Athena's POV
I woke up feeling relieved, the remnants of last night's migraine finally fading. However, as memories of the previous events flooded back, a heavy sigh escaped my lips.
‘If the moon goddess saves me from this mess, I vow not to entangle myself again.’ I prayed. Yifa, as usual, knocked on my door, and I welcomed her in.
"Alpha is waiting for you downstairs," she announced, a smile playing on her lips.
The news, delivered so early in the morning, lifted my spirits. After a refreshing bath, I adorned myself in a pink ball gown.
Ball gowns exuded elegance and beauty, transforming me into a queen of my own world.
As I descended the stairs, my eyes met Ralph's, and a genuine smile graced my lips. He wore a combination of black on brown, a colour that suits him perfectly.
Upon my arrival, he greeted me with a peck on the lips. I reciprocated with a slight bow, and he gallantly pulled out my chair,
Athena’s POVIn an unexpected moment, I drew in a sharp breath as everything blurred into a fog. Gradually, figures appeared, and there was Ralph.A younger version of Ralph was before me, wailing beside a lifeless body, his father.In the next scene, Ralph, now more mature, stands in the heart of a forest, his screams echoing with anguish.The vision shifted once more, revealing him on his knees before a deceased pregnant woman, presumably his wife, holding her lifeless hands in despair.In that profound moment, I absorbed all his emotions, anger, hatred, and overwhelming sadness.“Athena…” His faint voice called out, snapping me back to reality. His eyes, filled with concern, locked onto mine.The intensity of emotions remained, leaving me overwhelmed. Hastily, I hurried into the bathroom.Struggling to calm the storm within me, I took deep breaths, but the overwhelming emotions resisted r
Athena’s POV “Athena, this is our chance to escape. Join me,” he implored, desperation evident in his eyes.“Wait, what?” I pulled my hand away abruptly.“What's the matter?” He seemed taken aback by my reaction.“Look, I never expressed a desire for us to be together,” I struggled to choose my words carefully.“What do you mean?” His voice wavered with disappointment.“Bardulf, I appreciate you. You've shown me true friendship and supported me at my lowest. But I question if I'm meant to be your mate,” uncertain about the consequences.He took two slow steps backwards, his eyes welling with disappointment.“Are you... rejecting me?” His voice trembled.“No, yes. I mean, my heart belongs to someone else.”“So you mean everything that has happened between is nothing?”I knew I had provided him with my time, but I wasn't anticipating him to be that desperate. He moved closer, locking eyes with me showing so many emotions. “What's happening here?” Ralph's voice echoed down the hallway
Athena’s POV“Ma'am, are you okay?” Yifa called out to me from behind. As I opened my eyes, the wolf before was absent. The rustling leaves in the bushes signaled it escaped.“Did you see that?” I asked Yifa.“See what?” she replied, looking in the direction of my pointed hand.“Never mind.”Although I ventured back to the arena to observe others, my heart still raced from the encounter. From a distance, I spotted Ralph and waved with a brief smile, which he reciprocated. Despite attempting to enjoy the festivities, the lingering unease led me back to my room.With twilight settling in and the wolfing-out time approaching, marking the peak of the celebration, Ralph visited my room.“Are you okay? You look worn out,” he observed with concern.“I'm fine. Maybe just tired,” I reassured him with a smile, hesitant to burden him with the uncertainty surrounding the wolf encounter.“Will you be able to come to the arena later?” he inquired.“Of course.” After spending little time he return
Ralph's POVRunning back to the arena, I regained control and swiftly shifted, putting on the clothes provided for us after the run. The haunting howls of other wolves echoed through the woods.I don't see Athena around, and given what I overheard involving Bardulf, I felt compelled to check on her.The thought of my friend being connected to Athena brought a sense of humiliation that I'd address later.Tracing Athena's scent, I found her with crossed arms, standing with Tala and Ulf. My instincts signaled trouble, especially with Ulf's mischievous grin.“I have a wolf!” Athena exclaimed.“Prove it” Ulf, clearly up to mischief, challenged her with a hateful smirk. Determined to prevent a confrontation, I hurried over, standing behind Athena.“She has a wolf,” I declared loudly, suppressing any potential rumors.Surprising Athena, she turned and gave me a smile. I lent my support, making
Athena's POV“I'm fine,” I reassured Ralph as he left for the emergency.Concealing the baffling headaches that plagued me, especially since Ralph's departure the night before. I kept the details from him, determined to understand what was happening.Sitting in the living room, questions swirled in my mind. ‘Why was I naked? Why did I feel tired? Why couldn't I remember anything? And why was I so hungry?’ Ralph returned, concern etched across his face."How are you feeling?" he inquired, measuring my temperature with a gentle touch.“I’m fine,” I replied, sensing his disbelief. He mentioned calling a doctor, and soon enough, one arrived, examining me with questions and a thorough examination.“Everything shows you're fine, except these constant headaches. I'll give you a shot, and then we'll see if it persists,” the doctor concluded.“I need to keep a close
Ralph's POVShe was sleeping peacefully as I rose early for my morning run, slipping out of the room with care not to disturb her rest.Upon my return, there was still darkness in the room. I found her still asleep, so I decided to take a shower. Unexpectedly, she joined me.In a soft, weakened voice, she greeted me with a ‘Good morning,’ and I reciprocated with a smile.The temptation of her presence in the bathroom was undeniable, a tempting echo of the previous night lingered. Exerting restraint, I finished my shower swiftly and left the bathroom to brush my teeth. Fortunately, I had extra toothbrushes, sparing her the need to return to her room.Emerging from the shower, she found me already preparing coffee, putting on only shorts."I should find something to wear," she muttered, eyeing the towel wrapped around her."My wardrobe is at your disposal," I offered.She disappeared into the built-in wardrobe, reemerging in an oversized shirt, that wasn’t surprising considering our di
Athena’s POVMy connection with Ralph blossomed, he stopped the expectation of odd and even days.Tala handled the spy planted to watch over me, but caution lingered in my mind. "Someone is here to see you." Yifa announced it to me one morning. "Who?""Ulf’s mother." My heart skipped a beat, pondering why she sought me out.Approaching the outside lounge, I found an elderly woman seated. Despite being Ulf's mother, her kind demeanor struck me, reminiscent of Ralph's former wife."I hope I'm not interrupting your precious time?" she asked softly."No, you're not," I replied with a smile, taking a seat beside her."You're the only one who can help me talk to Ralph about my daughter.""Okay?""She has been very rude and steps on everyone's nerves, but she is still my daughter. I need her released to me." She admitted, her voice broke."I don't want her to die, that will leave me childless." Tears rolled down her eyes.Taking responsibility, I assured her, "I'll talk to him, she'll be r
Athena's POVI heard Ralph's approaching footsteps, signaling his arrival in my room, prompting me to swiftly cover myself with a duvet, pretending I was asleep. He settled on my bed briefly, attentively tucking away stray strands of hair before he departed.As I sat up, an uneasy sensation eloped me. I couldn't understand the cause of what happend, but an evident sense of problem lingered, casting a shadow of fear.Discreetly, I asked Yifa to bring me something for my headache, careful to conceal any hint of illness from Ralph."Is everything alright?" inquired Yifa, her eyes narrowing with concern."Yes, Yifa, why do you ask?""Why are your clothes scattered on the floor?"I gasped, discovering my clothes shredded about, reflecting an unsettling occurrence from the previous full moon."It's nothing. Just get me something to eat.""Are you sure..." she began."Please," I interrupted, my hunger taking importance.Returning promptly, Yifa delivered breakfast, which I consumed as Ralph