Strange Love

Nostalgia washed over Jos as the clear waters gave way to familiar pristine beaches and high cliffs. {Home...} She breathed in a deep breath of the floral-scented sea air, a content smile spreading across her lips as strong arms circled her waist. She ran her fingers through the sparse sprinkle of hair dusting his muscular forearm as she gazed out over the coast. "It's weird being back here with you..." A giggle slipped past her grinning lips. "And her..." She watched as the excited wolf's gaze darted back and forth between the nearing island and the clear waters surrounding the small cabin cruiser they'd taken from the palace.

Arei couldn't help the overflowing joy he felt as he imagined what the next several days would be like. "Funny, it's always felt weird coming back here without you... I can't wait to show you the changes I've made to the cottage." His smile widened at her surprise as a dock came into view. He chuckled as he lowered his lips to hers. "I've lost count of the changes that's been made over the past ten years."​​

"Why the past ten years?" Jos asked.

Arei shrugged. "I had my reasons..." He nodded ahead. "Right now it's only the b.a.r.e necessities and a few personal belongings, so once you get settled, feel free to decorate it as you'd like."

"If your apartment in Tampa and your room at the palace is any indicator of your tastes, I'm sure we'll get along just fine as far as that goes. I like your style." She smiled up at him only slightly disappointed to be looking at her own reflection in the stylish sunglasses he wore.

It wasn't long before they were pulling up to the dock and carrying their bags toward the large beach house standing proudly at the end of a well-manicured walkway. Jos's wide eyes moved from the house to Arei. "Is there anything even left of the old house?"

Arei chuckled. "I mean under there somewhere are some of the old bones, but overall she's had a complete makeover."

Jos's stunned gaze moved from the house to Arei. "Makeover? You mean complete rebuild?"

He shrugged with a chuckle. "Tomato, potato..."

Jos arched a brow in amus.e.m.e.nt. "I don't think that's how that expression goes, but it is fitting." She stepped aside as he set the bags in his arms down and began digging through his pockets for the keys. To her surprise, once he unlocked the door and pushed it open, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her inside.

"Welcome home, kitten." His bright eyes twinkled affectionately down at her as her gaze moved around the amazing space."

Jos's gaze moved appreciatively around the bright, naturally lit rooms. The walls were a pale dove gray, paired beautifully with crisp white molding and baseboards. The open kitchen was filled with tall white cabinets, white marbled counters and matching bar, white porcelain farmhouse sink, and dark slate gray appliances, faucet, and hardware. Six barstools lined the facing side of the bar matching the dining set off to the side. Her attention moved to the sitting area, no sign of the bedroom it used to be remaining. Instead, there was a tall, wide white entertainment center set up with a massive television and beachy decor scattered across the shelves. A white leather sectional took up most of the floor accented on either side with white marble end tables and lamps. "Jeez, Arei... it looks like a vacation home..."

Arei shrugged following her gaze around the room. "In a way, it has been... until now... now it's our home." His attention moved down to the wolf standing beside them. "Make yourself at home. You have the pick of either of the two spare bedrooms." He sent her a wink as he made his way toward the back stairs with Jos still in his arms. "As for you, my love, our room will be upstairs." An eager smile curved his lips revealing perfect white teeth widening more with Jos's gasp as they stepped into the room. "Peg and Andy flew ahead of us this morning. I hope you like it."

Jos was left speechless as she took in the room. Red and white rose petals were scattered across the crisp white bedding of the massive king-sized bed. The white curtains were pulled back letting in the bright sunlight from the French doors leading out onto the balcony overlooking the sea. Her shocked eyes moved up to Arei. "I... I... don't know what to say... this is all so unreal..."

"What's so unreal about it?" He murmured as he lowered his lips to hers.

She kissed him back, releasing a soft m.o.a.n as he nipped her bottom lip gently. "You really didn't have to do all this..."

His smile caused the corners of his eyes to scrunch. "But I did... This is how it should have been the first time we returned here from father's palace. I should have gotten to carry my beautiful bride to be across the threshold of our home." He carried her over to the bed and gently set her down in the center of the petals. "We should have gotten to make love in our bed every night to the sounds of the waves crashing outside and woke up every morning to the horribly out-of-tune cries of seagulls. You should have set right out there," He pointed to a small seating area right past the double doors. "And drank the tea I'd bring up to you every morning while you were getting ready for the day..." He cupped her cheek in his hand. "Just because we didn't get it then, doesn't mean we can't have it now." He bent and kissed her lips with tender passion. "I love you, and I can't wait to spend the rest of our years together here."

Jos pulled back and searched his eyes. "Was this something you planned before or after we slept together?" She quickly caught herself. "I mean, was this what you'd planned when you said you wanted to wait until it could mean... more..."

Arei stroked his thumb across her lips as he nodded. "I'd planned on giving you that speech before trying my hand at seduction." He shrugged. "It doesn't matter though, I suppose. It doesn't change anything." A wicked smile spread across his features. "I still plan to ravage you here tonight."

Jos rolled her eyes in amus.e.m.e.nt. "I'm not sure ravage is even within your capabilities."

He arched a brow as a devilish grin spread across his lips. "Oh yeah?!" He pressed his knee into the mattress between her legs and forced her onto her back with his own body, capturing her lips on his way down. The sound of someone clearing their throat brought his attention back to the bedroom door, and his smile fell.

"I would apologize for interrupting, but I'm glad I did... I can only imagine how much more awkward this would be if we had to wait downstairs while the two of you... break in the new bed..." Ry said leaning against the door frame.

"You're early." Arei said as he lifted from the bed and held his hand out to Jos. "This is only going to be as awkward as you and the kid make it..." He pulled Jos to her feet and curled his arm around her. "We are old and m.a.t.u.r.e enough to maintain a professional appearance as we work on this." Arei continued as he led her toward the door and Ry.

Ry arched his brow. "Yeah, I can see how professional you can be."

Arei glared at his brother as he walked by. "Are we really going to do this now?"

"Not at all, I'm just saying it's going to be awkward enough don't you think?" He moved his attention to Jos. "You're sensible enough, wouldn't you agree with me?"

Jos glanced up at Arei's stern expression before turning back to Ry's irritated one. She shook her head. "Ry I've made up my mind. This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone downstairs." She released Arei's hand and walked over to Ry taking one of his hands into both hers. "It may seem cruel to you now, but trust me, the sooner he can accept this and move on the better for him and his people. He needs an alpha female wolf; his way of life can't function fully without it."

Ry let out a heavy sigh as he released the tension he'd been holding in his shoulders. He nodded, acknowledging her words. "I know you're right... I just hate seeing the kid being dragged through even more hell. We're already up to our assholes in it."

One side of Jos's mouth turned up as both her brows lifted in amus.e.m.e.nt. "As beautiful of an image as that painted and as sweet of a sentiment, I'm going to have to insist." She nodded toward Arei. "We'll not exude unnecessary displays of affection, but we'll not hold back or hide our relationship. It is what it is."

Ry nodded. "As much as I hate it for the kid, I'm glad to hear it for the two of you." He tugged his hand free of hers and ran it through his short hair as he looked away uneasily. "Well, let's get this started then."

Arei tugged Jos behind him as he entered the living room. A stranger was standing by the door staring in stunned curiosity at Shelly. "Who is this?" Arei asked the others in the room.

Poseidon nodded toward the door. "This is Giorgos. He's been a great help since we've been here." Poseidon didn't look away from the wolf as he stroked the thick fur of her neck.

Arei arched a brow. "Well, he looks like he's about to fall out... Do you have him under some kind of brain f.u.c.kery or something?"

Poseidon chuckled, his focus still on Shelly. "Nah... I mean I did make sure he was an ally before letting him in."

Arei studied the pale, shocked man. "Um... how 'in' have you let him? He seems... surprised..." He looked around the room. "Where's the kid?"

Poseidon waved his hand toward the back of the house. "The office retrieving the files we prepared the other day."

"Is... is that the... princess?" Giorgos finally forced words out past his gaped lips. "Is... is she..."

"Pregnant? Yes." Ry said stepping into the room.

Giorgos's eyes bugged as he finally moved his attention away from the wolf to the three people who'd just entered the room. "Holy shit! So, does that make her the..."

"Kraken?" Jos provided with a giggle as she stepped out from behind Arei.

Recognition registered. Giorgos rubbed his chin as he took Jos fully in. "You know, I remember you now... You were incredibly close with the previous queen."

Jos nodded as she walked over to the sectional and took a seat beside Poseidon and began stroking Shelly's fur as well. "Have you chosen a room?" She asked the wolf. Shelly nodded as she stood and wagged her tail. "You want to show me while we're waiting on your brother?" She smiled happily as the wolf nodded. Poseidon didn't wait for an invitation. He lifted from the seat and followed the wolf from the room alongside Jos.

Giorgos moved his confused eyes from the strange trio back to the massive twins as they whispered between one another by the stairs. "Alright, you guys are going to have to give me a second here..." He muttered as he lumbered to an accent chair and sat down. He shook his head as he ran both hands over his shoulder-length black hair. "I can't believe I'm under the same roof as the prince and princess, two demigods, the Kraken, and the gods know what Don is..."

"Three demigods... The Kraken as you know her is also a demigod." Ry replied.

Arei shot Ry a questioning glance. "You trust him but haven't told him yet?"

"Told me what?" Giorgos asked.

Ry shrugged, "I mean look how he's handling what he does know... Just imagine if he knew."

"Knew what?" Giorgos asked, the color draining from his face again.

"If he's been in your company all this time, how has he not at least suspected?" Arei asked.

"Suspected WHAT?" Giorgos asked, panic starting to echo in his voice.

Arei's lips quirked. "Has he seen him turn the kid into a dog yet?"

Ry let out a surprised, guttural laugh. "He hasn't."

"Surprising." Arei's attention moved back to the other man. He pointed between him and Ry. "Do you know who we are?"

Giorgos nodded. "Orion the hunter and I assume Areion the stallion..."

Arei tented his brows as he motioned the man to go on with his hands. "Sons of..."

All the remaining color drained from the man's face as his eyes moved back toward the hallway the other man had disappeared down. "P...PoseiDON..." He stammered.

Poseidon poked his head out from around the door he'd followed Shelly and Jos into. Seeing Giorgos's star-struck expression, his happy-go-lucky expression faded to disappointment. "Damnit, which of you idiots told him?! You know I don't like interacting with the mortals under my true identity!" He pointed to Giorgos, who still sat staring. "Look, you broke him!"

"You... you're... a..." Giorgos stuttered.

Poseidon rolled his eyes. "A god... Yeah, hurry and get it all out of your system. Just don't forget it's Don when we're around others." He sent his son's a glare. "Thanks a lot, assholes."

Ry laughed. "Asshole, I had nothing to do with it."

Giorgos shook his head. "I... I can barely get adjusted to calling the alpha and future king by name... I... I don't think I could an actual god!"

Poseidon rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Fine, then we'll just have to erase your memories... You willing to give up all you've experienced, the chance to help your alpha and the god of the sea over three simple letters?" He held the man's gaze in obvious frustration until Giorgos finally shook his head. "Good, now say my name."

Ry and Arei both sputtered out a laugh. "Nice one dad," Ry said. "Or would you prefer us to call you daddy now since you're getting all kinky over there?"

Arei shook his head as he crossed the living room to the sectional. "Nope, that's where I draw the line... though I gotta say Sea Daddy does have a nice ring to it. Maybe I'll get a tag made for the M20. She was a sweet ride."

Poseidon sent them both a glare. "You grow up and you... you drove my car?!"

Arei chuckled, "Well not as far as Peg..."

Jos couldn't resist watching the teasing that was taking place in the living room any longer. Not paying attention as she stepped out of the room, she ran straight into the hard wall of a c.h.e.s.t. A very familiar c.h.e.s.t.

"Jos..." Russ's raspy, masculine voice murmured her name. Several emotions vibrated behind the single word as his dark blue eyes held hers. His hand rested on her waist to balance her, his fingers digging into the thin fabric of the blouse she wore.