Hades was not an alpha for the sake of it. His instincts were refined and now that his wife was bonded to him he had already realized that something was wrong. Very wrong. So when his queen opened the bathroom door, he was waiting for her sitting on the edge of the bed, his face serious and his arms crossed.
He wanted to know what was bothering Nebraska and it would be that night.
-I don't like the way you look at me- Nebraska closed the door behind her back.
She had hidden that outfit in a safe place because she knew the scene in front of her would come. Hades could be very stubborn and insistent when he wanted to be.
-I can't look at you- the alpha bowed his head and his features relaxed, -Come- he held out his hand.
Nebraska walked over to him and grabbed his hand. Her husband pulled her to him and sat her on his lap, hugging her narrow waist. He left a soft kiss on her collarbone, which was visible through the neckline of her thin sleep dress.
-You smell good- he sniffed her neck and pulled her closer to him.
Nebraska returned his embrace and let herself melt into his warmth. For a moment her worries melted away until....
-What's wrong with you? -His voice against her ear made her tense again.
-Nothing- she looked away. She could be married to Hades and they could sleep together and so on, but, she still felt self-conscious when it came to sex. Besides, she liked the way their relationship was now, stable and in harmony. If only they hadn't told her about the part about him being non-conforming....
Hades broke away without letting go of her waist, she was small compared to him so it wasn't much work.
-You're lying to me Nebraska. I can sense something is haunting you and I want to know what it is. I smell it's related to me- her voice had become gravelly. Nebraska had never kept anything from him before.
Well... if he could remember, he had hidden the subject of her being pregnant and attending the war. He knew her reasons, if he had told her of course he wouldn't have let her go, even though Nebraska had been an essential and vital point in that battle.
Nor was it possible that she was pregnant again. She could be an omega, but none of them had fallen back in heat and, besides, her body needed a few years to fully recover.
Then what was it...
-I'm not hiding anything from you Hades. I have things to think about too- she squeezed his shoulders, -So don't ask any more questions please- she yawned without realizing it. She was exhausted and her head hurt.
But Hades wasn't going to give in so easily. He wouldn't let her move from his lap.
-I won't let go until you tell me- his voice was not stern, but his silver eyes were. Her instinct told her that this was an important and sensitive issue that she could not overlook.
For Nebraska, this was a difficult situation. It wasn't as if she could tell her husband right off the bat that she knew she wasn't satisfying him. She was aware that she had to be honest and matters like that had to be spoken about without embarrassment, but she was still young and had grown accustomed to keeping a lot of things to herself. To see herself vulnerable as she was now was simply unheard of.
-All right- Hades suddenly stood up and set her down on the bed. His face was serious, -So that's the way it is- he looked at her sternly as he straightened up, -Well, until you tell me what's wrong with you, don't come to me.
And he turned back in the direction of the door.
-Hades? -Nebraska was shocked.
-I'll sleep somewhere else- and he slammed the door shut, signaling his annoyance.
Nebraska, still on the bed, gasped, but why was he reacting so uncompromisingly? He wasn't like that. He was acting like a wayward puppy. Knowing what she was like, he shouldn't force her like that.
He put his hand to his face. Now he had another problem. This was their first big argument after they had formally bonded. It exhausted her to death.
***
Siran looked at his alpha who had his face buried in his hands.
-I imagine he did something he's regretting- the beta put the papers down on the desk.
-Siran, I think I made a mistake- Hades sounded hoarse and tired.
-You are an alpha, not a god, it is wise to make mistakes.
The superior wolf raised his face revealing his silver eyes that looked more intense over the dark circles under his eyes.
-I made a mistake with Nebraska.
Siran's hand paused in midair and looked up at him raising an eyebrow.
-Well alpha, I wish you luck.
-Siran -Hades dropped back sighing -I need advice now, not for you to tell me something like that.
The beta sat down in front of him.
-My alpha, only you can think of provoking the queen. It is known of your stern character despite being very calm. What did you do to upset her and end up in that state?
Hades opened his eyes.
-Yesterday night I saw her somewhat stressed and anxious, and I wanted her to tell me the reason, but apparently I was influenced by her anxiety and I pushed her. I pretended to be upset and told her not to talk to me until she told me the reason why she was like that. I left the room and waited in the hallway for her to come to me, but....
-She never did, did she? - Siran sighed knowing the obvious.
Hades put his hands to his head.
-The least I wanted to do was argue when my birthday is tomorrow. I wanted to spend the whole day with her and my pack.
-But she screwed up every last one of them- the other wolf stressed.
-Siraaaaan, don't fan the flame any more, don't rub my nose in what I did wrong- Hades protested.
-What if you apologize to her? The queen will understand. She'll tell you in time what's got her so nervous. I'm sure it has something to do with her birthday- of course the beta knew what it was about. Sara had given him extra details, but he was no one to meddle in the relationship.
Hades was thoughtful. He, better than anyone, knew that pressure methods didn't work with Nebraska and he had to admit that he had acted childish. Even he, at times, had things he didn't want to share. So why had he forced her that way.
He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, slicking it back.
-Always so wise. Besides, I'm putting the noose around my own neck- he smiled sideways. He loved sleeping with the she-wolf by his side, touching her, kissing her, and not limiting himself to her. That he had told her not to talk to him was like condemning himself -I'll go talk to her.
But he had only to rise to have the door opened by two agitated wolves. Hades was alarmed.
-What's wrong?
-Alpha, we need your help at the edge of the pack. There are hyenas nearby and they're prowling around. They seem to be just passing through, but you can tell they're hungry.
-How many are there? -Siran also stood up. Every year, the hyenas used to move from one enclosure to another in search of better conditions. But that they were passing so close to the boundaries of the wolf packs was not a good thing. Their territories had nothing to do with each other, nor were they passing through- Alpha -he turned to Hades.
-Siran, apparently the conversation with my wife and my birthday celebration is going to be delayed. I can't put my pack at risk. Send a message to Layan to keep an eye on the situation. I will personally take care of this.
If there was an attack on the road he would intercept it in the front line. No one could dare to cross his lands as he pleased and even less without asking permission.
***
-So ma... you and the alpha had a fight- Nicolas grabbed the very small Priscilla while Nebraska gave her a spoonful of ground beef mush.
She was still a puppy, but her fangs were so big and developed that Nebraska had had to wean her early because her nipples ended up destroyed. Luckily the little one had gotten used to solid food very quickly.
-We didn't argue. We just...
-You and Pa argued- Alan sat down next to Nebraska and hugged her around the waist, -The alpha was in a bad mood at breakfast and you barely looked at each other, when normally he's kissing or touching you every chance he gets. Doesn't he realize there are minors here?
Nebraska stood still with the spoon in front of Priscilla's mouth, where the girl, seeing that the food was not reaching her, grabbed the spoon herself and brought it to her mouth.
-Oh, my sister is very smart- Noa knelt down next to Nicolas and Priscilla, and kissed her tender little foot. Then she looked at her mother.
Nebraska lowered her arms and Nicolas grabbed the plate to finish feeding his sister.
-Ma, are you all right? -Nicolas stroked her hand.
Nebraska sighed and leaned against Alan.
-Well, I've got a lot on my mind right now and it all happened so fast. Hades wants to know, but I can't tell him yet.
His sons looked at each other.
-And that's why Pa was so upset? -Alan protested.
-He wasn't upset- Noa interrupted him, -More like depressed. That I caught him looking at ma.
-He was the one who told me not to go near him if I didn't tell him what I was hiding- Nebraska squeezed her septum. His head was threatening to ache after not sleeping all night.
-Ma, why don't you talk straight with him? -Nicolas smiled at her, -Tell him to give you time. You understand each other very well and I'm sure you'll make up. Besides, knowing Pa, we know he won't last long before he's after you looking to touch or kiss you.
A group guffaw rang out from the three siblings, and they were later joined by little Priscilla, although she didn't understand what they were talking about. Nebraska closed her eyes and sighed.
-I think they're right. I'll go talk to him. Maybe I can't tell him what's wrong with me, but he's the only one who can help me right now- she smiled at them and left a kiss for each of them.
Just then one of the herd guards came running in. Nebraska's countenance became deadly serious.
-What's the matter?
-Queen...