Athena Blackstone pov Pleading with her to keep bugging Rudik as I wished to know my dad's condition, she remained quiet. “I just found my father and I don't want to lose him too,” I sighed and looked down at Azel as he started fussing. “Feed him,” my wolf asserted and I balked in return. “With What, Bria? I'm in a basement!” Feeling her rolling eyes, she growled, “Your breasts still carry milk since they haven't dried up yet. Give him your nipple.” Glancing around at the scattered pack members I turned away from them in the chair and lifted my t-shirt. “I hope the little fella knows what to do,” I muttered as I moved his tiny mouth to my nipple. When he latched on and began to nurse I cheered triumphantly in my head. Feeling a tap on my back I glanced over to a small young female handing me a sandwich. “My mom said to give you this, Highness,” she said softly. Taking it from her tiny hand I grinned slightly and said,” Thank you, little one. Let your mom know th
Athena Blackstone pov Drying my eyes I sighed and said, “We must find our daughter and inform the Gray Mountain pack of their Alpha’s passing.” “I'm sure Luna will make it known on her way out,” Gideon asserted and passed us through the open doorway. Gavin peered down at me oddly and asked me where my necklace was. Shaking my head I told him that it wasn't meant for me only to confuse him. Resentment filled me briefly about who I could have been, but once I glanced up at my mate's face, I realized that I had made the right choice. “Just know you're a lucky fucker,” I informed him and gestured for us to go into the lobby. Chuckling he said, “I do feel rather grand.” Side-eyeing him I shook my head and said, “We must find Henry and ask her about Sally. I think she's in cahoots with Justine and her father, Chad.” Giving me a concentrated glance as he mulled over my words, he hissed, “Henry and Dwayne left to go stay with other relatives; hmm, not suspicious at all. Now,
Athena Blackstone pov Rushing toward the frightening-looking man holding the knife in Chad’s gut, I jumped up and kicked him in his chest with both of my feet, causing him to stumble backward with his knife still in his hand. I quickly spun in the air and dropped to my feet before the blonde-haired man. Oblivious to the rifles pointed in my direction I grabbed his robe and lifted him to face me. Hearing the guards moving in my direction didn't faze me or my mission. I barely registered their guns raised in my direction. “Where is she!” I demanded with a snarl. My eyes were glowing dangerously at him needing answers. Chad Smith looked at me in utter confusion. “What in the fuck are you talking about?” “My baby girl that your daughter Justine and her mate Logan brought to you that you intend to raise and breed with, you sick son of a bitch,” I growled. Shaking his head he said, “I have disowned my daughter and haven't seen her since…Oh shit, you're the female the king re
Gavin Montgomery pov Later that evening a sense of foreboding washed over me as I sat in the lobby of the infirmary. We had been there for the entire day as Derek Blackstone’s acquaintances came filing in to bid farewell to the man. Thinking about Athena leaving with the assassin outside of the infirmary earlier that day I was angry at myself for not putting my foot down. “Why did I allow her to go? How will I know if they need anything,” I thought to Rudik. “Gideon is capable of getting them both out of a sticky situation, so relax. Your mate is in good hands and also a well-trained warrior herself,” my Lycan responded. I shook off my unease when Azel started cooing in my arms. “Wish you could tell us what happened to your sister, little fella,” I mumbled softly to my son. He just blinked his big amber eyes at me in response. “Son, Derek's elite guards are arriving to get their Alpha and asked for help in preparing him for his entombment,” my dad called out to me. Nodd
Athena Blackstone pov Exhausted, I rested my head against my stretched-out arms that were hanging by the chain. I was surprised by Styx remaining wide awake at the table drinking straight from a bottle of liquor he had gotten from a chest tucked in the corner of the shabby room. “I've sent off the ransom note for your sake, or your head will be on a spike next to Mister Smith’s,” he snickered. “Oh, you're fucking hilarious,” I muttered, bringing his narrowed dark eyes toward me. Glaring back at him I asked him what? “What's it like having a mate,” he asked me bluntly, surprising me. Shrugging I pinched my lips together as I contemplated my answer. “Different from what my mother said it was. She was a deeply devoted warrior prodigy and despised men,” I said softly. Nodding his head, he exhaled deeply and said, “I have yet to meet mine, but I'm certain that they would find me hideous if they ever met me.” “Your mate will find you handsome no matter what but your line
Athena Blackstone pov Giving him a raised brow I leaned toward my mate and asked him if he was jealous of the younger man. Snorting at me he growled, “Certainly not!” Nodding, I said, “Don't be; Anton was one of my top students. I used to train the guards at my former pack and taught him since he was a youngster.” Grinning like a goof, Anton said, “Yeppers, that's who I am! Athena's TOP student.” Rolling his eyes Gavin apologized for thinking we were a thing and asked me if he was going to transfer to our pack. Shrugging I mumbled, “Perhaps you can ask him if he wants to.” Seeing Anton’s head bobbing up and down I giggled. “Guess that's a yes, which is fantastic since Hazel is mates with your Beta. I will have all my dear friends close to me,” I said cheerfully but then frowned. “Can we find Justine? Could she still be camped at the same location?” I asked Gavin as we continued toward his pack home. “Hey assassin, can you transfer yourself to people by seeing their
Athena Blackstone pov “How did he find her so quickly,” I questioned sullenly. “Styx has a direct line to the rogues, and once he got the whereabouts of your pup, he went there immediately and demanded her return. At least that's what the couple told me,” Gideon said. Rubbing my eyes I exhaled deeply and said, “He believes that she is his mate. How can he assume that without her reaching her maturity,” I growled. “Maybe he felt a connection with you and figured that your daughter would be his,” the assassin said reluctantly, causing me to glare at him. Henry, Dwayne, and their daughter Sally were approaching us, and Henry was wringing her hands nervously. Shoving her daughter forward she told her to tell us, gaining both our attention. “I'm giving my resignation, I will be working with another female starting immediately,” Sally stated firmly. I looked at Henry, and she waved her hands before herself and said that she and her husband were staying. Nodding, I side-eyed Gavin,
Athena Blackstone pov After showing Henry, she was twirling Remy around the kitchen, and said, “I'm so happy for you and Gavin. Your pups are adorable! Um, where is his Highness?” Telling her he was in a meeting with the mercenary Alpha, her eyes widened. “Do I need to prepare another plate for supper?” Shrugging, I told her that she could just encase, and she nodded as she handed me back Remy. “Let me get two bottles for the pups so you can feed them while I finish supper. They will have full tummies and allow you to enjoy your meal in peace,” she said softly and I thanked her. After feeding them both I changed their cloth diapers and laid them down on either side of me on the couch. “What is taking my mate so long,” I huffed and sank back into the cushions. “And what about Gideon and Anton? They're searching for the pup that's here,” I muttered in irritation. The lack of sleep over the past few days was catching up with me, and I was slowly drifting off until Gavin started
Athena Blackstone’s pov We left the cottage and were currently on the ATV heading back to the house. I was resting my cheek on Gavin's back as he drove down the dirt path. “Are you excited to get wed?” My wolf asked me. “Sure, I will be official afterward and Gavin's Luna queen,” I answered her. “I just wish Hazel was still here to be my bridesmaid and my dad to hand me off,” I added sullenly. “Ask Anton to hand you off, or Styx and Remy and Linda can be both your bridesmaids,” Bria suggested, and I grinned slightly. As we pulled up to the front of the house, I spied a white and black speckled large owl perched on the roof looking down at us, then immediately got a chill. “Is that Aspen?” I questioned Bria and she hummed before saying possibly. Narrowing my eyes at the feathered creature, I watched it tilt its head, spread its wings, and fly off toward the forest. “Is he able to transform into anything?” “Yes, he has that gift from his ancestors,” Bria sighed and I huffed
Athena Blackstone’s pov Waking up suddenly, I peeked over at Gavin, still sleeping soundly, and pinched my mouth from laughing at his mouth open as he slept. Moving my legs carefully from underneath him I patted my bare feet to the hot spring and grinned slightly as I lowered myself back into the hot water. I rested my elbows on the edge while I submerged my lower half. Closing my eyes as the warmth filled my leg and butt muscles I smiled at hearing Gavin beginning to rise. “You look like a siren awaiting a sailor to entice,” he said sleepily. Snickering, I told him that he was the only semen I wished for. “Hmm, interesting choice of words, temptress,” he laughed and rolled on his stomach, facing me from the bed. Looking over at him I raised my index finger and beckoned for him to join me. “If my woman wishes I will come,” he mumbled and quickly jumped into the deep pool. Watching his head bobbing up with his eyes glowing I inhaled sharply when he submerged and moved purpos
Gavin Montgomery's pov I had been overjoyed about bringing Athena to the cottage until Gideon appeared. I knew instinctively that it was about the high king in one regard or another, and when my mate ran off to the balcony, I was told what brought him. “Aspen cannot have your daughter. You need to give up your throne, hide, and keep her away from him at all costs…besides, I think the female could potentially be mine,” Gideon asserted, and I looked at him with disbelief. “I'm not going to give my crown to my eldest. I don't know which one of the twins came first, and either way, the other one will feel cheated. Plus, I want Athena to be given the title of queen officially. She deserves it,” I huffed. Rubbing his eyes the assassin was gritting his teeth. “Aspen is a cruel and crazy fuck with too high of expectations! He will break your child’s spirit and not allow her to become the woman she's meant to become,” he stressed firmly and I gave him a stoic glare. “It's true, Aspen n
Athena Blackstone's pov The following morning I was in a daze. Nothing seemed real as I watched my friend Hazel’s wrapped body get consumed by the flames of the pyre. I didn't sob like yesterday but tears rolled down my cheek. My thoughts were completely void of Aspen and the white wolf I had seen, and my body wasn't giving me a warning, so I just focused on what was happening before me. “She had finally gotten her happiness and it was taken from her,” I think to Bria. “It happens to all of us, some sooner than others. That's why you must live your life to the fullest and be happy,” she said softly. Seeing my mate standing with Nick, I noticed that he was looking at me with concern, and I curled my lip slightly to let him know that I was okay. “Is he still planning on going to the mountain after this?” I questioned my wolf. Silently for a moment, Bria replied with a simple yeah. Sighing deeply I hoped that it would bring me a little bit of happiness. “Life cannot
Athena Blackstone's pov Feeling as if my entire world was crumbling around me I was thankful for Anton. When we reached Gavin's, he was wiping his eyes and said, “Stay alive, boss lady. I can't lose you too,” he said emotionally, and I nodded before giving him a motherly hug. “Thanks for bringing me home,” I mumbled softly and turned to see Gavin standing on the front porch. Shaking my head at him, his eyes filled with grief. “Is Nick alright?” “No, he is hurting,” I replied and he sighed. “Go inside and eat. You missed dinner, and the pup needs nutrients. I'm going to go help Nick. I'll return later,” he said firmly and I nodded as I stepped up the stairs. “Are you going to be okay,” he asked me in concern. Peering up at him with my reddened eyes and damp cheeks I shrugged. “I will manage. I've got family, but Nick has no one but his pup. He needs you now more than I,” I said solemnly. Kissing my forehead he told me that he loved me before rushing off to help his
Athena Blackstone's pov An hour or so later, my family was all gathered in the living room, and Remy hugged me tightly when she first arrived. She could tell instantly that I was bothered by something and asked me to tell her. “We will in a moment,” I told her sullenly. Gavin exhaled deeply and then stood up to address them all. “Your mom and I had an issue at the King's Ball and unfortunately had to save our asses by signing our unborn pup over to King Aspen,” he said firmly, and Styx visually shuddered. “That's insanity; he is part demon, werewolf, fae, and related to Ormguddina, the snake witch, along with the high demon Mammon, who can shift into anything and is extremely dangerous,” he growled, and I eyed him, then my mate. Swallowing uncomfortably, I growled, “I knew he was odd, but it was either the contract, or he was going to kill your father and keep me for nefarious reasons.” My daughter side-eyed me with sadness and reached her hand out to me. Taking it I looked
Athena Blackstone's pov The helicopter ride home didn't even faze me. My brain was occupied with the pup that was growing within me. “Athena, he would have killed us both. First me, then you eventually,” Gavin stated. Shaking my head I huffed and growled, “So we offered up our daughter like a sacrifice. Is her life less important than ours?!” I was crestfallen as a mother and a warrior. I'd failed and eyed Gavin critically. “Perhaps he should not be my mate. I could have been the Goddess’s warrior and not had to deal with any of this failure,” I thought bitterly as a tear rolled down my cheek. Seeing me crying Gavin wrapped his arm around me and pressed my head against his chest. “It's better to face things together, Athena and the grass isn't always better on the other side,” Bria growled in my head. Rolling my eyes I told her that didn't make any sense and continued to drown in my frustration. Once we finally landed, Dwayne wasn't there to pick us up so I just s
Athena Blackstone's pov Time seemed to crawl by, and my anxiety over our fate increased with each second that passed. Watching Gavin taking a piss in the same corner that I had, I sat while resting my forearms on my knees, growing impatient. “When is that dick going to get here?” I growled sourly in frustration. Returning to my side Gavin said, “He is seeing his guest off since it's the end of the ball and also probably dealing with Lyra’s corpse.” Frowning, I side-eyed him and said, “Sorry you had to do that.” “Do what?” “Kill your former lover,” I muttered and he shook his head and laughed sarcastically. “She was pushing me, and I warned her to stop. If anything, the blame falls on both her and Aspen,” he asserted, and I nodded. Exhaling deeply I huffed and buried my head between my knees. Gavin placed his hand on my back and rubbed me for comfort. “I'm happy that you agreed to marry me,” he mumbled softly near my neck. Lifting my head I furrowed my brow.
Athena Blackstone's pov Once we reached the outside Gavin said to slow down and act casual. “Guests come out to have intimate connections. We just need to behave as such,” he panted as he squeezed my hand and pulled me closer. As the guards rushed past, he captured my lips in a toe-curling kiss that had me growing instantly damp with desire. Grinning against my mouth he asked, “I can smell your lust. Should we go to a hidden spot for a quick mate?” Running my free hand over his swollen crotch, I giggled and nodded, wanting nothing more than to have him inside of me. Lifting me in his arms, he ran through the garden, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. Peeking over his shoulder, I noticed that the guard's presence had waned, and he soon slowed his gate. Stopping at a small walled gazebo I raised my brow at him. “Have you, um, done things here before?” Shaking his head he said, “No, this is Aspen’s. No one enters this area.” Grinning smugly at him I said, “Seems like an i