AthenaMy eyes had opened on their own, before even the first hours of the morning. It turned out that, even sleep couldn't keep my mind and soul in control. I was restless, beyond anyone could understand, not that there was anyone to understand, but that was truly the least out of all the worst things that'd happened to me till now.As I splashed cold water on my face, trying hard to get a hold of my racing heart and cluttered emotions that stung me every time they crossed through. I did not know, why was I still thinking about my decisions twice, trying to reprocess everything to get a new meaning, when Sebastian had not bothered to give one thought to what he said and did when he actually cut the last string between us with his own hands.I should not think about him. All that should matter to me is my baby— Then why? Why was I still having these horrible thoughts in my mind? Why was the weight on my chest not fading at all and only getting heavier as time passed by?Last night Seb
AthenaAs I walked inside Sebastian's room, it turned out that my assumptions of finding him there were wrong— His room was empty and judging by the lack of his scent in the air particles, I could tell, he has not been here for more than just a few. Maybe he has left for work once again, unannounced and unbothered just like he always was.But I did have a feeling that he hasn't left the mansion. I don't know, but my mind was just constantly telling me this and I could feel his presence, even though he was not right in front of my eyes or anyway near me.Finding the room empty and heaving with pin-drop silence, I walked away and headed downstairs thinking that I might find him there. But as my eyes met with the empty hallway, half of my hopes of finding him here died.If I could I wouldn't do it, if I could I would have run far away and never come back, filling myself with so much hatred for Sebastian that the thought of seeing his face would never, even for once, cross my mind. I'd ha
AthenaHe.....was going to mark her?My eyes searched for any sign of deceit in Celine's orbs, trying to read her face but unfortunately for me— All I saw was the truth.He was going to mark her......She was not lying. It was true, the news she broke to me was nothing but the truth— Another of the decisions taken by Sebastian, perhaps solely intended to hurt me. My gaze shot at Sebastian, my hands began shaking and my legs fought to give up yet I stood still, denying to show any sign of weakness that would give these individuals the satisfaction they desired to feel."Is....is this true?" I found myself asking Sebastian who seemed reluctant to look at me.The trembling of my voice surely gave it all away even though I did not want my struggle to become apparent, or even be near the surface for anyone to notice but how could I help it? He was all I ever wanted.His silence gave me the answer— It was true."Why are you asking him, honey?" Celine made a sound of pity, "I know it's hur
Athena"You are marking her...." It was not a question, but as I let the statement out I couldn't help my agony that became visible on its own, defeating all my restraints."Yes, I guess that's not news anymore, is it?" He cocked an eyebrow.It astonished me how much cold this man could act towards me, what amount of pain he has left to inflict and how much he wished to ruin me after everything that he had done; Ironically he still got the desire to hurt me more, break me and destroy even the last few pieces I have somehow put together.How had a man so cruel and ruthless as he managed to corrupt the place in my heart? Perhaps, someone said the truth— It's the decisions of the heart that write the tale of our demolition. My heart let him in, and now, he has completely ruined me, left me so shattered that all I could see was destruction and not have the strength to show any contempt. "Why are you doing this, Sebastian? What are you getting from all these things?" I spoke, this time ra
AthenaI watched him doe-eyed, watching the rage swarming in his wavering eyes, his hands shaking and rising fury evolving pronounced in his unsteady and rushed breathing. His clothes were nearly on the verge of getting ripped as his wolf began emerging, the very faint sight of the dark fur spread through his skin and the sharp nails cut through the layers of his skin and extended from the tips of his fingers, suddenly his inhale and exhale did not sound human any more, they began to sound animalistic.It was a debate whether his wolf was against me or trying to refrain Sebastian from hurting me. The sight of his wolf was dangerous, nonetheless, facing it did not feel as perilous as facing him. At least, it did not appear as if that beast wanted to destroy me, there was no want of demolition in the dark orbs of his wolf nor was there any rage specifically directed at me; Although there was indeed an unspecified amount of anger burning in them, it was not for me; In fact, it was for t
AthenaThe past few hours were the most peaceful ones I had spent ever since I collided with Sebastian and he threw every upside down.I did not know if Sebastian was going to be considerable enough to actually arrange my departure, however, I also did not think he loved me enough to attempt to stop me or create more hindrances than he already did. Hate? No that wasn't enough of a reason anymore— He has already done everything he could do just so he could make me believe that he indeed hated me and now, I truly believed that he was incapable of love and hatred was the only thing I would ever receive from a man like him no matter how much I tried, how many times I burned to bring the light to him and what sacrifices I made just so I could call him mine.But not anymore.Now that I knew I no longer had to keep fighting. I was free from my curse— The desperate ache to fix him and bring him back— A person I only got a few glimpses of.I no longer had to cry over the filth that had washed
AthenaMy heart felt heavy; Just like the burden of the memories— The moments I'd spent with Sebastian. But what was left to do anyways? I could not just leave my heart behind, it was incredibly stupid and impossible. It was fucking disappointing to stay stuck with the truth that this heart was what keeps us alive— The same bloody organ that makes us take on the dumbest decisions ever and still stay dazed, deprived of the sight of what is right for us to do.The thing I could do was to kill the emotions of it, the sentiments that come for that one specific person only and who was he? I guess that was not news.All these things known and reality imprinted on every cell of my brain, why did it still feel like I was leaving my heart behind? And why the fuck did it saddened me when this freedom was what I had been looking for from the day I was born? Why couldn't I celebrate this blessing the one captived under his curse has bestowed upon me?Fuck it! Just fuck the concept of love— Puttin
Six Months LaterAthena"Sweetheart, have you packed the parcel yet? That arrogant bloke might be here anytime soon," Shelly's voice, draped in an extremely thick British accent like always, came floating in my ears."Almost done, Shelly babe!" I yelled out from the other side of the huge kitchen that currently had more than ten people working, putting their best in their jobs. The fresh aroma of freshly baked pastries was coasting in the air, and some of it wafted into my nostrils which I, to be very honest, did not complain about at all— The entire kitchen smelled delicious.My wolf rolled her eyes, slumping back in my head and letting me know her extreme distaste for Shelly's accent and this sight of her caused a small laugh to slip past my lips.It astonished me how my wolf could get so moody sometimes and act like those high-school mean girls— She had different moods and, today's one was one of those that have always turned out to be a hassle to handle. However, I was happy to ge
Sebastian"Sebastian, you have to talk to Vincent. Enough is enough; I can't handle him anymore," Athena walked into the room, her hair cascading down her waist, her skin flushed with frustration, "Moreover, we don't even have enough room for toys and dresses now. There are still hundreds of things that Asher hasn't even tried yet, but he just dropped off more than ten bags full of outfits, just now! Asher's growing so fast; he won't even get to try all of it. It's all going to be a waste. God, I can't take it!"She threw her hands over her head. In her flowy white maxi dress, with no bra on, she did indeed look tempting. It might make me seem like a complete jerk, but I wasn't paying the least amount of attention to her words compared to what I was paying to her body now.Oh, how I would love to tear that dress off of her and have her on the bed, clutching onto the sheets with her silky hair sprawled all over the pillow while with each thrust, I'd drive deeper into her—it'd be a deli
Athena"Luna, there's someone who wants to meet both of you," the maid informed us."Who is it, sweetie?" I asked as I gently placed Asher in his crib. This was his second nap of the day, and in his soft snores, there was a hint of Sebastian. He had definitely taken after his father in terms of looks and a few habits."He says his name is Tristan Perez.""What, Tristan?" I asked, my brows rising in surprise, and Sebastian's reaction mirrored mine as he immediately closed his laptop."Bring him in," he said, “Right now."The maid promptly left the room.It had been four months since that fateful day when Sebastian, after apologizing to Tristan, me (even though I was unconscious at the time), and our newborn baby, disappeared. He had promised to return the following day, but Tristan had vanished without a trace. No phone calls, no visits, no messages, and no news. Cora had been devastated, but she eventually found the strength to move on, accepting the possibility that he might never re
AthenaFour Months Later"Sebastian, Vincent, I need to feed Asher. You two need to give him to me, right now!" I yelled for the second time, standing at the doorway with my arms crossed over my chest."Do you want to go to Mama?" Sebastian asked, planting soft kisses on Asher's cheeks, eliciting a chorus of giggles, "We don't think so. He's happier with Daddy and Uncle Vince.""Yeah, our little fighter is happier with us than with you, Athena. You seem to bore him all the time," Vincent chuckled, gently taking Asher in his arms and playfully nibbling on his ear, "What a big boy you are, huh?!" He planted a loving kiss atop Asher's head."Yeah, Mama's boring," Sebastian joked, pretending to lie down across Asher's lap. Asher, ever the daddy's boy, leaned in and gave Sebastian a kiss of his own, complete with a cute but slobbery open-mouthed smooch. That was his way of kissing."See, even Asher agrees with us," Vincent said with a proud grin.Goodness! When I had Asher, who could have
AthenaEverything around me felt too light, and my body felt burdened by an inexplicable weight. I was acutely aware of my own breath, the gentle touch of someone's fingers caressing my cheeks, and the faint, delicate movements of a small figure nestled in my arms.Do the departed continue to breathe? Perhaps in their consciousness, or maybe in a manner imperceptible to the living. Do the dead really breathe?Am I among the dead now? If I am, then why do I still sense that touch, one that seemed to coax my soul to the surface with every stroke? Why do I feel the presence of someone incredibly dear to me, as though a part of my essence had drawn near?Thoughts raced through my mind, clamouring for attention, until one realisation surfaced — my baby.My eyes slowly fluttered open, adjusting to the soft, ambient light. The surroundings were unmistakably familiar — our very own home, and our shared place—Our room.So....we made it?"Love," Sebastian's voice whispered beside me, and I turn
TristanI had made a mistake. A great one. One that I couldn’t undo no matter how much I wished.Cora handed me the diary as we all stood outside the hospital. The morning winds were bitterly cold or maybe, it was just the cold within me."This is Celine's diary," she said, her demeanour different today, unlike the times when she used to follow me around in an attempt to make me acknowledge the mate bond I had been denying until now. Of course, I knew the reason—she had seen the kind of person I had become.And who would ever want to be with a man like me? Worthless.I hadn't done this right. I made Athena pay a price she wasn't supposed to pay—all that pain and suffering just to see her child's face once. She had endured too much for my revenge, a revenge I shouldn't have sought in the first place. But what else could I do? I wanted to hurt Sebastian, and she was the only one who truly mattered to him in this entire world.Celine died to save Athena. Had I made her sacrifice go in va
Athena"What kind of sick joke is this?" Sebastian growled. "She can't even breathe, and you're asking her to push? Is this another one of your schemes to put her through even more suffering? Listen, Tristan, why don't you just leave? You've already succeeded, then just go.""Look, I'm not lying. I know I should be the last person you'd trust, but if you want to save her, this is the only way. It had always been this way.""Do you expect me to believe that? You're the one who brought my mate and child to this condition. And now, you suddenly change your mind and say you're willing to show a sick way to save her?""I don't know why I'm doing this, okay?" Tristan shouted. "I still don't know if I'm supposed to save your mate and child and give you a happily ever after when you've ruined hundreds of lives, including the one I loved. I'm not even sure if I won't regret my decision if I save her... but," his voice dropped low, "I don't know if I'll be able to forgive myself if she dies bec
Vincent"Where could it be?!" I scoured every corner of the room that my sister had once lived in. Each belonging I touched, felt like a piece of my soul leaving my body. She had degraded herself into being someone's... object, all to avenge a duty that was never meant to be hers in the first place.I had failed as a brother. First, I couldn't save my wife and child, and then my sister— I had failed as a brother, a husband, and a father. Perhaps, at some point, even as a son, the day I emptied all the bullets in my gun into my mother's body.What else could I have done? She wasn't the mother I once knew, or maybe she never was. She’d become just a wife, a woman consumed by revenge for her husband's death, stooping to any level she could."Fuck, I need to find it!""Do you really think she wrote about it in her diary?" Cora's voice was laced with frustration, mirroring my own. Despite her wound, she'd insisted on coming with me. Seeing her struggle and fight through the pain just to be
AthenaIn just a matter of minutes, perhaps five at most, another howl echoed from the same direction I had just fled. The urgency to rescue my child and escape intensified. The deeper I ventured, the jungle's darkness engulfed me, beyond the approaching dusk, as if the very terrain absorbed my every pawfall.Adjusting to my newfound lupine form proved challenging, despite the profound potential it held. Joy should have welled within me, had circumstances been different. Amid this life-and-death urgency for my child and me, my half-life of hell ended. The ash-hued fur now enveloping me marked my shift – bones realigning, former doubts erased. A single question remained, paramount: Can I save my baby?I did not know but I knew, I had to. No matter what, I had to.Irrespective, I surged forward with unrelenting speed, and the strength in my body grew. But the abdominal ache deepened, sapping my strides. My efforts persisted, each second ticking toward an impending reckoning. My deliver
SebastianThere was no trace of her anywhere. Every search and every query yielded negative results.Fuck this!A bead of sweat trickled down my forehead. My heart's rhythm grew louder, each passing second eroding my grasp on composure—I can't forgive myself if anything happens to her or our child. Past mistakes already burdened me, and failing them now would be unbearable."Any leads?"."No, Alpha. No sign of her," came the reply."Then search around! Why the fuck are you calling me without anything to report? Damn it!”"Apologies, Alpha. We'll expand the search."I disconnected and flung the phone away. This situation was maddening. Worry consumed me, and Aaron's tactics, unexpected. I had misjudged his feelings for Athena, forgetting the twisted core that might lead him to harm her for his ego's sake.Damn it! I should've seen this coming. Accompanied her instead of letting her go with Cora.How could I act fucking careless?!I sped up the car, the dark night heightening my fears.