Fated To Roman: The Almighty Alpha
Fifty Seven

Cleo's POV Everything seemed so surreal, had the pain in my heart not been there, I would have thought this all to be a nightmare. The only thing I knew for sure, was that the council wouldn't stop, not until they got what they wanted. Whether or not I'd survive the removal of hellfire was of no matter to them. Hell, they'd probably kill me anyway all because of who I am, and the power my pup may possess. All I knew was I had to stop them, and this time I'd be going solo.

Too many people had their own agenda, even if it were to save a loved one. I, however, wanted everyone but the council to get their happy ending.

I wanted Axel and Hector to live the remainder of their lives in peace knowing Athena was in a better place, one where she felt loved and accepted. The scars that once plagued her no longer held her back. I wanted Layla and Lewis to watch their pups grow up and begin families of their own. In an ideal world, Kai would find it within him to forgive himself and be blessed with a second chance mate. One that would make all his dreams come true. What happened with Kaylee wasn't his fault and he needed to believe that. And not to be selfish, but I also wanted my own happy ending. One that included Roman being very much alive. I wanted us to raise the most amazing little girl and watch how she would one day change the entire world. After all, she would be our only pup because I wasn't going through the shit show of pregnancy, ever again.

The only obstacle in everyone's way were the men who wished to incite fear to each of our lives. Their day of holding power was coming to an end, and it would be a spectacular fall. A push from power that I would personally deliver. 'Wanting all those things is all well and good, but unless we go back to where it all began, it'll be for nothing.' It frightened me to know what Freya's message meant. Go back to where it all began. Back to hell, the birthplace of hellfire. I knew the dangers of what I was about to do, but I saw no other way. All I could do was hope that Roman had it in him to send the darkness back to the pits of hell once my mission was complete. If anything was going to be my saving grace, it would be his love for me.

Closing my eyes, I pictured Hades castle which sat just behind the Temple of Styx. The place I'd come to learn was the barrier between worlds. The old brick walls and the desert surrounding it were what I thought of first. Maybe it was how stunned I was to find the desert when it wasn't at all what I'd pictured hell to look like.

It wasn't long before the familiar feeling of flames danced along my arms pouring onto the floor and creating a pentagram on the ground. A small smile played on my lips as the ignited flames turned blue.

'You won't need to shift any more, step in we don't have time to lose.' Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the symbol that was burning into the ground.

I knew once the burnt symbol was found, everyone would think the worst. Yet for this to work, they needed to. I needed everyone to truly fear me, it was the only way the council would too. If they knew I'd given myself over completely, they know they couldn't stop me. Not without the blade I used to kill Hades. Something that was no longer available as it turned to ash the moment Hades died. And with Henrik in hiding, nobody could force the old man to make another. As the flames died out, I found myself standing before Hades fireplace. The urge to run my fingers over the bone structure was hard to resist. When I came here the first time, I felt uncomfortable. Everything from the shadows to the blue flames, gave me the creeps. Only now they made me feel comfortable, almost as if I were home. Even the whispers from before welcomed me as their voices grew louder.

Knowing I didn't have time to decipher my feelings I located his throne. For this to work I needed to accept every part of myself. I thought I had when I accepted Freya being half demon, but as she reminded me, there was more. I needed to accept Hades as my father, and me as his daughter. The rightful heir to hellfire and all its power, including my rule over the underworld.

The throne was more comfortable than it looked. Though I don't know why it surprised me, after all, who would spend ample time sitting on something that gave your arse an ache.

"Feels right doesn't it." Standing in the doorway was an elderly man, or at least parts of an elderly man.

The right half of his face withered while the left side was hidden behind a mask. As he bought his arms from behind his back to bow, I caught a glimpse of his hands. The skin had begun to rot away leaving the bones on show. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Who are you?" Standing from the throne I prepared myself. There was so much about this place I had yet to learn.

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! "My name is Amun."

"Well Amun, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to help you access your birthright. After all, that's why you are here, is it not?"

My eyes remained on Amun as he pulled a book from beneath his dark and tatty robe. The book was small and clearly decades old. The leather cover had signs of wear and tear, yet somehow remained intact. "How does it work I'm in a..."

"Rush? Yes, I'm aware. The acceptance is relatively quick, though it does require a small sacrifice."

"Sacrifice?" I knew this was something I needed to do, but if he intended for me to take a person's life to gain the power I needed, then I'd have to pass. I was doing this for the good of my family, I wasn't about to destroy another by taking someone they loved.

"Yes, as Queen of the underworld, you must sacrifice your human soul. You must condemn it to Tartarus, for eternity."

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away!

"The black pit, but I'm not bad. I'm good, I've always been good. I know my mythology so I know if I were to pass my soul would go to Elysium."

"Had you been human perhaps, just as had you been pure wolf your soul would pass to the Asphodel Meadows. Your human counterpart would be numbed, and your wolf free to roam until the Moon Goddess sought to recycle her. Good or bad, every god has a role to play. You'll come to learn the rules after time."

"What will happen to me without my soul?" It may have seemed obvious, but I needed to know. I needed to know what I was truly sacrificing.

"You'll be alive if that's what you're wondering. Contrary to what some believe, you can live a full life without a soul. Whether you are human, wolf, or witch. You may not realise, but you see it every day. Someone walking around without a soul and you never notice. Witches trade theirs for power, wolves for strength, and humans for wealth. There are, however, side effects. Not that they matter in comparison to the scale of things." "Care to elaborate?"

"Your generation truly isn't known for being smart are they." I just raised my eyebrow at his rude remark. "Fine... the main side effect is you won't be able to feel love the same as before, amongst other... less valued things of course. But as you are in a rush, I'll let you find them out for yourself." So, to save everyone I had come to care for, and those I loved with all my heart, I'd be surrendering the biggest part of myself.

I knew there would be risks, but nothing to this extent. Though I now knew why Hades was the way he was. Without a soul, it would be harder if not impossible to be overcome with evil. Especially if he didn't have anyone to fight for him. "Just get it over with, there's somewhere I have to be."

"Very well." Amun nodded while his eyes remained on my face. While in his presence I couldn't rid myself of the strange feeling that churned in my gut. He emitted power in a way I hadn't thought possible, something that made me wonder how he came to be of service to the ruler of the underworld. "Take a seat my child and we will begin." Amun waved his hand igniting candles that formed a circle with us at the centre. 'There's no turning back now.'