Chapter 5

“Enough!” Travon suddenly yelled, his voice echoing through the room. The only sound that followed was Athena's stifled sobs. “That's enough, Athena,” he repeated, his voice softening as he stepped closer to her.

All she could do was pound her fists against his chest, but he stood firm, his wolf and entire being unable to stop her. Finally, he found the courage to grasp her hands mid-air, and in a swift motion, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “You're shaking,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. “Eat something. If you're going to hit me harder than this, then you need your strength.” He released her, his thumbs wiping away her tears.

Athena's eyes met his, and they just stared at each other. The air suddenly became charged with an unspoken connection, a spark of chemistry that neither of them could ignore, but then, her gaze suddenly darkened as she took a step backwards, and her expression changed from soft to fierce.

“How dare you!” she exclaimed, her voice rising. “You think that a few words and some food will fix this? You think you can make everything right by feeding me? You disgust me!” She stormed out of the room, through the halls, and out into the gardens.

The evening air was cool and crisp, but she barely noticed. Her anger burned inside her, consuming all thoughts and emotions as she paced back and forth, kicking at the ground in frustration.

As she paced, lost in her thoughts, she began to hear voices. At first, she thought they were just a trick of the wind, but as she stopped and listened, she realized they were real. They were coming from the far side of the garden, from behind a thick hedge of bushes. Curious, Athena followed the sound, pushing her way through the branches. She crept around the corner, trying to make herself as small as possible.

One of the voice became very familiar, it was the pack doctor, She could hear his voice, low and urgent, talking to someone else. She could barely make out the words, but then when she heard her own name, her heart stopped.

“The Luna is pregnant.” the doctor said, “she's going to be a real problem for us.”

“We need to get rid of her, Travon doesn’t even look at me anymore!” the other person said, and Athena's blood ran cold. She recognized the voice–it was Aria.

“She's too much of a risk. We can't let her stay here, she's going to be threat to the plan.”The third speaker said,

“So what do you suggest?” The doctor asked,

“Poison?” Aria suggested, “we could use a kitchen staff and blackmail them into taking the blame.”

Athena felt like she couldn't breathe. She wanted to run, to get as far away from this place as possible, but just then, a twig broke under her foot, piercing the silence of the evening. She froze, with heart pounding in her chest. She held her breath and waited, and then she heard a voice, low and rough.

“Who's there?” the masculine voice demanded.

Athena's mind raced. As the voice came closer, she knew she had to make a decision. She couldn't let them catch her, not when they were plotting against her. So she took a deep breath and made a run for it, running as fast as she could and daring not to look back .

She returned to the palace ground and acted like nothing had happened, quietly she reached her room with one thought.

“I have to get out of here.”

Meanwhile, in Travon's quarters, he sat in silence, his mind still reeling from the intense moment with Athena, the sudden knock on the door broke his thoughts. “What is it?” Travon growled, his tone rough and irritated.

Kaius’ voice trembled on the other side, “Apologies, Alpha. But I bring urgent news from the Luna's quarters.” Travon's mind raced as he got on his feet. What could this be about? He thought as he rushed to the door.

“What about the Luna?" Travon asked, his voice laced with urgency. “Is she okay? Did she finally eat something?”

Kaius gently shook his head. “I'm afraid not, Travon. A staff went to prepare her room for the night and discovered she was gone. And it looks like she took some crucial belongings with her.”

“Missing?” Travon's heart sank.

“I think she took off—”

“Took off?” Aria cut in as she reached them. “Who took off?”

“Aria, what are you doing here?” Travon asked.

“I came to see you,” she replied with a shrug. “What's going on?”

“Kaius believes that Athena is missing.” Travon said, his voice laced with concern.

“The last court guards who saw her said she seemed really upset.” The Gamma continued, “my men are currently searching the grounds for her, but we've had no luck—”

“Why are you making a fuss over nothing?!” Aria suddenly snapped. “She was upset about her father's death and probably wants to be left alone! How dare you disturb the Alpha like this!” She spat. Right from their childhood, Aria had always looked down on Kaius, and things weren’t different now.

Kaius’ anger was palpable but he couldn’t dare react. “My apologies, My Lady.” He bowed his head to Aria.

“Keep searching for her.” Travon ordered, his tone firm. “I want the entire pack on high alert. I don't care if it takes all night—find her.”

Kaius nodded while Aria shot Travon an exasperated look.

“She’s probably off sulking in the garden somewhere,” she scoffed.

“No. Something isn't right, I can sense it.” Travon murmured, “double your efforts and search the entire palace and everywhere else—”

“Travon, you're simply being too—” Aria began to protest,

“No Aria, something is wrong, you should go back to your quarters, it’s safer there.” He told her then left with Kaius.

Once alone, Aria bit her lip to keep from screaming. She ran her hands through her hair in frustration, pacing back and forth.

“That attention-seeking slut!” she hissed, grinding her teeth. “First she faints, now she runs away. Ever since she came here, nothing’s been the same!” She groaned in frustration.

A thought occurred to her, and she stopped pacing. “I wonder why she ran away though.” At the same time, her mind went to the listener in the bushes.

“Oh my goodness.” Realization dawned on her. “I've got to tell Father.”

Quickly, she rushed to her father's quarters, the palace was a huge one and served as a pack house for all ranking members.Once Aria found her father in his office, she immediately told him her recent discovery.

“So, you’ve also figured it out." The Beta, William Steele closed the book he was seemingly reading, shooting his daughter a smug laugh. “Took you long enough—”

“Y-You knew all this time?” Her eyes widened with surprise. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I want you to focus on what’s important, Aria,” he said in a cool, detached voice.

“The Luna was weaker than I anticipated.” He strolled over to the floor-to-ceiling window, his eyes taking in the guards below, running to and fro in a panic. A sinister laugh escaped his lips. “They’re like headless chickens,” he murmured.

Aria’s panic was starting to show in her voice. “Father, she must have overheard our plans and escaped. Shouldn’t we try to find her?”

“Aria.” He called, his voice nonchalant, “even if we were to go looking for over these fences, we won't find her because she's long gone and in no time...You're going to hear it from the Alpha himself.”

“What are you talking about?” Aria's brows furrowed.

Her father turned in her direction and let out a low, menacing laugh,“ You don’t have to worry, because I've taken care of the Luna.”