~RichardI decided to set out on the journey with James and Athena's mother. Getting to Alpha Kendrick's pack from mine would take at least a whole day, and the earlier we embark on the journey, the better.Jessica stayed back as usual to hold the fort. Before I left, though, she told me Sabrina had been trying to seek an audience with me. It had only been days since she was locked up. I made sure to tell Jessica to inform her that she is only alive because I haven't had her time yet, as I was too busy with Athena's case. When I do eventually have her time, she might just have to prepare for her death.None of what was happening would have happened were it not for her. She is very evil, the devil's incarnate. I wonder how I was able to stay friends with her for years without really seeing how dark the heart she harbors is.Nuella asked to go see Athena before she leaves, so we all made a stop at the hospital, deciding to see her one last time before embarking on the journey that migh
~RebeccaI watched as King Richard and his beta, James, discussed with the men. I couldn't hear what they were saying as they were out of earshot, but I could see very well how everything was playing out.From the shocked look on the guards' faces, it was obvious King Richard must have revealed his identity. The tallest of the guards pulled out his phone and made a call; it must be to Kendrick. At the thought of him, my heart plummeted into my stomach. I was finally going to see him again after over 19 years. What would I say? What would his reaction be? I had shamelessly run away that night without looking back, now I don't even know how to face him, let alone tell him I have a child for him.King Richard and James started making their way back to the car. They must have been allowed entrance; I could see the guards removing the obstacles they had laid out on the road. It came as no surprise to me. He was the Lycan king after all; no Alpha would dare refuse him entrance into their l
~RebeccaI couldn't bring myself to utter a word. I just kept my eyes on him. They were becoming glassy and I don't know why. They were not supposed to. It has been 19 years, yet hearing him call out my name the way he did stirred certain emotions within me."Is that really you?" he asked again, and I nodded in response, blinking away my unshed tears.Seeing that I could not speak, King Richard stepped in for me and spoke on my behalf, telling Kendrick the reason why we were there."Alpha Kendrick, we have come all the way from my pack to your pack because there is something very important we must discuss with you."His eyes darted across to the Luna's face before reverting back to Kendrick's, "but I am afraid we have to do so in private."There was a brief disturbing silence before Alpha Kendrick spoke, taking his wife's hand in his, obviously to prove a point. I got the message clearly. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, my wife and I are one; whatever you want to say, I think yo
~RichardAs soon as Rebecca asserted that she had proof confirming Athena as Alpha Kendrick's child, all eyes turned towards her. Her claim caught me off guard; I hadn't anticipated this revelation.Kendrick arched a skeptical brow, questioning, "What proof?" as if challenging her assertion."I will show you the proof in a few minutes," she replied gravely, then unexpectedly shifted her gaze to me.Why was she looking at me? We hadn't discussed any plan like this. Whatever her strategy was, I was completely clueless about how I could assist.Confusion clouded my mind, and I found myself reflexively rubbing the back of my neck."Your Majesty, can you call Nuella?" she requested.My eyes widened. Nuella? Was that her plan? Did she intend to use Nuella as proof? To inform Kendrick that the sorceress named Nuella confirmed his identity as Athena's father? Alpha Kendrick might not be familiar with Nuella; he might know Sorceress Naomi, as her fame had spread far and wide, but not her daugh
~ RichardI already have an idea of what the reason for Alpha Kendrick's shock was. I mean, Athena is my wife, so I have seen the birthmark on her hip area quite a number of times. But what I didn't know was why it evoked that kind of reaction from him, unless…Just then Alpha Kendrick rolled his sleeves up, and the same birthmark on Athena's hip area was revealed on his arm. I was stunned; it had turned out just as I expected. They both had identical birthmarks. Now there was no denying that he was her father.Alpha Kendrick took the phone from Rebecca, his hand trembling as he watched Athena's star-shaped birthmark."My… my daughter, I… I have a daughter," he stuttered through tears. He was overwhelmed by the discovery. I could imagine how he must feel. A man whose wife had been barren for years suddenly discovers he has a child from another woman.He lifted his eyes from the phone and declared aloud in excitement, "I have a daughter, I have a daughter!""Alpha Kendrick, that daught
~RichardAlpha Kendrick was the one who spoke, his voice very subtle and calm."Your Majesty, she is insisting she won't ride all the way to your pack with me and ordered the driver to alert you."I was getting fed up. Rebecca's attitude was beginning to irritate me. I didn't understand why she couldn't put her pain aside just for as long as the journey would last. The main reason we were out here was because we needed a solution to her daughter's ailment, and if she was a priority to her, she would stop trying to be an obstacle and instead do all she can to ensure we get to her daughter on time and provide what she needs to survive; her father's blood."What exactly is the problem, Rebecca?" I asked, keeping my temper under control."I don't want to ride with him, Your Majesty. I would rather ride with you for my own sanity; he is driving me crazy!" she shrieked.I wanted to lash out at her but decided against it. We just had no time to waste. I inhaled deeply and exhaled, calming m
~Richard"Where is my daughter?" Alpha Kendrick asked as soon as we walked in. He was just as eager as we all were to see Athena."Is there a problem, Doctor?" Rebecca asked anxiously.The doctor shook his head. Beads of sweat adorned his forehead. Things didn't look well at all. My heart was palpitating. The few seconds it took for him to speak felt like an eternity.He swallowed hard, his lips eventually parted, and the words we feared came forth, "She is not looking very well; she's with the sorceress, and even her powers aren't doing much to hold her together.""Where is my daughter? I need to see her now!" Alpha Kendrick growled.Pushing past the doctor, I hurried towards the Intensive Care Unit where Athena was kept, with the rest of them following closely behind. I could hear some faint noise coming from the direction of the room they were in. The rate of my heartbeat increased with each step.As soon as I got to the door, the noise grew louder. I immediately pushed it open, an
~Richard"Your Majesty, you can't do that! You are the king of the Lycan kingdom; a whole lot rests on your shoulders, you have a pack to lead," Nuella reasoned. She was so surprised at my suggestion, and she was not the only one; everyone in the room was."I have already made up my mind. Draw out the cold from her and put it in…" Before I could finish, James barked from behind as he approached me, tossing my shirt back at me."Nonsense! You would do no such thing, Richard, not under my watch!" I turned around to look at him. I didn't really get angry at him for lashing out the way he did because I understood he was acting based on his emotions, but that didn't mean I would heed to what he said.I reprimanded him calmly. "You don't tell me what to do, James. Know your place," I turned back to Nuella and just as I was about to speak to her, his words stopped me."I know my place, and I am acting in accordance, Richard," he walked around and stood in front of me in a challenging manner.
~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.