CHAPTER 131: HUNTING

"Umm..." Peri stirred from her slumber, her head feeling slightly heavy.

She blinked a few times, adjusting to the soft light, then turned to her left—only to find a familiar silver head resting on the pillow beside her.

She was sleeping peacefully, lips parted ever so slightly, her breathing calm and even.

A gentle smile curved Peri’s lips at the sight.

Carefully, she sat up. That’s when she noticed another presence in the room.

Dozing in a chair, his head tilted forward, was Hades.

Peri’s chest tightened at the sight.

He must have been so worried...

The memories of last night crashed back, darkening her smile. What should have been the most beautiful night of her life had twisted into a nightmare.

She could no longer feel Samarella’s presence, but Peri knew she was still there—wounded, simmering with rage.

"Are you okay?" a soft voice asked.

Peri looked up. Hades was awake now, his gaze fixed on her.

She gave a small nod before trying to speak, "Wh-ah..." Her throat was too dry, the words scraping painfully out.

Hades quickly fetched water, holding it out to her. "Drink slowly," he instructed.

She obeyed, sipping carefully, her free hand resting absentmindedly on her chest—until she realized, with a small jolt of panic, that she was still naked beneath the sheets.

When she finished, she hesitated before mumbling, "Umm...could you bring me my clothes?"

Hades chuckled at her shy tone but obliged, fetching her bag from their room. He placed it nearby, then turned to face the wall, giving her space.

The sound of sheets rustling reached him, testing his self-control. His instinct urged him to glance back, but he resisted, not wanting to embarrass her further.

To distract himself, he asked, "How are you now? Still feeling that stuffy sensation?"

Peri paused as she buttoned her shirt, then answered softly, "No...not anymore. But my head feels heavy...and my lower back aches."

A wry smile touched Hades’s lips. "Well...I’ll admit, the latter might be my fault."

Peri let out a quiet sigh. "You really do have two sides..."

The gentle, caring Hades who was always there for his mates...and the other, the one who only revealed himself when night fell and doors closed.

Embarrassment flickered across Hades’s face. "Umm...did you have any bad dreams last night?"

Luna’s calming spell should have ensured peaceful rest, but with Samarella’s relentless hatred for Peri, he wasn’t certain.

Peri shook her head softly. "No...I had a comfortable sleep."

She slipped on her skirt and stepped closer, her voice quieter this time. "The one who appeared in my dream..."

Hades lowered his gaze, his own heavy with unspoken weight. "Yes...that was the being whose blood runs in me."

He had seen it through Zerathos’s vision—the glimpse of what that terrifying existence once was...and what it could still become. A Primordial being nearly bowing under his presence. That kind of power was anything but normal.

Peri’s hand reached for his, her fingers curling around it as she leaned her head against his back. Her voice trembled as she whispered, "I can’t believe it."

Her lips quivered. "My people worshipped her...believed she was the most benevolent of all. Unlike the other Primordial Dragons, she alone seemed to long for peace. But now...I think they were fools."

Her tone hardened, anger bleeding into every word. "I’ve seen her for what she really is—cruel, selfish, convinced that whatever she believes must be right. Never listening. Never caring. And I hate beings like that with every fiber of my soul."

For a fleeting instant, Peri felt the monster inside her stir. Her mana spiked, sharp and unstable—Hades sensed it too.

But before it could spiral, Hades turned suddenly and pulled her into his arms.

"Ah..."

Her scattered thoughts were cut off, swallowed by the steady thrum of his heartbeat against her cheek. His arms were firm, grounding her, his warmth seeping into her skin. His breath brushed against her hair, steady and real.

And in that moment, all she could feel—was him.

In a voice both soothing and burning with resolve, Hades whispered, "Didn’t I tell you I would never let you suffer that pain again?"

Peri closed her eyes, her reply faint. "Yes."

"Then trust me, Peri. Samarella won’t torment you anymore."

He already knew—if he let this drag on, Samarella would keep chipping away at her, waiting for the moment Peri broke and made a reckless choice. He couldn’t allow that.

That’s why Hades had decided, last night, what must be done.

Tonight, he would form a Blood Bond—with both of them.

"How unfair can you be..." came the groggy voice of a half-asleep phoenix.

Startled, the two turned toward the bed, their flustered gazes landing on Luna as she stirred.

Hades rose, still holding Peri’s hand, and stepped closer. "Didn’t want to disturb you," he said gently, extending his free hand.

Luna slid into his embrace without hesitation, her warmth pressing against him.

Sitting at the edge of the bed, Hades drew Peri to his other side, his arms encircling them both. He held his mates close, as though his very presence could shield them from every shadow that lingered.

Luna teased with a sly smile, "So, how does it feel to have two beautiful flowers in both hands?"

Hades’s lips curved warmly. "Feels great. Though...sometimes I wonder if I’m even worthy to hold the two of you."

Peri snickered. "Look at him—getting all flustered."

Luna chuckled softly. "Isn’t he cute when he’s like this?"

"That’s true," Peri agreed, her eyes twinkling.

Hades buried his embarrassment, but their laughter only made his ears burn hotter. Sitting between them while they spoke about him as if he weren’t even there was both endearing and mortifying.

After a brief pause, Luna’s tone grew a little more serious. "So...when are we doing the ritual?"

Hades’s brows knitted slightly. "Tonight," he answered, "if that isn’t a problem for you two."

Peri opened her mouth to reply, but Luna quickly cut in. "Not so fast, Peri. We can’t just agree to a blood bond without making him do something for us first."

Hades blinked at them, his expression almost boyishly innocent. "So...does that mean I should take you both shopping?"

Luna hummed, amused by his guess. She wouldn’t deny she wanted to explore the market, but she shifted the decision to her companion. "No. I’ll let you decide this one, Peri. I trust your judgment."

Peri’s eyes widened at the sudden responsibility. She hesitated, then, after a moment of thought, spoke gently. "Then...how about we do something Hades likes?"

Luna blinked before asking a little shyly, "Isn’t it a little too early to think about that? I mean, I am fine-"

"Hunting, you perverted Saintess. I am talking about hunting." Peri corrected, rolling her eyes.

Luna ooh-ed, "Well, we can do that too."

Hades chuckled, "Okay then, it’s decided."

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A/N:- Drop a comment.