ATHENA'S POVMy heart skipped a beat, not in a good way when Maggie finally told us what was disturbing her. She was obviously more experienced in this field compared to me, so there was no way she could be lying about this. Otherwise, she wouldn't have looked so worried. “What do you mean, mom?” Oneka struggled to understand. “It's clear. Either Xavier hasn't noticed Athena's scent change over the last month, or maybe he has and didn't acknowledge it. Like he doesn't want to do anything with it.” My heart thudded against my ribcage, imagining the latter. If what Maggie said was true, then there would have been no way he wouldn't have noticed the change in me and not confronted me about it. What if he did, and he actually didn't want me to find out? But that couldn't be possible. I know Xavier. He would have been ecstatic over the news. He would love to have his own kids and see them grow up. But one thing that was continuously nagging me was, did I really know him that well? Or w
ATHENA'S POVI awoke to an empty bed, the sheets cool against my skin. Confusion etched my features as I glanced at the clock – 12 in the afternoon. I must have slept in late, I thought. Xavier probably left for a meeting, not wanting to disturb my slumber.Just as I entertained that notion, the door creaked open, and there he was – Xavier, bearing a breakfast tray. A small gasp escaped me, and my eyes widened as he entered, a warm smile on his face.The tray held a delicate arrangement of my favorite things. A steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee wafted its rich aroma, and next to it, a small vase housed a single red rose, its petals unfurling in the morning light. A plate adorned with a flaky croissant, golden and tempting, sat beside a bowl of ripe berries glistening with freshness. A jar of honey and a pat of butter completed the ensemble.My gaze shifted from the tray to Xavier, who was watching me with a mixture of affection and amusement. His eyes sparkled as he spoke, "I thou
ATHENA'S POV“Oohh, what going on here?” Scarlet's high pitched voice interrupted us, making me groan in annoyance. Why the fuck did she have to show her face at this moment? Xavier cleared her throat, clearly not expecting her. He gave Colby a side eye as he appeared at the intrusion. “Scarlet? What are you doing here?” “I was just taking a walk when I saw the lighting and the decor in the backyard. Curiousity got the best of me and here I am,” she chuckled. I wanted to punch her teeth and break every single one of them. “Clearly, you are here.” My voice sounded pissed, as I gave her a sickening forced smile. “Oh, I am sorry. I didn't know I interrupted something important. Clearly, Athena is not very happy with my presence,” she spoke looking at Xavier. Can this bitch just leave already? “ I had no intention to disturb your time together-” “-But you clearly did,” I cut her off, telling her that she needs to leave. “Right. Which I clearly did. Apologies once again. I'll just be
XAVIER'S POVFucking hell! This is not how I planned the night to get over. I ran my hands through my hair multiple times, remembering Athena's retreating figure.I did not spend five hours of my day, planning and decorating the backyard only to have her crying by the end of it all. I fucked up. I know. But she didn't understand my point. I wasn't taking anyone's side, to begin with. And I knew if I had to take sides, then it would always be Athena's. I would choose her again and again in a heartbeat. Scarlet really meant nothing. Not anymore. My heart doesn't jackhammer against my ribcage, neither do I feel the connection or sparks when I look at her. It's all empty. I only feel that way when I see Athena. There is not a single thread of bond left that is connecting me with Scarlet. Because I had rejected her. Completely. And she had accepted the rejection. Not like either one of us had a choice. But I didn't regret any of it. Not one bit, when I had Athena in my life now. She was a
NATE’S POV The night air hung heavy with the scent of pine and damp earth as I approached the shadowed outskirts of the pack house. The moon cast an ethereal glow on the ancient trees surrounding the territory, but I stayed low, blending into the darkness like a ghost. My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of anticipation and nervous energy.Silent as the wind, I navigated through the dense foliage, avoiding creaky branches and dry leaves that threatened to betray my presence. The backdoors of the pack house loomed ahead, promising entry into the heart of the territory. My breath hitched with each cautious step, hyper-aware of the consequences if I were caught.I waited patiently at the backdoors of the pack house Scarlet had disciver and informed me about. We had been exchanging letters secretly and she kept me updated at every move. Like how she had witnessed Athena sneaking out the other day and used it to her advantage to forge a letter in her name for Xavier. That way Xavier w
XAVIER'S POVMy heart hammered in my chest as Cameron's words pierced the air, shattering the morning's anticipation of surprising Athena with breakfast. "Athena... missing?" I stumbled over the words, a surreal dissonance filling the room that had once been saturated with the scent of pancakes and love..Dread tightened its grip, coiling around me like a serpent. The joyful expectation of making things right between us twisted into a sickening knot of fear. I desperately clung to the hope that Cameron had misunderstood, that Athena was just momentarily absent. But Cameron's solemn expression crushed any delusions, and the reality sank in, heavy and suffocating.Without wasting another second, I rushed to the Luna Chambers and see it for myself. Cameron could have been mistaken. He wouldn't have searched properly. I pushed the door open, half-expecting Athena's playful smile to greet me. Instead, the room held an eerie stillness. The bed, neatly made, mocked the absence of her presenc
NATE'S POVThe sensation of Athena in my arms was a privilege rather than a burden. Her limp form, nestled against me, sent a surge of warmth through my muscles as I navigated the dense woods. Her occasional fluttering eyelids and faint murmurs indicated a struggle between consciousness and the drug's hold on her."Where are we?" she mumbled, her voice feeble and disoriented. Her eyes, struggling to focus, sought answers in the dimly lit forest around us. "Where are you taking me?""Sleep, baby girl," I whispered, my voice a soothing melody against the haunting silence of the woods. "You're going to be just fine. I've got you."Athena's intermittent moments of awareness were like delicate rays of sunlight breaking through heavy clouds. I tightened my embrace, finding joy in the fact that I could provide comfort to her in this disoriented state. The drug, coursing through her veins, had claimed her consciousness, leaving her vulnerable against the waking world.As I continued through t
ATHENA'S POVMy body convulses, and a guttural scream tears through the air. Unbearable heat seared through my veins, as if a thousand fiery needles puncture my skin simultaneously as his nails dug in my arms to hold me still.Nate's grasp tightens, restraining my thrashing form. In this agony-fueled haze, I glimpse his elongated canines, ominous in the dim light. A primal instinct warns me of the impending bite. Panic grips me, but I can't break free from his vice-like hold.As his teeth sink into my neck, a searing wave of pain radiates from the point of contact. It's an unrelenting torrent, consuming my senses and drowning me in torment. The world blurs as my vision flickers with flashes of anguish.“No!” I screamed, trashing in his hold, but all my attempts were futile. The drug was in its complete effect and I could hardly move my limbs, let alone fight him. The only thing that I could do was scream. Which I doubted could reach anyone because all the walls of Moon Stone pack were
ATHENA'S POV“Is everything ready?” I asked Oneka as I fixed my hair. Honestly, I curse the day I decided to take the matters of planning this whole event myself. Xavier was right, I should have just hired an event planner. “Relax, Athena. You seriously worry too much. Everything is under control.” “I hope so,” I sighed, giving a little twist to the lock of my hair that was framing my forehead before finally giving myself an overview in the mirror. “Here, fix your lipstick a bit.” Oneka handed me the shade I was wearing and I blushed remembering why it needed to be fixed. Of course, Xavier barged in a few minutes ago, as soon as I got my makeup done and kissed the living shit out of me because he said, and I quote ‘You don't expect me to behave when you deprive me of yourself for too long.’ I didn't even take that long to get ready, to be honest. But who can get anything into the thick head of the big bad Alpha. “Are the kids ready?” I sat on the bed to put on my heels. “Yeah. I
ATHENA'S POV“Are you sure you want to do this?” I held Oneka's hand into mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. She had gone through a lot. Suffered a lot. Cameron betrayed each and everyone of us in the worst way. But the impact it left on Oneka, was compared to no one else. The heartbreak, the pain she felt was unlike any other person who was connected to him from the pack. She sighed, her hands shaking ever so slightly that if I wasn't holding them, I would have missed the action. “I'll…” her voice cracked before taking a deep breath. “I'll be fine, Athena. I've known Pi for way longer than I've known Cameron. I think with Cameron, it was just never meant to be. Being with Pi, I think, just comes naturally. It's like I'd never had to try to be myself with him. Looks like I was just in denial or a fool to realize it, when everyone around us literally teased us about being a couple.” She smiled sadly, her eyes holding gratitude for the guy who supported her throughout her life, nonethe
ATHENA'S POV The rain drummed relentlessly against the window pane, each droplet echoing the emptiness within me. I sat perched on the edge of my bed, my gaze fixed on the somber scene outside, where the world seemed to blur into shades of gray under the heavy downpour. It was as if the heavens themselves were mourning alongside me, shedding tears that mirrored the desolation in my heart."Athena?"Oneka's voice pierced through the silence, pulling me back from the abyss of my thoughts. I turned my head slightly, acknowledging her presence without uttering a word. She entered my room with a tenderness that only she possessed, wrapping her arms around me in a sideways embrace."It's time," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the sound of the rain. I felt the weight of her words, the gravity of the moment pressing down on me like an anchor dragging me beneath the surface of an unfathomable sea.Tears traced silent paths down my cheeks, betraying the numbness that had engulfed
AUTHOR'S POVThe witch's heart raced as she sprinted and burst into the clearing where Alpha Xavier stood, a primal fear gripped her soul, her words stumbling over the weight of their significance.Behind her, the haunting echoes of the coven's chants faded, drowned out by the urgency of her mission."Alpha Xavier! Athena. She..." The witch faltered, her voice trembling with the weight of unspoken dread.Xavier's eyes narrowed, his posture tense with a primal instinct to protect his mate at all costs. "What? What happened to Athena?" His voice crackled with raw emotion, the air thick with the palpable fear of impending loss.Her voice of reason, interjected, words laced with desperation. "Your pup is giving Athena a hard time. We need to operate... like right now."Xavier's mind raced with the cruel reality of the situation, his thoughts a whirlwind of despair and determination. "But that's not possible. We don't have any doctors with us, and she is in no condition to be moved. It wil
XAVIER'S POVMy hurt twisted, not being able to fathom the fact that I was so close to losing everything in my life. Let me rephrase that. I was close to losing my life. That's what I felt currently knowing that my mate and my pup were fighting for their damn lives in that closed coven. And all I could do was wait. And stand like a fool, be of absolute no help. “She'll be alright,” A voice broke me out of my thoughts. I turned around to see it was Maggie. “She’s a fighter. I know she will get through this.” I felt a pang in my heart seeing her like this. In one flesh. Unlike my mother. “No one gave you the right to speak to me. Just because you are not dead right now, doesn't mean you can talk to me. I'm the Alpha of my pack.” Instead of getting scared like she was earlier in my choke hold, she had the audacity to smile. It was a sad one. But nonetheless. It was a smile. A one I hated seeing. She doesn't deserve to smile after putting my mother in misery. “You're just like him. You
Author's PovIn a dimly lit chamber illuminated by flickering candlelight, the witch stood over her cauldron, the air heavy with the scent of herbs and incense. The atmosphere was tense, fraught with the weight of impending fate. The witch's gnarled fingers danced with precision as she added ingredients to the bubbling liquid, her movements both fluid and deliberate.Glancing towards the couch where Athena lay, pallid and still, the witch's heart clenched with sympathy and regret. The last Arctic Wolf on earth lay motionless, her breath shallow and pulse weakening with each passing moment. The witch knew the gravity of the situation; if the potion failed, there would be no hope left to preserve this majestic creature, nor to propagate her species for generations to come.With a resolve born of desperation, the witch quickened her pace, the liquid in the cauldron simmering with an otherworldly intensity. Each ingredient added was a whispered plea to the forces of nature, a plea for Ath
XAVIER'S POVShe did it again. The light blinded us all as the wind gushed past our figures, slicing the silence with a heavy rustle forcing us to close our eyes to prevent them from catching dust that was suspended around us. It took a few seconds, maybe even minutes for everything to settle down and return back to normal when I was finally able to see again. My warriors who were not killed by the beasts, stood alive with some scratches and gashes. Oneka was held by the vampire guy who intervened. Scarlet stood out of the picture, sheltering Maggie behind a cover of bushes. She was here all this time? Why didn't she take part in the fight alongside her brother? Cameron lay dead on the ground. Cameron….My heart ached at the thought that he out of all people went against my back.My eyes fell on Cyrus, his body split into two like his other beast army. And then my heart technically bursted out of its ribcage when I saw Athena's wolf passed out on the ground. Not moving an inch. “Fuck
AUTHOR’S POVAs the dust settled and the echoes of Athena's radiant display faded into the ether, Cyrus rose from the ground, his form shrouded in a veil of malevolent fury. Dusting himself off with a disdainful flick of his hand, he surveyed the battlefield with a cold, calculating gaze. Anger churned within him at the sight of his decimated beast army, their once formidable ranks now reduced to a pitiful few, whimpering on the ground in the throes of death. The rest of them, already split into two.The remnants of Xavier's werewolf army, though shaken by the onslaught, stood resolute, their spirits undaunted by the chaos that surrounded them. With steely determination, they rallied to their leader's side, their resolve unbroken by the specter of defeat.Everyone was shaken by the recent events but none had the idea of what it was. Or how it happened. "Enough!" Cyrus's voice thundered across the battlefield, a declaration of defiance amidst the chaos of war. With a swift motion, he
Author's PovThe battlefield seethed with chaos, a maelstrom of clashing, roars of defiance, and the acrid scent of blood and sweat. Athena and Nate surged into the heart of the conflict. Nate, his primal instincts awakening, transformed into his lup wolf, a magnificent and formidable wolf, his muscles rippling with the promise of ferocity.As they charged forward, the clash of armies reached its crescendo. Cyrus directed his gaze toward Athena. With a swift motion, he unleashed a bunch of silver bullets aiming to blind the very hope that rallied her allies. Not before putting a few into Xavier's wolf which lay limp before his feet. He immobilized him, each silver bullet piercing through flesh and bone, shackling Xavier in a web of agony. With a final shot, Cyrus aimed directly at Athena, his malevolent intent a venomous whisper in the tumult of battle. “Let's get this over with.”Time slowed to a languid crawl as Nate, attuned to the impending danger, watched with a primal urgency. W