Mortal realm: Northern Plains

Since Landon had been in bed for months, he really needed to get his legs and other bodily functions working. Even though he and Ares already had sex, Landon was embarrassed to admit that Ares did all the work and Landon did nothing. Ares didn’t seem to mind but Landon sure did. Landon worked hard to gain his muscles mass back; due to him lying in bed for months, most of his muscles disappeared. Because Landon was getting physical therapy, Ares felt is was save enough for him to go back to work for the couple of hours Landon had the therapy.

Landon slowly went back to the way he was before he was shot. He even started doing stuff for school so he could graduate college. Ares was glad to see him so involved with the normal things after everything that went on. Still, Ares couldn’t help but feel that the thing with Gabe was quite a big thing; none of the other Gods or even his dad would tell him what was going on. Every time he asked Lord Zeus about it, he got wimpled off with ‘It’s no longer your business, so stop asking about it’. He got actually laughed at when he told them that Gabe was a good friend of his.

Evidently he was distracted enough by Landon meeting his children, dead and alive alike. Thankfully Lord Hades had time and patience enough to allow the both of them to visit and meet his deceased children. Most who met Landon didn’t really know what to make of the situation; did this mean Ares regretted meeting their mom? No, Ares didn’t regret meeting their mom. It was just that Landon was that vital part of Ares to make him complete. For Landon knew that Ares occasionally would have to go and visit woman to produce Demi - God offspring. Landon did feel a little resentment towards the fact he wasn’t able to give Ares children, but since it was physically impossible there was nothing he could do about it. Even if it was possible, that would not stop Ares from sleeping with the other women. It would however give Landon some peace of mind.

Nobody really knew how the Fates worked or how they worked out the Fate of a certain individual, but Landon knew they worked in mysterious ways. So when Gabe one day, after days of being a no show, stands there on his doorstep he isn’t overly surprised. He smiled as he hugged him before stepping aside to let him in “Good to see you again Gabe.” As he shuffled in, Landon couldn’t help but notice the gleam that seemed to surround his friend. “I am pretty sure Ares will be glad to see you save and sound. He was quite worried about you. He was annoyed that nobody would tell him anything about you whenever he asked.” Gabe looked surprised when he sat down on the couch. “He asked for me?” Landon nodded his head “Repeatedly.” Gabe grinned a little embarrassed, scratched the back of his head. “You’re being a terrible host Love.” Ares entered the living room with a tray full of cups and bread rolls. Gabe was startled “Look if I am in the way just say so and I will leave.” Landon held up his hands shaking his head “No, no. Not at all.” Ares sat down opposite Gabe and Landon automatically slipped onto his lap.

They both looked expectantly at him, waiting patiently for him to start. When he didn’t, Landon took it upon himself to start the conversation. “So what’s up with that glow that surrounds you?”  Gabe looked startled as he checked his body, “You can see it?” Landon nodded his head “Kinda hard to miss.” Gabe looked devastated; it was quite clear he hoped no one could see it. “It has to do with my mate.” “You have a mate too?” Landon asked intrigued. Gabe nibbled on a bread roll before answering “Yeah, apparently I do.” “Then why am I getting the vibe you don’t like it at all?” Gabe sighed “Because we were both forced into it and now I have to take care of that Pack too.” “Lady Luna decided to interfere did she?” Gabe looked up in question, Ares shouldn’t have known about her. “She was also interfering with Hercules’ punishment according to Lord Zeus. He wasn’t one bit pleased about it.” Gabe took a sip from his coffee “Yeah you could say that. They always interfere when it’s not needed.”  Not being able to stand the suspension any longer “So will you tell us what happened after you killed that Alpha?” Ares rolled his eyes at his mate’s bluntness, “Not the best way to start this conversation now is it?” Landon pouted at Ares making Gabe chuckle at their antics.

“Okay, okay.” He said holding his hands up, “I guess I kept you guess long enough.” Gabe sighed once “It all started when I was brought back to the Blood-Wolf’s Pack house to await my sentence.” Before Landon could ask anything, Gabe continued “Because I killed the Alpha without the intention of taking his place as Alpha, I committed treason of the highest degree.” Gabe wrung his hands as he thought back on it. “I originally planned it to look like I had no other choice to kill him, but make it so that I wouldn’t be able to hold the position.” Landon nodded “You mean like self-defence; if there had been another way you wouldn’t have done it?” Gabe nodded “Exactly. Somehow it didn’t turn out that way and I got arrested. I made peace with the fact if the self-defence wouldn’t work I would be sentenced to death. It was a risk I was willing to take. What I didn’t know was, was that the majority of the Pack was glad he was gone. Except his family of course.” His audience nodded. “They put me in the dungeons, the safest place to put me. Everything is coated in blessed silver. Hurt like hell when you touch it.” That explained the reason of his slightly burnt skin. “I was patiently waiting in the dungeon, when all kinds of commotion reached my ears. Apparently the Council had a hard time coming to an agreement on my sentence.” 

“What do you mean they couldn’t come to an agreement? You’re still alive aren’t you?” Landon asked quite confused. Ares squeezed his hip, silently telling him to be patient. Gabe smiled sadly “What I mean is, even though I committed treason they couldn’t kill me. The reason why is because Lady Luna decided to throw in the fact that I had a mate. And Pack law states you can’t kill when there is a mate involved. So they decided since they can’t kill me, they should do the next best thing.” Gabe groaned, running his hands through his hair in frustration. “Do I even want to know what that is?” Landon asked tentatively. “They forced him to be Alpha. Someone needs to fill the power void left behind by the previous Alpha.” Gabe nodded to Ares deduction “Even though they haven’t bonded yet, they can’t ignore the fact he has a mate. Not only that but Gabe is a purebred, one of the last few I believe.” Ares looked at Gabe for confirmation, who nodded. “And because of that” Ares acted on a hunch “The fact he has a mate means there still is a chance Gabe might procreate and continue the line. Werewolves are very obsessed with bloodlines and such. Gabe’s bloodline is an old and very powerful one, one they wouldn’t like to lose it.” 

Landon looked horrified, “So they get to use you this way because of your linage? Despicable, outrages! Who do they think they are, using you like that?” Gabe just shrugged, “I will wait until I am being challenged for my position and I might lose.” Landon snorted at that “You really think anyone who knows who you really are is going to challenge you? I don’t think anyone is that stupid.” He seemed to think about his statement “Anyone besides Hercules of course. The guy is wayyy obsessed with power that isn’t his.” He turned to Ares “That brings me to my other question; what did she want with Hercules?” Ares shook his head “Don’t know, she just showed up at Lord Hades' place one day and just took him with her. Lord Zeus wasn’t pleased, but he couldn’t do anything about it. And that’s what’s frustrating me. Every time he does something and is about to receive proper punishment he either escapes or is given a quest instead. Never really understood how that worked.”

Gabe rose; it was time for him to leave. “You’re already leaving?” Landon looked sad as Gabe nodded. “I best get going, I told them I would only be gone for a few hours.” Dejectedly Landon stood up and followed Gabe to the front door. “I really hoped that you could have stayed longer.” Gabe stepped on the porch and grimaced, there was a pick-up service waiting for him. “They are quite anxious aren’t they? I mean they even sent you a pick-up service.” Ares snorted, “They must be really desperate to have you back in their midst.” Now it was Gabe’s turn to snort “More like keep you friends close, but your enemies closer and more of that nonsense.” Landon hugged him “Feel free to come visit whenever you like okay?” Landon was genuinely concerned for Gabe’s well being.

Touched by Landon’s obvious concern, he did something out of character. Gabe gave Landon a tight squeeze “Thank you. I will hold you both to that promise.” Giving Ares a nod, he stepped off the porch and made his way down the drive. With one final look at the slightly mismatch pair on the porch, he lifted his hand in goodbye. They cautiously raised their own hands to mimic his gesture. Stepping out of Ares’ protective barrier Gabe glared at the werewolves waiting on him, “The hell are you doing here? I didn’t know that the Council took an interest in the God of War.” Not waiting for their reply Gabe made his way over to his car, he wasn’t going to rush this; he would take his sweet time before going back to that hell hole. Gabe went by work; explained that he was back and ready to start working again. The crew was notified by Ares about his absence, so they cheered to have their number one cook back. A lot of people stopped coming when they heard Gabe was away sorting out family business.

The two werewolf bodyguards didn’t know what to make of the situation. They never had an Alpha who insisted on integrating with the humans and other paranormal beyond their lands. It didn’t help that Gabe wasn’t like what they expected him to be; their previous Alpha was very strict and quick to punish. Gabe seemed entirely uninterested in Pack business. When they voiced this concern with the Council and Gabe was called in on the matter he agreed with them; he wasn’t interested in Pack business. He never was and never will be. He said if they weren’t happy with him, they were free to choose someone more to their liking; he really couldn’t care or less. Shocked by his attitude, the Council did the only thing it could; punish him for his disobedience to the Council.

While the Blood-Wolf Pack was sorting out that business, Landon and Ares were busily trying to come up with a plausible explanation for Landon’s differences to his parents. Who were just glad their son was okay and healthy. They were still processing the fact that he was shot, survived and turned into a God. And the fact that they had Ares; The God of War as a son-in-law, that was the biggest thing they had trouble with. Not the fact Landon got shot, or was gay, or turned into a God. No the fact that Ares was their son-in-law, was their biggest concern. “What are we going to tell the family?” was Mrs. Miller biggest concern about the whole thing, not the fact that her son attracted the eye of a God could be seen as a boastful thing.

Ares thought Landon’s family was hilarious, when he walked into the room with Tromos at his heels at the notorious family dinner everybody stopped and stared. That was until Mrs. Miller introduced him as Landon’s boyfriend; then all of a sudden they started talking at once. Of course his siblings couldn’t resist and showed up too, wanting to meet their new in-laws. And taste the Miller family’s culinary efforts, words reached them that they were the best around. Lord Zeus himself shook Landon’s dad hand and congratulates him with what a fine son Landon was, Lady Hera wanted to know the recipe for Mrs. Miller’s roosted chicken. 

All in all Landon’s other family members were either suitably impressed or shocked by Landon’s in-laws. Where usually jabbing and jeering at Landon’s expense was heard, now only good things were said about him. Landon shook his head at his family’s antics “Just wait until we’re gone. Only then do they say what they really think. You are too intimidating.” Standing outside on their porch, Landon took one last look at his childhood house; he felt a little sad leaving it behind. Tromos nudged Landon softly, urging him forward. With a wave and a sad expression, Landon Miller; mate of Lord Ares left his childhood house behind. Ready to face the world and Fates with whatever they will throw his way, he knew Ares would always be by his side. 

As Landon’s family watched him and Ares leave, “He’s not coming back is he?” someone questioned softly. Mrs. Miller shook her head “No Arnold, he’s not.” They all felt a sense of loss and pride; they were sad that they would never see him again, but full of pride that he was keeping the world from falling into chaos by just being himself and loving Ares with his whole being.