Demon was hiding in the woods and watching the wolves from the three different packs work together. He watched as some worked to build new houses, barns, sheds, and even a new school for all of the new children. The hospital was being added on, and the firepit was enlarged with a second fire, with more tables, chairs, and benches. He wondered why they needed such a large fire pit and so many places for people to sit. People, or wolves, as Lorna had taught him, were strange. They mostly were with each other doing things all the time. They fought pretend wars with each other, which they called training. Demon didn't have to ask why they did that, he knew from what had just happened it was so they would be prepared to defend their families. That seemed to be the only thing the males worried over, keeping their females and children safe. They all had different jobs to do every day, but still, they worked together to get everything done. They dined together at a big table in one of the big rooms. The room was inside of another big building they called the packhouse.
Although, he found it all strange, Demon was drawn to these wolves. They treated him like one of them the moment they understood he meant them no harm. He spent most of his time protecting as the males of the wolf species did. They did not care he was not a wolf and that he was ugly and left oozing gunk everywhere he went. They acted like they saw none of that. Even hugged him and patted him on the back like an old friend. It made him feel like a part of something.
On the side of one of the barns, Kane and Amara caught his eye. Kane was leaning with his back against the barn and had Amara pulled tight against his chest. She was snuggled up against him while he rubbed his chin on the top of her head. They just stayed there like that for a few minutes. then Amara looked up, and Kane bent down, giving her a quick kiss. The two separated and went off to accomplish their tasks for the day. Lorna had explained to him that Kane and Amara were mated which meant they were made for one another. She explained how it can be very hard sometimes for mates to find one another. She wasn't sure how the moon goddess figured out who went with whom and how they got together. Demon thought if he ever met the moon goddess he would explain to her that if she mated those who lived the closest to each other, they would find each other easier. He chuckled to himself at how easy that was to solve. The poor moon goddess was probably just so busy she didn't have time to think about things like that. She mates her wolves with each other and watches over them to make sure they live good lives. It sounded like she needed a thinker. Maybe she would be so impressed with his problem-solving that she would allow him to be her thinker.
What Demon was really hoping was that the moon goddess would reward him and would be able to do so by giving him his own mate. He would like to have someone to love and love him in return. There was none of this where he came from. No one wanted to help anyone; Hades usually had to threaten to get everyone to work together. There was love, but it was different; they acted more like they hated one another except for when they had sex. Even then, it was not a gentle coupling; it was violent and intense. Sometimes the weaker of the couple or group came out so injured that they did not live. A shiver ran down his spine as he thought for the millionth time, "Who would want to do something you may not live through just for pleasure?" No, Demon thought he would rather have something like his new friends had. Demon stayed where he was and just watched until he heard his favorite voice in the whole world.
"Sir Demon, I finished my lessons. Mama said we could go fishing now," Leo yelled as he ran toward his best friend and protector. Demon spun and stepped away from the tree. He squatted down a bit, opening his arms. The little boy came racing into them and threw his little arms around his neck. Leo was the sweetest little person he had the pleasure to meet. He was supposed to capture the boy if he came across him or even kill him, but he just couldn't. The little boy had known he was there to cause harm to him and his family, but still, he saved Demon's life. Demon decided he would not obey his boss and would pay the consequences when the time came but for now, he protected the little warlock. That was his job, his sole job, in the pack, protecting Leo. The only time he was not with Leo was when he was with one of his parents or a trusted ranking wolf. Otherwise, they ate, slept, played, and learned, with the exception of warlock stuff, together. Leo's mama had noticed Demon paying attention when she was teaching the little boy reading, writing, and math, so she asked him if he had ever learned. When she found out that demons really did not need to know stuff like that in the underworld she had a fit. Muttering no wonder Mr. Hades was always in a bad mood. He was probably robbed blind because he was too stupid to read and write. Demon didn't understand what a blind was and why someone would want to steal it but he still thought Leo's mama was funny. She had explained that he did not have to call her Leo's mama and that he could call her Evelynn. She had asked him if he was a child or an adult demon. He was hurt that she could not tell he was an adult. When Evelynn saw the hurt in his eyes she hugged him and said she was sorry.
After that day, Demon worked on learning as much as he could about reading, writing, math, adulting, and the world he now found himself living in. Smiling as he and Leo walked to the lake and waterfall, he thought when Hades called him home to kill him for disobeying, he would die happy. He got to live in the light. The only light most demons experience is the light they steal from others. Demon continued to smile as he and Leo were baiting their fishing rods. Leo was chattering the entire time, "Oh, Demon, guess what? Mama and Gammy finally found that spell they were telling you about. The one that will keep everybody clean because it will stop that stuff from oozing off you." He was jumping up and down by the time he finished his sentence.
Demon handed the child his baited rod and watched as he cast it into the water like Cronos had shown them. "When do you think they will be ready to cast it on me? he asked his small companion, who the demon thought was never still, even in his sleep.
The child screamed out, "Mama said when we are done fishing and come home, they will have everything ready." Then, he proceeded to do some kind of dance with hopping and kicking.
Demon patted the child on his head, "Shh, little grasshopper, remember what your papa said. We have to be quiet and still, or the fish will get scared and swim away."
"I am not a grasshopper; I'm a boy, and great! Now I will have to get my hair washed again! Stupid fish should be tough like me. I don't get scared," the little boy yelled.
Demon wondered what it would have been if he had been able to live a life like this. He would like to think he would have one of those mates and a little boy and girl to love. He didn't think too much or long about that. He was here to protect Leo and that he would do. He continually scanned the area for danger and watched as the little one lost interest in fishing and was playing some kind of game with a tree. He could swear the tree was using its branches to pretend to sword fight with the boy.
Once it began to get dark and he could tell Leo was tiring, Demon gathered up the fishing supplies and headed home. Once there, they were told to get cleaned up for dinner. After dinner, the spell that would take away the ooze would be performed. Demon was excited. He wondered what he would look like without oozing.
While sitting down to eat, Cronos came in blustering about nieces and their abilities. Not quite sure what he was talking about he remained quiet and listened. Evelynn asked Cronos what he was talking about and he replied in between bites, "Alpha Lorn is Selene's mate. Mark just told me."
Evelynn smiled, "She did do it. After Dalia told us the story of Alpha Lorn and Katia, we women had all hoped that would be who Katia picked for her sister. He deserves a second chance."
Cronos rolled his eyes at that and growled, "He may not get that second chance if those two nieces of mine don't ever wake up."