Ninety-Five

Athena

Fear 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