Goddess Of The Forbidden Three

5

Athena -

The taxi stopped before the Irony Pack gate, and I alighted, paying my fare with my card. I watched as the taxi drove away, disappearing before my watchful gaze.

For a long time, I stood there under the night sky, doing nothing but stare into the emptiness. The words Adrian had spoken echoed in my mind, sending a chill down my spine.

“You are getting married to my worst enemy to get back at me, right? You should wait for me, Athena. I will come back to you after your sister finally finds peace. I know it’s me you want.”

I blinked and sighed, wondering if he was right. If he truly meant it, if he would come back for me.

Should I wait like a fool while he takes my sister to bed, laughs with her, goes on dates with her, while I stand by hoping for the day she dies?

The thought lingered, swirling in my mind, when a cold wind cut through me, and I bit my lower lip, finally confronting the truth in my heart.

Deep down, I knew he was right. I loved Adrian, and… I might as well try to evade this marriage with Prince Caspian and wait for him.

Queen Kastra didn’t want me anyway as her daughter-in-law.

I lowered my gaze to the ground, gathering what strength I could, and then turned, walking silently into my pack. I made my way to the hall where my bedroom awaited.

Passing Belle’s door, I noticed it was locked and I nearly sighed in relief. At least I wouldn’t have to hear her rants tonight.

I reached my own door and gently pushed it open, stepping inside. Dropping my bag on the floor, I moved toward the mirror to let down my hair. But then I paused. Something was off.

I raised an eyebrow when I noticed my wardrobe was open. Slowly, I approached it, and my eyes went wider. My wardrobe was empty. My dresses… where were they?

I turned to look around and found an unfamiliar traveler’s bag in the corner.

With a crease of my brow, I approached it, wondering what was going on.

I reached for the bag, buy not one. Not two. Not three. Too many. Why?

when I was about to open it, I heard rushing footsteps.

Before I could react, my bedroom door swung wide, and my father stood there, his face pale. My heart froze. Why? What was wrong?

“She… Belle is right. She’s packing,” my mother murmured, stepping further in, awe lacing her voice. I went cold.

Packing? Who…

I turned to the traveler’s bag, ready to explain, but before I could, my father’s beta, Rancher Flames, rushed over, grabbed the bag, and unzipped it.

What I saw inside turned me upside down. Moon coins… and some of my dresses. Wait. What was happening?

“My gods,” Beta Rancher exclaimed, awe and disappointment mingling in his gaze. “You’re trying to run away with the moon coins meant to seal the pack trade?”

“Never…” I whispered, barely audible. I looked at them, desperate. “Never, Father. I would never steal any moon coins.”

“You say that, yet here they are in your bedroom!” My mother spat the words, her long-standing hostility sharper than ever. “This girl is up to no good. She must have heard us talking about the moon coins earlier.”

My heart sank, and I swiftly fell to my knees before my father, the one who had always tried to be fair.

“Father, I wouldn’t do such a thing. I was with Adrian and just returning home, I swear it. I didn’t steal any moon coins.”

“If you didn’t, then how did they get into your bag along with your clothes? Trying to run away from home because of the arranged marriage, sister?” Belle’s voice cut through the room, and my blood ran cold.

I slowly raised my eyes to hers. Without trying, I knew she was the culprit. Her secret smirk, that satisfying smile, told me she wanted me doomed.

Tears stung, but I brushed them away. I didn’t do this. I turned to my father and to Beta Rancher.

“I wouldn’t dare steal the moon coins. Please, believe me.”

“Believe you? How can we?” my mother snapped. “Do you have evidence? No. You don’t…”

She was still speaking when the answer came. Evidence? Of course, Adrian.

“Adrian Crown,” I interjected, cutting her off. She paused, looking at me. “I was with him earlier. I met him at Crownlight, and… he can testify I just left his place minutes ago. I swear it, Father. I didn’t steal.”

The Alpha of Irony Pack, my adopted father, studied me in silence, struggling to decide whether to believe me. Finally, he nodded.

“Let’s hear from Prince Adrian, then. Call him here, and he will testify whether you were with him or not.”

I swallowed hard as he stepped forward, staring at me without blinking. “If it turns out you’re lying… Athena, you will be punished severely.”

My heart sank at his words. I watched silently as they all walked away, leaving me on my knees.

Before Belle left, she glanced at me once more, disbelief in her eyes that I had an alibi. With her jaw set, she turned and walked away, her steps fading into silence.

I rushed to my bag, grabbing my cellphone to call Adrian, relief washing over me. Who would have thought He would be the one to save me this time?