Page 7 of Desired By Eros

“Oh, right.” Hephaestus, God of Forges and Fire.

In the kitchen, Artemis gestured to some stools by the counter, and Psyche took it as an invitation to sit. “I know you have specific dietary needs, so I wanted to wait for you before making anything,” said Artemis. “We can figure out what works best for you and get that settled.”

Psyche hesitated, shifting her weight. “Thank you. I don’t want to impose.”

“Nonsense. We want you to feel welcome here, and part of that is making sure you have what you need. Besides,” she added with a wry smile. “I’d rather hear what you like than guess wrong and end up with a whole meal nobody wants.”

Psyche felt a flicker of gratitude warm her chest. “Okay. Thank you,” she said again, this time with a small, genuine smile. It felt easier, lighter, knowing that Artemis truly meant what she said.

They talked as Artemis moved around the room, pulling out ingredients for their breakfast. The kitchen smelled of coffee, and the soft babble of the babies filled the air.

“I mostly eat unprocessed food,” Psyche explained, watching Artemis rinse a handful of fresh blueberries. “Vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, whole grains. Things that aren’t full of…additives.”

“Got it,” Artemis said with a nod, setting the fruit on a cutting board. “That’s actually what we eat most of the time, too. Luckily, the pack’s chef, Hank, is a genius with fresh ingredients. We’ll make sure you’re all set.”

“Thank you. I don’t want to make extra work for anyone.”

“You’re not,” Artemis replied firmly, pouring oats into a small pot of simmering water. “This is your home for now, and that means making sure you’re comfortable. It’s no trouble at all.”

Psyche nodded, her anxiety softening a little. She let her gaze wander to the carriers, to Liam and Phoebe. Their curiosity about the world seemed endless, and it reminded her of the pups back home.

She repeated something she’d said when they first met. “I’d like to help with the babies, though. If you don’t mind.”

Artemis glanced over her shoulder, a smile quirking her lips. “I don’t mind at all. Trust me, I could always use an extra pair of hands.”

When the oatmeal was ready, Artemis divided it into bowls and placed one bowl in front of her. Psyche added blueberries and a drizzle of honey and picked up her spoon but noticed Liam staring at her bowl with wide, curious eyes. She set her spoon down and moved to sit beside him instead. “I think he’s hungry.”

“He’s always hungry,” Artemis said with a laugh, settling down with Phoebe on her lap.

Psyche scooped a small spoonful from the extra bowl Artemis had set out for the babies and held it up for Liam. He opened his mouth eagerly, gobbling down the oatmeal and kicking his legs excitedly.

Artemis chuckled. “Liam likes you. He’s usually a little pickier than Phoebe.”

Psyche felt a quiet glow of pride. “I spend a lot of time with the pups back home,” she said, offering Liam another spoonful. “Kids are easier to understand. They don’t have all the…layers adults do.”

“I get that,” Artemis said, feeding Phoebe, who was just as enthusiastic as her brother. “Kids are honest. If they like you, they like you. No games, no guessing.”

After the babies were fed and burped, Psyche moved to help clear the table. As she wiped down the counter, Artemis leaned against the island, her expression thoughtful.

“There’s a pack run later,” Artemis said casually. “Would you like to join us?”

Psyche shook her head. “No, thank you. My pack doesn’t do many runs. We’re sea wolves, so we do swims.”

Artemis blinked. “Sea wolves? I didn’t know that was a thing. But then again,” she added with a smile, “I’m not a shifter, so there’s a lot I don’t know.”

“We’re from Vancouver Island. Most of the time, we’re in the water—it’s where we hunt, play, and train. That’s why I eat a lot of fish.”

“Right,” Artemis said, her brow furrowing as though filing the information away. “Well, there’s plenty of fresh seafood here. I’ll make sure to ask Chef Hank to order some extra for you.”

“Thank you,” she said again.

“It’s nothing,” Artemis waved her hand dismissively. “We’re glad to have you here.”

Psyche offered her a small smile, the kind that felt real, even if it took effort. For the first time that morning, she thought maybe—just maybe—this new place could start to feel a little like home.

She watched Artemis, who was tidying up the last of the breakfast dishes. Psyche couldn’t help but think about the stories she’d heard before coming here.

Artemis, the former goddess of the hunt, had once been immortal—a force of nature worshipped in myth and legend. She had given it all up to be with Cade, the Alaska pack’s Alpha. Psyche didn’t know all the details, but she knew enough to understand the weight of that decision.

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