~ Chapter Twelve - Part 1 ~

Katalina moaned as she slowly blinked her eyes open. She sighed in contentment as she snuggled into a sleeping Damien. He moaned as he tightened his arms around her. “You’re such a little minx, aren’t you?” He asked gruffly.
Katalina let out a small, husky laugh as she wiggled against him. Then, she released a breathless gasp as he quickly rolled on her and gently pinned her wrists down next to her head. “You, my adorable little minx, are going to be the death of me,” Damien whispered with lust-filled eyes.
Katalina blushed as she bit her lip. Damien groaned as he leaned down and took her mouth in a hungry kiss. She let out a breathy moan as she kissed him back with just as much hunger. He let his hands travel down her body as her hands wandered over his back, shoulders, and into his hair. She gripped his hair tightly as they devoured each other.
As Damien traveled rough kisses down her neck and chest, she knew then and there that she was ready to be entirely his. As soon as they saved Anna, she would give him every single part of herself.
Katalina let out a gasp that quickly turned into a moan as he roughly suckled on her neck, most definitely leaving behind a mark that would tell the world she was his.
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. “Alpha. Luna.” James said through the door. “I am sorry to interrupt, but everyone is awake and waiting for you. We’re all ready to leave.”
Katalina and Damien both groaned as Damien rested his forehead against Katalina’s. “Give us five minutes, James,” Damien called out.
Katalina let out a giggle. “I guess we better get dressed then,” she said with a frown.
He chuckled as he pressed a teasing kiss to her lips. “We’ll have plenty of time later, little dove,” he whispered as he nipped at her bottom lip.
Katalina groaned as Damien jumped out of bed and held his hands out to her. “Come on, dove,” he said with a smile.
Katalina placed her hands in his, and he pulled her out of bed and into his arms. She giggled as she wrapped her legs around his waist. “I thought we were supposed to be getting dressed,” she whispered breathlessly against his lips.
Damien chuckled. “We are,” he kissed Katalina lovingly and whispered. “I just can’t seem to get enough of my little dove,” he set her on her feet and kissed her forehead before grabbing their clothes.
Katalina took her clothes from him, and they quickly got dressed. Once they were presentable, they made their way to the living room. “I would ask what took you two so long,” Daedalus said with a smirk. “However, judging from that wicked mark on Katalina’s neck, we can all take a guess.”
James and Marcus chuckled as Katalina blushed bright red. Lucas simply shook his head with a smile. “Alright, guys. Let’s get going. The sooner we get to Prometheus, the sooner we can get to Anna,” Damien said as he held Katalina close.
They all ensured they had their things and made their way out to the SUV. “We’ll take turns driving until we get to South Russia, and then Daedalus can take over from there,” Katalina said from the passenger seat.
Everyone agreed, and Damien started driving.
Everyone made small talk during the trip. Sometimes the group just listened to the music on the radio. Finally, after a few hours, Katalina leaned over to whisper to Damien. “We should stop soon. None of us have eaten yet, and I have to use the bathroom,” she blushed as he raised an eyebrow at her. “Don’t look at me like that,” she mumbled as she sunk back into her seat.
Damien chuckled but did as she asked. Then, he pulled off at the next exit so that everyone could stretch their legs, get food, and do anything else they had to do.
They all sat down at a restaurant, waiting for their food, when Katalina went to the restroom. She walked back toward Damien and the others when she bumped into someone. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she mumbled as she looked up.
The man looked down at her, and she felt a chill down her spine. “Do I know you?” She whispered as she tilted her head slightly in confusion.
The man smirked. “You will,” he grabbed her arm and started dragging her toward the back exit.
She fought against him. “Let me go,” she said as she struggled to get free.
“No can do, baby doll. My boss would like to have a word with you,” he said with a sadistic smirk.
She felt the tears gather in her eyes as she tried to get away from the man dragging her away from her beloved mate.
A deep voice stopped them in their tracks just as they got to the door. “I believe the little lady asked you to let her go,” he said as he stepped out of the shadows.
The man, who had a tight grip on her arm, glared at the new stranger. “I don’t know who you are, but this is none of your business. Get out of here before you regret it,” he got out between his gritted teeth.
The stranger tilted his head ever so slightly with a wicked grin. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was gone. Katalina felt her heart race in her chest at the thought the newcomer had just abandoned her when the stranger reappeared behind the man holding her arm in a bruising grip. “I told you to let the little lady go,” he snarled as he gripped the man’s throat, causing him to let go of her arm.
The stranger lifted the man who had been trying to kidnap her off of his feet. “Get out of here, you piece of filth, and don’t come back,” the stranger growled before throwing the other man outside and across the alleyway.
Katalina looked up at him as she pressed her back to the wall and sniffled. “Thank you,” she whispered. “How can I repay you for your help?” She asked quietly.
The stranger shook his head as he walked closer to her. “There is no need to thank me, little lady,” he reassured her.
“Who are you?” She asked curiously.
The stranger sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. “My name is Roman,” he bowed slightly in her direction. “My father sent me to help you,” he explained.
“Who’s your father?” She questioned with wide eyes.
That same wicked grin appeared on his face. “Hades.”
Katalina’s eyes went wide. “Artemis never said anything about Hades helping us,” she said breathlessly.
Roman laughed. “My father has been helping Artemis look after you since your parents passed away. When you met Jacques, they couldn’t help as much, but they’re still watching over you. My father saw what was happening and sent me to help.”
Katalina took a deep breath. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help,” she said softly.
Roman gave her a genuine smile. “If you want to repay me, I’m sure I’ll eventually think of something,” he shrugged. “I’m going to be with you for quite a while.”
“You’re going to help us in the war?” She asked excitedly.
Roman chuckled at how fast her moods could change. “Yes, little lady. I am going to help you,” he looked around the back of the restaurant where they were standing. “Where’s your beloved mate and the others you were with?” He questioned.
Katalina pointed towards the lobby of the restaurant. “They’re waiting for me at our table. We had just ordered when I came back here.”
Roman nodded and held his arm out to her. “Shall we join your beloved then?” He asked with a small smile.
Katalina gave him a bright smile as she grabbed onto his arm, and they made their way to the table where Damien and the others were waiting.