Chapter Three
1225 Words
CHAPTER 3
ATHENA
The sliver of sunlight was already streaming through the curtains by the time I woke up the next morning with the faint warmth resting on my face. I groaned, forcing myself out of bed and the first thing that struck me was the steady rise and fall of Roman’s chest as he lay next to me, still sound asleep. He looked so relaxed and so peaceful, which was completely different from the fierce warrior I'd seen in the amphitheater yesterday.
A smile crossed my face as I arched my back and yawned, but that was the moment I felt the soreness in my midsection, and then it hit me.
What had I done?
My heart was already pounding away furiously as I slowly sat up, and frantically scanned the room for my dress which I found not long after, crumpled on the floor, reminding me of last night. The overwhelming guilt and panic intensified and I quickly pressed my hands against my face.
"No way this is happening." I whispered to myself, glancing at Roman again, and remembering last night. I'd said yes to all his questions, I knew what I was in for.
But I was only beginning to realise the consequences, the fearful possibilities if this got out. I needed to get out of here before he woke up. I muttered a short prayer to the moon goddess, hoping he was all drunk last night and didn't recognize me. I quietly slid out of bed slowly and deliberately, trying not to make any noise.
Grabbing my dress, I slipped it on and smoothed it down as best as I could with my heart pounding as I tiptoed towards the door, grabbing the side and lifting it up before pulling it open so the hinges wouldn't creak. The second I was outside the room, I let out a shaky breath but my relief didn't last long because two guards were already waiting outside near the reception area.
Their faces lit up the moment they saw me. "Your Grace!" One of them called out while hurrying over.
"We have been looking for you everywhere. Are you alright?" He asked, scanning my form.
I nodded, ignoring the sinking feeling in my stomach.
"I'm fine." I replied quickly, hoping they wouldn't notice how nervous I felt. "Just needed some air last night."
The graying man nodded in understanding. I took it he was there when Liam chose my sister.
But the man behind him had a cloud over his brow. "The Alpha gave strict orders for your safety, especially after the ball. You shouldn't wander off like that next time, please."
Not wanting to stir up any trouble, I forced out a tight smile. "I'll be more careful. And thank you for looking out for me. End the search, and let my father know that I am fine."
He nodded before pressing a finger to his ear, speaking into the mindlink.
After that, they escorted me back to the Packhouse. And as much as their presence was a relief, it was a burden too because I couldn't stop thinking about what would happen if anyone found out where I'd been.
Getting closer to the entrance, my heart sank even further because right there in front of the Packhouse was Liam and Rose, whose arms were looped through his. Liam’s face fell the moment he saw me, and he quickly looked away.
"What a disappointment that you're back." Rose quipped from where she was standing, subtly motioning the guards to stop while she spoke to me. "Thought you ran into some rogue or something. I hope you never showed up."
The disgust on her face was almost tangible. Liam looked up at me but still said nothing as Rose strode towards me alongside him, with her nose wrinkled as she leaned closer and sniffed the air.
"Oh My," she laughed. "What's that smell? I'm pretty sure that's not Liam’s, because we spent the night together if you understand what I mean by that. Maybe Liam here should tell you how he f****d me so hard last night."
She sniffed the air again, tilting her head now while seemingly pondering. The look vanished almost immediately, then a cruel smile and a sharp, laser-like gaze followed. "Smells... foreign. Had a fun night too, didn't you?"
I clenched my jaw and tried to walk past but she stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "Where the hell do you think you're going? Right now, you should be explaining yourself because why do I think you were too busy being a little w***e last night?"
I clenched my fists as my body shook with anger. "Move, Rose."
She giggled, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Or, what? What are you going to do about it, Athena? Go on. Don't be a little b***h. Hit me. Let's see if you've got the balls to, or if you're a little, weak, wolfless b***h!" She sneered.
I bit down on my jaw, choking with anger and hate but I stopped myself. She was worth it.
"That's it, Athena. Yeah, do it." She sneered, getting closer so she was up in my face.
I wound my way around her and made my way inside, and once I was inside my room, I slammed the door shut and collapsed onto the bed, holding my pillow around my face so nobody would hear my cries. The tears were already pouring, hot and unstoppable.
Liam wasn't the same person I knew. He just stood there, docile, while she taunted me with all those hurtful words. And not just that, I'd thrown my virginity to a stranger. I cried until my head throbbed, and even then, I couldn't stop. That evening, I had my bath and took a walk around the Packhouse to ease the burden in my soul, but it was as good as nothing.
The next morning, I was pulled from my restless sleep when a knock sounded. I got up with a groan, with swollen eyes and a heavily exhausted body.
"Your Grace," a meek, cat-voiced woman called. "The Alpha requests your presence in the throne room in an hour."
I sighed, dragging myself out of bed before getting into the bath and washing my face and tousled, chestnut hair. After that I made my way to the throne room where Dad was already seated. His face softened when he saw me.
He should be angry that I ran off and he took the pains to find me, but he wasn't. He didn't seem angry or disappointed.
"Athena," he said as soon as I was settled. "I know the past few days have been very difficult for you. And I want you to know that Liam’s rejection is not the end of the world. You are still valuable to this Pack, and I've made arrangements to secure your future."
I allowed a small pause, not quite sure what he meant. "Arrangements?"
A guilty look came over his face, then he hesitated. "You've been betrothed to Dante, the Alpha of the Silver Fang Pack."
I stared at him in shock. "Betrothed? No, no, no. Father, y-you can't-"
"This is good for the Pack. And with no mate to claim you, this is the best option. And no, Athena, this is not up for debate."
- Writer
