Athena“Please, can I get food?” I asked weakly as I leaned on the counter where a waiter stood. It was an overcrowded mini-cafe.“We don't run charity here, Miss. You pay for your goods,” the man replied harshly and busied himself instantly.“I don't have money, but if there's anything I can do in exchange,” I pleaded.He shot me a worrisome glance, gazing at me from head to toe before responding,“Did you check the signboard out there? We don't run a strip club here either. We accept nothing less than money. If you don't get the hell out I'll…”I didn't wait for him to complete his statement. I left, roaming around the street in search of food. I found a beggar by the side of the road and requested a penny. He pointed at my dress,“Give me that and I'll make it a dollar note.”“Do you have spare clothes?”“I've got a coat if you surrender your earrings.”I had no choice. I was starving to death. It became clear to me that I was in the human community. But, the exact name of where I
AthenaMy heart raced as I spoke the words, and my lips pursed in hesitation. His eyes glistened with excitement as I accepted the offer,“You've no idea how much relief you brought me. All you need is ready. Please follow me,” he replied hastily as one incapable of containing his excitement. We walked out of the room together. I was blinded by the sheer amount of money involved, and my need for it outweighed any concerns I may have had. He introduced me to a group of active young men in corporate wear. They all had a tobacco stick in their hands as they puffed out air,They had a menacing air about them that made me nervous, but I tried to remain neutral. Mr. Watchman announced my cooperation, “She's agreed to join us. You can complete the task tonight,” and all eyes turned to me.“Have a seat,” one of them said. My nerves were on edge but there was nothing in this world that could be worse than my experience at my pack, I comforted myself as I paid close attention to their body rea
AthenaThe telephone—one of the basic technologies we lacked in our pack, rang. I winced as the man tried to kiss my cheek, repulsed by his touch. He took up the receiver while I struggled with the chair.“Yes, I definitely do. I’m not surprised you didn’t tell her what was at stake. We had a little fight, but she seems to be getting along,” he shot me a quick glance as he said those words before he laughed. The laughter rang in my ears and immediately, I felt a burning heat stirring up within me. I fought the urge to scream at him, but my anger boiled over, and I let out a ferocious roar that shook me to my core. It was as though I’d lost control of myself. Something else had taken over me. Something that was stronger than the anger I felt. Then, I heard a scream that sounded like the man, but my body was going through something I’d never experienced. My internal organs, my head, my jaws, everything, were tearing apart. Suddenly, my entire body convulsed, and a terrifying growl emerg
Dante’s POVOnce a loner, I struggled with depression and felt like I didn't fit in with my family. They called me weak and too soft, and I could never seem to do anything right in their eyes—I was too soft to be from the lineage of the alpha kings. Even with my loving nature, I couldn’t find my fated mate. I should not be blamed for contributing very little to my father’s kingdom especially when I was raised by parents that never saw anything good in whatever I did. I forgot to add, I was the only heir to the throne. Dante White is my name, the soon-to-be Alpha king of the Lycans. Tragedy struck when my mother passed away. She died when I was twenty-eight. I always believed she died from a natural cause until I discovered that a werewolf killed her. Ever since that day, I hunted down werewolves. My kingdom and the werewolves became terrible enemies. I nursed this wrath all my life to the point that I didn’t have to wait for a werewolf to trespass our land, I went hunting for them in
Dante’s POVMy father’s room was empty. I expected the beta to be by his side as instructed. I took the chance to inform my father, the great Zachary White, of my luck. I sat beside him. His eyes were wide open without a blink. He often looked that way sometimes. I took his palm and said plainly,“I’ve found a mate, father. I found my fated mate. I blushed as I spoke. The thoughts of her warmed my heart. “I’m not alone anymore. The moon goddess has finally heard your prayers and I must admit, she’s worth the wait. She’s beautiful and young with the most hypnotic eyes. Oh! Father, you need to see her. I asked the maids to dress her up. I’ll mark her as soon as I leave your presence. I’ve waited enough. We could have the ceremony tonight if possible. What do you say?” I turned to my father for a response. His lips were slightly open.“Can you hear me, father?” I knelt beside him and took his hands in a bid to wake him up, in case he was asleep. I called out multiple times. It never took
Athena's POVI fought the urge to give in to my wolf. Left to her, she would have wrapped her hands around her mate and never let him go. I was proving stubborn fighting my conflicting emotions. I tried to deny what I felt. The vibration in his voice as he spoke so close to me felt like I was floating in space. The texture of his palms over my waist set my whole nerves on fire. I never knew the mate bond was that powerful. I couldn’t utter a word. His scent choked my breath in a good way. I loved it. I didn’t want it to stop. I wanted the moment to last forever. He leaned forward as though he wanted to steal a kiss. My heart pounded as he drew closer, his breath had mixed with mine and the only space between us was tinier than a sugar crystal. I closed my eyes as I waited for his lips to graze my skin when I heard him speak,“I’ll never do anything to you until you’re ready, Athena, and I’m ready to prove it to you.” I pulled away from him. There was nowhere else for me to run to—I de
Athena’s POVWe boarded one of the fancy carriages parked close to a ranch within the premise. The horses looked healthier than the ones I came across in Colorado. There was always that intensity I felt around him. It seemed he couldn’t resist the urge to touch me either.“Did you really mean what you said back there?” he asked. I pretended as though I knew nothing of what he asked. He read my expression and added,“I mean, the rating you gave me. Do you mean I haven’t done anything to win you over?” I could feel the emotions in his words.“Stop lying to yourself, Athena,” Sue spoke after a hurtful silence. My wolf understood my emotions better than I did.“Just tell him you love him and tell him your plans about the girls in our pack. He could be of help you know?” My wolf protested.“I told you earlier. Inviting him over will paint me as an enemy to the pack. Do you think our pack would ever believe that the Lycans would ever accept us? How do you want me to convince them that I cam
Dante's POV“You’ll pay for this, Eric!” I roared as I rushed down to her. She was bleeding. Eric was among my enemies from the vampire kingdom. He had taunted me in the past that I could never find a mate. I didn’t realize the news of my mate would ever get to him—it’s been years since we crossed paths. I screamed her name severally until her eyes went shut.“Redirect the sail! We need to head back this minute,” I ordered the captain as I lifted her body from the deck and rushed into one of the rooms on the top floor. If I could stop the bleeding, there was a good chance she’ll survive, I convinced myself as I stuffed several clothes over her bleeding neck—I was terrible at administering first aid. That bloody bastard tried to drink my mate’s blood. He’ll regret it soon. I confirmed her pulse. It was weak but beating. That was a relief. I didn’t understand why she couldn’t heal herself since she was a werewolf. The ship was taking forever. I couldn’t watch her die as her palms were g