08

Travis’s POV

Athena was my religion. I had waited and watched her for so long from a distance, always feeling the pull but holding back for her sake… but not anymore. I was determined never to lose her again.

Getting her mother and sister out of the pack had been easy. It was my pack after all, and my men knew exactly what to do. They used the secret exit, just like I told them.

Hudson had been raging ever since, storming through the pack house and even sent out search warrants. I let him scream and search because deep down, I knew something didn’t add up. Athena didn’t have her wolf there was no way she could have killed the crown prince who was an Alpha; It just didn’t make sense and I was determined to find out what happened.

I reached her door and my heart beat faster. I hadn’t felt this nervous in years, no one made me hesitate except her.

“Athena,” I said softly once I stepped inside. She turned around and my breath caught in my throat, she was perfect.

Her dress hugged her curves gently and I could see what was hidden beneath those big, shapeless clothes she wore in the pack.

My eyes moved up to her face those bright sapphire eyes met mine, wide with surprise. Her short brunette hair framed her face softly, brushing against her cheeks. Her skin was white and smooth, like untouched snow. And her scent..Moon goddess! It hit me like a wave; sweet, soft and a little wild. The scent of my mate.

I moved closer before I could stop myself. My hand reached out and brushed her arm. Then I leaned in, breathing in her scent at the curve of her neck. I closed my eyes and held her close. Her body stiffened, but she didn’t pull away right away.

Goosebumps rose along her skin. I knew she felt it. But then, she stepped back quickly, putting distance between us.

Still, her fingers trembled slightly, and she looked at me like she didn’t know what was happening inside her.

I knew she couldn’t recognize me as her mate but I didn’t care.

I was willing to wait or at least, I had been until she opened her mouth and said she’d sleep with Hudson and give him her virginity as a gift.

That was when something inside me snapped and I knew I couldn’t wait anymore. Notwhen someone else might touch and Claim her.

She looked at me nervously. “Alpha King, we need to talk,” she said quickly.

I shook my head. “Call me Travis.”

She hesitated. “I’m sorry, Alpha, but… I’m confused about all this. I thought I’d get to stay with my mom and sister. Why do I have to stay with you in this big mansion?”

Because you’re mine. Because the moon goddess gave you to me and I’m tired of waiting.

“Because you’re my mate,” I said simply, walking to her. “And it’s not safe to let you out of my sight.”

She stared at me, blinking.

“Mate?” she whispered.

I stepped closer to her again, eyes locked with hers. Her scent still clouded my mind sweet and wild, like blooming flowers after rain. I had waited for this moment for too long, and now that I had her here, I wouldn’t let her slip away again.

“I am grateful, Alpha King,” she said softly. Her voice trembled. “But I promise, there has to be some misunderstanding.”

My eyes flared red and a low growl rumbled in my chest.

“There’s no misunderstanding,” I said, voice thick with emotion. “I knew for three years that you were mine. I’m not mistaken.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “Three years?” she gasped.

I nodded slowly. “At the Full Moon Festival three years ago.”

I looked past her for a moment, remembering everything so clearly.

Back then, I had sworn off love. My ex-wife had walked away from our marriage like it meant nothing.

I was left angry, bitter, and cold. I made a vow to never look at another woman again. I even named Michael, the crown prince, as the next Alpha; I had given up.

But that night happened; the Full Moon Festival changed everything.

I remember it like yesterday. The air had been cool, the moon full and glowing high in the sky. I had stood at the edge of the crowd waiting for it to end. I didn’t belong in the middle of joyful people; not with the pain still fresh in my chest.

But then I saw her; standing under the moonlight and it was like she shone.

She was dressed simply, like the rest of the lower-ranked pack members, but it didn’t matter. She looked like something out of a dream. Her short hair was gently curled, brushing her cheeks. Her pale skin seemed to glow under the moon. And her scent…It hit me like a storm and knees nearly buckled.

“Mate” I said immediately. That word exploded inside me like thunder and my wolf roared.

I started moving toward her, my heart racing, drawn to her like nothing I’d ever known. I had never felt so sure, so alive. But then… I saw Hudson.

He walked up to her, grinning, and before I could step in before I could call out she smiled at him and he kissed her, she kissed him back and heart shattered.

I stopped in my tracks. Everything around me spun. The bond that had pulled me to her suddenly felt like a joke. Rage, pain, confusion, I felt it all at once.

I turned and walked away. I didn’t want to feel anything anymore.

I looked at Athena and she had gone pale.

She cowered, taking a step back. “I… I didn’t know,” she whispered.

Seeing her like that annoyed me, I had raised my voice and she seemed scared.

I reached out slowly, gently cupping her cheek. “I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Her lips trembled. “What happens now?” She asked.

“I can’t go back to the pack,” she said.

“They think I’m a traitor. My family is in danger too because of what happened. How is anyone going to accept me as your mate?”

My eyes darkened, and I stepped forward, firm and calm. “I’ll handle it.”

She looked up at me with wide, scared eyes.

“All you have to do,” I said, voice low and full of promise, “is one thing.”

She blinked. “What?”

I leaned in close, my lips near her ear.

“Be mine.” I said.

She froze in shock her eyes on me.

Her heart beat so fast I could hear it. She looked up at me, searching my face.

“Yours?” she asked.

I nodded. “Yes. That’s all and I’ll protect you and make sure to find out the truth. Your mother and sister I’ll protect them too.

“What does it mean to be yours…?” She asked.

“To be mine is to submit to me wholly and completely and do everything I say…” I grinned.