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 pov I opened my eyes suddenly in a complete panic with the sun beating down on my face, and I sat up in bed. Gavin shuffled himself toward me and muttered incoherently. He was still sleeping. “Did you hear the pups at all last night?” I asked him in concern. Blinking his eyes, he yawned and said, “No, I was knocked out and slept like the dead.” Making an annoyed sound I scrambled from the bed and rushed into the adjoining room. Glancing over the mattress I moved the pillows I had used as barricades and found no pups. “They are both GONE!” I shouted out. Gavin ordered me to stop just as I was about to run from the bedroom. “Dress yourself! Do not run around in the buff when other males are staying here!” Snatching the robe from his hand I growled sourly as I slipped it on and tore off down the hall. Scurrying down the stairs I saw Henry dusting in the living room. “Have you seen the pups?!” Nodding, she simply pointed upward and said, “Your friend Anton he
Athena Blackstone pov “What are they discussing,” I asked Gavin and he shook his head before pulling me aside. “I feel like you should play your part when we arrive at the home of Veronica and Jordan. I want you to wear a gown instead of the guard clothing you normally wear,” he said uncomfortably and I screwed up my face while giving him a sour look in return. “How am I supposed to fight in a damn dress?” I balked. Holding my upper arms he pinched his mouth and stared at me. “I don't care what you wear around here but I think you dressed up for your position will strike a nerve with both Veronica and her horrible mother. Don't you wish to rub it in that you're the queen and not her, eh?” Narrowing my eyes at him my lip started to curl upward. “I suppose that would be fun, but I will rip the dress off myself if I need to attack, so be sure to grab some pants just in case,” I muttered reluctantly, making him smile and kiss my forehead. Leaning over me he opened the kitche
Athena Blackstone pov Laying in my bed in my tiny room in the guard's house, I could hear my wolf Bria shouting at me to wake up. Shifting to my side, I growled sourly at her, interrupting my sleep after my late-night patrol. “The wedding for the new Alpha and Luna is today,” she stressed. Rolling my sleepy eyes I huffed, “What do I care? He refused our mate bond because I'm supposedly too weak to be a Luna and an orphan.” “Well, your mom is dead, and you have no clue who your father is or if he still breathes, so technically, you are an orphan but never weak,” she responded. “Fine, wolf, I will rise, but I'm not going to dress formally; jeans and a green tank top are all they are getting from me,” I growled sourly as I scooted off my bed and went to prepare. I still felt bitter about Jordan refusing our bond. His parents, the current Alpha and Luna, had retired, making him the new Alpha. “And Veronica your new Luna,” Bria chimed in my thoughts. “Oh for joy,” I growl
Athena Blackstone pov “Gavin! You're here?!” Veronica stammered as she offered me a friendly pat on my shoulder. Disgusted, I grabbed her hand and yanked her forward, causing her to stumble to her knees. “That's for breaking my mom's necklace,” I hissed in her lowered ear. The crowd started to snicker at their soon-to-be Luna, she got up, wiped off her knees, and glared at me."Athena, show some respect for your Luna," she snarled and whipped her hand back then slapped me hard across the face.Gritting my teeth I narrowed my eyes at the bitch."You still haven't changed," the Gavin stranger said from behind me, and Veronica stammered, "She was being insolent and needed discipline!" I glanced at her and then the guy and was confused by Veronica looking as if she was the one who had been slapped. “What's her deal,” I questioned Bria with my thoughts and she said that she hadn't a clue. Finished with her odd charade, I rolled my eyes, and with my broken necklace clasp in my
Athena Blackstone pov Hearing a stern knock on my door I hissed and growled, “I'm in the bathroom, give me a sec!” Rummaging through my medicine cabinet I grabbed a handful of bandaids and started covering my mark. “Well, that looks ridiculous,” I muttered sourly, then went to my door. I wasn't expecting Veronica to be standing there scowling at me so I pinched my lips together as she shoved her way inside with one of the younger guards. “You're being sent to kitchen duty since you failed to do your assignment,” she said firmly. My mouth fell open in shock. “But I'm a guard! A warrior prodigy, and only missed this one time, I should be let off with just a warning,” I stammered. Narrowing her eyes at me she asked me what was so important that I neglected my duties. My thoughts drifted off to the sensation of Gavin’s lips moving against my own until Bria warned me that I was in the presence of the current pack Luna. Clearing my throat I said, “I went on a run as my w
Athena Blackstone pov I watched Veronica wave her personal guards at me as she rushed to face me. “Take this insolent bitch to Alpha’s office; as for you, Athena, we will see if you're spreading falsehoods about the prince,” she hissed. Being whisked away by her two guards, I was feeling conflicted. “Did she just call Gavin a prince?” I questioned my wolf. “Yes, she did, this is getting very interesting,” Bria growled in my head as I was forced to the Alpha's residence and shown to the office. “Sit there, Athena Blackstone, while I get Gavin on speakerphone, and we will see exactly what happened,” Veronica snarled. I watched her as she went around the desk and sat down in the Alpha’s chair. The two guards stood at my sides and I side-eyed them both. I didn't know these two and figured that Veronica brought them both from her original pack. “I wonder where the Alpha is?” I thought to my wolf while she pushed out the numbers on her cell phone. “Hello?” Gavin's recognizable voi
Athena Blackstone povFinding the cage had been welded together well I slid down the bars to my butt and rested my forearms on my bent knees.“This sucks,” I growled.“Yeah, and you didn't even get breakfast this morning,” Bria whimpered.“Well, since I'm not going to get fed regardless, I feel that is the least of my worries at the moment,” I huffed and listened to the birds chirping in the woods behind the cinder block structure.“Who is Gavin and what is he the prince of? Are there wolf kings around the area,” I inquired from Bria.“I thought you didn't care because he has a fiance,” she replied and I narrowed my eyes.“I'm having his pups, and he should be made aware, or do you think I should just run off and raise them both on my own?”Growling a bitter, No, my wolf grumbled in my head.“Awe, you sound disappointed, Bria,” I stated sarcastically and she huffed back, “Like you're not?”She had a point, but I was used to being burned by males, even if I felt like Gavin was differen
Athena Blackstone pov “What are they discussing,” I asked Gavin and he shook his head before pulling me aside. “I feel like you should play your part when we arrive at the home of Veronica and Jordan. I want you to wear a gown instead of the guard clothing you normally wear,” he said uncomfortably and I screwed up my face while giving him a sour look in return. “How am I supposed to fight in a damn dress?” I balked. Holding my upper arms he pinched his mouth and stared at me. “I don't care what you wear around here but I think you dressed up for your position will strike a nerve with both Veronica and her horrible mother. Don't you wish to rub it in that you're the queen and not her, eh?” Narrowing my eyes at him my lip started to curl upward. “I suppose that would be fun, but I will rip the dress off myself if I need to attack, so be sure to grab some pants just in case,” I muttered reluctantly, making him smile and kiss my forehead. Leaning over me he opened the kitche
Athena Blackstone pov I opened my eyes suddenly in a complete panic with the sun beating down on my face, and I sat up in bed. Gavin shuffled himself toward me and muttered incoherently. He was still sleeping. “Did you hear the pups at all last night?” I asked him in concern. Blinking his eyes, he yawned and said, “No, I was knocked out and slept like the dead.” Making an annoyed sound I scrambled from the bed and rushed into the adjoining room. Glancing over the mattress I moved the pillows I had used as barricades and found no pups. “They are both GONE!” I shouted out. Gavin ordered me to stop just as I was about to run from the bedroom. “Dress yourself! Do not run around in the buff when other males are staying here!” Snatching the robe from his hand I growled sourly as I slipped it on and tore off down the hall. Scurrying down the stairs I saw Henry dusting in the living room. “Have you seen the pups?!” Nodding, she simply pointed upward and said, “Your friend Anton he
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 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 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 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
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 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
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,