Athena Blackstone pov Standing there in the foyer I glanced over at the interior of his home and swallowed nervously. It was the largest house that I had ever been in, and I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. “Let me give you a quick tour before I show you to your room. I have housekeepers that come in the morning and leave after dinner. They are a mother-and-daughter pair. Henry is the mom, and Sally is the daughter. Henry's husband, Dwayne, is my chef. I will introduce you to them in the morning,” he informed me, and I laughed. “Henry?” Grinning, he nodded and explained that her real name was Henrietta, but she preferred just Henry. “I feel that Henry and I will get along fabulously,” I chirped as he brought me into the formal room with a large dining table off in the corner of the big open room. Pointing out to the glass wall, he informed me that there was a wrap-around porch that surrounded the structure. “The kitchen is through that door and another lounge area is back that w
Athena Blackstone pov Having the best sleep in my life, I was unaware of the blue-eyed female glaring down at me with daggers in her big eyes. Rolling over to my side Bria was growling in my subconscious and yelling at me to wake. “Why should I? This bed is like a cloud,” I responded to her in my head. “Just open your eyes, Geesh,” she huffed. Cracking open my eyes a little bit they opened widely at the big eyes blinking at me. The female was leaning over my face and smiling strangely. “Good morning sleepyhead,” Justine said with a child-like enthusiasm. “Why are you here?” I growled only to hear her laugh. “I have decided to befriend you since we both are in love with Gavin,” she announced, causing me to furrow my brow. “Well, I am going to get clothes with him this morning and don't have time to entertain you,” I growled in annoyance, only to see her scrunch her face. “Sorry, but his highness left earlier this morning after we shared breakfast. It was very special,” she s
Athena Blackstone pov “Let me introduce you to my staff,” Gavin offered. “Oh crap, I met Henry already and she was making me breakfast. She's going to think that I'm an asshole for not keeping my word,” I muttered and pulled on his hand to return to the kitchen. When we both entered Justine was at the small table eating with tears streaming down her cheeks. A young female was rubbing her back and glanced at us with sadness. “Did you hear Highness, about her dad,” she asked in a whisper. Gavin nodded and said,” Athena, that is Sally, Henry's daughter and I am going to assume that was your breakfast so we can grab a bite in the village after shopping.” Capturing my elbow with his fingers he steered me away from the emotional mess. Nearing my ear he said, “Justine’s being a drama queen and wasn't even close to her dad. She was closer to mine.” Finding that an odd thing to say I side-eyed him strangely. “You must be close to her to know so much,” I asserted and he shrugged. “We
Athena Blackstone pov “You still need to meet my Beta Nick, and speaking of the devil, hold on,” Gavin announced excitedly and stood up quickly and ran to the shop door. The shop clerk started laughing and said, “You're great for him, we haven't seen him so happy since he was made the King.” “Really?” She nodded and whispered, “That other female is not right in the head, but his highness treats her well, but he was never smiling like he does with you. Oh, I better get back. He's returning with Nick.” Watching her scamper back behind the baked goods, I turned my head when Gavin said my name. “Athena Blackstone, meet my second, Nick Johnson,” he announced as I glanced past him to the grinning bearded gentleman. “He has some interesting news,” Gavin added as he came to my side and told Nick to tell me. Waving at me in greeting Nick glanced at Gavin in confusion. “Go on and repeat what you told me,” Gavin encouraged him. “I spoke with Justine’s dad and he wanted to know what ups
Gavin Montgomery pov Hearing what Athena said I grew concerned and turned her to face me. “I will take my guards to the Harvest Moon Pack and confront Veronica and Jordan. This obsession with you must end, Athena,” I stated forcefully. Seeing her brow crease she pinched her mouth and shook her head. “I don't want to create an issue between both packs. I will just need to be cautious. I'm a warrior, Gavin, not someone who runs from issues; I face them head-on,” she said softly, and I raised my brow at her. Thinking about Justine and her I snickered. “Then you should handle the distrust you have for me and the annoyance upstairs,” I rebuked and watched her eyes narrow at me. “That is completely different and you know that,” she growled. “She is purposely making it appear that you two are fucking each other,” she hissed and crossed her arms. “Invite her on a picnic and inform her of what the contract entails,” Rudik suggested in my head and I sighed. “She may not want
Athena Blackstone pov “What have I done,” I think to my wolf. “You almost marked your mate, dear, and you should have committed yourself to him since he is yours. He is the father of your pups, and your sons will need their father,” Bria said with irritation. “He is to marry that crazy chick and I am a warrior who should remain unburdened by a mate,” I replied to her bitterly. Tsking me she growled at me, “Accept that you are drawn to Gavin and make him yours! He is a worthy male.” Frowning over not marking the sexy man, I felt conflicted. My heart felt full of joy because I felt connected to him so vehemently yet I was fearful of getting hurt. I was a wolf warrior and with that came certain obligations, one remaining unmated. “It always has ended badly for me, Bria. When I start to have feelings for another,” I sighed “You enjoyed your mating just as much as you had the first time, just accept that Gavin is your destiny,” my wolf asserted. “It wasn't as feral as our f
Athena Blackstone pov Leaving Gavin's house I walked with him back through the village and up a pathway where a cute cottage was tucked into the surrounding trees. “This is your Beta’s house,” I asked him, and he said, “Yeah.” It surprised me because it was as big as Jordan's home and he was an Alpha. “Does Nick have a mate?” Stopping on the porch step Gavin side-eyed me with a creased brow. “Not yet, why are you interested?” he growled sarcastically. “Hell no, it's just a huge house for just one person, Geesh,” I muttered and hurried up the remaining stairs. Gavin knocked and Nick answered, giving him a surprised look. “Back already?” Nodding, Gavin told him that my being hunted issue had been resolved, but I had friends who were in the wild who needed to be found. “Maybe your patrol has stumbled across a female my age and a former guard,” I asked him with concern. “Rogues are the only wolves they have come across, but I can radio them and have them inform me if they run
Athena Blackstone pov Rushing into the room I grabbed her arm and yanked her naked ass off Gavin, tossing her to the floor. “It's too late bitch, I am pregnant and he won't deny me. Soon, I will be his queen, and you can rot in hell,” she said with a smirk. Furrowing my brow I looked at Gavin and saw his slitted eyes staring at me. “You fucking bastard,” I growled and shook my head. Looking down at him, refusing to even move his mouth, I felt my lip trembling. My gaze passed over his flaccid penis making me nauseous. “Mates are for suckers and losers. Enjoy him, skank. He deserves a female like you,” I muttered sourly as I turned to leave. “Don't cry, dear Gavin; soon, it will just be you and I in wedded bliss,” I heard Justine say smugly before I entered my room and missed the single tear that fell from Gavin's eye. “I have nothing here,” I spat as I said several more derogatory comments, then ran through my room and down the stairs. Disgusted with everything I ran ou
Athena Montgomery’s pov “Mom, Styx wants to be alone with Remy and prepare her for the fire,” Leora said calmly. Raising my red and raw eyes I saw Styx. He looked devastated and just lowered his eyes from mine and stepped past me to reach Remy. “She loved you so much, Athena. I hope you know that,” he said firmly as he looked down at his mate and started to sob. I had to leave the room seeing him breaking down was too much. Going to Leora, I asked her if the pup was doing well, and she nodded. “Gideon is bringing father and should be here momentarily,” she added as she softly patted my back. We headed to the waiting room in the front of the infirmary and I saw Devin sitting down and looking lost. Going to him I asked him if he was alright. Glancing up at me, he exhaled deeply and said, “My mom told me what was going on, so I knew in advance, but it still is painful and will be hard on my dad.” I hugged him and told him that I understood and he sniffled before hugging me tigh
Athena Montgomery’s pov Three days! It took us three entire days to finally make it to the mountain retreat or our new home. I was soaking in the hot spring and spouting off about my deep love for my wonderful mate while Gavin just chuckled sprawled out nude on the bed. “What do you want to do today?” He asked me as he peeked down his bare chest at me. Resting my head back, I sighed,” I don't know, dear; I'm really digging this retirement at the moment and can't think.” “Don't soak for too long, Remy is visiting today,” he reminded me. Giving him a pout I growled sourly that we had only been there for a few days. “She's close to giving birth. Shouldn't she stay home in case she goes into labor, ” I muttered. “She loves her mother who is exactly like her,” he replied while I watched him get dressed. “If she was like me she would know not to bother us for a while so we can settle in,” I muttered softly, enjoying my muscles getting relaxed by the hot water. “Well, I w
Athena Montgomery’s pov Remy apologized for snapping at me and I told her that I accepted because she was pregnant and being an overly emotional bitch. She laughed while flipping me off, and I giggled because she was so much like me. They left with Devin to go home and Gavin’s parents retired to their bedroom soon after dinner. Gavin figured they were chasing each other naked around the bed and I cringed. I volunteered to help Henry wash dishes and she told me how happy she was that Gavin and I were going to retire. She paused suddenly and asked me if Azel was also the King. Shrugging, I told her that Gavin hadn't announced that yet, so I wasn't sure. “Gavin will probably just keep the title until he dies of old age,” she said with a chuckle. I giggled and dried the last plate. “Thanks for letting me help. It keeps my mind from worrying about Sabrina and Anton,” I explained, and she gave me a sympathetic smile. “I'm sure Anton will save the young female. He is in love with h
Athena Montgomery’s pov The baby girl was absolutely gorgeous and looked like her mother with blonde hair and big blue eyes. Sitting on the couch and holding Bailey I felt devastated for not getting the chance to raise my own girls. It still hurts that I didn't get to watch them grow from infancy. Tearing up I gazed at Linda while wiping my damp eyes. “You are blessed, Linda. Enjoy your time raising her,” I said softly and she nodded. Azel came to take Bailey from me, and I bit my lip, watching him behaving so carefully with her. “He's going to be a great dad,” Remy commented and I nodded. “I'm surprised by him and extremely pleased that he has matured so much since finding his mate,” I mumbled softly. Gavin’s mother was still chatting with Leora and Gideon with Henry, her husband giving Gideon a sympathetic stare over his wife’s obnoxious behavior. Josephine Montgomery completely ignored Linda and the pup, making me glare at her across the room. “She's got some nerve,” I com
Athena Montgomery’s pov Several weeks passed, and our beautiful daughter, Leora, the high queen, had come to our pack to get her son. When she and Gideon arrived, Gavin and I were excited to see that she was already showing with either a prince or princess. “You look well-loved, sweetie,” I teased her, and she blushed prettily. “Gideon is a very good mate and took me to his ancestral lands in Ireland. It was very green,” Leora stated. “We met with the King's there, and they gave us a banquet,” Gideon chuckled, and I noticed that my daughter looked uncomfortable. Her face has grown pale. She leaned in toward me and whispered, “They had an entire stag on a spit that they tore meat from. It still had hair on some parts.” Snickering, I explained that some packs still prepared meals for the entire pack that way, and she shuddered. “Well I apparently have become more refined,” she muttered. “You were experiencing morning sickness from the pup. If you weren't in your condition, I do
Athena Montgomery's pov Sitting on the back porch, I was watching Anton with my grandsons, Ciaran and Devin, play sword fighting and attempt to give them pointers. He was failing miserably and making me chuckle. My grandsons had inherited their grandmother's disposition and it tickled me immensely. Sabrina, Hazel's daughter, was with me, and also Linda, who was heavily pregnant with my next grandbaby. “So when is the high King and Queen returning from their overseas trip,” Sabrina inquired and I shrugged. “I told them to take as much time as they liked. I have enjoyed this time raising the young ones,” I responded with a grin. “You have Remy’s boy too? Where is she at?” “Her and Styx are off having a couple's getaway, and she will most likely return with another grandchild for our Luna,” Linda chuckled, and I nodded in agreement. “Hopefully, a little girl,” I mumbled softly, and Linda rubbed her baby bump. “I'm hoping for that as well so I can create frilly little dr
Leora Montgomery's pov Straining to push out my son, I grasped Gideon's hand and screamed as I bore down. After several attempts, I felt the pup exit along with the placenta and waited for his cries but was met with gasps of concern. Gideon stood and growled sternly as he left my side and went to see what was wrong. Tears fell from my eyes as I stammered asking what was wrong. “The pup is blue and not getting oxygen by breathing!” Remy asserted as Gideon lifted the infant and started digging the mucus from his mouth. “Give me the suction apparatus,” he shouted out. I watched through my panic as he sucked out our child’s nostrils and rubbed against the child’s tawny back skin. Seeing the fear in Gideon’s eyes I cried out for him to save our son. “I will,” he snapped and cradled the pup. Inserting his fangs into the pup's shoulder, the child let out a menacing growl, causing me to gasp. Retracting his teeth Gideon smiled widely and looked at me. “He was being a stubborn litt
Leora Montgomery's pov My hair was lovely. Remy had outdone herself as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Linda had returned to inform us that they were going to wed Gideon and me first, then crown us. “Who are they?” I asked her curiously. Grinning slightly she said, “A Moon Council member has come to officiate the wedding and is an acquaintance of your King.” Creasing my brow, Ivory chuckled and informed me that it was Cedric Phillips.” My eyes widened at the mention of that lighthearted old werewolf. “That's hilarious that he's officiating our nuptials. He's a silly character, I met him when I was first at the council but briefly,” I giggled. “Here is something blue!” Linda stated as she handed me a small pale blue handkerchief. “I don't have a bouquet,” I mumbled softly and my mom lifted her hand from behind her back and presented a lovely cluster of pink roses and baby's breath. “Where did you find these?” Grinning slightly, she informed me that my la
Leora Montgomery's pov Pacing my bedroom, I kept squeezing my hands periodically and chewing on my bottom lip, not wanting to deal with all of the royals that had been willingly invited into my home. “You should at least make a presence before the crowning as you are the natural-born high queen,” Gideon said with a grin. Shaking my head I told him that he was doing just fine on his own and he was just as important as I was. “You're my mate Gideon so all that natural born bologna is nonsense. I just don't want to be judged by a bunch of uppity snobbish wolves. Plus I was enjoying our solitude,” I asserted. Coming to my side he hugged me tightly and said, “They are all going to admire and love you like I do and will leave tomorrow.” Scrunching my face I side-eyed him and growled, “I don't want them to love me like you do, Gideon! And they can leave NOW!” Rolling his eyes he chuckled and explained that he didn't mean love in that sense and that I just needed to deal with the