Dante's POV"The sender's name wasn't written.""Don't be silly, Tyler. I meant whose body was it?""It should be one of the werewolves around. The note says to watch your back, My King. Whoever it is seems to be after you or the Queen.""Get me updates on Liliane and the other guards with Athena. I want that immediately. First thing tomorrow, send more warriors to stay on guard. I need to speak with the council. If this is their definition of protection then clearly I've been deceived."I tried not to worry, sending multiple messages to Athena, hoping that she would respond."Don't tell me you miss me that much," she finally replied as I headed back into the palace."Goodness, Athena. I get you want to punish me, but not this way. I need to be sure of your safety every minute now.""Why? is something wrong?" she asked.I hesitated at first. I didn't want her to panic. She was finally enjoying her stay with me, I couldn't take that away from her."Everything is fine. I just need to h
Dante's POVThe state of the room and the fact that Ben wasn't anywhere in the room had me thinking of the worst.I alerted the palace warriors."I asked you stay on guard! Now look...the boy is missing! My son is missing," I roared, at the verge of breaking bones and spilling blood.For the first time, I acknowledged him as my son. He was my only hope to remain the ruler of the Western region. My reaction was near to insanity."Tyler, get your ass down here!" I mind-linked my beta, rushing to check the rooms on the ground floor.Then I saw her, smiling. Of all the things to do in a situation as critical as this, she thought it right to laugh.How pathetic."You had something to do with this, didn't you?" I groaned, all my efforts damned on taming my raging emotions, enough to rip her to pieces."It all proves one thing, King Dante. No matter how much you try to hide it, you love me and you love our son."Then, I saw Ben behind her. Unhurt.I shut my eyes for a moment, as though snapp
Athena's POV I slumped on the bed in one of the rooms, bawling my eyes out, in the depths of sorrow, with thoughts of Dante, Charlotte, and the mysterious son. My heart ached even more as I glanced at Cosmo, who lay blissfully in my arms. She brought back memories of my childhood. I could never watch her grow up the way I did. Dante never deserved us. He gaslighted me into believing he loved me and my child. But I had no where to go and I loved him so much that it made it hard to finally take the decision and run away from him forever. But, what about Cosmo? Would she grow up without her father? What if she ask about him? What if she hates me just like I hate Tony for abandoning me in the hands of strangers to be my parents? I was lost...shattered... confused. All I could do in the moment was shed painful tears, Cosmo making happy noises that pricked my heart more. I heard a faint sound from outside like a steel hitting a concrete. I gave it no second thought, consumed in the
Dante's POVI've searched all the rooms in the house I didn't find her.I walked past the room where I found Cosmo earlier and realized the door was now shut."Athena, is that you?" I called out.I knew I had wronged her but I was ready to rewrite my wrongs.I banged on it severally but there was no answer.I broke the handle, and hit the door until it budged open.There she was, kneeling on the floor with her face buried in the dampened sheets.I was a terrible person and as much as I wanted her to remain in my life, I was ready to let her go.She deserved someone better."Athena..." I whispered, moving gently toward her. I felt ashamed to even look her in the eyes."At some point I thought you ran away from me, leaving Cosmo behind. I would have understood if you did. All I ever brought you was pain," I spoke softly, fighting back my tears, my tone betraying my effort to conceal the tears."Hate me all you want. Leave if you have to. I want you to know that I will always protect you
Dante's POVI stayed awake all night in the study, refusing to share room with Charlotte while thinking of Athena's sudden behavior.I was dosing off when I heard a gunshot.I sprang up, running toward the window for a clean sight. The lawn seemed peaceful below and a few guards paraded the area.I mind-linked the head of the warriors in the palace,"What was that noise?""We are yet to trace the source, My King. We might have an intruder."I glanced at the time. It was just a few minutes past 3 in the morning.I rushed out of my study, forgetting to luck it as I hurried to check on Athena.She was sleeping soundly, undisturbed, with the baby by her side. I closed the double door slowly to avoid making the slightest sound and headed for the ground floor where my son's room was.I found the door locked as instructed. I unlocked it with the spare key and confirmed he was safe before finally heading for the palace grounds."Have you found the source of the sound yet?" I asked the first
Dante's POVI halted in front of the door leading to my room, trying to rethink my choice. It was her fault after all. She put me in the mood and left me all alone. Charlotte was now a part of my family, a fact I had to learn to accept. It didn't feel wrong, especially now that Athena seemed to be okay with her living with us.Maybe it was time to finally mark her as my second mate.I tilted the door knob and stepped in.I must have slammed the door too loud as Charlotte was startled up from the bed instantly."My King, I wasn't expecting you," she responded sleepily.The sight of her displeased me but I needed a quick release. I'd been deprived of sexual pleasure for too long than my body could tolerate.I stood there speechless for a while, thinking of the right way to proceed without putting the wrong impression in her mind that I wanted her.The truth was apparent --Athena couldn't be replaced."If you must sleep here you've to do as I say," I said, authoritatively, concealing m
Dante's POV I rushed out of the room, hurrying toward her room to confirm what the guard had told me.The room was empty. Was it another attack from the enemy?I questioned myself, while checking the bathroom.The faucet was left running. I turned it off and ordered my new Beta, Roberts,"I need you here immediately."I turned to the guard who broke the news,"Have you searched the palace grounds for possible footprints?""Yes, my King. There were no traces.""And you're certain you checked every room before bringing me this news?" I queried, trying to keep my cool."Yes, My King. The only exception is your room and Queen Athena's room."My mind wandered to our last conversation.Did she run away because of how I treated her?When I realized the possibility, I ordered,"Search all the Palace first then go after her. She must have escaped. I don't care what happens to the queen but my son must be brought back unhurt."I regretted not marking her as my mate the night before. It would h
Athena's POVI froze on the spot, where I sat, staring into his eyes. I didn't believe him. Sue shuddered as he uttered those words. But, I was broken to the point that I couldn't feel myself.It felt as though the crowd around me blurred out, leaving only I and Dante in the room."Bring down Cosmo and get this murderer out of here," Dante roared. My bones weakened. I couldn't bring myself to get up as I watched him accuse me of murder.The only thing I ever killed was a lizard when I was young.His eyes were filled with hate and disgust, as he kept hauling words at me."Dante?" I tried to speak, but it only came out as a whisper.With my eyes blurred with tears, I turned to look at Charlotte.She'd threatened to kill Cosmo if I didn't let her have Dante.I saw the smile on her face.Why can't he see that she's lying? He chose to believe her even with all my pleas.I've heard of the pain that came with rejection never did I think I was going to experience it.I watched Dante carry C
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