Fated to the Traitor: Portal City Protectors, #4

By Georgette St. Clair and LeTeisha Newton

Welcome to the Chaos Realm …

 

Heath floated in a dangerous place no one visited voluntarily. Broken, his memories collided and he was uncertain he'd ever be free again. Forced to traverse the murky landscape, he began to question everything—his reality, his past, and his future.

 

Yet an unerring tether drove him to the center of the abyss.

 

The light …

 

She resided there. Her voice saved him. Her soul had claimed his before he realized it. Asherah of the Mound, the Fae princess who had disappeared long ago, should have been dead.

 

And so should he.

 

It seemed they both had defied the Fates …

 

The Fates wanted him to fail and disappear into nothingness. Hearts can't be contained, though, and he'd be damned if they took another thing from him. Ever. Heath would blow the Chaos Realm sky high if that's what it took because Asherah was worth it.

 

And she was starting to make him believe he was too.

 

NOTE: Portal City Protectors is a paranormal romance series with Mafia elements, Alpha Shifters, Wolves, Mages, Witches, Fae (Unseelie and Seelie), Norns, and Dragons, oh my! Get ready to devour these books using the reading order below.

Mated to the Capo - Dominic and Zoey

Mated to the Enforcer - Romano and Kalinda

Mated to the Prince - Pasquale and Giuliana

Fated to the Traitor - Heath and Asherah

Mated to the Chaos - Carlo and Nanshe

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beyond DEF Publishing Services LLC
• Release date: Mar 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393531340

Book preview

Chapter One

Zoey’s scream dragged Dominic out of his sleep, and he reached for his gun. Things had been on edge with Kieran— Heath— and the changes happening around them. Zoey’s pregnancy had been marked with vicious attacks, near-war, and too many issues none of them wanted to even count. Not to mention her pregnancy itself was special, being the union between a Made wolf with his own odd make-up and her earth mage blood. Anything coming for her now would meet a swift death; Dominic would make sure of that. His warning snarl filled the room as he searched with his Alpha call to find the intruder.

None.

Pain.

Mate.

His wild eyes found hers, and the diamond tears glistening across her lower lashes sent a jolt of anger and fear through him. What’s wrong?

Zoey franticly gripped her stomach. The … baby.

The soon-to-be Alpha-born female, in fact. The first of her kind.

More uncharted territory after everything they’d been going through.

Their bedroom door slammed open just as Dominic ripped off the covers to check Zoey, and Romano streaked in wearing a lopsided shirt, his pants askew. When he wasn’t with Kalinda at Council Headquarters, he stayed with Dominic and Zoey in the main house. Romano searched the room, his eyes glowing with preternatural light until they rested on a very exposed Zoey.

Alpha, he acknowledged Dominic, turning his face away. Are you okay?

I will be the moment I rip your eyes from your skull.

You can’t because then I won’t be there to watch your back. Admit it, you love me.

Dominic growled but knew Romano was only trying to lighten the mood. There was no doubt their wolves were picking up the scents of pain and fear permeating the room.

A ripple danced over Zoey’s stomach, and Romano gasped. Did her stomach just move?

There’s a baby in there, asshole.

Zoey groaned as another ripple made its way from one side of her belly to the other, this one punctuated with a very distinguishable hand.

What the fuck?

Dominic ignored his second. There had been complications with Zoey in the final portion of her pregnancy—things they hadn’t shared with anyone. She’d been more tired, agitated, and afraid. Her belly was large and swollen, much larger than should have been possible for a singular babe.

But there was no indication there was more than one.

Romano, call Zahara. Now!

Romano spun on his heel and left the room. The Witch Doctor had moved her home into a pocket of another plane right over Dominic’s house, a feat none of them could explain. Zahara had set up a call altar in the corner of their living room. All anyone had to do was ring the bell resting on the alter if they needed her.

Baby, I need you to breathe, Dominic whispered to his mate.

Zoey took a shaky breath, a mewl of pain slipping past her clenched lips, and his heart broke.

For all the deadly skill he possessed, he couldn’t take this away from her. He had no gift of healing, no power the dull her fear. All he could do was be here for her. He slipped from the bed, already reaching for his phone to call reinforcements, and grabbed one of Zoey’s nightgowns from the floor. There would be many people here, and she wouldn’t want to be exposed in front of them. If this were any other delivery, he’d calm the pup with his Alpha call, but his unborn daughter was already powerful. He feared she’d react on instinct and hurt Zoey in the process—purely by accident, of course.

Back at her side and his phone at his ear, Dominic fitted the gown on Zoey’s arms as he waited impatiently for Pasquale to answer. She fought against him as she held her stomach, but he used his strength to maneuver her as safely as he could.

Alpha? Pasquale growled.

It’s late. Keep your head straight. His tone is of no consequence.

Dominic took a deep breath to keep from lashing out at the other wolf. I need you and Giuliana here.

Giuliana, we’re being called … What’s the situation?

Dominic lifted his wife’s head and pulled the gown over her breasts. Pasquale’s immediate concerned response soothed the haggard edges of his wolf’s hackles. The baby.

Noise on the other end of the phone filled his head.

Dom? Has her water broke? Giuliana’s steady, no-nonsense voice lessened the panic spiraling in his gut.

She’d come into her own the last few weeks since Pasquale had been Made as a Capo of the Lombardi Pack, and Dominic couldn’t deny he may have been wrong by not giving her the position she deserved. Now, as an Alpha’s mate, she demanded a level of respect.

Dominic looked for dampness between Zoey’s legs. No, but the baby is moving.

Zoey screamed, her stomach rippling with enough force to send her flying nearly off the bed. Dominic dropped the phone to balance her.

Zoey, come on, baby. Hold on.

"Oh gods, Dominic. It hurts."

"Somebody get their ass in here, or I’ll fucking kill every last fucking one of you. I swear to fuck."

If you do that, grandson, who will be here to help her?

Dominic swung around and glared at Zahara. Her gray dreads were in a bun on top of her head, and white paint lines marked her face.

You—

Zahara cut him off with a flick of her hand, and a pointed wind sent him spiraling into the wall. He coughed and groaned as his aching bones settled back to their original positions.

Dammit. I’m sorry, chile. The energy from Silva’s healing still isn’t gone.

Yes, the healing which had taken some of her lifeforce and made her look closer to her age.

The same healing where it was learned she controlled the powers of the wind and earth.

Romano slid into the room, eyes wide when he saw Dominic. Did you just run into a wall?

"No, I didn’t just run into a fucking wall."

Looks like it to me.

Zoey screamed, stopping Dominic’s retort, and he was on his feet and at her side in a flash.

Zahara met him there, her hands hovering over Zoey’s stomach. T’e babe wants to come out.

Then we begin with delivery. We have staff ready.

Zahara shook her head, locking gazes with Dominic. What does a wolf do when it’s cornered?

Dominic sighed in exasperation. I don’t have time for this. Romano, call the doctors.

Zahara stood firm and stared at Dominic. Answer my question.

They fight their way out. What does this have to do with my mate?

Men are always stupid at times like t’is. Your babe is fighting her way out.

The Witch Doctor’s words finally sank in. Zoey was a mage, not a wolf made to heal faster and deal with things like this. She was human, even if her magic gave her something more and she may live longer.

The pain is from my daughter’s claws.

Zahara nodded. We have to take her now.

The front door downstairs opened, and Dominic turned to send out his power. It was met with cold precision and the scent of snow-capped mountains. Pasquale. Giuliana was right behind him, and Dominic could feel her already passing her mate to get upstairs.

When she rushed through the door, her bright-green eyes scanned the room and then she was moving. Where do you need me, Zahara? Zoey, I’m here. Hold on.

The Alpha-mated female reached for Zoey’s hand and gripped it tightly. The touch was enough to settle Zoey into sleep. He was thankful for Giuliana’s healing power, just as he was when she’d saved his life before. Still, he marveled at how her powers had increased from closing simple wounds to a form of medical coma now. Her joining with Pasquale had made her stronger.

Keep her under and heal what you can. Pasquale, assist your mate. Romano, Kalinda, and Silva would be good to call. We all used our power before, ‘nd t’is is the time.

As she spoke, Zahara’s accent got thicker, but the wolves did as she ordered. Pasquale tucked behind his mate, his dark hair covering his forehead as he wrapped his arms around her waist. A chill filled the room, the mark of Pasquale’s Alpha call coming out to work.

Romano spoke softly into his phone as Giuliana placed her free hand on Zoey’s head. Dominic was left to support his wife, sending out his Alpha call to touch each of his wolves and have them standing in attendance.

Zoey, you can do this. You’re stronger than anyone I know. You put up with my ass, you can do this too, he whispered against the fevered skin of her neck.

Zoey didn’t open her eyes, but her head turned toward his voice. He pressed a kiss to her lips, trying not to dislodge Giuliana from her work. He lay down next to his mate, taking her weight, and wrapped one arm under her so he could put his hands on either side of her stomach.

Hungry.

Dominic sucked in a breath. The little voice was forceful, but a voice nonetheless. It wasn’t like the impressions he got from his wolf when he was in human form.

This didn’t sound like a wolf at all.

Isadora?

It was the first time he’d spoken her name in front of others. He and Zoey had decided to name her after Arturo’s beloved wife. They’d wanted to keep it a secret.

Hi, Daddy. I’m hungry.

His happiness at hearing his daughter quickly changed to alarm when he heard the rest.

Can I kill something?

"No, you may not kill something! That’s your mother you’re inside."

Romano leaned over him, frowning. Who the hell are you talking to, man?

Isadora.

Romano lifted a brow. How long have you been hearing voices in your head, brother? They have medication for that.

"I swear I’m going to rip your head off as soon as this is over. I’m talking to my daughter."

Romano looked at Zoey’s stomach and back to Dominic with confusion, but wisely, he remained silent.

Hungry!

The sudden shock of Alpha call sent Romano and Giuliana to their knees before Pasquale adjusted his power to shield them.

Giuliana stumbled to her feet, shaking her head. What the fuck was that?

Dominic release a heavy breath. Isadora. She’s hungry.

Giuliana gasped. You heard her?

Dominic knew Giuliana had a gift of communicating with her wolf once everything had come out with Heath. Dominic shook his head. "Not her wolf. Her."

We don’t have time. I’m going to cut. Send her under as deep as you can, Giuliana. Zahara’s order rendered everyone in the room silent.

You aren’t going to cut my mate without anesthesia.

I do, or they die. Choose.

There was no choice, and Zahara knew it. He looked to his grandmother, pleading deep in his chest, even if he couldn’t force the words past his lips.

I will give my life to save hers. I swear it.

It would have to be enough. It had to be. Dominic nodded to Giuliana, and Zoey went limp, a calm sigh filling the space between them.

Now! Zahara demanded.

Zahara cut across the lower part of Zoey’s abdomen with her fingernail, Giuliana fought to keep a deep healing sleep on Zoey, Kalinda and Silva barreled into the room, and Dominic roared.

The world was chaos, blood, and fear. Kalinda slipped by Zahara and reached for the baby with an orb of green around her hands, and Silva faced the door, one of her silver blades at the ready.

They were a family, each working silently at what they did best. Romano even brought in towels and bowls of hot water and fetched whatever the fuck Zahara yelled for.

Sweat slid down Giuliana’s brow as she worked to seal the wound before Dominic’s eyes. The babe was out. She wailed, and Dominic sucked in a deep breath, his heart swelling in his ribs. She was here.

Isadora took her first breath and the wolves felt her fury. Her need. Her hunger.

Um, this may not be the best time, I’m good for that. But would someone explain why this baby looks like she’s damn near a year old at birth?

Dominic couldn’t focus. He could only give Giuliana the support she needed as she healed his mate from the inside out. While Zoey slept, he stumbled away from the bed, covered in muck and wondering if he’d ever wished for anything more than seeing Zoey’s smile again.

Dom!

What?

Look at Isadora.

Dominic spun at Romano’s insistence and his jaw dropped. Kalinda held his daughter, cleaned now and swaddled in a pristine white cloth. A shock of dark hair covered the top of her head, but a singular streak of green settled just over a small chunk in front. Her wide, violet eyes watched her father with uncanny awareness.

And she did not look like a newborn babe.

In fact, she sported teeth as she opened her mouth on a wail.

Get her something to eat.

Meat.

Meat, Dominic added to his order, reaching for Isadora.

Romano scoffed. You can’t feed that to a baby, man.

Isadora’s gaze swung to Dominic’s second, and the wolf fell to his knees, shaking.

Kill it.

"You cannot kill my Capo, Isadora. Stop this, now." Dominic sent his Alpha call at his daughter, as crazy as it was, but the babe held on, pushing at Romano until her strength gave out. Romano took a shuddering breath and looked up at Dominic.

That’s not a child, Dom. That’s Rosemary’s baby.

His daughter smiled a taunting, cruel smile, and damned if Dominic didn’t feel a similar one split his lips. She’s fucking perfect.

Whatever she is, why does she already have teeth?

Pasquale’s quiet and directed question sucked the levity from the room and swung back into focus the fact the pup was much more developed than she should have been. It would explain why Zoey had been so large throughout her pregnancy, and the complication at the end made more sense.

But the answer … Dominic didn’t know.

She’s got extra life energy, Silva offered, popping her gum. Her silver sword was tucked to her side as she watched on with a giddy smile. Awesome! Can I take a picture for SpellBook?

Dominic glared at Silva. No, you can’t. And what are you talking about, ‘extra life energy?’

You know that stuff Zoey makes with Romano? What’s it called … the Miracle Grow? Little Rosemary here reeks of it.

Little Rosemary?

I like Dora as a nickname, Giuliana offered.

"You are not going to name the coolest kid born, like, ever after a chick still looking for her backpack. Little Rosemary is better," Silva stated as if it were the end of the matter.

Dominic looked to Zahara. Could the Miracle Grow have affected her?

She’s not like anything we’ve seen before, Dominic. It could have. If the Fae Queen sees it, I’d trust it.

Fucking great. His daughter was a potential blood-thirsty sociopath with speedy growth thrown in for good measure. He was sick and tired of shit going on around them that wasn’t fixed as easily as putting a bullet in someone.

Daddy, hungry.

For now, he’d feed her and care for his mate. Tomorrow, they’d deal with what this may mean.

Chapter Two

Dying sucked. Correction, nearly dying sucked.

Fuck.

The sound resounded in Heath’s head before it ripped from his throat and slapped him in the face like a sucker punch.

He wisely kept his mouth shut after that.

Eyes wide-open, he could see nothing but the swirling force of chaos, shades of black twisting and turning in billowy smoke and razor-sharp edges. It buffeted Heath, slamming him back and forth as his lungs expanded painfully on a gasp.

I could have just been left to die.

Healing is painful, Kieran of the Shadow.

He blinked. The same voice that had spoken to him when he’d been pulled into the Chaos Realm swelled in his head.

Who are you?

You’ve asked before, and I give the same answer. No one and Everyone. She needs you.

I’m not good for anyone.

No, not anyone. But for her, maybe. When the pain is gone, you will know. Your soul will cry, your cells eating away at what went before to be replaced by one thought. Her.

You speak of Fate Pairs.

Heath knew of it. Similar to the way wolves mated, Fae were Fated for the other. Their very souls stitched together to become one—each unable to harm the other physically—and they’d go to death as one.

Heath was not worthy of