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Fifty-Six

Author: Luxie
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Athena

That night, I kept to myself, stewing in my thoughts. Cameron was treading on dangerous grounds carelessly. He hadn’t told me he’d been attacked not once but twice.

I was afraid, and rightfully so. What if something worse happened? What if he got killed, and I was left to carry the guilt for the rest of my life?

The following day, Cameron was trying his best to soothe me. "It's not that serious, baby," he said, sitting beside me on the bed and gently taking my hand. "I get it now. It's a pattern, but I believe there’s a solution. Stop carrying that long face."

“Leave me alone.” I pulled my hand from him, crossing my arms over my chest. "Do you want to die?"

"Of course not,” he chuckled sadly. "Look, you have every right to be concerned. I’m not saying I’m a hundred percent confident, but it’s not as intense as you think."

My anger simmered like a pot of boiling spaghetti, but I said nothing. How else could I convince this stubborn mule that this was a sign for us to break u
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  • The Unclaimed Mate   Fifty-Seven

    CameronI was beyond sick and tired of everyone constantly telling me to leave Athena. It was aggravating and a never ending discussion. Everyone now seemed like little flies persistently annoying me. They thought it would be easy for me to just flip a switch, shut off my feelings for her, and walk away. Sure, breaking up with her seemed like the logical thing to do, especially after being attacked multiple times by some invisible force. But logic and love? They don’t always go hand in hand. I loved her, plain and simple. And the attacks, strange as they were, only happened when I was on the field. It wasn't like they were following me around in my daily life. The weight of the situation was bearing down on Athena. She was scared, and I couldn’t blame her for that. Who would want to watch someone they loved get hurt over and over? It seemed like, in her mind, breaking up was becoming the only option to keep me safe. But I couldn’t bring myself to even think about it seriously. How

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Fifty-Eight

    AthenaCameron had no idea what I was planning. I could tell he was doing everything in his power to make our relationship work and keep me happy, but this wasn’t about me. It was about him. I needed him to be alive and safe, and I was about to make the toughest decision in my life. To leave him.It's not like I had superpowers to get over him so quickly; hell, I had no idea what I was doing, but it needed to be done. Dad and I had been talking about transferring schools somewhere far away from this continent. I didn’t care about starting over; I was only in my first year.Whenever Cameron wasn’t around, I would use the laptop to research supernatural schools. There had to be somewhere I could go—someplace where I could escape, find a solution, and maybe one day return. But for now, I had to leave. Trying to convince him to break our bond would be useless, like talking to a wall. Cameron was stubborn as a mule, and he would never do it. So, I had to decide for both of us. Even wi

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Fifty-Nine

    AthenaToday was the day—the day to leave Cameron behind. I still hadn’t told him. I could only imagine how furious he’d be when he realized I was gone for good.This was the hardest decision I’d ever made, and the guilt was already eating away at me. I knew his life was tied to soccer, and even though he claimed he wouldn’t play in major tournaments anymore, I felt terrible for making him think about quitting. How could I take away the one thing that gave him so much joy and purpose?The house was eerily quiet, and I was glad to be alone for the first time. I hadn’t stopped thinking about the last time I saw Cameron an hour ago. Surprised to see me awake, he had been brushing his teeth in the bathroom."Why are you up? That’s odd," he joked, winking at me through the mirror. "You don’t usually wake up this early on Saturdays."I forced a smile. "I just wanted to see your handsome face before you left for training." As the words left my mouth, I felt the sting of tears threatening to

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Sixty

    CameronSitting on the bench frustrated the hell out of me, especially knowing I wasn’t going to play. Coach Nate tried to encourage me because he didn't understand why I had given up."Come on, Cameron," he said, watching me closely. "I've seen you play in training. You were unstoppable when you were younger. You need to conquer this fear and try again.”I shook my head, unwilling to join the others on the field. "Justin’s more than capable. The team is in safe hands." He looked at me, confused. "How long will you let this ‘break’ go on?" I shrugged, not giving a clear answer. "We’ll see," I muttered, avoiding his gaze. The coach sighed and walked away, leaving me to my thoughts. I watched him disappear in the distance. Maybe it was time to give up on my soccer career altogether. I couldn't keep pretending like I could handle this. I was sacrificing my passion for Athena and I knew it was worth it. One day, I’d grow older and weaker, probably lose my hair, and settle into being a

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Sixty-One

    AthenaIt's been seven days. Seven fucking days of being here and shutting myself off from Cameron's life. I missed him like crazy; every moment reminded me of what I'd left behind. I was not hearing his voice or seeing his face—just existing without him. My eyes grew hot, and I felt a heavy, dull pain throughout my body as loneliness crept up on me every morning.Today, it hit me hard when I gasped awake; then I realized I had left the candle burning.“Fuck!”I rushed to blow it out, scolding myself for being careless. I loved the soothing scent it gave off, but the last thing I needed was to burn this place down. I lowered myself to the reading nook and shut my eyes.Memories of Cameron wouldn't stop flooding my mind. His kisses, his warmth, and the way he made love to me felt like a treasure now buried too deep for me to reach again. This was all it would be. Memories. I’d have to carry memories with me for the rest of my life. An overwhelming sadness had become my constant compa

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Sixty-Two

    AthenaI genuinely enjoyed T’s company. Her full name was Titan, but she preferred the shorter, sharper nickname. She had another friend, Celia, who was the complete opposite of her—tall like a giant, quiet, and not one to make much noise. They were the only two people I spent time with in this new place, and for the most part, they kept me distracted. Today, we were sitting outside, eating homemade ice cream. Well, they were eating. Mine was melting in my hand as I stared into space, lost in thought again.T waved her hand in front of my face; the metal rings on her fingers catching the light. "Why are you always lost in thought, honey?" she asked, snapping me back to the present. "Every time I look at you, your hand’s on your chin, thinking about God knows what. Look at your ice cream—a fucking puddle. And after I begged you to give it to me!"I blinked, realizing how much it had melted. “Oh, you can have it,” I said, handing it to her.“Hell no!” T scoffed, sucking her teeth. “It’s

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Sixty-Three

    Cameron My dad and his new bride were walking down the aisle today. It was a small wedding, really small, with just me, the couple, and my soon-to-be stepsister, Barbara. Despite her obvious crush on me—which I’d been ignoring like the plague, Barbara genuinely liked me. We had a lot in common, especially when it came to sports. She was not only great at soccer but also a terrific gymnast. Even though my life had been moving forward on autopilot, every time I thought of Athena, it felt like a dagger piercing my chest. It hurt me that she kept to her word by staying away from me. It made me feel worthless. I wasn't interested in romance with anyone else for now; how could I when she had stolen my heart and was punishing me, whether intentionally or not? By leaving, she had taken a piece of me with her. I couldn’t stop thinking about her—her scent, her laughter, her presence, her body, the way her eyes rolled back whenever she was having an orgasm…Every action was so vivid in my m

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Sixty-Four

    AthenaMy days started like any other; I attended classes, signed up at the orphanage, and went straight to work and care for the children. Most of my day was spent monitoring them, helping with breakfast, and ensuring they were all okay. If I ever wrote a book about moving on after a heartbreak, my first advice would be to stay busy. Keeping yourself occupied didn’t remove the pain but helped dull it. Being around these kids and caring for them made me feel like I had a purpose and I wasn’t just floating through the days.It’s hard to believe it’s been three whole months without Cameron. Three months without seeing Caleb, Mia, and the rest of my family, except for my father, mother, and Stella. This place was far from everyone, so I couldn’t blame them for not visiting, but the loneliness sometimes hit harder than I expected. They planned to see me during Christmas, but that still felt like forever away.In the playroom, one of the little girls was bawling her eyes out. She was abou

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  • The Unclaimed Mate   Ninety-Six

    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.

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Ninety-Five

    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

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Ninety-Four

    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

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Ninety-Three

    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

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Ninety-Two

    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

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Ninety-One

    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.

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Ninety

    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

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Eighty-Nine

    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

  • The Unclaimed Mate   Eighty-Eight

    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

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