AUTHOR'S POV Standing by the water, was Athena herself, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Athena found solace in the woods, by the serene lake where the whispers of rustling leaves and the gentle lapping of water against the shore provided a natural melody. This was her training ground, a place where the dance of sunlight through the branches fueled her determination. Today, however, she sought refuge not in the art of combat but in the embrace of tranquility.Athena gazed across the glassy surface of the lake, attempting to forget the lingering images of Xavier and Lia locked in an intimate kiss. The turmoil within her mind echoed through the stillness of the woods. She shook her head, as if physically dispelling the intrusive thoughts that threatened her peace. He didn't do it. He pushed her away, even slapped. Athena reminded herself again and again. Suddenly, a subtle rustle disrupted the ambient sounds of nature, prompting Athena to snap her head in the direction of the distu

ATHENA'S POVAs we walk hand in hand, Xavier leads me to a cozy corner of the room. There, he reveals a meticulously arranged collection of baby clothes, toys, and a tiny crib. His eyes gleam with anticipation as he gestures towards the adorable ensemble. "I wanted to surprise you with a little space for our little one," he says, a mixture of pride and joy in his voice.I'm touched by the thoughtful gesture, and a swell of emotions fills my heart. Xavier's love and commitment shine through. “When did you even—?” I was lost for words, my jaw dropping in awe at how cute the room looked. It was perfect. “We still have time though.” I gave him a pointed look. “I know. But I couldn't help myself. I just wanted everything to be perfect.” He shrugs, coming to envelope me in a hug from behind. “It's really beautiful.” I placed my hands over his, which were resting on my tummy. “That's not all,” he whispered, making me turn to look at him. Xavier's voice breaks through the tranquility as he

ATHENA'S POV“Athena? What are you doing here? Who's this?” Xavier's voice cut through the day, stern and questioning, My eyes widened, and a shiver ran down my spine as fear slipped into my consciousness. Oneka and I exchanged uneasy glances, knowing we were caught in a moment that shouldn't have existed.The weight of his words hung in the air, and I struggled to find an explanation. The fear in me deepened, realizing the consequences of this unexpected encounter. My back was facing his so I couldn't see him yet. But I could feel him. Standing a few feet away. Taking in a deep breath, I finally collected myself to turn around and face him. His piercing gaze locked onto mine. The soft glow of the sun light reflected in his eyes, revealing a mix of surprise and confusion. "Athena, what's going on here?" His eyes stopped to at Oneka, taking her in as they narrowed further. “Xavier?” My voice came out week, but I held it back from trembling. “What are you doing here? Weren't you on

ATHENA'S POVI paced nervously across the intricately patterned rug, the muted light of the chandeliers casting an ethereal glow. The room felt stiflingly silent as Xavier's orders echoed in my mind. Oneka was locked away in the private quarters and I couldn't shake the unsettling feeling gnawing at my insides.The rhythmic ticking of the clock intensified the gravity of the situation, each passing second heightening my anxiety. Xavier had gone as far as appointing guards outside the door. I tried using my Luna card, but it had been rendered useless by the adamant guards stationed outside Oneka's confines. Their stern expressions spoke volumes, conveying that their loyalty to the Alpha's command superseded any allegiance to me. I tried to reason with them, even used my Luna tone on them, but simply refused to let me see Oneka, saying clearly they were under strict orders by the Alpha, to especially not let me see her. The whole situation made me even more pissed. Was Xavier even serio

ATHENA'S POV My heart thudded against my ribcage in anticipation as Xavier kept glaring holes in Oneka's head. I was sure Oneka might be in a similar condition if not less. Xavier's face was completely blank. He gave absolutely no clue of what was going on in his head. His face remained expressionless and I had started chewing my lips in nervousness. What would happen? Would Xavier believe it? Would he let Oneka go? Or had he already guessed that she was lying all along? Would he question her further? Does he think that I am lying as well? Would he figure out the many loopholes that were left in the story? I knew he was smart, but just this time I wanted him to be the dumbest person on the planet. The silence in the room after Oneka's explanation was deafening to an extent I could hear the ticking of the clock. I slightly saw Oneka gulp under Xavier's gaze and he took his time to assess the situation and all the words he was fed with. I also felt guilty of hiding so much from my ma