Ready to become mine
1107 Words
Hades’ POV:
Two years without Julia felt like a slow, endless descent into hell. I had imagined our reunion countless times, but nothing prepared me for the reality of seeing her again. The spark that once lit up her eyes was gone, replaced by a dullness that didn’t belong to her. And when she smiled at me… it felt forced, like a mask she had learned to wear.
Without thinking, I pulled her into a hug, not caring about the setting or who was watching. Her scent, still as intoxicating as I remembered, wrapped around me, igniting something deep inside me. But she pushed me away almost immediately, and though I’d braced myself for that, it still stung.
To her, I was nothing more than her husband’s brother. A boundary I had no right to cross.
Just as I was trying to steady my emotions, something caught my eye, a purple bruise on her wrist. My hand moved instinctively, wrapping around hers as I examined it.
“What is there purple bruise on your wrist?” I asked. My wolf growled low and my blood boiled. My eyes darkened, shifting to a deeper, more violent shade of red.
“Julia… you’re hurt?”
Before she could respond, Rainer stepped in, yanking her hand away from mine. She winced in pain, and I didn’t miss the way his grip tightened around her delicate wrist.
He was holding her too tightly, not caring that it was hurting her.
“It's nothing. I fell earlier in the garden,” Julia replied. I could feel her body trembling, but why? Why did it seem that Julia was scared of Rainer?
“Son, why don't you take a seat?” My mother, Kylie, called me out. “Julia, go and check the room for Hades,” she ordered.
I watched Julia while Rainer didn't even bother about that bruise.
As I took a seat on the couch, my Dad, Elwin Grimmheart spoke, “How did your training go in the west? I did hear from you from time to time, but seeing you after two years makes me think you've trained quite hard.”
“Dad, Hades turned out to be the best warrior in the training academy. He even received the Hall of Fame for being the best Alpha warrior in hundreds of years,” Rainer pronounced with a smile.
“You received a Hall Of Fame? Why didn't you inform us!?” Elwin asked with a shocking gaze.
“I thought to tell Dad after my return,” I replied. “I received it two days ago. But how did you find out? Whatever happens in the academy isn't shared outside.” I gazed at Rainer, my elder brother.
“You are forgetting the director of the academy is my close friend. I did ask him about you and it slipped out of his mouth,” Rainer replied.
“Son, eat these sweets. I made them yesterday,” said my mother.
“Later. I have to go to my room,” I said, rising to my feet. Without wasting any more time, I arrived at my room and sensed Julia's presence.
As I walked in, I saw her dusting the table and in a blink of an eye, I approached her.
“Ahh, you startled me!” Julia remarked, taking a small step away from me while holding the dusting cloth in her hand. “If you need anything, you can call for the maids. What would you like to eat for lunch?” she asked in her soft tone.
“Allow me to treat your bruise on the wrist,” I said. Without waiting for her response, I held her hand and pushed up the sleeve of her top.
“Don't!” Julia protested, but before my strength she was unable to stop me. I had already seen what I wasn't supposed to. Her entire forearm was purple.
“Did you really fall in the garden?” I asked. “Why the f*ck did you not call for the doctor?” As much as the firm hold I had on her wrist, I was gentle too. I didn't wish to hurt her.
“I did. The doctor gave me ointment,” Julia replied. “Let my wrist go. You aren't supposed to touch me like that.” Again, she created that boundary between us which I hated the most.
I didn't listen to her, but I softened my voice, burying the anger inside me.
“Seems like the ointment didn't give you comfort. But I can,” I said, lowering my eyes.
“Huh?” Julia reacted in confusion.
I gently ran my hand over her forearm and I heard her whimper. “You didn't fall, did you? It seems you were being hurt or beaten.”
The moment I said those words I noticed how her facial expression shifted.
“Who did it? Mom or Rainer?” I asked directly, not wanting to beat around the bush. Our eyes met and I could see the tears that began to form in them.
Julia pulled back her hand and brushed past me. Her shoulder hit my arm and I felt a fire surging through my entire body.
“I am going to kill whoever did this to you, Julia,” I declared. Then, I turned around and saw her stop near the door. “No one is supposed to hurt you. So, tell me the truth before I find out myself and burn that person alive.”
Three years ago, when her marriage was set up with Rainer and after they got married, I did see her only getting humiliated by my brother and mother on numerous occasions. Because Rainer was the pack's alpha, and I only turned eighteen, I couldn't do anything to save Julia.
But now, the story was different.
“You are misunderstanding, Hades. I truly fell in the garden,” Julia said in her usual soft tone and gave me a small smile. “Thank you for your concern, but it will be fine soon. And if you don't believe me, then you can ask anyone in the house. They will tell you the same.”
I walked to her and stopped right in front of her. My hand cradled her neck and she attempted to pull away again but I held her.
“Your eyes can never fool me, Julia. Lie as much as you want. I'm going to free you soon,” I said, not blinking. “So, be ready to become mine.” Without any fear, I revealed my intentions to her.
- Writer
