XAVIER'S POVMy fingers dug into the injured witch's arm, her pained gasps echoing through the moonlit forest. Colby, Cameron, and Devon accompanied me with determined expressions along with our trained warriors from the werewolf army. I couldn't take the chance of going without any preparation. We were a band of shadows moving through the tangled woods, chasing the elusive promise of Scarlet's hiding place. If Panton was really telling the truth, then there was no doubt that Scarlet would be the one to lead them to Cyrus. And once I get my hands on him, he will be done for. The air was thick with tension, the rustling leaves conspiring with the shadows to conceal our pursuit. Despite the witch's injuries, fear kept her moving forward. Her every stumble and wince ignited the burning memory of her deceit. The pain she inflicted on Athena fueled my determination, the vivid recollection of how Scarlet had treated her churning anger within me. If it weren't for Panton revealing the harsh

ATHENA'S POVThe rain fell relentlessly, a somber backdrop to the mournful occasion that unfolded before my watchful eyes. The pack, gathered in a circle around the freshly filled grave, bore the weight of sorrow evident in their drooping shoulders and bowed heads. The rest of the Elders of the pack stood as silent witnesses, shock and sadness marked on their faces as a clear representation of what they were feeling. Sorrow for losing their beloved companion. Elder Panton had succumbed to the inevitable cycle of life, leaving behind a void that seemed to seep into the very air we breathed. Whispers of curiosity mingled with the raindrops, questioning glances exchanged among the pack, seeking understanding in the face of an unexpected departure. I heard some whispers of the pack members, wanting to know how it turned out to be like this. I particularly felt nothing. I was never close to him anyways. It was quite the opposite actually. From the first day I had stepped foot in this pac

ATHENA'S POVI felt the luxurious fabric of my evening gown against my skin as Xavier and I entered the grand ballroom, arm in arm. Soft music and murmured conversations created an ambiance of sophistication. Xavier smiled at me, and for a moment, everything seemed perfect. We exchanged our pleasantries with Alpha Malcolm and his mate. As we gracefully moved through the crowd, my eyes caught a familiar figure approaching—the source of my heartbreak and betrayal. My gaze sharpened, and my pulse quickened. The room seemed to fade away as he drew nearer, accompanied by none other— the woman I despised. Seriously, what was he doing here? And he had the nerve to have her stuck to him like a leech? After everything he did? I stood paralyzed in my tracks as my gaze settled upon him, the atmosphere turning heavy with tension. Nate and the woman he had cheated on me with walked toward us, their laughter echoing in my ears. My shock turned into a silent rage, my fists clenching involuntarily

ATHENA'S POV Lia nonchalantly emerged from the bathroom stall behind me. The lights harshly highlighted the frustration brewing within me.Lia wore a sly smirk, a deliberate move that only fueled my annoyance. Her saunter towards the sink seemed calculated, each step echoing a subtle taunt directed at me. The scowl on my face deepened as Lia couldn't resist a jeer."Huh, look who's here? The pathetic damsel in distress," she mocked, her words an attempt to provoke me. I felt the anger boiling within, but I took a slow, steadying breath, determined not to let my temper explode. I would never give her the satisfaction! Unfazed, Lia continued smirking as she washed her hands. She raised an eyebrow, a silent challenge hanging in the air. The anger pulsated through my veins, but I maintained a composed exterior."Says the desperate whore who ran out of options but to pounce on taken men," I retorted with measured tone, a smirk replacing my scowl. I relished the surprise that momentarily

XAVIER'S POV Fuck. I don't even know what just happened. The air in the room hung heavy with tension as I brought Athena back to our pack quarters. Every step felt like a weight on my shoulders, each heartbeat echoing the distance that had silently grown between us. Athena, usually vibrant and lively, was now silent and distant. I couldn't blame her; the events of the evening had cast a shadow over what was meant to be a joyous celebration.We entered our room, and as the door closed behind us, the silence lingered. Athena moved to change, her back turned towards me, a barrier I longed to break down. Not once did she try to start a conversation with me. The room, once filled with warmth, now felt cold and isolating. I couldn't bear this distance, this unspoken void that threatened to consume us. Anger simmered within me, a slow burn fueled by the images replaying in my thoughts. If only that woman didn't exist, Athena wouldn't have been so distant with me. The memory of Lia's lips f