Her Forever

Hades’ POV

“Talk to the covens in Bergarian that you trust. Let them know three gods are missing and watch out for any abnormalities in magic casting, especially in the dark kingdom of Vamparia. My demons have reported there has been an uprising against their rulers. There is a backlash of a witch and vampire hybrid queen.” Bhodi wrote down a few notes on her scroll.

“I’ll be sure to go there myself. I can’t trust the communications spells, especially knowing that the Underworld was compromised after all those years. Who knows who could be listening.” I nodded as I took a bite of one of the Luna’s cookies.

“I will you there myself. Just send a nudge when you want to return. If I do not reply, you will have to get back on your own.”

Bhodi sat across from me at Alpha Jack’s dining room table. Parisa had gone with her father, must to my distaste, but I had to play nice. She hadn’t seen him in so long, and the topic of her becoming Alpha of the Night Crawler pack was going to come up. Did she want to be the Alpha? If she did, we would make it work. I already had plans in the works for a portal to be erected here in her parent’s home so she could come to and from the Underworld without the help of my magic. I just needed Hecate to help prepare the spell, I wasn’t great at essential magic, but she would need my source of power, which was in the Underworld, to procure it.

Hell, this is based on if we can even retrieve Hecate, Selene, and Hermes. Keeping Parisa calm was the goal, but the tensions I could feel from Zeus were becoming overpowering. I could feel his struggle as he tried to keep himself together. He wasn’t used to the stress, he just tried to help micromanage brawls between gods, and even then, Athena and Hera helped him.

Zeus isn’t evil. He just has his head in the wrong places and doesn’t know what he wants. A mate would do him some good and knock some sense into him. I prayed to the fates it wasn’t Hera. That woman had been through too much.

“I’m ready when you are, my Lord.” Bhodi stood up with her robes wrapped around her and hood over her face. I waved my hand non-ceremoniously as she disappeared, and Rosalie walked through the door with some milk and more cookies. Damn, she can cook.

“I thought you would like some milk,” she trailed off as she set it on the table. Sitting down, she twiddled with her thumbs while staring intently at them. “Thank you, Hades. For saving her,” Rosalie’s eyes glazed over as she wiped back a trailing tear. “When I told you that your mate was out there waiting for you, I didn’t realize it would be my own daughter.”

After Rosalie single-handedly destroyed my self-made mate, she instantly forgave me and felt sorry for me. Me, the God of the Underworld, and she took pity on me. Her little speech didn’t give me the hope I needed; after all, her daughter did suffer because of my hardened heart.

“It is funny how the goddess works, huh? Now that you are back here, I wouldn’t be surprised if your friends find a few mates. She does have a way with mates meeting each other.”

The thought crossed my mind that Ares could find his mate. This was a large pack, and he had desires to find a mate in a wolf. However, with the Sphere of Souls missing, no one was going to be finding their mates. Selene needed her Sphere to conduct a small ritual to bind them together once their eyes met.

“Ares and Hermes would wish to find mates. More so than I did,” I trailed off. “Perhaps one day they will find what they are looking for once this is all over.” Rosalie nodded.

“I’ve got a new bed being brought up to Parisa’s room. I don’t think sleeping on a double bed will fit the both of you,” she winked. “Just know that Jack won’t be happy about it. He still sees her as a little girl.” I bit my l*p, thinking of how my feet hung off the bed as I pleasured Parisa. Her eyes were glowing with l**t and desire to complete the bond. We couldn’t, not yet. Selene thankfully confirmed our bond before she went missing. In this period, we were the only couple that could be bonded together.

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”

“Just be good to her,” Rosalie growled. “Otherwise, I won’t be so nice,” her claws lengthened around her coffee mug, and her fangs lengthened while she laughed. I laughed along with her, something I hadn’t done with anyone else but Parisa. Having Parisa’s parents in her life wouldn’t be so bad. Jack will be tough to crack, but we have a long time to come with that odd relationship.

….

Ares POV

Michael, Thomas, and Steffan led Vulcan and I out of the house and through the pack territory. They showed their defenses, the cameras Rosalie had set up as well as the training fields. A large number of wolves were shifting, fighting, and sparing. Some were even using older weapons I had used in many battles with humans thousands of years ago.

My heart started pumping the adrenaline was ripping through my veins. “Lord Ares, would you like to train us? It would be an honor.” Michael threw off his shirt as well as Thomas.

“Yes, please, show us your ways!” Steffan went to sit on the sidelines. He was only eleven, and his own group of beginners wasn’t on the field. The Alpha had strategically set up times for warriors based on age and ability. Right now, the strongest were on the field due to the protection of Parisa, the supposed new Alpha. Extra training and extra patrolling were scheduled for the night and especially around the Alpha’s home.

“Sounds like a good idea,” I ripped my shirt off as I stomped onto the field. The wolves stopped what they were doing as soon as I stepped foot on the massive training arena. It was in the shape of a football field with obstacle courses, weights, and weapons. Many gave wide eyes as I ripped my human disguise from my body and stomped one foot on the ground, instantly turning the churned-up mud into sand. The sand was a great way to help train your legs and learn to keep your balance; this would help them later but kill their hamstrings now. I also willed massive stands such as the Greek callosum on a much smaller scale, however, so those who were not training could watch. Watching was also an effective way of training. Learn from others’ mistakes and take in what you should do on your own time.

“It’s Ares!” A wolf yelled from the sideline. My leather coverings on my calves and forearms twinkled in the sun against the bronzed threading. The leather straps on my back donned my sword and shield. Reaching behind me, I pulled my sword and, at my side, my battle-ax. “Who would like to train with the God of War?” I yelled across the field. Wolves came running and screaming in cheers as they approached.

I lived for this, for the b***d on my enemies’ bodies on the ground and on my sword. These wolves’ ancestors were created with such a purpose. To destroy the out-of-control evils that many gods had formed out of experiments. Many humans were taken and given abilities that didn’t change just their bodies but also their minds.

Werewolves had the perfect balance because they had a shared soul of both wolf and human. They were two separate entities, and once the wars and battles with the evil rejected beings were created, they were lost. Their wolves craved war while their human side craved emotion. With Selene’s help, she created soul mates, which sated both sides of the werewolves.

Never knew that one day Selene could turn it so both werewolves, supernatural, and even the gods would be blessed with such a gift.

I had set groups up, some sparing with weapons, others in wolf forms, and some doing conditioning work. The men and women warriors were in top condition; Alpha had done his part keeping his pack strong. No wonder it was the strongest in North America. I would have to see if they could be in legion with me and part of my war stronghold.

When I am called upon in times of war, it is rare, but it does happen. I bring with me my own army. Once I have appraised both sides, I choose what side I should side with. Hades was the best at the judge of character; he would help often. Those with legion would fight for me, and in repayment, their warriors were given double the strength and training with me.

I swelled my chest at the pride of how hard these wolves were willing to work. It isn’t often that wolves train themselves like this. It reminded me of the Warrior Pack in Bergarian. Many packs on Earth had become lazy. It doesn’t matter the size of the pack, but its strength. If they are not training and not patrolling their territory, I cannot help when their cries come. It is a two-way street, and unfortunately, I cannot come to save everyone.

My hands were behind my back as I walked by several weight lifting stations. Wolves were eager to show off in front of me. Several she-wolves winked and waved, and I had to do a wink here or there. However, training was the target for the day. Besides, I wanted to have what Hades had. My d**k was under wraps for a while.

As I continued to walk down the field, I found one she-wolf working on a punching bag. Her legs were long, lean, and muscular. Her hair was pulled back in a braid that reached her waist. With bare fists, she slammed her arms into the bag without a flinch. Hints of b***d flicked off her knuckles as she barreled into it with full strength. Her lips set in a stiff line as her top stretched tight across her chest. Her a*s had to be sculpted from stone; it was muscular perfection. This girl, she got my attention.

As I stood there, watching this woman of at least 6′ foot 5′ beat the s**t out of a bag, Michael walked up to me. “Everything pleasing to you, Lord Ares? The wolves are eager to make you proud.” I smiled back at Michael. He was a good wolf, always eager to please.

“None of that Lord s**t,” I elbowed him. “Just Ares.” Glancing back at the woman, now using her legs to hit either side of the bag, Michael smirked.

“That’s Mariah; she’s our packs’ strongest female. She’s been given guard duty to Parisa until she shifts.” I hummed while listening.

“Is she your mate? You keep looking at her weird?” I shook my head.

“I can’t smell her. I just think she’s beautiful.”

Mariah continued to strike the bag until it finally burst as sand poured from a hole. Her lips never went to a smile as I started to approach.

“Your form is a bit off,” I said grimly. Mariah’s eyes trailed to the sand falling out of the back and gave a hard, “what do the fuc-“her eyes widened as she saw me approach. “My Lord Ares, I am so sorry for my words,” she took a knee immediately as she lowered her head. “I apologize profusely!” I laughed as I put my hand out towards her. Glancing up and placing her hand in mine, I felt the deep disappointment in my heart. She wasn’t my mate. A sliver of me had really hoped she was, despite not being able to smell a sweet smell from her.

“Just Ares, and don’t worry. You were running on adrenaline.” Mariah stood up and dusted the sand away from her knees. Dirty thoughts entered my head as she had kneeled, but I pushed the idea away. Her eyes were a deep purple, a rare color for a wolf, and they captured me. If I could touch her lips with mine, it would b be all the sweeter. Shaking my head, I cleared my throat.

“If you would like, I could help. It is just a small modification.” Mariah nodded as I showed her various techniques to strike an opponent from front to back. Her eyes never left my body, and I found myself trying to show off as much of my muscles and form as I could. I never wanted to please a woman as much as I did her, and I couldn’t figure out why.

Mariah’s forms matched mine perfectly. I only had to show her once, and she immediately took the forms to memory. The length of her long legs and torso twisting to various degrees had me imagining her in s****l positions that would break a human. I growl left my throat, but I rubbed my neck to act as if it were easing away from pain.

“Excellent,” I clapped a few times as she finished. Micheal continued to watch both of us. Could the little prick not take a hint?

Mariah smiled up at me; yeah, she was still short in my standards. I was close to 7’5,” and even if she was the tallest female, I still towered over her. “Mariah, I heard you will be watching Parisa this evening. I would like you to show me in detail what you have planned.” This didn’t look too obvious, did it? I wanted to spend more time with her, and my hands were aching to touch her.

Mariah stood her ground with her hands on her h**s. “No funny business Ares. I’m waiting for my mate.” I pulled my hands up in surrender.

“I wouldn’t dream.” Guess I was a bit obvious. “Since Hades has found his mate, I am on the search for my own, and I intend to wait until I find her. There will be no ‘funny business.'” Mariah blushed in embarrassment, which I found adorable on her olive skin.

“Right,” she said as she motioned for me to follow.

“Michael, keep up the good work,” I yelled over my shoulder. “Make sure your father has enough guards by the lake. Hades wouldn’t be too happy if he found his mate all alone with only one wolf protecting her.” Michael’s eyes widened in realization as he scampered off to gather some wolves.

Now I had all the time to get to know this creature in front of me. I wouldn’t seduce her, but I wanted to know Mariah, and while I was here, I planned to do just that and why she intrigues me.