Blood?

Athena's POV

Helplessness shimmered through me as the call dropped. Instantly, I raced out of the apartment, forgetting about the familiar that had called my name.

Since Dad's incident— after he was beheaded for treason, mom's health had been deteriorating each day because she continued to drown in despair and endless sadness.

I could only imagine what this would do to.her. She was already hypertensive as it was and she could enter cardiac arrest if she panicked too much.

Plus, the way she ended the call scared me out of my wits. It .Made me wonder if she'd slumped or something.

With my heart beating in a scattered rhythm, I charged in through the door of our tiny house. To my relief, mom was seated in the living room, staring into space.

"Mom, are you okay?"

She stood up and engulfed me in a tight hug, her body shivering against mine.

"They took Raven." She sobbed quietly. "They framed her like they did your father. The little one hadn't even gone out since today."

I patted her back. "Mom, I'll get her back, I promise. Nothing bad will happen to her. You know that my boyfriend is the second Alpha Prince."

I hated that I had to bring that bastard, Hudson up but I knew that was the only thing that could calm mom's nerves at the moment.

And just like I anticipated, she heaved a sigh of relief and a small smile curled up her lips.

"I really hope they've not hurt her yet. Please, hurry and get her out of that damned Palace."

Okay, mom. But you have to promise me you won't panic unnecessarily."

She gave me a reassuring nod and I was out of the house in a jiffy. I'd be damned if I really crawled back to Hudson to ask for his help.

Already, I knew it had to be either him or Paige that set my sister up just to get to me because they didn't want the Crown Prince to find out what they did.

But whatever turn this was going to take, I was ready to face it head on.

Few minutes later, I ran into the Crown Prince's apartment and from my right, I could hear his threatening voice.

"Did you give it to your traitorous mother? Did she send you to steal it?"

I charged through the door, anger surging through my blood. Raven was barely ten years old, how could an adult say that to her face?

I had thought the crown Prince would be a respectable person, but I guess I was wrong? What sort of disgusting offsprings did the moon goddess curse the Alpha king with?

"She didn't give anything to anyone. Nor did she take anything. She was set up by your wife!"

All heads turned in my direction and I held my head up, refusing to cower or buckle, even as I locked gazes with the crown Prince.

"I see you're the one without a wolf— Hudson's whore." He remarked snidely and I winced.

"Do you have any idea what such baseless accusation could cost you?"

I flicked my gaze to Raven who knelt on the ground, bound in chains with pain etched deep into her face. Rage scattered my insides but I held it and looked back at the Crown Prince.

Holding his gaze, I spoke;. "Except my accusation is a fact. Paige is doing this to get back at me. If anything, she's the traitor here and I'm going to.show you—"

"Shut your trap!" He silenced me, anger rolling off him. "Don't speak I'll about my wife! I know her more than you do and I know she'll never pick on any one on purpose!"

Only if you know that your precious and favourite wife slept with your brother! I sneered inwardly.

"The jade bracelet is a limited edition from Persia and it costs two million dollars! You have just three days to present the bracelet or the money!" He threatened.

"If you don't, your sister will be fed to the rogue wolves and you know what that means!" He added quickly.

I gasped in shock as he rose from his throne-like seat and sauntered off like a graceful man that he wasn't.

Hell! He was no less evil than Hudson.

What should I do? Where do I get such outrageous amount of money? I just stood helplessly as I watched the sentinels drag Raven away.

With myriads of thoughts competing for attention in my brain, I bolted out of the room only to stop dead in my tracks.

"Hmm, I see you are here already." Paige said, mockery dripping in her words.

My jaws clenched. "Please, get out of my way!" I snapped, not bothering to hide the disgust in my voice as I sidestepped.

"Even if I offered to help you get your sister out?"

My strides faltered.

At this point, this could be my last resort,— asking for help. But I wouldn't let her know that, else, she would get too cocky.

"Like it wasn't you who set her up in the first place!" I retorted sharply.

She strode to my front, a devilish grin lurking around the corners of her lips.

"You brought this on yourself, Athena. If you hadn't threatened me with the video you took, I wouldn't have had to do this."

Then she lowered her voice. "Just give me the video and I'll let your sister go!"

I didn't even think about it twice. "I have the video here on my phone. If you'd take me to my sister immediately, I'd give you."

She smirked. "We have a deal then."

She signalled for me to follow her and we entered through a dark corridor till we stopped at a large room that had an iron bar gate.

"There she is." She said as she opened the door.

"Now, hand over the phone."

She was smart. But I was smarter. With someone as evil as Paige, I couldn't take chances.

I shook my head. "I'll hand it over after I see that my sister walks out through the palace gates and gets home safely."

She considered it for a while and then said, "Alright then."

I hugged Raven tightly before she ran down the corridor. I waited a few minutes after she'd left before putting the call through to mom.

"Thank Goddess!" She breathed. "Your sister is back."

That was all I needed to hear and I ended the call and handed the phone to Paige.

"There you go."

A suspicious glint danced In her eyes as she took he phone. And before I could comprehend her next move, she stabbed me in the neck with a needle-like object.

The needle sliced through my skin and dumped a hot fluid Into my veins. A spasm of pain shot through my neck down to my toes.

My world rocked.

"What did you do to me?" I slurred as.i staggered backwards.

She flashed me a wicked smile. "Nothing much. Just some sedative to get you a nice sleep. It could come with a lot of pain too."

My vision turned hazy. I couldn't breathe properly. Fear swept over me as a bell rang in my ears and I blacked out completely.

When my eyes fluttered open again I was in a strange room, lying on the cold bare ground.

Fuck! I had underestimated Paige.

The pain in my neck had subsided now but my vision was still as bad and the room spun in circles around me.

I slapped my face to focus and that was when my gaze fell on it. A red splotch of liquid oozing from a body bag beside me.

Was that blood?

My stomach twisted with fright.

I didn't even bother to check what was in the body bag. Whatever it was, it wouldn't do me any good to be caught in this room with it.

It was definitely another of Paige's set up again. Hadn't she had enough already? I already gave her my phone, what more did she want?

I quickly sprang to my feet, racing for the door, but that instant, the door was kicked open and several burly men who are undoubtedly Palace sentinel burst in, swinging sharp swords.

They lunged at me and tackled me to the ground like a criminal.

"What the hell are you doing?" I raved.

The sound of too many footsteps rented the air, followed by a bloodcurdling wail rented the air.

"The daughter of a traitor will always be a traitor! She killed the Alpha Crown Prince!"

My mind emptied in horror.