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 POV A strange heat piled up within, slowly I gained back consciousness. With a throbbing head and a weak body that couldn't hold me up for long, a smiling face was the last thing I expected to find on my mate's face."From now on, you order me around until my new love comes home," Dante remarked casually.My brows were furrowed, listening to him, with pounding heart. Was this a rejection? But, his expression didn't complement his words."Our child is growing right here," he said, placing his hands on my belly.My eyes were wide open, joyful tears streaming down my face. I was becoming a mother. I've been given a chance to correct the mistakes my parents made.I caressed my belly, smiling sheepishly. "That explains why I've been feeling sick," I said. I managed to get out of bed, with Dante's help. It felt like a lump was fighting to come out of my throat. I held on to the bathtub, greenish liquid pouring out of my mouth. and splashing all over the white ceramic."What ca
Athena's POVDante's voice grew louder as I climbed down the flight of stairs, heading toward the direction of the sound."You don't give them a chance and come here to complain about it. Strengthen the borders and go after them!"My heart began thumping, his temper grew wild.Something must be terribly wrong for my mate to react with such intensity, and it only made me more frightened."I paddled slowly to the last staircase. I gasped, Dante bumped into me in his rage."I gave you a simple instruction. I said stay put in bed. Didn't you see the maid I hired for you?" he rose his voice at me.I stood there in shock, with my jaws dropped."I was worried that something might be wrong. I heard..." He interrupted me before I could complete my words that came out broken."And what if something's wrong? Can you help with that growing in you?" he roared, eying my belly like I was wearing filth."I'm the Queen and this is your child. You inducted me, so I deserve to know what happens in the
Athena's POV It was a matter of life and death. There was no one around to save me, I had to help myself out of the situation or get killed. He made no attempt of getting off me soon. I played the only trick I knew might work, one I learnt from training in my old pack-- play dead. It was a risky venture if the attacker continued exacting pressure, but I tried it regardless as I was losing my strength drastically. I stayed still, I released my grip on his thick arm and acted dead. He got up from me instantly, a drop of his beading sweat fell on my face as he turned to face the door. I reached for the lamp on the drawer and aimed at his head. It hit him on the side of his face as he wailed in pain, glass shattering on the floor as I crawled out of the room hurriedly...panting. "Dante! Somebody help!" I screamed out and in the mindlink. I was approaching the study when I saw Dante rushing towards me. I pointed at the door from which I came as he squatted beside me, "what happene
Dante's POVHer question got me startled, staring wide-eye at her.Who must have told her? I made sure to clear every traces of my past that could pose as a threat to our relationship."I don't understand" I replied, playing the ignorance card and hoping she wouldn't go further. I was wrong. "Why didn't you tell me about it?" she questioned, her swollen eyes releasing tears down her cheeks.I hated to see her cry, but it turned out I have been doing nothing less than that lately. I already hated myself for it."So it's true then. Who cares about how I found out?" she sobbed, making me feel broken.They were mistakes from my past I never intended for her to know, just for the sake of what was already happening, seeing her hurt, or seeing me as a bad guy."I promise it's nothing to worry about," I whispered, rubbing off the tears on her face."Look at me, Athena," I raise her gaze up to meet mine, staring deeply into my eyes. There was something about her stare that always made me fa
Dante's POVIt was well past midnight when I arrived back to my Kingdom.First thing in the morning, I was going to summon Tyler to the palace. I could have visited him that night, but the healer advised he got adequate rest at night.Athena was still curled up in bed, deep into sleep when I returned to the room.I stared at her for a while, wondering how she'll react if she ever finds out the rest of my secrets. If Charlotte could get her all worked up, how much more finding out her mate was a cold-blooded murderer?.I wouldn't let that happen. We had to find a way, any way. My reputation also mattered. I couldn't lose the kingdom to anyone outside my bloodline.I tumbled in bed until I gave up trying to find sleep. Thankfully,I didn't wake her up. I buried myself into work at the library.***"Who amongst you has a runny mouth?" I asked after summoning all the maids that worked closely with Athena. It was still very early in the morning, they stood faced down on a single file. W
Dante's povI've had sleepless nights for the past few months, as the Lycan kings awaited the results of their newly elected leader for the westside."what about Charlotte? Do you monitor her movements?" I asked Tyler, seated beside me in the carriage."She seems timid, easily manipulated. She wouldn't be a threat. My only concern is Alpha Fenrir. I don't trust him?""I trust her...and if it happens that way, I'll make sure I kill them both..As for Fenrir, he's no match" I replied. The journey was quiet until we arrived at the Lycan's Council meeting. The passages were busy with suited men from different parts of the world, judging by their fashion sense.I picked up my suit case and headed for the large entrance with Tyler by my side."Stay here," I ordered him while I proceeded in.Most of the leaders were already on their respective seats, each representing thier kingdom.Mine was positioned somewhere in the middle of the large conference table.I sat comfortably, taking off my ha