Sour Souls The Morningstar Series Book 6
Sour Souls Chapter 7

It's been a while since our war with the Gods. Epperly is adjusting to her new power well, as is Ambrose. Even Tate is adjusting to his new life well. I'm happy for them. Seeing my siblings with their mates has an envious feeling settling in my heart.

I hate it.Updated by Narugi.com

It's not that I don't want to meet my mate. I do. I mean, not anytime soon. I have literally all eternity. Though, Selene said I would be meeting her soon, and that was a while ago now. How soon, is soon for a God? Still, I hate feeling jelous over my siblings happiness. I should just feel happy for them. Not bitter.

Someone pulled on my pant leg. I looked down at my favorite little person. A small smile fell on my lips as I snatched up the little girl.

"Hello there little Jaja." I said.

"Unc Aes." She giggled in broken speech.

Freyja is Bianca's daughter. No one knew at first that I was the one that helped them have this little girl. After she was born it was hard for anyone, who is a wolf, to not know. We can smell our kin, so the secret was out quick. Thankfully, no one really said anything to me about it. Other than Mom, and Azai. They will not stop with how nice of a thing it was for someone so grumpy to do.

Bianca and Ahkari had come to me to ask. I was the only unmated, and old enough one at the time. Better me, than Axton I guess.

Still, I regret nothing. Freyja is my favorite out of all my nieces and nephews. I don't feel a fatherly love to her though. It's different. The kid is just laid back, and adorable.

Freyja is only just over a year old. She looks just like Bianca. Freyja has long, thick, curly, dark brown hair. Her eyes are a deep blue like Ahkari's though. And cute little freckles dot her cheeks, and nose. I've never seen a cuter kid. "What are you doing out here?" I asked her.

I'm outside of our house. It's the middle of the school year, and Mom wants me to do some yard work. She said that I don't have a mission, and I can help out more if I'm going to be a 24 year old man still living at home. It's not like I want to be here. I'd rather be out on a mission for f**k's sake. Staying here is boring.

"Freyja!" I heard Bianca call out in a panic.

I looked down at my niece.

"You snuck away from your momma's again?" I asked.

Freyja just giggled at me. I shook my head, and tsked her. Then I carried her around the side of the house. Bianca, and Ahkari's eyes instantly fell on us. I watched as they both relaxed at the sight of their daughter. "Thank the Goddess." Kari said as she walked over to snatch her daughter from my arms.

Little Silas came waddling over to me next.

Sila is Ahkari's son. Well, both theirs, but this is the one she gave birth to. He's a little shit, let me tell you. Still, I love the adorable little guy.

Silas looks like a perfect mix of his mothers. Guess that's what happens when you use your twins seed to knock up your wife. Silas has blonde hair that matches Ahkari's, and bright blue eyes that match Bianca's. I smiled at the little tyke as I scooped him up in my arms.

"You aren't trying to sneak off too, are ya?" I asked Silas as I tickled his belly.

His giggles filled the air.

"Jaja, you cannot keep wondering off on your own. You're too little." Bianca scolded her daughter.

"Don't be so hard on her. She was just looking for me." I said.

"She's always looking for you." Kari said annoyed.

"Hey, don't get mad at me just because I'm her favorite uncle." I said.

Kari chewed on her bottom lip. I know that she feels like Jaja just loves me more than her. She thinks that it's because I'm biologically Jaja's father, but I think Ahkari's just being silly.

"She only looks for you because the two of you share the same asshole attitude." Bianca commented.

I chuckled. "Exactly."

Then I held Silas out to Kari. She took her son, and snuggled into him. Then she turned to me.

"Thank you for bringing her back." Kari said.

I nodded. "Next time, I'm gonna run away with her in the woods, and make you guys worry for hours." I said.

Kari frowned at me.

"Why would you do that?" She asked.

I shrugged. "Think it would be fun."

"You're an ass." Kari said as she turned back to their apartment.

I shook my head as I turned around.

I went back to my work around the house. Mom gave me quite the list. At some point I ditched my shirt. Doing all this work in the sun was getting hot. "Ares!" Amory shouted at me.

I turned my head to her.

"What?" I asked.

"Ugh! Put a damn shirt on! People are staring at you." She said annoyed.

I gave her a confused look, and then looked behind her.

There are a few girls around Mo's age staring, and giggling at me. They all started to whisper to each other. I rolled my eyes, and went back to work.

"No, it's hot. And I don't care what a bunch of 13 year old girls say about me." I said.

Mo scoffed. "I don't care what they say about you either. What about me though? They're going to harrass me for weeks about you now." She whined.

Gods, girls and their damn emotions. This is exactly why I don't care about meeting my mate. Girls are f*****g crazy.

I've kept it completely sexual all my life. One night, and done. That's it. I don't do seconds. I don't do friends with benefits. And I do not let anyone sleep in bed with me.

I might not want to meet my mate any time soon, but that doesn't mean I want to fall in love with anyone else. Still, I have needs. Plus, my twin was the biggest whore on campus until he met his mates. I deserve to get my dick wet too. Although, I prefer my women older, and expierenced. It makes doing the rough things I like easier. Plus, older women are usually more understanding about the one night stand thing.

"You are so annoying!" Mo declared before she stomped into the house.

I rolled my eyes at her.

It took me another two hours to finish everything on Mom's list. By the time I made it back into the house, dinner was done. But I need a shower.

"Sit, eat, you've been working for hours honey." Mom said.

I rolled my eyes at her.

"Yeah, because you gave me a list as long as my di-"

"Watch it." Dad warned.

Alessio, and Axton snickered from down the table.

"I should probably shower first." I said.

"Yeah, you stink." Mo commented.

"Like bad." Atreus added.

"I think I might gag on my food." Kee chimed in.

"Ya know what Mom, you're right. I'll eat first." I said, and then sat down.

"Okay, but we were serious. You smell like BO." Atreus said.

I shrugged. "Should have kept your mouths shut." I said.

"Come on. Mom." Mo whined to Mom.

"Shush. Eat your food." Mom said.

"Unc Aes."

***********

I looked down from my desk to see little Jaja, and little Silas waddling into my room. I chuckled at them as they made their way to me.

"Do your mothers know you're here?" I asked.

Jaja giggled at me. Silas made his way to my PlayStation. He grabbed my remote, and brought it to me.

"You want me to play games?" I asked.

Silas nodded. "Yep." He stated.

"What about you Jaja?" I asked.

Jaja nodded her head too.

Kari, do you know that I have your children? I asked through the link.

I do now. Thanks. I'll come get them. She replied.

It's alright. Why don't you two take some time. I'll keep them for the night. I said.

Uh... you sure? Have you ever taken any of your neices, or nephews over night. She said.

I think I can manage it, thanks. I grumbled out.

Okay, guess I'll see you in the morning then. She said hesitantly.

I don't think that either of them have had a break since having these two monsters. Sure, there have been lots of sleepovers, but Kari and her mate are stupid protective. They always either attended said sleepovers, or picked their kids up in the middle of the night. "Alright, what do you guys want to play?"

******

A few hours later, and both kids are asleep.

I had relaxed in my bed before I stared playing. Now, Jaja is alseep to my left. Her little head is resting against my arm. I'm not sure how she even fell asleep with my muscles flexing.

Silas is sitting between my legs with his back resting against me. He was the first to fall asleep. He's been snoring for like 30 minutes.

Kid snores loudly.

I turned off my PlayStation, and carefully moved Silas. I lay him next to his sister, and tucked them under my blanket. It's a good thing I have a huge bed.

"Oh, they are just precsious."

I turned to see Mom standing in my doorway.

"I'm surprised that their mothers haven't came to snatch them up from me." I said.

"Awh, you sound irritated about that." Mom teased.

I rolled my eyes.

"I always sound irritated." I said.

"I know. It's your favorite emotion." She said.

I turned to give her a blank look.

Mom laughed. "I'm just teasing. I know you have more in there." She said.

"Maybe I'm soulless like Tia." I said.

Mom shook her head. "Tia was never soulless, so I doubt that."

"Maybe I'm the true soulless then." I said.

"Maybe you just have a stick up your ass just like your father." Mom said.

I chuckled at that.

Mom gets me. She always has. No matter how 'rude' I act, or how irritated, she always understands me. I wonder if that is just because I act a lot like dad.

Dad and I are both quiet, brooding men. I see the way people look at us when we enter a room. The fear in their eyes just at our presence. And I am just like my father.

The rest of my family doesn't receive the same looks. Maybe by a few people, but not like Dad and I. I understand it though. We always look angry. Hell, we are both a couple. of grump asses. "Do you want to take them to Azai's old room?" Mom asked.

I shook my head. "Nah, I can fit in bed with them."

Mom nodded. "I'm going to get pictures of you cuddling up with them." She warned me.

"As long as Bexley doesn't get her hands on them, I don't care." I said.

Mom laughed. "Oh my, that girl really loves getting under your skin. You sure she isn't your mate?" She asked.

I turned to give Mom a wide eyed look.

"Don't even joke like that." I said.

Mom laughed harder.

Bexley lives to annoy me, I swear. The girl is not afraid to push anyones buttons. Unfortunately, she knows exactly how to piss me off to no end.

"Get some sleep honey. Love you." Mom said.

"Love you too."

I closed my door, and turned off the light. I went to my closet to change into some pajams, though I left my shirt off. Then I cralwed into bed with my niece and nephew.

****

***********************************

I'm in a dark room that I've never seen before. Wait, this isn't a room, it's a dungeon. I'm standing in the middle of a long dark hall of a dungeon.

My legs seemed to move on their own. I passed many cells. All of them are empty.

As I started to get to the end of the hall I can hear small cries echoing off the walls. I stopped at the last cell. I turned to my left to see that someone is in this one.

Even though I should be able to see in the dark, I can't make out this person. I can see the outline of them, but that's about it. The person is huddled in the corner of the cell. They're curled up in a ball, and crying with their back to me.

I can't even tell if it's a man, or women.

"Hey, are you alright?" I asked.

The person continued to sob, but didn't answer.

I caught sight of wild red curls.

Is this a women?

I grabbed onto the bars, and they stung my hand.

Wolvesbane.

"Are you a wolf?" I asked.

Only sobs returned my question.

"Why are you in here?" I asked.

I'm still only met with sobs.

I sighed. "If you tell me, I might be able to help you." I tried.

Still, only more sobs.

A growl sounded from next to me. I looked down to see a beautiful wolf. She has white fur, with a black snout, and black paws. Like she was just playing in some ink. I've never seen a wolf look so pretty before. "And who are you?" I asked it.

The wolf sat down, and wrapped it's tail around itself. I'm able to see that it's white tail looks like it was dipped in the same black ink. How interesting.

I bent down to stare into the wolves black eyes.

"Do you know why she's in there?" I asked as I pointed a thumb to the prisoner.

The wolf turned it's head to me.

How are you in here?

A voice floated into my head.

I frowned.

"In where?" I asked.

The wolf cocked it's head in confusion.

Suddenly, it turned, and bounded down the hall.

"Wait!" I shouted as I chased after it.

What am I doing? Why am I chasing this wolf? And what is this place?

The wolf made it to the end of the hall, and turned right. I followed it down another hall that I didn't notice before. This hall is even darker than the last. I can't see anything at all.

I slowed down as darkness consumed me.

What the hell?

I should be able to see in the dark, but I can't.

Suddenly, a bright light shined from a few feet away. I walked towards it, hoping it's an exit to this whack a*s place. Only, it's not an exit at all.

The light I saw, looks like a large flame, just floating in the air. It's flickering, but not growing. I stared at it in wonder.

What is this?

It's a bright white color, and isn't warm at all. My hand reached up to it, and the flame licked my fingers. It didn't hurt at all, if anything it felt.. good. Like a sense of peace washed over me.

The wolf came to sit next to me. I can just barely make out her features with this little light. I looked down at her.

"What is this? What's going on here?" I asked.

The wolf looked at me, then at the flame.

Save us.

I woke up with a gasp. I shot up in bed so fast that I scared Jaja, and Silas awake.

Silas sat straight up with drool hanging out of his mouth. Jaja made a loud whining nosie, and rolled away from us. I put my hand over my heart to try to calm myself.

What the hell was that?

That was the most vivid dream I've ever had in my life.

"Unc Aes." Silas mumbled.

"Sorry buddy." I said to him.

"Bad deam?" He asked.

I chuckled at his broken speech.

"Yeah buddy, bad dream. But it's okay now because I have you two to protect me." I said.

I grabbed my phone off my bedside table to see it's only 5 a.m.

"Go back to sleep little guy." I said.

Silas laid his head down, and within minutes he's back to snoring.

I carefully got up, and made my way to the shower. The whole time I couldn't stop thinking about that dream. When I made it back to my room, Ahkeela is sitting on my bed.

"What are you doing?" I asked her.

"You were gone." She said.

"I was in the shower." I said.

"No." Kee said shaking her head. "You were gone. Like your mind, it.. it was gone." She said.

I frowned. "Gone?" I asked.

Kee nodded.

"Okay, well, I'm here now." I said.

"Where did you go?" Kee asked.

I thought about that dream.

Did I disappear somewhere?

"I see.." Kee mumbled.

I frowned at her.

"I have no idea where you were, or what you saw, but it is interesting." She said.

"Stay out of my head." I said as I entered my closet.

"Wish I could." Kee mumbled as she left my room.

Ares, are you awake? Tia asked through the link.

Damn, it's like 5:30 in the morning.

Yeah. I replied.

Good, come to my office right away. She said then cut the link.

Excitement poured through me. Finally! A mission!

I made my way downstairs, and am thankful that Mom is awake. I asked her to keep an eye on the two kids in my bed, and walked to the school. Thankfully, it's too early for classes, so the school is pretty quiet.

When I got to Tia's office I knocked.

"Come in." Tia said.

I walked in to replace a few others here. Melia, Azai's friend, and her mate Marco, along with Karla, Axton's friend. They are all part of the BOC just like me.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Bexley's father called me about something last night." Tia said.

"Okay?" I asked.

"He thinks that he found out which pack is behind trafficking young supernaturals. We are sending you four out to investigate. They know you're coming, and why. I want them to squirm. Find everything. Call me with any information." Tia said.

We all nodded.

"Understood." We said together.

"Ares will take the lead on this." Tia said.

"I want Kee to come." I said.

Tia narrowed her eyes at me. "She isn't allowed on missions."

"Give her this chance. It's a low key mission. Something that Kee would be best at. Plus, I'll be there." I said.

Tia sighed. "She would speed things up, and the faster we get this figured out, the less trafficking will happen."

I gave her one nod.

"What pack are we going to?" I asked.

"A smaller pack up in North Dakotah. Blue Water Pack."