Chapter 5: Athena

Athena

“Useless”

“She's a disgrace to the royal family,”

“A wolf less hybrid” 

“She caused the death of her mother.”

“A curse.”

“A fat one.”

Nameless faces whispered around me, drowning me in their curses.

“No, No, I didn't, I'm not” I protested weakly against the sea of voices drowning out mine. 

“She doesn't deserve to be a princess. Relying on daddy's favour,” another voice sneered 

“Brother's little pet.” Another giggled 

“Weak,”

“No, no, I'm not, I'm not” I whispered, my heart clenching, tears pooling in my heart.

“Murderer, she murdered her mother.” The voices increased.

“No. No. No,” I screamed, my eyes blinked open. 

I winced at the bright light, adjusting to it as I stood, I was still in Ethan's room. The soreness from down there had reduced but it was still there, a shameful reminder, I must have slept off. 

“Here, take.” Ethan handed me a cup, 

I gulped down the contents, feeling a warmth creep up my heart, 

“another nightmare?” He asked. 

“Yeah. But I'm fine.”

“Are you sure?” He looked at me dubiously.

“Yeah.”

“Good. Now explain,” his eyes narrowed, “who was it this time?” 

“No one, I'm fine.” I mumbled.

“Right, and I'm gay” he rolled his eyes.

I giggled, “who knows, you may be” I shrugged, “you never can tell” 

“Ewwww…. Nothing about a fellow man's dick or ass interests me.” He snickered. 

“Fine, if you must know, I just got dumped” I said, knowing fully well he will never let it go till I gave him something.

“That's probably for the best, afterall you're meeting your fiancé today” he said absentmindedly 

“What fiancé?” I wondered 

“Shit.” He slapped his mouth, “Sara or Chase didn't inform you?”

“Inform me about what” my voice was getting louder, 

“Okay, Thena, you need to calm down. Father only did it because he had no choice and it is the best way to protect you.” 

I hurled the closest thing I could find at him, “Calm down!! For my protection!! No choice!!” I shrieked 

“And no one thought to tell me” I hurled a vase

He swerved sideways, “Chase was meant to tell you.” 

“Don’t drag my best friend into this, and what happened to the one who fixed the engagement? What happened to telling me with his mouth?” I snarled.

“As if anyone wants to deal with that temper of yours” he mumbled to himself. 

“Really, I'll show you my temper!” I charged at him, ignoring the pains I felt. 

“Sorry, sorry, direct this energy at father, I'm innocent in all this.” He whined, running around out 

We ran around for a while, before I collapsed on the bed from sheer exhaustion.

“My life is over” I thought.

“It's not that bad,” Ethan consoled, “he's the heir apparent to the Valerian throne.” 

“Isn't that the cursed bloodline?” I snorted, “your father sold me to a cursed blood line.” 

“Come on sissy, don't be like that. You know our blood can break the curse, just be optimistic about it. Besides, they're already waiting at the dining hall. Father too.”

“Good. Let me go see him, over my dead body will I be engaged against my wishes.”

I changed into casual wear and stormed to the dining hall, Ethan behind me, edging me to cool my temper.

The steward opened the door before I got to it, good he knew not to get on my bad side right now. 

I froze right on my tracks, right adjacent to where I usually sat was the last person I expected to see. 

The bastard of an ex mate I had, I sneered at those silver eyes, hate filling my heart at the sight of him.

“What is he doing here?” I snarled 

He looked me over, his eyes shining with surprise then shock when his dimwitted brain registered who I was. 

He had no response, still staring with his lackey next to him as a loyal dog, eyes wide. 

“What? Cat got your tongue?” I snickered. 

“Hello, princess.” His voice was cool, he really did know how to keep his cool. 

I rolled my eyes, ignoring him I stormed up to my father, “you betrothed me to this” I pointed at him Rowan

“Ahh, welcome my angel. How do you like your surprise?” He grinned.

“A surprise entails a party, a gift, something spectacular, not dropping a bomb and terming it as a surprise father, you can't really marry me off to him” 

“I'm sorry princess,” his grip tightened on the fork, “it's out of my hands now” he sighed.

“You've got to be kidding me,” I stormed over to Rowan, “read my lips, I would rather be torn apart by a firing squad than to marry you.” I snorted and stormed off. 

I ran into Chase pacing outside my room, Sara beside him both looking panicked. 

I ignored them and stormed in, 

“Thena, where have you been? I've been worried. I even had to call Chase.” Sara panicked.

“Did you know?” I snapped. 

“What?” 

“Don't play dumb. Did you know?” 

Their heads hung low, “His highness only told us last week, we were meant to tell yesterday but you disappeared after the party.” Sara mumbled. 

“Get out.” I pointed at the door.

“What?”

“You heard me Sara, out now!” I growled.

Hurt flickered past her eyes, but she walked away, chase turned to follow her but then stopped.

“I'm heading to the human kingdom tomorrow, my wagon doesn't have space but the boot of my car will be empty, and coincidentally I happen to be leaving before the rest of the palace wakes.” He said and walked away. 

I smiled, and that was why he was my best friend, he knew me inside out. 

“Out, Chase.” 

I spent the rest of the night preparing, tomorrow was going to be a long day.