Image of how they are standing, just to give you an idea.

Skylar POV

I’ve officially lost my mind. I don’t know what I was thinking when I asked the goddesses if there was a way to heal Connor knowing full well it could end badly. The goddesses warned me that I might not like the answer.

When they offered to bring me back to the realm of Gods and Goddesses to look at their ancient texts to find anything that would save both the lives of my mate and pup, I had to do it. My life get so complicated but I wouldn't change it for the world but honestly, all I wanted was to live a normal life with my mates and raise a family. 

“We brought you some medical spell books to begin your search.” Oriana smiled at me, giving me a pile of books and scrolls. 

“Thank you all for helping me.” I smiled weakly and she pouted looking at my obvious stressed expression and leaving me to do what I needed. 

I found everything and anything on human illness related but nothing on how to cure him. I have an idea as to what we can do as an alternative ritual but it’s unheard of… at least in the werewolf packs. Vampires do it all the time and nothing bad ever comes of it. 

I roamed the archives looking through the aisles as I found the section I was looking for. I really hope I can find what I’m looking for or I could lose them. I’m connected to him, I know he’d be willing to risk his life if it meant our pup can live the happy, normal life he never had until he had us, mates. 

After hours of searching, and not finding a single thing, I finally made progress. I looked at the title and couldn’t help the growing grin on my face. I opened the book and read through and jumped up doing a happy dance. 

“We’re going to assume you made progress in your research” I  just smiled and nodded my head like a bobblehead on steroids.  

“I found a ritual performed back when the black plague was first discovered. It says that back in those times, supernaturals had immune systems just as weak as humans did so they prayed to be pardoned and unaffected by illnesses that may have proved to be fatal. Anyway, I found it in this book titled ‘A Gift to the Ages to come’.” They smiled fondly at me and ruffled my hair and I glared playfully. 

“We haven’t seen that book since our family was more involved with supernatural beings. It has very old and dangerous magic, but if done right then it may be the answer you’re looking for.” I looked at them and started questioning myself once again, was this really what I wanted? What were the risks? Were they any worse than what they are now with the chances of losing my mate or pup? I had to give it a shot if it meant they lived. 

“Follow us, Skylar.”  They began walking out of the archives and to a restricted area of the main library. 

“The ritual you found involves dark magic, but not the kind you think. As the world grew, the laws of nature and balance became the way of life. That spell uses blood magic, a dangerous form of magic. We can’t stress that enough. Blood magic is also often used in Blood Rituals. Some blood may be indicated to be more powerful than others such as ours, your family’s and Connor’s family. Although they were one of the first packs we created, an ancestor of theirs broke an absolute law and as a result, they lost their connection to the earth and its natural magic. The ritual can take place as early as tonight but we rather you talk to everyone needed for the ritual to be as successful.” This was so much bigger than I imagined and it’s giving me a headache. 

“I understand, I will talk to my family, mates and Connor’s family as well. We don’t want him to suffer any longer so I’m sure they’ll all aid in the ritual.” And just like that we were back and I ran out of my house and shifted, going to my mates first and followed their scents to the suite at the packhouse.

They looked so cute cuddled up together in a dog pile. I didn’t realize Connor had woken up until those grey eyes bore into me so intensely that if I wasn’t the prince of all werewolves I’m sure even his stare as my mate would have me on my knees. 

“Where have you been darlin’?” He looks so sexy in between sleep and being awake. 

“I went to look for a cure for you, remember?” I giggled and my other mates woke up and so I began explaining all that the goddesses had explained to me from the history of the ritual to what it was. 

“Darlin’, I don’t want you to worry about that right now. Come to bed and let us just enjoy the moment.” He smiled but something in him showed a hint of curiosity for the new ritual. I guess it can wait until later… my powers were strongest at dawn anyway so with that, I collapsed on the right side of the bed with Sam on the left and our pregnant mates in the middle to avoid any of them falling off the bed.  

Just before dawn, I went downstairs to the conference room where I’m sure I’d find Jake. He always did research on how to help Connor any chance he got and had free time. 

“Hi, kiddo what can I do for you?” He smiled with tired eyes. He’s not sleeping again, it’s the anniversary month of Colson’s Death and Connor’s kidnapping. 

“Hey Jake, How’s Sawyer and Collen? Are you ok?” I didn’t want to wait any longer, he’s still so young and looks like my grandpa. I had to tell him what I found but if he was already so stressed I don’t know if I can or should. 

I took a deep breath and sat next to him

“I know how stressed you’ve been and I don’t want you to worry anymore. You were there when my dads were still away, you made me feel at home even before you knew I’d be Connor’s mate and can’t thank you enough…but I can gift you something if you’d allow me to.” 

“Skylar you’re kind of scaring me kiddo.” He chuckled uneasily but kept his gaze on me. 

“I think I may have found a way to heal Connor and I need your family’s help so I need you to mindlink Connor and have him come in here with Eric and Sam.” He nodded and did so and soon enough my sleepy mates walked in half asleep but still held worry in their expression. 

I smiled and had Connor sit on my lap and smiled inhaling his scent and rubbing his stomach. I hope after this we can celebrate the way we should.

“My love, I know you told me not to worry but I can’t live anymore seeing someone I love so dearly live life in constant worry because of your health. I know you know about the ritual that came with the risk that you or the pup could die but I have good news.” I gripped his hands kissing his palms. 

"What do you mean? Uncle Jaylen said the forbidden ritual is risky to me more so than the baby. What good news could you possibly have that will have a better outcome?" He turned his head to look at me, seeing me smiling at him and he creased his brows in confusion and I laughed softly and cupped his cheek looking into his eyes when I backed up.

I smiled and the goddesses join me

“It’s a blood ritual where we combine all our blood and this may sound weird, but you have to drink it while we chant a prayer and you will be cleansed. It sounds simple but there is a chance that you could reject the blood or lose your wolf spirit becoming mortal.” I looked at him for any reaction, rejection of some kind not wanting to risk it.

"No absolutely not, Connor, you are still alive, you are pregnant and so far things are going well. I know you may pass it to the baby when it's born but living with HIV is a hell of a lot better than my son and grand-pup dying doing some ritual that may or may not even work, causing your wolf to die and becoming human with still being sick." Jake said, looking even more stressed than before.

We all watched Diana approach Jake and put their foreheads together and both their eyes glow white and I can tell their minds are no longer in this plain and I pray he changes his mind once he sees the good it has done. At least no one would have to die if Connor did this new ritual. The point of all of us being involved is to make the power of the prayer stronger. If he still disagrees then his dormant power can be the link between the prayer failing or succeeding. Once their eyes return to normal Jake sighs and shakes his head. 

“I can’t do it, but I won’t be the cause of it failing.” He stands and cuts himself letting his blood drip into a vile before it heals and we all hug him and thank him. 

"Daddy?" Connor looked at Jake just as he was about to walk out the door. 

"Dad told me to take care of myself first when needed." Connor dropped the bomb on Jake so hard, Jake started breathing hard and was shaking.

"What did you say?" Jake asked, turning around looking directly at Connor.

"I met him when we went to look for answers on Skylar's family. I got to talk to him, to hug him, to see him. Daddy, I won't do this without you by my side. You said you would always be there for me, I need you to be here for me now." When Connor finished speaking, Jake fell to his knees looking up at his son with tears in his eyes and his lip trembled. 

"I miss him." Jake said barely above a broken whisper and I felt my heartbreak for him.

"Imagine my mates feeling how you feel if I don't do this and die if I get sicker and the baby? I know it sounds bad but daddy, I want to do this. I want to live and do this, if I don't and I die, I'll die with regret knowing I didn't do everything I could to get healthy." He made a good point and I saw the resolve in Jake's eyes disappear and he slowly nodded his head.

"Ok, I'll be there, just for you like I had promised to be from day one. After all this is over, I need you to tell me about your meeting your dad." 

"Of course daddy. Now I understand why we never had a carrot cake in the house." Once he said that, Jake lost it and started sobbing. Connor, as best he could with his rapidly growing belly got on his knees and they hugged one another, crying. 

"Ok, let's do this before I change my mind." Connor said and I helped him up and Jake. 

"Ok, all you need to do is relax and we'll start in a moment my love, I promise everything will be alright." I said to him and kissed him to help him relax. 

Each of us cut our palms and added our blood to the vile that had Jake's and with all of it together, it started glowing which means it's binding together, doing its job. 

Oriana had Connor stand in the middle of the room after she waved her arm and everything was pushed to the sides of the room, making space for us. We all circle around him, joining hands, closing our eyes and focusing on the prayer. Diana sent everyone the prayer through mindlink so it'll be easier to remember. 

"With this vile O'Gods and Goddesses,
Keep hope within, and heal this body and keep despair without. 
Keep peace within, keep worry without. 
We bless this boy in the name of the moon, nature, and stars, 
Keep joy within and cleanse him of this darkness, keep fear without 
Keep love within his heart and keep hatred without
Keep strength within his bones and keep weakness without
Keep lightness within keep darkness without so he may live within the light of a new day." 
 
As we repeated the chant a few times, I opened my eyes and noticed Connor had drank the blood but he didn't look well so I broke my hold from Eric and Sam and ran to Connor as his body started to fall to the floor. 

Chapter written with the help of LaVel063, I love his ideas he has with the powers and magic of the super naturals!