AthenaI have walked into the kitchen for the first time since I was brought into this mansion, however, only to distract myself from the thoughts that only roamed around Sebastian. The encounter I had with him early this morning was still unnerving me in some manner and the last thing I wanted was to let the fear be alive within me once again.I prepared the cookie dough, my eyes absentmindedly focused on the scenery outside the window, it allowed me to look at the beautiful garden outside but that eye-catching view did not help me forget. I absentmindedly began drifting into the thoughts of Sebastian once again.Was it worth it to keep fighting or all of it was directing me to turn into a whole different person whose heart will be as cold as Sebastian's?No. I was not going to give up. What will giving up reward me? Nothing but regrets and a life that might be without pain but that wouldn't hold any meaning as well.There was nearly a pin-drop silence in the kitchen. No maids were
Athena"Mam, Alpha has sent these for you to wear tonight." A servant handed me a few bags before she got out of my sight. I curiously opened the bags and the first thing that caught my attention was the wine-red gown. My brows rose in surprise as I looked at the gown. It was stunning— The elegant V neckline, the stones, embroidery, laces and embellishments, complimented the beautiful dress, and the side slit cut skirt made the gown look even prettier. It was hard to take my eyes off the dress yet I managed to get myself to look at the other bags.As I opened the second bag, there was a blue velvety box. I took it in my hand and unlocked it. There was a beautiful ruby necklace and earring set. It could be said without needing to examine twice that this was worth more than a fortune.I moved to the next bag and there was a pair of lace-up ankle strap high heels. It screamed the same luxury as the other accessories.The fact that he spent so much for the sake of one party astonished me
AthenaThere was something strangely enchanting about Sebastian dressed in all black. He have worn a black suit, the jet black colour went way too good with his lightly tanned skin. The contrast hit differently. Even though he hadn't looked at me even for once since we got inside the car, I miserably failed to take my eyes off him. With his hair swept backwards and gorgeous features standing out under the faint light of the vehicle, He looked breathtaking in a way that could make anyone fall for him with just one single glance.How could someone be so beautiful and cruel at the same time?Sighing, I finally gathered the strength to look away and focused my gaze outside through the window. The ride to the venue was not too long, it took us around twelve minutes to reach the place.The car stopped in front of the gate of the hotel which looked less like a hotel and more like a palace. Sebastian was super wealthy, and of course, I had expected this party to be held somewhere fancy but t
AthenaI felt dizzy. Extremely dizzy and tipsy. However, I could not stop drinking. The more I watched that woman's hands around Sebastian, the more I saw them together, every cell of my body burned with rage.I'd only taken a few gulps from the bottles and it hadn't even been more than ten minutes. However, the effects of alcohol were not only strong but overpowering. I'd never consumed anything alcoholic, but even for a non-alcohol drinker, I could tell that this was not normal. Anyone in their right mind could notice the suspicious quick effects, and I did not fall behind in that category, but Alas! I simply was not in the state to care.The back of my head fucking hurt and my eyes were literally fighting to shut down but it was not clear whether it was because of the scene going in front of me or just another of these weird effects of this drink on me. Surely I was not in my right mind, but the only thing I knew at this moment was— I did not want to be here anymore. The air in th
Athena"Sebastian..." His name fell off my lips on its own, and a strange relief flooded within me. The fear that'd strangled me Python like a does to its prey, vanished in thin air. The sight of him alone, made me feel safe and secure even though it was not how it was supposed to be, how could I feel secure with the one whose only intention was to hurt me?He looked at me, his eyes softening for a brief moment but then when Chris emitted a groan in pain, the prior rage crawled it's way back into and once again, all I could see was the very familiar dark eyes of Sebastian and the flames of the wrath that was capable of destroying everything in a matter of a second."Chris Robinson," Sebastian spoke, his brows rising as if he was just acknowledging his presence, "One of the newly rising arms suppliers."He stepped closer to Chris who still haven't managed to get himself off the ground."You were living a good life, man. Why? Why did you decide to do this to yourself?" The sympathy in
AthenaTill we reached close to the mansion, I was a whole different person. It was debate whether I even remembered my own name, however, I did not have to be told twice that I still knew each and every syllable of someone's name and that someone was none other than my mate whose anger hadn't lessened even the slightest bit yet he kept me cradled to his chest like some precious belonging that needed to be protected."You are strange," I murmured burying my head into his chest, "You try to act like someone you are not but always end up leaving clues to the one you are in reality, but for some reason, try to enforce others to believe what you pretend to be in real life. Everything about you is so strange, but I still can't stop loving you.""If you were not this drunk, I'd whip some senses into your head," His voice was not as harsh as it always had been, "You have completely lost your mind.""No, I haven't," I mustered, "I'm telling you my feelings."" I don't want to hear about your
AthenaSebastian's fists balled up to his sides, his breathing picked up an unusual pace and lust flared in his eyes, but he remained still, unmoved and tied with invisible restraints."Athena, Just go and change." He let out, dominance dripping from his tone. I could not fathom why he was so reluctant in touching me today. He never acted like this, for a person whose only way to any sort of calm was my body, it was strange how he was acting today but the reason was still unknown. "What has happened to you? Is your dick broken?" I frowned, a look of disappointment spreading over my face.His face reddened with anger and undeniable frustration I have been putting him through this entire time."Go and change." He ordered, strictly."You know what you are not a coconut, the name was too cute for a rude, arrogant, jerk like you," I spat, my anger surely could have competed with the amount of his rage, "You are a Gorilla. A stupid Gorilla.""What did you just say?" He looked beyond pisse
Sebastian'I love you'—Her words echoed inside of my head over and over again in a continuous, never-ending loop, wiping any traces of sleep away from my eyes, keeping me wide awake for obvious reasons I tended to avoid.It felt weird to hear those words in repeat.Why did she love me after everything I have done to her? How could she still try to love me and bring me back from where I preferred to stay?I wanted the darkness, then why was she trying to drag me to face the light where she hoped would prevail an escape for both of us? It was hate that she was supposed to feel for me, not the love she was surging over me every day and every second.I glanced down at her, hearing the faint sound of her relaxed breathing as she slept on top of me. I knew she was sleeping because the only time she remains this unguarded was when she was asleep, other than that, it'd always be her trying to stay careful with every little thing, every small movement she makes or even breathing and making a s
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.