Page 153 of Seeking Hades' Ember

Chapter 73

Hades

I trudged back down the stairs. My cock was sticking to my leg because of the little stunt Ember pulled. It was a good one. I'd give her that. She is full of surprises, and I can't wait to take her on a trip away from everyone after the ceremony.

Gabriel grumbled in the corner. He had a great 'O' face. Charlotte was laughing hysterically at our misfortunes, along with several other gods that have been slowly showing up. Willing myself a new black Armani suit because I sweat through the other one through sheer embarrassment, I willed Gabriel new decorative robes. His forehead was still sweaty, and his crazy mop of blonde curls were wet.

"Thanks," he huffed while straightening his belt. "I think she is going to be the death of me." I chuckled, heading out the door while the others followed.

Dionysus took control of the ceremony planning, and Charlotte was all too happy to let him. Charlotte had stressed herself straight sickly, and Wesley was getting perturbed by it. Having gods visiting a Werewolf pack would worry any Luna since she didn't know what to expect of us. We were the legends and stories everyone had heard about, not just your usual extra Wolf pack.

This wouldn't be anything like a normal Werewolf bonding; this was a God bonding. Technically, we were bonded, but gods like a show. If it were up to me, I would have whisked her away a long time ago and said to be done with it. Zeus wouldn't have any of it.

Zeus stood by the edge of the lake, where the ceremony was to be held. Instead of heading to the back of the packhouse where Charlotte had spent hours having flowers decorated over a white arch, Dionysus got to work. The entire lake was transformed into a floating gazebo party boat. Large lily pads with the ability to walk on with ease were placed on the water. Along the edges of the pads held large bushels of flowers that smelled of vanilla and lavender.

In the middle of the lake, a giant golden archway decorated in deep reds scattered throughout the intricate designs of the arch. One person stood in the middle of the archway, the one responsible for my mate and I's paring, Selene. Her moon showed brightly, bright enough that the Wolves on one side of the congregation glowed brightly on their faces. They sat in awe as the gods began to take their own places on the opposite side. Wide eyes and little pointing from the smaller pups had shimmering eyes of wonder and beauty as the gods sat down.

Standing beside Selene, she nudged me and gave a beautiful, red-lipped smile. "I bet you never thought you would be here," she whispered smugly. "I told you she was a perfect match." I sighed heavily, reining my anger in. I knew she was right; most of the unfortunate events would have been prevented, but we are here now, and that was all that mattered.

Selene held her Sphere. Well, it levitated above her hands while we waited. We had only been here five minutes waiting, and I was already ready for my sweet mate to walk down the floating green pads that held a deep red carpet and come to me.

Hera and Michael sat in the front row, holding each other's hands, ogling at each other. Aphrodite flirted with a Wolf across the aisle, blowing kisses while the Wolf threw out some terrible pickup lines. Gripping my fists, I felt the smoke already unleashing from my feet.

"Calm yourself." Selene put a hand on my shoulder. Zeus, my youngest brother, sauntered and put another hand on the other shoulder.

"Congratulations are in order," he held out his hand, and I shook it warningly.

"No tricks today, brother. No fights. This is my mate's day." Zeus feigned innocence as he rubbed his robed chest.

"Never! I would never do that to your mate." He winked and stood beside Selene since he was to be the witness. Supposedly a great honor, but who cares.

Dionysus smacked a few of the instrument players and began whispering harshly for them to play. The angels sat upright and began the flutes and harps while white doves came out of a hidden cage. What the fuck is he doing? This is the cheesiest shit I had ever seen. Before I could protest any more of the nonsense, my mate came into view.

Her ivory lace dress covered her curves and was low enough so all could see the mark on her chest. It glowed a deep red as her bare foot gently tested the lily pad. Though I never cared to look at them, her parents were by her side. It was tunnel vision, and all I could see was my sweet mate. Her hair that I overlooked before was done in a braided crown, flowers adorned, and wisps of curls floated in front of her face.

Kronos, she was beautiful. More beautiful than all the angels in the Celestial Kingdom and more radiant than the sun of Earth and Light Sources of Bergarian. Her eyes set on mine and the brightest white smile gleamed at me. My love, my life, and my light was walking toward me in a torturous manner; I wanted nothing more than to scoop her up in my arms and kiss her senseless.

My eyes grew blurry, and the spit in my mouth choked at my throat. My mate bit her bottom lip and glanced down at her stomach; her hand reached and rubbed her womb just to let me know that we were going to be a family. We would have a beautiful family, and I would never let anything happen to either of them.

Cerberus nudged my side, his head full of flower crowns. It broke my stare with Ember, and a dangerous black tear ran down my cold face.

Fuck.

"We have come to bring you our daughter, first heir to the Black Claw Pack and Alpha," Wesley announced pridefully. "Please take care of her as your mate." His eyes narrowed and his voice deep.

"Through heaven and both the realms, I would fight to keep her safe." Wesley nodded, and Charlotte's tears were wiped away by Ember's finger.

"We are gathered here today to join a special union," Selene announced. Her blue moon showed brighter, lighting up the setting sun. The candles paled in comparison while Selene's hands traced the Sphere. "It is special because not only can supernaturals be paired with other supernaturals and humans, but now the original twelve gods can be paired with anyone." Many wolves and gods whispered among themselves; some were excited while Aphrodite folded her arms in a huff. Whore.

"This will be the first ceremonial bonding of a god to a supernatural now turned goddess through the bond they have created. They have accepted each other through physical and spiritual beings. If that a time ever comes, Ember's change will give her the ability to be my predecessor. She will continue to help me pair mates more quickly as well." Ember squeezed my hand worriedly, but I only kissed her hands.

"Let us begin." Selene chanted a few words in Latin around the Sphere. It raised up into the air so all could see. Granting the Sphere's will, the whole area could finally see the souls that swam in the orb. "As you see, all unmatched souls are collected into the Sphere. Once souls have found each other in a sea of millions, they come to me, and I bind them permanently. God's souls have not been able to be seen in the Sphere, but after many years of trial and error, the Sphere has shown me their souls." Souls of the gods lined up in a line around the sphere.

"Hades’ soul is missing because he is now bonded to Ember." Ember smiled at me, and my mouth couldn't stay away as I kissed her quickly on the mouth. Many awed at the motion, but a quick glance into the crowd shut them up. "Hades," Ember rubbed my arm. "Be nice."

"Do you, Hades, God of the Underworld swear to me, the witnesses of the Werewolf pack, Black Claw and that of the entire Celestial Kingdom that you take Ember as your mate, your light to your darkness? To have her throughout eternity to love, to cherish, and complete your soul?" Selene pulled a black onyx ring from the Sphere. It had intricate carvings in Latin spelling out 'love eternal.'

"I do," I roared for all to hear. Taking the ring, I slid it onto Ember's ring finger on her left hand. Cheers came from the Celestial Kingdom’s side.

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