The wolf clawed to get out as a smug smile spread across the nonaging face of the god leaning close to Russ's face. Since he'd unleashed it a week ago in the cage fight with Ry, the beast within had been fighting to get out and stay out. Tonight had only proven his lack of control once it was released. "What the fuck do you mean I'm in your way? If she hasn't agreed to whatever horse shit you're talking about in the past 2000 plus years, what makes you think she will now?"
Poseidon's smile widened. "She may not agree to join me, just as she hasn't agreed in all this time to join my brother." His smile turned almost sinister. "But considering how much in love they were the last time she was with Arei; I'm convinced he'll succeed this time."
Russ threw back the liquid in the glass and clanked it down onto the table, meeting the man's glare with his own pensive one. "Don't look like it worked last time, and I hate to tell you it won't now. She loves me and I love her. We have something they will never, honesty and passion."
Poseidon cocked a brow, the corner of his lips lifting. "Is that right? And which of you have occupied her bed more lately?" He taunted. He shrugged, "Besides, in the grand scheme of things, you are nothing more than a child whose life will wither and expire before you've even seen a fraction of hers. How is this 'love' of yours supposed to surmount those obstacles? The gods ourselves have very little control over life and death and let's be honest you are no more than an lap pet. There's no god who would go out of their way to lengthen your worthless life."
Russ couldn't contain his anger any longer. He gritted his teeth as an impeding shift began rumbling through him.
Ry caught his arm as Russ lifted from the sofa. "Sit down, kid." Russ didn't listen though. Ry rolled his eyes. "You just don't learn..." When he moved to stand, Poseidon held his hand out to stop him.
"You really want to put your wolf up against me, kid?" He didn't bother standing up. "I have to give it to you, you have nads of steel, kid. I had expected it to take more to set you off, however." He smiled as he reclined back into the chair.
The wolf within broke loose, flipping the coffee table out of the way. He growled viscously at the smug man only inches away as he rolled his head from shoulder to shoulder, the sick crack of shifting bones sounded loudly.
Poseidon smiled as he watched the show in amusement. "Impressive... really... Is he always this moody, Ry?" He asked as he held Russ's furious gaze. "Can he shift back and forth any time he wants or only when his pissed off?"
Ry rolled his eyes as he began to push himself off the sofa again in an attempt to restrain Russ if it was needed. "I don't know, I'm not sure if he's ever not pissed."
Poseidon held his hand out again. "No, leave him be. I want to see if those nads are large enough to pounce or if he's simply all show. Which is it puppy? Do you have bite or just bark?"
Russ lost restraint against the beast with that last taunt. He lunged toward the god with a low snarl.
Ry moved quickly, but just as his hands landed on Russ Poseidon lifted his hand and snapped. Ry stared down at his father. "Really? Fucking really? You're changing him, back right?" He held up the tiny ball of fur in his arms. "I can't take a damn Pomeranian back to the wolf pack. 'Here's your alpha guys, good luck.' Hell, I'm pretty sure as starved as they are, one of them would eat him." Ry arched a brow as he glanced down at the squirming, growling puppy in his hands.
Poseidon shrugged as a mischievous smile spread across his lips. "Would you prefer I change him into a cat? Which of you boys always favored cats?"
Ry shook his head as he tucked the angry pooch under one arm. "I don't have a clue, probably Arei if his froufrou apartment was any indication." He turned toward the door. "Speaking of Arei, I need to go talk to him for a second." He paused halfway through the front door. "You coming?"
Poseidon frowned as he stood. "You know how your brother feels about me. Hell, last time I talked to him I had to impersonate a bartender." His frown deepened, "I should have done more to encourage them the night they shared a room in Florida. It probably wouldn't have taken much that night."
Ry arched a brow. "You were in Florida?"
He nodded, "I went down to investigate when I heard Arei had blown the job with so little time left. I had suspected your uncle's hand in it but was pleasantly surprised to learn the girl was involved. Had I known she hadn't lost that wild edge of hers and could still be of use to me, I would have pushed harder."
Ry shook his head. "And you wonder why he hates you so much. Maybe try making things less about you this time. It's been a hard night for both of them."
Poseidon shrugged. "I gave him honest parenting advice that night and look where it got me."
Ry shook his head in disappointment. "Well try to again."
He walked past Ry as he held the door. "I'll do my best." He walked out into the hall and made his way down the hall. The guards that had fought with him on his way in now bowed their heads to him.
"See, that's how you're supposed to act toward one of the main three gods. Not have a pissing contest with them. You'll lose every time." Ry whispered down to Russ as he walked down the hall behind his father. The guards at the other door stepped aside pulling the doors open as they did.
Poseidon frowned. "Please tell me you don't give every god such easy access to this room?" He clapped and the other guards that had been by Ry's door ran toward him. "You, guard this door. Let no one in unless Arei agrees to it first." He didn't wait for them to respond as he stepped into the apartment.
Arei was stepping out of a bedroom door in nothing but thin, cotton pajama pants and a cellphone pressed to his ear. He lowered it as his gaze moved to the door past Poseidon. "They're both in there asleep, why? Where the kid?" He asked Ry.
Poseidon smiled brightly, "No hello for your ol' man?" He held his arms out. "You should thank me, I put the puppy in his place." He winked. "Call it a time out if you will."
Ry and Arei both ignored Poseidon. Ry walked to Arei and shoved the growling puppy in his arms. "I need to talk to her. Here."
Arei's eyes widened as he held the snapping, growling puppy out away from him. "Wait, what! I'm not holding this thing!"
Poseidon laughed from the kitchen as he searched the refrigerator. "Yep, you were the one who liked cats... Hated dogs if I remember right." He pulled out a bag of jerky and held it to his nose. His brows rose in pleasure as he shrugged one shoulder and took out a slice of the dried meat. He walked over and held out a piece of jerky for the puppy. When it snarled at him before going back to struggling against Arei, he shrugged. "Such a poorly trained beast." He shook his head. "Your brother really should work with him more."
"Why the hell does Ry have a damn dog?!" The puppy managed nipping his thumb and he dropped it to the ground. "What's he going to do with a damn dog?" Arei grumbled.
Poseidon laughed, "He said something about taking it back to the wolf pack an offering it to them." He walked over to the small living area. "Come set with me son. It's been quite some time since we had a chat."
***
Ry walked toward the bed, nodding to the furry head that lifted sleepily to greet him. He sat on the edge of the bed and nervously met Jos's grim eyes. "I'm so sorry, little one. The kid, he only said what I advised him to say in the courts earlier." He slowly reached out and rested his hand over hers. "It wasn't supposed to went so long without you knowing the truth. The kid still loves you very much. He'd tell you as much himself if he could. We all care about you. You worried quite a few people tonight." He moved his hand to her cheek and cupped it. "You are the one thing that holds this crazy group of misfits together. What would we do if we lost you?" His tender eyes held her gaze watching as some of the sadness melted from her troubled gaze.
Yelling sounded from the hall right before the door burst open. "Damnit Ry! You have to get this damn thing out of here! It's pissed all over everything of mine and keeps biting the shit out of my feet! I'm ready to punt it over the balcony!" He all but flung the dog at his brother.
Ry chuckled, "Seems like he's happy now." The puppy ran directly into Jos's arms and began licking her furiously." Just as he was about to get the dog off her, Jos began giggling.
"It's so cute Ry. Where did you get him?" She held the wiggling puppy to her chest as she stroked his fur and kissed his head.
Shelly cocked her head to the side and leaned over to sniff the puppy. Her eyes widened and she shot Ry a freaked outlook.
He shrugged and pressed his finger to his lips. "Dad's here, he... uh... well."
Arei moved over to the bed to sit down, but the puppy began snarling and barking again. He narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. "That thing is a little monster. Does he expect you to train it too?"
Ry arched both brows and looked away as a smile curved his lips. "You could say that. I guess everyone is expecting me to train the little shit." The puppy turned its attention to Ry and growled before going back to snuggling and licking Jos.
Poseidon poked his head into the room. "I'm not interrupting, am I?" He asked, as he crossed his arms over the door and leaned into the frame with one wide shoulder. He nodded to Jos. "Nice to see you doing better, my dear."
Arei rolled his eyes. "She doesn't remember you, father."
He waved Arei off, "You may call me dad. It's the most popular in today's society."
Arei rolled his eyes. "She doesn't remember you, 'dad'. There better? Does it make you feel any less old?"
Poseidon chuckled as he rested his forehead against the door. "I do miss having you and your siblings in my palace. It's just not the same without you and Cheri's banter."
Ry grabbed the puppy and stood. "Name dropping isn't going to get you anywhere. You can give up now." He walked over to the door with the puppy struggling against his grip. He shoved it against Poseidon's chest. "I have to get going. Prometheus should be on his way to our room by now." He shifted his glare from the squirming puppy to his father. "And you need to fix THAT before he gets there."
Arei narrowed his eyes at the small red bundle of fur. His eyes widened and shot over to Jos who was now stroking Shelly. Shelly arched a brow and nodded as she shot a glance to the dog. Arei's mouth dropped. He turned on his heels and followed his brother and father out of the room, closing the door behind them. He pointed an accusing finger at the dog tucked under his father's arm. "That's the kid, isn't it?!"
A wide grin spread across Poseidon's handsome face as Ry let out an irritated huff of breath, rubbing his temples. "As I said, I put him in his place."
"You have to turn him back, you know, that right? The kid's protected by the council and under Ry's care." Arei grumbled. "Hell, if not for that I'd already put him in his place."
"I will... if you give me a few minutes with the girl." He winked at Arei, "Maybe I can even jog her memories."
Arei arched his brows. "Alright but the wolf is staying in there with her and Ry and I will be outside the door AND you're keeping that asshole with you."
Poseidon smiled. "Deal. See that wasn't so hard was it? Who knows that wedding may even be back on track before I leave here- Ahooo!" He growled, pulling his hand quickly away from the dog and shaking it. He gave the dog a harsh, sarcastic smile as he lifted him to eye level. "Keep it up and I'll find a vet that will turn those steel balls of yours into earrings, and I'll make you watch as I give them as a wedding gift to the dear girl." He narrowed his eyes as the dog bared its teeth and snarled. He pointed his fingers in the dog's face. "You have too much bravery for your own good, kid." The dog snapped at his finger, barely missing it as Poseidon jerked it back. He narrowed his eyes, sending him a scalding look. "Keep it up and I won't let her play with you while we talk." The dog instantly went still in his grip. "That's what I thought."
Ry chuckled as he shook his head. "As you can see, the kid has some admirable qualities. You can't blame me for wanting to see this thing through with him. He has potential for greatness."
Arei shook his head as well. "As much as I hate to admit it, Ry's right. He's never backed down from either of us, even when fighting at the same time."
Poseidon grinned. "I don't doubt it. After all he was in a midair leap toward me when I shifted him into this cute little asshole." He patted the dogs head, causing it to look away in barely suppressed irritation. "I look forward to seeing what you do with your strength and bravery, kid." He said as he turned toward the hall and walked back to the room. He pushed open the door and walked over to the bed. "Do you recognize me at all, my dear?" He asked as he sat down onto the edge of the bed. He released the dog to the mattress and it quickly flung itself at her.
Jos shook her head weakly. "I... I'm sorry." She whispered.
He smiled. "It's alright, my dear... but I wonder... would you want the memories you lost back?" He watched as her gaze widened and she pushed herself up in the bed. "So, you would?" When she nodded, he asked. "Would it be alright if I touched you, dear?" He watched as her brows narrowed. "Only your forehead." He specified.
"Oh... okay." She said quietly.
He leaned forward and placed his palm against her forehead spreading his fingers out across the top of her head. He held it there for several minutes, focusing hard on the spot his hand rested. When he finally released her head, a heavy frown rested across his attractive features. "As I suspected, Zeus..." He shook his head. "I'll see what I can do, but I fear there will be very little without my brother's held or someone willing to betray him."
She nodded, a single tear streaming down her cheek as the hope to have her memories back faded once again. "It... it's okay. Thank you for trying."
He smiled as he brushed the tear from her cheek. "Anytime, dear. You may not remember this, but you and I have met and got along swimmingly." He winked at his own pun. He ran the back of his index finger over her moist cheek. "You were very special to many members of my family. Anytime you're ready to come back to it, we will all be waiting with open arms." He bent and kissed her forehead. "Take care, dear." He took the puppy from her, pretending to examine it, before adding. "Pets are fine to keep around for a while, dear, but they are not a well substituted family for individuals as we are. Their lives are too short and frail. It only adds to our heartache." His eyes found hers. "We must find love within our own ranks." He nodded as he exited the room.