Chapter 26
Hades‘ POV
The clatter of silverware against porcelain echoed through the grand dining hall. I sat at the head of the long, mahogany table, idly stabbing at the roasted vegetables on my plate. My appetite waned with every passing second, though the meal Quinta had prepared was nothing short of perfection. She stood by my side, attentive as ever, dishing me another serving of glazed steak.
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Her gaze lingered on me, a question etched into her features. “Why did you come in late, if I may ask?” she finally ventured.
I didn’t look up, keeping my focus on the plate before me. “Nothing,” I replied curtly. “Had a business meeting.”
A low growl reverberated in my mind. My wolf scoffed, his voice laced with disdain. “Liar. You secretly trailed our mate to her pack.”
“You forced me to, I retorted silently, clenching the fork in my hand.
“No, Hades. You couldn’t resist. Admit it. You wanted to make sure she got home safely because you care.”
“I don’t care!” The words ripped through me like a whip, and before I realized it, I’d shouted them aloud.
Quinta jumped, her eyes wide with alarm. “Are you okay, Hades?” she asked cautiously, taking a step back.
I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to calm down. “I’m fine,” I muttered, though my knuckles whitened around the fork.
Quinta hesitated, her eyes scanning me for any sign of a deeper explanation. I waved her off, and she reluctantly returned
to the kitchen, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
My wolf wasn’t done. His voice prowled through my mind like a restless predator. “You do care. That’s why you were ready to rip Gaiden’s throat out when he touched her hair earlier. Admit it.”
I flinched, my jaw tightening as the memory surfaced. Caiden’s fingers brushing through her hair had ignited a fire in me, one I couldn’t extinguish.
“And Aeson,” my wolf continued, his growl simmering with fury. “The way he stared at her, pretending to be diplomatic but wanting more. You hated it. You almost wanted to squash my eye balls.”
“Enough,” I snapped internally, slamming my fist against the table. The plates rattled, the sound snapping me out of my inner war. My wolf growled low, his defiance simmering but subdued–for now.
Just as I was about to push away from the table, the heavy oak doors creaked open. My uncle strode in, his presence giving me little to no relief. The years had etched wisdom into his features, but his sharp eyes missed nothing.
“Hades,” he began, his tone equal parts reprimand and concern, “I’ve been meaning to speak with you.”
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. “What is it, Uncle?”
He walked over to the table, his gaze flickering over the untouched food before settling on me.
“You’ve been slacking,” he said bluntly. “No mate, no Luna. That’s not commendable for a man in your position.”
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Chapter 26
I stiffened, my wall bristling at the mention of a mate. “I don’t need a tanta te on this pack
His lips thinned into a line. “You need baishce, witty. A wite win grve you use vertientes, esetle
1 scoffed, standing abruptly. “Tim fine as 1 am.”
“You’re not,” he countered, his voice firm. “I see it in the way you’re holding on by a thread. You think an ghealles, med I do. You can’t carry the weight of this pack alone forever.”
1 clenched my fists, my wolf pacing restlessly within me. “I won’t take a chosen mate,” I said, my voice a toy grow
His brows rose in mild surprise, but he nodded, as though he’d expected my answer. “Then find your frise mate, Hades Before it’s too late.” With that, he turned and left the hall, his words hanging in the air like a curse
I stood there, staring at the door long after it had closed. My chest heaved as I fought to steady my breathing.
My wolf stirred again, his voice a whisper now. “She’s your balance, Hades. You know it.”
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