.

“There was one more thing that Selene told me before I woke up.” I said gently.

“What is it?” Ambrose asked me. I didn’t tell him this part either.

“She told me that my wolf was not gone just far, far away.” I told them all.

“You didn’t tell me that before.” Ambrose said.

“I forgot.” I admitted. “There was a lot that happened.”

“We need to read that file.” He replied.

I nodded in agreement.

“So, the Gods are coming.” Tia said as she sat back in her chair. “Well, if it is a war they want, it’s a war they’ll get.” She said with a sinister smile. “Epperly, I don’t think that it is smart for you or Tate to be alone, even on the grounds. Unfortunately, you both will have a babysitter for the time being. Robby, I want you with Tate at all times. Even at his classes. It should be easy for you since Tate and Ziggy are best friends.” She ordered.

Robby nodded. “Got it.”

“Tell Belle that the rest of the facility needs to be aware. Azia, help with that. I want our siblings and their mates to know first. They need to be keeping an ear to the gorund.” Tia continuted.

“Gotcha sis. Olive will give anyone they send hell if they make it into the school.” Azai said with a proud smile. “Anyone who learns her rath comes to regret it. If they live.” He said.

Pops chuckled.

“I love that we have a couple of Furies in our family. Fiesty little things.” He commented.

“Ares, you will be with Epperly when Ambrose can’t be.” Tia said.

“Why me? Can’t you give her someone more…. girlie?” He asked with a digusted look on his face.

“Girlie?” I asked with a brow raised. “Maybe following me around will teach you some manners. I’m sure your future mate would be happy for that.” I said.

Bexley and Phoenix snickered earning a glare from Ares.

“No arguing Ares. You aren’t mated and you aren’t on a mission.” Tia said.

“But neither are these two goons.” Ares said pointing a thumb at the two girls next to him.

Tia narrowed her eyes at her brother.

“I said no arguing.” She stated sternly. “Besides, I need them for other things. On top of adding a lot more patrolling, Bexley I need you to start with stragey plans. That is what you’re best at. Phoenix, I want anyone who looks to be after Epperly captured and I want you on interrogation.” Tia stated.

The two girls nodded without saying anything. Apparently, they went into mission mode and that was a much, much different look than their normal carefree faces. It was kind of cool.

“Mom, Dad, Pops, can you talk to some of the Gods or other powerful people? We need to know numbers and who exactly we are going up against.” Tia said.

“We are on it.” Lydia replied.

After Tia was done throwing out orders we were all dismissed. Ambrose and I walked to Robby’s with him. There was an unsettling feeling in the air around us all. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that we are about to go to war with Gods.

Gods.

How are we supposed to come out of this?

I felt numb. Even as we picked up our cheerful son. Even as we walked back to our home as Tate talked our ears off about his day. Even when we entered the house. I remained numb as I sat on the couch and stared at the blank TV. Everyone I have come to care deeply about over the last week are in danger now. Because of me. And I have no idea how we would do this.

Should I just leave? Then everyone here would be safe. My son would be safe.

“I know what you are thinking Epperly, and I want you to know that if you ever leave me I will find you and drag you back here.” I turned my head to see Ambrose sitting next to me.

When did he get here?

“You are not allowed to leave.” He said lowly.

I shook my head.

“I’m putting everyone in danger here Ambrose. What about Tate?” I asked in a hushed tone.

Tate is at the table eating a snack and totally ignoring us.

Ambrose grabbed my hands in his.

“Epperly nothing is going to happen to you or to Tate. Or anyone helping you. Gods or not, we are all powerful as well. Tate will be in a safe place and protected if it comes down to a war here. I promise you that things will be fine, but you cannot leave me.” His voice broke at the end.

“I don’t want to leave you.” I admitted sadly.

“Hey, why don’t we go for a run.” Ambrose suggested loud enough for Tate to hear.

Our son gasped excitedly.

“Yeah! Let’s go for a run Dad!” He shouted.

I rolled my eyes.

“How is that supposed to help me? I don’t want alone time right now.” I said with a pout.

Ambrose chuckled and leaned in to k**s my pouty lips.

“I was thinking you could come with us.” He told me.

I gave him a confused look. “I don’t have my wolf Ambrose, remember?”

“I know. I was thinking that you could ride mine.” He said as he stood up and helped Tate down from the table.

Tate marched to the back door like he normally does. Ambrose followed him out as I sat on the couch with my mouth open. I scrambled to get off the couch and follow after them. By the time I made it outside Tate was down to his underwear. Ambrose was working on his jeans and I was suddenly wishing I stayed in for a few more minutes.

Goddamn my mate is so hot.

“Are you coming?” Ambrose asked me.

“Do I have to get naked too?” I asked with a small laugh.

Ambrose eyes darkened. My core tightened. Thankfully our son is here to ruin the mood.

“Daddy said you were gonna ride on his back, why would you have to get naked?” He asked in all seriousness.

My face flushed and Ambrose chuckled.

“Momma was just joking buddy.” He told our son.

“Oh. Okay.” Tate said with a shrug.

I blew out a breath.

“Okay well, I didn’t know I could ride your back how come I haven’t before?” I asked just as Tate shifted.

He is getting much better at that. I heard his bones start to crack and break but it was only seconds later that he was fully shifted. It didn’t look like it hurt as much either.

“I wanted to.” Ambrose said pulling my attention back to him. “But I didn’t trust Kohen not to mark you.” He admitted.

I nodded. “Should have come out here and trapped you while you were in wolf form then.” I muttered.

Ambrose laughed at me. “Alright, stand back.”

I took a couple of steps back. Tate followed me and then sat down next to me as we watched his father shift. Ambrose’s wolf is gorgeous. A deep and pure black just like Tate. I walked up to him after he was fully shifted and put my hand up. Kohen pushed his nose into my palm and I giggled.

I ran my fingers through his fur and scratched behind his ears. Kohen rubbed his body along mine and then licked my face. I giggled again before wiping the slobber from my cheek.

“You are just the cutest.” I cooed as I continued to pet him.

Kohen let out a small, harmless growl. Then he got down on his belly and looked at me expectantly. I took that as a hint to get on his back.

It was a bit awkward to climb onto his large wolf. He already comes up to my face level while standing on all fours. But I managed. I gripped onto Kohen’s black fur as he stood to his paws.

The two wolves shared a look before Tate took off. He was so fast that all I saw was a blur. Then, we were off right after him. I yelped in surprise and gripped onto Kohen even more. We were chasing after Tate as he bound through the woods. I was focused more on holding on than anything else.

Relax love, enjoy the run. I won’t let you fall. Ambrose’s voice floated through my head.

I nodded.

He’s right. Taking a deep breath I sat up straighter. I made sure to keep a good hold on Kohen, but I managed to actually enjoy the run. The wind blew through my long hair and it felt so freeing. After a few minutes I was throwing my arms in the air and shouting. Kohen and Skoll would howl along with my shouts.

It’s amazing.

Much too soon, we returned home. Tate started to slag letting us know he was getting exhausted. When we got to our backyard Kohen got on his belly and I hopped off of him.

Then he and Tate shifted. We must have ran for longer than they usually do because as soon as Tate put his underwear back on he passed right out. Ambrose caught him just before he hit the ground.

We carried our son to his bed and tucked him in. Tate didn’t stir at all. Ambrose ran to take a quick shower after that. I rummaged through my closet until I found the duffle bag that used to hold my entire life. It feels like I have been here much longer than I have. It seems like forever ago that I was on the run with my son.

My life has changed so much.

I grabbed the slightly crumpled file from the bag and walked back to my bed. It’s a thick file, but it should be with 13 yearsof torture documented. I sat down at the end and stared at the folder in my hands. This holds everything I need to know when it comes to my wolf. It also holds everything the humans did to me.

Am I really ready for this?

“I can open it first and tell you if you’d rather do it that way.” Ambrose suggested.

I looked up to find my mate in the doorway of our bathroom. He has a towel wrapped around his body and is still dripping with water. In all honesty, I’d rather say to hell with this and just ravish my mate instead, but I know this needs to be done. Even if I am ridiculously horny.

“Can you get dressed please?” I asked him. “You’re very distracting.” I said.

Ambrose chuckeld and kissed the top of my head. He disappeared into his closet for a few minutes. When he came out he is dressed in a pair of boxers and nothing else. I frowned at him.

“Really?” I asked.

Ambrose gave me a sheepish smile before throwing a black T-shirt over his head.

“There.” He said and sat next to me.

I rolled my eyes. Whatever. I would just have to keep my focus in the right place.

I stared at the file for another moment. I’m so nervous to open it. Ambrose wrapped an arm around me and pushed soothing waves through our bond. I looked up at my mate. Ambrose smiled lovingly at me. As long as he is by my side, I can do this.

Looking back at the file I took a deep breath and opened it.