Chapter 45

Serena's POV

The car came to a stop, but my heart didn’t. It pounded against my chest like a war drum, loud enough that I was sure Hades could hear it.

He leaned back, his smirk ever-present, and gave me a playful wink. “Think about it,” he said again.

My nerves twisted. “What do you think you are, some kind of perv?”

“Perv?" His brows raised. "I’m thinking maybe you want to make me pay for how I treated you.”

“Are you being honest? I doubt it." My words came out harsher than I intended, but I couldn’t help it. His teasing rattled me in ways I wasn’t ready for.

Hades chuckled softly, a sound rich with amusement. “I’m not what you think I am, Serena.”

“Then what exactly were you thinking?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he shot me one last smoldering glance before stepping out of the car. His silence unnerved me more than any response could have.

When we reached the door, my mother answered before I could grab the handle.

“Alpha Hades! Oh, welcome, welcome! Come in.” She beamed at him, practically dragging him inside before sparing me a single glance. “Serena, go freshen up. You’ve had a long day.”

I clenched my jaw. She hadn’t been that eager to see me since I left for college.

By the time I returned, freshly dressed and still unsettled, they were already at the dining table. My mother was fussing over Hades like he was royalty. She filled his plate to the brim, spooning extra servings of every dish onto it.

“You need to eat more, dear,” she said warmly. “You’ve been working too hard.”

“It’s not a feast,” I muttered as I took my seat, “but you’re making it one.”

My father gave me a quiet look, but my mother ignored me completely.

Hades caught my eye from across the table, something unreadable passing through his gaze. Then he took a bite of the roasted chicken and hummed in approval. “Mrs. Carlton, this is incredible.”

“Call me Agatha, please,” my mother insisted, her face glowing.

My appetite vanished. Every time Hades lifted his fork or cracked a smile, she fawned over him even more. It was as if I didn’t exist.

“Are you okay, Serena?” His question sliced through my thoughts.

I blinked. His eyes were locked on mine, and for once, they weren’t teasing. He looked... concerned.

“I’m fine,” I said too quickly.

His gaze didn’t falter. “Are you sure?”

I felt trapped again, just like in the car. Caught between the intensity of his attention and the storm of my own emotions, I tried to say something—anything.

But then, he leaned back in his chair, and his next words left me breathless.

“If you’re not fine, Serena, I’d like to know why.”

My mother’s head snapped up. “Hades, do you need anything?”

“No.” His eyes stayed on me. “I have everything I need right here.”

The world tilted, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe when he leaned forward. His gaze locked on mine, too intense for the small space we were in. My heart stuttered.

Without thinking, I blurted, “Can you stop invading my space?”

The room fell into a stunned silence. My parents froze, eyes wide and puzzled.

Realizing how harsh I sounded, I cleared my throat and quickly tried to fix it. “I mean—just eat up. You’ll need to return to your pack soon. It’s getting dark.”

My mother gave me one of her disapproving frowns. “It’s already night, dear. The way back isn’t dangerous for him.”

My father nodded. “He’s the capable Alpha Hades, after all.” There was a hint of admiration in his tone, which only made me feel worse.

“Actually,” Hades said smoothly, his eyes never leaving mine, “you don’t need to worry about me, Serena. My pack is less than an hour away, and I’ll get there safely.”

I rolled my eyes. Couldn’t he just take the hint and leave? All I wanted was to finish dinner and escape the suffocating atmosphere. But no, he had to stay, enjoying the way I squirmed under his gaze. The slight curl of his lips told me he was fully aware of how uncomfortable I was.

Then he dropped the bomb. “I need to ease myself.”

Before I could say anything, my mother beamed. “Oh, Serena, take him to your bathroom.”

“What?” I turned to her, incredulous.

“It’s closer,” she added, as if that explained everything.

I was reluctant, but there was no way out. “Fine. Follow me.”

We walked in silence down the hallway, the only sound our footsteps on the hardwood floor. My pulse quickened with every step.

When we reached my room, I pushed the door open. “There. The bathroom’s through that door.”

He stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room like he was memorizing every detail. It felt invasive, even though he hadn’t said a word.

“Are you done staring?” I snapped.

He turned to me with that maddening smirk. “You’re nervous.”

I bristled. “I’m not.”

“You are.” He took a step closer, closing the distance between us.

“I said use the bathroom, not stand here playing mind games,” I shot back.

Instead of answering, he leaned slightly, just enough for me to feel the heat of his presence. “You don’t like me being here. But why, Serena? Is it me, or is it something else?”

My throat tightened. “Just go.”

He didn’t move for a moment, studying me like I was a puzzle he was determined to solve. Then he nodded. “I’ll go.”

Relieved, I stepped aside to let him pass.

But before entering the bathroom, he paused in the doorway. “If you’re so desperate to get rid of me, why do I feel like you want me to stay?”

My breath hitched, and he disappeared behind the door. Did I really want him to stay?

My wolf’s answer was immediate. “Yes.” She was practically wagging her metaphorical tail, happy to have him around.

Stop it, I rebuked her silently. I don’t want him here.

Yet, even as I scolded her, doubt crept in. My wolf was persistent, whispering thoughts I didn’t want to entertain.

Lost in my musings, I didn’t notice Hades stepping out of the bathroom until I felt his presence, an invisible weight pressing down on me. My body tensed. Slowly, I turned, only to find him standing right behind me.

“What? You’re done?” I asked, voice sharp to cover my unease.

He said nothing, just watched me with a maddening calm.

“Hello?” I snapped. “Are you going to say something or just—”

He took a step forward, and I instinctively stepped back.

I glared at him. “Stop it, Hades. Whatever you’re trying to do, it’s not funny.”

He didn’t answer, but the intensity in his gaze deepened.

“Hades, I mean it,” I warned, but my voice faltered.

My back hit the wall. I sucked in a sharp breath as he closed the remaining distance between us, his eyes dark and unrelenting as they dropped to my lips.