Athena's POVThroughout that evening, I pondered the shaman's final words and the meaning behind them. Concealing my visit to the shaman from Tala and Ralph, I kept the experience to myself. On the contrary, Yifa was relieved that I was unharmed. His words echoed in my mind, even haunting my thoughts as night fell. The unsettling question lingered. What if his warning about carrying an evil spirit was true? The following morning, Yifa noticed my unease. "Are you still troubled by that bizarre shaman?" she inquired. I managed a weak smile."Please, put it out of your mind. People isolate him for a reason," she comforted, attempting to console my troubled thoughts. I asked Alpha to bring up another topic. "I think he went out," Yifa replied.Attempting to lift my spirits, I had breakfast and picked up a book. However, the effect of uncertainty remained. Eventually, I decided to go to the salon with Yifa. The atmosphere there was pleasant, and the lady attending to us exuded warmth.
Athena’s POVThe coming full moon ceremony loomed ahead, though its celebration isn't much in comparison to the grandeur of the blood moon ceremony.Ralph guided me to the designer's office, the artisan responsible for diligently crafting every garment worn in Alpha's home.Despite never having set foot in her workspace, I admired how she perfectly captured my measurements when Ralph designated dresses for both of us."Why bring me along this time?" I inquired as we entered the office."I sense I'm leaving you behind in the full moon preparations. It's time you adapt to these routines," he replied, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.While I acknowledged the value of involvement, I found relief in keeping a d
Ahena’s POVUpon returning to reality, an indescribable surge of emotions overwhelmed me, a mix of the boy's pain and the haunting fear that I might be dead. Clutching my chest, I wrestled to regain control.“Are you okay?” Yifa's distant voice broke through. I couldn't find the words to respond.“I knew working in that kitchen all day would take its toll,” she said, her voice trembling as she squatted before me.“Are you crying?” Her surprise echoed, as tears unknowingly traced my cheeks.Using my handkerchief, I wiped away the tears and leaned back in the chair, drawing deep breaths.“Should I call someone?” Yifa offered, concern etched across her face. Silently,
Ralph's POVEnforcers urgently conveyed through the mind link that an emergency had arisen. Swiftly, I notified Tala to join me at the western border. Gonzolo had already left at the time.Curiosity etched my expression as I questioned the enforcers, seeking to unravel the nature of the crisis. "What is going on?""We discovered dead rogues, it appears to have transpired last night," an enforcer responded, and just then, Tala arrived."Not again!" Her frustration resonated in a growl as she laid eyes on the bodies."There are four now?" she added, her concern deepening."Yes, and the same strange marks as the one from before," I observed keenly, catching a faint scent of something familiar that I couldn’t identify. "However, a local was entangled in the dilemma," the enforcers disclosed."What?!" Tala and I exclaimed in unison, caught off guard."We got the witness, but she adamantly refuses to divulge any information to us, insisting she'll only speak with you. She fled to your res
Athena’s POV I lay in my room, my hands soothing my throbbing head as Yifa arrived with herbs to alleviate my headache.“Don't you think these headaches are becoming more frequent?” Yifa observed.“Hmm.”“Don't you think it has something to do with your wolf?”She doesn't know about me not having a wolf, or maybe she has observed its absence. Either way, she has a point, it might be connected, but I don't sense the presence of a wolf at all.“I'll be fine,” I assured her.Ralph hadn't returned when I woke from my nap, and the herbs had improved my condition. After a refreshing shower, he unexpectedly appeared, and I couldn't shake off my surprise.“Hey, good morning,” he greeted with a smile.“Hey… morning,” I stammered.“Are you okay?”“Yes.”For some reason, I kept seeing the reflection of that beast in him. I shook my head, trying to dispel the thoughts.“Have you had breakfast?” he asked. Despite eating early in the morning, I was still hungry.“Let's go eat, I'm hungry,” I sugge
Ralph's POVWork had consumed much of my time, leaving me with a sense of guilt for not spending enough moments with Athena. Despite the demands, the strong security circled my pack and provided a reassuring ground. No signs of the beast had emerged, yet I remained vigilant, unwilling to lower my guard.I visited Tala, our work concluding before engaging in a conversation."Does Athena have any idea of what you're about to do?" Tala inquired."If she does, the element of surprise would be lost, don't you think?" I replied."Ah!" Tala exclaimed in realization.The weight of my obligations as an Alpha weighed on me, especially concerning Athena.Returning home, a hint scent lingered in my room, similar to that of the rogues. I dismissed the thought, attributing it to a servant who must have worked in the room earlier, shaking off the thought. After a refreshing shower, I addressed matters with the servants in their quarters before retiring to bed.The following morning, my routine com
Athena’s POV Observing his behaviour during breakfast, I felt an air of secrecy about him. To avoid advancing negativity, I opted for a stroll into the woods.Contemplations flooded my mind. Memories of my former pack, my parents, the betrayal, and the complications of my life in Stormwind.Seated on a weathered log, immersed in nature's allure, clarity dawned regarding my departure from the pack, I knew I didn't want to. Unaware of the passing time, I retraced my steps towards the house. As I approached, Ralph's restless pacing caught my eye.Upon sighting me, he hurriedly advanced, enfolding me in a tight embrace."Athena, thank the goddess you're safe. I feared he had taken you," he confessed."Who could have taken me?" I inquired, confused. He avoided the question, opting to observe me closely while holding my shoulders. His heightened concern struck me as peculiar, given my occasional solitary strolls."Come, I have a little surprise for you," he announced, gently taking my ha
Ralph's POV She lay peacefully asleep as I woke up. Stepping out of the tent in only trousers, I engaged in a few push-ups, relishing the crisp morning air before quenching my thirst with water. Settling into a sturdy wooden chair, I found myself reminiscing about the enchanting events of the previous night. The time had come for her to embrace her role as my mate.Inside the tent, subtle movements hinted she had woken up. She emerged, putting on my shirt with nothing beneath. "Hey," I greeted her with a warm smile."Please don't tell me you're attempting breakfast again," she sighed, prompting a light chuckle from me."No, just coffee.""Great. I can't handle another breakfast disaster," she giggled, accepting a cup from my outstretched hand."I feel like you'll use that breakfast mishap to tease me forever," I confessed."Oh, definitely."A flutter of excitement danced in my stomach. While she hadn't vocalized she loved me, her willingness to perpetually mock me forever spoke vol