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 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 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
Gavin Montgomery pov After receiving the call from Veronica I was more anxious to return to see Athena. I hadn't answered her question directly and only reminded the wicked woman that I was going to be married soon to get her off my back. Confused about why she was questioning me about her kitchen worker I had pondered about it the entire evening. The next morning I was sitting in my office and fumbling with the necklace that my jeweler had just finished repairing. “The female didn't lie about who she was; her bloodline is that of a warrior and she is a moonless shifter like yourself. She was not part of the kitchen staff,” my Lycan, Rudik, growled sternly in my mind. “If I hadn't had to return to deal with the rogues that attacked my Silver Moon pack I would have made her my luna queen by now and told her the truth about everything that very night. Hell, I have been searching for my mate since receiving the crown three years ago and well before that,” I muttered. “What are you i
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
Athena Blackstone's pov Entering the bedroom I went to the packed gown and brought it out to lay it on the bed. Frowning, since the excitement I held of having Gavin seeing me in it felt like a stake to my heart now. I shook my head. “You can still wow him, he's still a man,” Bria snickered. “He's compelled to only focus on that Lyra chick,” I growled sourly as I stripped and slipped on the amazing gown remaining completely bare underneath it. “Do you think I should put up my hair?” I asked my wolf and she said,” You can flaunt your mate mark to the king. That will irk him,” she said in a snarky manner, making me giggle. A knock sounded at the door and I exhaled sharply. “That better not be that asshole, Aspen,” I huffed and went to open it to see a small man. His eyes looked over my gown and he nodded, “Linda's work is a chef's kiss.” “Who are you?” “Oh, I'm sorry for being enamored by the ethereal sight before me. I'm Pierre, his Excellency's personal designer. He asked m
Athena Blackstone's pov My eyes went to Lady Lyra grinning at me as she offered her dainty hand out to Gavin. I held out hope when he turned to look at me. My lower lip started to quiver when he stood up and said, “I will send for my suit.” My jaw tensed as I stood up and glared at Aspen. “I hope you enjoy the little warped game you are playing, but I can tell you right now I will never remain here,” I asserted and stormed out of his office only to be snatched by one of his guards and shoved back inside. “My servant will escort you to me after the meal,” Aspen said stiffly, repeating what he had told me before and I rolled my eyes. “May I leave now?” He waved his hand dismissively and I stormed out of his office. “Tell Rudik to fight against the compulsion,” I begged Bria and she sighed. “I will try my best, dear,” she replied but with not much encouragement. I returned to the bedroom and sank into the couch and exhaled deeply. I was close to tears as my mind wa
Athena Blackstone's pov Wondering why he wished to remain within the room. I strolled around as I thought about it while conversing with my wolf. “Perhaps Lady Lyra is a hybrid and compelled Gavin during his last visits, and a part of him remains leery of the whole situation,” she offered. Frowning, I shook my head. “She only gave me a glare when I saw her at the King's court and didn't make a big scene,” I replied. Sighing deeply, Bria growled, “They were watching your interaction with Aspen as it was highly unusual. Plus, he couldn't compel you, and I think the others were aware.” Furrowing my brow I stood near the window and glanced out at the expansive garden below. My eyes lit up at the beautiful fountain that was situated in the center but soon my brow furrowed. “Can I take Aspen's compulsion away from Gavin,” I asked Bria. She hummed and then told me that the only way to break a compulsion is by the source. Shuddering I shuffled myself toward Gavin and looked u
Athena Blackstone's pov Once the plane finally stopped, I glanced out of the tiny window and saw guards, lots of them, and turned to Gavin with a furrowed brow. “It's normal for Aspen to have guards at his Landing strip when his guests arrive. It's supposed to give us a sense of security,” he explained, and I shook my head. “Looks more like a show of power, if you ask me,” I muttered sourly and stood shaking out my hands at my sides. Seeing Gavin puffing out his chest and his features growing stern. It gave him a fierce look I wasn't accustomed to causing me to raise my brow. “What are you doing?” I questioned him. Giving me a stoic glare, he said he was transforming himself into his kingly persona. Frowning, I shook my head and said, “You look like an asshole, and I don't care for it. It isn't anything normal that I have seen before from you and it looks ridiculous.” My wolf was sighing deeply in my head so I asked her what the deal was. “Think of it as a performan
Athena Blackstone's pov Sleeping fitfully the entire night I growled sourly when Gavin tried waking me and pulled the covers back over my head. Chuckling at me, he said, “If you want to prepare for our trip, you should get up now, honey.” Peeking at him I frowned. “I'm not going to be able to be on my best behavior, not with the night I had,” I muttered sourly yet he continued to smile at me. “Stop that, it's creepy,” I added and he yanked the covers off me completely. “I'm happy because I can finally bring my mate to the ball, Athena. I'm very proud of you and want to show you off,” he said firmly and I cocked my brow at him. “Then you are no better than King Aspen,” I huffed and he shook his head and said,” You don't know how amazing you are nor how much happiness you have given me.” Grinning slightly I climbed out of bed and patted my bare body past him to go to his ensuite. “I'm going to shower,” I sighed, and he watched me pass him with glowing eyes. After cleaning up
Athena Blackstone's pov The remaining days leading up to the King's Ball were filled with Gavin showing the new more mature Azel how to run certain aspects of the pack. I hadn't spent much time with my mate but was spending a lot of time with Linda and my daughter Remy who was excited for her brother. The three of us were enjoying the afternoon on the back patio. “How are you feeling about traveling tomorrow morning to upper New York? Styx said that you could visit Canada if you and Dad get a hair up your butts,” Remy suggested. “I'm apprehensive about the entire thing and hope that I can pull it off without losing my head,” I growled sourly. Snickering, Linda said, “You will be alright. I have made you a gorgeous ball gown and a few lovely outfits for you as well. You will be the bell of the ball.” Furrowing my brow I exhaled deeply. I wasn't certain that I wanted to have anyone’s attention, most certainly the high King's, but I nodded at her because she had done a fantastic