ATHENA’S POV Do your best they said. Give it your all. These were words I heard from the moment my parents and the Prince’s had us betrothed to each other, well sort of. The sort of marriage that happened in our world was one were you had to participate in the annual mating games, and survive. I couldn’t get behind why things just had to change, why couldn’t it be like it was before? Like the times were the Moon Goddess would do all the work of choosing a mate for a Werewolf? Back then, your wolf would sense the presence of your mate and inform you about them. Only those rejected or have rejected someone had to suffer from the pain. It wasn’t fair to those who were rejected, but that’s how it was. At least there was no bloodshed. A rejected wolf could die or go crazy obsessed enough to want revenge, killing those involved in the process. And of course, innocents had to die in the cross fire. But no, things had to change. I guess the moon goddess had grown lazy from her own duty
ATHENA’S POV My heart was pounding as I looked at Zara’s body on the ground. I couldn’t believe what had just happened. She was dead. I felt a wave of guilt wash over me as I looked up at Nero wondering what he would think of me now that I had taken down his beloved Zara. He in turn was staring down at me with hatred in his eyes, and I knew he blamed me for what had happened. I stared down at her lifeless body, my mind racing. What would happen now? Would Nero still want me, knowing that I had been responsible for Zara’s death? The crowd too fell silent for what felt like an eternity, stunned at what had just happened. I could feel all eyes on me, waiting for my reaction. But what were they expecting from me? What could I do? I looked around at the faces of the people in the crowd, too frozen to say or do anything only wondering what they thought of me now. Was I a hero or a villain? The silence made it hard to tell. But then cheers erupted, signalling the end of. The joyous noi
ATHENA I slowly opened my eyes, hearing the sounds of birds chirping. I felt groggy and pain shot through me as I tried to sit up. I looked around the room and noticed that I was in my chamber. I had no memory of being here. Did the fight not happen? At this thought, the memory of it hit me like a ton of bricks. For a moment, I thought it may have been just a bad dream, but the weight of the guilt confirmed that the incident had actually taken place. The sound of Zara's lifeless body hitting the ground echoed in my ears, and the horrified gasps of the crowd still rang in my head. I couldn't remember how I ended up in my chambers, but it hardly mattered. What mattered was that I had killed someone. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. The mating games were supposed to be a celebration of life and love, but now like other aggressive wolves, I too stained with blood and death. I slipped out of bed, the need to run filling my chest. There was no way I was going to stay and have an
ATHENA’S POV I stood in front of the mirror staring at the woman beautifully dressed not recognising her. She looked like a bride, ready for her groom but the look in her eyes shows nothing but pain. “Am I truly deserving of this? I did win the fight but is it really worth being with a man that would never love me?” I asked myself. The Queen who was seated behind me seems to have sensed my uncertainty. She smiled at me before standing to her feet and marching towards me. She’s elegantly dressed in a purple dinner gown, beaded with royal apparels that pronounced her beauty to anyone who saw her. She has been by my side since the beginning of the preparations, not leaving me or me her. I tried sometimes to find reasons to escape her for just a few minutes but she seems to always be ready for me. “You look beautiful darling; Nero is going to have his eyes glued on you.” She said staring at me through the mirror. “I’m so proud of you Athena, your parents would be too.” I felt tears s
NERO’S POV I stood facing the window, with hate filled in my heart. The feeling kept both a burning heat and a freezing coldness to it that made me wonder how they could even work together.To say I was shocked when I saw Athena walk down the aisle was an understatement. Although she looked gorgeous in her wedding dress, she should not have been in it in the first place. I remember how my breath hitched in my throat as I stared down her body, taking note of the gown she was dressed it that hugged her petite body perfectly, showing off her curves.I was not one to ever notice anything about her but in a bit to keep myself from running off the stage, I kept my eyes glued to her. It gave the guests the idea that I adored her and I know my eyes look it. “Just beautiful.” A thought escaped before I could suppress it.Every step she took reminded me that shit was about to get real. No one had to tell me that she was shaking in her steps, somehow I knew she was.I created images on Zara in
ATHENA’S POV To say I was humiliated by Nero would be an understatement. The way my body actively freezes in fear anytime he comes near me. The first week Zara passed, his emotions were well written on his face but now, he’s merely a shadow of his true self. The way he hides his emotions is as if he has been doing it for years that the practice has somewhat become his lifestyle. His eyes sure hold a fire in them, the type that was cold. I know he doesn’t care for me but hearing him say it out loud like that did hurt, it felt like he had his hand on my heart and clenched on it. I know things between us will be hard but maybe trying wouldn’t be such a bad idea. “I don’t care what my mother told you.” He said facing the window. “But I don’t want you in my room for any second longer. So this is what you will do, at night I want you gone. I don’t care where you sleep, but you will not be in this room at night with me. Understand?” His voice was harsh as he spoke and I didn’t need to l
NERO’S POV PREVIOUS NIGHT Zavier sat across from me in his living room. The house that once filled with voices and laughter was now only gloomy. My heart ached knowing that some part of it was my fault. It’s been a few days since the wedding and Zavier and I haven’t had much time to talk like I hoped we would. My father has now pulled me into more of the pack’s affairs. In his words, he said it was time for me to take over most of the deals like I wasn’t already doing so. I was already running things and doing the heavy work while he focused on the paper side of things. Zavier cleared his throat as he stared at me. “I expected you to come sooner.” He said his voice having some kind of accusation in it. “Pack work, Dad insisted.” I said curtly. “Or you were enjoying your time with your new bride forgetting the promise you made to me and my sister.” He said the accusation sounding more obvious now. “It was your job to get rid of her. You insisted you were going to be the one to do
ATHENA’S POVI could feel Nero’s gaze on me when I came out of the bathroom and my nervousness shot to a hundred as he stared at me. There was so much I wanted to tell him but perhaps someday.I walked downstairs to where I was supposed to wait for the Queen to find her waiting for me instead. From the stairs, I picked up my pace and headed down the stairs.“Forgive me your majesty, I didn’t realize you were already waiting.” I said my palms sweaty.“You’re mated to my son Athena, you’re his wife, I’d rather you call me mother instead.” The Queen said with a smile causing my own lips to stretch in one too.I nodded and she gestured to her side where some clothes were folded. “Here, change into this instead; we’re heading to the training grown. You could burn off some of your pent up frustrations in there.” She handed me the clothes and I did as she asked, I changed into the set of clothes and stepped out. The fabric from the short was smooth, and I couldn’t help but run my hands on t
NERO’S POVBreath-taking, the only word I could describe the woman my eyes were glued on. The same word had a lot of meanings that were now dear to my heart like she was.It meant her personality, the one that was brave enough to love for as long as she did, holding on to her feelings hoping I would understand the truth and fall for her. And now I did. I fucking loved her more than anything in the world.It also meant her beauty, one that took my breath away each time I looked into her eyes whether she had makeup on or not, close to her or far at a distance. It hooked me, every single time.And if I was being truthful to myself, I could say that I was attracted to her when we first got married, I was just too bitter to believe or admit it.Athena walked into the room and I couldn’t help but feel jealous and proud at the same time. Jealous because every man and woman stared at my wife, but proud because they too could see what I saw in her and what I was seeing on her appearance.This
ATHENA’S POVI was startled awake by the noise around. It wasn’t that kind of noise – one with the screams and death, but it was one that was loud enough to have me wondering what was going on.After my work out session at the training field and my conversation with Nero’s Mother – more like she spoke and I listened – I spent the entire night barely able to sleep.I had never felt disappointed at the people who raised me but I couldn’t also deny that I was. Their act reminded me that I was not their child and for that I missed my parents dearly.I slipped out of my covers and swung over my legs till they touched the floor. I stood up and made my way out of my room, rubbing my eyes from the sleep I barely got.As soon as I opened the door, I met with the corridors being decorated. It was pretty but it confused me. “There’s going to be a ball and you’re attending.” The Queen’s words rang in my ear and I groaned.But maybe I could escape during that time. Maybe I could find a corner to h
CHANGE OF POVAlpha King Leon sat on his bed unable to sleep. He was filled with worry he couldn’t help but feel. Not to mention the guilt that was eating away at his soul.Its all my fault. He had said to himself severally as he felt that it truly was.Beside him in bed was his mate, his Luna Queen. She too was quite with her own thoughts, ones that drifted to her daughter now daughter in law.“It’s not your fault Leon.” She voiced out of nowhere, having heard his thoughts, the ones she had noticed had bothered him for a few days. “You couldn’t have known she was going to jump in and save us.”He sat upright from the position he was leaning into the bed on. “But it is Olivia, can’t you see. All I had to do was grant them the divorce like they both wanted.” He rubbed his temple, feeling a wave of dullness rub through him. “If we had gotten them divorced, they both would be living their lives separately. Athena wouldn’t be in so much pain because of us.”The Queen nodded, agreeing with
ZAVIER’S POV My house was a wreck at this point but I didn’t care. I didn’t now, I wouldn’t later. “That son of a bitch ratted me out. Now I’m a fugitive!” I growled feeling the heavy weight of betrayal press me down. How could Nero stand there and watch his parents declare that I be arrested? What sort of friend was he? He hadn’t shown up at the house in a few and after our last conversation, I grew worried that he meant what he said about me letting my hate for Athena go. And how I was supposed to stay away from her. Somehow, he forgot what she had done and the promise that he made to both Zara and I. Somehow, he wanted me to just trust that he was now a changed person and I was supposed to believe him. It was hypocritical what he was doing. And I resented him for it. “What am I supposed to do now?” I groaned to myself, wanting nothing but to finish what we started. Or what I thought I wanted us to finish. I hated how I was jealous of him. I truly was. He was my friend and I
NERO’S POVIf I had felt a tug in my chest when Athena told me she hated me in the past and I didn’t care about it, it meant a great deal to me this time.She hated me, but why wouldn’t she after all hell was the only thing I made her go through, in the one year we had been married?She wanted me to stay away from her and that’s what I did or I tried to do. The last thing I wanted was to annoy her more than I already was so for the first time I listened to what she wanted, but only for some time.The night passed on, and a new day came. I wasn’t excited for it except that it was new and I could spend it finding ways to fix my mistakes.I concluded my morning routine in a hurry dashing out like a man late for an appointment. I made it to the breakfast table before everyone and seeing that, I waited for her to show up.Half an hour later, my father and mother showed up, hand in hand whispering to each other like they hadn’t literally woken up in each other’s arms.They were mates in lov
ATHENA’S POVI took deep breaths as I stood in the garden. The fresh air made me happy and I was grateful to be alive. Somehow, the garden had new additions to it and it made it even more beautiful than I remembered it.While I enjoyed the view, I couldn’t help but feel sad that I wasn’t around to help with the change.I loved gardening, but no one knew that. The one time I had come down to it, Nero saw me and ordered that I never step foot in it ever again.What would he say if he saw me right now? Would he think I was tainting the beauty of the scene here?I took in another breath, releasing it about the same time my mind drifted to when he hugged me upon knowing that I was awake.That action of his was strange to say the least. I wanted answers and the Queen didn’t seem ready to answer my questions and I didn’t know why.Maybe if insisted she would have told me. Maybe that’s what I needed to do.I walked around the garden some more, letting my hands touch the flowers that bloomed a
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF POV The Queen kept her eyes glued on Athena even as the doctor was checking and making sure she was completely fine like the girl was about to disappear. She had been worried about losing Athena from the moment she went unconscious during her beating down to when she was shot with the silver bullet. Her worry only grew after that but now it was such a relief to see the girl awake and kicking again. While she stared at her she couldn’t help but think about the guilt that overwhelmed her during those times and even now. She blamed herself for Athena’s misfortune, thereby promising she was going to make sure that she got her out of her marriage with Nero no matter what, especially now that she was sure he wasn’t the right man for Athena. She may have arranged for Athena to train in hopes of getting married to Nero, but now, she was going to make sure Athena got the happy ending she craved and deserved, especially with the Alpha King giving his word. While she wa
NERO’S POVI waited a moment for the doctor to be done, and I pushed myself to sit without letting the bed touch my stained back.“Would you believe me if I told you that I was a horrible person to her but that I have changed?”I looked my father in the eyes, seeing his brows crease further with confusion. There were so many questions I knew that he wanted answers to and for the first time in a long time, my father and I were finally having a heart to heart conversation.Zavier should have been the one I should have spoken to about this, maybe even include my father but he was such a messed up fucker to even listen to a word I would say to him about my feelings changing for Athena.Well he knew, that I understood but not my father. And I knew he was going to give me the best advice if I needed him to.“I’m sorry but you’re going to have to talk plainly son. What have you changed into?”I puckered my lips, then moved them into a thin line. My jaws clenched tightly against each other as
ATHENA’S POVI became conscious of my surrounding, despite my eyes disagreeing with me. I was unable to open them or move a muscle in my body.All that I could do was strain my ears and I heard chatters around me, some audible and the others muffled. It made me wonder what was going on. For some reason my heart started to race and I didn’t know why. Something about the noise felt oddly familiar and not in the good way.When I managed to force the eyes open, my fingers and toes twitched at well. I saw that I was back in Nero’s room. The smell was somewhat the same only that it didn’t have much of his scent left in it. It was even as if he had not been in the room in a long time.While I was still trying to gather my thoughts to what was happening around me, someone gasped in the room gasp from seeing me awake and it startled. That should have explained why some of the voices were clear enough to make out. “You’re awake, thank the goddess. She’s awake!” The Maid yelled out making me win