Worth It - Lisa Oliver Page 0,54

if you don’t want to be a part of that, then you can just set me up somewhere and I’ll cope on my own. I won’t… I can’t… When the Fates told me they would only break our mating bond if I gave up the child…”

“They did WHAT?” Okay, Zeus’s behavior had been bad enough but how dare the Fates even consider such a thing. Tilting his head back, Zeus roared out his anger at the Fates. “You fucking evil, manipulative, scheming, fucking heartless crones. How can you suggest, even hint…”

“They said they could hide me from you, but not the child,” Paulie was close to tears, and Zeus was pissed off at himself all over again because he’d caused his mate enough tears already. “I told them no. I told them to shove their offer where the sun didn’t shine. I told them they’d planned I would be the mate of Zeus, and I would be the mate of Zeus, but if you don’t want this… if you don’t want me…”

“Don’t ever say that. Fuck.” Zeus pulled Paulie against his chest. “This is all my fault. A shifter should never doubt their mate, and all I’ve done is prove to you how fucking useless I am with this mating business. I’m glad you’re my mate and I’m pissed off at the Fates for even suggesting you could be hidden from me. I’m thrilled about the baby; I’m pissed off at me for not being with you when you found out. I’m angry, and frustrated, and so fucking tired it’s unbelievable, but I’m also so freaking grateful you are here in my arms. Safe. Does any of that make sense?”

“It kinda does.” Paulie snuggled in closer. “I do wish I’d talked to you sooner. Good communication is the key in any solid relationship.”

“If you’d tried talking to me before, I’m not sure if I would’ve listened.” Zeus rested his chin on the top of Paulie’s head. “I’m not making excuses for me… okay, maybe a little, but all I’ve known is being a god. Some called me fair, some believed I would screw anything with legs, which was only partially true. Occasionally, the concept of wisdom’s been attached to my name, but when it’s all said and done, I was just a god who was used to getting his own way. I didn’t have to listen to others. I reigned supreme. If I didn’t get my own way, I yelled and threw things around until I did.”

“I had a sister who used to do that.” Paulie chuckled softly. “She was four.”

“Hopefully, she couldn’t get her hands on any thunderbolts. I can create an epic storm when I’m in a mood.” Zeus closed his eyes. The sun was so warm, and it was so peaceful in the little glade he’d created. Having Paulie in his arms was so calming. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you all the times you’ve needed me, babe. I might yell and stomp around a bit, but I promise I won’t leave you again.”

“And I promise not to hide from you again. I can get used to you yelling.”

“That’s good.” I do a lot of yelling. Zeus slumped back on the grass, keeping Paulie close. This sun is so nice…

/~/~/~/~/

Paulie felt it, the moment Zeus slipped into sleep, his arms still tight across Paulie’s back. He didn’t have a clue where they were, but strangely, the thought didn’t bother him. He’d been well looked after in the Underworld, and it wasn’t as though he had anywhere to go. I’ve probably lost my place in college, but again, that thought didn’t worry Paulie either.

I’ve really changed, he thought with a grin. It hadn’t been that long ago when Paulie worried about everything, but then he reasoned, when a person didn’t have anything, there was a lot to worry about. Just finding enough food to get by, or a safe place to sleep, used to consume his every waking moment.

Tilting his head slightly, Paulie observed his mate. My own mate. Zeus was not pretty – he had too many hard edges around his face for that. As he thought about it, Paulie realized how young Zeus looked which was a surprise. He recalled the ‘god’ who’d been summoned by Orin. The god looked a lot older. Maybe he’s vain and chose a younger human form. Paulie got the urge to giggle at that.

He didn’t freak about the baby. That was a relief. When Zeus had put his hand