~ Chapter Thirteen - Part 3 ~

Katalina giggled as she gave all of the hounds equal amounts of attention. Then, she gently calmed them down before standing up. “Guys, these are my friends. They mean you no harm, and you will not harm them,” she said in a gentle yet stern voice.
The hounds went up to them and sniffed around them before backing away and standing around her again. Katalina smiled as she started walking towards the entrance of the mountain. She suddenly stopped in her tracks when she heard it. A slight whine that she just barely caught with her wolf hearing. Katalina walked around a wide boulder and found a smaller hellhound. “Oh, hi there, little guy,” she said as she squatted in front of him. “It’s okay. No one’s going to hurt you,” she said as she held her hand out to him.
Katalina guessed that the hound must have been the runt because he was significantly smaller than the other hounds. The hound sniffed at her hand for a minute before licking it. Then, she giggled as the hound moved closer and nuzzled against her legs. Then, she smiled as she stood up. “We have seven hounds,” she said to the others as she walked towards them.
Roman raised an eyebrow as he looked down at the runt hellhound. “I’m surprised that the little guy is still alive,” he said as he tilted his head slightly. “Normally, runts like him get eaten before they’re even fully grown.”
Katalina looked at him with horrified eyes. “That’s horrible,” she said in disgust.
Roman shrugged. “It’s how it works in the underworld. I guess that this little guy is only alive because he hid away somewhere. Then when the witch opened the portal to summon the other hounds, he took the opportunity to come through as well.”
Katalina shook her head as she leaned down and caressed the hound’s head lovingly. “Well, I’m glad the little guy is here. Now he’ll be safe and cared for,” she said. She sighed as she looked towards the entrance of the mountain. “Let’s get Anna out of there and head back. She will need rest, and we’ll have to start getting more allies and making a battle plan.”
They all walked into the mountain, and Katalina walked up to Anna. “Hi, Anna,” she said softly.
Anna looked up at her with wide eyes. Her face was strained from the weight of Uranus as she looked at Katalina. “Who are you?” She whispered.
Katalina gave her a small, reassuring smile. “My name is Katalina. Your father sent me to help you,” she said softly.
Tears of relief started flowing down Anna’s cheeks as she glanced at the sky. “Thank you, daddy,” she whispered in a hoarse voice.
Katalina smiled as Adrestia and Lucas stepped forward. “This is the goddess Adrestia,” Katalina said softly. “She’s going to take your place until we can recapture Atlas,” she explained.
Anna nodded with a small whimper as a bit of her hair turned white from the strain.
Adrestia moved to stand beside Katalina. “Anna,” she said softly. “What’s going to happen is this. First, I’m going to come to stand next to you. Then, as soon as I get my hands underneath Uranus, I’m going to have you rush toward Lucas,” she said, gesturing to Lucas, standing just behind Katalina. “I know your legs may be weak, but he will catch you. He’s pretty quick on his feet since he’s a son of Hermes. Do you understand?” Adrestia asked in a gentle tone.
Anna gave her a slight nod. “Okay,” she said breathlessly.
Adrestia nodded and stood up straight. Katalina moved out of the way as Lucas took her place in front of Anna. Adrestia moved to stand by Anna. Adrestia put her hands up and took a deep breath before firmly placing her hands on Uranus. “Go now, Anna,” she said as she prepared herself for the total weight of Uranus on her shoulders.
Anna rushed forward on numb legs and collapsed into Lucas's arms. He held her close to his body as he lowered them to the ground. Adrestia grunted as the total weight of Uranus fell onto her shoulders. “Shit, he’s heavier than I thought he’d be,” she muttered.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Katalina questioned in concern as she stood in front of Adrestia.
Adrestia gave her a single nod. “I’ll be fine. But please don’t take too long to defeat Atlas. I don’t want to be underneath Uranus longer than I have to be.”
Katalina nodded. “I promise I will do my best to get you out of here as quickly as possible.”
Adrestia gave her a small smile. “I always knew you would be a determined, feisty little thing. Ever since I first heard the prophecy.”
Katalina gave her a small smile. “Do you want us to leave a couple of the hounds with you? I’m sure they’d be able to run around these mountains without being spotted. There are plenty of animals around here as well. So that you’re not completely alone.”
Adrestia sighed. “That sounds nice. Just not the runt,” she said with a small smile. “Just in case someone tries anything.”
Katalina shrugged. “He’s not leaving my side anyway,” she turned to the hounds and spoke in a gentle tone. “I need one or two of you guys to stay here with Adrestia. To keep her safe and keep her company during her time here.”
The hounds seemed to speak to each other somehow before two broke off and stood protectively in front of Adrestia. Katalina let out a giggle. “Okay then. It looks like you have two hounds to keep you safe.”
Adrestia smiled. “Thank you, Katalina.”
Katalina gave her a nod. “I promise that I will also come and check on you from time to time. Not only to update you on how everything is going but also to ensure that you’re okay and don’t need anything.”
Adrestia couldn’t believe that the runt wolf that would lead them to victory was such a sweetheart. “Thank you very much, Katalina. You’re such a sweetheart.”
Katalina gave her a small smile before turning to the others. “Let’s get going. First, I want to look over Anna to ensure she’s alright. Second, I want to ensure that there won’t be any complications in the future from her holding up Uranus.”
Roman raised an eyebrow. “Why not just have one of your doctors look her over?” He questioned. “Do you even have any medical training?” He asked curiously.
Damien laughed as Katalina glared at him. “I know every single type of medical care there is. I can take care of anyone. Any animal. Any creature. Even humans,” she took a deep breath to calm herself down. “Now, we have doctors at each pack that’s already allied with us, but I would prefer to make sure she’s okay myself,” she shrugged. “Let’s just say it’ll make me sleep better if I know she’s alright.”
Roman held his hands up in surrender. “Sorry I said anything,” he said with a smirk.
Katalina gave him a single nod as she turned to Lucas and Anna, who were still on the floor. “Anna, can you feel your legs at all?” She asked as Damien wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
Anna shook her head. “No. I can’t feel them at all.”
Katalina nodded and looked at Lucas. “Do you think you can carry her to the SUV?” She questioned as she bit her lip.
Lucas shrugged. “Of course.”
Katalina let out a small laugh. “Alright. Let’s get going then.”
“What about the hounds?” Daedalus asked as he looked at the five hounds they had left.
Katalina nibbled on her bottom lip before a bright smile took over her face. “Ben,” she said as if it were obvious. “Let’s get to the SUV, and then I’ll call him.”
Lucas stood up and picked Anna up in his arms. Once they were situated, they headed to the SUV. It didn’t take them long to get there. Once there, Katalina leaned against the SUV as she pulled her phone out. She frowned as she started feeling dizzy while waiting for Benjamin to answer.
“Hello,” Benjamin answered.
“Hi, Ben,” she said a bit breathlessly. “Um. It’s Katalina,” she blinked as she tried to stay focused. “Um. We need you….” she trailed off as she felt her world turn to darkness.