Chapter 2

ATHENA BECKER.

“And I will kill you in the end.” 

“We will see who is going to die by who in the end but I swear I won’t lose this time. I will make you pay for each pain you have given me. This is only the start of your misery.”

Mocking, my voice was still low and tempting but the glare in my eyes was clear. His one glimpse was outraging me.

Devastated at the death of his fucking luna, he was about to kill me and that infuriated me. How dare he.

I kept pointing my arrow at him, ready to release it if I must.

If he will kill me, I will kill him. 

“Go where you belong.” 

I growled and the wolfbane on my arrow worked which immobilized him and he fell on the ground. Stopping us instantly, ending the fight for a moment.

He was staggered by what happened but was left unable to move, shaking with the effect of it but that didn’t stop the glares and curses he sent in my direction.

“What? Is it hurting?” I mocked, bending to his level, glaring down at his weak body with all my dominance.

“Less than what I will do to you.” He jeered at me, not stopping his constant growls for a second.

“Hmph, we will see.” I smirked, looking down at his weak body next to his mate. He was growling, he wanted to kill me desperately.

And seeing him was burning my soul. 

I wanted him to suffer badly but patience was my greatest weapon. Wait, Athena, not yet. 

I must utilize it.

I was about to twist my arrow on his leg and make him scream in pain like I did when he- No. I wanted him to writhe in pain like ‘I’ did. 

“Athena.” 

But, I was interrupted by my fellow hunter Jax who called me strictly, motioning to me to stop.

“That’s enough. You have dealt enough damage.” 

“Hmm?” I hummed coldly, not removing my eyes from his body. 

Having tears, shaking, miserable, hurt, angry. So many negative emotions were roaming wildly and I loved all of it.

“You were not ordered to hurt the Alpha. Do not forget your orders.” He ordered, frowning at me to stop this.

Coming closer, moving his hand in the air which caused another hunter to come and inform the Scarlet Moon pack about the death of their Luna.

“Take the Alpha. Both of you are ordered to present before His Majesty.” Jax informed before walking away.

After Jax left, I leaned down to his body and whispered temptingly in his ears.

“This is only the start, Darius. I have kept the count of the times you broke me. Don’t worry, I will return ‘all’ of it.” 

Smirking darkly, I waved my hand gracefully, pushed my hair behind my shoulder and walked away.

Holding my head high in pride, well aware he cannot kill me no matter how badly he wanted to. I own the ultimate protection.

But, I also knew Darius was smart. He would definitely get his revenge.

Later, Bowing before his Majesty, we were presented before the king of our land, Sapphire Crest. I could feel his glare on me but I ignored it. 

We were before King Hadrian Azcard.

“My Lord.” We both spoke the same but in a dead tone.

“Athena.” His overwhelming resonance came.

“Yes, My Lord Hadrian?” 

I gradually lifted my gaze and his Majesty was sitting dominantly on his throne as well. His one leg over the other, a broad body accompanied by the rarest crimson eyes. 

His one leg was resting over the other, elbow on the armest before pushing his raven hairs behind, looking at us with his ruthless eyes.

“I believe you were ordered to not hurt the Alpha.” He informed me strictly. He was displeased with my actions. 

His presence was too heavy. His glare made me suffocate. Looking down at the ground, my body was numb before our King, unable to react properly.

“I apologize but It was in self-defense,” I reasoned quickly, breathing heavily through my nostrils.

“I..” I paused, not falling weak before his superior glare. He was the King of Alphas after.

“I was only fulfilling my duties and did what I could to protect myself.” I reasoned quickly.

But, when he shifted his gaze from me to him, I sighed in relief, releasing the air which stopped when he glared down at my soul.

“And you, Darius.” 

The second he asked, he placed his intentions clearly, dominantly. He was an Alpha after all.  

“I demand justice, My Lord. This woman killed my Luna. I want her to be punished properly for her actions. Besides, How can you allow a mere human to hurt my pack?” He growled, curling his hand in a fist, sending a glare at me.

I glanced back, curling my lips from one side devilishly which enhanced his fury.

“Hmm. I agree but remember, what you called a mere human was capable of killing off a Luna. Do you consider it weak?- Especially ‘my’ huntress?” His Majesty questioned him seriously, narrowing his eyes.

Basically displeased as he called his special unit ‘mere’.

“Do not get my context wrong or change the topic. She deserves to be punished for what she has done.” Darius growled, losing his composure.

“I demand justice, My Lord.” He enunciated firmly, not falling weak, turning his glare to me, demanding seriously.

“I want her to suffer.”

He wanted me to give me a tormenting end but where was this care and affection when ‘I’ needed it? 

Today, when it came to his Luna, he became sensitive. 

“Your bond has just broken. A single day hadn’t passed either. You are devastated right now, Darius. Go home and attend your Luna’s funeral first.” His Majesty ordered, motioning to him to calm down.

“But, His Majesty-” 

He opened his mouth to argue with the order but My Lord’s orders are absolute. He cannot discard it. He was powerless. 

“That is an order, Darius. Say goodbye to her first, you need to mourn.” 

He glanced at me and when he noticed my smirk, he immediately knew that I was in his favor and he couldn’t compete with me at the moment.

“I see… I understand.” 

He glared outrageously at me and stood up from the ground. Some people came to help him stand but he pushed them away. 

“Fine. I am leaving but before I leave I want your damn huntress to know one thing.” He growled, curling his hand in a fist.

A clenched jaw, an enraged and mournful mind have no clear idea of what to do. The pain of losing your mate must be immense.

I wanted him to feel more of it. 

“Oh, what can you-” 

I was about to mock him but My Lord put his hand in the air to stop me.

He understood that Darius was ravaged and my one taunt could cause him to lose his mind and go violent. 

“Athena. Let the Alpha speak.” He ordered. 

Sighing, I nodded and turned to him, wondering what he wanted to say after what happened.

“I will avenge Blue’s death. Even if no one is on my side, but, I will make sure to devastate you, Athena.”

Pointing his finger in contempt at me, he emitted fumes and turned to leave but those words pricked me. How dare he place the blame on me.

“Me too, Darius.” 

Growling, I rose from the ground, prepared for whatever he would do. 

Our backs were facing each other. We glanced from our shoulders, glaring at each other with heartache and rage as I repeated my words.

“Me too.” 

After Darius left, I went to my room and threw my weapons away, running my hand in my messy hair from frustration, growling under my breath.

“Goddammit. Curse that Alpha.” 

He demanded for justice for his fucking mate and where was this determination when I needed it? When I suffered?

Fuming with rage, I looked out of the window and saw Darius leaving with his head hanging low.

My eyes narrowed in fury when I saw him leaving, curling my hands in a fist, gritting my teeth and upon sensing the intensity of my rage a seductive chuckle came from behind.

“Did it hurt to see him after five years, My Dearest?” 

My breaths halted when I sensed His Majesty behind me, smirking devilishly at me. My back was facing him as he approached me slowly.

“Did his ache comfort your soul as you imagined?” 

Voice growing lower, huskier, he was before me. My body was unable to move in his dominant presence as his one hand snaked around my waist and other around my throat.

His breaths in my ears, drying my throat as he whispered seductively.

“Was it worth it, Athena…?” 

Sending a tremble down my spine to press his body against mine, I couldn’t move. Only watching Darius leave. 

But, not falling weak, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.

“Yes, My lord. It was.” 

His smirk grew wider, darker to hear as I gradually lifted my heavy gaze and collided with his powerful ones.

“But, it’s not enough. Killing his mate is only the start. I have counted each pain and I would return all of it.” I growled, curling my hands in a fist, resolve shining in my eyes.

“Even if it means selling your soul to me?” He asked what he asked me when we first met officially.

And I replied what I did back then.

“Yes.” 

“Oh? I thought you would give up after witnessing your Darius sobbing and devastated.” 

He raised his one eyebrow temptingly, pulling away gradually, allowing me to regain my breaths and stand properly.

“I was once in his shoes too. I lost everything because of him, My Lord. I would never forgive him for ruining me in an irrecoverable way.” Whispering desperately, my voice came out croaked.

The horrible point my life had reached was all his fault and things won’t end this easily. No matter what I have to bargain, what I have to lose- 

In fact, what do I have left to lose anymore?

“Then devote your loyalty to me and I will ensure your revenge completes smoothly.” He ordered, extending his hand out to me with his notorious evil smirk.

Closing my eyes briefly, I knew I had given up my freedom in order to take vengeance. Taking a deep breath, my coldness came back as I bent on my knees.

Pleased at my subjugation, I kept looking down, taking his hand in mine and kissed his knuckles to display my loyalty toward my King. 

“I belong to you,” I whispered with extreme difficulty. 

I knew it was hard for me to accept but I did. I must devote myself to him for what he has done for me.

"And?" He asked, gesturing to me to continue.

"From my soul to my existence is yours. I am all yours, My Lord Hadrian." 

“Good girl. You are one of my most favorite toys. You know that, don’t you?” He asked temptingly, bringing his hand on the side of my face to caress it gently.

Closing my eyes, I nodded, “Yes, My Lord.”

He smirked at my obedience and walked away, leaving me all alone in my room to ponder about my next step. 

So what if I ended up sacrificing my redemption for my revenge but as long I could return the pain I gained because of Darius-

Everything is worth it.