AthenaThe next morning, every inch of my body begged for rest, muscles throbbing and bones aching, but I refused to leave Cameron’s side. No amount of pain could pull me away. And King Marcus lack of trust was as thick as fog, hanging over us all. He didn’t bother hiding his disgust at being here, surrounded by witches, as if the very air offended him.I had gone out of my way to make things as comfortable as possible, setting him up in one of the best cabins, making sure he had everything he needed. I’d practically begged him to get some sleep, to let go of his stubborn pride for even a second. But his scowl told me everything. He’d rather be anywhere else. He looked at the room like it was cursed, muttering under his breath about “evil forces” and “witchcraft.”Honestly, I wanted to tell him to fuck off but I bit my tongue."I don’t want them putting any dark stuff into him,” he muttered, his tone dripping with distrust. The sting of his words hit hard, and I swear he noticed becau
Athena I could hardly call my first attempt a victory. Yes, I’d ripped the snake’s fang free, and Cameron’s eyes had opened. His chest rose and fell as he breathed, bringing me a rush of relief so intense it nearly erased my exhaustion. I darted to his bedside, my heart pounding, ready to pull him back into the world.But just as quickly as hope flared, it burned out. His eyelids fluttered, but instead of finding calm, his body jerked violently, as if he was still fighting some unseen demons. Words tumbled from his lips, slurred and frantic, fragments of terror that didn’t make sense.“No… no, leave me alone!” he shouted, thrashing against the sheets.His face twisted in a fear that cut deeper than any wound. The joy I’d felt twisted into dread, eating at my chest. I reached out and gripped his shoulder. “Cameron, baby, it’s me. You’re safe.”But he looked past me as though I were a stranger. My so-called victory had a bitter edge, leaving him trapped somewhere far away, unreachable.
Athena I sprinted through the forest. Its twisted shadows closed in, each one feeling like it had a pulse of its own, hungry for terror. The night here was different—dense, suffocating, and as alive as anything I’d ever faced. The first horror to confront me was a banshee. Her ghostly figure rose from the mist, and her shriek pierced the silence like a blade, chilling me to the core. But that was all it did—wail and hover, as if mocking my fear. I clenched my jaw and pushed forward, refusing to let it distract me. I had one mission: to find the hidden power source that might save Cameron. There was no room for fear.The forest seemed determined to test me. The branches snagged at my clothes as if trying to pull me back. Shadows flickered in the corners of my vision, mocking me, but I kept moving and the urgency pushed me past exhaustion. The air grew colder and heavier with each step, and every breath felt like I was swallowing the darkness itself. It was as if the forest was dar
93AthenaWhen I opened my eyes, grogginess clung to me. I couldn't move, but my silence was soon replaced by utter confusion. I couldn’t make sense of where I was. This place was beyond anything words could capture. Unnatural and unsettling silence wrapped around me like a thick blanket, pressing in from all sides. The earth I knew never held silence like this, never without the hum of life, the rustle of leaves, or distant calls of creatures.Here, there wasn’t a trace of an animal or human. Every object around me pulsed, as though it had a soul, especially the light that seemed soft but somehow divine, illuminating without blinding. Colors blazed from every direction, vibrant beyond any spectrum I’d ever seen, and far surpassing the limits of human sight.“What the hell?” I muttered, barely recognizing my own voice.The stillness was overwhelming. My eyes scanned the endless expanse until they landed on a huge mountain ahead that reached toward the sky. Its slopes gleamed with p
CameronI woke to the scratchy roughness of an old quilt draped over me and confusion clouded my mind. The fabric felt worn against my skin, and when I opened my eyes, I struggled to understand where the hell I was. This place made no sense. It was different from the world I was used to. it was dark, cramped, and unfamiliar, with a ceiling so low it felt like it was closing in on me. Claustrophobia clawed at my chest, and when I tried to sit up, dizziness washed over me. My body screamed in raw, unfiltered pain. Cuts and bruises marked every inch of my arms and hands. How did I end up here? And where exactly was "here"?There was an armless cot pressing uncomfortably against my chest, and my lips tasted like they’d been coated in bitter herbs. The scent of burning sage lingered thick in the air. Just then, the door creaked open, and my dad walked in. At first, he didn’t notice I was awake, but when he saw my eyes open, he let out a startled yelp and rushed over, his look was a mixt
AthenaFear gripped me as I took in the surroundings. Asking to see the goddess felt like signing up for a death sentence. No matter how dazzling this place looked, I wasn’t prepared to die.Not yet. I couldn't stand the thought of staying here without saying a proper goodbye to everyone who mattered to me. My mom, who had always loved me unconditionally, who did everything to keep me happy and supported me even when my choices went against the grain. If it weren't for my dad, she might have even encouraged me to stay with Cameron, consequences be damned. And then my dad, the fierce protector, who never once made me feel less than for being a hybrid daughter to an alpha. He kept my secret, shielded me, loved me as I was. I couldn’t leave without seeing him one last time.And Caleb, my brother, who I’d grown up with, spending days running wild on wings and horseback. I'd promised I’d be godmother to his future children. Leaving him felt like betraying that vow. But most of all, I
Her gaze turned icy, and a dangerous silence filled the space. She raised a hand, and one of the beings beside her started to protest, “This insolent mortal—”But the goddess silenced him with a mere flick of her wrist. She looked down at me, her gaze both fierce and intrigued, as if my words had stung her pride yet piqued her interest. For a moment, I thought she might strike me down right there, but instead, she leaned back and tilted her head.Then, to my utter shock, she softened her tone, almost mockingly, and said, “Come.”I blinked, barely able to believe what I was hearing. But I moved closer, though not daring to get too close to her throne. She extended a pale hand toward the water in front of her, and I felt my chest tighten as an image began to form within its depths. As I peered closer, my breath caught. There, in the water, was Cameron. He was awake, sitting up, though his body looked weak. I watched him clench his fists as if searching, hoping for something. For me.
AthenaMidnight was my favorite time of the clock. The darkness empowered me. Unlike me, my brother Caleb was pure Lycan, yet he enjoyed watching me spin magic. My dad was alpha and was expected to banish me for having witch blood, yet he kept this secret within our home."They're here," I whispered to Caleb, wrapping myself in a purple cloak. "Hold my hand and run like your life depends on it. Don't shift into your wolf. They'll recognize us."Our pursuers closed in, but we didn't stop. Caleb wasn't afraid. He trusted in my powers to keep us safe. Just as they were about to grab us, we levitated onto a rooftop and began hopping from building to building. Caleb found this amusing and whistled with glee as we landed on our roof and slipped down the secret staircase into the house.Just as we entered, we heard the buzzer. I hated that these nosy hunters wouldn't leave. The sound woke my dad. Caleb and I rushed to our rooms, pretending to be asleep. Upon confirming it was the witch hunte