Wait, pink lips? Ariel thought, rubbing her eyes to scan her little brother clearly.
The healthy color of his skin had returned. He was no longer pale or smelled like death and misery. He was chirpy, lively, and energetic. His light brown hair was glossy and no longer held a dusty tint to it.
He was alive.
Ariel grinned like a maniac, tears of joy welling up in her eyes.
She swiftly pulled the boy up into her arms and squished him in a deathly embrace as she showered him with multiple random kisses all over his face.
"You're back! Oh my goddess, you're really back!" She cried speaking to no one in particular, "I love you, I love you, I love you so so so much!!" She exclaimed, still hugging him tightly and kissing the child to death.
There was such a thing as too much love. Hades thought jokingly.
Adrien giggled, "I nevwr went anywhwre Ari! You silly!" He said, hugging her tightly as he wrapped his scrawny little arms around her neck.
She continued hugging him and shut her eyes in content, reveling in his proximity as she stroked his soft hair.
"I love you," she whispered, once more, before kissing him on the crook of his neck where he felt ticklish.
Adrien giggled and squirmed getting out of her clutch as she started to tickle him back.
"Now look who got who!" She joked peeling herself out of the sheets as she chased him on the bed.
Adrien leaped off of the bed and into Hades' arms.
Hades looked alarmed, to say the least, and caught the boy quickly before he fell to the ground.
Adrien continued to giggle and squeal as he wrapped his arms around Hades' neck to hide from Ariel's tickling attack.
Ariel smiled at Adrien, then suddenly remembered that it was Hades that was carrying Adrien and that he probably felt uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry for-" She started pausing, as she signaled using her head to Adrien, "You know," she continued waving her hands in the air gesturing to the commotion, "All of this. I know you're not comfortable with-"
Hades shook his head and smiled at her, "It's okay, really. I just hope you're happy and I had more good news for you." He explained, "I can take you two home today. The only reason you were sent here, was because Aries requested that you be in the dark about the death of your brother. Adrien actually appeared in the underworld earlier than we had planned, so we failed to keep it a secret."
"Really?" Ariel beamed.
Hades nodded stiffly, looking sort of disappointed.
Who was I kidding though? No one ever wants to stay with me here. Why did I think Ariel would be any different? He thought.
He forced a smile and gulped oddly feeling nervous, "I hope that after all of this, you would come and visit, Aries and yourself I mean, of course. You can bring your friends too. I mean only if you'd want to. You don't have to though, I-"
Ariel cut him off as she gave him a hug, which he stiffly returned with one arm, "I'd love to! Aries and I would really like it. I mean, we're practically family now! Aren't we?" She exclaimed grinning.
Hades felt an unusual feeling of relief wave over him.
He grinned at her, "Yes we are." He whispered, more to himself.
He had a family?
Was it possible that someone would actually care about him?
~
Ariel washed up and brushed her teeth, then changed into high waisted jean shorts and a long-sleeved black shirt that she had stashed in the bag she brought along with her.
She put on some socks and her black converse then finger brushed her hair, before caching her belongings back into the bag so she could pack up and get home to Aries.
Hades was waiting at her door with Adrien's small hand in his much larger one.
Adrien had a sandwich in his hands that he munched on hungrily. The poor baby hadn't eaten ever since he was kidnapped, and dying obviously worked up his appetite.
"Ready?" He asked as she opened the door.
Ariel nodded, giving him a small smile of gratitude.
"Do you want to eat first?"
"No thank you, we can all eat when we're back home," she grinned, "I make a mean Italian BMT!"
Hades nodded before slinging her bag over his shoulder. He then crouched down to carry Adrien, whilst wrapping an arm around Ariel's waist.
"Hold on tight kiddo," He instructed the boy, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
Adrien clutched Hades' shirt tightly looking excited yet somewhat anxious at the same time before they were off.
~
Landing in Bloodprowler territory, they stood in front of Aries' manor.
Hades looked at Ariel, "I enjoyed your company," he said, shifting his gaze to the cub, "Both of you. I will be in touch through Hermes because there are matters regarding the Fates that I have to handle in the underworld." Ariel looked at him questioningly, and before she could speak, Hades continued kindly, "Hermes will fill you in. Until my return, I bid you both a sincere farewell. Take care."
Ariel smiled at him, nodding, "Thank you." She whispered.
Adrien hugged Hades tightly, "Bu-bye! See you soon Mistew!"
Hades' lips cracked a small smile, "Bye little man." He put Adrien down, before nodding curtly at the two, and then he teleported vanishing into thin air. Ariel smiled down at her little brother, "Welcome back..." she whispered extending her hand to hold his.
Adrien placed his little hands in hers, grinning wildly, a gleam of happiness in his eyes.
The siblings turned to face the door, and as soon as Ariel lifted a fist to knock, it was ripped open.
There he stood, in all his mighty glory.
Alpha Aries.
The mere sight of him sent a shiver down her spine. Her breath hitched.
He looked tired and stressed.
His hair was tousled and his eyes seemed on alert.
He was still gorgeous. He wore black sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his waist and that's it.
His broad chest and the 8 packs were on full view for everyone's eyes. Part of her was jealous she wasn't around to see that, another part of her bloomed with pride over her mouth-watering mate.
His lips were slightly parted at the sight of her. He could smell her ravishing scent as soon as she came back. Her footsteps approaching the door were like the beat of his heart.
"Ariel..." he breathed.
Their eyes locked gazing into each others' eyes.
Ariel let out the breath she was holding, "Hey..." she whispered.
Aries' eyes tore away from her, looking at Adrien nervously remembering that she probably hated him.
"Hey there buddy," he said, ruffling his hair.
"Arieth! I mith you!" Adrien squealed gleefully before running into his arms.
Aries carried the boy, but he was stiff.
He knew he was in for shit.
Ariel tore Adrien from Aries' hold carrying him herself, "Mom & Dad will want to see him." She stated quietly, passing him through the door and into the manor.
"Mom! Dad!" she called.
Two figures came hurtling into her grabbing the boy in an engulfing embrace as they cried in relief.
A bunch of "Oh sweetheart"s and "My baby's safe"s were thrown around as Elizabeth and Eric also joined.
Ariel stealthily slipped away from the crowd, leaving Adrien so they could indulge in him and spend some time together while she dealt with a certain someone.
The couple had a lot to talk about.
She was really disappointed in him and didn't know how to handle the situation, because regardless of what he has done, she loved and missed him. Her wolf yipped at the sight of him, but she tried to contain herself and remain impartial.
Heading towards the room, Ariel sat on her bed pondering what to do quietly.
She was so engrossed in her thoughts and worries; she didn't even hear Aries come in.
"I know you're mad."
Ariel shivered at the sound of his voice and goosebumps appeared on her skin, s
he shifted her gaze to him as she watched him slowly and cautiously approach her.
Tears brimmed her eyes, as she bit her lip that threatened to quiver.
She shook her head, "I-I'm not mad," she said, sniffling slightly, "I'm just so disappointed in you." Ariel looked downwards fiddling with her hands and her soft hair curtained her face.
Aries' jaw clenched, his whole body going rigid. "Ariel... I'm sorry."
She shook her head once more blinking away the tears, "No, don't apologize. I'm the one who should be sorry."
He raised a questioning eyebrow stopping at a good distance away from her, even though all he wanted to do was drown in her arms, but he knew she couldn't stand him.
He schemed, hid, and lied to her and about who? Her own baby brother, the one she loved and cherished more than anything in the world.
"I'm sorry I trusted you blindly..."
His heart broke then and there.
"If you had been honest with me, I could have made the deal I was able to make with Hades without going through all this trouble." She said getting out of bed, pacing as she ran a hand through her hair letting them cascade into waves, "And honestly, even if it wasn't possible, I would have really appreciated it if you would have let me spend his last minutes with him," she continued throwing a hand in the air as she persisted pacing.
"If you would have given me a choice, Free will, a right that is supposed to be given to each and every individual... But...it's not in your nature, is it? You took my free will the day you marked me without my consent before I even identified you as my mate, you did it again when you kidnapped me and forbade me to go back home, then again when you sent me away to the underworld whilst hiding the death of my own brother from me!" She growled, more to herself as she counted how many times this had occurred, secretly blaming herself for never taking a stand before. "You knew! You knew he was dead when I agreed and left to save him, thinking he was safe!" She seethed pointing an accusing finger at him.
Ariel stopped her pacing glaring at Aries frustratedly with a frown, "You know... Hades and Hermes are also to blame for complying with your request, but I never felt this much disappointed towards them. You know why? Because you're my mate, you're the one I'm supposed to trust to always be honest with me. They don't know me, they don't know what's best for me, and what really hurt is that you do, and you still did that. And now you're simply saying sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it this time. I let it go when you marked me the first time because it had to directly do with me, this time my brother's life was on the line. This time it's not okay. And if I'm being frank it was never okay to start with. How many times can we let each other get away with things that bother us in the name of being mates?" She huffed before collapsing on the bed exhaustedly once more.
Aries was stunned, he hadn't realized that all of these uneasy feelings were bottled up inside of her.
He crawled into bed next to her, sighing deeply as he reached out and took her into his embrace.
She melted.
Calming down instantly as she sniffled hugging him back tightly with all her will.
"I love you so much," she whispered.
His heart leaped and did a cartwheel, "I love you too," he breathed.
His breath tickled her ear, and she shivered. He inhaled her scent holding her close to him, flushing them tightly. He peppered kisses all over the crook of her neck, making her giggle lightly.
"I'm sorry for all the disappointing things I did before I acknowledged us as mates. If I knew we were mates I'd have never kissed Michael. I'd have never been so rude, but you need to know that was all before we were together."
"It's not your fault." He said gruffly, "I never blamed you for all, of that because you were really convinced that I wasn't your mate. I, on the other hand, couldn't believe I had one. That Selene thought I was worthy of having someone as precious as you for a mate. I'm sorry... and it's not just a word, I really mean it. I promise you, Ariel, that I will protect you, care for you, and cherish you faithfully for all eternity and that I'll always be honest with you." He concluded kissing the top of her head.
Ariel smiled at him, "All is forgotten. Let's start a new page, a clean slate. Okay?"
Aries laughed, nodding happily as he leaned in to kiss her lips.
Their lips molded together softly as she kissed him back. Aries' lips were rich like lava, and they burned into her soul. He pulled away breaking off the kiss, Ariel groaned. He smirked at her sudden neediness as he got out of bed.
"Stay," she said, pulling him back in.
Instead of her pulling him back into bed, he carried her out of it.
"We're needed downstairs; much has happened these past two days."
"Like what?"
"Like, first, we figured out how to trap the Fates and second, we-" he said gesturing between the two of them, "have to complete the blood binding mating ritual with the pack."
"Oh... Now?" She asked.
"Yes, now. I already got you a dress; it's in the golden box in the dressing room. I hope you like it. I had the entire staff work to get the clearing ready for the ritual."
Ariel nodded while he gently placed her down so that she could change.
She kissed him before slipping away and this time he was the one who groaned.
She stood in front of the dressing room slipping off her long-sleeved shirt and dropping her shorts to the floor before stepping out of them, kicking them to the side, "Aries..." she purred, curling a strand of her around her slender finger.
His eyes darkened, a deep growl emitting from his throat, as he raised his eyebrows at her knowingly.
"I want you tonight." She continued her eyes darkening.
His eyes widened, gleaming with excitement as he growled once more loudly, "That's not fair." He said with a husky voice.
She giggled before quickly rushing into the dressing room to get dressed.
Aries was thinking of following her in and taking her right then and there.
We'll have to finish quickly, he thought to himself starting to step towards the small walk-in closet.
A knock on the door made him stop in his tracks as a tormented growl rumbled deep within.
He ripped the door open with a scowl to find Jake.
"What?" He snarled.
"The clearing is ready." He said smirking at Aries knowingly.
Aries rolled his eyes. "You just wanted to greet Ariel."
"True. I miss the girl."
Aries growled.
"Calm down Aries. You know she only reminds me of my little sister." He stated with hooded eyes his tone getting low and filled with grief.
Aries sighed, "How old would she have been?"
"Feyrouz was older than Ariel by two years. When the Alpha raged war on our pack, his own pack, 7 years ago, she was 13. So she would've turned 20 tomorrow." He said with a half-hearted smile.
Aries patted Jake's back, "She died a fighter, Jake."
Jake nodded curtly.
"Jakey I'm home!" Ariel sang jestingly from behind Aries, as she beamed.
She was wearing a simple off white dress with a lace mixed with sheer embroidered bodice and strappy thin straps. The back was a U cut as was the front but with added buttons and a more plunging cut down the back. She was also wearing a gold leaf headband with small white flowers and gold strappy sandals. She looked absolutely breathtaking, both of the men stared at her enchanted.
"Ariel..." breathed Aries.
"What he said..." said Jake.
"You look..."
"Wow..."
Aries nudged Jake.
Ariel laughed at the two, twirling to show them the back of the dress.
"I love it! Thank you, Aries." She grinned excitedly throwing her arms around his neck as she placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
She shifted her gaze to Jake smiling.
Aries sighed and nodded to her in an 'OK you can greet Jake' approving way.
Jake smirked stepping forward and hugged her while r
uffling her hair slightly.
"Hey!" she protested while he completely messed up her hair displacing the headband.
Stepping back from her, he gave her an apologetic smile. "I had nothing to do with the whole Adrien thing and I was completely against it." He said.
Aries (Gods & Monsters Series Book 1) Page 36