Demon had spent the day watching young Leo as he lay sleeping. His parents thought it best to put him into the same deep sleep as the others in the prophecy. He was such a sweet boy, and Demon never regretted disobeying orders and saving the boy. The little boy had taught Demon so much about friendship and unconditional love. He never wanted to leave this pack. He loved everyone he had the honor to meet and be associated with. Everyone treated him like one of the pack. It did not matter that he was hideous-looking, had massive horns growing from his head, and oozed black goo until the witches cast a spell to help him with that situation.
There were no such things as friends when he lived in the underworld. Everyone was out for themselves; you would be betrayed for the littlest rewards. It was a horrible place to live, and the inhabitants looked for any way to improve their living conditions. This is because the place is supposed to be a punishment. However, those sent there to serve for the crimes they committed in life do not understand until they have experienced a few decades of punishment. It is unfortunate to watch those who refuse to admit they have been horrible beings and are serving punishment for the crimes committed against others. Thankfully, Demon is not one of those creatures. He is a demon. Demons are born of the underworld and are not there to serve a punishment. Demons are there to enforce the punishments and serve Hades in whatever matter he deems necessary. Demon was usually tasked with any children sent to the underworld. Yes, children do show up there. Unfortunately, some children are born evil and cannot be saved. It is usually Demon's job to make sure the child sent to them belongs there and cannot learn to behave differently and honestly. Demon hated his job there. It was terrible listening to children beg for mercy and not understand why they were there. It broke his heart to hear them cry, and it made him wonder why children were allowed to be born with disregard for another's life. It is not all punishment, though, for those who have committed lesser crimes and are there serving their punishment are treated with respect and dignity.
Demon wished for a quiet life and wanted to remain with his friends. He wanted to continue helping them and young Leo, his favorite person. The boy shared everything with Demon. He taught him spells, even though Demon could not perform and make them work. Leo's magic is light, whereas Demon can only work with dark magic. He had heard that at one time, before Lucifer's mother left his father for good, she had brought light to the underworld, and Hades did all he could to protect the light she brought to his world. However, when Lucifer falls from Zeus' grace, she is furious with her mate for not stopping what is happening and leaves him. She refuses to step foot in Hades's domain ever again. Some say the Hades still has a bit of her light and goodness hidden away in one of his gardens. Demon knows that no amount of wishing will help him, so he continues to help with monitors and naps occasionally.
Cronos found the young Demon napping while Bob watched the monitors. He nodded to Bob and asked, "How's it going?"
"Quiet." That is all Bob says as he returns to monitoring the sleeping pack.
Cronos gently shakes Demon awake and tells him, "Sir Demon, my mother, Lady Gaia, has requested your presence."
Demon jumps awake and stands immediately, informing Cronos, " I have been doing the duties assigned to me. I have not left my post once like she asked of me."
Cronos calms the Demon, smiling, "Relax, you are not in trouble. My lady mother wishes to speak with you and ask some questions.."
Demon anxiously speaks to him, "What could the great Gaia want with me, a lowly demon?"
Cronos shook his head at Demon's inferior opinion of himself. He had no idea that Hades created sensitive demons. Was Sir Demon just a fluke? "Gaia does not think of you as lowly. She has some questions for you and wishes to ask them immediately."
Shrugging his shoulders, Demon responded, "Alright, lead the way."
Cronos led him to the outside garden and found Gaia seated on a bench drinking water with lemon. Cronos informed his mother, "Why don't you just eat or drink something more substantial than that?"
"Do not irritate me, Cronos. I will drink and eat what I wish when I wish." Gaia then addressed Demon, "Sir, please have a seat, and Cronos, you may leave. I will call when this conversation ends."
Cronos left them to have their talk. Gaia got right to the point, "Demon, why did you not follow the orders of your master?"
"My lady Gaia, I had every intention of doing as ordered. However, young Leo came running out of the waterfall and saw I was injured. He knew who I was, what I was, and why I was there. He still took it upon himself to heal me. The little boy looked at me with such love and then passed out from taking on my wounds. I knew that I could not destroy him."
Gaia nodded, Nodding, "Do you regret that decision?"
"Never." Demon confessed. "I would do it again if needed. I will continue to watch over Leo and protect him until Hades calls me home."
"What if you had a chance at a life requiring you to stay in this realm?" Gaia wanted to know from him.
Demon was scared that this was going to be a cruel joke. He knew there was no way he could live as anything else. He answered honestly, "If there were to be a way that I could live as a wolf and keep my memories, I would take it in a heartbeat."
Gaia had just one word for him, "Why?"
Gaia could tell when Demon answered that this was a subject he had thought of and gone over for months. Demon tried to put into words his reasoning the best he could. "I have made many friends and have been respected as a pack member from the first day. While living amongst the pack, I have learned what family, friends, and mates are. I wish to have that, especially a mate. Someone that was made just for me." He paused momentarily, then added, "I would like to have pups. I know this is not an option for me, but I cannot help but hope that someday something will happen to change that prospect for me".
Setting her cup down on the table, Gaia leaned forward and said, "Sir Demon, today is your lucky day. I have the power to grant your greatest wish and would like to do so as a reward for my grandson's life.
Demon was shocked. "Ma'am, I am sorry. I did not mean to question you. But me? You want to do this for me?"
"I do, Sir Demon. You will be put into the same deep sleep as the others. When you awaken, you will be a wolf/demon hybrid. However, you will not be able to serve Hades in the underworld ever again."
"Hades will never allow it." He stated quietly.
Gaia laughed, "Do not worry about Hades. I will deal with him."
The DDemon was afraid to hope but was sure that Gaia would not play such a cruel joke on him. He would be free of the harsh life of the underworld. He may have a chance to live normally with a mate and children. He needed to know more about this new life he had a chance at. Hesitantly, he asked, "May I ask you some questions?"
Gaia rose and moved to a seat closer to him. She took his hand and gently coaxed him to speak his questions without fear, "Sir Demon, I know you said you would jump at the chance for something like this, but I would worry if you did not ask questions and blindly trust me. Although I mean you no harm and wish to reward you for the upstanding Demon you are, I can be less than trustworthy when I am angered."
Demon was taken aback by her honesty, which made him trust her all the more. "You said that I would be a wolf/demon hybrid. What does that mean, and why would I be unable to serve my master any longer?"
Gaia squeezed his hand and said, "We would have to wait to see how the magic of the wolf soul and the magic of the demon soul combine. I have a feeling it will be something wonderful, and you will become critical to the growth and health of this pack. You will no longer serve your master because he is my grandson and will do as I tell him."
The DDemon knew he should be grateful for what she offered him and not ask for anything, but he could not help himself, "Ma'am, could you make me good-looking like the alphas and the gods? I shouldn't worry about such things, especially since this is a gift. However, I cannot help but worry I will be too ugly for my mate. Wait, I will have a mate, right?"
Gaia didn't know what it was about this creature, but she felt the need to reassure him, "You are already most handsome, and I am sure the wolf genes will enhance your natural good looks. I am sure your mate will be as beautiful as you are handsome."
"Oh, it does not matter what my mate looks like; I will love and protect her no matter what. You see, ma'am, everyone deserves to feel loved and protected regardless of appearance. I do not want to be a disappointment to my mate, and I wish to be able to give her everything she could want or need."
"You are right, Sir Demon. I have a feeling your mate is going to be spoiled. Tell me what name you would want for your new life." She was curious to learn more about how this Demon's mind worked and how he felt about things.
The young Demon did not think momentarily; he answered immediately, " I would keep the name Demon. I would add the name Matteo Nightwhisper. My name would be Demon Matteo Nightwhisper." He grinned at her and explained, "Demon because it was the name given to me by the pack, Matteo, because of the irony- I am being given a gift from a goddess and Nightwhisper to honor my new pack."
Gaia felt a tear slide down her cheek at how grateful this young Demon was and knew that Hades would have heart failure at the weakness one of his demons was displaying. She could not let this one return to that cruel world of her older grandson's making. With one last pat on his hand, she told him, "Sir Demon, you have given yourself a very honorable name. I wish you much luck and happiness in your new life. Now go, and Cronos will take you to your room. I will be along shortly to put you into the deep sleep."
"Ma'am, will I remember you when I awaken?" Demon asked of her.
Gaia beamed at him, "You will, and you will remember everything else. I am not taking anything from any of you."