HADES' POV
The moment he stepped into the pack. The air changed. I felt it before the doors even fully opened.
His commanding presence rolled through pack. My uncle had arrived and yet I didn't move from my seat.
The war chamber was silent, lit only by burning torches that cast long shadows across the stone walls. Maps and weapons lined the space, but my attention was fixed on nothing.
Or rather on someone. A fleeting image lingered in my mind. Soft eyes, thin body and a small lips.
The human girl.
Iris.
My jaw tightened. I still couldn't understand…The door opened without announcement.
Only one person in this world entered his space without permission. My uncle. King Samael stepped inside.
He was older than me by far. but no less dangerous. His presence carried the weight of a ruler who had never been denied, his gaze sharp.
"Hades"
His voice was smooth and calm but beneath it, I could sense the anger. I leaned back slightly on the chair, unbothered.
"Uncle"
Samael's eyes swept the room once before settling on him.
"You've caused quite a disturbance"
"That's not a new thing" I said flatly.
"This is not a matter for your usual arrogance"
I didn't respond immediately and there was a long silence, both of us staring at each other.
"You know why I'm here. You brought a human into your territory" Samael said. "You claimed her before the entire court."
"Yes."
"And now you refuse to release her'' I lifted my gaze.
"Yes."
The air shifted and Samael stepped closer.
"You forget who you are and what you are" I didn't move.
"I forget nothing. I know exactly what I am" Samael's eyes darkened.
"Do you?" His voice lowered slightly.
"Or has a fragile little human already made you weak?"
His words should have provoked my anger but they didn't. I knew what my uncle expected.
But nobody could make we weak. I knew what weakness is. I had seen it and burned it out of myself long ago.
And Irish…was not weakness. She was something else. Something I was yet to understand.
"She is mine" I said simply. My uncle's expression hardened.
"A claim made under impulse does not bind you."
"It was not made under impulse"
"You could end this now"
"No."
The word fell like a blade but my words were final. Uncle Samael studied me carefully. As if searching for something beneath the surface.
"Interesting" he murmured.
"You've always been controlled and disciplined. That's why you are known as the Alpha King Blade" Samael continued. "Why are you letting a mere human make you look weak" His gaze sharpened. I leaned forward slightly, resting my forearms on my knees.
"Then perhaps you don't know me as well as you think"
A flicker of irritation crossed my uncle's face.
"Do not test me." His voice dropped.
"Then don't come here making demands"
"I gave you your title" he said.
A reminder and warning but my eyes didn't waver.
"Do you want to take it back? I earned that title"
The corner of Samael's mouth twitched.
"Did you?" His voice turned colder.
"Or have you forgotten why they call you the Alpha's Blade?"
The words settled heavily in the room. Memories followed. War and blood. The sound of bones breaking beneath my hands. The screams of enemies who had underestimated me.
"I remember" I said quietly.
"Good" Samael stepped closer.
"Then remember this. Blades are meant to serve their master" he said.
"I don't serve anyone" Samael's eyes flashed.
"You serve the throne. You serve me"
"I don't serve the throne. I pay respect to the throne. My father's throne" I said firmly and I watched the change in my uncle's face.
"Your father is long dead and gone"
"Still, that was his throne and should have automatically passed to me." I said with a challenging tone and that made my Uncle silent.
Then, he smiled but there was no warmth in it.
"Very well." He straightened.
"If you wish to cling to that… human. They you will deal with the consequences"
His tone made the word sound like an insult.
"You know that I'm not scared of anyone Uncle, I do whatever I want"
"You are ignoring the curse, you know the consequences of the curse. Why do you want another woman to suffer when you can just reject her. She's not even a wolf" I raised my brow at him. Suddenly, he was concerned about the human.
"I didn't forget the curse. If the moon goddess hated me so much, she wouldn't have given me another mate. So I'll see the end of this" I saw anger flicker in his eyes and he turned toward the door.
Then paused. Without looking back, he said,
"When she dies… and she will—just like others. Do not act like you weren't warned"
The door closed behind him. His words lingered in the air. I remained seated and I laughed, a humorless, mocking sound that echoed in the room.
My hand tightened slightly against the arm of the chair.
The curse.
Memories of the past lingered in my mind. I had seen what the curse could do, I had watched and endured it and yet, I brought Iris here. I closed my eyes briefly.
Why?
The question had no simple answer. The moment I saw her in that circle, scared and vulnerable. Everything changed instantly. My wolf had recognized her before my mind could catch up.
I had claimed her in the midst of the elders and that had never happened before. I let out a slow breath.
"She is ours."
The memory of the words my wolf had said made my jaw tighten. It had been ridiculous because we had no use for a human. But my wolf would never had left me leave without her.
My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin. I had this sudden urge to go and see her. I knew it was the damn bond but I held myself back.
I didn't understand it but I couldn't ignore it either. A soft sound broke the silence. The door opened again.
"I heard he came." Her voice was smooth.
Elke stepped inside. She didn't wait for my permission. I looked at her. Her gaze was accessing.
"And? Did he threaten to tear the pack apart?"
"He knows he can't do that" Elke smirked faintly.
"Shame"
She walked closer. Her walk was slow and every step filled with intention.
"I assume he wants the human gone."
"It seems you already know his reason" I raised an eyebrow.
"The Alpha king only comes here when a situation is serious" I laughed.
Elke stopped in front of me. She was close enough that I could feel the warmth of her body.
"You're making this difficult for everyone" she said.
Her hand lifted and rested lightly against my chest. She traced a pattern on my chest. Once, it would have meant an invitation but now it was useless.
"You've been distracted. Let me ease your stress" she murmured.
Her hand moved up slowly to my neck and then my jaw. She caressed my jaw for a while before she tilted my face towards hers.
"Look at me," she said softly.
I did. Her lips were close to mine, her breath fanning mine.
"You haven't touched me since you brought her here" she whispered, her voice low and seductive.
My body reacted but my mind did not follow. Elke leaned in. Her lips almost brushing mine. Her hand slid lower and lower until it was close to my cock, which was slowly becoming hard.
My body tensed and I cough her wrists firmly.
"Stop!" She froze.
Then she pulled back slowly. She stared at me like she was trying to read me and understand my rejection.
"You don't want me?" she asked.
"No" Elke let out a short, sharp laugh.
"Well….thats new" she muttered. She stepped away from me, crossing her arms.
"I don't want to believe it's because of the human girl that you rejected me. I shouldn't even compare myself to her. You are stressed, so I'll let you be"
When I didn't say anything, she turned to leave. She had taken a few steps when she stopped.
"You know where to find me when you need me"
With that, the door closed behind her and I was alone again. The silence was back. I tightened my fists until my knuckles turned white.
I didn't understand mine or my wolf's behavior anymore and it was all because of a particular fragile woman.