Hades' Cursed Luna novel Chapter 116

Hades

I leaned back in my chair, glaring at her in disbelief. "You’ve got to be kidding me."

Her smirk widened, her eyes glinting with something that made her look a bit less dead. "I’m dead serious. Open up, or this train’s about to crash into your face."

"Red, don’t you dare—"

The fork edged closer. I could feel the tension in the air, a challenge wrapped in her playful mockery. She wasn’t going to back down. And the worst part was I wasn’t sure if I wanted her to.

With a low growl, I grabbed her wrist, halting the fork’s approach. "You think this is funny?"

Her expression didn’t falter. "No, I think it’s necessary. And if humiliating you a little is what it takes to make you eat, then so be it. If the Hand of Death needs to be the spoonfed then so be it."

I stared at her, trying to summon the anger that usually came so easily. But instead, there was something else—something warmer, more unsettling, curling in my chest. I hated how she managed to disarm me with her sheer stubbornness. Hated it, and yet... couldn’t look away.

Mate

I shook my head. No, no, it was anything but that, the index would show just that. I could not get carried away, it was scientifically improbable. "Fine," I snapped, releasing her wrist. "Give me that." I snatched the fork from her hand and shoved the bite of steak into my mouth, chewing aggressively as if I could destroy her resolve with sheer spite.

Her laughter, soft and quiet, slipped through the cracks in my armor. "See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?"

I swallowed and glared at her, but the bite lacked venom. "You’re insufferable."

"And you’re predictable," she shot back, reclaiming her seat. She folded her arms again, her gaze never leaving me. "But I’m not going anywhere until you finish."

"Of course you’re not," I muttered, stabbing another piece of steak with unnecessary force. Her persistence was maddening, but there was no denying that it worked. The food might taste like ash, and my stomach might churn with every bite, but at least I was eating. For her.

The thought settled uncomfortably in my mind. Why did her opinion matter so much? Why did she matter so much?

The silence stretched between us, but it wasn’t hostile. It was... heavy, charged. I could feel her watching me, feel the weight of her concern pressing against the walls I’d built around myself. She didn’t pry, didn’t push for answers I wasn’t ready to give. She just... stayed. And somehow, that was worse.

When I finally set the fork down, leaving a few stubborn bites untouched, she leaned forward slightly. "That’s all you’ve got?"

"That’s all you’re getting," I replied, my tone sharp but tired. My body ached in ways I didn’t want to acknowledge, and the Flux gnawed at the edges of my mind like a beast waiting to strike. But knew for a fact that it was over, for now.

Her eyes softened, and for a moment, I thought she might argue. But then she nodded, her lips curving into a faint smile. She picked up the fork and picked up the piece of food. She eat it and picked up another one. She brought it to my mouth. "You are almost there, Hades,"

"Red," I growled.

She feigned a frown like a mother trying to mimick a child. "Hadey Wadey."

"What in the goddess’ name was that?" I snarled.

"Your new nickname if you don’t finish this food." She brought the food closer. "So come on."

I glared at her, her eyes damn near boring holes into her face but she did not react to my scrutiny. I opened my mouth and she fed me. She did not gloat after I eat it instead, she picked off the rest of the food and fed me until she got what she wanted. Until the plate was empty.

"Now, we are done. You can go and play outside--- I mean we can go and train."

I wanted to smile but I scoffed, pushing the plate away. "Don’t let it go to your head, Red. I didn’t do this for you."

"Sure you didn’t," she said, standing up, she picked up the napkin and wiped my face. She was so close again, honey and lavender

Her closeness sent a ripple of something I couldn’t quite name through me. The faint scent of honey and lavender clung to her, intoxicating in a way I didn’t want to admit. My jaw tightened as her fingers brushed my cheek while she wiped away a stray smear of sauce.

I wanted to pull away, to reassert some semblance of control, but instead, I stayed still, frozen under her gaze. She was focused, her brows furrowed slightly as if the act of cleaning my face was a matter of utmost importance.

When she finally stepped back, a triumphant smile tugged at her lips. "There. All better. Now you won’t embarrass yourself in front of Our pack."

Our