Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
A res refused to let go of Jason’s hand, even when receiving hugs of welcome from his family and pack mates.
“How injured are you both?” Blake asked them, looking at the blood covering them.
“I just need a shower, my injuries are healing as we speak. What about you, my wolf?”
“I just have a scratch, I’m sure it will be fine,” Jason answered, still holding his side. Blood had seeped through his shirt and covered his hand.
“How about I have a look? That’s a lot of blood on your shirt,” Ajax pointed out, walking over to them.
Blake frowned. “Shirt up, Jas.”
Sighing, Jason lifted his shirt.
“Damn, Jas,” Blake exclaimed, looking at it.
The wound was about four inches long. Blood was starting to congeal, and the area looked angry red.
“Do you know what caused this?” Ares asked.
“I know it was a demon and he had long claws, but that was it. Wynter killed him.”
Ajax was prodding the area when he took a step back. They watched as the cut healed itself. There was still dried blood everywhere, but the cut itself healed before their eyes, not even leaving a scar.
“I know as a shifter we heal quickly, but I should have needed to shift and fall into a healing sleep for that to get fixed,” Jason said, stunned.
“It goes with you being immortal,” Zeus announced, coming over and joining them. “You now have accelerated healing.”
“I’m immortal?” Jason asked, shocked, turning to look at Ares. “Something you forgot to tell me, dear?”
Ares smirked. “Probably a lot of things. But yes, my wolf, you are now immortal and will live as long as I do.”
Jason was stopped from saying anything when they heard a yell. They turned around and saw Kieran barrelling towards them.
Ares opened his arms and Kieran crashed into him, hugging him tight before pulling Jason into the hug.
“You both came back,” Kieran said, happily.
“We will always come back,” Ares assured him.
“I called gramps,” Kieran said, pulling back and looking up at Ares. “Did he rescue you?”
“No, we got there just as they came out of Tartarus. I believe your pack mates rescued him,” Zeus replied .
“You should have seen everyone,” Tatum gushed. “They were awesome. Bob and Barden were magnificent, and seeing Wynter fly was spectacular.”
“I need to bleach my eyes and brain, but we did make an impressive sight,” Mateo agreed.
“Does anyone need my help?” Demi asked, looking around at the rescue party.
Ares pulled Demi into a hug before releasing him.
“I think we’re all okay,” Jason replied. “But if that changes, we’ll let you know.”
Just then Tudor came rushing over and slammed into Puff, hugging him. “I’m so glad you’re all back,” he said, pulling away and then hugging everyone else. “I think we need a celebration tonight don’t you I think that would be fabulous don’t you plus more of our godly family are here we need to welcome them.”
Ares laughed and touched Tudor’s arm. “That sounds like a wonderful idea, Tudor.”
“You’re right, Tudor, we do need a celebration,” Zeus agreed. Suddenly tables of food and drinks appeared plus the biggest barbecue anyone had ever seen manifested, the scents of which filled the air and from somewhere music started playing.
Frederick and Shiloh walked to the back garden and saw the festivities starting.
“Looks like they’re all back safe and well,” Frederick observed. He suddenly stopped when an amazing smell reached him, underneath the barbeque scent he could smell apple crumble and the sea, two of his favourite scents. He followed the scents and saw where it led. Now he knew why he was anxious about Hades. He pretty much ignored everyone and walked straight up to Hades. “Are you alright?”
Hades nodded. “Ares and Jason were the only ones injured.”
“Good,” Frederick said, nodding, before putting his hand around the back of Hades’ neck and pulling him into a kiss.
Hades sighed into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Frederick. Hades and Frederick were the same height, although Frederick had a lot more muscles than Hades did, and he loved that.
Frederick was in heaven. He probably should have asked Hades if he could kiss him before he dragged the god into his arms, but Hades was kissing him back, so he obviously didn’t mind. Frederick slowly tapered the kiss and drew back, looking into Hades’ hazel eyes, his smiling hazel eyes.
“The Fates have certainly blessed me,” Hades said, grinning at him.
Frederick smiled and touched his cheek. “And me. I was worried when I heard you had gone to Tartarus and that your powers wouldn’t work there.”
“We went in armed. Hopefully, I won’t need to go back there any time soon.”
“I hope so, too. We seem to be having a celebration. Are you staying?” Frederick asked, dropping his hand.
“It would be rude not to, and as we eat, you can tell me all about yourself,” Hades said.
“Congratulations, brother,” Zeus beamed as he walked over to them.
Hades looked at him, smiling. “Thanks, and just think, you had nothing to do with this.”
Those closest laughed.
“He has you there, Pops,” Alex said.
Zeus frowned. “I’m sure I had something to do with it.”
“Congratulations Lord Hades and to you Frederick I know you will be just as happy as my Alex and I am if you don’t mind me saying Lord Hades you need more rest and fun as you work too hard but your Frederick can help with that.”
Alex touched Tudor’s back. “Breathe, my darling.”
“You’re quite right, Tudor, I do need more rest and fun,” Hades replied, smiling at the talkative gargoyle.
“But for now food is ready,” Alex told them.
Food was being eaten and everyone was having a good time.
Demi was standing by Brook, trying to keep out of his godly family’s way.
“Do you not want to talk to your family?” Brook queried.
“I talk to those that accept me, a lot of the gods over there fear me. They see me coming and either vanish or turn around and walk quickly away in the other direction.”
“Then they’re idiots,” Forrest said hotly, having heard what Demi said and stomping away towards the gods.
“Forrest, stop,” Brook called after him.
“Oh dear,” Demi said, watching Forrest leave. “We should probably go after him.”
They quickly followed.
Some of the gods were laughing and joking with Puff, Mateo, Atticus, Blake, and Baylan when Forrest stomped over.
“Are you pleased with yourself?” he demanded, suddenly going from annoyed to angry.
“Forrest, what’s wrong?” Puff croaked out, looking concerned.
“What’s wrong? Those laughing and joking gods, who won’t even talk to Demi and shy away from him, is what's wrong,” he shouted to Puff, glaring at the gods. “Demi is one of the sweetest people you could meet, and you don’t even know that because you won’t spend time with him or talk to him. How can you be so mean?”
“Forrest, it’s okay. I’m used to it by now. Let’s go and get some food,” Demi urged, looking at the group.
“No, Demi, it’s not right. They’re your family. They’re gods – they should be as accepting as we are.”
“You’re my family, Forrest, plus Brook and Willow and everyone in our pack,” Demi assured him.
“We are indeed,” Blake said. He turned and looked at the gods. “We do accept everyone in this pack, no matter who or what they are. While you’re on pack lands, you will act accordingly.”
One of the gods pulled himself up. “We are gods, you don’t get to dictate to us,” he shouted angrily.
Everyone in the garden stopped and turned to look at the group.
Zeus strode over, Hades, Frederick, Ares, and Jason with him.
“What’s going on?” Zeus demanded, looking round.
“I’ve caused problems,” Demi started to say.
“No, you didn’t, they did,” Forrest accused, pointing at the gods.
Alex and Tudor hurried over and Willow joined Brook.
“This thing –” the god said, gesturing to Blake.
“You did not just call my mate a ‘thing,’ Apollo, did you?” Baylan demanded, angrily, interrupting him.
Everyone started shouting at once, with more than one voice raised in anger.
Tatum was standing off to one side with Wynter, Saxon, and Oz, watching what was happening. He slowly started looking round.
“Sweetheart?” Saxon queried.
“Don’t you feel that? There’s something weird in the air.”
“What?” Wynter asked.
“I don’t know, but something is hidden over there and that’s causing feelings of anger and unrest,” Tatum told him. He looked at his mates and Oz. “We need to stop that mass argument before someone gets hurt.”
“I’ve got this,” Saxon said, flinging his hand out and the next moment a loud boom sounded in the garden. Blissful silence fell.
Dragons and gargoyles came running, surrounding the area, ready for anything.
Tatum and his mates ran over to the gods.
“What just happened?” Zeus demanded.
“You’re all being infected with anger. Someone just over there is causing it,” Tatum told them pointing farther into the garden.
Everyone looked where he pointed.
“Damn it, Nemesis, show yourself,” Zeus shouted.
A laughing woman appeared in the garden. “And I was having so much fun,” she said, walking closer. “But you know this youngling is right, though. You all fear Deimos when you have no reason to. Our nephew is nicer than the lot of you combined.”
“And you couldn’t have just shown up and told them without a war almost breaking out?” Ares asked his sister.
“I could have, yes, but I didn’t.” She turned to look at Tatum and smiled. “I’m impressed you felt me.”
“I’m a demon, we can usually follow strong emotions.”
“Will you introduce me to your mates, my brothers?” she asked, looking around the group.
Baylan laughed and pulled Nemesis into a hug. “Next time, just pop in and say hello.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” she remarked laughing as she returned his hug.
Introductions were made and the party started up again, with everyone calmed down and laughter was soon heard.
It was a little while later that Nemesis caught up with Baylan, Blake, Ares and Jason.
“What really brought you here, Nem?” Baylan asked her.
“I heard that someone prayed for help to you, Ares,” she replied, looking his way.
Ares nodded. “They did. I never thought that would happen again.”
“And that’s what has me worried,” Nem confessed.
“Why?” Baylan asked.
“Because of Barnabus,” she grimaced.
“You’re thinking he might call on you to help him,” Ares summarised.
“I am, but he could call on any god from any pantheon.”
“Maybe Zeus can send a message to all the other gods and warn them not to help him,” Jason suggested.
“But what if he prays to one of us?” Nem asked, concern on her face.
“Do gods not have free will? Just because someone prays to you, do you have to answer?” Blake asked.
“Now there’s a thought. We have the right to refuse or ignore prayer requests, at least we did in the olden days. I know I never answered all the requests that came my way,” Ares said. “I’m sure other gods ignored some as well.”
Nemesis shook her head. “I never did, I answered every prayer. I might not have helped everyone, but anyone who called upon me, I spoke to.”
“You must have been busy back then,” Jason said to her.
Nem grinned. “Very.” She looked at Blake. “I’m sorry for the way I arrived, I did hope to help our Demi. The other gods are fools.”
Baylan snorted. “And this is news to you?”
Nem laughed. “Not really, no. But some gods need a good zap to remind them to be nice,” she said looking over at Apollo.
“You’re probably right, just maybe don’t start a war on pack grounds. We have enough to be getting on with,” Blake said drily.
Nem nodded. “I promise not to do that again.”
“Thanks. Just know that you’re always welcome here. As you have gathered, we accept anyone here and have no problem with our godly family dropping in.”
Baylan laughed and nodded towards Frederick and Hades. “Looks like another god will be moving in.”
“If anyone needs time away from his realm and to be surrounded by friends, it’s Hades,” Nem declared.
Barnabus appeared back in Tartarus and looked around in shock and anger. The door had been melted away and the bindings which had been holding Ares were lying broken on the ground.
Barnabus screamed in anger and vanished back to the Hayes pack.