Athena's world is turned upside down when her father is executed by the pack he betrayed. With her mother's life hanging by a thread, Athena makes a desperate choice: she sells herself for one night to a mysterious stranger, hoping to raise the funds for her mother's life-saving surgery. But fate has other plans. Her mother's death and a surprise pregnancy force Athena to flee her pack and start anew. Yet, her past comes back to haunt her when she reunites with the stranger, revealed to be Liam - the very man who played a deadly role in her father's demise. As they marry and navigate a web of secrets and lies, Athena must confront the darkness that binds them. Will she choose forgiveness and love, or will the truth tear them apart? Dive into this gripping tale of love, betrayal, and survival.
The loud gong rings out, its deep sound filling the huge hall like a warning of doom. My heart races as I hear my mother's terrified scream, a haunting cry that chills me to the bone. "NOOO!" she wails, her voice bouncing off the stone walls. "NOOO! My love! My mate!"
This is the moment that changes everything. The moment that tears our world apart. The moment that sets our fate in motion.
In this instant, I know that our lives will never be the same. That our happiness is shattered, our future uncertain. And I am powerless to stop it.
My eyes widen in horror as I see my father, lying motionless on the ground, his eyes frozen in a permanent stare. The pack's Beta, Zephyr, stands over him, his face twisted in a snarl. "Treason!" Beta Zephyr spits out the word, his voice dripping with venom. "You have been found guilty of betraying our pack, of allowing our enemies to infiltrate our ranks and slaughter our own!"
My mother wails again, her body shaking with grief. The pack's members begin to murmur, their voices filled with anger and outrage.
My heart feels like it's been ripped in two, my mind reeling with shock and disbelief. I sit frozen, unable to move or speak, as tears gather in my eyes. My father, a traitor? No, it can't be true. But the evidence is there, laid out before me like a gruesome offering to the pack's hunger for justice.
I feel like I'm trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake up from this horror. My father's face, once strong and proud, now lies broken and battered on the cold stone floor.
I can't bear to look at him, yet I can't tear my eyes away. The image is seared into my mind, a constant reminder of the pack's brutal justice.
Beta Zephyr's voice cuts off abruptly, and the hall falls silent. The sudden quiet is deafening, interrupted faintly only by my mother's ragged breathing. Zephyr's gaze never leaves my father, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.
With a curt motion, Zephyr signals to his guards, who step forward to collect my father. My heart twists as I see him, his face battered and bruised, his eyes swollen almost shut. His lips are puffy and split, his skin covered in dried blood and dirt. He's barely clinging to life, his chest rising and falling in shallow breaths.
I feel a wave of nausea wash over me as I take in the sight of my father's broken form. My stomach roils, my mind reeling with horror and disbelief. I force myself to breathe, my eyes fixed on my father's face as the guards lift him off the ground.
Our eyes meet, and I see a flicker of recognition, a hint of apology in his gaze. My heart breaks at the sight, my vision blurring at the edges.
BetaZephyr's voice cuts through the silence, his words dripping with finality. "You have been found guilty, and will be executed immediately as instructed by the Alpha."
My heart shatters into a million pieces as I watch my father's broken body being dragged away. I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of despair, unable to breathe or think. My eyes lock onto my father's, and I see a deep sadness and regret in his gaze. He mouths "I love you" to me, and I feel a sob tear through my chest.
I try to scream, to beg for mercy, but my voice is frozen in my throat. I'm paralyzed with grief, unable to move or speak. My vision blurs as tears stream down my face, and I feel like I'm losing a part of myself. My father, my rock, my everything, is being taken away from me. I'm left with nothing but the bitter taste of loss and the echoes of my mother's wails.
It's only been a few days since my father's execution, but it feels like an eternity since I've seen his warm smile and loving eyes. I wasn't allowed to follow them to the execution ground, thank the gods. I don't think I could have borne witness to his final moments, seeing him suffer at the hands of the pack he once protected.
I feel lost and alone, like a part of me has been ripped away. My father was my rock, my confidant, my everything. Without him, the world seems dark and cruel, and I'm left to navigate it alone.
My mom was never the same after that day. She was always sick, but it got much worse after dad's execution. She's very weak and barely gets out of bed. Her eyes are empty and sad, and she's given up hope.
She needs surgery to get better, but we don't have enough money for it. I'm desperate to help her, but I don't know how. The cost of the surgery is too high, and we can't afford it. I feel helpless, watching her suffer, and I don't know how much longer she can hold on.
I hear a knock at the door, and my heart skips a beat. I'm not expecting anyone, and I'm not sure who it could be. But then, I hear the door creak open, and my best friend Dora's voice calls out, "Hey, Athena, it's me!"
I look up to see Dora walking into the small, cramped space that's become our home. It's not a house, not like the one we used to have. That was seized by the pack, along with most of our belongings, after my dad was labeled a traitor. Now, we're left with this tiny shack, barely enough to keep us dry and somewhat warm.
Dora's eyes scan the dimly lit space, and I can tell she's trying not to react. She knows how hard it's been for us, but she doesn't know the full extent. She gives me a warm smile, and says, "Hey, girl, I brought some food. I figured you and your mom could use it."
I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. It's been tough since my dad's execution, and we've been struggling to make ends meet. Dora's kindness means a lot to me, and I'm grateful for her support.
Dora's eyes lock onto mine, and I see a deep understanding there. She's one of the few people who hasn't shunned us since my dad's execution. In fact, she's been the only one brave enough to visit us, to show us kindness and support.
I know Dora's story, how she lost her parents at a young age and had to fight to survive. She's had to do things that no one should ever have to do, like selling her body to make ends meet. But despite all that, she's never lost her heart, her compassion, her humanity.
And maybe that's why she's not afraid to be seen with us, to be associated with a family labeled as traitors. She's already been cast out by society, so what's one more thing, right? But I know it's more than that. Dora's visit is a reminder that there's still good in this world.
Dora pulls me aside, her voice low and urgent. "Athena, I need to talk to you about your mom. She's getting worse, and I know you know it. You need to do something, or...or she's not going to make it."
I feel a lump form in my throat as I look at Dora, my eyes welling up with tears. I know she's right, but I've been trying to push the thought away, pretending that everything will magically get better.
Dora's eyes bore into mine, searching for answers. "What's your plan, Athena? How are you going to raise the money for her surgery?"
I hesitate, my mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. I look down at the floor, my eyes fixed on a small crack in the worn wood. "I...I don't have a plan," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.
Dora's voice is soft, but urgent. "Athena, I know it's not ideal, but I think I can help you raise the money for your mom's surgery. You need to come to the club with me, and...and do some work."
I nod, my heart sinking, knowing exactly what she's suggesting. The club is a place where people go to escape their troubles, and Dora's been working there for a while, doing things she doesn't like to talk about. I've avoided it so far, but desperation is creeping in, and I'm running out of options.
I look up at Dora, my eyes locking onto hers, and I know she sees the fear and hesitation there. But she also sees the determination, the willingness to do whatever it takes to save my mom. I take a deep breath, and nod again, resigned to the fact that this is what I have to do. "Okay, Dora. I'll come to the club with you."
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