CHAPTER 2

ATHENA

The whole world came to a stop at that moment when his palm made contact with my face. My face stung, and my ears were ringing. I cradled my face as I stared up at him, surprised. He has never raised his hands on me.

I saw his mouth moving, but I could not hear what he was saying. The ringing sensation clouded my hearing and somehow, everything was blurry.

Slowly my hearing came back and I finally heard him. "You should know your place. The fact that we had one or two things together doesn’t mean you should disrespect your Alpha," he uttered, readjusting his royal robe.

I made him who he is and this is how he pays me back. By tossing me away like a nobody.

I needed to leave here, away from him, away from my family who always betray me at any chance they get. I needed to run away.

 The thought of staying after everything I had been put through made my eyes sting with more tears. But my heart still longed for the man who had crushed it under his heel. I could not leave Enzo. I still loved him. But…

"And don't you dare think of leaving me," his voice was rough and possessive. "You have to stay back and finish what you’ve started. I can’t take any chances since we don’t know if the curse will still return."

I was lost in thought. He rejected me in front of everyone and still do not want me to leave.

"Remember…” he started, giving me a gentle caress on my cheek till he takes me by my jaw roughly that I let out a little moan of pain. “You made a vow to me to stay with me forever, are you going to change your mind now?" His eyes were softer, but something dark lurked in his azure gaze.

I shook my head. "No, I will stay," I found myself say.

I was so stupid that I’ve let my guard down one more time.

His lips curved into a smirk before he forcefully slammed it against mine in a rough kiss. But for the first time, I knew that his kiss would leave a bitter taste in my mouth.

Eight Months Later…

I ran outside the chamber to puke after perceiving the smell of the food brought in by my mother. It was oatmeal and was one of my favorite breakfast but lately, I have been finding my best meals disgusting. I came back into the room and flashed my mother a weak smile.

“Athena," My mother called, her brown eyes glistening with hope. "You are with child."

I scoffed, wiping my mouth clean but she still maintained the look on her face.

 "Are you serious?" my voice came.

"Of course, I am. I can’t miss the obvious signs plus the double heartbeat."

My legs suddenly felt heavy. I knew she was sure. Mothers always knew things like that.

“This is great news, Athena. This is exactly what you need to claim your rightful place.”

I understood my mother's words. I saw the excitement in her face and I guess she noticed the confused look on my face. She gently grabbed my hand and gently rubbed hers against mine.

"You got pregnant before your half-sister. This is good news and you need to stop sulking around. You deserve it. You did so much for him and yet…"

I grasped my mother's hand both to silence her and comfort her.

"I will be fine, mother. It will be fine."

Memories of the sacrifices that I made flashed back in my mind. I had lost my wolf while trying to make him who he is and this is how he paid me back. My blood cost me my wolf. I blinked rapidly to stop the tears forming in my eyes while I gave my mother a reassuring smile.

The curse cost the pack a lot. Families had no other choice than to kill their loved ones who must have gotten the curse. Tinctures, brews and concoctions only slowed down the process but never cured it. The ones affected by the curse turn into feral beings, they were named flesh eaters because they go after the werefolks. But my blood had been able to cure it and only four people know about this, Me, Enzo, my father and my mother. Everyone thought Enzo went on a quest in the deep forest to get the dragon scale which was rumored to be the cure for the curse but it was all my blood.

I looked back to the day I agreed to stay side by side with him after he humiliated me and wished I didn’t make that decision.

I was still yet to find my wolf even after making countless sacrifices at the moon goddess temple and Enzo had grown more and more distant over the month. He only comes to my chamber to have his way on my body as he please and leaves immediately he pours his seed into me. I just hoped that an heir would be able to make him look at me the way he used to before everything changed.

"I think you should announce it. This is great news."

"What is the great news, dear mother?" a familiar cold voice came, making us both to flinch.

Ginny walked into the room and towards my mother.

"What is the announcement all about?" She asked, her amber eyes flashing with curiosity and a hint of jealousy.

Ginny and I might be half-sisters but our paths have never crossed right from the day my father introduced her and his mistress to us. I tried to be peaceful and friendly, but she enjoyed making me suffer. She had once accused me of pushing her down the stairs and everyone believed her except for my mother. If it had been a random woman that Enzo had chosen as his Luna, maybe it would not have broken me the way it did.

"It's nothing, Ginny. Just a small announcement for later." I replied.

Ginny narrowed her eyes, clearly unsatisfied with my response, but she didn't press further. Instead, she turned to leave, shooting me one last scrutinizing at us before she took her leave.

"Her presence gives me chills," my mother said and that made me smile. “The big announcement isn’t going to make itself. We have an heir to announce.” My mother leaned over and gave me a kiss on my fore head before she exited my chamber.

I smiled as I gently rubbed my hand around my tummy.

---

Everyone was seated at the long feast table, eating and engaging in conversations. The atmosphere was light and festive, but my heart pounded with nervous anticipation as I waited for the right moment to make my announcement.

As the chatter began to die down, I stood up slowly, my hands trembling slightly at my sides. I grabbed a spoon and hit it on the glass of wine to grab their attention. All eyes turned to me, including Enzo's, his gaze flickering with curiosity, perhaps a hint of anger and an annoyance as he pondered on what I’m about to do or say.

I opened my mouth, threading my clammy hands in the faded gown that I usually wore for this type of occasion. I looked directly at Enzo not paying attention to the other guests.

 "I… I have an announcement. I am…"

Then out of nowhere, Ginny stood up from her seat, her hand on her stomach. "I am with a child and I think it’s going to be a boy." She announced gleefully. I watched as Enzo shifted his gaze to her and stood up to cradle her face in his hands. Tears glistened in his azure depths.

"A boy? An heir?"

She nodded and Enzo pulled her in for a tender hug. Ginny shifted her gaze towards me as she flashed me a sly smile from across the table. There was a glint of sinister triumph in her expression. A cruel satisfaction that twisted into a mocking smirk.