Page 88 of Seeking Hades' Ember

"You took my daughter?!" Remus heaved a breath as his claws came forth. I ran to him to pull his arm. "You broke the ward. You took Ember!" Hades stood with his arms crossed as he narrowed his eyes.

"You dare talk to me that way?" Hades smirked as Ember let go of Steven.

"Stop! Dad, stop!" Ember ran past Wesley, and Hades opened his arms. Ember buried her head in his chest as the onlookers stood in amusement. "He's my mate. He saved me! He saved me!"

Remus retracted his claws and retreated. Wesley shook his head and grabbed my arm for comfort. "He saved me," Ember breathed again as she attached herself to his cloak. "He took me out of that terrible place and took care of me. I lost my memory… I." Hades put his finger on her lips and gently brushed back her now dirty hair.

"I think it is best if we take this inside." Hades’ voice wasn't loud. It was low and possibly more dominating.

"Let's go to our home, in the study," I cooed at Wesley. He was still on edge, and I knew I had to calm him before anything else was said. "Let's go, come on. I've got lunch in the oven too." Our family all huddled around Ember, giving plenty of room to stay away from Hades and his touch. The Wolves were mind-linked to prepare a large feast for dinner in celebration of Ember's return home.

Victoria paced in my head and nudged me. "I think there is a lot more happening than Ember returning home." I nodded silently.

"That, I would have to agree with you, Victoria."

Hades

Ember was back in my arms, where she should be. Her family found their lost daughter, and I had wished I had put the pieces to the puzzle together sooner. Ember was gone for eleven years; Cyrene has tried to contact me for the same amount of time. My mind was too busy wondering about the missing gods to even think of this coincidence.

We entered a large home, a little smaller than you would see as a southern plantation house. It was white with shutters on the outside, and the inside was clean, bright, and light with green plants. There was a roaring fireplace in the middle of the living room, but instead of the brightness of the main room, we went to the study. A small wandering orange tabby cat hissed as it scampered away.

The study was just as significant but darker in wood than the rest of the house. I felt more comfortable here, and I had wondered if Luna Charlotte would have picked up on that. The large couches and chairs were scattered around a large desk, and I had Ember sit with me, despite just finding her parents.

Ember would glance between her mother and father. Wesley glared at me, unbelieving that I did not have taken his daughter. Charlotte's eyes continued to brighten as time went on. How depressed she could have been? I knew her past. It was dark and full of terrible memories caused mainly by my demon. Ember would soon put the pieces to that mess of a puzzle together, and I wasn't looking forward to that.

"How did you find her?" Wesley's voice boomed. He wasn't scared of me when it came to his daughter. Cyrene had warned him countless times before to be careful and tread lightly, but that was thrown out. The thought must have triggered Cyrene because she came in barreling in the room.

"My Lord!" She bowed down and touched her face to the dark wooded floors. "We are so grate-"

"Get up, Cyrene. No time for formalities. Just sit." I waved my hand as Ember scowled at me.

"That's not nice," she whispered, but they all heard it. Charlotte giggled and nudged her mate.

"Sound familiar, Alpha?" She nuzzled into his neck.Wesley continued to glare at me, waiting for me to speak. Her brothers were sitting on the long couch, and my mind continued to play scenarios of how this will go.

"I found Ember at a human trafficking club disguised as a strip club." Gasps went around the room while Wesley slammed his fists into the mahogany desk. It broke in two, and Charlotte just glared at Wesley.

"Babe, that is number twenty four since you have known me. You need to chill!" The boys snickered, but Dante's guilty look caught my eye. He rubbed his hands together, and a trickle of sweat filled his brow.

Interesting.

After another hour of explaining where Ember was and how she was my mate, the room was silent. I told them how I found her, the helm, the immediate threat of her being taken away from me, and how three gods were now missing. I trusted this pack more than my brother, and they had helped me before. They could do it again and help protect their daughter. It was my fault that she was taken; if I had just listened to Selene, none of this would have happened. I dare not tell Wesley this could have been prevented, and Ember seemed to understand.

"We don't need to tell them everything," Ember winked. "Some things are better left unsaid," she spoke to her parents while they nodded reluctantly. Now that the Alpha and Luna know of Ember's hardships, the real issue arises. Her shift.

"You haven't shifted yet?" Wesley asked concerned. Ember shook her head ‘no’ as she twiddled her thumb. Pulling her close, I kissed her temple while Wesley scowled.

"She was weak, remember? All the spells on her made her human, maybe even weaker. They are slowly going away and Ember being able to remember you all is a miracle. We just have this hurdle to face." I kissed Embers’ knuckles as she leaned into me.

Wesley rubbed his chin. "We need to get the elders in here. I haven't heard of an adult wolf going through a shift."

"Hey, I did it." Charlotte pushed Wesley in the shoulder.

"That's different, baby." He pulled her to his lap. "You were human turning into a Wolf. Ember is a Werewolf that has been suppressed from her Wolf side for far too long. With her being weak for so many years, she will have difficulties." Wesley looked at me pointedly. I knew what he was talking about. There was a chance she might not make it if her bones hadn't become strong enough. Charlotte looked between the both of us to try and read our thoughts but came up blank.

"How about lunch then?" she asked as we all let out a huge sigh.

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