His Broken Mate

It was barely morning. When Athena stood at the edge of the cliff, watching as the sunrise stretched it's gold across the valley..the backyard of Their home, all she had with her was her tiny pajama shorts and a random top she had stolen from her twin brother closet. so yes, she was freezing cold, but too reluctant to go back home to find some cover for the cold, because for a moment, the beauty of their home felt like the ounce of peace she could find in the middle of her very own suffocation, it almost made it seem—like they weren’t walking into something that could burn them both alive if they're not careful. “Oh, you’re up early,” Nyt says in a mocking tone from behind her, making her flinch. His voice was rough with sleep, but the teasing in it was unmistakable. “You almost scared me,” she muttered. She didn’t turn to see the smug grin on her annoying brother's face. Why was he out this early in the first place, she wonders. “Couldn’t really sleep.” He replies out of nowhere. Sometimes, she forgets that he can read her mind, so she slammed shut her mental gate, not wanting him to dig into her head any further. He comes to stand beside her, shoulder brushing hers. “That actually hurt," "Stay out my head then," "I can't help it. Your thoughts have been so loud recently, I'm guessing that you're anxious about our coronation this evening, " Athena didn’t answer. The dreams had started weeks ago—shadows circling their camp, a howl that didn’t belong to anything living. She had told no one. Not even him. Nyt glanced at her sideways. “You worry too much about everything, Athena” he said, softer now. He could feel it, like he always did—something was off. “And you never worry enough,” she muttered with a yawn. “You’ve been out here since midnight, i don't want to be the one to snitch on you today,” he said. “Go get some sleep. Sit out of training and school today. I believe you have already trained enough" “Oh, you know I can’t, plus i have a track record to beat today” “one day won't kill you, athena." "i know, but "You will sit out athena, and that's not a simple suggestion, athena, that's a new Alpha order” “Fine, Alpha,” she said with a mocking sigh. “You’re getting a kick out of that, aren’t you?” She questioned her brother in disbelief. “Of course i am, and you should be taking advantage of it too.” “You’re absolutely disgusting,” she muttered, and he burst into laughter. They stood in silence after that, twin hearts beating in different rhythms. She wanted to believe their coronation would be the calm they all needed—one last breath before stepping into the chaos of Alphahood. But something in her bones itched. The wind smelled wrong. The forest felt too still. She didn’t know this would be the last sunrise she’d ever watch with him. If she had… She would’ve said something more than just “be careful.” But she didn’t. She couldn’t. Barely moments later, she was being dragged across town, forced into civilian life by her very excited mother while her brother faked being sick to dodge the stress and task at hand. And Oh, she was going to get him back for that. “Athena! Hurry up! I’m not dragging your feet through the mall again!” Her mother’s voice shattered the quiet, echoing up the hallway and yanking her straight out of memory. Athena blinked, startled to find herself not at the cliff, not beside her brother—but in her room, morning light slanting across the floor, too bright and too safe. “Coming,” she called, though her voice barely made it past the knot in her throat. The mall. Goddess helps her. She pulled on her boots with sluggish fingers. Outside, her mother was already rustling through bags, listing the things they needed before the retreat—last-minute gear, something presentable for the Alpha Summit dinner, and apparently a new pair of jeans that didn’t look like they’d been through a war. Athena stepped out, still haunted by the cliff’s silence, still half-caught in that final sunrise with Nyt. She didn’t argue when her mom pulled her into the car. Didn’t roll her eyes when they circled the parking lot twice. Didn’t even flinch when her mother reached over and gently tucked her hair behind her ear, murmuring something about how tired she looked. The world hadn’t fallen yet. But it had started to c***k. or at least that's just how it all felt to Athena, alone...