Athena's POVI was nearly shot on the leg as I leaped back.“I've been searching for you. But look…fate brought you to my doorstep."Her eyes were wet as her tears kept flowing down.I didn't know what she wanted. I didn't understand why she was there with no one around. She must know something. But first, I had stop her from killing me.“You took everything away from me. Everything!" She continued.“I have no idea about what you're talking about,” I stuttered, raising my hands in fear as though they could shield me from another silver bullet.“I'm going to ruin you, Athena. The way you ruined me. I can never forgive myself for helping you that night. All these wouldn't have happened. I would have found a way to escape on my own." She buried her face in her palms as the gun dangled in the air. I tried to crawl to pick my bow and set up an arrow. But she caught me instantly and shot me on the leg, without missing this time. I groaned in pain, clasping my right leg with my two han
Athena's POV"Carl? what happened to mum?" I sobbed as he helped me up and gave me a tight hug. "Were you there when it happened? How did you escape?" I went on with the question while he pulled out of the hug and looked into my eyes.Tears dropped down our faces. He was all grown up. There was no way I could have guessed he was my younger brother."It's a long story, sis. I was lucky to escape during the fight along with some others. He promised to take care of Us you know. So here I am. A warrior in a new pack.""Do you know who killed them?" I asked as he helped me to a wooden bench away from the others."Rumors have it that it was one of Alpha Gonzalo's enemies," he replied as he pat my hair."I never imagined i'ld ever see you, Sis. Father told me you were banned from the pack anytime I asked of you. That was before the war that claimed his life.""What about mother? Did she..." i broke down in tears. It was impossible to think that my only purpose of existence had been killed
Athena's POV"You went missing for days, Athena. You finally come back home and the next appropriate question you feel you should ask is why I did what?" Dante replied slowly as he walked towards me."You didn't think i'ld be hurt right. You keep running away from me every time without a reason and now you stand there questioning me? Don't I deserve an answer too?""You killed my parents Dante. Don't you even dare act the victim. You killed my entire pack," I yelled back at him. He was still approaching me when I felt the urge to bring out the weapon with me."Stay right there or I'll shoot!" I ordered. He seemed shocked as he halted."Tell me it's a lie Dante and I'll believe you. Tell me you didn't kill them. Tell me!" I was losing my mind. The mate bond didn't help remedy the situation as the gun quivered in my hands."Athena, I can explain but please put the weapon down," Dante spoke softly as he tried to persuade me. It didn't work. I was so mad at him. The fact that he didn't d
Athena's POV "Is there a problem?" he asked as I turned around."Of course not. My wolf needs a little stretch, nothing more," I responded, while hiding my nervousness.If Tyler knew what I was about to do, he was sure to stop me."Alright, My Queen. I'll be here if you need anything," he replied while I continued down the hall. "So you think he's watching us?" I asked Sue as I left the first turning to my right."Very possible. Abort this mission, Athena. I see no point in going ahead. He killed your mother but he's apologized," Sue scolded."But I'm not doing this to avenge mother's death. I'm doing it for them.""Have you thought about what would happen to them if they're left to wonder alone in the forest. They could get killed by some rogues or even the Vampire Lord.""At least I gave them the chance to choose a better life. They would have to fight just like I did," I replied as I turned around to confirm I wasn't being followed by Tyler."You and I know your survival was out
Athena's POV"No you didn't, Athena. You're just saying that to get me angry and it's working!" Dante roared as he walked up to me and held my shoulders.My eyes began to water as I saw his tears,"Did you let them go?" he asked, forcing each words out of his mouth with gritting teeth as his eyes penetrated me.I affirmed by nodding my head, holding back the tear that was begging to drop. "Why did you do it without my permission?" he asked as I felt his grip tighten on my shoulders."Because I had to. They deserve a better life as much as I do," I replied as my voice began to break."You know what I think. I think you're sick, Athena. You have no idea of what you've done. I should never have marked you as mate from the very beginning," he spat while he turned to the guards,"Tyler! Send every troop you can get and make sure you bring them back to me alive. Get out," he yelled at them as they stormed out of the hall.I didn't understand why he reacted with so much intensity as he kept
Athena's POV We rode for what seemed like two hours as the sun became more scorching. Finally, the chariot halted in front of a modest bungalow with blue-painted walls and a white roof. A beautiful garden surrounded the house. I exhaled aloud and shut my eyes for a few seconds, wondering what next was coming my way."We've arrived, My Queen," Tyler bowed beside me as he waited for me to make the first move.An old woman stood outside the front door with wrinkles all over her face that intensified with the broad smile on her lips. "That's my mother. You'll like it here," Tyler added as I finally got down from the coach."Oh Tyler, I'm so happy to see you. I knew you would come," the old woman said as she hugged Tyler and stretched to place a kiss on his two cheeks."Mother, It was the king who sent me," Tyler Whispered as I stood there watching a family reunion under the terrible heat. I tried to lighten my expression as I managed a smile while she walked up to me. I reached for a
Athena’s POV"Athena... it's you," he whispered. I reached out for a tighter hug. His beards were all gone but there was no way I could mistake those eyes for another."You know each other?" Tyler's mother asked as she watched us exchange pleasantries.The Shaman chuckled as I guided him toward a double-sitter sofa in the living room. "It's a long story, Becca. She was one of my students in my old pack," the shaman explained as I sat beside him.I couldn't keep my jaws together as I was both delighted and shocked to see him. "How did you get here?" I asked. It suddenly felt like a family reunion."Is the king aware of your previous status in our old pack?" I added.It didn't look like he was ready to answer any question."You need to go easy on those questions," Tyler's mother, Becca, added as she held on to her husband.I stared at both of them, wondering how much Dante knew about me."King Dante knew I was the Shaman of Lion's Mane pack. I was among the few he spared the day of the
Athena's POV"What?" I exclaimed. An intense shock ran through my spine, making me stare vaguely at his bald head. My mind couldn’t digest what I just heard.Mr. Styles was my father. Not that I regarded him as one.He kept wailing and holding on to my arms when all I expected of him was to clarify the bomb of a news he threw at me without caution.“Your mother died the night she had you. I was left alone with a kingdom to rule and a child to look after.” He was finally talking, although with a broken voice.Most of his words were slathered with persistent sniffing and coughing, but not enough to miss any detail.My mother died? Who then was Olivia Styles? What nonsense was the Shaman speaking? My mind raced, an obvious confusion written all over me.“Then there was a war after I announced the death of your mother. I was drunk that night. Our pack was still a budding pack and there were just a few warriors. We couldn’t win the battle.” he paused and resumed his incessant sob. I stood
Athena's POVOur new territory was fortified with bars and gates. For a whole week, we put the place in order. Taking out the dark magic of the vampires, burning down dungeons with vampire prisoners.A week passed and still I hadn't reached out to Kevin.Each time Cosmo would ask of him, I gave her the same reply,"He left."I realized no one could take his position better than him."He helped us overcome the vampires. He killed his people for us. Why wouldn't you trust him? He's saved us twice," Sue scolded one afternoon, when I got back from visiting the construction at the borders.Dante also built the training center as promised at the center of both kingdoms.I tried not to believe her. Kevin was a werewolf and a Vampire. It was hard to trust hybrids like him. But I gave in, sending him a mindlink,"We need you back, Kevin." I waited for a reply but it didn't seem forth coming."Alpha," one of the guards came to me, as I sat at dinner with Cosmo."You've a letter," he added with
Athena's POVOf a truth, I was more than glad to see Kevin again. And the fact that he saved my life yet again from the blues melted my heart. As he held my wrist with Cosmo in our middle, it only felt right to give love a chance.But there was Dante. And I felt it. I felt the spark like it never left. Maybe Kevin could help me forget about him. The sight of Dante soaked in his blood, needing help, tortured me.I was barely a meter away. Tears dropped down my cheeks as we stepped out. I managed to hide those tears as Kevin said,"We have to burn the bodies."i halted in my steps, squatted to the same eye level as Cosmo,"Are you alright?" She nodded a response, as I noticed how feebly she looked."What's wrong?" Kevin asked."She passed out earlier.""I know a safe place she can stay untill we clear the mess around here," Kevin hadn't completed his statement when Cosmo began to throw up. Kevin rushed to carry her and ran. I trailed his steps, scared for my daughter's life. Her bod
Dante's POV"Who are you?" I demanded, turning around. It was pitch black but I saw two blood shot eyes glowing."A prisoner, just like you're now. You smell like fresh blood.""I'm not a prisoner," I corrected, ignoring who ever it was as I tried to find my way out."It's a waste of time," the voice said.I was beginning to believe the words until I felt a door knob. But, it pulled open without my effort. I backed away as three men barged in to me, holding lamps. "What have you done, Dante!" the man in front, with thick beards roared, while the other two men held me down."Have we met?" I asked, without regard for the authority he seemed to command.There was a loud noise coming from outside. Like a war. Then I realized my warriors were around, giving me more courage."How dare you come into my kingdom to cause havoc!" I caught a view of the turbulence outside behind him. It was a bloody sight. It was hard to tell who was winning the fight. "I presume you're the vampire Lord, ar
Athena's POVMy heart pounded heavily as we got into the surroundings of a large mansion. I had Cosmo climb on my back before we passed the rocky slope. Her weight slowed me down, as the witch led all through.I saw a large mansion, and my uneasiness only grew wild.She pulled me back as I continued toward it,"We have no business with the Vampire Lord, remember? It's this way," she said.We took the first turning to our right and proceeded down a flight of stairs that had mosses and spirogyra growing all over its surface."Where's this place?" I asked, in awe."the sacred grounds. It was the same place my people were killed and sacrificed. We would most certainly encounter opposition here. It's never left unguarded."I instinctively clutched my arm around Cosmo's wrist on my neck as we continued down the multiple stairs.She gestured for me to stop, her eyes glistening as she looked around us.A piercing cry struck me. Cosmo's cry. "Cosmo!" I yelled as I pulled her from my back to t
Dante's POV"I need your help," I broke the surprise on his face as I approached the front deck."How may I be of use to the King?" Tony asked with his crooked voice, broken with old age."The Vampire Lord. I need to know him. I need to find him. Is that too much to ask of you tonight?""My King, does not believe in sorcery. I'ld rather not bother you," he said with a bow."It's an order, Tony. It's the only chance I have. Get on your horse. Are your legs too feeble to ride?" I enquired, as he pulled an Arabian horse toward me, immediately I made the order."My skills are very much intact. my major concern is our sudden visit to the vampires. Their powers are twice as much now," he suggested, brushing the hair of his horse like one preparing for an honorary visit. "That's why you're coming with me. Do whatever you have to do.""I'm stricken with age Alpha. I'm not the best man for a fight. I can only see in part. That's the only power I have. We may need back up."We rode out of the
Athena's POVThe pack's healers fed the witch with herbs she'd requested herself, pointing at trees around, including wolfsbane.I squatted beside the old witch, watching how she rolled the herbs into several balls, applying the juice into every opening on her face, including her nostrils.She kept a few of the balls in her clothing,"We may need some of these. Just in case," she said.Behind me was a troop. The entire pack, arranged according to their war experiences and agility. The feeble ones amongst us were made to converge at the middle. An order we've maintained since our conception as a pack, forming a defense against the weak. Everyone prepared their weapons. Animal horns, drenched with liquid silver and wolf bane, arrows, daggers, and spears. The only weapon I had with me was the witch who seemed to know alot about our enemy."We don't have much time," the witch said in a crooked tone groaning in pain as she got back on her feet.She held a walking, but what she did with
Dante's PoVI was confused. Someone was in there with her. Who was it that made her laugh more cheerfully than I ever made her? After all my efforts at making things work. Why did they choose to hide in such filth?"I don't know what's going to happen now that he's marked me. We might have to cut our seeing,"Charlotte's whisper reached my hearing even louder. There was no mistaking her voice. I followed her scent. The surprise clouded my reasoning of what could be.I was more interested in knowing how the conversation would end. I wanted to find all the answers without having to confront both of them yet my rage boiled like wild fire."His reign is for a while. We've come this far. Very soon, we'll form our own empire. I'm tired of staying in the dung. But, anything to be with you.""You flatter me.""Some day we're gonna have this on his bed. Make you moan and cry my name.""That's too risky. He'll kill you.""I've never been afraid of death. You're quick to forget my status. I'm
Dante's POVAlarmed, she scanned my face and the flowers in my hands.I didn't know what to do but my heart raced.She had to say something. I desperately wanted her to accept my offer before I changed my mind. After all, that was what she always wanted. The moment only grew more awkward and to my amazement she dashed out of my presence."Charlotte!" I yelled, dumping the roses in my hands to chase after her. She tripped on her dress but I caught her before she got up."That's not how to treat your husband, the king!" I raised my voice. It was too late to caution myself, as tears began to stream down her face."I'm sorry," I managed to say, looking into her eyes to soften the moment."There's no doubts, you're drunk again," she responded, pulling away from me and running towards the palace.I watched her run from me, heaved a sigh before trailing her footsteps.I didn't expect her to be difficult.I had to end all of it today. I had to prove to my mother that all she wanted from At
Dante's POVShe was gone. I scoured every conceivable place, desperately searching for her, but she eluded me. My mother made it even more challenging for me to forget."Have you looked into neighboring packs? Don't you care about your daughter at all?" my mother interrogated one morning during breakfast."I've done everything I can, mother. There are no packs around save the vampires. Besides, She's better off without me," I replied, burdened with overwhelming guilt."Immersing yourself in strong wine and distancing yourself from your family won't lead to healing, my son. Find my grandchild as soon as you can."Her words struck me with such force that I dropped my cutlery in frustration, unable to bear the weight of her unending accusation."And what about Ben? Charlotte is the Queen Mother. It was wrong for me to have fallen in love with a werewolf in the first place. This is my way of setting things right, just as you wanted," I snapped back, muffled by the towel on my lips as I re