Her parents are godly beings who are training her to become a goddess. She has fought her whole life for a chance to be in the limelight.
His parents argued constantly and were barely in his life. He was a normal boy until he was forced into shiftin...
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Aella Theos appeared before the palace, sighing as she landed. Her clothes changed from the simple dress she wore before to a long, flowy white dress with a golden ribbon tied around her waist. Her hair was gathered in a low bun at the nape of her neck with stray curls framing her face and a flower crown made up of red and white roses sat on top of her head. She looked, to put it simply, like a goddess.
"Your highness." the guards bowed to her as she walked by, entering the bright palace confidently.
Olympus was a grand place with many sights to admire. While Aella's mother had been raised in the mortal realm, Persephone often spoke praise of Olympus and loved to visit it. Hades, on the other hand, claimed Olympus was too 'bright'. He didn't like to go there.
"Aella!" Lyra walked down the main staircase, embracing the young redhead. "Welcome back!"
"Hi, Lyra. I've missed you." Lyra pulled away, holding Aella at her arms length as she inspected her.
"Oh, I've missed you too, darling. It's odd not seeing you every day."
"Good thing you left when you did, though. The Cullens and the wolves almost went to war."
Lyra frowned, rolling her eyes. "I saw."
The two began to walk, heading to the throne room, where all the gods and goddess met. They only gathered there on important dates, to discuss issues or intimidate visitors. Aella hated that room. The gods seemed bigger while sitting on their thrones.
"They've been awaiting your return. Ever since his majesty ruled for your coronation." Lyra explained, Aella wincing slightly. That meant that every single god and goddess was here. Including her father. She had only come to visit her mother and grandmother, not for an intervention!
Lyra paused once before the door, her wrist stopping mid-knock. "You didn't bring Jared by any chance?"
Aella shook her head, Lyra sighing. "He needs to be here. Wait, I'll go get him."
Lyra disappeared before Aella could protest, coming back with Jared in tow. His clothes had also been changed, replaced by a white suit. His eyes were wide as he took in the palace and the golden door before him.
"Ella, where are we?"
Aella approached Jared, his arm wrapping around her. "Olympus. The gods want to see us."
"Us?"
"Us." she confirmed, Jared closing his eyes. He took a deep breath and relaxed, taking in Aella's scent.
"Okay, let's do this."
Lyra knocked once, the doors opening. She stepped aside, making way for the couple.
"Good luck." she bid them, before closing the doors.
Jared watched as the doors shut behind them, turning to face the gods. He gulped, noticing how the higher beings surrounded them, all sitting comfortably on golden thrones. Right in front of them was Zeus, his seat higher and seemingly flashier than the others. On his right sat Poseidon, on his left Hades. Hades seemed bored at first, perking up when he noticed Jared by Aella's side.
Jared looked to Aella in confusion. Should he bow before them or something?
Aella smiled at Jared before turning to her family and stepping forward. "Uncle Zeus." she greeted, bowing her head at the king. Jared followed her actions, also bowing his head.
"Aella. Jared."
"Mother, Father. I was not aware that my visit was much anticipated." Persephone smiled apologetically from her seat next to Hades.
"We hope we didn't startle you, my dear."
"You didn't. I was just confused." Aella assured her mother.
"Sit, we have much to discuss." Zeus motioned behind the couple, two chairs appearing. They did as told, sitting down hesitantly.
"Do we, uncle? Have much to discuss, I mean."
Zeus chuckled, turning to his brother. "She is a lot like you, Hades. Just as mistrusting of my intentions as you are."
"With good reason, brother." Hades replied.
"As you said Uncle, you brought us here with motive. I'd like to know why."
"Control your temper, Aella. You are not a goddess yet." Ares reminded the girl, Aella bristling at his words. The man was more arrogant than her father, and that was saying something.
"I believe she was speaking to me, Ares."
Ares rolled his eyes but did not reply, not willing to anger Zeus tonight.
"Now Aella, you received my message?"
"I did."
"And you have made your decision?"
Aella glanced at Jared. "I have not."
"Tell me, what is holding you back?"
"Do you have to ask, Zeus? I believe the answer is sitting next to her." Aphrodite snickered, smirking as she watched Jared.
Aella ignored Aphrodite's comment. "I don't think I'm ready."
"Yet you are ready to be married." Hades muttered under his breath, glaring at Aella's engagement ring. Aella, noticing his stare, covered her left hand. Jared grabbed her left hand from under her right, smiling when she turned to him in confusion. He rubbed his thumb over the ring, realizing why he was there as well. The engagement was the problem.
"Yes, thank you Hades for bringing that up. You are getting married, are you not, Aella?"
"With all due respect, Uncle, I believe that decision has nothing to do with you."
"While it is your decision to make, yes, I have to consider the effects your, ahem, union has on Olympus."
"I don't understand."
"Jared? Do you see what I'm getting at here?"
Jared shifted in his seat as all eyes turned to him. "She can't marry me because I'm a shapeshifter, am I right?"
Zeus leaned back in his seat, nodding. "Yes, you have half of it. You see, Jared, in our history, your kind has been portrayed in a rather poor light. And even if you stopped shifting to be with Aella, you would be left mortal. Which is still beneath our rank."
Aella stood suddenly, her eyes wide in shock. "But there's got to be a way Jared and I can be together. There's a reason the fates put us together."
"I'm afraid not, Aella."
"I won't become a goddess, then."
"It is not that simple, daughter. You would still be a princess, princess of the underworld." Hades interfered.
"I'm not breaking up with Jared."
"The only way for you to be with him would be if you were mortal." Hera spoke.
"Then I'll be mortal."
Persephone sighed. "We anticipated that you would say that."
"Which is why I have come to a solution." Zeus stood. "First, I must warn you, to become mortal is to lose all your powers and forfeit your birthrights. You would no longer be allowed to see your parents either."
Aella glanced to her parents, both looking heartbroken at the thought. "And if I decide against it, I can't marry Jared?"
Zeus nodded solemnly. "I am sorry, Aella, but it is the only way."
"You have until midnight on January 1st to decide. Until then, think this over. Think about what you truly want." Poseidon announced, also standing.
Jared stood, wrapping his arm around Aella. "Then I suppose we'll see you on January 1st."
