Perfection

Athena's POV

The sentinels roughly spun me on my heels to face the speaker.

Paige!

I couldn't miss the look of silent triumph on her face even as tears streamed down her cheeks as though she were in excruciating pain.

"You killed my brother?" A cold voice snarled behind her.

Even before I saw his face, I knew it was Hudson. From the shock that laced his words, I could tell he wasn't in on this one.

It was all Paige's wicked stunt.

"I didn't kill your brother!" The conviction in my words was clear. "Paige Set me up on purpose."

Even though it hurt to do, I swallowed my pride. "Please, you have to believe me, Hudson!"

"Shut your trap, bitch!" He bellowed. "Just like your father, you deserve to be beheaded. I can't believe I associated myself with filth like you!"

"Guards take her to the judgement room immediately!" He ordered just before he turned his back on me.

I thought his actions wouldn't have any effect on me again, but it still broke me to think he couldn't even believe in me.

Even if it was for a second.

I didn't even have my wolf yet. I can't even take on some of my fellow Omegas. So, how can I kill a full blooded Alpha?

Was he just daft or was he just pretending not to know the truth because he was hellbent on torturing me for slapping and threatening him?

The sentinels dragged me roughly to the judgement room, my skin peeling against the rough ground as they dumped me on the floor.

I winced, biting my lips till I tasted blood.

When my eyes scanned the room, I was surprised to see that an impressive number of the Pack's council members were already on seat.

Paige had it all planned out long since. That was the only reasonable thing that could explain how they managed to hear about what happened so quickly.

She probably sent them invitation notes even before she drugged me with sedatives.

No! I couldn't let her frame me for a crime I didn't commit just like they did dad.

"Hudson," I called out as he went to the front to take his seat.

"Who said you could speak?" He yelled at me, his voice dripping with disdain.

Then he faced the councul members.

"I'll be representing my brother today at the judgment of a traitor." He announced.

"He should be here, but—" he hesitated, sadness pooling in his eyes. "He was killed by that traitor!"

He pointed accusing finger at me and all heads turned in my direction. Their gazes held silent judgement as they eyed me with contempt.

Anger roared in my veins. How dare they judge me without hearing my own side of the story? But of course, they wouldn't see past the fact that my father had been a traitor.

"None of this is true! I didn't kill anyone. Paige drugged me and dumped me there!" I insisted.

"I told you to shut up! You must be eager to die so fast!" Hudson threatened coldly.

But I had had too much of him treating like trash already. My fears disappeared as I stood up and faced him.

"This is all about you having sex with your brother's wife, right? Are you framing me for his death because you're desperately trying to cover it up?"

Rage brewed on Hudson's face as he glared at me. But that did nothing to stop the noise level in the hall that was increasing with each passing second.

"Silence!" Paige's shrill voice sounded from the door.

Her face was flushed and her eyes swollen. If I wasn't the victim of her cruelty, I would have said she knew nothing about what was going on.

If you asked me, she really deserved an oscar award!

The hall went silent as she sashayed to the front and placed a hand on Hudson's shoulders.

"Anyone of you who believes the daughter of a traitor should be too ashamed to raise his or her head." She stated frankly.

"She's obviously lying." She finished.

"I'll now pass judgement on the traitor!" Hudson's voice bounced off the walls of the room.

Feat gripped me as I waited with bated breath.

"I, Hudson Grey hereby order the traitor to be beheaded!" He said without a trace of guilt.

The world shook underneath my legs. But as I watched the sentinels charge at me, my senses returned.

I had to escape immediately!

Where I got the strength from I couldn't explain, but I pushed those Sentinels to the ground and raced up the stairs.

I rounded a cover and darted into the nearest room, locking the door shut behind me as my heart palpitated in my chest.

The sound of throat clearing awkwardly jolted me and my body went stiff.

Slowly, I turned to look at whoever it was only to find myself staring into the shades of amber orbs that looked like the ones I had drowned in last night.

The man's sandalwood scent wafted into my nostrils, giving nothing but raw alpha carnality.

I couldn't help the way my breath hitched at how effortlessly sexy he looked even with the few strands of grey hair that lurked in his jet black hair.

My gaze trailed to his chest. Through the sleeveless top he had on— that looked as though it was poured over him, I could outline taut abs and pectorals.

Fuck! He was the definition of perfection. All slickened masculinity in one gorgeous body.

Then it hit me like a tidal wave. Whatever this was, I had to stop immediately. I wasn't out of the danger zone yet.

I was still right in the Alpha King's apartment. And this man could still be one of Hudson's—

The thought caught in my mind and I gasped softly as my gaze locked into those amber eyes that were staring back at me intensely

And that was when I really saw it.

He was the older version of my ex-boyfriend and current enemy, Hudson Grey. I have never met prior to this day. They look so closely alike, and I understood why I had slept with him by mistake. He was like a twin version of Hudson.

Scratch that!

Every cell in my body screamed that this man equivalent of Adonis, the Greek God was the same man that had spoilt me with senseless pleasure all through last night.

Alpha King Travis Grey, Hudson's father!

A faint heat stole up my face as he held my gaze and impulsively, I pushed roughly at his chest.

Before he could guess my next move, I rushed to the window, climbed over and jumped down the building, praying that somehow, the moon goddess would come to my aid.

And she answered my prayers just as I thought I would break my legs.

I landed on a pile of trash, tumbling through and soiling my dress in the mud. But I was past caring. I peeled off the road that led outside the palace.

Once outside, I took the route that led to the woods. I had to leave the pack immediately.

Forget everybody. Hudson, Paige and certainly Alpha King Travis! I still found it hard to believe I had given my virginity to the most feared Alpha king.

This was really messed up. Alpha Travis was the king of man innocent girls like should definitely avoid.

Then I remembered mom and Raven. I had to alert them because I knew what Paige could do just to get to me.

I dialed mom even as I ran. She picked on the first ring.

"Mom, I need you to leave the pack immediately. Pack the few things that you can, you'll find some cash in my room's drawer. Leave with Raven, and I'll explain everything to you later."

"I got you." She said immediately, her voice a little unsteady.

I hung up, worried I might have made her panic. The moon goddess just had to come through for me today.

That was the least she could do for me after giving me such a cruel fate.

My knees started to buckle as I ran farther into the woods. On days like this, I especially detested the fact that I didn't have a wolf.

Maybe if I had my wolf or felt even a tiny connection to it, I would have found my fated mate. Maybe I wouldn't have had to encounter this piece of trash named Hudson.

Maybe— just maybe I won't be on the run like this.

I rounded a sharp bend and that was when I began hearing the sound of paws tearing across the dark woods.

They were obviously in their wolf form. I was certain they were more powerful than me. It wouldn't take long before they caught my scent and capture me.

My mind was so occupied that I didn't see the branch of tree that laid on my path until I tripped over it and crashed to the ground.

Shit! I was so screwed.

Blood oozed from my forehead, making me feel woozy and breathless.

"Athena?"

Tht was the last thing I heard before I fainted.

When I woke up later, I was in a big room that screamed of extravagant luxury. It was lavishly decorated but the colour was too dark for it to be a female's room.

My heart thudded loudly against my rib cage. It definitely had to belong to a royalty.

"Did Hudson kidnap me?" I asked no one in particular.

"No, he didn't." A voice sounded from the far corner and I jumped.

I hadn't even realized I had company. When his face came into light, regal and so beautiful, my brain shut down.

Alpha King Travis Grey again?

Only now, he was shirtless, exposing the beautiful wolf tattoo on his chest that accentuated his naughty appearance.

I struggled hard not to let my gaze travel to the bulge beneath his shorts.

Too bad! I failed. The feeling from last night swapped me and I had to squeeze my thighs together to quell the rush of desire pulling in my core.

"Do you like what you see, Athena?"

The way he called my name with none-too-subtle possessiveness sent goosebumps sprawling up my arms.

I panicked and tried to scurry off the bed but he snagged at my wrist, backing me up against the wall.

The hunger-filled look he gave me made my bones quiver as his fingers traced the edge of my trembling lips before traveling to my waist.

"I'll never let you escape from me again, mate.” he said with predatory intent.