Chapter 9

Hades's pov

As the car moved through the quiet streets, I couldn’t stop thinking about what was about to happen. My thoughts were racing, my heart pounding. We were getting closer to Anita’s apartment, and with each passing second, I felt the weight of everything. Tonight, I was going to tell her the truth, that she was my mate, destined to be with me. It wasn’t something I could run from or ignore anymore.

The pack elders had tried to control many things in my life, but this wasn’t going to be one of them. My marriage, my mate, these were my decisions, not theirs. I wouldn’t let them interfere. I’d talk to Anita, bring her to the packhouse, and we’d figure things out together. This wasn’t just about me; it was about us.

The car pulled up in front of her apartment building, the engine’s quiet hum disappearing as it came to a stop. I glanced up at the tall building, knowing she was in there somewhere, probably unaware that her life was about to change forever. I took a deep breath, smoothed my shirt, and grabbed the flowers beside me. They were a simple gesture, but I hoped they would show her that I was serious.

As I got out of the car, the cool air hit me, calming my nerves slightly. I adjusted my jacket and started walking toward her building. My heart raced with excitement and a touch of fear. What if she didn’t feel the same way? What if she didn’t believe in the mate bond like I did? I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts aside. No, I couldn’t think like that. I had to trust that she would understand.

I pictured the moment I’d knock on her door, how her face would look when she saw me standing there. Maybe she’d be surprised, maybe confused, but deep down, she’d feel it, the same pull I’d felt since the moment I first saw her.

But then, doubts crept in again. What if she didn’t recognize the bond? What if she thought I was crazy? I imagined her standing there, looking at me with wide eyes, unsure of what to say.

I had to be careful. I couldn’t come on too strong, or I’d scare her off. I needed to explain things slowly, make her understand that this wasn’t just some weird obsession. This was fate, something the Moon Goddess herself had ordained. But would she believe me?

I took another deep breath as I reached the entrance of her building. I paused for a moment, staring up at the glowing windows, wondering which one was hers. I was so close now, but the reality of what I was about to do hit me harder than I expected.

This wasn’t just about revealing the bond. It was about opening myself up to her, risking rejection. I’d never been afraid of anything before, but this was different. I had never felt so vulnerable in my life.

 Anita’s POV

The evening was quiet, almost too quiet. I sat on the edge of my small kitchen table, absentmindedly twisting the velvet bag the Alpha had given me between my fingers. My thoughts were racing, but not from excitement or joy. No, they were filled with confusion. Why would Alpha Hades give me a gift? A thank you gift, as he had put it. But what was he thanking me for? Being his assistant? Helping him control his anger? None of it made sense.

As much as I tried to focus on the mundane task of finishing my tea, my thoughts kept drifting back to him and the way he’d looked at me when he handed over the bag. His eyes had held something I couldn’t quite place. And that unsettled me more than the gift itself.

The sound of the front door creaking open pulled me from my thoughts, and I heard familiar footsteps approaching the kitchen. A moment later, Martha appeared, her face lighting up with her usual bright smile as she spotted me at the table.

"Anita! Finally!" she said, her tone playful as she dropped her bag on the floor and slid into the chair across from me. "You’ve been so quiet today. What’s going on?"

I hesitated, glancing down at the bag on the table. It didn’t take long for her to notice. Her eyes widened, and before I could even attempt to explain, she reached across the table and grabbed the bag, holding it up to the light.

"What is this?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. "Where did you get this?"

I sighed, knowing I couldn’t avoid the conversation. "Alpha Hades gave it to me."

Her eyes widened even more as she stared at me, clearly not expecting that answer. "Wait! Alpha Hades? The Alpha Hades? Gave you this? Why?"

I shrugged, still unsure how to explain it myself. "He said it was a thank-you gift. For helping him, I guess. But it doesn’t make sense. This is way too much for just a thank-you. I mean, look at it!"

Martha set the bracelet down and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. Her brow furrowed, and I could see the wheels turning in her head. "Okay, let’s back up for a second. Why would he, an Alpha, give you, his assistant, something like this? It’s not like you saved his life or anything, right?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "No, nothing like that. I just helped him calm down during a bad situation at the packhouse. But I don’t think it was anything that deserves an expensive gift like this."

Martha raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying my downplay of the situation. "Hmm. You sure there’s nothing more to it? Guys don’t just give bags as a casual thank-you, Anita. Especially not guys like Alpha Hades."

I bit my lip, glancing at the bag again. Deep down, I knew she was right. This wasn’t just some casual gesture. But what else could it be? He was the Alpha, and I was just… me.

"I don’t know, Martha. Maybe it’s just how he is. I don’t really know him that well, honestly. But I do know one thing. He already has a mate." The words slipped out before I realized what I was saying, and Martha’s expression shifted from curiosity to pure shock.

"Wait, what? He has a mate?!" She practically shouted the question, leaning forward as if I’d just revealed the biggest secret of the century. "Since when? And why didn’t I hear about this?"

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "It’s not public yet. I overheard a few conversations at the packhouse. Apparently, it’s someone important. I don’t know who, though. He’s been really private about it."

Martha leaned back again, her shock quickly turning into excitement. "This is insane! Why hasn’t he made it public? And why give you a bag if he already has a mate? That doesn’t make any sense. What if—" She paused, her eyes narrowing mischievously. "What if you’re his mate?"

I rolled my eyes, laughing despite the strange flutter the suggestion caused in my stomach. "Come on, Martha. Be serious. There’s no way I’m his mate. I’m just his assistant. I mean, he’s an Alpha! I’m nobody special."

Martha wasn’t convinced. She leaned in closer, her voice dropping sacrcastically. "You never know, Anita. Alphas don’t always follow the usual rules when it comes to mates. Maybe he’s been trying to tell you something with this gift. Maybe he just hasn’t figured out how to say it yet."

I shook my head firmly. "No way. He’s not interested in me like that. And besides, even if he was, it wouldn’t matter. He has a mate already. That’s the end of the story."

Martha sighed dramatically, clearly disappointed that I wasn’t indulging her wild theory. "Fine, fine. But you can’t deny that something’s weird about this whole situation. You need to keep an eye on him. Who knows what’s really going on?"

I shrugged, still feeling unsure about everything. "Yeah, maybe. But honestly, I don’t think there’s anything more to it. He’s the Alpha. He probably just does things differently than we do."

Martha didn’t seem satisfied, but she let the topic drop, for now. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, glancing around the kitchen as if searching for a distraction. Her eyes finally landed on the small clock on the wall, and her playful smile returned.

"Oh, speaking of weird situations," she began, clearly enjoying where the conversation was headed, "what’s going on with your so-called husband? You know, the one you pretend doesn’t exist?"

I felt my mood shift immediately at the mention of my "husband." My jaw clenched as I looked away, not wanting to let the frustration show on my face. But of course, Martha knew me too well to miss it.

"Don’t even start with that," I muttered, my voice sharper than I intended. "He’s not my husband. Not in any real way. You know that."

Martha raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my reaction. "Oh, come on. He’s technically still your husband, isn’t he? I mean, the papers were signed, right?"

I glared at her, though there wasn’t any real anger behind it. "That was a contract marriage, and you know it. It was a formality. I don’t love him, and I never will."

Martha smirked, clearly enjoying herself far too much. "Okay, okay, no need to get defensive. I’m just saying—it’s been a while. What if he shows up one day, expecting you to play the doting wife?"

I scoffed, the very idea making my skin crawl. "If he ever shows up, I’ll make it clear that I’m not interested. That marriage was forced on me by him. And after that, he didn't take me seriously. Leaving me abruptly for over three years. Like who does that? He had never loved me, so I won't love him back."

Martha’s expression softened, and she reached across the table to give my hand a reassuring squeeze. "I know, Anita. I just like teasing you sometimes. But I get it. You didn’t deserve that, and you deserve better."

I smiled weakly, appreciating her support. The contract marriage had always been a sore spot for me, a part of my past that I preferred to forget. My so-called husband was someone I barely knew, and the idea of being tied to him for the rest of my life made me feel trapped. I’d always been determined to live my own life, to make my own choices, and that marriage felt like a chain around my neck.

As Martha continued to chat, her voice a comforting presence in the background, my mind drifted back to Alpha Hades. Despite my best efforts to dismiss it, the question lingered.

Why had he given me that gift?