CameronSilence enveloped me, a loud, terrifying silence. I'd never felt so confused in my life. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as I drove. I felt worse than when I'd not seen Athena for all these years and didn't know how to navigate this. Barbara sat in the passenger seat. I could feel her glances but couldn’t bring myself to speak. What was there to say? How could I tell her that the girl I obsessed over stank like a fucking sewage pit?Nothing made sense anymore. How did seeing Athena after five years and feeling that overwhelming pull toward her—turn into such disgust within minutes? That smell, so unbearable and unnatural, still lingered in my senses. It wasn’t just in my nose; I could feel it in my entire body, like it had seeped inside every pore in my skin. Barbara began muttering something under her breath, breaking the silence. “Can you just stop?” I snapped at her. “I didn’t force you to come.”“What did I do now?” she shot back.She had a way of getting un
AthenaI was in a deep, dreamless sleep when, suddenly, my spirit drifted away from my body. It was the first time in months that I experienced this, and I found myself standing at the entrance of the coven. Damn it. I hated being here. All eyes turned toward me the second I stepped in, like a thousand burning gazes piercing my skin. It seemed I was the last person to arrive. I hated it here because they always judged me, and I could feel their disdain. Most of them were pure witches who saw me as an outsider. To them, I was unfaithful to the craft, but I didn't give a rat's ass about what they thought about me.We sat in a circle. I wondered why they couldn’t just leave me alone. My grandmother, Golgotha, watched me closely a few seats away. She didn’t smile or acknowledge me with warmth. She never did. In the coven, there was no room for familial bonds. Here, power came before everything, even blood.The head of the coven, Queen Mother Zarya, stood tall in the center of the circle.
AthenaBattle cries reached my ears as Cameron, Caleb, and I rushed out, shifting into our massive wolf forms with a single purpose in mind: defend our pack and end this invasion. As alpha wolves, we were bigger and stronger than the usual wolf. Caleb and I had brown fur, while Cameron had a black and white striped coat. Our paws pounded against the earth as we sprinted towards the border. Every muscle in my body was tense with rage at the thought of children being slaughtered. I planned to use every ounce of strength and magic to protect my people. I could excuse a lot of things, but the killing of children was unforgivable.At the border, the scene unfolded before me like a nightmare. The battlefield was stained with blood, bodies lying crumpled and lifeless, both wolf and human. Claw marks streaked across the ground, deep gouges in the earth where fierce battles had been fought. The roadblocks set up to protect our tribe had been destroyed and torn apart by the enemy. My dad and
CameronThe need to explode built in me as Athena kissed me back with a feverish intensity. We bit and sucked and tasted each other in the semi-darkness, and all my doubts about being with her flew out the window.I loved her more than words could express. It was as if her mouth was meant to hold two tongues. I missed kissing and making love to her so much and loved the feel of her tongue rubbing mine. The sloppy sound that escaped her lips when we pulled apart was music to my ears; her cheeks flushed red, and her chest heaving as she breathed heavily.She pulled away, gazing at me hungrily. Then the lust subsided, and she realized what we'd done. I didn’t regret a second of it. The way her cheeks flushed made her look so different from the fierce warrior I saw on the battlefield.It was wild how the same girl who had torn through our enemies not long ago now seemed small and fragile, standing there avoiding my gaze. She kept fidgeting with her short hair, clearly trying to avoid fur
AthenaIt was a war to avoid Cameron, nearly impossible. His presence in the same house as me was like a magnet that constantly pulled at my thoughts. All night, I tossed and turned in bed, fighting the urge to get up, go to his room, and fuck him senseless. But I knew better. The kiss earlier had already been a mistake, and I wasn’t about to allow my delusions to cause more problems for me. Determined to get control of my emotions, I decided to head outside to meditate and clear my mind.I walked through the quiet night toward the grove, finding comfort in the stillness. The aftermath of the recent battle had made everyone more cautious, and the grounds were empty. At least I could levitate in peace. With a deep breath, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to rise into the air, spinning magic through my fingertips. The soft hum of power soothed my racing thoughts.Before, I'd have been afraid of getting caught. But now, knowing that the council might soon confront my dad about why
AthenaMy pulse quickened with forbidden longing. He was all I wanted, all I could think about. Blood throbbed in my veins with a scarlet web of desire. I wanted him badly. Cameron and I lay in bed, the quiet between us filled with unspoken words and emotions I was too afraid to acknowledge. His arm was wrapped around me, holding me close as if he were trying to imprint the memory of this moment. I knew it was reckless, foolish even. But in this fragile moment, I didn’t care. I couldn't lose everything—I had already lost too much. If I was going to let him go, I didn’t want to regret not holding on to him one last time.He gently caressed my hair, his touch warm and familiar, sending shivers down my spine. His voice was soft, almost a whisper. "I love you, Athena. I love you more than you can ever imagine."Instead of responding, I felt a knot tighten in my chest. The words he spoke were too much for me to handle. Instead of letting them sink in, I changed the subject, pushing away t
Seventy-fiveCameronAthena had made up her mind, and it showed in her eyes. Her certainty was cold and unshakable. It had been five years but I could read her like a book. That familiar look of hers, the one she wore when she’d already decided there was no going back, was the same look she gave when she was determined to win an argument, the one that said, I’m right, and you’re wasting your breath trying to convince me otherwise. Except this time, it wasn’t about something trivial. This time, she was dead serious about rejecting our bond.The thought of rejection suffocated me. Did she seriously think this was easy? Did she believe she could just toss away our bond like it was nothing? Like we hadn’t been bound together by forces we couldn’t control? Wasn’t she feeling the same gut-wrenching, soul-crushing agony I was? Or was this just some sick game to her—a way to prove that she could out-stubborn fate itself?I knew Athena could be headstrong—hell, stubborn might as well be her mi
AthenaI knew my actions had driven Cameron away, and maybe there was no fixing the mess I’d made. But what other choice did I have? The sadness was a constant, sharp ache swirling inside me. Also, conflict raged in my mind. Had I made the right call? Why the hell was I the only one carrying the weight of his safety?Shouldn’t he give a damn too? He was the one in danger if we stayed together, not me. Yet here I was, feeling like the entire burden was strapped to my back.And for what? Because I loved him? Maybe that’s what love demanded—being selfless, sacrificing what I wanted for the sake of someone else. But damn it, how much sacrifice was enough?Love wasn’t supposed to mean breaking yourself down, piece by piece, until there was nothing left. Yet, here I was, trying to convince myself that letting him go was the noble thing to do. Was it really love, or just fear? I loved him too much to watch him die. Or maybe I was just too damn scared to face the possibility. That was the
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