Chapter 157: Midgard
**Avery**
After my mates allowed James and me some bonding time, we all fell asleep listening to the murmurs of the forest, which I oddly find comforting. When we awoke, I made some food for us, and we all put on fresh clothes. I felt almost human…well, as close to human as I can get. We started to walk through the forest quicker than before. We found a portal and stepped through. The transition is seamless, yet I feel a shift in the energy around us, as if the very fabric of reality has changed. Midgard stretches before us, a land of rolling hills, ancient castles, and whispers of forgotten magic. My heart races with anticipation, but it’s not just the thrill of exploration that stirs within me. There’s a heaviness in my womb, a sensation I can’t quite explain. It’s as if the eggs of Cassius, Clint, Conner, and now, perhaps, others, are growing restless, responding to the new world around us.
Cassius’s hand brushes mine, his touch grounding me. “This place feels alive,” he murmurs, his blue eyes scanning the horizon. “But it’s not just the land. It’s you, Avery. What’s happening?”
I bite my lip, unsure how to articulate the strange pull in my core. “I don’t know. It’s like… something’s awakening. Something I can’t control.”
Clint steps closer, his green eyes piercing through the uncertainty. “Whatever it is, we’ll face it together. That’s what we do.”
Conner’s voice is calm, as always, but there’s an edge to it. “We need to find shelter. This realm is unfamiliar, and we don’t know what dangers lurk here.”
James nods, his regal presence commanding even in this strange land. “There’s a village not far from here. We’ll start there. But stay alert. Midgard is not as forgiving as the Fae realm.”
Donn smirks, his void eyes glinting with mischief. “Oh, I’m always alert. Especially when there’s a chance for… exploration.” His gaze lingers on me, and I feel a flush rise to my cheeks. The mate bond with him is still new, raw, and intoxicating.
Vincent stands apart, his presence both comforting and unsettling. His eyes, shifting between amber and black, hold centuries of secrets. “This realm holds more than it seems,” he says, his voice low. “Be cautious. Not everything here is as it appears.”
As we move through the forest, the trees seem to watch us, their branches swaying in an unnatural rhythm. The air grows heavier, charged with an unseen force. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being led, not by choice, but by some unseen hand.
The village appears suddenly, a cluster of thatched roofs and cobblestone streets. The people here are wary, their eyes widening at the sight of us. We’re not just strangers; we’re anomalies, beings from another world. I can feel their fear, their curiosity, and something else—a hunger that mirrors our own.
We find an inn, its sign creaking in the wind. The innkeeper, a stout woman with a sharp gaze, eyes us suspiciously. “You’re not from around here,” she states, more than asks.
“We’re travelers,” James replies, his tone leaving no room for argument. “We need rooms for the night.”
She hesitates, then nods, her eyes lingering on me. “The room at the end of the hall. But be warned—strange things happen in Midgard. Especially to those who don’t belong.”
As we settle into the room, the tension is palpable. The space is small, the beds cramped, but no one seems to mind. We’re used to closeness, to the heat of bodies pressed together. But tonight, there’s an urgency, a need that goes beyond the physical.
Cassius pulls me close, his lips brushing my ear. “Tell me what’s wrong, Avery. You’re not just carrying our eggs. There’s something else.”
I close my eyes, the sensation in my womb intensifying. “I don’t know. It’s like… there’s more. More than just us. More than just our bond.”
Clint’s hands rest on my hips, his touch firm. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out. Together.”
Conner’s voice is a whisper against my neck. “But first, we need to focus on the here and now. This realm is dangerous, and we’re vulnerable.”
James steps forward, his presence dominating the room. “We’ll protect you, Avery. No matter what comes.”
Donn’s smirk is wicked as he joins us, his hands roaming boldly. “And while we’re at it, why not enjoy the ride? After all, life’s too short to resist temptation.”
Vincent watches from the corner, his eyes unreadable. “Be careful what you wish for,” he warns. “Midgard has a way of granting desires in the most unexpected ways.”
The room grows warmer, the air thick with desire and anticipation. Cassius’s lips find mine, his kiss hungry, demanding. Clint’s hands move lower, his touch sending shivers through me. Conner’s breath is hot against my skin, his lips trailing down my neck. James’s presence is a force, his hands firm as he pulls me closer. Donn’s touch is electric, his fingers tracing patterns that leave me breathless.
And then, there’s Vincent. His gaze holds me, his silence speaking volumes. He doesn’t touch me, but his presence is a current, a pull that draws me in.
The night unfolds in a blur of skin and sweat, of moans and whispered promises. Cassius takes me first, his thrusts deep and relentless. Clint follows, his dominance undeniable. Conner’s touch is gentle, his lips soft against my skin. James’s strength is overwhelming, his passion fierce. Donn’s hands are everywhere, his touch a mix of rough and tender.
And through it all, I feel it—the strange pull in my womb, the sensation growing stronger with each touch, each kiss. It’s as if the very act of being with them is awakening something within me, something ancient and powerful.
As the night reaches its climax, I cry out, my body arching as wave after wave of pleasure crashes over me. But it’s not just the physical release that leaves me breathless. It’s the knowledge that something has shifted, that the bonds between us have deepened in ways I can’t yet understand.
Vincent steps forward, his eyes locking with mine. “You’re not just carrying their eggs, Avery. You’re carrying the future. And it’s not just theirs. It’s yours. It’s ours.”
His words send a chill down my spine, but they also ignite a fire within me. I don’t know what’s coming, but I know one thing—we’re not just exploring a new realm. We’re exploring the depths of our bond, the limits of our desires, and the mysteries of our destinies.
And as the first light of dawn creeps through the window, I realize that this is only the beginning. The dangers of Midgard are real, but so are the possibilities. And whatever comes next, we’ll face it together. Because in this world of magic and mystery, of desire and danger, we’re not just mates. We’re a force. And nothing—not even the unknown—can stop us. I know that being united will help me through whatever children I bear. I will come out a better mother and a better person, too. I just want to know where I came from and anything about my heritage so that I can tell my children. I won’t allow even death to keep me from my children. They will know my past, they will know me, they will know their fathers, and most importantly, they will know love.