Chapter 41

Serena's POV

My mother stepped off the porch, the creaking sound of the wood under her feet drawing my attention. She walked up to me, her eyes wide, as she took in the sight of the three Alphas standing in front of me.

“Oh my world,” she blurted out, her voice filled with wonder as she gazed at them like she had just witnessed something amazing.

Caiden was the first to respond. He bowed slightly, a charming smile spreading across his face as he introduced himself. “Good day, Ma’am. I’m Caiden.”

Hades followed suit, nodding and giving a respectful bow as well before introducing himself. “And I’m Hades.”

Before I could say anything, my mother’s gaze flicked between them, her expression impressed, yet somehow reserved. She nodded slowly, her smile widening just a bit.

“I know you all. You’re prominent Alphas of our great city.” She grinned, clearly trying to keep her composure, but there was a twinkle of excitement in her eyes.

I quickly added, “Mother, they’re my bosses.”

She nodded again, this time acknowledging my words more seriously. “Of course. I see.”

Caiden, ever the persistent charmer, stretched the bouquet of flowers toward me once again. “Take the flowers. I got the best ones for you,” he said, his voice smooth and confident.

“Oh,” I managed a small smile, taking the flowers from him. “Thank you.” My fingers brushed against his, and I couldn’t help but notice how warm they felt.

My mother, still smiling but now eyeing the two of them with a renewed curiosity, turned her gaze to Hades. “Hey, you brought flowers for Serena too?” She asked, raising an eyebrow as she waited for his response while looking at fus flowers.

Hades blinked, seemingly caught off guard for a moment as he looked between us. “No,” he said, shaking his head.

My mother didn’t back down, her eyebrow arched even higher. “Then...?”

Hades glanced at me, then back to her with a slight shrug. “It’s for you,” he said simply, stretching out the bouquet of flowers toward my mother.

Both my mother and I blinked in unison. He brought flowers for my mother?

“Wow,” my mother said, her smile softening as she accepted the flowers from him. “This is beautiful.” She gave him a grateful look, clearly touched by the gesture. “Thank you.”

“I was just passing by,” Hades explained, his tone casual but sounding off. “Saw great flowers and thought I’d give them to you.”

My mother’s eyes narrowed slightly, her curiosity piqued. “Don’t mind my asking, Hades. For what exactly?”

Hades shifted on his feet slightly, his gaze flickering toward me before looking back at her.

U“For…for,” he paused, clearly trying to find the right words, “just to appreciate you for... having an amazing daughter like Serena.”

Did he just compliment me? My heart skipped a beat, and I had to force myself to focus on the conversation again.

He continued, almost as an afterthought, “She’s been a good worker. It’s only been a week since she’s been working for us, but it’s been great.”

“That’s sweet,” my mother cooed, clearly touched by the words. “Thank you for this.” She smiled at Hades before turning toward me, her eyes softening. “I’ll take them inside for you, dear.” She took the flowers from me.

I nodded, relieved by the break in the tension, but my mother didn’t seem ready to move on just yet. She looked at Aeson, her gaze lingering for a moment too long. It was as if she was waiting for something. I shifted nervously, tapping her arm to bring her attention back to the present.

She quickly smiled at him, her voice sweet. “I really appreciate the lovely accommodation you’ve given us, Alpha Aeson.” She paused, and I could see her trying to smooth things over.

Aeson n’s new smile didn’t falter. “I’m just doing what any great Alpha would do,” he said, his tone self-assured, almost self-praising.

I could sense my mother’s politeness begin to strain. “Well, I’m sure you do,” she replied, her voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. She didn’t seem entirely convinced, but her expression softened. “Thank you again, though.”

Now satisfied, seexcused herself. “Well, I’ll take these inside now. Excuse me, gentlemen.” She turned toward the house, the sound of her footsteps fading as she walked back inside.

I stood there for a moment, staring after her, trying to process everything that had just happened.The door shut behind her with a soft thud, and the brief, bright expression on Aeson’s face faded instantly. He turned to face Caiden and Hades, his demeanor shifting as the atmosphere around us thickened with tension.

“I think we should let them be,” Aeson said, his voice calm but edged with something I couldn’t quite place. “Serena and her family need to settle down.”

Caiden responded with a clipped tone, his eyes narrowed slightly, as if he didn’t appreciate Aeson’s suggestion. “Okay.”

But Aeson wasn’t done. His gaze stayed on Caiden. “I mean what I said, Caiden,” he added, his voice mistakenly light but insistent.

Caiden’s lips twisted into a cold smile, the challenge in his eyes unmistakable. “I won’t have you try to mess with me because I’m in your pack, dude.”

Aeson’s laugh was short, almost humorless. “Why would I want to mess with you, Caiden? You speak and think too much, and that’s not ideal, considering you’re in my pack.”

I felt my chest tighten, the air between them growing heavier with each passing second. My hands clamped together, my mind racing. Why are they at each other’s throats now?

Caiden stepped closer to Aeson, his expression hardening. “I understand you're not happy I’m here, mostly because you feel insecure and uncertain about yourself,” he said, his words sharp as daggers.

Aeson’s eyes flashed, his posture stiffening. “What do you mean?”

Caiden’s response was quick, almost biting. “Well, you know damn well what I mean, Aeson. By the way, if you don’t like the fact that I’m trying to establish a better bond with Serena, then suck it up. It ain’t my fucking problem.”

“You’re saying nonsense again,” Aeson retorted, his voice low and dangerous.

The tension between them crackled in the air, and I felt as though I was stuck in the middle of a storm.

Caiden didn’t back down. “Because she’s now your pack member doesn’t mean the fact that she’s our mate will be overruled,” he said, his voice cold.

“I know that well,” Aeson said through clenched teeth, his jaw tight.

“Good, Aeson,” Caiden said, his tone final. “So don’t try to stop me from reaching her.”

Aeson’s gaze flicked to me for a moment, as if considering his next words carefully. “You should do the right thing at the right time. Don’t just do whatever you feel is right.”

I wanted to scream at them both. Why was this happening now? My head was spinning, my emotions a mess. Barely twenty-four hours had passed since I found out I was their mate, and now, they were bickering because of me. It was all too engulfing.

“We don’t need to create a scene here,” Hades said, stepping between them. “We can just leave quietly.”

Aeson’s gaze turned cold. “Make sure you leave,” he commanded, his voice carrying authority.

Caiden, unfazed, shot him a look. “You can only ask because it’s your pack. But she’s my mate, and you can’t stop me from seeing her.”

“Please,” I said, my voice trembling slightly, “I don’t want you guys arguing. Not here.”

Caiden softened, his gaze flickering to me with something like regret. “Sorry, sunshine,” he said quietly.

Sunshine? A pet name already? Fantastic. I nodded in acceptance, the tension in my chest loosening just a little.

“Also,” I added, my voice low but firm, “I forgot to say yesterday that I want our relationship... I mean, us being mates... to be a secret. For now.”

They all looked at me then, their eyes filled with a mix of surprise and understanding.

“I just feel... if it gets out, my life will be more complicated,” I explained, my voice shaking slightly.

Hades nodded, his expression softening. “We understand.”

Aeson’s gaze lingered for a moment, and then he nodded too. “We’ll do that.” He turned to leave, his movements quick and purposeful.

Caiden spoke up before I could turn away. “Take care,” he said, his voice sincere.

I gave him a small smile. “You too.”

After Caiden drove off, I turned my attention back to Hades. He hadn’t moved, still standing near the edge of the porch, his gaze unwavering.

“You should get going too,” I said, my voice quieter now.

He nodded slowly, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my heart race. “Take care.”

I nodded in return, but just as he started to turn away, my mother appeared, stepping out of the house.

“Hold on Hades!" She called out to him, stopping him.

What was she doing now?

She walked toward him, a soft smile on her face. “Will you come have dinner with us tomorrow?” she asked, her voice warm and inviting.

“Mother…” I started, feeling my face heat up.

My mother didn’t seem to notice my discomfort, her smile widening as she addressed him directly. “I just want to appreciate you for the flowers.”

Hades looked at me, his gaze lingering for a moment before he turned back to my mother.

“Sure,” he said, his voice calm and collected.

My mother’s smile was radiant. “Nice. 7 pm. Okay?”

“Yeah,” Hades replied, his own smile returning.

Oh my God. What was happening? What was with my mother?