~ Chapter Thirty-One - One Month Later - Part 1 ~

Martin frowned as he looked around the barren wasteland. "Why are we here?" He questioned as he looked at Atlas.
Atlas chuckled. "This is where Zeus bound the giants in Tartarus. We're going to set them free."
Martin looked at him like he was insane. "We can't do that. They're not loyal to anyone."
Atlas scoffed. "They'll be loyal to me because I'm the one setting them free."
Martin sighed as he took a few steps away from Atlas.
Atlas used every ounce of his strength as he dug up the earth above the giant prison.
With his four arms and superior strength, he revealed the giants within two hours.
Atlas stood up and brushed his hands off as he looked down at the seven beings that could help him defeat Katalina and win the war.
Atlas smirked as he looked down at the imprisoned giants. Zeus had imprisoned them in Tartarus after they had helped Atlas in the first titan rebellion. Now he would set them free.
"My brothers!" He shouted as he stood above them. "I've arrived to set you free!"
The giants roared as they looked up at him.
"Together, we will destroy the gods and those who help them!" Atlas raised his arms over his head. "Join me, brothers! Join me and rule this world by my side!"
The giants roared in agreement as Atlas used all four arms and his superhuman strength to break the chains that kept the giants bound in Tartarus.
The giants let out shouts of joy as they climbed out of the pit in Tartarus and stood in front of Atlas.
Atlas's grin was wicked as he turned around and started leading the giants toward his palace. "Let's go take over the world and destroy the gods!"
As they returned to his castle, Atlas could only think of the giants destroying Katalina's army and then utterly obliterating the gods.
The giants, with their inhuman strength and scaly skin, would be undefeatable. With their javelins and spiked tails, they'd be a devastating force on the battlefield.
Katalina and her army wouldn’t stand a chance, and he would be victorious.

Katalina huffed in annoyance as she tried to get out of bed. Over the last month, her stomach had grown so much that she felt as big as a house. She could no longer see her feet and always needed help sitting and standing up.
Damien walked into the room with a breakfast tray and chuckled as he looked at Katalina. He quickly set the tray on her nightstand and helped her out of bed. “Where are you trying to go, little dove?’ He asked as he rubbed her belly.
Katalina grumbled as she ran a hand through her hair. “I have to go to the bathroom, and I wanted to wash my face.”
Damien pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Go on then. Be careful, though.:
Katalina giggled as she rolled her eyes. “As always.”
Katalina quickly took care of her business before walking back to bed. Or, as Damien liked to say, waddled back to bed.
Katalina couldn’t move that fast as she finally got to their bed. “I hate being this big,” she mumbled as she sat on the edge of the bed.
Damien chuckled and kissed her lips. “You look as beautiful as ever, my dove.”
Katalina smiled as Damien helped her get comfortable against the headboard. Once he was sure she was comfortable enough, he set the tray full of food in front of her. “You’re sharing this with me, right?” She asked as she looked at the massive pile of food.
Damien scoffed. “If there’s anything left.”
Katalina playfully glared at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?” She questioned with a knowing smile.
Damien let a small smile slip onto his lips as he shook his head. “Oh, my dove,” he said in adoration. “You eat more than you think you do, is all.”
Katalina sighed as she shoved her long hair out of her face. “I swear this is such a pain in the ass,” she mumbled as she started eating. “I knew all about pregnancy from Evelyn but damn. I want these twins to be born already,” she said as she held a bite of food out to him.
Damien leaned forward and took it without hesitation. He knew she would only argue with him if he refused. “Nathan says they’ll be here soon. So you have to be patient.”
Katalina groaned as she took another bite of food. “I know.”
Damien chuckled and reached forward to rub her stomach. “I can’t wait for them to be here, dove,” he whispered.
Katalina smiled with teary eyes. “You’re going to be such a wonderful father,” she said softly.
Damien grinned and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “Finish eating, dove.”
Katalina made quick work of her breakfast, occasionally giving him bites as she ate. Once she polished off the last of her food, Damien took the tray from her and set it aside. He moved closer to her and rubbed her belly. “How are you feeling, dove?” He asked.
Katalina shrugged. “Same as yesterday. Exhausted and emotional but also ready for them to be here.”
Damien kissed her belly. “They’ll be here soon enough, dove.”
Katalina lovingly ran her fingers through his hair. “So, who will spend the day with me today?” She asked as she continued stroking his hair.
“Um,” Damien tilted his head slightly to the side as he thought for a minute. “Evelyn and Mason went back to their pack last night to spend time with Ryan. So, my mom will be with you for a couple of hours, and Jacques will take over until I finish the day.”
Katalina frowned. “Is Jacques okay? For the last month, he’s been with me for the entire day,” she scoffed. “He’s been at our door every morning since we found out I’m due so soon.”
Damien shrugged. “I’m not sure, dove. He said that there was something he had to do before he came over. So, he asked my mom to stay with you for two hours.”
Katalina’s forehead creased in concern, but she sagged into the pillows. “Okay,” she mumbled as she felt herself falling asleep.
Damien chuckled in adoration as he helped her lay down and get comfortable. He pulled the blanket over her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her temple. “I’ll tell my mom you’re taking a nap, but she’ll be downstairs if you need anything.”
Katalina nodded drowsily. “Thank you, love,” she whispered.
Damien kissed her forehead again and left her to rest.
Damien went downstairs and found his mother in the kitchen. “Morning, mom,” he said as he set the tray on the counter next to the sink.
Damien started cleaning everything up as Autumn got some coffee. “Hey, sweetie. How’s she doing?” She asked as she looked toward the stairs.
Damien sighed heavily. “She’s exhausted. She slept so much last night, and yet she’s up there sleeping again,” he shook his head as he turned off the water and dried his hands. “She was awake only long enough to eat, and then she went back to sleep.”
“Maybe we should get Nathan to come and check on her,” Autumn suggested as she rested a hand on his arm.
Damien exhaled as he looked at the ceiling. “I think we just might do that,” he clicked his tongue. “I don’t know much about pregnancies, but I don’t think she should be that worn out.”
Autumn shook her head. “No, she shouldn’t be. Sure, there’s bound to be exhaustion. She’s growing two beautiful children inside her womb, but it shouldn’t be that bad. I’ve never heard of that.”
Damien nodded. “I’ll get Nathan over here. I have some things I need to take care of, but please call me as soon as he’s done.”
Autumn nodded and pulled him into a loving hug. “I’ll take care of her. I promise.”
Damien kissed her cheek. “Thanks, mom.”
Damien left the house to take care of some more recruiting problems they had been having. Then, while going to the pack house to meet Benjamin, he mind-linked Nathan to check on Katalina.
When he got to the pack house, he found Benjamin in no time. “Are you ready, Ben?” He asked as he walked up to him and the small group he was with.
Benjamin scoffed as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Of course. You demanded we all be here so early in the morning.”
Damien shook his head. “The sooner I get this handled, the sooner I can get back to Kat.”
Benjamin huffed. “Oh, alright. I can’t be mad about that.”
Damien rolled his eyes but said. “Shall we then? I’m sure this is going to be another rough talk.”
Benjamin grimaced as every who was going made sure that they were touching. “Yeah, let’s get this over with.”
Benjamin teleported them to an island where the cyclops lived. Benjamin and Damien let the small group lead them to the cyclops, that would be willing to join them in the war. It didn’t take them long to get to a mountainous cave. “What do we do now?” Damien questioned as he continuously scanned their surroundings. Finally, one of the werewolves shrugged. “We wait,” he said.
So they waited. They waited for about forty minutes before they felt the ground shaking. They watched the cave entrance and stood in awe as five cyclops emerged. The cyclops stopped just inside the cave entrance. “Their leaders Arges,” another wolf whispered to Damien. “He’s right in the middle there.”
Damien bowed slightly to the other wolf before taking a step forward. “Hello, Arges,” he respectfully said as he lowered his head.
Arges scoffed. “There’s no need for that,” he grumbled. He looked around. “I was told this chosen was a female wolf-witch hybrid.”
Damien sighed. “Yes, my beloved mate is the chosen one, but she cannot attend this meeting,” he said calmly.
Arges frowned. “Why?” He demanded. “Are we unworthy of her time?”
Damien shook his head. “That’s not it at all,” he said, keeping his voice as calm as possible. “My beloved is currently on bed rest. She is due to have our children any day now.”
Arges straightened at that. “The chosen one is with child?” He questioned in shock.
Damien gave him a single nod. “Yes, but she is more than willing to speak with you on the phone to confront any concerns you may have.”
Arges shrugged. “Alright. Get her on the phone then.”