Chapter 59

Serena’s POV

I didn't know what to say at that moment, and Hades' gaze drilled into me, unwavering and sharp. There was something in his eyes—anger, yes, but beneath it, something raw, something almost... wounded.

I felt he was upset because of how I had shoved him aside the other day when Caiden took me out. I didn’t want to care, I told myself that much, but I did.

I wanted to apologize now, to close that distance between us, but the words wouldn't come. His strong demeanor, the way he carried himself like nothing in this world could hurt him—yet, I could see it. The barely-there flicker of pain in his gaze.

I clenched my jaw, forcing my feet to move. Without another word, I turned and walked out of his office, closing the door behind me.

As soon as it clicked shut, I placed a hand over my heart, pressing against my chest as if that would somehow slow the erratic beats pounding through me.

"He’s hurting," my wolf murmured.

"He’s not. He’s just being unnecessarily upset. That’s petty," I overruled, shaking my head.

I let out a slow breath before forcing myself to walk away.

The next few weeks, the tension between me and my mates seemed to lessen, though I wasn’t sure if that was because Hades and I in particular were avoiding each other or if time had simply dulled the sharpness of our last encounter.

Meanwhile, Caiden and I had grown closer. We often hung out during breaks, and he even took me on a date one weekend. I had done my best to push aside the incident at the ice cream store, burying it so deep I barely processed it anymore.

But something had changed.

There was this strange urge inside me, something restless, something I couldn’t quite name. I wasn’t expecting one of my mates to realize it before I even did.

One fateful morning, Aeson’s message came unexpectedly.

"Come to the packhouse. It’s urgent."

I had just finished my bath when I read it. My mother was already making breakfast, but I barely paid attention to the smell of eggs and toast wafting through the air. Instead, I grabbed a simple outfit, dressed quickly, and headed out.

The packhouse wasn’t far, but as I approached, something felt… off.

It was too quiet.

Normally, I would see workers or pack members moving about, handling their duties, filling the halls with chatter and purpose. But today, nothing.

A prickling unease settled over me as I stepped inside, my eyes scanning the empty space. The air felt too still, as if the house itself was holding its breath.

Then—

“Surprised there’s no one around?”

Aeson’s voice startled me.

I turned sharply, my gaze snapping toward the dining area. He stood there, an easy smile on his lips, casually pulling off an apron from around his waist.

An apron?

"Good morning," I managed to say, my voice more uncertain than I intended.

He smiled again, stepping forward. "Good morning. Thank you for not keeping me waiting."

I stiffened as he walked closer.

"You said it was urgent," I reminded him.

"Hm." His lips quirked. "I made breakfast for us."

I blinked. "For us?"

He nodded. "Yes. I don’t cook often, but I did today." He looked at me then, something unreadable in his expression. "I wanted to do something special for my mate."

Then, before I could react, he took my hand—slowly, deliberately.

"Everyone…"

I glanced around again. "Where is everyone?"

"I had them evacuate the packhouse for today." His thumb brushed lightly over my knuckles. "I just want to spend time with you on this beautiful day."

My throat went dry.

"Oh," was all I managed to say.

His grip on my hand tightened slightly. "You’ve been spending a lot of time with Caiden and disregarding me."

I hesitated. "Have I?"

"Yes." He exhaled through his nose, his gaze never leaving mine. "But it’s fine. You’re going to be with me today, and that’s all that matters."

I blinked. Be with him today? That wasn’t how I had planned my day.

Something in his voice, in his posture, told me he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Before I could protest, Aeson gently but firmly started pulling me toward the dining table.

My pulse quickened.

What exactly had I walked into?

Aeson pulled out a chair for me at the table, his movements smooth and deliberate, as if he had been planning this moment for a while. I hesitated for a brief second before sitting down, and he took the seat right next to me—too close, close enough that his warmth pressed against me like a second skin.

Without a word, he served me food, his hands steady as he placed the plate in front of me. The silence between us was thick, charged, but I picked up my fork and started eating.

I felt his gaze before I caught it.

When I turned to look at him, he was already watching me, his stare unwavering, intense, like he wouldn't dare look away. Like he didn’t want to.

Then, he said it.

"You're beautiful."

I froze, my fork pausing halfway to my lips. The words wrapped around me, unexpected and warm, threading into places I hadn't even realized were vulnerable.

I didn't know how to respond, so I did the only thing I could—I kept eating, letting the food occupy my mouth where words failed.

Aeson leaned slightly forward, his voice smooth. "How have you been coping?"

I swallowed my bite and glanced at him. "Coping?"

"Yes. What did you dream of when you thought of your mate?"

A dry laugh escaped me. "Mates, you mean? I wasn’t expecting three."

He tilted his head. "But you were expecting one, weren’t you? Someone to fill that void inside you, to thrash those strong urges you’ve been having."

I stopped. My pulse skipped, and I turned to him fully this time. "How do you know that?"

Aeson’s eyes darkened as he leaned in, his breath fanning over my skin. "You reek of arousal, Serena. And it seems you’re getting more heated. Maybe that’s why you’ve been keeping your distance from me."

My fingers tightened around my fork. "How could you tell?"

"We’re mates." His voice was quiet but firm. "I act like I don’t notice, but I do." His gaze flickered over me, intense and knowing. "And you know what I think?"

I swallowed. "No."

"I think of relieving you of your urges all the time. Like now."

Before I could react, his face was suddenly close—so close that I barely had time to inhale before his lips captured mine.

The kiss was quick, almost fleeting, but it sent a bolt of something hot through me. My body tensed, but strangely, a sliver of relief coursed through me at the same time, as if something tightly wound inside me had slightly loosened.

Still, I couldn’t let this go any further.

I placed my fork down and pushed back my chair. "I’m done eating. Thanks for the meal."

Aeson rose as well, his movement controlled, his eyes sharp with something unreadable. Then, his lips curled into a smirk.

"Let’s fix your urge so you don’t go around smelling fucking aroused."

Before I could even process what he had said, he grabbed me, his grip firm and unyielding as he crashed his lips against mine. Again.

My breath hitched.

He smelled good—too good. My mind screamed at me to push him away, but my body betrayed me, melting under his rough, desperate kiss. His tongue tangled with mine in a fast, eager motion, stealing any protest from my lips.

Then suddenly, he lifted me.

I gasped as he placed me onto the table, his hands roaming over my body before settling firmly on my thighs. My pulse hammered wildly, my senses drowning in him, in the way his touch burned through my skin like wildfire.

I placed a hand against his chest. "Listen, Aeson… Aurora—"

His lips slammed onto mine again, cutting me off.

A low growl rumbled from him between the kiss. "You’re all I need, Serena. All I want."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, thrilling and terrifying all at once.

He parted my legs, fitting perfectly between them, his hand sliding down to my ass, gripping it with a firm squeeze. I jolted, a restrained moan slipping past my lips.

His body pressed against mine, firm and hot, and I barely registered the ache in my lower back from the position. I wasn’t thinking, wasn’t breathing properly—

Until—

"Aeson!"

The voice cut through the air like a blade.

Aeson tore away from me, his head snapping toward the source.

My breath caught in my throat as I turned as well, my stomach twisting into a knot.

Oh no.