8

I didn't bake cookies for Jamie, but I did give him everything he wanted, chuckling at how happy he was. I did also agree that he call his mother and tell her what happened no matter the time.

I contacted Hades and asked to speak with him. I was texting that I hoped his minions could do me a favor when he appeared right in my kitchen.

He simply took in Jamie and raised an eyebrow. I sighed and explained. To say he was upset was an understatement.

Yeah, I felt the same.

"Are you asking me to fix it or my help to handle it?"

I let out a slow breath. "I think the three of us should agree how to handle it since Poseidon wants to reinvent a life here as well."

"Fair, but I want to know where your head is," he said after a moment.

"I want your minions to drag their asses to that warehouse or wherever and give them each a whip mark that won't heal. Have their grandmother give it even. I'm done with this shit." I nodded when he seemed like he didn't believe me. "They smirked at me, Brother. I am not allowing the past to repeat itself and letting slights go and being the bigger person."

"Agreed. And it will compound going forward. They are insane to think this was only for Jamie's sister or something."

"My mom wants to talk to you," Jamie said in between stuffing his face with cookies. "She's pissed and wants to punish them but doesn't want to step on your toes."

"Let her have a say as their elder," Hades agreed. "I will get them brought in and our brother here."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me. I miss the days when we would just wipe them off the map."

I swallowed loudly when he left, taking the phone from Jamie. I saw the worry in his eyes when he dropped his cookie. "You're scared? I'm grieving. My sweet brother used to be the kindest of the four of us and would cry when Zeus did things like that. Now he's the first to suggest such things. The underworld tainted him, and I allowed it."

"Sorry," Jamie mumbled, seeming too confused.

I spoke with Patti and then just brought her to us as Hades arrived with Poseidon and confirmed his minions would bring in the cousins.

Once they were caught up, nothing surprised me more than Patti having the harshest punishment suggestion of the four of us.

"You don't understand, that drug—people have died taking that drug," she seethed. "Jamie would never have consented to take it. It's more dangerous than heroin to a human and most would never just jump to that. That's basically what they did to my son."

"First, how is there such a drug? I need to know for the twins," I worried.

"It won't work on them, not on immortals. Not that I've ever heard, but—it's something magical. Colton would know more or probably how to get it—"

"I ordered my minions to get their supply and we can track it all down, thank you," Hades said.

"Well done, Brother," Poseidon praised, and I nodded.

I also understood Patti's anger better. "Then I agree. This is layered. Yes, I warned the family not to touch Jamie as my lover. I think each is whipped and one mark is permanent and the infractions will compound. Also, yes, Patti kicks their asses as the strongest wolf of the family." I smirked at her. "You know some will disagree with that."

Her eyes flashed with power and her wolf. "My brother-in-law can fucking die then. I will not risk my son for that useless shit and his bile. Enough of it went to Barb's head while he laughed behind her back. I am done allowing this and my mate placating me that he will handle it. He handles nothing."

Apparently not.

"And Mary gets a shot at them as well given they are the strongest wolves in Boston now," Poseidon muttered, nodding as well. "The twins warned them they were now the strongest in Boston and to behave. They walked out that night after agreeing."

"They weren't there," Jamie said as he kept eating. "They mocked the twins and even Barb for not wiping them out. Stupid bitches. They were really mean to me, Mom. So were my friends. I don't like them anymore."

"I know, baby," she whispered and went over to him. "I apologize, but he needs to hydrate. It will get it out of him fastest. Do you have any—"

I made a few cases of Gatorade appear on the table, nodding when she thanked me.

Hades flinched. "They have the cousins. I sent them to the location. Shall we?"

I looked at Patti. "You'll stay with Jamie while I handle this?"

"No, I want to stand at your side and make it clear I'm with you on this," Jamie said firmly. "Even if I sit and eat cookies. I agree. This—they can't keep testing you. You were too nice to let Barb live." Tears fell from his eyes. "Why is my family so horrible?"

"Your mother loves you," Poseidon said gently. "You're not all alone. Your cousin Jimothy is a good lad. We all have rotten apples."

I wasn't the only one who snorted at that. I accepted what he said though and nodded to Hades to bring all of us.

The two women were gagged and furious when they saw me. I wasn't going to go through the whole song and dance like I did with Barb. I was so over this shit. I used my power to change their tops so they were around their necks but backless.

"The first lash will never heal," I told them. "That's a reminder to never cross me again and believe when I say my lover is under my protection. I don't care that he's your fucking cousin. It's disgusting that he is your family and you thought to abuse him as revenge for the trouble Barb got herself into.

"If you lose your mind and ever think to cross me again, the punishment will be worse. This is only your punishment from me. I am not the only one you crossed with this. Your aunt has an axe to grind as the strongest of your family, and my daughters as the strongest wolves of the area." I smirked when steam about came out of their ears.

Pride really would be the death of fools.

I made a whip appear and let it fly on each of their backs, searing the wound so it would never heal fully. They screamed around their gags in a way that was more a howl and definitely not human. I gave them each enough lashings until they passed out from the pain, leaving their rapid healing to handle their recovery.

"We need to make their reality clear more than the punishments," I said as I made the whip disappear. "No more secrets." I glanced at my brothers. "Too many don't know their history or live with their heads in the sand. His cousins thought vampires a myth. Others didn't know they were priests. We've handled a lot in Boston, but then we kept peeling back layers to find more."

"You think we should have one big New England powwow to handle this and make it clear that people need to pull their heads out of their asses?" Poseidon asked.

"That wasn't what I was suggesting, but now that's my answer," I said as I glanced at Hades, glad when I saw he was on board. "Let people see where they really rank. The full moon is next weekend. Get ancients here so people see that reality. Also…" I smirked at them.

"How many are already on your side. Very smart, Sister," he praised.

"I have my moments but yes, that too." I had a moment to smile thinking about Renee beating Barb or these twits. She might have been an infected wolf, but that woman had fought off a lot of men and trained. She was street-tough and fought to win. She would wipe the floor with these pampered princesses. "It's mandatory unless it blows covers."

"Or I can walk someone into the underworld?" Hades checked.

I nodded. "You'd probably have to with one of these stupid fucking Alphas. Willie was that deluded for sure. We still have to decide what to do about these infected wolves growing and their leadership, but for now…"

"Let's handle New England," Poseidon said, both of us agreeing. "Think the twins will be fine with it?"

I threw back my head and laughed. "My daughters need excuses to smack the stupid out of people. I will bring the popcorn."

"Sounds fun," Poseidon purred, rubbing his hands together. "We'll handle everything else. You bring the food, and we'll make sure everyone attends. Maybe even some of these nieces and nephews hiding on your plane."

Fair enough.

Jamie was fine and resting when I finished up at the bakery for the day. Patti was sleeping in a chair near his bed, clearly having taken care of him. I woke her up to send her back home to get ready for what was to come.

"This could destroy my marriage," she whispered as she stared at Jamie.

"If it does, you have my protection and can stay in the guest house or my apartment as long as you need," I told her, nodding when she couldn't hide her shock. "Don't make the decision because you're worried about money or what comes next. That is the trap we've both fallen into. Make the right decision so you can look in the mirror tomorrow, Patti. You have support now."

"Thank you, my goddess." She let out a slow breath and nodded she was ready to be sent home.

Good for her.

Just to be sure, I went with and was glad to find her husband wasn't there. The fool could have been stupid and done something over the line… More than he already had.

Then again, my brothers would have thought of that.

Sure enough, when it was time to meet up and the vampires were all awake, I wasn't shocked to find Mr. Kraft and his brother restrained to boards Hannibal Lecter style.

"Really?" I chuckled.

"They are some of the most annoying wolves—men I have ever met," Hades grumbled, shaking his head.

"Any other problems?" I asked, snickering when they gave me looks not to be silly. "All handled?"

"I'm wounded you doubt us," Poseidon teased. "Feed me treats."

"Of course, my darling brother," I purred. I turned and made dozens of folding tables appear loaded with desserts all cut and ready to serve. There were plates, utensils… Everything. The party was ready to be catered.

And then I added three plush recliner chairs for us right by the fighting ring they had set up in the large warehouse along with huge bins of popcorn.

"Smartass," Hades grumbled, but looked amused. "We need more chairs."

I glanced around and saw Dion and Chen plus the twins, making chairs for them as well. I felt a few more gods, but they weren't showing themselves yet so they could hide in the shadows.

"Alright, let's get started with the fun." I moved to the middle of the ring and smiled out at the gathered group. "Too many of you think you are highest on the food chain or are stupid as to the truth of the world. We're going to change that, and hopefully you will learn some much needed self-preservation from this.

"For starters, those of you not stupid and who already know which side you are on of this, you are welcome by us and invited to enjoy refreshments. Those of you who think you are the best or pissed I punished the wolf, didn't want to be here—any of it, you can stand on this side and get your dose of reality. Watch your mouths though because ending up in the underworld is on the table."

I released Mr. Kraft and his brother, and Hades made Jamie's cousins appear… Along with Barb Kraft.

"You scarred my daughters?" Jamie's uncle seethed.

Faster than most could even track, Mary was there and his uncle was flying across the room. She went with him and then was dragging him to the ring.

"I apologize, Mother, but I have several axes to grind with this asshole before we get to kicking other ass," she growled.

"No death yet," I told her. "But you can cripple him permanently."

"Gladly." She punched him when he opened his mouth. "She is a goddess. You talk to her that way? Without respect and refused to pay her tribute? I will break you!"

And she did. She broke him easily. A few of their family went to jump in to help him and Hades made it clear they would end up in the underworld if they did and Jamie said he wouldn't ask for mercy for them. They got enough breaks, and if they would be so stupid with their pride, they deserved it.

His family was shocked and gave him disgusted looks.

"Where was that disgust when those two drugged him in public?" Patti bit out. "A harmless prank, right? Teaching him a lesson? This family is broken, and it's time to set a lot back to the way it should be starting with the strongest female wolf punishing the stupid out of a wolf. That is our way no matter how some men have bastardized it. The strongest rule!"

She threw back her head and howled, Kary and several others joining in.

Mary shook the uncle when he was about to pass out. She demanded he concede and finally get in line, or she would cripple his wolf.

"I won't stop her," Mr. Kraft cut in. "I can't, and I won't ask her to. You've gone too far. I know they're your girls, but Jamie is my child too. Do it or you're dead to me. Your immediate family is too."

"Fuck you," he spit out. "You think you're any better? You were just born first."

"Please don't lump me in with those fools," Jimothy muttered.

"You stand here with us," I told him. "You're on our side."

"Good." He moved over by Jamie. "I'm sorry for what my sisters did. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, luckily, I was just a goof and whiny," Jamie sighed, reaching over and patting his cousin on the shoulder. "We're good. You got out?"

"Yeah, Morgan got me out," he answered, nodding to Poseidon.

It was Renee of all people who stepped in and talked sense to Jamie's uncle. She walked right through everyone and jumped up into the ring and backhanded the man across the face. "You are a born wolf. I'm infected, and I respect my wolf more than you do. What has he ever done that he deserves you to treat him this way?"

"What do you know, mutt?" he sneered, spitting blood on the floor.

"He will be crippled as well!" she bellowed. "It won't just be in your human form. Your poor wolf will be crippled and unable to run like he should. What did he ever do to you that you would let him have that fate? Is your stupid pride really worth more than your wolf's health? If that's true, then you never deserved him!"

Everyone in the large warehouse went silent. People were talking about how stupid the man was or how fun it was to watch the drama, but only Renee had kept her head on straight and focused on what really mattered.

"She's right," Mary agreed. "Make your choice. No more."

"You are stronger," he bit out. "No more from me."

"Say it right and like you fucking mean it," she growled, shoving him to the floor.

He did the best he could to kneel in the condition he was in. "I recognize you as the Alpha and strongest of Boston. I will not challenge you again, Alpha."

"Good. Go lick your wounds." She waved for someone else from his family to get him out of there and gave Jamie's dad a hard look. "Do you need the same?"

"No, Alpha," he muttered, dipping his head.

"Clearly, the younger generation isn't learning from their elders," Hades drawled, nodding towards Barb and her cousins who had drugged Jamie. They were practically frothing at the chance to get at Mary.

"Yes, but they would blame everything on her being a child of Lycaon and all the excuses they could without ever learning something," I muttered, tired of this drama. I stood and climbed into the ring. "Barb, you will fight Renee. It's time you learned reality and how important true strength and—"

"That mongrel can't beat—" She cried out in pain as I broke her leg.

"Did you learn nothing? You interrupted a goddess?" I demanded.

"I apologize," she bit out.

Fine, I healed her, her eyes a bit too wide. "Then prove it. You talk and talk and bitch and run your mouth on so much—time to prove it, child."

"Then we should fight," she purred, a bit too much in her eyes that was starting to remind me of Hera.

People went silent again before bursting out laughing at the absurdity. I simply shook my head, but then I saw that Barb was truly confused.

"How could her priests ever have ra—hurt her if she wasn't weak?" she asked her cousins.

"There was magic on my temple to make me human so people wouldn't be intimidated by me," I told them. "Keep up and listen, idiot. We've discussed that in front of you. Your mother knew that. You're always so busy barking that you know the most, you never learn much."

I used my power to appear right in front of her and grabbed her arm, barely moving my wrist and breaking her bone.

"And no, I cannot tone down my strength unless I use magic to become human. I won't. Not for you or ever again. I'm stronger. I win." I healed her and let go. "I am one of the four original gods. Yes, I am stronger, idiot. Now go fight my champion and get a dose of reality."

Then I went back to the ring and was shocked when Renee knelt in front of me.

"I apologize, my goddess, but…" She sighed.

"What? Tell me," I muttered, feeling her distress. "Stand. You've done nothing wrong."

Renee did, sighing again as she rubbed her forehead. "I don't want to fight." She nodded when I couldn't hide my shock. She gestured to Barb. "I don't care if she's stronger than me. Like so what? Seriously, it's so stupid." She winced when I flinched. "I understand why you have to do this and smack them into line.

"You're protecting all of us. I even understand the point you're making and why she needs the lesson, but I don't want to be part of it. I don't want to be known as the one who beat her and the target it will put on me next. They drugged their own cousin. She's not pissed they drugged her brother. She's amused they took her side.

"I don't want to get involved with that. And I really don't care. I care about my job and things are going better. I have enough saved to put a down payment on a house soon, especially with the raise you gave me. I can have my own home which I never thought I could after I was infected. I survived being infected and their hopes to claim me like a trophy.

"That is what is important to me. I made it through. You helped us make it through. The kids are safe. We are healing more every day. More are being saved and having better lives. Even taking the cookie dough off our plates is huge and we're more productive. The decorations being gone is great and we're so much more efficient. That is what I care about."

"She really is the smartest one here today," Poseidon praised.

I agreed.

I moved towards her and cupped her face as I kissed her cheeks. "I apologize for not consulting you first. I am not the type of goddess to use mine as pawns. I always care about your feelings and desires. Thank you for showing everyone here that I am reasonable and would listen to someone loyal and trusted. You are a gem, Renee."

"I just want to help your power grow and for more of us to be happy," she whispered. "No more of this crazy and bullshit. That's what I want to fight for, not beat down some privileged delusional bitch. I'm too tired for that."

And she was. I could feel it in her very bones.

"I notice you've not once doubted you would win," Kary teased from outside of the ring.

Renee gave her a look not to be silly… Or start problems.

I laughed. It was too funny. I glanced at Kary. "You will help Renee find a house within her budget over spring break and work out all of the tedious adulting. She's more than deserved it making so much happen. Libby as well if she wants. They can take in people as roommates to make it work—help them."

"Yes, Mother," she agreed, beaming at Renee. "I told you that she would do it if you told her."

"Getting people off the street and with jobs is more important," Renee argued… Even as she hugged me.

"Yes, but giving them hope that their lives will turn around with hard work is just as important, love," I whispered as I petted her hair. "We all need that hope and faith in people. Thank you for restoring some of mine. Thank you for reminding me of what's most important when the crazy has been eating me as well."