~SabrinaI blinked as his words sank in. James? In love with me? I stared right at him in confusion as I tried to make sense of everything.He ran his hand through his lush, thick brown hair and pinned me with a subtle gaze as he added, "I have been in love with you since we were kids, right from the moment I was old enough to know what love was." He swallowed and managed a nervous smile, one I didn't return as I was still in a state of surprise, trying to soak it all in.It all finally made sense. All those times I got treated specially by James, it wasn't just because we were close childhood friends as I had thought; it was because he loved me.The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I already knew what my response would be, but I didn't know how to break it to him. I didn't know how to tell him that I was in love with someone else. I didn't know how to tell him that I have never seen him as anything but a friend. Those revelations will shatter him.Despite being someone who s
~AthenaI woke up feeling very grumpy. When my eyes fluttered open, Richard was not in bed beside me. I could hear the water rushing in the bathroom and knew he was taking his shower.It was today. The day he finally travels, leaving me all alone here for two weeks. I shut my eyes and massaged my aching forehead. How was I going to survive even a day without him?Just then the water stopped, and he got out, tying a towel around his waist. The first thing he did as he got out was to glance in my direction to check if I was still asleep. Upon meeting my half-open, tired eyes peering at him, he flashed me a heart-melting smile that caused my heart to flutter."I see you are awake," he said in high spirits as he walked towards me.I returned his smile, "I just woke up, it was a hell of a night," I whispered as he got close and bent down, kissing me on the forehead.He chuckled at my words. I meant that in a good way. We couldn't get enough of each other last night. We literally made love
~SabrinaAs soon as Richard and James drove off, I decided to go back to my room. It wasn't time for breakfast yet, so I thought it wise to go break the good news to Sebastian. He will be so delighted when he hears it.I have already set my plan in motion by feeding James with some lies; I felt bad doing so, but it had to be done anyway. I could remember clearly the smile on his face when I told him I was ready to give us a chance. That was a lie I needed to tell in order to be written off the suspect list when Athena eventually goes missing.Richard would believe there isn't any reason for me to have a hand in her disappearance since I was now willing to work out a romantic relationship with James. Unfortunately, it will be short-lived. I plan on telling him a few weeks down the line, maybe after a few sexual encounters, that it won't work as I have tried to love him romantically to no avail.It would break him, yeah, but he would move on in no time, knowing that I tried to give us
~SabrinaWhen I walked into the dining hall during breakfast and saw Michael and Athena sitting opposite each other, I quickly decided whom to sit beside. Since I wanted to study Michael, I walked straight to Athena and pulled out the chair beside her, offering her a smile. I noticed how she stiffened for a bit when I sat beside her. I decided to ease her up a bit and inquire about her welfare."How are you, my queen?" I asked in a seemingly concerned tone.She raised her brow as though she was surprised I was asking her a question. Meeting her brief silence, I added, explaining further, "With Richard and James gone, I bet this mansion would be a bit lonely for us all, but it must be even lonelier for you considering Richard is your husband," I sighed, seeing Michael from my peripheral view watching the both of us as he dug into his food.After a moment's hesitation, Athena returned my smile, one that was as fake as they come. "I am fine, Sabrina. I do really miss him though," her voi
~SabrinaEarly the next morning, as usual, i went to the stables, this time feeling all excited for what the day holds. I had already communicated with Sabastian to get ready as what he had been waiting for was finally happening today. I smiled, filling my lungs with the cool air outside as i sauntered happily towards the stables. Upon getting there, i saw Micheal standing tall and proud. For some reason he was unusually excited. His lips stretched into a wide grin as soon as he aaw me approach. Oh dear!, i muttered under my breath as i suspected the reason for his elated state. He must think i was about to tell him what the good news was. Just as i thought, that was first thing he asked when i approached him. Winking at me, he asked in a cheerful tone, "You said you have something to tell me today, now let it out baby girl, you kept me awake all night".Before i could respond, he ran a hand through his hair, "Forgive my manners, Good morning Sabrina", he greeted. I was older than h
~SabrinaI smiled at Michael, and from the way he gazed at me, I could tell the effect of the drugs and alcohol was gradually taking hold of him. All I needed now was to say the words that would activate the charm."What I want to tell you is something I believe you have always wanted," I said, stalling a bit to get him a little irritated."Then get on with it, Sabrina. I have been waiting to hear it since morning," his slightly impatient tone shone through.I locked eyes with him and said the words I had been itching to say all day, the words I had carefully memorized, "It is about Athena. She told me some things about you yesterday when we went for the outreach."His eyes widened. "What did she say?""You would be very surprised. I see the way you look at her, the way you lust after her. Well, you are in luck because Athena loves you too," I lied. If only he had gone with us yesterday, he would have known that I never even had a conversation with Athena all the time we were there, t
~ AthenaUpon seeing Sabrina, I stood up from the floor where I was squatting and ran to her, trying to explain what had happened, hoping she would understand. I just really needed someone to talk to about everything.When I opened my mouth to speak, I stuttered through the words, my voice trembling."Sabrina, I was in my room when Michael came knocking. He tried to rape me and…""You killed Michael?" She looked up from him and at me as she had been staring at his lifeless body with an intense look of horror mixed with shock planted on her face, and inquired again, "You killed the king's brother, Athena? How could you?!" She asked as though she hadn't listened to any of the words I said. Her shrill voice and fiery eyes sent cold shivers down my spine."Sabrina, it was a mistake. You have to believe me. I didn't do it on purpose," I explained, frightened.She turned around and hurriedly shut the door behind her before turning back towards me, staring at me with a monstrous glare in her
~AthenaIt has been at least 7 hours since I left the Mansion through the secret tunnel. I had run so fast and so far that my legs had become so weary I had to sit under a tree. The night was gradually giving way to light. I could hear the chirping of birds on the tree above me, the winds blowing through trees and grasses. I could also hear the buds alerting each other of their presence.I was super sensitive to all that was happening around me. My belly rumbled, informing me of how hungry I was. I had barely eaten the previous night, and with all the running and crying, I had become so tired. My mind played back to what had happened hours ago, and I cried yet again.Maybe, just maybe, I should have let Michael have his way with me. If I had known he was going to end up dead, maybe I would have. At least, that wouldn't be the first time I would be raped by someone. Alpha Sebastian had done that to me almost every night. I shuddered at the thought of it.The wind came with its whisper
~AthenaA feast was being held at the mansion with the whole pack in attendance. The gardens were filled with people from the resettlement area while the king, his dignitaries, and elders were in the great hall dining. There was plenty of food and drinks for everyone.It has been one month since I gave birth to my three little warriors. On the day i gave birth to them, my life changed completely. I felt a kind of inner peace that I had never felt before as they were laid beside me on the bed. All the pain I experienced while birthing them suddenly disappeared and was replaced with an unspeakable kind of joy.I had thought I was going to have just one kid. Throughout my pregnancy, I never went for an antenatal checkup even though Richard had suggested it a few times. I was very healthy and strong, so I didn't feel the need to go…maybe if I had, the doctor would have found out I was going to have triplets.My father and stepmother arrived a day after hearing the news, and my stepmother
~RichardSitting at the head of the dining table, I looked to my right and left at the two most important people to me in the world... One was heavily pregnant, looking like she was about to pop any minute, and the other was infectiously cheerful tonight because he had made a bold move, disregarding his fears, and it paid off big time.A few months ago, per my advice, James had told Nuella about his strong feelings for her. To his utter shock, she had revealed she fell head over heels for him from the first moment she set eyes on him in that dungeon. Their relationship blossomed quickly. I saw my best friend become the best version of himself. Nuella completely changed him and made him so much happier than I had seen him in years. I was eternally grateful to her. Fast forward months down the line, James told me he was finally ready to make that big move. I was so happy for him, and here we are now.He asked her to marry him, and she accepted his proposal. Two young bloods specially
~AthenaIt was a Monday morning. Richard drove me to the hospital after I complained about being sick. He left me in the care of the doctor as he had an important errand to run with James."I will be back in two hours, love," he said as he kissed my forehead.After he left, the doctor asked me what exactly was wrong with me, and I told him the symptoms I had been having for the past few days. I had kept them to myself as I didn't want to trouble Richard or anyone else. Today was quite different, unfortunately. I felt very lightheaded and weak and was unable to get out of bed until Richard came to my rescue and insisted on taking me to the hospital himself.The doctor took a sample of my blood and left.After a few minutes, he came back, a bubbly smile stretching his lips.I sat upright on the bed where I was resting, wondering why he was looking happy."Queen Athena, I bring you good news," he said cheerfully. I narrowed my eyes at him in surprise, as I thought of what good news he c
~RichardThe effects of the war have taken their toll on my kingdom these past few weeks. It will really take a long time to get over all that has happened, all because one silly man thought it was wise to avenge the death of his wicked, soulless brother.All the men who surrendered during the war have been put to good use rebuilding my pack, which they helped destroy. They have been allotted different duties in the pack. Some were sent to farms to become laborers and help the people in rural areas till the lands, plant crops, and harvest them. Others were sent to labor in building infrastructures, some of which were destroyed during their attacks with explosives, and so on.As for Alpha Gerald, after keeping him locked up for a week, I set him free, along with his men. He cried in appreciation, and we signed a peace treaty to seal the fact that we had now become allies.Today was the day of the scheduled meeting with the elders, and I still had no clue what they wanted to discuss, a
~AthenaToday, my father and his Luna will come to Black Knight Pack for my mother's burial, which is tomorrow. When he called and told me he would be coming with his Luna because she wanted to see me, I didn't know how to react to the news.All I said was, "Oh… Great.""She is a good woman, Athena. You will love her," my father had said.She was supposed to be my stepmother, but I was feeling quite nervous about seeing her.It has already been two weeks since the war was fought. Nothing is the same anymore. There is great grief all over the pack, in the resettlement area, and even in the mansion. Scores of people had lost their lives. I heard Richard and James discussing the other day, and they mentioned that the death toll had risen to 600 as bodies were still being found in different places. The only good thing about this fight was the fact that more people from the enemy pack had died. For every one lycan that was killed, four werewolves were killed too. So the ratio was 1:4, wh
~AthenaI was so tired but also excited about the fact that I had finally been saved by the two most important men in my life. If only my mother were alive to witness this moment, then my joy would be complete.It seemed as though the war had come to an end. Everywhere was a bit too serene. I didn't ask any questions on our way home as I was too tired to do so.When we got to the mansion, I was surprised to see a whole lot of people in front of it. They were scattered everywhere, sitting on grass and from the way they were being loomed over by some men wielding guns, I just knew they had to be from our enemy pack. We were about to make our way inside when three men from the crowd spoke one after the other.They were begging Richard to set them free. When the first had spoken, I felt a familiar dread curl up at the pit of my stomach. I brushed it off. No way! It just can't be.The second person spoke, and I still brushed it off. However, when the third person spoke, I felt that famil
~RichardI rose to my feet and ran a hand through my hair in frustration. Where has Athena gone? Why wasn't she in the cave as she was supposed to be?"No! She has to be there! I told her to stay there until I come," Alpha Kendrick bellowed in denial as he got to his knees, peering into the cave."Athena!" he screamed, his voice laced with pain. I could imagine how he felt as a father, and that was because I felt even worse. I didn't want to give in to my fears, though."Athena is safe, wherever she is," I internalized, trying to be positive.I checked the ground for fresh footprints that might belong to her, footprints I could trail to her new location, but I didn't find any."Athena!" Alpha Kendrick called out in shock. I immediately spun around."Come to me, my child," he added, extending his hands.With my heart in my mouth, I rushed towards him and went on my knees, peering into the small cave.There she was!She looked so frail as she staggered. I immediately rushed into the cav
~RichardHearing that Rebecca was dead was a very hard pill to swallow. Her death was especially painful because she had just made peace with her daughter, and they both needed time to create long-lasting, happy bonds. The moon goddess should have allowed her some more time, for Athena's sake! I sighed.I was looking out the window as we drove through the woods when my eyes suddenly latched onto something…someone…No! It can't be!I ordered the driver to stop the car, which he immediately did."Richard, what's the problem?" James asked, and I ignored him, rushing out of the car and towards the body lying on the ground, my heart racing rapidly.It was her! It was Jessica!"Fuck!!!" I screamed into the air, raking my hand through my hair in frustration as I sank to my knees, clamping my hand over my mouth as my body surged with emotion and pain, finding expression through the hot tears streaming down my face.I hardly ever cried, but for some reason, I couldn't help but do so at the go
~KendrickI was almost at the territory of the Black Knight pack when I got a call from Alpha Scott. My heart had been very heavy since receiving the second call from Athena informing me of her mother's death.All through the night, I had relived the years we shared, recalling pleasant memories from our past that I haven't seemed to let go of after several years. She was the first woman I ever truly loved, and I have never loved any woman as much as I loved her. Now she was gone. She didn't deserve to die.I answered the call from Alpha Scott and found out that King Richard was there with him. From his questions, I realized that he didn't know anything about Athena's whereabouts nor what had happened there.I told him I had some bad news, and his first inquiry, as expected, was about his wife. He wanted to know if she was okay.I paused, trying to find the best way possible to break the news about Rebecca's death to him."Alpha Frederick! Are you there?" he called out at my silence.