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,
AthenaJennifer was mad with hate, and it came off her in waves. Her eyes were cold and sharp, like a scalpel. Even though I knew I would never let her physically harm me, I couldn't help the shivers that ran down my spine, slowly eating away at me.If I had no powers, I would have been reduced to a gibbering wreck. Cameron remained nonchalant, regarding her with an emotionless stare. His expression seemed to say, "I couldn't care less about her."Jennifer stormed forward, and her shrill voice cut through the silence. I didn't want any trouble, knowing how aggressive she could be. "You little slut! How dare you think you can come to this school and steal my man from me? Who the hell are you?"She tried to jab her manicured finger at me, but I swatted it away from my face."Can you stop this, Jennifer?" Cameron said, sounding very calm, almost lethargic."Stay