Page 89 of Seeking Hades' Ember

Chapter 42

Ember

My dad’s stare continued to bore into Hades as we held our hands above the table. I’m sure seeing his daughter that was once a small thing the last time he saw her and now brings home a mate disturbed him. Then again, Hades was my mate so he couldn’t disapprove could he?

Mom had made Monti Cristo sandwiches, a fried ham and cheese sandwich that I remember that used to be my favorite. I patiently waited until she put the large pan on the table until reaching for one quickly and scarfing it down. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I started eating.

“I’ll have Ashley come over and make us more. She’ll be so happy to see you too, Ember,” Mom said as she went back to the kitchen. “I can’t believe she’s back,” she whispered to herself as she held back a sob. Going to stand to go comfort her, my dad grabs my hand.

“Give her time, she’s been through a lot. She blames herself for you being gone. Please sit, this would make her happy, you eating your favorite.” Giving small smile I grabbed my second sandwich and watch my older brothers look at me in disbelief.

“I can’t believe you are here.” Hunter put down his fork. “We thought about you every day and where you went. Mom and dad tried their hardest, even we started going on hunting trips to look for you.” Hunter chuckled. “Who knew you would be rescued by your own fascination.” I tilted my head in confusion and Dante laughed.

“You mean, you don’t remember reading all about Greek Mythology as a kid? We used to make fun of you all the time about it. You were so fascinated with Hades and saying he was a nice god even though all of our literature said otherwise. No offence.” Dante nodded at Hades who waved his hand. “We should have spotted it sooner that it could be a possibility especially with mom’s relationship with all that demon stuff.”

My mind went blank as I put my sandwich down. “Huh?”

Hades squeezed my hand and rubbed his beard. “Remember the story about Trixen I’ve told you about?” I nodded my head quickly which ended up slowing down as the memory of the story flowed. A new Luna had destroyed Trixen against all odds. Mom did that?

“Oh, my gosh,” I whispered. “Mom destroyed your demon?”

Hades kissed my cheeks as they blushed pink. “She did. I owed her, so I put up the ward that was supposed to keep her and your entire pack free of danger. Even there I failed her too, just as you.” Hades eyes drifted to me, and I didn’t need my empathic abilities to know his guilt.

“Not your fault,” I mouthed as I hugged him. His grip was tight as he stroked my back with his thumb. My dad cleared his throat and Hades grunted at disapproval.

“You haven’t been mated and marked yet. I still have some say.” He pulled at the collar of his shirt and went back to eating. The joy that was under my dad’s heavy exterior was overpowering. He was happy I was home and his reluctance to show it in front of Hades was deafening. Power hungry males, I shook my head.

Squeals came from the kitchen as I heard the door open with a loud bang. “My fire is back!?” Ashley or Aunt Ashley came bursting through the doorway with an excited look. Jumping from the chair, we collided with each other as her excitement tackled me to the ground. “Aunt Ashley!” I squealed.

“Look at you! You are so tiny, just like your Mom! And mated to a god! Oh, my stars what a banging mating ceremony we are going to have! I can’t wait to get started!” Dad stiffened and rubbed his temples.

“No mating ceremony until she shifts. That is the first priority.” His excitement for me being in is presence wavered and his worry and dread hung over him like a storm cloud. “We also need to make sure she is healthy enough. I’m having the pack doctor come in, along with Cyrene before dinner to take a look at her.” Cyrene bowed her head at the end of the table.

“That reminds me.” Hades pulled out a pill bottle and handed me a pill. “Swallow this, remember?” I nodded and drunk it down.

“The God of Health and Medicine constructed a pill to aide in her healing. Her bones have been considerably strengthened and should have no problems shifting. It’s the mentality I worry about.” Hades stroked my back and led me back to the table to eat. Dad didn’t look convinced.

“She will still see the doctor, and I’ll have my Wolf speak with, Elea is it?” I nodded my head in confirmation. Elea and my dad’s wolf Remus were already talking. It was in hushed murmurs, but I could feel Remus and his possessiveness of me being his daughter. Feeling the love from just my dad’s Wolf was enough to make me excited for the next part of my life.

“Once she has shifted and deemed healthy, I would like to bond with her,” Hades interrupted the silence. My dad and brothers growled as mom entered the room with another tray of sandwiches. My body stiffened once Hades made the announcement. He just told everyone we were going to do it!

“That’s enough!” Mom barked and all the men held their heads down, including Hades.

“I think that is a lovely idea. Ember, we can plan a perfect ceremony for you! Great bonding time with you me and Ashley. She’s the party planner; Beta Evan’s mate is about to give birth any day and needs her rest.” Mom giggled as she sat the tray down.

“Yeah, because Beta Evan always is fucking her.” Hunter nudged Dante and Mom threw a sandwich at him.

“That is enough! Do not use such words around the table especially with our special guest!” Dad snickered and Mom hissed at him.

“You think it’s funny, but you do the same thing. When I wasn’t in my depressing moods, he’s have me locked up in our bed-”

“Ew mom,” Steven spoke up as he put his hands on his ears. “That’s gross.”

“A bond is a powerful thing. Once you find your mate you will feel the same.” Dad pointed his fork at my brothers. “You will be head over heels and will do anything for her, and I mean anything.” Daddy looked at Hades while he nodded. The tension slowly dried up as conversations went to casual mumbling.

A lot had changed since I left. My treehouse, which was centered just on the edge of town, was still there so I could watch Wolves go by. It was considered taboo to go anywhere near it, like preserving it for when I came back. Instead, Dad built another one, not as large, on the northern part of the territory near the lake. Dante had taken up Dad’s fishing time and was learning all the secrets to be an alpha.

I could remember bits and pieces of my childhood, but I felt a lot was missing. I remembered the important things such as conversations at the lake and where we went to school in the human town over. The day I was taken and the days leading to it was a blur. The only memory I had was the dream where the masked man came in to take me.

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