I turn to Maverick and see he has one too. My heart shrivels up at the sight.
“Hello Ares”
“Morning Alpha”
He must have found out about my little spat with his son yesterday.
“Are you here to apologise on Maverick's behalf?”
Maverick turns to me so fast that I almost hope he breaks his neck. Dad gives me a look. He's Wondering why I would disrespect the Alpha like that.
“No. That's not why I'm here”
What other reason could make him leave his house that early. I already don't like where this is going. What he says next becomes my undoing.
“I just wanted to inform you that you have 24 hours to leave the Pack before you are thrown out or worse.”
I stand at the door aghast. I'm lost for words. I expected anything else but that to come out of his mouth. He couldn't possibly mean it. I swallowed the lump in my throat so I could speak.
“I'm sorry?. I-I think I heard you wrong. Are you sending me away?”
I whisper the last part. I look at Alpha Matt. I searched his face for a sign that perhaps he was just playing. My heart drops when I see the resolution on his face. This can't be happening to me.
“Mom?”
I look at Mum. I find her eyes red but she turns away from me and hugs Dad like he's her lifeline. Her tether to reality.
“Dad?”
“I'm sorry sweetheart”
He had the decency to look into my eyes as he said those words, before he turned to comfort Mum like she's the one being sent out. I need the comfort not HER!. I turn to Maverick.
“Rejecting me wasn't enough?”
“You accepted the rejection didn't you”
How could he have no remorse, no guilt. Shouldn't he be feeling the pain of the broken mate bond or at least ashamed. He went against the will of the moon goddess.
“Maverick loves me. He wants me as his mate not you”
Ashley picked that as the right moment to voice her thoughts about the situation.
“I wasn't talking to you”
The venom in my voice startles everyone in the room. I've never spoken to anyone that way before.
“Well he's mine now”
“ONE MORE WORD FROM YOU AND I WILL CUT OUT YOUR TONGUE!”
The authority in my voice had not just Ashley but Mum and Dad submitting to me. Even Maverick bends a little in submission before he raises his head up as if remembering he has Alpha blood running in his veins.
Alpha Matt looked at me differently, suspiciously even. He must have sensed my aura changed.
Mom and Dad looked at me like I was not the same person they hugged and kissed yesterday. The look on Ashley's face was my favourite at that moment. She was terrified. Afraid that I would really cut out her tongue if she so much as utter my name or breath in my direction.
I could smell her fear. Hell, I could smell the fear on all of them except Alpha Matt. Good. I want them to be afraid.
The sound of Alpha Matt clearing his throat snaps everyone's attention to the matter at hand. My banishment.
“Please pack up your belongings and leave or you will risk being escorted out by the guards”
“Got it”
I walk past them and head to my room to start packing.
“He marked her Ares”
“I know. I saw it.”
“It hurts…”
I wiped the tear that was about to drop. He doesn't deserve my tears. Not anymore.
“We're going to be fine”
I assure her. I want to believe it too but I don't think I can fix that piece of me that was broken by him.
I finish packing up my necessities in a duffle bag. I change my clothes and pack the rest into a pile. I take the pile downstairs and out to the yard.
I head inside to get the match stick all while ignoring them like they were all just wall canvas. I lit the rest of my belongings on fire.
The smoke must have attracted attention because some pack members started coming out to check out the source.
Gossip starts to circulate. News of my banishment must have been leaked. Why am I not surprised?
“I heard from Simon that she was rejected yesterday. He was there when it happened.”
“I heard there was a showdown between them and they fought, that was why Maverick rejected her.”
“No one deserves to be rejected. I feel a little pity for her”
“She deserves to be banished. She was always a freak.”
“I knew there was something weird about her.”
“With that bead of hers that never comes off”
I roll my eyes at them. I'm not going to dignify them with a response or a reaction. I watched my belongings burn to ashes before I head inside. If I'm gonna leave, I won't leave anything behind they can track me with.
Mom was fawning over Ashley's mark. I ignore the hurt and walk past them. At least I know where I stand in the family now.
I walk upstairs and grab my bag. When I head to the door, Dad stops me. I guess he has some last words.
“I'm really sorry about how things turned out sweetheart”
I guess the saying is true ‘it's not love on which the strongest foundation is built, it is the decency of merciful lies.’
“Got it. You are sorry that Ashley, my sister, YOUR daughter stole my mate. I'm just gonna pretend like you really mean it”
He winced at what I said. I guess I hurt him with what I said. I love him but he made his choice when he stood by his daughter marking my mate.
As I walk to the pack's border, I'm met with James, Maverick's best friend and future beta.
“You have to know, I don't support what Maverick did to you. It's not right”
“I know.”
“I'm sorry I can't be of help”
“It's alright James. Take care of yourself and please watch out for my parents”
“I will… I promise. Be safe out there okay”
“I will. This won't break me. Bye James”
I turn to look at the place I've called home for the past eighteen years and I'm filled with nothing but pain. Eighteen years worth of memories, both the good and the bad.
“Here's to a new adventure, Athena. I promise we'll be fine”
I walk past the border and the pack link breaks.
“We've been wandering about for a few days now, Athena. Let's find a real bed to sleep in tonight”I inform Athena as I log my tired body across the sea of trees in my path. I feel my muscles turn to jelly. I'm exhausted. I haven't had real food in days or slept in a real bed.Hunt. Kill. Eat. Find a warm cave to sleep then repeat. Athena has been my only company in days. Sometimes, I talk out loud to her rather than use my mind. I haven't seen a single soul ever since I left the moonstone pack. *Snap. The sound of twigs breaking in the far distance catches my attention. My hearing has become sharper the last few days due to hunting. I moved to that location. “What's a little girl like you doing out here all alone?”The man bends at waist length to speak to the child. He's a rogue and so were his companions. I would know. I am one too“I was playing hide and go seek with my daddy”The little girl answers like the gravity of the situation hasn't dawned on her yet. She hasn't witnesse
“aarrgghh”I wake up feeling disoriented. I look at my surroundings. It's unfamiliar. I shift the sheets and start to stand up from the bed and move to stretch when I feel eyes on me from across the room.“Arrrghhh!!!”I thought I was alone. He sat quietly at the far end of the dark room like a creep. It's unnerving.“Hey it's okay. I'm sorry to startle you. I've been waiting for you to wake up for a while now.”“How long have I been out”“Two days”TWO DAYS!! was I drugged or something. What if he did something to me in my weak state? The panic must show on my face. “Don't panic. You are safe here”The most magnetic voice says slowly, pacifyingly. I sniff the air and smell spice. I realise the room is covered in it too and so am I and it was not the most uncomfortable smell. I actually liked it.“Mate”Athena whispers weakly in my mind. She's recuperating after her fight with those rogues. I register what she says then.“WHAT?! MATE? Athena don't spout nonsense. W-We already have a
A voice rang out behind me. I don't turn to see who before I reply. “Just because we are part animals doesn't mean we should act like one. Where are your manners?”“Coming from someone who doesn't smell like a rogue,but also doesn't belong to my pack” she sassily replies as moves to stand in front of me.“Who are you?” I asked her as she settled in front of me.“I should be asking you that. What do you want? Why is Alpha being so nice to you? What makes you special?” she asked each question and moved threateningly towards meAthena wasn't having this wolf pup challenge her. Although she felt weak, she accepted the challenge.I stared at her until she submitted. I could feel her wolf whimpering in fear at Athena's strength. Her wolf submitted soon after and Athena went back to resting.“Who are you?” It was my turn to ask now, considering she just challenged me.“N-none of your business” she huffs at me. Her wolf must have warned her with the strength of mine.“Okay. Well, unless you a
“Hey” I snap my finger in front of her eyes to wake her up.“Sorry, I think I heard you wrong. You said you're his mate?” She asks again for confirmation.“Yes I am” I nod in reply“But the legend of having a second chance mate is as rare as meeting the moon goddess herself!.” She exclaimed“I know. I can't explain it myself” I sigh and sit on the chair he sat on when I was sleeping.“Alpha had a mate before. Maybe the moon goddess is giving him a second chance mate because he lost his too soon” Madison said trying to explain the bizarre situationI mull over what she said. Maybe she took pity on me too for giving me Maverick. He wasn't exactly the best mate to me. I wait for the stab of pain that Athena feels each time I think of him. A beat passes. Another. It doesn't come. It's good he doesn't have an effect on her anymore.“I had a mate too.” I say and she looks up at me“Oh honey, I'm sorry for your loss” she tries to hold my hand to offer comfort, but I move it away before it l
Jason turned to me and asked “Do you know him?” “No. I don't think I do.”I replied, shaking my head at Jason. I turned to the stranger “I'm sorry, who are you?”His next words shock me “It's quite alright you don't recognize me your highness. You were a baby when we got separated”“Baby? H-highness?!” I said in panic. Jason quickly moves to my side and rub my back soothingly “breathe beautiful” he whisperedI'm too far gone in my panic to focus on what he just called me.“I'm sorry for laying it all on you like that. Perhaps when you are ready. I can come find you or you can ask Alpha to send for me” Josh said bowing. To me.I figured the beads must have some important qualities and good origin story, but Royalty!. That wasn't never part of the equation.“Sure, Josh. I'll send for you when she's ready.” Jason said calmly. If this was a shock to him, he hid it well. “Do you want to sit down?” He said leading me to a chairI'm still in shock as I sit. “Let me get you something to drink
Jason's Pov “Daddy. Wake up.. wake up.. wake up!” Adriana shouted with each jump on my bed I was already up after the first shout, but decided not to get up to rile her “Daddy! Please get up” she said in frustration “Hello bean. Why are you up so early?” I said turning to face her “I want to make pancakes, but I can't reach the counter” she said sheepishly “Is that your only problem, bean?” I tease “I can't make pancakes and I can't do the flipping thing” she said with a quiver in her voice. One wrong word from me and she'll burst into tears. I try to avoid making her cry as much as possible. “Come here” I open my arms wide for her and she jumps into my arms for a hug. “Let's go make pancakes” “Yay!” “Wait!” I said placing her down and putting on some shoes. “Why do you want to make pancakes?” “I want to give it to the pretty wolf that did rawwr and save Adi” she said referring to Ares That makes the pancakes a little more special. “Okay,” I clap “let's do it” I lift her a
Ares PovI shower and change into my own clothes and head back downstairs. There's movement all around me. Everyone was up.I spot Josh in the living room easily. And walk towards him.“Hi” I said“Your h–” he starts to say when I immediately cover his mouth. I received looks for my strange action. I signal him with my eyes to keep it down. Before I let go of his mouth.“Where can we talk?” I asked“Alpha said we can use his office. It's soundproof and away from straying ears.” He replied. I nodded and he led the way to the office.“This is all going to sound a bit much, but I promise to explain everything in detail” he said“I want to know” I said in determination“I will start at the beginning” he said and tapped something on his own beads and a voice rang out, telling the story…The moon hung low in the dark sky, blessing us with its ethereal glow. The palace was filled with joyous noise at the celebration of the birth of the princess. The king and queen had had her for a while, b
I stay afloat for the next five minutes as my body absorbs all of the power before I descend. I feel the power within me with every inhale and exhale.“What just happened?” Jason asked, looking between me and Josh.“She activated one third of her powers” Josh replied like it was an everyday sight “now we just need to find her mate to complete the activation.” He continued“I am her mate.” He said. “Ohh” Josh muttered. “What activation are we talking about?” Jason asked perplexed“We are not sure, but if the seer was right and if what his dad said was true, there's more to come.” I answeredI feel Athena rise in my mind.“Ask for an open ground. We need to shift. Fast.” she said in a hurry“Is there an open ground? Away from others if possible. I need to shift” I said to JasonHe thinks for a moment before he replies “there might be, come with me.” He said and led us both outside“Josh, this might come out offensive, but I need you to leave. The bead halts my shift everytime I'm in the