I
When Athena reached the age of understanding the concept of a mate, she longed to find someone who was fated for her. One that will love her, protect her, and cherish her.
One day, when her dream came true, it was the happiest day of her life. Athena met Wesley Rowan in the town on a bright Sunday morning at the joyous event for the Moon Goddess, where he stood mightily and took her breath away.
Wesley is flawless in every aspect, and Athena couldn't be happier. The great Alpha of the Morningstar pack is a gift from the Goddess, her fated mate.
"What are you doing in my office?" Athena snapped out of her thought and turned around, seeing Wesley standing, arms crossed, and glaring at her.
"I was cleaning," she muttered, trembling as she held the vacuum closer to her. Wesley's heavy step resonated in the four corners of the office as he walked towards him. A loud sound echoed when his palm touched her cheek. Athena whimpered as she caressed the part of her face Wesley slapped.
"Didn't I f*cking tell you not to come in here whenever I'm around?! You're making me lose my mood!" Wesley exclaimed.
"Wesley...hon..."
"Get out!" he yelled. Athena flinched and hurriedly left the office, taking the vacuum with her.
When did things start to go wrong? The dream of having a mate who would protect and love her was shattered in an instant.
Athena entered her room, sat on the bed, and wept uncontrollably. All she longed for was someone to love her unconditionally.
Athena took her phone and dialed her mother's number. Three rings later, her mother answered.
"Ma," she began.
"Oh, Athena. Why did you call? Does Wesley know?" she said. Athena bitterly smiled. Her mother couldn't even ask how she was.
"No, Ma," Athena whispered.
"Athena! You shouldn't offend your husband! How many times have I told you that? He's the Alpha of our pack. You have to serve him well as his mate," she replied. Athena bit her bottom lip and silently wept.
"Y-Yes, Ma," she whispered. What does she expect? Her own mother would choose her mate over her hurting daughter without hesitation.
"Good girl, dear. I have to go. Your father has been calling my name. We will be visiting our friends in Brown Pack, and the haters will undoubtedly become enraged upon discovering that my daughter is the mate of an Alpha.
"Divine, come on!"
"Bye, dear," Divine said and ended the call without making Athena speak. Athena looked at the screen and put the phone back on the table. She glanced at her bruised arm and looked in the mirror. Wesley's palm mark on her cheek began to swell, making Athena wince in pain when she touched it. She let out a sigh and lied on the bed, closing her eyes.
Athena was surprised by the loud knocking and immediately stood up, feeling dizzy. She glanced at the clock and gasped, unaware that she had fallen asleep.
"Open this, you f*cking b*tch!" Wesley yelled. Athena unlocked the door and opened it for her mate, but when Wesley saw her, he pulled Athena's hair and glared, making Athena yelp in pain.
"Why are you f*cking slow?! Go and make my dinner!" Wesley yelled and let her go; she almost hit her head on the wall.
"A-Alright, I'm sorry. What would you like to eat, my love? she asked and hid her fear through a smile.
"Don't f*cking call me hon; it's disgusting," Wesley said. Athena bit her bottom lip and watched Wesley walk away.
"If only you could love me back," Athena whispered as her wolf wept. She went to the kitchen and quickly prepared everything. There were no servants in the house because Wesley forbade them. Athena did everything on her own. She took care of the house and her husband.
After finishing her meal, Athena placed it on the table and awaited Wesley's arrival. When he arrived, Athena fixed her clothes and was about to sit on the chair, but Wesley spoke.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going to e-eat with y-you," she answered, stuttering.
"Who said you could? Get out of my sight!" Wesley yelled. Athena flinched and hurriedly left the dining room.
Athena doesn't know the source of Wesley's anger toward her. She did everything to become a perfect mate for him. Athena obeyed him, but Wesley was violent towards her. However, she was unable to leave Wesley because he was her mate and she deeply loved him.
Wesley exited the kitchen, smiling as he talked on the phone, but his expression changed when he saw Athena in the living room.
"Wesley..."
"Alpha Wesley," Wesley corrected. "I will be out drinking. Stay in the packhouse and don't call me," he added before exiting the packhouse and slamming the door behind him.
Athena heard a sigh and decided to eat. Despite Wesley's current behavior, Athena remains hopeful that one day he will change. That he will eventually see Athena as his mate.
"Are you f*cking blind, Athena?" Athena moved the phone away from her ears.
"Alyssa, don't shout, please," Athena whispered and stopped her trembling hands.
"I'm sorry, I just can't believe you're that blinded by love," Alyssa said. "Sister, I told you to come with me here in Melocca," she added. Alyssa is Athena's younger sister, who ran away and left the pack at the age of eighteen. She couldn't stand their parents and their ideology. Exactly a year ago, Alyssa reached out to Athena to convince her to move to Melocca, where she lived in the Stone Pack, but Athena declined due to her relationship with Wesley.
"I can't," Athena said. "You don't understand, Aly, because you haven't found yours. He's my mate. I just can't leave him," she added.
"I totally understand, sis. If he's your mate, then why is he hurting you?" Alyssa asked. "If he truly loves you, why does he treat you like that?" she continued.
"Aly, I love him. Wesley's going to change. This is just a trial by the Moon Goddess to test our love," Athena said.
"I am uncertain, sis, but I am certain that the Moon Goddess does not wish for you to be used as a punching bag and toy by that scumbag," Alyssa stated. "I'll call you again, sis. Take care of yourself," she added and ended the call. Athena heaved a sigh.
"I love him, and I know he will change," she whispered to nothing and closed her eyes, dreaming of a happy family with Wesley.