26

I gasped as I sat up, it took me a moment to remember I was back in mine and Hades' room. I quickly looked over to see Hades still sleeping and sighed in relief.

I felt my face as tears streamed down my cheeks, making me remember the dream. More like nightmare. I shook the horrible vision from my head before relaxing against Hades again.

I gently kissed his temple and pulled him close, needing to make sure he was actually here.

He turned in my arms and looked at me with concerned eyes.

"Are you okay? Why are you crying?" He whispered, wiping away my tears.

I softly cried, "I-I dreamed that I didn't accept you. That I ran away from you and because of that, I died. Then it was in your point of view and I could feel your pain as you died as well."

He furrowed his eyebrows and wrapped his arms around me. He gently kissed me and then nuzzled his face against my neck.

"You're never going to lose me, baby girl. Don't worry, okay?" He whispered soothingly.

I swallowed my sobs and nodded. I hugged him back, hiding my face in his neck. We laid like this for a while until I was relaxed again. Once we parted we got up and walked down stairs.

I glanced at his wrapped hand and frowned. "How does your hand feel?"

He held it up and looked at it for a moment. "It feels better, thank you."

I smiled and kissed his cheek, "Welcome."

Once we reached the kitchen I smiled at Melody and Jackson. Hades sat down then pulled me onto his lap.

"So, any news on rogues?" Hades asked.

Jackson shrugged, "The usual, coming onto our territory and attacking patrols."

"Figures." Hades sighed.

I rested my head against his shoulder. "Isn't it December 15th today?" I asked.

"Yeah, why?" Hades replied.

Melody and I looked at each other with wide eyes.

"We need to decorate for Christmas!" We both gasped before climbing off our mates' laps and scurrying down the hall.

"I bet you twenty dollars they're going to make us grab a Christmas tree." Hades sounded.

"No they're not, we have a fake one." Jackson replied.

Melody and I smirked at each other. "Jackson, you may want to give him that twenty dollars! You two are grabbing us a real tree!" Melody called.

We laughed as Jackson groaned and Hades said a loud. "I told you so, bitch."

"Damn it, I poked myself in the eye again!" Jackson cussed.

Hades rolled his eyes, "I told you not to hold it from there, but you never listen."

"I don't need your comments, Hades." Jackson snapped back.

Hades only continued to smirk as they set the tree in place. Once the tree was perfect, I grinned and grabbed the box of ornaments.

Melody quickly grabbed the guys before they could sneak off, causing them both to groan.

"You're going to help us decorate, you like it or not." Melody stated firmly.

Hades frowned, "Melody, I really-

"Hades, you used to always do this with your parents, why not with us?" Melody questioned, cutting him off.

A sorrowful look crossed her features as she looked at him. I frowned as he shook his head. I quickly placed the box down and dragged him out of the room.

I then brought him to his office and closed the door.

"Are you okay? Honey, what's wrong?" I asked, worried.

He looked at me before breaking down. He fell to the ground and cries loudly, burying his face in his hands.

My heart shattered at the sight, I quickly sat beside him and pulled him into a hug.

I ran my fingers through his hair and whispered soothing words.

"I-I didn't...d-decorate...s-s-since the...a-accident." He sobbed.

I had my own tears pool in my eyes as my grip tightened. I kissed the top of his head.

"It's okay, you don't have to decorate. You can go for a run or take a warm bath." I replied.

He slowly looked up, his eyes were wet and red, his face was wet with tears and his cheeks were rosy.

"Th-the twenty-third...is the anniversary of..th-their deaths." He whispered.

I pulled him close again as he started to cry. My mind was swimming with questions, but the main one stuck with me. Was he ever allowed to mourn over his parents' deaths? I mean, sure, doing something without them would be hurtful. But to cry and breakdown like this? I've never seen someone do this years after the death.

"Hades, were you ever allowed to mourn?" I blurted out without thinking.

He froze for a second before slightly nodding. "F-for a day..." He mumbled.

I frowned, "That's it?"

"He said mourning is weak..."

"Hades, there is nothing weak about mourning. It's showing emotion, how you feel about the deaths."

"He wanted me to be heartless and cruel."

I sighed, "And he's wrong for doing that. It's okay to cry."

He glanced at me, "Even for a man?"

"Yes, even for a man. You're human or well a werewolf too. Why wouldn't you be allowed to cry? You have emotions, show them."

He nodded before sighing and resting his head on me. I gently stroked his cheek, kissing him every now and then.

"Luna, do you want us to wait to decorate?" Melody mind-linked.

"Wait a sec."

"Okay."

"Hey, do you want to decorate? Or no?" I asked softly.

He swallowed, "I think my mom would strangle me if I didn't." He smiled sadly.

I chuckled, "Okay, then let's go."

I laughed as Hades threw the glitter at Jackson. Jackson scowled at him before throwing fake snow at Hades. Melody and I just watched with amusement as they acted like kids again.

"You know, Jackson didn't have a childhood either. Him and Hades were best friends and he vowed to go through whatever Hades was going through. They're like brothers almost." She whispered.

I smiled, "At least a shoulder to cry on."

"Oh yeah, a lot of crying. His father's Beta is such a revolting man, Hades doesn't admit it, but he's afraid to face the mutt."

I nodded, "I don't want him to get hurt anymore."

Melody smiled softly, "He'll get hurt again, him and Jackson can be idiots and do stupid things. But mentally...Hades is going to always hurt. Not until he's able to move away from his past, it's going to haunt him. It has been haunting him."

I watched him silently, smiling at the light in his eyes. There was no sign of fear, sorrow, or anything of that nature. Looking at him now you would have guessed that he had an awesome childhood. For part of it, he was loved. By his parents and pack, but I know that's not true.

His past is starting to haunt me as well, making me worried about him every day. I love him and seeing him get hurt like he did breaks my heart. He doesn't deserve that, even though he was a huge prick in the beginning.

Hades walked over to me and placed his hands on my hips.

"Are you okay?" He asked, placing his lips on mine.

I smiled between our kiss before pulling away. "Just thinking."

"You're always thinking." He chuckled before sitting beside me.

I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed. "I do, huh?"

"Yeah, what are you thinking about anyway?"

"Nothing."

"Celina..."

"Your past."

He stayed quiet for a little while before bringing me into his lap.

"Celina, don't let my past follow you. I don't want you thinking about it, it's not a fun place to be. Trust me. Just...focus on the future."

"You should do the same." I murmured, giving him a sad look.

He pursed his lips, "I'm trying."

"I know." I sounded, wrapping my arms around his neck.

He suddenly stood up and carried me to the room. He then closed the door and placed me on the bed before swinging the closet doors open.

"What are you doing? You aren't about to go fifty shades of grey on me, are you? Because I am most definitely not into that type of stuff." I voiced.

He chuckled, "Nope, don't worry, I'm not into that either."

He walked back out holding a beautiful red dress. He placed it on the bed before grabbing a towel.

"We are going out to dinner." He stated, walking into the bathroom.

I hurried off the bed and followed him. "Dinner?"

He nodded, "Yeah, we both need it."

I smiled and hugged him from behind.

"I love you." I whispered.

He turned and kissed my head, "I love you too."

I finished up my hair before throwing my shoes on. I was finishing putting the one heel on when Hades walked out of the bathroom.

I knew my eyes were black as I looked at him. He was wearing a black dress shirt with a red tie, black dress pants, black dress shoes, and his hair was spiked.

I swallowed, suddenly feeling nervous. We've been together for a month now and I'm still a love struck puppy.

"You coming?" He asked, his voice laced with amusement.

I blushed and scurried to my feet, I gently took his hand and followed him.

We walked outside to see a nice black sports car. Hades opened the passenger door and motioned for me to get in.

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Aren't you afraid of cars?"

"Jackson and I have been working on that...this is the sixth car we got because I shifted in the last five." He said with a shrug. "I'm not really afraid anymore."

He closed the door before hopping into the diver's seat.

"Wait, do you even have your license?" I asked.

He smirked, "Yeah, skipped over the written test and permit. The perks of being a cousin to the guy in charge of the driving school."

"So, he taught you everything?"

He nodded, "Driven about ten times since then."

I smiled as he started the car and drove off.