Athena"I swear if you tell me to calm down one more time, I’ll fucking wring your neck," Mia warned, wagging her finger in my face.She was in a rage, and I tried to get her to sit on the bench under the staircase."Who the hell does she think she is?" She complained, her face and breath growing ragged.I looked around to make sure we were alone since we couldn’t discuss Jennifer in public. All the girls seemed to be sucking up to her.While I remained calm, listening to Mia, I couldn’t help but think about what Jennifer had said earlier. My thoughts were almost drowned out by the faint thread of hysteria in Cameron’s eyes. He was trying hard to hide his confusion, making me wonder if Jennifer had some power over him.How was that possible if Cameron‘s dad was a king? I tried to make sense of the events, but nothing added up"Are you even listening to me?" Mia shook my arm, snapping me out of my thoughts."You said you want Jennifer to disappear, but asking me to levitate and harm he
Athena Joining the chemistry club wasn't a mistake, and I genuinely enjoyed being there. I stood at my workstation, measuring out 25 mL of clear sodium hydroxide solution into a beaker, and sneezed as the faint tang of chemicals wafted through my nose. The lab was quiet except for the soft wash of gas burners and the occasional beep of a digital scale.I focused intently on the task at hand, working on bonding and reactions. When the sodium transitioned into pink, I smiled and recorded my observations in my notebook.“You’re doing great,” Miss Vera said, circulating around the room. “Excellent work.”“Thank you,” I responded with a smile, while listening to a lame chemistry joke one of the boys was telling his friends.“Why did the acid and base go on a date? Because they wanted to see if they had a ‘neutral’ connection.”Everyone else burst into laughter except me. I wondered if I was strange for not getting the humor.“Why did the molecule lose his girlfriend? Because he was always
Cameron Anger mixed with raw, wild need shone in Athena’s eyes. I couldn’t stop gazing at her lips; they seemed well-moisturized and luscious.Thinking about it made my breath ragged in my ears. I wanted to kiss her badly. We were in our little bubble, and her thick lashes fluttered closed, and when they opened again, her eyes were full of heat.I imagined sweeping her into my arms with an earth-shattering kiss, where our lips would meet in a wet, hot slide.My thoughts were fucking intense these days. I always imagined us kissing, pounding, and tearing at each other, and then leaving her spent, well-pleasured, and deliciously sore. I wondered if she liked it hard or soft.She kept acting as if she wasn’t affected by me, and that made me cackle with amusement.Miss Vera rushed towards me, making me peel my gaze away from Athena. She guided me to the lab's stainless steel sink, probably scared that my dad would punish her.Her trembling hands turned on the water faucet to treat the ch
AthenaI soaked in the bath salts-infused water and the bubbles tickled my skin, making shower time a rare moment of relaxation. It was a rare moment where I could clear my mind.I closed my eyes, attempting to relax, but my mind wandered and I began to feel a deep and unexplainable longing for Cameron and how his gaze locked onto mine in the chemistry lab.It had been a while since I last saw him, and I wondered why. What bothered me more was that I was annoyed with myself for caring. I wondered if the ointment didn’t work on him or something else was keeping him away. “What is wrong with you, Athena? Stop obsessing over him,” I said out loud, but his face lingered in my mind.There was a huge obstacle standing between me and my desire, and I knew my dream would never come true. The sensible thing to do was to deny my feelings and desires. I didn’t want to be responsible for anyone’s death.Was I falling in love with him? The thought sent a shiver down my spine. The water began to l
Athena Caleb snatched his wrist away from my grip and stood up. He was too startled as the shock hit him full force.“What the fuck, Athena?”Now that the truth was out, my body and mind were restless, and time felt like it was slowing down. I crossed and uncrossed my arms, reminding myself that Caleb was my brother and he was never going to expose my secrets. If he could protect me and love me for being a witch, this was nothing, but I couldn’t help but fear because Caleb genuinely liked Cameron.He remained silent, and time felt like it was slowing down. Then he scratched his head.“Aren’t you supposed to never have a mate?” He asked, his voice fading to a hushed stillness. “Having one could endanger his life, you know.”Captain Obvious.“Caleb, you must never tell anyone, not even Mia and Alex.”Caleb was surprised that Mia had no idea. Then he looked past me.“She’s not going to forgive you for saying anything, and you must tell Mom and Dad. Something must be done as soon as pos
AthenaMy head pounded so hard that I felt dizzy, and fear was getting out of control. I felt too numb to move as I stood outside the principal’s office.This was all the Moon Goddess’s fault, and I was angry at her. Why couldn’t I just be normal like everyone else?Cameron wasn’t coming with me, which was a good thing because I didn’t know the outcome of this meeting. I took a few deep breaths and tried to calm my heart, but doubts swirled in my mind.This meeting was surely going to end on a bad note. I tried to put on a brave face, wondering what lie I was going to cook up, but the lie about not feeling my wolf was strong enough, and I was going to run with it.It was now or never.I pushed open the door to the principal’s office, and warm light spilled out. Cameron’s father was indeed the definition of royalty. He sat behind the desk, looking older—perhaps in his early 60s—much older than my parents.His hair was styled in a top knot with shaved sides, and a golden scepter rested
CameronI watched as Athena’s face went slack and soft. My hands caressed her chin.“What are you doing?” she asked with an unsteady voice.“You heard me the first time.”She released a sigh and looked away, then touched her neck. I noticed she liked to either fiddle with her hair or touch her neck whenever she was disturbed about something.She didn’t look angry, which was a good sign, so I became bolder.“I feel so breathless when I’m around you,” I said to her, my voice cracking with emotion. “We belong together, Athena. It’s written in the stars. The bond between us is enthralling and binding. We can’t keep denying this.”Her eyes grew glossy, and she parted her lips, holding me with her gaze. I felt a strong awareness of my heartbeat as I began stroking her arm. I was so full of pent-up desire that it caused an embarrassing bulge.“Cameron,” she whispered, her fingers tunneling into my hair. “We can’t.”“Yes, we can, and we will. I know it, but I don’t know what’s stopping you. I
AthenaMy heart sank with dread as I contemplated speaking with my dad. He had been calling me all morning, and I had been dodging his calls, using classes as an excuse. But I knew he was aware of our break period, and I couldn't avoid this conversation forever.With a grimace, I stood up from my seat in the crowded student lounge, grabbed my backpack, and sought out an empty classroom. I settled into room 214, a quiet space. Pacing back and forth between the rows of desks, I pressed the phone to my ear, listening intently to my dad's voice.He attempted to sound brave, but I imagined him sitting in his favorite leather armchair, gulping down his fear, his face pale and clammy with cold sweat."Honey, I need you to remain calm," he said, his voice trembling with worry. "I know you never envisioned this happening, but it has, and I'm sure there will be a solution.""I don't know,
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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 With nothing else left to try, I swallowed my pride and dragged myself to the coven I had sworn never to approach. If the goddess insisted on punishing me, then I’d find a solution from any source willing to help.Fuck her a million times.I burst through the doors at midnight, and my heart pounded, causing my breaths to be short and sharp. The coven members sat in a circle. Their faces were carved from shadows and candlelight. Each gaze turned on me, dripping with irritation and barely concealed spite.The High Priestess, who was the queen's assistant, locked her eyes on mine.. "Athena, Athena, Athena," she chanted, my name rolling off her tongue like a slow, deliberate insult. "Is this truly a habit of yours—to burst in and throw our rituals into chaos?"My entire body shook and my throat closed up. "Priestess, I need your help. I know I’ve ignored your calls and kept my distance, but my mate is dying. Every second he slips further away.” I felt the words catch in my throat
AthenaSeeing Cameron lying unconscious in that hospital bed felt like someone had yanked the ground from beneath me, ripping my world apart piece by piece. I burst through those cold double doors, screaming his name, "Cameron!"My voice echoed, raw and desperate, down the sterile, quiet hallways. Two stout nurses hurried over, both with annoyed expressions, trying to hold me back. “Ma’am, you need to calm down; this is an emergency ward,” one snapped. I didn’t care. I shrugged them off and rushed to Cameron’s motionless figure.“Please, Cameron, open your eyes.”My voice cracked, and tears spilled down my face, unstoppable, like a dam breaking. Just this morning, he was laughing, alive, and so full of life. Now, he lay there like a stranger—pale, weak, swallowed by a mess of wires and tubes.My legs buckled beneath me as the reality of the scene hit. Doctors and nurses worked tirelessly around him, their movements a blur as they fought to keep him here, keep him with me.“Ma’am, pl