Her Forever

Parisa’s POV

“Are you sure that it’s over? I don’t mind spending a few more days here,” Hades wrapped his arm around me with one hand as the other cupped my face. Hades had his demon servants summoned and brought us clothes. There were none left after the constant ripping and clawing. The thought of any male coming within 100 yards of the mating cabin made Hades sprout his infamous smoke tendrils.

“Yes, it’s over.” I straightened out the white blouse over my dark jeans. Hades had the servants bring clothes that were light in color, telling me I was his light to his darkness and that I looked like his very own angel. Can we say swoon?

“We really need to get back; we have a mission to accomplish, right?” Hades nodded his head solemnly as he kissed my forehead.

“I’m not ready to share you,” he nuzzled in my ear. His hot breath sent waves of heat down to my core as his arms pulled me into his body. His shoulder now bore my mark; no woman could ever dare come near him, not that they would. I didn’t have to worry about Hades ever straying from me; his temperament for anyone else but me had proven that.

“You’ve had me for four days; once we find the Sphere, I hope we will find Selene and the others. I’ve missed Hermes.” My voice trailed off as I looked out the window. “Do you think they are alright?” Hade’s warm touch on my skin calmed me as his heartbeat beat with mine, something that felt indescribable.

“They are gods, they won’t die, but they can be weakened. The emotional battle they will struggle with is what I worry about. Who knows where they are, but Selene, Hecate, and Hermes are strong. They will be fine, I’m sure of it. Don’t you worry your pretty little self so.” Burning my nose into his chest, I felt him chuckle. “They will come back to us, and once I find out who took them and you,… it will be my turn to play.”

I wasn’t as forgiving as my mother; I hoped that whoever was responsible should pay. In fact, I hope Hades locked them up with the Titans and let them have some fun.

Walking back to the center of the territory that held the packhouse along with my family home, we heard squeals of laughter. “Again, again!” Little wolves ran past us as they ran to the center of town; not noticing Hades, one bumped into his leg as he fell. “Ouchie!” The little girl rubbed his knee. Ready for an outburst, I go to hold Hades’ arm as he bent forward and picked up the little girl. My eyes widened in shock.

“I’m sorry, did I get in your way,” Hades chuckled as he looked at her knee.

“Sorry, mister Hades,” her big wet lashes fluttered as Hades wiped a tear away.

“Just be a little more careful, hmm?” The little girl nodded her head as she ran off to the series of laughs and screams. I wanted to coo at Hades but him being so nice to someone other than me was a huge milestone. I couldn’t ruin the moment.

He would be a wonderful father if we could have our own. Many packs have orphaned pups that we could adopt. When the time was right, I could have father ask around and see if we could raise one. The thought of Hades putting a diaper on a little baby made me feel giddy. God of the Underworld changing diapers, rocking babies, and putting them to bed had to be the sexist idea.

There was a deeper voice that sounded vaguely familiar as we walked hand in hand. The laugh was contagious, and I wanted nothing more than to find out who it was. “What is it?” Hades squeezed my hand as I pulled him closer. Giant shrills of a child being thrown up in the air by an unknown wolf. He was tall, reminding me of my father except with dark hair. His green eyes sparkled as the other children continued to ask him to throw them.

It couldn’t be!? Could it!? “Parisa!” I heard Mama yell from the front porch; I waved, letting her know I heard her until I felt the breeze brush my hair harshly. Hades had let go of my hand and was now pinning the large wolf up by his neck. His green flannel and khaki pants were covered in mud as Hades gripped him harder.

“You dare try to approach my mate?” Great, Hades was back to the signature choking. Running up to Hades, dad and Michael came to help pry Hades off, which was no use. While they pulled, Hades’ eyes lit up like fire. The wolf looked down at me as I screamed.

“ERIK! Hades!! Let go; it’s my uncle!!” Hades let go, but his stare never left Erik as he rubbed his neck. I pounced on Erik while Hades started grumbling and pulling me off.

“Erik!” I cried as I wrestled closer and hugged him close. Erik’s voice was raspy as he started chanting my name while swaying us on the ground.

“You’re here, you are really here! I’ve been in Bergarian with Mom and Dad looking for you!”

“s**t, more family,” Hades cursed as he helped us both up. “Sorry about that; I don’t like anyone near my mate.” Erik looked at me and then back at Hades. The power Hades was radiating on purpose was making Erik confused. Hades was more robust than any Alpha or supernatural, so of course, Erik’s curiosity was getting the best of him.

“I’m Hades, God of the Underworld. And you are?” I nudged Hades to be polite, but he pulled me in by my waist while kissing my forehead. “Be nice,” I whispered. “We are b***d-related; he isn’t some random wolf.”

“Don’t care,” he mumbled into my temple.

“Holy, oh, wow,” Erik couldn’t form words as he stared. After a moment, I felt Hade’s patience dwindling.

“Hades, this is my Uncle, Erik. My dad’s parents’ son. We are only five years apart. Once Mama and dad got together, Grandpa Odin and Grama Astrid got ‘busy.'” I giggled. “We were practically playmates.” Hades nodded his head and understood as they shook hands.

“Pleasure,” Hades choked as Erik pulled him in for a hug. “Thanks for finding her man; she’s basically my sister.” Erik sniffed while Hades reluctantly patted him on the back.

“Parisa!” We heard another shrill of a scream as Grama Astrid came running.

“How many family members do you have?” Hades g*****d again while Grama gripped me tightly. Grandpa Odin came running up to greet us as we were all pulled back to my parents’ home.

The rest of the day was spent inside the house, which I thought to be large when I was younger. It was now cramped as Mama and Amanda made fresh food filled with pies, roasts, steaks, spaghetti, and tons of cookies throughout the day. Poor Steffan was being rushed to the packhouse every hour to grab more drinks and alcohol as they celebrated my return.

Even with all the food being consumed, there was another celebration tonight with the pack since my unscheduled shift and heat messed everything up. The large bonfire party was to commence just hours from now, but the current private party continued to rage on in the house.

Hades had willed several demons to be present to help serve food; everyone was a bit taken aback at their natural forms but quickly took a liking to the men and now women that were serving. Hades and I had a talk that he should hire at least a few women, he couldn’t prevent catfights in the demon world, and I knew he would never stray. Besides, we were bonded now; if he did anything, I would know and then rip his eyes out and tear out the guts of any female that dared touch what was mine.

As much as I enjoyed being with my family, the itching feeling in my head came back from trying to find the Sphere. Was I the only one worried for the gods’ return? I tapped the glass of apple juice that I drank, not wanting to drink any alcohol until the party tonight. My thoughts of the many places that Sphere could be invaded my mind.

The treehouse, my mind kept going to the treehouse. Everyone was talking, having fun, and even Hades joined in on a game of chess that Erik and Michael had pulled out. Everyone was trying extra hard to break Hades’ tough exterior, but he only smiled when he glanced at me. Butterflies erupted in my stomach as I felt my heart pound my chest.

I wanted Hades to have a good time but knowing his heart and smile were only meant for me made us want to take him away and have our own time together. Holding down my desire, I made the decision to go to my treehouse. This mystery needed to come to an end and fast.

Slipping out the front door, without anyone noticing, I lightly pranced down the steps. The sun had begun to set, and the cooks had several roasting pits filled with boar for tonight’s dinner. As a child, Michael and I would steal hunks of meat while they cooked. We would get scolded every time, but it was worth seeing the cooks waving their tongs around. Like that would stop us?

I hit the tree line in less than five minutes and was about to climb the abandoned treehouse when I heard soft m***s. “Someone is getting frisky,” Elea laughed. “Let’s go find out.” I snorted quietly as my curiosity increased. Who the heck was messing around in the woods? My feet carried me deeper into the wood. The m***s came out again as I peaked over and found none other than Ares and Mariah. Both of them had a glow where their bodies touched. It was barely a glow, but it was there. Both of their emotions were so strong, it was pungent, stifling. The passion that they had for each other was that of what I felt with Hades. Wait? Ares and Mariah? What the heck happened in four days?

I let out a large gasp as I saw Ares reach his hand up Mariah’s shirt.

“The f**k!” Ares took his hand away while Mariah pulled down her shirt. The glow instantly disappeared as their lusty haze faded. “I’m so sorry!” I put my hand over my mouth. “You were just glowing!” Ares and Mariah looked at each other confused; her body was still on the ground as she stared up at me.

“Touch her again,” I pleaded. Ares smirked, “I didn’t think you were into that kind of thing.” Ares wiggled his eyebrows while hovering over the top of Mariah as she blushed scarlet.

“Just touch her hand, not her boob!” Ares shrugged her shoulders as he reached for her hand, looking into Mariah’s eyes. The glow stood out again. I had never seen a glow like this, it was heaven, almost sacred sort of look.

“Are you mates?” My question seemed to strike a nerve with Ares as Mariah’s face went crestfallen.

“You shouldn’t ask that; I’ve had enough of people asking us that,” he snapped. “If I care about her, I’ll be with her. Mate or not, she is who I want to be with.” Stepping back, I saw a small tear leave Mariah’s eye.

“Do you really mean that?” She whispered. Ares stilled as he pulled her hand to his chest.

“With all my heart, my little warrior.” The softness, the love that was in Ares’s eyes, confirmed it. Could they? They might be mates. I had to find that sphere, who knows how long people were going with out their mates. What if they had already crossed paths and missed their chance?

My body blocked out all sounds of the forest; Mariah was confessing her undying love for Ares as they both held each other and dove in for another passionate k**s. Pushing the bushes back, I ran to the treehouse, hoping that was where the stupid little ball that was the key to everyone’s happiness.

The rickety board leading up the treehouse creaked, and a few planks fell, but my claws caught me before I could do any damage. The door was bolted shut, probably to keep small wolves from climbing into the playhouse. Michael had mentioned it had become a shrine, and people would leave flowers at the tree’s trunk on my birthday.

Biting my l*p, I used my werewolf strength for the first time to rip the door open from the seams and throw the door to the floor.

The air was musty, even with the open windows of the house. Mold and moss had grown up the sides; small mushrooms even took root on the floor. The limbs of the tree had cracked a few boards while one limb had grown out of the window entirely.

It wasn’t a giant treehouse, though I could still have a large chest that served as a table when I brought friends in. Kneeling down, I felt for the trunk’s latch and wiggled the rust to open the latch. With a giant whine of the hinges creaking, I flipped the top over on itself to see nothing but old drawings.

My shoulders slumped, hoping the Sphere would be here. That would have been too easy. Selene wouldn’t hide it there. Rustling through, I pulled out all my drawings. Drawings of a large bonfire, family portraits, Mama defeating her demon, and wolves were held in my hand. I laid them all out like they were a puzzle. There could be no connection to these pictures at all, but this was all I had.

“My favorite place,” I whispered again as I touched each picture. Family, fire, demons, and a treehouse. None of these things wrung a bell as I traced each one. One picture laid in the box, a man in the fire. He had blonde hair, but his clothes were black as the fire engulfed him and a little girl that held his hand.

“Oh my gosh,” chuckled out loud. Did I dream of him as a kid? It had been so many years since I’d been here, I couldn’t possibly remember every detail about my life. How could I forget this? Especially since my dreams had come true? The wind let in a warm gush of air, and darkness fell around the treehouse; I was about to stand when a warm cloak danced around me, holding me to the floor of the house. I struggled to get free until I felt his raging heartbeat with mine.

“Damnit, Parisa,” the husky voice pulled me in as I wrapped my arms around his muscular torso. “You can’t leave! You cannot leave my sight!” Hades growled out. “What if something happened to you? Took you? I wouldn’t be able to live with myself!” Hades grip went tighter as I felt the terror around him. Fear enveloped my heart of the thought of being taken away from him.

“I’m sorry, Hades, I was just trying to find the Sphere,” I whispered.

“Flower, you can’t leave me,” his hands engulfed my face. “I mean it, you cannot leave my side until we find whoever took you. Please don’t do it again.”

“I’m not helpless,” I bit back. “I have a wolf now.”

“That doesn’t mean anything,” he argued back. “Gods and angels are out to get you, no supernaturals. They are stronger than them. Now promise me you won’t leave again!” Hades growled.

“I promise,” I said, whispering in his shoulder.

“Not weak,” Elea growled in my head.

“No, we’re not. And we will prove it.” I replied.