Yes, Your Highness (18+)

22

•──⋅☾ Hades ☽⋅──•

"Hades!" That infuriating voice echoed across the dark expanse of the Styx River. Charon had recently upgraded to a larger skiff, a fact that only added to my irritation. Did he have to shout from that distance? I rolled my eyes, fully aware that this was just his usual annoyance. "What do you want?" I snapped as he expertly docked the skiff and leapt off as if it were a stroll in the park.

"I think you need to reach out to Zeus," Charon replied, his tone far too casual for my taste. My orbs narrowed, and I couldn't help but scoff. "And why on earth would I want to see his ridiculous face again? After the last time?"

"It's about Chase!" he shouted back, and my irritation flared into a growl. "Keep your voice down. The river's already moaning enough as it is," I huffed, my frustration mixing with the weight of centuries spent in this realm of shadows, a testament to the endless time I had lingered here among lost souls. Being the son of Cronus and Rhea came with its own set of divine curses.

But when Charon mentioned Chase, my heart skipped a beat. The one child I had never gotten the chance to say goodbye to before his exile. I always expected Zeus to banish him to my domain, leaving me with some semblance of family. Instead, I found myself alone with Charon and the restless spirits waiting to cross the Styx. Well, not entirely with Charon. "Please don't tell me he's died like an idiot," I muttered, and Charon let out a mocking laugh, his expression playful as he summoned a crystal orb.

Peering into it, I saw Chase. Alive. Thriving, even. Relief washed over me, but it quickly morphed into shock when I noticed the figure beside him—the daughter of Nyx, the goddess of night. My eyes widened as recognition hit me. Charon's sister. I felt the words die on my lips, a lump forming in my throat.

"Hades, are you not going to tell Zeus that his grandson is back?" Charon prodded, and I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration. "His exile isn't over yet, you brat," I retorted, earning a huff from him. "Look who's talking, the king who won't even reach out to his little brother."

"Fine. I'll talk to him. If Chase is back, it can only mean one thing," I said, a sense of determination rising within me. The Underworld might be my throne, but it seemed like destiny had other plans.

•──⋅☾ Chase ☽⋅──•

I sprinted through the dense, tangled underbrush, the thrill of the chase electrifying every nerve in my body. On my back, Stephanie nestled against my fur, her warmth fueling my determination. We were escaping into the heart of the wild, deeper than the mountains, venturing to a secret haven I had known during my years of exile. My heart raced, not just from the speed but from the fierce growl of jealousy rumbling within me. The scent of her, tinged with him, made my blood boil, igniting a primal urge to claim what felt rightfully mine.

The woods were my sanctuary, a refuge where the world couldn't pry into my soul. Ahead loomed a new cabin, grander than the one Stephanie had been in before. Yet, unease prickled at my senses; shadows flickered, and I could feel the weight of eyes upon me, an all-too-familiar sensation that lit a fire of anger within. I had left home as a young wolf, shunned and isolated—my parents unable to reach me during my exile, abandoning me to learn life's harsh lessons in the mortal realm. But I had done nothing wrong. They feared me because I was destined to become one of the strongest werewolves in a time filled with legends. I was born of Athena and Ares, a living weapon, wrapped in the enigma of my very existence—true Greek gods did not carry last names.

Despite the trials, my purpose remained clear: to fight for her. Through countless lifetimes, I had searched for Stephanie, the one soul who resonated with my heart, never faltering, never truly dying.