Hades really had no idea why the Wolf Matriarch was so... accommodating of him.
From her perspective, he wounded her child and infiltrated their lair. It wouldn't be strange to immediately put him to death.
But it was still too early to tell anything, she could merely be planning to extract every morsel of useful information from his head, and only after emptying of all that he was worth, would she feed him to her wolves.
"Tell me, did you expect to be caught here?" As expected. Hades' eyes glimmered sharply. She was planning to extract information. He should utilize this period to lower his guard, show his worth so they don't kill him, then escape later.
"Truthfully, no. I thought my skill was too high for to be discovered by any of your pack. But it seems I was too arrogant, for I should've left upon my first glimpse of you." He lamented truthfully. It would do no harm to speak the truth. As long as he did not delve into his skills, all other information was fine to reveal.
"You were truly qualified to be arrogant. To infiltrate my territory without being discovered by my pack is an admirable feat. It was unfortunate you went too far. I notice everything that happens in a short distance. Thus, you were found by me the moment you stepped foot into our quarters." She praised his skill, and revealed her own. He had no idea why she would do this, it was incomprehensible.
"An admirable skill." He praised her ability, the basics of a good impression.
"As is yours." Ever so polite, it only heightened his wariness.
Nothing was said after that. And he didn't dare ask anything, as he was in no position to do so. He was, after all, captured in the middle of wolf territory. Though he didn't act like it. He seemed to disregard the other wolves, focusing only on the matriarch, as if he didn't put them in his eyes. The wolves grew restless at that. The young silver Moondance Wolf also glared at him, though he paid it no mind.
"Do you not have anything to ask?" The matriarch finally spoke, but she said something rather strange. Why was she acting so casual with him?
"I figured I was in no position to speak first." He was blunt with his answer.
"Don't stand on ceremony. Please, ask anything you want. We're having a proper conversation after all." They were? Hades couldn't help but wonder. She must certainly have some agenda! No one is polite to anyone without reason.
"Why have you spared my life? I am aware that my actions could not possibly be looked upon kindly." It wouldn't hurt to try.
"It's simple. I wish to be friends, for I admire your skill." She said something surprising.
"Friends...? Why would you wish to become allies with one with strength far lesser than yours? Not to mention my... crimes." He said the last part whilst glancing at the young wolf at her side, who continued to glare at him with its cold silver eyes.
"Ah~! It's not your turn yet!" She refused his question with a hint of playfulness, making him rather uncomfortable. He believed that he would be more relaxed if she was angry.
"Now, why have you graced us with your presence on this fine night?" She spoke like he was a guest, yet his heart rate couldn't help but pick up In nervousness.
"To map out this territory." He said simply. He couldn't possibly tell her that he wanted to kill her child with that information, right?
"It seems you planned to come back. For what reason?" Though she had given him the impression that they were taking turns, she asked another question. He answered anyway, as he still wasn't in the position to refuse, no matter his treatment.
"To kill my daughter?" Hades visibly winced. This wasn't a good topic to talk about with the mother of the subject. Preserving his life was his highest priority, talking about assassinating her daughter right in front of the wolf matriarch was simply courting death on all fronts.
"I understand what happened. It was my daughter who attacked first. For this, I apologize." She lowered her head slightly. For her to apologize shocked him. Such a thing had never happened before.
Whenever he met with a grudge in the abyss, it would usually end with one side dying. Even if one would ask for mercy, it would be for naught, as they would be killed anyway. But this was different, the Silver Moondance Wolf Matriarch was stronger than him, yet she was apologizing. He was thus at a loss.
"How about we write off your grudges, make friends, not enemies, right?" She suggested something odd to him. Ending a grievance without death? Quite the fresh experience.
"Of course, I will no longer pursue this matter, and won't return in the future." He was not inflexible though, despite his (mental)age. He accepted it, for as long as he lived, that was fine. The young wolf was still unreconciled, and paced around grumpily.
"Thank you, I will now answer your question from before." The Silver Wolf Matriarch clearly moves at her own pace, forcibly continuing the conversation however she liked. She was more than qualified though.
"I would like to request your skills." Her tone suddenly turned serious.
"Train my wolves in your technique and scout other territories for me."