Hkk

Love

I nodded as I sat back on the bed, still massaging my neck and chest. "Where am I?" I asked more softly this time so as not to annoy her again.

"Oh, here?". She looked around as if it was her first time here. "This is just a small place I put together to enjoy a stress-free vacay. But because of you Earthers, I can hardly rest". She smiled again and rested her back, her hazel eyes examining me like she is waiting for me to say what is on my mind.

I knelt on the floor with folded hands. "Please, help Jace". I bowed my head.

"There is nothing I can do. Hades will soon have him. Hades and I have not gotten along for centuries, he wouldn't help me now". She maintained a stoic expression.

"Please, moon goddess... There has to be a way to save Jace". I look at her hopefully... I was not going to give up, not until my request is granted.

She raised an eyebrow. "A way? Don't be foolish. You have a great destiny ahead of you, which is most important. Jace has done his part by saving and protecting you. Now, you must do what you were made for".

"I can do all that with Jace by my side-"

"You CANNOT. Jace is a distraction it seems, him dying is the best thing that can happen to your destiny!" She got up and walked over to me. Her fingers caressed my forehead lightly. "You are the last of your kind, my dear Esnie. It is time that you discover your full potential and embrace it for the good of the universe. Do you understand?" She spoke so warmly, like a mother to her baby, so convincing. I wanted to just hug her and do exactly as she says, but...

"No. Not without Jace". I stared her down. She looks furious but I did not care.

Suddenly, she smiled: "I knew it wouldn't work on you. I just wanted to try-" She returned to her seat.

"Try what?" I asked, confused.

"My power of persuasion, gifted to me by Aphrodite herself". She smirked. "It works on werewolves, vampires, witches, even mortals, except you. I was right, you are the daughter of the sun".

"I don't follow". I stated. Her words weren't clear to me.

"Flames... You have the power to set things on fire. That is from the sun. I will teach you how to become the most powerful goddess that has ever existed, more powerful than Athena... All you have to do is forget about everything, leave them all behind and join me."

"When will Jace reach Hades?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes. "Everything I just said and your main concern is still Jace!"

I shook my head. "Without Jace, your words mean nothing to me. Bring him back and we'll talk".

"Then you can forget it!" She grew furious.

As her anger increased, the room grew darker and darker until there was not a single light. Her voice echoed from a seeming distance. "Jace will never return, NEVER! If you think I will let you get on Hades's radar, then you must be a fool!"

I suddenly felt a surge of power course through my body and I lifted my hands. Following my action, the whole place illuminated again, except the time, balls of fire appeared all around the room. Selene's eyes grew wide as she looked at me in shock. "How did you?"

"As you said, I am the daughter of the sun. Without the sun, the moon cannot give light. I am begging you, Selene to give me the chance to save my Jace. If bargaining with Hades is the only way to save him, I will do it, take me to him!"

Her expressions were of genuine confusion. "You weren't supposed to feel this way about Jace, I only created the mate bond for life, not in death..."

"This is more than you can control. This is Love, not your mate bond... Help me save Jace, please!"

She returned the room to its normal lighting. I brought down my hand and the flames disappeared. She sighed, her eyes looking down as tears threatened to fall out of them. She spoke in a whisper: "Love. I haven't heard that word in centuries". Her eyes looked up to meet mine. "The only way a goddess can have true love is if she sacrifices her powers... And I will not allow you to do that, Jace will not want that either"

"Is there another way?". I asked.

"A deal with Hades..." she breathed out with worry in her eyes.

"What kind of deal?"

"Nothing good, That is why I will not advise it. Your love for your mate could ruin the entire world".

"Then take my powers and bring him back". I stated without much thought.

She closed her eyes and opened them. "His soul is at the gate of the waiting place, I need to act fast. Give me your power and I will send you both back".

"Promise?"

"I promise". She smiled warmly. She got up, walked over to me, and stretched out her hands. I placed my hands in hers and closed my eyes... She began to say some incoherent words. Not a second later, gross darkness enveloped us both. I felt my head spin nonstop for more than thirty minutes. Until...

I opened my eyes and found myself in the forest near the pack house, on the same spot where Jace and I were attacked. I looked around but could not find Jace anywhere. I ran to the pack house but couldn't find anyone.

"Jace!! Rowena!! Anna!!! Where is everybody?!" My voice reverberated through the entire house but no one answered.

"Foolish girl!!" A male voice came from somewhere behind me.

I turned around and found Alpha Kaiah standing there, in a black suit. "You have been cheated! She was never going to send you back". He said angrily.

I started to weep. "But she promised... She promised to send my Jace back to me".

"Anything to deceive a love-sick i***t like you! She wanted your powers all along, and now she has it". He scowled at me. "And you, your Jace have returned, but he cannot be yours".

I grew curious and walked closer to him but he lifts a hand to stop me from approaching him. "My Jace is alive?" I asked with tears in my eyes.

"Yes. In the real world". He stated.

I felt relieved. "Help me get back".

He shook his head. "That won't be possible".

"But why?" I asked, exasperated.

He answered. "Because in the real world, you are dead".