Part 18

Derek glanced at the girl who was studying him and his eyes widened in surprise which turned into a confused expression.

"Ashley?"

Though surprised for a bit, he could not afford to be distracted at the moment. There was an enemy to before him. Derek pushed thoughts of Ashley away and focused on the battle.

On the other hand, Ashley could only watch as Derek and Jordan teamed up against the immortal. Her memories flooded her thoughts and was overwhelming her. Her Cara and Ashley personas merged causing momentary confusion.

Amidst all this, the fire continued to spread and grow uncontrollably. It tore through the beams, ceilings, and walls. The smell of wood burning filled the air making it hard to breathe. The lodge was starting to fall apart as the inferno destroyed everything in its path. Eventually, the inferno encircled them leaving them trapped in the burning building.

Despite the chaos, the three supernaturals continued to fight. However, though Derek had come to rescue them, it might not be enough against a god. Hades was holding his own against them. But just when it seemed that Hades would gain the upper hand, Peter appeared unexpectedly and tackled the god.

Hades flew out the window leaving a huge gap in the wall. Seeing him fall unconscious, Peter went to the frozen Ashley and gently lifted her up. Ashley instinctively threw her arms around his neck and nestled into his chest. She could feel Peter simmering with rage but she also knew she was safe in his arms. He carried her outside and the placed her gently down on the grassy outdoors away from the fire.

Then, without a word, he walked coldly towards Hades who was trying to snap awake from being knocked out. Without wasting time, he jumped atop the god and started punching the man.

Consumed with anger, Peter threw each punch with everything he had in him. Left. Right. Left. Right. His face contorted as he let his beastly side take over. Peter was furious. And he directed all his energies towards the man who had taken Ashley from them. He wanted to make him hurt. Violently.

Through the barrage of punches, Hades eventually comes to his senses and throws Peter off him. He stood up and could taste the blood in his mouth. Hades looked at Peter incredulously. He was filled with disbelief that a mortal could make him draw blood.

Without giving him a chance to recover, the two Hale wolves and Parrish surrounded the Greek god and started attacking him. With the addition of Peter, their fighting prowess tripled giving them an advantage over ruler of the Underworld.

Hades was becoming frustrated. He couldn't believe that he would have a hard time against such puny beings. The reality though was harsh. Unlike Ashley whose power lied in traveling between worlds, he had been weakened by the dimension travelling. Moreover, being in a different realm was restricting his powers as if this world knew he did not belong.

Soon, the three men subdued the immortal. The god fell defeatedly to his knees before Peter. But before the fatal blow could be thrown, they were stopped by a single word.

"Stop!"

The four creatures turned to the girl who shouted.

Ashley had stood up and was walking slowly towards them. She looked weak but determined causing the men to hesitate.

Seeing the state that he was, she could only feel pity for the god. Kneeling down beside him, she breathed into her palms, rubbed them together then pressed her hands to his face hoping to bring him some warmth.

Hades stirred at her touch and slowly opened his eyes.

"Cara." He smiled affectionately at her despite his obvious pain.

Ashley helped him to his feet as her friends gave them room to converse privately.

Despite being a god, he looked worn out. It hadn't been long since they saw one another but he looked like he had aged centuries.

They stood in silence for several minutes before either talked.

"You have to let me go." She spoke softly but firmly.

Hades didn't reply but gazed into her eyes.

That's when he knew.

"You remember." It wasn't a question. He was stating a fact.

Ashley nodded. She remembered everything.

Again, there was silence.

"I can't go with you." Ashley attempted to reason with the god again.

"Why?" Hades glanced at her sadly. "You and I. We were made for each other. We belong together."

"I–I…" Ashley stammered, trying to find the words. "…can't."

Even she thought that was lame. As if a single word could explain it all away.

"Is it them?" Hades tilted his head towards the werewolves. "Are they the reason why?"

They both glanced the three men.

"You love him." Hades realized following her gaze.

She watched the two Hale wolves but doesn't deny his words.

He sighed and looked into her eyes, searching for any signs that she would change her mind. Finding none, he finally resigned himself to her decision.

"Fine."

She sighed in relief.

"But..."

Ashley froze, dreading what he would request.

"I will wait for you."

She raised an eyebrow at him, uncertain about what he meant.

"You and I. We're immortals. We will outlive these creatures. Until then, I will wait for you."

Ashley contemplated in his words as he continued.

"Go spend time with your wolves. Spend a lifetime or two with them." He spoke steadfastly. "And I will wait for you. I will wait lifetimes for you."

He stared at her longingly. His eyes filled with adoration and hope.

In the end, they will still be together.

Ashley blushed and turned her eyes away from his. She squirmed uncomfortably as she felt his gaze on her.

When she turned back to face him, she noticed that he was becoming translucent.

Startled, she reached out towards him hoping to make some sense of what was happening. She placed her hand on his arm as if to stop him from disappearing.

Hades smiled and reassured the panicking Ashley.

He wasn't a dimension traveler like her so he could only stay in their world for a limited time and now time had caught up with them.

He caressed her face and whispered as he faded away.

"I'll be waiting for you. No matter how it long takes."

Then he was gone.

Ashley stared at the spot he once stood. Her hands now clutching at nothing.

Finally, she lowered her hands and turned towards the three supernaturals. They looked at her with equal surprise.

Now, what was she to do?