Chapter 41

I couldn’t find the words to say and suddenly things were starting to add up. Me being adopted and the multiple mates and partners. I couldn’t stop staring at her. We had to be related somehow.

“Listen, Hades could be here any moment. If you want to talk, come down to my place and we will talk.” She opened the door and gestured for me to come inside. Her place was beautiful. She was a fashionista. When the door closed, she interrupted my amazement. There were so many questions that I had, and I was glad to finally ask them. She sat down waiting for me to speak.

“I’ve not had company in a long time, but what brings you here child?”

I looked down at her and I took in her appearance. Her smooth, long black hair. Like she had many years of taking care of each strand. The beauty mark under the eye… Like mine.

“I saw a light and I don’t like when people tell me what I can and cannot do. Wait, you don’t seem as bad as he made you out to be.”

She scoffed out loud.

“Darling he is Hades, everything he does is for his benefit. Who are you anyway?” She asked.

“Ryleigh. I guess you can say you and I are a lot alike right now.”

I decided to sit next to her so that we can have an honest conversation. If there is someone who knows him it’s her. But first I want to know if we’re related.

“I hope this is not too forward, but what happened that got you secluded?” I asked.

Persephone had readjusted herself and moved her mouth repetitively trying to find the words to say. I mean, I am a stranger so why would she tell me?

“Hades has always been insecure. A fear of someone taking what’s his like a child. I loved him and everything about him, but he was dark. I was into some stuff, but he was into a lot of freaky crap that I wasn’t into. It hurt and it wasn’t fun sharing someone you love with everyone here.”

I gulped. It’s sounding familiar like that’s what he wanted with me. So, the way he is now is just a front probably.

“He didn’t want to quit. He said that he was born for the thrill and got bored. I told him that if he couldn’t see it my way, then I was not having sex with him again. However, he agreed, and we were fine for a few months until I found out he was continuing behind my back. I was furious, and well, it got to the point where I broke a few things. We made up, but he started ignoring me and I found someone who paid attention to me. I was able to put up with it, but I got pregnant. Hades knew it wasn’t his because we hadn’t had sex in months, and I was only 6 weeks in. He made everything hell for me. I refused to tell him who the father was, and well, when I gave birth, it only made it worse. So, I did what was best and had him give me up to the living world. I tried to leave him, and I fought for so long, but he won. Zeus gave him everything he wanted to keep him happy because his wrath was scarier. Until one day I hit him, and he threw me down here and told everyone I went missing.”

She choked on her words while she relived the memory. It was so strong of her to do what was best for her child.

“How old would your baby be?”

The curiosity was now coming out selfishness but there was no time to kill. She had a locket in her hands, and she opened it up to reveal a picture.

“It’s been so long, but in human years she’d be about 43 or 44.”

That confirmed it. We looked alike and had the same features. I was half demi-god and half wolf. But then an unsettling feeling came to my stomach. I clutched my stomach.

“I am going to be sick, where’s your toilet?” I asked.

She pointed down the hall to which I ran and emptied my stomach in there. How was this happening to me? Like couldn’t I be some boring ass person with no Kings or Gods in my life? She had come in and helped me. She placed her hand on my stomach and she knew.

“You’re the woman who is pregnant with his child, aren’t you?”

I turned over to face her and just nodded. Her entire demeanor changed, but she rubbed my back until I finished. I didn’t know how I was going to hide this when I am sick all the time. We had returned to the living room. Maybe she doesn’t know and maybe it’s time the truth starts unveiling.

“Persephone, my name is Ryleigh. I am a wolf who died and then was resurrected. I had two mates and was loyal to another. What I am trying to say is that I was adopted, and I think I may be your daughter. And I am pretty sure I am having a baby with my stepdad.”

But my confession turned into a vent because when I was done speaking, I realized I was yelling and didn’t take one breath. She stood up and started observing me as it clicked now. She had searched every part of my body with her eyes, and it dawned on her. When I saw her eyes start to water, I felt my cheeks get warm from crying. She wrapped her arms around me, bringing me into a tight hug.

“I need to get out of here, please help me.”

I managed to cry out but there was so much that needed to be said now.