After Athena had successfully pulled out the arrow that for stuck on Alex's skin, she checked it to see that it was the same arrow. She dropped it on the floor beside her and surveyed the wound Alex had sported but it was nowhere to because it had healed immediately. The only thing she saw was a red blood stain that was starting to turn maroon due to the air that had come in contact with it. They continued their journey. "I see someone!" One of the men cried and everyone hurried in his direction. Athena had seen a feminine figure run behind them from a far and her suspicions had been cleared. She wanted to attack when the culprit least expected. So she unsheathed her swords, Alex who had already shifted to a wolf growled internally and Athena smirked. He would be shocked. The arrow came flying past them and this time, Athens caught it with the edge of her sword with a metallic clang that created a brief spark. The sword hit a boulder beside them before cl
The palace was bustling with activities and that was because the culprit had been found. Though, the whole of Antarti pack hadn't been informed of the treacherous offender that had been caught, Alex was well aware that tomorrow morning, an announcement would be made. But for now, the officials of Antarti had been called upon and the palace guards had been made to surround the building in case she had anyone watching over her or coming for her. Athena was standing on the porch alone and she watched as everything unfolded. Damien was nowhere to be found. He was probably talking with some officials and preparing for the announcement that would be made before the people tomorrow. The men who had gone along with Alex and Damien to hunt were rewarded accordingly for stepping forward to help find the culprit and it surprised Alex. He didn't think Athena was the type of person to appreciate people for whatever they had done and it was quite strange. Alex was standin
Alex couldn't stop thinking about the dream he had and as he tossed around in his bed, he was ridden with worry. The dream he had was so vivid that it felt like it was happening in real life. Alex had the urge to climb out of bed, leave his room and stand at Athena's door throughout the time she slept but she was going to know and she was going to call him a creep and send him away. So he just lay in bed and thought about the dream, dissecting, arranging, scattering and arranging again. He couldn't find a suitable interpretation. Alex knew it was his special ability at work. He could see things that had happened in the past and things that were going to happen in the future. It was a gift that had been bestowed on him by his mother before her death. Sighing, he knew that sleep tonight for him had been canceled so he stood on his feet and walked to his window. It was dark out there. Without thinking, Alex decided to take a walk outside in the gardens. He just fel
As soon as it was fully dawn, the whole palace grounds began to fill up as the message had been passed onto them all. They wanted to know happened with the Griffith's daughter. They were a very well known family in Antarti pack and this made everyone eager to know what had happened. Alex wasn't sure he was going to be able to watch this execution happen as he was really not into it. Something about watching Fiona's execution made him feel emotional. Yes, the girl had committed a crime by wanting to kill the Queen, — Athena would forever remain a Queen to him as she was his and forever his, he wasn't buying the idea of her being killed. She was too young for that and was only reacting from a place of intense hurt. Alex knew he would do worse if anyone killed his father. Before his father's death, he was Alex's rock. Teaching and guiding him through life and training him to become who he was now, he wasn't sure he was going to take it lightly with anyone who tried to me
Alex turned before everything happened. He couldn't stand and watch this happen and as he could hear the cry of pains from Fiona's grandmother. He couldn't believe that the most feared old woman in Antarti could be helpless in such a situation as this. Athena watched as the men wrapped the dangling jute rope around her neck. She was shaking and Athena could smell her fear of death from where she stood. She knew that this would cause a lot of controversy and maybe even gain her more enemies but she genuinely didn't care. The guard stepped back and when a drum rolled, a man from behind worked on the lever that began to lift her up slowly. Amidst the wails from people who cared about her and complaints, Athena felt Alex's presence move away from where she was and when she turned to see if he was still there, he was nowhere to be found. "Do you think this is a good idea?" Damien who had just come to stand beside her spoke. "She's still a young girl and the tradition
Athena definitely wanted this ring off her finger. She had dreamt about taking it off and finally becoming immune to Alex's charm. Several times, she had tried removing it and even gotten to the extent of asking a goldsmith to melt it off her fingers even if she was going to burn. But Alex taking it off without her expecting it was shocking. Athena staggered backwards and she read his countenance. Alex was visibly angry. No, angry wasn't the word. He looked frustrated and tired. Like he had given up. But Alex had shown her that he wasn't the type to give up. Slowly, Alex raised the ring and sucked his lower lip in for a brief second. He flashed it in her face. "See, I've taken off the ring from your finger. You're finally free from me, Athena." Athena said nothing. All she could feel was emptiness. She had been feeling empty for her whole life and the death of her guardian had increased the emptiness but this ring had made her feel more, want more. Want
For the whole of the next day, Athena didn't catch a glimpse of Alex anywhere around. She even asked some of the maids to secretly find him around but he was nowhere to be found. It felt so strange. His absence had an impact on everyone. He was not there to annoy her or make the elders stare at them with disdain in their eyes; she utterly loved it. He wasn't around to make Damien clench his fists and yell out curse words. He wasn't around to make the maids swoon and the guards feel threatened. She sighed. "My Lord," Called one of the men who had been reading from a book to her. Athena looked up. She was lost and everyone was looking at her for a reply. "I'm guessing you didn't hear the last thing I said." Athena sighed. This ring was supposed to make her feel sane. The spell was supposed to have worn off. "I didn't. Repeat again." "I said, we have invited over thirty Alpha's and other prominent people. The total is about one fifty minus our pack." "
"I am shocked that you're back this early. You aren't back with your mate. Sad." Alexander said nothing in reply to what she had just said and Ciara could also read his countenance enough to see that he was visibly angry. She followed him through the wide corridor that had an array of rooms for guests. Alex was going towards his wing. "Have my council members prepared. We'd be having a meeting this evening." "Of course, I will. But I would like to tell you something." Ciara said as they both took another flight of stairs that led to the north wing of the palace. Alex stopped in his tracks and turned to fix a look on Ciara who looked as calm as ever. "What is it?" "We got an invitation early this week." Alex sighed. "I'm not ready to start my party season. You are well aware that I only party at the end of the year?" Ciara nodded. "I obviously am. But I have not failed to inform you. All you just have to do is turn the invitation down or not honor
"It's the men's combat game, Athena!" Damien said as he watched his Alpha strap herself with knives. She placed a diamondback knife in her boots and wedged a dagger on her arm. A pair tantos sat on the insides of her jacket and when she turned to face Damien, she smiled. "How do I look, Damien?" She asked. Damien shook his head and turned away from her. He hated the fact that she was excited for the combat. There was nothing to be excited about! She was literally putting herself in the face of danger and beckoning on it to come to her. "I don't know what to say, Athena. I do not feel comfortable with you participating in the men's combat category," Athena walked to the window and opened it. It was nearing evening and in about an hour's time or so, she would be out there, facing her opponent while everyone watched. If she was being honest with herself, she was really scared. Scared of the unknown. What if she got beaten to a pulp. What if she got paired with someo
"What the hell is going on?" Kayla gasped as she heard the announcement the master of ceremony made. Kayla came to stand beside her. "Did the King just ask her to participate in the male category?" "Yes, he did," Kayla replied, sounding really shocked and worried. "Why would he do that?" "Because the King does what he does according to what his subject wants," A guy came and stood behind them as he spoke. Melodie gave him the stink eye. "She's not his subject. She's the King of Antarti!" The boy laughed like he was mocking her and Melodie glared at him like she wanted to kill him on the spot with her eyes. "You think. He's ruling the Lycan Confederate and can make any degree. Besides, she asked for it with her whole feminism shit," "And who the hell are you?" Kayla stepped forward in a defensive stance. "Oh," The boy touched his chest in a mock polite manner. "My name is Lawrence. I am the Prince of The Lycan Confederate," "And what are you doing here?"
Athena stood alongside other contestants. Most of them were women and she frowned. Was this category just for women? Just then, she saw Eucaria standing at the other side of the line. The lady waved at Athena and scurried to stand beside her. "I had no idea you were participating," "Well, I am. Why is it just women here?" Eucaria shrugged. "This is a women's game. It's less brutal than combat and the rest," "That's bullshit," Athena said. The women around her gasped but she ignored them. "Why would they allow that?!" "There's actually no time for you to ask questions," A lady, dressed in combat outfit but looking like she was the referee with a whistle around her neck, came forward. She stared at Athena who matched her look without fear. "Once I blow the whistle, you all run towards the ropes hanging off those rocks on the other side of the amphitheater. Use it to lift your bodies off the ground and jump once you're about two meters in the air. Note that lit
Kayla and Melodie were still waiting for Heyli to come back to them with good news when they saw her climbing one of the seats above. Kayla stepped forward and Melodie squinted her eyes as she watched Heyli take a seat beside Athena and Alex. She looked guilty and as Alex spoke to her, she only nodded. "Did she actually leave us here?" Melodie asked, suddenly feeling offended and betrayed by their friend. Kayla wasn't going to believe that was it. "I don't think so. Heyli won't do that to us. She's probably trying to negotiate things with Alex," "But she's seated there!" Melodie cried. Some people from the team looked at them and Kayla immediately apologized. "Let's just hope that's not the case," Melodie turned and looked at her. "Maybe that's the case." Kayla kept staring in Heyli's direction, hoping their friend would look at them and signal that she was going to return soon. But that wasn't going to happen because the master of the ceremony already stepp
As early as five in the morning, the girls were awoken by the ringing of large bells. "I woke up at six back at home," Melodie said as she groaned and sat up. "I hate this time arrangement." Melodie noticed that Kayla wasn't in bed. Heyli had woken up for a few minutes before laying back down and falling asleep immediately. "Kayla?" "I'm bathing!" She called from the bathroom. Melodie climbed out of the bed and went to the bathroom door of bathroom. "Why didn't you wake us all up?" "I did. You both sleep like a hibernating snail. We have to prepare quickly, by the way. We're going to be manning the surroundings of the amphitheater. Handing weapons and change of clothes and help to the injured. I just hope nothing goes wrong," "What might that be?" Kayla's voice lowered. "A beast might be released. That would fight with one of the contestants. Someone told me a few warriors were killed the last time," Melodie's heart sank. "What?" "Yes," "Is this what I
Heyli fell into his arms. She had no idea what was controlling her but she knew that his arms was where she wanted to be. Nowhere else but his arms. As she walked into his arms, he fully engulfed her in a hug and placed his chin on her glossy hair. "Did you use a new perfume?" Heyli drew away a bit. "Yes. How did you know?" Loki smiled and pulled her back in. "You love vanilla and that's your signature. But you're using something fruity," Heyli swallowed. "Well, Melodie suggested u used a different one and it was actually nice," "Because of Miguel?" Heyli shrugged. "I guess." "You guess? Or you did so because of him." "Do you want us to turn this into an argument?" "Not an argument. I'm mad." Heyli gave him an incredulous look. "Why?" "Because you are making yourself look good for another boy. It makes me want to go after him and rip his limbs apart so you don't find him attractive," Heyli gasped and burst into laughter but before she could sa
One thing Heyli loved about this place was the fact that she didn't have to go through gates. The doors directly lead out to the streets and once she was hit with a cold gust of wind, she closed her eyes and sighed in relief. "The Lycaon Statue," She muttered under her breath. That was where Miguel said they were going to meet. Pulling up her gown, she climbed down the stairs and turned to the northern side of the road. The streets were void of people but amber lights flooded the roads and she was able to see under them. She actually didn't need any light to see but she needed to see Miguel. Somehow, she didn't trust her sense of vision to lead her to the right person. As she hurried down the road, she made sure to look back. Someone might be following her. No one was and she hastened her footsteps. She just hoped Hathaway had forgotten about her. As she turned her head to see if anyone was following after her, she bumped into a hard body and nearly fell on her kn
The suit was lit by scented candle lights. Athena sat on the Chippendale chair that faced the windows and she stared up at the night skies. She had spent most of her day in this room. It was oddly comforting. The walls that were repainted by the sunset and the twilight. Then she lit the candles, ignoring the lights she could turn on through the switch. There was something about candle lit rooms that made her feel like she was floating. She stood to her feet and walked to her as dinner was almost near. She wanted to be early so she could mingle with the other ladies who had been smiling at her when she was taking a walk in the afternoon. This was to avoid being in close contact with Alexander. There was something he was hiding from her and if he didn't trust her enough to tell her, she wasn't sure she wanted to have anything to do with him. As for Damien and Loki, theirs was still loading. She didn't have time yet. She took out a pale green dress. It was one of her fa
"He asked me to see him by eleven tonight so he could tell me the complete story of Lycaon," Heyli said as she pulled off her dress. Kayla wiggled her brows. "That story must be really interesting for you to actually sneak out by eleven," Heyli chuckled her chemise at Kayla who caught it in her hand and dumped it on the bed beside her. The girls were back in their room as soon as the clock struck seven. Heyli hadn't seen Loki throughout the day and neither had she seen Athena or Alexander. Melodie was just stepping out of the bathroom. Her body was wrapped in a towel. "Kayla's right. I can't believe you're going out by eleven just to see a guy you don't know," Heyli became defensive. "His name is Miguel," Kayla and Heyli exchanged looks before bursting into laughter. Heyli glared at them both but she said nothing. She wrapped a towel around her and went into the bathroom. She took her time there, opting for the soft scented shampoos for her skin and floral shampo