Ralph's POV "Why, Ashina? Why?" Damian questioned, desperation echoing in his voice."Damian, you won't leave me in the clutches of this monster, will you? I'm your mate!" she pleaded, stubbornness in her eyes."Ashina, I, Damian, the Alpha of the Cone pack, reject you as my mate," he declared, his words hanging heavy in the air.She clutched her chest suddenly, overwhelmed by pain. Even though Damian attempted to appear strong, the struggle was visible as he departed the dungeon.Rejection is a bitter pill, and its taste is most unbearable for the one cast aside. I instructed a soldier to provide her with something to wear before setting out to find Damian.In his secluded garden, I discovered him, chin resting on his elbows. A sigh escaped me, I knew I needed to carry out my duty and check on him."Are you okay?" I inquired, taking a seat beside him."No," he responded, shaking his head in disagreement."You'll be fine," I offered comfort"I've been a fool. I'm not even fit to lead
Athena's POVThe moment the sword pierced below my ribs, my life flashed before my eyes. Yet, amidst the searing pain, I wished Ulf wasn't present, I didn't want her gone because of me.As I drifted into unconsciousness, the pain in my heart overshadowed the physical agony. Upon opening my eyes, I stood before the Tree of the Moon Goddess, my body was not stained with blood, no visible wound. Confusion gripped me. Was I dead, or was this another vision? What has happened to Ulf, and where do I go from here? The questions swirled in my mind as I pondered my situation. Suddenly, the guardian of the tree appeared before me.“What is happening? Am I dead?” I implored“No,” she replied cryptically.“And Ulf?”“Patience.“Please, no vague answers. I need clarity,” I insisted, but she maintained silence“What is happening?” I pressed again.“Your spirit was in an abyss. The ongoing ritual for you is why you find yourself here,” she explained.“Ritual? Abyss? Has it been long since it happen
Ralph's POVI wanted to rush to her side, relieved to see her breathing, but Damian held me back, advising patience as the shaman continued his work.Though I was certain I saw her open her eyes, they were shut again. Nevertheless, the joy flooded over me as she finally resumed breathing.“She's back in our world now. Give her some time, she'll be up anytime soon,” the shaman assured us.“Thank you so much,” I expressed my gratitude, hugging him unconsciously.“I'll be around to ensure she is stable,” he reassured me.Sitting close to her, holding her arms, I couldn't tear my eyes away. Damian returned after they took Ulf away.“I'm so happy, I don't know how to contain it,” I confessed to him.“Well, I'm happy I don't have to fear for my life anymore,” he chuckled softly, making me giggle in response.“Where did you find that shaman?” I couldn't hel
Athena's POVI glimpsed a blurry vision of Ralph. How could he be there? I questioned my reality in Cone pack, was I hallucinating or witnessing visions again?Drifting into unconsciousness once more, I found myself alone near a waterfall, a familiar sight from Stormwind.Flashes of memories with Ralph at that very waterfall flooded my mind. Then, my majestic wolf approached.Upon closer inspection, I gaped at its enormous and beautiful form, its white fur sparkling.“Athena!” Ralph's voice called out as he sprinted toward me. The wolf vanished.“Ralph? What brings you here?” I inquired, perplexed.“What do you mean? I said I'd be back with fruits right away,” he chuckled, leaving me bewildered.As we sat for a picnic, he seemed unusually cheerful. His ordinary conduct raised suspicions, prompting me to probe with questions.“What about the pack?” I inquired, my gaze
Ralph's POVI burst into the room, urgency in my steps. Despite the visible pain etched on her face, she managed a smile, a fragile connection to the reality that she was here with me."Ralph," she whispered, and I gently reached for her face. Our reunion was interrupted by another piercing scream."Guards!" I yelled, and within moments, they rushed in."Fetch any elderly woman within the house immediately!" I commanded, and they hurriedly left."I'm so glad you're up, I love you, Athena," I confessed, my hands trembling."I love you too, but I think the baby is coming," she uttered with a strained voice.Excitement and confusion tangled within me, I darted to the door to call for the women and then rushed back to Athena.Suddenly, I halted. Confusion and amusement flickered across my face. The room was bathed in an unexpected brightness. something I had never witnessed before. The emitted light, tinged with a faint green
Athena's POVI basked in the happiness of holding my baby, a surge of joy that mingled with a twinge of guilt for not being fair to him during the pregnancy. I vowed silently to make it up in every possible way."I know I shouldn't have this baby under normal circumstances," I admitted to Ralph.I passed the baby back to him, and he cradled the newborn, I was still feeling a lingering weakness."You were glowing since labour until this morning," Ralph said to me.I observed him closely and saw dark circles under his eyes hinted at sleepless nights, and a slight weight loss, signs of the distress he must have felt."I'm so glad you're here," I confessed."Rollin came to us and told us. I didn't want to take chances, so I decided to come myself," he smiled at me."There's a lot I need to tell you," I said with a serious tone, unsure of how he would react to my revelations and the impact it had on him."First, y
Ralph's POVI listened intently as she narrated every detail. The revelations left me utterly shocked, but I maintained a composed silence, refraining from interrupting her. It dawned on me that my first wife was lost due to the actions of my uncle.Even in the wake of my uncle's demise, the repercussions of his deeds lingered, silently affecting me without my conscious awareness. However, Athena's words weighed heavily on my mind."So, our love is intertwined with a curse?" I asked a sense of desperation colouring my words. Athena gently reached for my face."No, my love. But you would have continued encountering losses if you hadn't crossed paths with me," she explained tenderly. The irony struck me, and I couldn't help but nervously giggle."Funny how that becomes a relief," I admitted. Athena's expression softened, her eyes reflecting a hint of sadness. "I'm so sorry. I would understand if you never forgive me or choose to reject me," she said, her tone carrying a genuine sorrow.
Athena’s POV The joy swelling in my heart was indescribable, a radiant warmth that contrasted with Ralph's constant indoor presence, caring for our baby.Even when I managed to coax him outside, his return was swift. I resolved to visit my Uncle before our departure. With the shaman departing at dawn, farewells were exchanged.Choosing to leave our child in Ralph's care, Ulf joined me to go see my uncle. The werewolves we encountered along the way cast peculiar glances my way. Ulf reassured me, claiming it was likely fueled by rumours that I needed to grow accustomed to, a phenomenon potentially exacerbated in Stormwind.Arriving at my Uncle's residence, the state of disarray suggested distress, yet he seemed to be managing admirably. "Uncle," I enfolded him in a prolonged, tight hug, reluctant to release him. Ulf extended her greetings as we settled into the couch in the somewhat chaotic sitting room."To what do I owe this visit? You should have called me," he remarked, and I res