Page 113 of Seeking Hades' Ember

"Your father mentioned he was a bit different. Is he trying to have the Underworld vibe?"

"Did you just say vibe?" I joked.

"Maybe, the slang I have picked up just in this pack alone is deafening." He scoffed.

"I could see that coming; Lyle is said to have a strong nose. He can tell a she-Wolf is about to go in heat." Hades growled as he pulled me closer. "I just finished my heat!"

"I know, but he can probably smell the remnants of it." Lyle looked over and gave a wink while I cupped my mouth with my hand.

"Oops, think he heard you," I said in a sing-song voice while Hades pulled me away.

***

The party was in full swing; many drunk wolves and even demons who ended up coming to the party. Hades thought it would be good to bring both Ares and his own demon warriors to surround both the party and the large territory. No one was going to be getting in or out of the area. While the warriors watched, the others drank until their bellies couldn't hold anymore.

Ares danced with Mariah; they both looked ethereal as Ares twirled her in her red dress. Ares was dressed the most casual I had ever seen him. Grey muscle shirt with dark-colored jeans. They both had smiles, and the flickers of light every time they touched could still be seen. I had asked Hades several times if he could see the light around Ares and Mariah, but he just shook his head as he drank his whisky.

At one of the outlying tables, I saw Vulcan tapping his finger on the tablecloth. Vulcan was a god, so of course, he looked handsome but had a rugged look to him. He had one of the longest beards of any god I had seen, and his clothing matched his ruggedness. Tonight, he looked completely different.

His hair was combed back, his beard was trimmed and oiled, making him look nicely groomed. He had taken a razor and cut away stray hairs around his face. Clothing was that of dress pants and a dark brown blazer. He looked like a hot lumber jack! Why was he dressed like that?

Vulcan's eyebrows flew up as he looked through the crowd; the pack doctor, dressed in a jean dress with a black cardigan, was walking up to Vulcan. The look in Vulcan's eyes softened as he stood up from the table and buttoned his blazer. His hand went out to take Tamera's and pulled her close into his chest. The same flickering of light when their skins touched brightened and dimmed all the same when they lost touch.

I stuttered.

"Are you all right?" Hades linked me. I nodded as I held his hand.

"Yes, I think so. I think… I think Vulcan found his mate." Looking up at Hades, he frowned.

"No one can find their mates right now, not with the Sphere missing and away from Selene. Why would you think Vulcan found his mate?"

"I think Ares has found his mate too. When their hands touch they glow. I see it. Then when I reach out to feel their emotions, it is so strong. It's overwhelming. I have to block it off." Hades tapped his glass with his finger as he stared at Vulcan. His eyes never left Tamera's as he grabbed food from the buffet table.

"Do you think you can sense a bond between people?"

"I'm not sure. Their emotions are just strong. It is the same when I think of us. Overwhelming, and I can handle ours. Theirs, I cannot. Maybe it is because it is not meant for me to know."

Hades and I both sat at our table. Wolves and demons were too engrossed in the party to realize who the party was for. The intermingling of laughs and applause while demons did tricks for small audiences made me smile as they all stayed in this little bubble of happiness.

My own parents had taken me to the dance floor several times to dance with them, even with their lack of alcohol. They were so in love, and their worries about me had faded away now that I was back home.

The danger was still around us, but it felt good that we were in a small bubble of time where nothing else mattered. My family was here, my pack and my mate.

Dante hovered around the buffet table, never joining in on the fun. His eyes were distant as I felt his emotions. He was still wracked with guilt, but now there was something else he was longing for. A mate. Seeing his older sister had to strike a spark in him. Now that I was home, he could go do that. His eyes darted from our parents to Vulcan and Ares and their partners, who all held each other as a slow song had started.

Lyle played his DJ equipment, shooting glances at the new couples dancing. Demons had caught the eyes of the she-Wolves, but the hesitation was there. Demons looked menacing; they had tales, red skin, and horns that grew out of their head. The attraction was still there, though; I saw it in at least two she-wolves' eyes.

One Wolf stepped forward, walking towards a tall demon. He had to be 7 feet tall. Her eyes fluttered as I saw her lips move. The music was too loud, and my hearing wasn't trained, but I swore I heard her ask for a dance. The demon's tail swayed quickly, and his hand extended as that light glowed between their palms.

"GODS!" I whispered yelled as Hades pulled me tighter.

"What is it?" Hades panicked as he looked over the crowd.

"That demon! That she-wolf, her name is…." I hit my head a few times with my palm. "Laura! That's it, Laura! Their hands, Hades! They glow when they touch too!" Hades let out a breath as his hand ran down his face.

"Maybe you are just seeing things," he muttered, and I shot an evil look.

"They are mates, I feel it. Are there others? Come on!" I pulled Hades through the crowd while he mumbled under his breath. Several more demons were becoming bolder in asking the opposite species to dance. Some cowered away while others hesitantly took their hands. Ten couples, there were ten that had the glow. The emotions were as powerful as Ares and Vulcans.

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