Athena Beckham
Whoever said that marriage is the endorsement of happiness was a liar.
The Moon Goddess wasn’t merciful, didn’t bless me with anything but struggles. Since birth, I have been abandoned, luck was on my side that day when my father and former Beta of The Red Moon pack found me in the forest screaming my lungs out.
The Beta and his wife didn’t have much luck when it came to conceiving, a hole in their hearts for a decade before they found me. It was fate as they would say, the day didn’t start with anything special, but it ended with a gift.
Upon my arrival, Orion was only four years old, the future Alpha of Red Moon. Even at six months, mother often said he became enamoured with me. He was protective, always wanted to come over and see me. The accusation sounded ridiculous.
That was the beginning of our damned love story.
As I grew older, our relationship morphed from best friends to lovers. It was an easy transition, he gave me my first kiss at twelve years, something sweet and felt like magic. Everyone was ecstatic at our progression, the Beta’s daughter, and the future Alpha – unstoppable duo.
Bliss was short-lived, I could feel everyone breathing down my neck, the unspoken question they never dared voice. Wolves usually turn around the age of fifteen and sixteen, even prior they would still have contact with their wolf.
Hence why it was a devastation to everyone when I showed no indication of transformation. Barely any voice but my own intrusive thoughts flooding my mind. It kept me on edge, walking on eggshells in front of the Luna and Alpha because they would deem me unsuitable for Orion.
To understand the severity, one needs to understand that Red Mood pack is heavily influenced by strength through blood. Breeding with the strongest Alpha or Luna is ultimate non-negotiable, they were required to produce strong heirs.
Red Moon has a formidable reputation, they were ruthless, wealthy, powerful pack. All over the world, packs are ranked upon status and influence – Red Moon was first place for ten years, the Alpha successful in his reign and display of power.
They were running smoothly, Orion’s father ruled with an iron fist, and I doubt he would have found me suitable for Orion had his Beta not intervened. They didn’t take it too seriously, presuming the love would fizzle as we matured, discovering our mates.
Except that wasn’t the case, Orion concluded when he turned at fifteen. His wolf spiralling into a maddened, hypnotic state; I was eleven and Orion had lost control through transformation.
It never became anything, Orion restrained himself from furthering his desires until I turned sixteen and made a move. Those feelings only grew over time, captivating me in every sense. Disappointment flourished; I couldn’t determine the truth of whether he was truly my mate.
Because I was wolf less, certain abilities weren’t in my favour like others.
When I turned eighteen, everything changed for us and the pack. His parents and mine were in crisis mode, specifics only shared to the future Alpha. The only thing I remember was that they were going to their allies of Eclipse pack and during the journey, they were assassinated.
It sent me over a cliff, my support system, my family, my parents who have loved and cherished me despite not having a wolf – they were gone.
Everything collapsed, Red Moon pack was falling apart, and the logical thing would be for Orion to step up. But he told me that night, he needed a united front so that they never question his authority and influence.
So, we got married, mated and marked.
A perfect memory, etched into my brain for an eternity.
Joy that dampened the sorrow and grief from losing my parents, I was hopeful that I could make it through with Orion at my side, my best friend. It gave me false optimism over our future and what I got in return – a relationship that soured and slowly died.
I don’t have a wolf, I don’t truly know if he is my mate, Orion is the only one that declared I was and lately – I think it was a ruse.
Lately, my dreams have been quite terrifying, almost paralysing that I couldn’t distinguish reality from the nightmare.
The heavy intake of air, springing my lids open to the familiar beige ceiling. I jolt from my position, the fear lingering, a tremor coursing through me. Short pants, sweat beading down my forehead and my skin damp from the intensity of such a dream.
Whatever dream transpired; the bitter notes still lingered on my tongue.
The once immaculate glow of snow from the moon has long since dispersed. I stare at the curtains drawn, exposing the illuminating vivid crimson sinking into the room.
Springing from the bed, bare feet touching the warmth that never emitted from the tiles. Almost like a spotlight in my room, displaying the magnitude of such a colour as I approached the window panels.
It was truly a full red moon.
There has never been a red moon, it was practically non-existent.
Something kept pestering me to search the depths of the forest, almost like I had no control of my senses. Everything was blurred, shadowed, no sign of life. Until I blink, a gush of wind sucked into my lungs, the aura around me swiftly morphing into awareness and curiosity. The film in front of my eyes felt foreign, radiating an energy I haven’t experience before.
I sensed their presence, three figures. Their eyes glowed within the shades of black and white in my vision. They remained stagnant, the tendrils of a cigarette flaming with black smoke, potent and raw animalistic power viciously cutting through the spell between me and them.
One thing I could determine, they were watching me.
“We found her.” A voice whispered, dancing within the air and yet there were so far into the forest that I could barely register if that was possible.
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The aftereffects are taking a toll on me, midnight struck on the clock, bathing the house in darkness. Even as I trudge down the stairs, heart racing from seeing those three figures. There is no way it was real, truly a figment of my imagination and that voice was probably my own.
I’m currently running on pure adrenaline and fear, the layout of the house engraved in my mind as I move swiftly to the kitchen in search of sleeping herbs.
In the midst of my search, I could hear voices…oh shit, am I losing my mind?
Clearly not because a crack of light leaked from Orion’s office. He wasn’t supposed to be home, after all our fights, he always disappears and returns the next day. Discarding any urge to sleep, an urgency making me gravitate towards whatever is transpiring.
Tiptoeing towards the door. They didn’t notice my presence, the house bathed in our scents that he wouldn’t pick up that I’m directly outside.
“When is it going to happen? This is taking too long.” A familiar voice pressed, his Beta Miguel.
Orion exhaled sharply, the clanking of his crystal glass, “Two days.”
My brows furrow, what is happening in two days?
“Does she suspect anything?” Miguel questioned, lowering his voice.
“You don’t have to speak softly; she sleepwalks and doesn’t remember anything.” Orion laughs, reviling in making me a mockery.
“Does she know where you disappear to? Specifically, all those nights you aren’t here, you are with Scarlett,”
The revelation suddenly drenches my whole body in ice, a sharp pain emitting in my chest. Overthinking has been nothing but detrimental, I was conscious enough to read between the lines. Scarlett was the Alpha of the Eclipse pack. I knew they were good friends, I just never questioned Orion’s ulterior motives behind such a relationship.
Trust, it obliterated into ashes.
Sleepless nights while he was keeping her bed warm.
Orion doesn’t deny his words, doesn’t deflect, or give any inclination of a lie. It was true, he was having an affair.
“You would think a wife would be suspicious of where her husband is after hours,” Miguel teased.
“She is trained to never ask me questions.”
The pounding in my ears intensifying, disturbing my senses of hearing every word of their belittlement.
A moment of silence passed, gulping of whiskey stored in his office, “What if she protests? How will you even get her to agree?”
Orion’s energy shifted, I could feel the density and the terrifying sarcasm laced on his tongue, “Do you think I need permission to divorce Athena.”