“But you are also mine. You have to be.” Ares followed quickly. He looked annoyed at Carson.
My body started to itch because of the warmth, “can someone please open a window,” I said.
Ares walked towards me, lifting me up in his embrace. I felt my body relax again, the warmth slowly settling down.
“How do you recognize your mate?” I asked Ares.
“Your wolf recognizes your mate instantly” Ares responded, keeping me in his tight embrace.
“Hasn’t your wolf said anything?” Carson asked.
I shook my head, “she’s been quiet.”
I looked up to Ares, “does that mean I can choose, that it’s my decision?”
I saw Ares’s eyes started to fill with anger
“Yes, it is,” Carson said.
“I’m not sharing,” Ares growled to Carson
“It’s her choice, not yours,” Carson growled in return.
“stop it! It’s my choice Ares. You can't make me,” I buried my face in his neck, inhaling his scent.
I felt his heart beat slow down again. I heard my stomach rumble. I could heard Ares chuckle, “Hungry?” he asked. I looked up to him and then to Carson.
“Only if you two play nice,” I said with a smile.
“I’m not doing anything, it’s mister grumpy pants over there,” Carson said while pointing to Ares.
I cupped Ares’s face, “be nice, he’s your best friend. Your beta. For me.” Ares nodded in return.
My eyes lingered to his lips, a small smile formed on his. I pulled him closer, making our lips softly touch. A tingling sensation ran through my entire body. I turned in his embrace, pinning my legs around his waist. I pressed myself against him. He devoured every inch. I felt myself drift away in this sensation.
I pulled my lips from his and chuckled. I turned to meet Carson's eyes. I reached out and pulled him closer. I heard a small growl coming from Ares. I quickly gave him a death glare in return.
Carson moved closer, leaning in. When our lips touched, the same tingling sensation emerged. I moaned in his mouth when Ares started kissing the marking spot. My back arched. I felt his hardened length between my legs. I started moving my hips against his.
The moment was broken when another growl left Ares’s lips. Carson pulled me of Ares’s embrace. Pinning me behind him. I saw Ares fighting with his wolf.
“you have to leave,” Cason said, worried.
“No, I’m not leaving you.”
He gripped my arms, “I will be fine, but I won’t let anything happen to you”
I nodded in return and quickly left. Before I closed the door, I saw Ares shifting. Lunging for Carson. I ran outside, away from them. I just hoped he wouldn’t kill Carson.
I made my way to the orphanage. I still hadn’t eaten. I went into the kitchen to get some sandwiches. I was finishing the last one when the head mistress walked in. She immediately looked at my neck.
“What?” I asked with my mouth full.
“I just wondered if he marked you already,” she said with a fake smile.
I ignored her statement, “well, I’m here. What is it you have to tell me?”
“I’m not telling you anything,” she said while tossing a dirty old book before me.
“I don’t know what’s inside. It’s sealed with a spell. I think only you can open it. When your parents brought you here, they gave it to me, to give to you when you turn eighteen. I never saw your parents again after that. They told me you were an omega. But I think you figured out by yourself, you’re not. You are much stronger than that. I think they were running away from something. I don’t know for what or where they are right now. I know I have always been hard on you. A lot of members in the pack always felt threatened by you. We could always feel your strength. That’s why I tried to get you away from Ares.” Her eyes filled with regret.
With everything she told me, I felt even more confused. “It’s fine, I know I wasn’t the easiest growing up.”
The headmistress nodded and left. I looked at the book she threw before me. I felt Rhys pressing forward again. I rolled my eyes at her, “look who finally shows up.”
She growled in return, “you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
I picked up the book and made my way to my bedroom. I sat down on my bed. I tried to open the lock on the book, but couldn’t. I sighed, “great.”
I felt my body changing when Rhys took control. Claws formed from my fingertips. With her claws she opened the book. Like the lock was made for her. The claws retreated when Rhys gave me back control.
Happy birthday,
By the time you read this, we will no longer walk this earth. We regret we couldn’t be with you, but we had to keep you safe. There are still followers of Hephaestus. We need you to remember the stories we told you about the Gods.
For the first time in a thousand years, Aphrodite and Ares walk this earth together. We know you don’t remember your past lives and we can't say too much. But please know, you won’t recognize your mate, but they will recognize you.
Lots of love,
Your parents,
Jovis and Dione
The other pages of the book were blank, I kept running through them. Hoping I missed something. I sighed in disappointment.
Do my parents mean Ares is really Ares?
“Rhys, can you please stop ignoring me,” I mumbled to her.
I felt her pressing forward, “It’s not my time, not yet.”
“You can't leave me alone in this. Ares said your wolf recognizes your mate. You can help me.”
I felt her stirring again.
“What are you hiding from me?” I asked her, annoyed.
“I can't, I can't recognize our mate. You have to make that decision. I can't help you.” I could hear her disappointment in herself.
Maybe it would help if we shift, I thought to myself.
“When can we shift?” I asked her.
I could hear her joy, “now if you want.”
I walked towards the edge of the forest behind the orphanage. I looked around, making sure I was alone before taking off my clothes. I was waiting for Rhys to take over, I was completely naked and nothing happened. ‘What are you waiting for,’ I said, annoyed at Rhys. I could hear her laugh before I could feel my bones breaking. I fell to the ground. I know the stories of the first shift. The pain you have to go through. I screamed out. My bones started to realign. My body covering in fur. My breathing was heavy, and my sight started to change. My hands were replaced by paws. The ground felt different. Everything felt different. It felt empowering being in this form. My fur had a gold shimmer running through it. I started running through the forest. I never felt freer than at that moment. The wind brushed through my fur. I had never been this far out before. I could hear water running. I tried following the sound. I gasped at the sight of this beautiful waterfall. I heard something
He looked at me with a smile, “do you really have to ask? I think you know by now how he is. Especially when it comes to you.” “I thought you mind linked him back.” Confusion was written all over my face. “I did, but he was still mad,” he said with a chuckle. “Did he hurt you this morning?’’ I asked him, concerned. “I believe he would never kill me, but he is still the god of war,” he said with an eye roll. “So, it’s true?” I asked. “It's not my place. You should really talk to him,” he said with a sigh. We walked inside. I wanted his touch. But he wouldn’t let me hold his hand. He was right, I shouldn’t have annoyed Ares this much. The entire packhouse looked like a mess. As if he tossed everything around. Carson pointed to the stairs. “Is there anywhere else than his bedroom I could talk to him?” I asked with an eye roll. I could hear Carson laugh at my comment. “He’s not as romantic as me,” he said with a wink. I made my way upstairs, and when I reached the top of the sta
I saw Carson running toward us, gripping Ares’s. I tried pushing Ares off me. Squirming underneath him. I felt his canines piercing my skin. The tingling sensation became stronger, running through my body like a fire that had awoken. When his canines pierced through my bone I felt my body go numb and weak. I saw Carson stepping back, while a tear ran down his cheek. Ares took my choice away. It was my decision, not his to make. Ares retrieved his canines and sealed the marking with his tongue, instantly healing it. He slowly moved off me. I knew he could feel my anger towards him. “I'm sorry, I had to do it,” he mumbled with regret. I pushed myself up, walking towards Ares and slapping him full in his face. “How could you? It was my choice. You knew what I wanted,” I said, trying to control my anger. A small growl left his lips, “I won’t share, you know that. You’re mine, only mine.” “I’m not yours, this mark doesn’t make you own me. It means nothing when it’s not done out of lov
Ares POV Maybe I shouldn’t have done what I did, but I need her to remember. She needs to see who we are to each other. With every life I lived, I lived in search of her, and every time I died alone. Waking up again in the same body, living the same life. I’ve seen everything, seen kingdoms rise and fall. But never my love. Until now. I won’t share her. I had to share her with her husband before. To be honest, without his knowledge. I chuckled at the thought. “He was never good enough for her,” my wolf, Gideon, said with a growl. “No, he wasn’t,” I mumbled. She will see that we are meant for each other. We are each other’s redemption. To get out of this life and be gods again. I never loved anyone else before or after her. And I never will. Nobody can compare to her. We are meant for each other. She always challenged me. Even now, before she knew who she was, of who I am to her. She never feared me, only loved me. Accepted every part of me. There was a loud knocking on my door. I
Jamie (Aphrodite) POV My whole body was aching as if I had been hit by a train. I felt myself slowly waking up. I could hear Ares calling for me. However, my throbbing heart made the sound of his voice hurt my ears. “Can you please be quiet,” I mumbled. He responded with a small growl. I tried opening my eyes, but the sun was hurting my eyes. I noticed we weren’t in the packhouse anymore. My eyes started adjusting to the light. Only then did I notice we were in the same car as the day I went shopping with Carson. I found the scent of Ares southing me, making the pain slowly subside. I was still mad at him for what he did. But with everything I saw, I understand why he did it. I noticed him staring at me. I laid back down, placing my head on his lap. “I’m not forgiving you, but I do understand.” I looked up, meeting his eyes. I felt the mate bond snap into place. I could hear my wolf Rhys screaming, MATE MATE MATE. I chuckled, I could feel how happy she was she could finally rec
Carson POV It hurt me to say those words, but I had to listen to my Alpha. He knew instantly she was talking to me. I want to be there for her, always. Be by her side. I hope I can someday, but I doubt he will let me. The pull she has towards me will fade. The love she feels for me will fade. With her being the reincarnation of the goddess Aphrodite or is she Aphrodite? Aach, my head. It is so confusing. Ares wants me to reject her, but I can't. The pain it will bring her, the pain it will bring me. I won’t reject her. I know she doesn’t recognize me as her mate, so maybe it won’t hurt her. But I can't let her go. I know if I do anything, Ares will kill me. He made that perfectly clear. He doesn’t care what it would do to Jamie. He only wants her to be his. When she completes the mate bond, there will be no room left for me. Her friend, Liza, hadn’t been quiet for a sec. My head hurts because of her constant blaring. I don’t know if she noticed, or if Jamie told her anything. But sh
Ares POV She can't keep denying me. I know what she feels. She has to accept me as her mate. If she doesn’t, we would both be back in limbo. With everything she saw, all her past lives. How could she still choose not to complete the marking? When she slapped me, I left her room. I needed to give her space and time. She is only eighteen. But she is Aphrodite, so actually she is older than me. Well, her soul is. I sent some of my men to get some food for us. I don’t want to leave this house until the marking is complete. My beta can take care of the pack business. It would keep him busy and distracted. He will soon forget about her. He can't be her mate. Impossible. After I did some minor work, I made my way back upstairs. I was debating if I should see her, or leave her alone. I was pacing in the hallway when I heard her moans. I walked to her door, listening in. By the sound, I knew it was her and Carson. “I want to be with you, you are my mate. But so is Ares. He has to accept it
Jamie POV Ares took me back to his house, without answering my question. I had a feeling he was up to something. I couldn’t put my finger on it. Ares wanted me in his bed, but I wanted to be alone. Actually, I wanted to be in his arms, but I couldn't. He has to accept I have two mates. They are both parts of my soul, I need them both to feel complete. To feel truly happy. He has to come around. I was lying in my bed, my mind was going over everything that happened. The pull towards Ares grows stronger every second. As if my mark is burning, my entire body is burning in desire for my mate. I could feel my arousal rising, I needed some sort of release before I could sleep. I tossed and turned, kicking the blanket off me. A small knock was on the door before Carson walked inside. “I can smell you outside,” he said with a purr. My eyes wandered over his bare chest, slowly moving down. His boxers were tight around his hardened length. I bit my lip unwillingly. I got up on my knees a