Chapter 04
1657 Words
I ended the kiss as quickly as possible, turning away from his gaze. Kristian cupped my chin in his hand, directing my gaze back to him. I didn't know exactly how to handle this but one thing was for sure I had to end whatever this was.
“Is anything wrong, my love? Should I get the doctor?”
“No, I'm fine,” I lied through my teeth, I was far from fine. His presence was suffocating me, draining my energy. I wanted him gone, like out of my sight.
“Good, because I need you to be fit for tonight.” Kristian said.
"What's happening tonight?” the words flew out of my mouth. Kristian's face brightened up with a smile like a man in love.
"We'll run away my darling, someplace no one can find us, we'll start a new life, a family. I've prepared everything already we'll need–”
"Kristian, I can't." I cut him off, not wanting to hear another word of his outrageous plan.
“What do you mean you can't?"
“I’m not running away…" I tell him blankly, and I see the hurt and disappointment in his eyes but I couldn't care less.
"But this was what you always wanted, why the sudden change?” his voice trembled as he spoke.
"I realized that I don't want to spend the rest of my life in hiding," I let out like a confession. "I don't want to be a rogue, always looking over my shoulders, waiting for someone to find me. I want to be free, Kristian."
It wasn't far from the truth though.
"Then would you rather get married to that bastard instead!” Kristian growled. I opened my mouth to speak when a man who I assumed was the doctor let himself in.
“I’ll get going, take care of her doctor.” Kristian turned to address the doctor then quickly returned his focus to me.
“You're not in your right frame of mind, we'll talk after you've rested” he said, staring at me deeply before exiting the room, and I got the feeling he was going to create problems for me.
The doctor asked me all sort of questions and ran some tests on me, after a while the nice man left. I got out of bed and ran to the mirror my eyes widened as I stared at my reflection. I looked different. The woman staring back looks nothing like me, she's a complete stranger, the opposite of who I was. I scrutinised every feature of hers, every curve, she had long blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and a breathtaking smile. As crazy as this looks it was real, I had become someone else. I was in Athena's body, living her life. The moon goddess granted me my wish, I was reborn. Rivers of tears escaped my eyes and I fell to my knees. This was my new reality. With this chance I was given I would not rest until I destroy those responsible for the death of my unborn child as well as mine. I'll swear on my baby I'll make Dean and Sienna pay for all the pain they afflicted on us.
“Why are you on the floor?" I was startled by Raven. I didn't notice when she walked in with a maid who had brought dinner for me.
My stomach growled as I watched the young girl place the food on the table before leaving. Damn I didn't know I was starving until I had shoved a spoon of the hot porridge down my throat. Raven sat on a stool opposite me, watching my every move like a sentinel.
"Just say what's on your mind," I said, taking another bite.
Raven hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I'm guessing you already spoke to Kristian?" I simply nodded my head.
“Tell me you both have a plan to stop this absurd alliance?" she asked, her eyes begging me not to contradict her. I looked up at her, unsure of how to respond. I didn't have a plan. Hell, I haven't even thought about the alliance not until now. I didn't have to utter a word though, Raven took my silence for a big no.
"Wait, don't tell me you're seriously considering getting married to that man–the demon alpha!" Raven literally screamed, looking at me with a confused gaze as if the very thought of it was utter madness.
"You heard the alpha. Our lives depend on this alliance, there's nothing I can do.” I replied, focusing back on my food. Raven spared no time to be on my bed, she laid her hands on my shoulders.
"Snap out of it, Athena," she said, shaking me dramatically. "If you marry Alpha Damian, your life will be over. You won't be able to survive."
I blinked, why was she exaggerating?
“Don't you get it! He'll kill you, just like he did to the ones before you!”
"What...he's been married before?" I asked.
“Yes and to three different women, you're going to be his fourth, everyone knows this Athena.” Raven rolls her eyes.
"But that's not the point!" she exclaimed. "The point is that all these women mysteriously died after he married them, if you don't find a way to stop this marriage, you might face the same fate they did."
Raven's words sank in slowly. Three women, all dead. Impossible?
“So what do you propose I do? Kill myself? I already tried that Raven,”
"You could run away, start over, live the simple life you've always wanted. There's this witch I know, she could–”
"I'm not running away,” I tell her the exact same thing I told Kristian.
“Athena, listen…I know you think that you could survive this just like you've done your whole life. But this is different, this man is darkness itself. Don't let your parents' sacrifice be in vain!”
Raven uttered these words before departing from my bedroom. I desperately wanted to ask her what happened to Athena's parents but I decided to let it slide. Instead I replayed her words over and over in my head and I couldn't help but wonder if she could be right. Was I making a mistake by marrying him? If he was as powerful as they all claim then wouldn't it be clever if I used him as a means of exerting revenge on my enemies?
Raven's words continued to torment me until exhaustion took over and I fell asleep. When morning came, I woke up to the sound of a gentle knock at the door. I sat up quickly, letting out a tired yawn.
"Come in," I called out in a drowsy voice. A young lady strutted in with a warm smile.
"Good morning miss," the young lady said, bowing her head to me. "I was asked to notify you of Alpha Damian's presence.”
I stared at her until it dawned on me, “Huh what? He's here!”
“Did you forget miss, today is your wedding ceremony.”
~~~~~~~~
Unknown person's POV
"How long have you been serving me?" I asked calmly, my tone dripping with condescension. "I asked you a f*****g question. You of all people know that I hate repeating myself." my voice this time came harsher than before. A warning tone laced in it.
"F-fifteen years... Mistress," the pathetic servant shivered in fear as though she knew just where this discussion was heading to. She knew her master all too well, she had witness for herself just what I was capable of and how far I could go to achieve my goals. She knew her failure wouldn't go unpunished.
"Fifteen long years. Then you are well aware of what happens to those that fail me, Azel!" I journeyed to the table where a golden goblet stood beautifully. A twisted smile grew on my lips as I took out my silver blade and slit my wrist open, allowing my blood to drip into the goblet. This was the part she begs for her life and if her pleas entertains me exactly how I want it to, let's just say I might spare her worthless life.
"You had one job to do. One simple task! Kill Athena Hale, and you failed!" I spatted with rage, shooting a death glare at the pathetic fool I have for a servant as she knelt down before my feet, not daring to look directly into my eyes.
"I-I'm s-s-sorry Mistress," Azel stammered, her voice failing her. "Forgive me, Mistress, I didn't mean to fail you... I swear she was dying, I slit her wrists with the phoenix dagger…no one ever survives from it...not even witches."
"Yet she did? How?" I exploded, my patience was running thin by the second.
"I don't know... it's never been heard of…all I know is that she was different when she woke up. Her aura was different!"
‘Interesting. Could it be that she had unlock her gifts?’ a thought sprouted in my mind. ‘No I would I've sensed it immediately. It's something…unusual, I can't wrap my fingers on it.’
"Thank you, Azel. You've been very helpful."
Her eyes widened at my words."Really? Does that mean you're giving me another chance to serve you, my cover at the blackblood pack hasn't been blown I can still—"
"Unfortunately, no. Your journey ends here, but believe me when I say this: your years of serving me will never be forgotten." I say mischievously, crushing the little hope she desperately clung to before handing her the goblet. "Asennia Vote!"
Compelled to, Azel brought the goblet to her lips, shut her eyes and whispered a silent prayer. With just a sip of my blood he dropped dead to the floor. A wicked grin parted my lips.
“Athena Hale, you're next.”
- Writer
