Hermes hadn't been heard from in a while, meaning he is still questioning angels, demons, hell, anyone for that matter, trying to figure out any leads. Loukas was preparing the list of all the gods or deities I've pissed off.

And Kronos, I still had to go to the Black Claw Pack and check their wards. It will have to be postponed; Ember's safety is more important.

Feeling a dip in the bed, I grabbed her, and she let out a squeal of giggles. "Easy, handsome," she cooed at me while I nipped at her neck. Fucking blue balls, I was rock solid for her, and I was damn near hoping she was about done with this human woman shit.

"How are you feeling?" I pried a little as she traced a tattoo on my arm.

"Much better, actually." She smiled. "Vulcan had a pamphlet in that first aid kit; the first one isn't supposed to be so bad. I even took some medicine that was inside."

"That's good to hear," I hummed while I pulled her to lay on top of me. Her legs straddled the upper part of my waist as her face buried itself within my chest. I was glad she wasn't in any pain and was even happier that it wouldn't last long because I needed to taste her. I needed to put my fingers in her; hell, I wanted my cock to bury itself in her and finally mark her as mine.

Unlike supernaturals who bite, gods could descend their souls onto their mate. It was like dipping your body into the water and coming back up again. You would be drenched in each other's spirit, and forever, it will stay. Once it is said and done and we both feel the pleasure take over our bodies, I would dip my soul into her body, causing her to latch onto mine, and her chest will bear my scepter, which is my mark.

It is a cross with an upside-down crescent moon with a jewel in the middle. It will look beautiful on her white skin. Ember is now sleeping soundly in my arms as I feel her breathing has evened out. Taking a deep breath, I can only imagine how wonderful it will be once we bond. My feelings for her have grown substantially, and when we are both are bonded to each other, it will become almost unbreakable. We will be stronger ourselves as well.

Brushing her hair behind her ear, I put my chin on top of her head. Listening to her slow breaths.

"Hades..." a voice keeps calling to me. "Hades..." I sit up from the bed to look for Ember, who is missing. "Hades, over here!" Her small playful voice comes from the door. Her little head pokes out behind it as her strawberry blonde hair falls to her side.

"Hades, come here," Ember giggles as I hear her feet running across the floor. I'm still donned in my sweatpants, too lazy to care about anything except to catch my escaping mate.

I threw the covers off, feeling the cold floor beneath my feet as I ran down the hallway. Her laughs fill the end of the hall as I see wisps of her hair fly around the corner. I smile at the game she's playing; I was going to be the hunter and claim my prize.

"Hades! You are too slow!" I hear her running again; this time, I cheat and start imagining where she is and transporting there. Each time she deters me and laughs around another corner. Biting my lip, I take one more chance and appear inside the relic room. Ember is staring at the Helm with a look of horror on her face.

"Hades?" Tears brimmed her eyes as she saw the Helm sitting in its rightful case like it was never stolen.

"Was it you? Did you take me?" Ember's hands were trembling as she backed away from me. Walking forward, my hands low in surrender,

"I would never, ever do that! It was taken from me! I found it the night I found you. I punished who took it!" The stress in my voice barely pulled at her heart as she continued to step away.

"You hid this from me." Her breathing became rapid. We both looked back at the Helm only to see it was gone, and Ember started to scream.

"No! No!" Ember begins to pull her hair. "Don't get me again, please no!" Her body crumples to the floor, and I go to catch her. Only when I do, her body isn't there. My arms were empty, void, and even cold.

"See what happens when you don't claim your mate, Hades?" Selene's voice appeared behind me. Selene was standing in rags, just as Ember described. Her glow still lit up the entire room beneath the dirt on her face. Standing up, I marched over to her to grab her, but she was only air. "You certainly made a mess of things, didn't you, Hades?" Selene tsks as she reappeared in the same spot. She was no longer the joking self she once was when I met her."You've altered the future by refusing your mate from the beginning, and not only is your mate in danger but others as well. Do you think Vulcan will forgive you if Malachi gets away with finding the Sphere of Souls and halting all soul pairings?" Selene then glances to the floor, saying with barely a whisper, "And even break mate bonds?"

I grit my teeth. "But I found her. I want her," I pressed. "She's mine, and no one will have her."

"So you say, but you will have to fight for her to keep her and protect future mates as well. Good luck, Hades." Selene turned around and disappeared into the darkness that once was my relic room.