Mate?

Athena’s POV

“Mate?” I repeated, staring at him in shock wondering if I heard him wrong. Travis Grey the most powerful, ruthless and feared Alpha King in the whole Northern region, called me his mate

He smirked, closing the space between us as he pressed against me until I could barely breathe. He grabbed my neck and nibbling on my ears and shivers ran all over my body. I backed into the wall, trying to get away, but there was nowhere to run.

My heart was racing so fast I thought it would break right out of my chest.

“Athena,” he whispered, his voice low and urgent. I looked up, and his face was so close his lips inches from mine. He dipped his head grazing my lips softly and I gasped finally snapping out of it.

“What do you mean... mate?” I finally found my voice.

My fingers trembled as I placed my hand on his bare chest to push him away but his chest was rock hard like stone wrapped in warmth.

He took my hand in his and held it in place over his heart. Then, with his other arm, he pulled my waist even closer to him leaving me breathless.

“It’s like I said,” he replied. “You’re my mate, and I have no intentions of losing you ever again.” He continued his voice dangerously low.

My lips parted but no words came out. This had to be a joke.

“No... this doesn’t make sense, you’re Hudson’s father.” I stammered and I... I’m nobody. Why would someone like you...?”

“You’re not nobody Athena, you’re mine!.” He cut me off firmly and I shook at the anger that rolled off him shuddering in fear.

He was strong, deadly, powerful and the father of my boyfriend and the crown prince I was being blamed for killing and yet... I couldn’t stop staring at him.

He looked so fit and his bare chest was pressing into me. Also his strong clean scent filled my nose making it difficult for me to think straight all I could think about was how close he was. How my hand felt against his bare chest that was pressing into me and his strong clean earth scent that felt like my opium.

“I don’t feel… anything,” I finally said. “Shouldn’t I feel the bond if we are mates?” I asked defiantly, staring up at him.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look at me properly and scoffed, tilting his head. “Of course you don’t since you have no wolf. You can only feel it if you get your wolf that’s why I held back all this while… waiting”

His voice wasn’t cruel but it hit me hard and woke me up to reality. I didn’t have a wolf so how was I his mate.

I was even more confused as he trailed his lips down my neck; I was still accused of killing the crown prince and he should’ve killed me the second he saw me but he was calling me mate and being possessive.

“What are you doing…” I asked urgently as he grabbed my boobs kneading slowly

“Don’t you remember.” He asked his voice low, thick, almost a growl before his lips sank into the side of my neck.

I gasped sharply as he kissed me there soft at first, then deeper. His tongue flicked out and his lips pressed harder, sucking, tasting, making my knees weak. My body arched toward him without my permission, pressing myself against his firm chest.

“Oh…” I moaned, unable to hold back the sound. His mouth moved lower, just under my jaw, and he sucked harder, making the skin there sting in a good way. I grabbed his hair, fingers tightening around the dark strands as my body trembled from his touch. My breathing grew faster and heavier.

And it all came back. It was him; I remembered our bodies tangled beneath soft sheets, his hand trailing down my spine, the way he made me cry out in pleasure, the way my body burned and opened for him.

My legs shook as the memory came back. My core throbbed harder and I knew I was getting wet all over again.

He lifted his head slowly, his lips wet, his eyes dark with amusement.

“Oh Athena,” he scoffed, licking his bottom lip, “I can smell your arousal.”

I turned my face away, burning with shame, trying to hide the desire I felt.

“I…” I stuttered, trying to play it cool. “You… I thought it was Hudson,” I finally squealed out, not knowing how else to explain.

He raised a brow and his face clouded darkly as I mentioned Hudson. “I sent the text, Athena,” he said. “Not him.”

“What?” I screamed

“I sent it,” he said again. “I couldn’t bear the thought of you with Hudson. Yeah, he’s my son but he is a spoiled scumbag who doesn’t know how to treat a woman.

When I overheard you promise to give him your virginity…” his eyes blazed now, full of fire, “…I couldn’t stay back and let my mate give herself to someone like him.”

“You had no right! and stop calling me your mate,” I said, my voice rising with anger as I stepped back quickly.

His eyes locked on mine, heat rolling off him in waves but he let me be.

I was shaking, not from fear, but from the confusion I felt and the way my heart was pounding from his touch.

His eyes were still on me, unmoving and I realized something, he could break me in two and kill me if he wanted to.

He was Alpha King, the most powerful werewolf and I had just pushed him and yelled. Also he was the father of the very boy I had been accused of murdering.

I realized he was the one man who could destroy or save me. I needed to say something, I had to convince him I didn’t do it.

“I did not kill the Crown Prince,” I said suddenly, my voice trembling. “I swear I was framed.”

He said nothing, but his jaw tightened a little.

“It was Paige,” I rushed on. “She set me up. I had proof, I did, but I lost it… I don’t have anything to show now, but I swear I didn’t do it!”

I looked at him pleading with my eyes, praying to the Moon Goddess he would believe me and see I was telling the truth.

He winced and turned his face away from me slightly, his mouth pressed into a tight line.

“I will find out what happened,” he said quietly. “But don’t speak of it again.”

“But…” I started.

“Not a word, Athena.”

I shut my mouth instantly, though my hands were trembling. My heart felt like it was about to explode. I didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

His face was hard again the softness from earlier gone and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking or if he believed me; His son was dead afterall.

I suddenly remembered my mom and Raven.

“Mom!” I gasped. “Raven!” My voice shook as I suddenly remembered they were in danger too and turned to run but his strong arm came around me instantly, stopping me.

“You’re injured,” he said firmly his finger gently brushing the bandage wrapped around my forehead.

“I have to!” I cried. “If they find them… if they’re caught… they’ll be killed!”

My whole body trembled now in fear imagining them dead. “They’ll be killed,” I whispered again, softer this time, like if I said it too loud, it would come true.

I tried again to move but his aura flared and I froze in place.

“Athena,” he called and I looked up slowly.

His dark amber eyes were deep and serious and I felt the raw power of an Alpha rolling off him.

“I promise,” he said clearly. “They will be safe.”

I bit my lip hard knowing that even though I wanted to find them I was weak and he was the Alpha King, If anyone had the power to protect them… it was him.

“You promise?” I asked.

“I swear it,” he said without hesitation.