The Supernatural Citadel

Dominic's POV

After a rough couple of months, Saia and I are finally getting our kingdom started. After Hades and Eris returned to tell us that Nyx had come at Hera's request to take Saia to her, I was furious.

We just want to live our lives and are building this kingdom at the request of Selene and the other gods and goddesses. No one even knows what Hera is trying to do or why.

Based off what we've learned in our dreamwalks with Selene, we know that this is their way of saving all supernatural species on Earth. We can't fathom why Hera wants to destroy that, but we'll do all we can to prevent it.

With the huge influx of the various species, I have learned more about other supernaturals than I ever thought I could know.

Just the number of hybrid combinations is astounding. It's our job to preserve, protect, and promote all of these beings here on Earth.

We started the foundation of the castle on Monday, and we've been working hard on it all week. Thank the goddess for all of the spellcasters that want to help, otherwise we would have barely anything done.

According to Saia, we are about a quarter of the way to having the foundation ready. I'm thinking we'll be starting the first floor in about a month.

We don't plan on telling anyone about our pregnancy until after she's past the danger zone (whatever that means), so in another four weeks or so.

I was informed during one of my early dreamwalks with Selene that our pregnancies will only last five and a half months due to the variety of supernatural essence that we carry. That's thanks to the gifts bestowed upon us by them.

I didn't think to ask Saia if she's aware of this. That will be something that we definitely need to talk about.

Gray comes into my office and puts his feet up, huffing out a sigh and throwing his head onto the back of the sofa. I look up at him with a frown and ask, "What's wrong?" He looks at me and says, "Diana is being a crazy, scary bitch!"

I snap my head back in surprise, because he loves that woman more than life. "Why do you say that? What has she done?" He shakes his head side-to-side and replies, "I can't seem to say anything that doesn't set her off into a cussing fit, then she cries and apologizes for treating me so badly."

I chuckle and ask, "Could she, maybe, be pregnant, Gray? That's one of the signs." His eyes get wide, and he sucks in a breath, "OMG! I never thought of that!"

Now it's my turn to shake my head at him. "Well, you should take her to see Doc, but don't be demanding. Tell her she has the signs, and if she asks, just say her appetite has been off and she seems tired a lot lately. Don't DARE say she's gaining weight or anything about her hormones making her crazy!"

He nods and says, "I'll do it right now. She was already saying she was going to nap today because she's worn out." I wave him out and tell him to take care of his mate.

Terrence comes in as Gray is leaving and gives me the reports I requested. When he asks what else he can help with, I ask him how in depth his computer skills are. He responds, "Off the record?" I figure this answer should be good, so I say "Yeah." He answers softly, "I can hack any computer you want and leave no trace."

Gotta say I'm impressed. I tell him that we may need to use that skill soon and leave it at that. He nods once then goes back to his office.

I look down at the ultrasound picture that I framed and have sitting in front of my monitor. It can't be seen by anyone on the other side of my desk. It makes me smile every time I see it.

Saia comes in and sits on my lap, snuggling into me and I love it. I put my arms around her and ask how she's feeling. She tells me that she's tired and promptly falls asleep.

I kiss the top of her head and start reading the reports that Terrence prepared for me. The occupancy of our apartments is at 80% and I still don't like the number of pack members that drive into town to work.

Unfortunately, until we get our "Royal City" up and running, there isn't much I can do. Our people have to earn a living.

Dad comes in and takes a seat, followed by Hades, who has apparently stolen Bear from my little angel. I honestly think that's why he stays here.

He went to the underworld yesterday and said that Mallon is ensconced in Tartarus, with a multitude of the worst demons to torment her. Sounds like the happenin' place to be, to him.

Dad watches Saia for a minute then says, "Is it possible that she's pregnant, son? She's been eating like a horse and sleeps whenever she puts her head down."

I told Saia we'd keep the secret but I'm not going to blatantly lie either. "It's a possibility," is all I say so as not to raise suspicions. He chuckles and tips his drink at me in salute. Hades looks at her very closely but doesn't say a word, just smiles.

We chat for a bit, and Hades says that he's been helping some of the hybrids learn to do some magical things that they weren't aware they could do. So far, he's found a few that could cloak as part of their species camouflage ability, which is cool.

I ask if he is going to help out with the Mating Ball tomorrow night and he assures me that he is. He also says that Eris and Selene are going to swap places. Selene wants to be here for the ball because 'mates are her babies'.

I'll ask Alayna or Ava to set up a room for her on our floor. Hopefully the others won't bother her.

Saia wakes and places a kiss on the hollow of my throat then stretches herself out. The guys chuckle and she turns her head to see who's there, then in a sleepy voice says, "Hey Dad, hey Hades."

They both greet her, then she spots Bear and climbs down to see him. I know she feels guilty for not spending time with him, but at least she knows he's getting luvins, as she calls it.

Hades asks her how late she plans to stay at the ball tomorrow night. She replies, "I don't know. I want to stay until the end, but some people just don't know when the party's over." We laugh with her and talk about the housing and employment issue.

Saia tells us, "Last week there were a couple of women looking at the shops I fabricated. One of them was a cosmetologist and wanted to open a salon and I greatly encouraged her. They both said they can't right now, but hopefully soon. I kinda took it that they were saving money to do it."

I chew my lip for a minute and respond, "We may be able to come up with some kind of incentive to help people financially who want to start their own business. I'd have to really work on that and hammer out the details. Maybe I'll let Terrence run wild with that and see what he comes up with. That man is a whiz with everything I've given him to do, and gets it done in record time too." Saia agrees with me on that.

She asks if I've heard about how the other assistants are doing, and I just shake my head and say, "I've honestly been too busy to care right now. I haven't heard any complaints, and Blaine got them through the meeting. He said they seemed to get along, so I guess we'll see."

Dad asks me if there are any jobs I can think of for Julian because he's getting stir crazy with nothing to do. I tell him I may have something, and I'll get back to him.

He nods and tells me thanks, then says he's going to see Mom and the rugrats, and we all laugh. After he leaves, Hades puts his feet up and nuzzles Bear and Saia laughs at him.

She starts looking a little green, then gets up and says, "I got some stuff I need to finish. See you in a bit," then almost runs back to her office.

I wish there was something I could do to help with her 'morning sickness'. Unless it gets really bad, Doc says it should stop within the next couple of weeks.

Hades talks in a low voice so as not to be heard, "I know she's pregnant, I can smell the changes. I'm surprised no one else can with everyone being supernatural."

I just reply, "I know, but she doesn't want to tell anyone yet, so she doesn't 'jinx the pregnancy' but I'm not sure what she means. I want to shout it from the rooftops!"

Hades explains the thought behind jinxing the pregnancy; because some women miscarry early in pregnancy, they think if they don't talk about it that it will be okay once the time for the highest chance of miscarriage passes.

Makes sense in a stupid superstitious way, since fate determines the outcome, not us. I look at the time and see that it's almost 3:30, and I have nothing pressing to do so I think I'll call it a day.

Hades walks to Saia's office with me, and I see that she's feeling a little better. I get her a ginger ale from her fridge and open it for her, and she starts sipping it right away.

Hades speaks up and says, "I know you're pregnant, little bit. I won't say anything, but your scent has changed. You live in a house full of shifters, so I'm sure others have noticed. Saying the words will not jinx you. You know it's down to fate."

She looks a little sheepish and says, "You're right. I don't even know why I felt that way at the time." She looks at me and says, "We can tell your parents if you want." She gives my abdomen a hug, then locks up her office for the day.

We see my parents playing with the kids in the game room, so we step into the room. I announce to them that we are expecting their first, second, and third grandchild.

Hades cracks up and whoops! and Dad says, "I KNEW it!" They give us both hugs and congratulations, and we all walk out together.

I ask Julian if he would be interested in being an assistant trainer for the teens that are just starting. He excitedly yells "Hell yeah!"

I laugh and tell him that I'll let him know when he starts. He hugs me tightly and whispers "thanks." I link Kai to talk with me at dinner, then put my arm around my little angel.