Athena Mia's voice pierced through my sleep. "Wake up, you lazy bum!" She stood over me and shook me gently but firmly. On the other hand, she held a cup of ice-cold water and threatened to spill it onto my face.That didn't work. She plopped down on my bed and started bouncing up and down, her weight causing the bed to shake and jiggle. I groaned loudly. When I finally opened my eyes, I was met with the sight of Mia fully dressed in her school uniform, ready to take on the day."Even someone like me, who was out partying last night, still managed to wake up early and get dressed. What's your excuse for still being asleep at this hour?" Mia said. "Leave me alone. What time is it?" "It's 7:15, and you've got 10 minutes to get moving before the matrons come to lock up.""Oh shit!" I jumped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom. There was no hot water, and it was cold outside. I couldn't afford to wait for it to heat up.I dropped my pink towel in the sink and summoned the courage
AthenaEvery student must join a compulsory club, and since I already loved chemistry, I decided to join the chemistry club, which mainly consisted of nerds.They looked quite skeptical, as my physical appearance didn’t resemble that of a nerd, especially with the highlights in my hair.“It’s always a breath of fresh air when new students succeed or join us. Most students dread chemistry,” the club president, a pleasant-looking girl, said to me. I'd seen her several times trying to be a pick-me to Jennifer. The teacher, who introduced herself as Vera, agreed with the club president and welcomed me warmly. Since Mia was kicked out of the music club, she decided to join cheerleading for just one reason, which irritated me. She wanted us to be together, but I blatantly refused. Why would I want to shoot myself in the foot by watching Cameron run around all sweaty and playing soccer with his bimbo cheerleaders cheering him on? Jennifer was even their president and that alone was a red
Cameron I watched Athena leave, and with every trace of excitement, I felt drained like water from spaghetti. I was doing everything I knew to make her see reason with me, but she didn’t even care about me.My mood was ruined by her blatant refusal, which made me think about forcing a bond by marking her. I couldn’t do that, though. Even though I was desperate to retain my father’s legacy, Athena was my mate, and I wanted a natural bond to form between us.The question was, how long could I wait? Fabian and Michael joined me, and after they noticed my sour mood, they were careful about what to say."Perhaps you should make yourself more likable to her; this bullying stuff might not be working. She seems tough as nails."Michael could be right. Perhaps it was time to channel more energy into winning her over. We headed to the soccer field as usual, and the cheerleaders joined us. They usually came once a week, and I wasn’t looking forward to it because of Jennifer, their leader. She
AthenaThe jealousy in my heart could not be contained, and I almost felt like exploding. I knew that I was being petty and was consciously encouraging myself to bother about Cameron, but I couldn’t help myself.The new guy, Ivan, sat beside me, and I was extremely happy that he was a hybrid. I knew immediately that he had something I did the moment our eyes met, and he made things easier by introducing himself as a hybrid. I was glad that, finally, I was getting to meet someone like me who understood all my struggles and could relate to them all.Seeing Cameron and Mia sitting opposite us just made me feel pissed off.“Are you okay?” Ivan, who immediately noticed the switch in my mood, asked, and I could only manage a nod.He tried to continue talking about other stuff, as we couldn’t talk about having witch blood in public, but the energy wasn’t the same as before Cameron came to the class.“Do you have a thing for him?” Ivan asked out of the blue, and I swallowed hard before turnin
AthenaIvan begged me, just as Caleb used to beg me at home to take him on my midnight magic encounters.I would've said no, but I agreed because I needed a distraction from thinking about Mia, and I didn’t want to be around when she got back from the date and make things even more awkward. Secondly, Ivan had sworn on his life that he found a secluded valley where no one would ever catch us. And I kind of missed spinning magic- it always helped with my mood swings."Fine, I’ll meet you at the general quadrangle," I told him. I grabbed the things I needed, tossed them into my bag, and grabbed my cloak.Ivan was waiting for me with a broad grin. His long blonde hair cascaded down his back, giving him a Scandinavian look."Your Royal Highness," he bowed playfully. "I can’t wait to learn at your feet.""Let’s go, silly," I laughed. "I hope I don’t regret this."Hand in hand, we headed to the valley, and I gasped in awe at the breathtaking setting."How did you even find this place? It lo
Cameron "Guys, I can’t stand him near her," I complained to Fabian and Michael. "He’s always with her. Do you see the way he looks at her? Why the hell does she even tolerate him? She won't even talk to me, and to make matters worse, he’s in my fucking dorm, so I have to see him every damn morning.""Relax," Michael laughed, which even got me angrier. That Ivan dude was so infuriating —he wasn’t afraid of me or my threats and showed that I wasn't intimidating him."How can I relax when someone’s taking what belongs to me? Things would be worse if my dad found out that I have found my mate.' If he and the other government council discover this, Athena and her family will have no choice but to accept the bond. But I’ve been trying to be patient to get her to like me, and she doesn’t even want to stand near me.""I have a theory," Fabian said and took off his shoes. His socks reeked, making Michael scrunch up his nose, but my pet peeves seemed insignificant compared to the anger I felt.
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
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