Athena's POV
To do what he did, to sacrifice his chance to be with his fated mates and tie his soul to my sister, there was no doubt whatsoever in my mind that he meant what he said. Every fibre in my body believed him, it was this precise moment I realised how rational my decision to reject him was. I should have heard him out, I should have known there was a reason behind a future alpha doing what he had done. Though I never would have guessed his mother branding him. He loved me and marking Vanessa was his way of not only apologising for everything but proving that one statement to me. My heart fluttered as it raced, those alluring brown eyes and his voice that sent the swarm of butterflies that resided in my stomach into a frenzy with each word he spoke. His smile just amplifies that feeling, with Axel close I felt safe, a safeness I didn't think I would feel with anyone other than Hector. What I would give for him to hold me in his arms, to feel the sparks and protectiveness radiate from him like Hector.
Axel was our missing part without him we wouldn't be complete and seeing the fray of emotion on his perfectly sculpted face told me that even if we had to relive this whole ordeal again, he would have still marked Vanessa. To him I was worth saving, he didn't begrudge me for rejecting him. No, he fought with everything he had to prove himself worthy of me, which was strange in itself because I really wasn't anyone special. One thing I knew with complete certainty is that we would have his mark removed and I would spend the rest of my life embraced between my two mates. Together we would bask in the light and love the mate bond would have to offer, we would strengthen each other, and I'd be sure to make Axel never regret having chosen me.
I must have fallen unconscious again because when I woke, I was no longer chained to the ceiling like a piece of meat but laid on the dusty sofa a fleece blanket draped over me. I wasn't in a situation to be picky, but I would certainly choose this over where I was. I could hear footsteps upstairs they were light so instantly I knew it was Vanessa. The door to the room I was in opened which I assumed was the basement and down came Vanessa. Without a doubt she was the prettier twin however looks meant nothing when you were sick and twisted inside.
"Well little sister can't say I'm going to miss you, but the last few hours have been fun. I got to prove I was right all along, that you were... are no match for me. I got myself a mate and mmm isn't he just tasty"
"Get away from her Vanessa, we have a deal remember" Axel appeared behind her, his face void of any emotion as he looked at her.
"Oh, hush now babe. I wasn't going to hurt her. I was simply saying goodbye" the corners of her lips tugged up into a smile as if she had won the first-place prize in some competition.
Axels eyes didn't leave Vanessa until she was back upstairs and out of sight. Once the door had been shut his attention turned to me, those butterflies once again swarming around.
"Hmm how I wish I could kiss you" Axel was in front of me with inhuman speed, his thumb stroking my bottom lip as his eyes watched. "If this poxy mark wouldn't allow for her to feel it I would and there would be no stopping me. I meant what I told you Athena, I love you. I have since the day of your sixteenth birthday. We haven't got long before your father and Hector arrive. I don't know what fate holds in-store for Vanessa, but if it's a death sentence then this is goodbye."
"No no no don't say that. We can remove the mark, Axel. We haven't gotten to be together and already you're being taken away. You should have let her kill me. You still would have had Hector" tears burned my eyes at the thought of never being able to see Axel again.
"I could never have let her do that. Yes, I would have had Hector, but then I wouldn't have had you. You are so much more than you realise Athena. You need to embrace the power and strength your wolf offers. You need to overcome all these fears inside your mind, they will only prevent you from becoming what the moon goddess has planned for you"
"I don't want of it if I can't have you and Hector. I love you to Axel" before he could say anything else Vanessa had opened the door a duffle bag on her shoulder as she tapped her foot impatiently.
I couldn't do anything but watch as he followed her out. Remembering I was no longer chained I climbed to my feet my vision blurring where I still hadn't fully healed. Gripping a hold of the rotten banister I pulled myself up the stairs stumbling over my own feet as I went. As I emerged from the door, I was right, I had definitely been in a basement. Forcing my body to continue I clung to the kitchen counters as I made my way to the next room.
"Athena..." Hectors voice came out of nowhere as he appeared in-front of me. The strength in which he embraced me caused me to lose my balance as we both feel to the floor. "You're ok... you're ok" I don't know if he was telling me or reassuring himself. He looked terrible which was something I didn't think was possible. He had been crying the puffiness of his eyes the dead giveaway. His hair a mess when normally he wouldn't leave the room unless it had been styled.
"Where are they?" I mumbled as Hector helped me stand putting his arm under me to support my weight after realising how bad my injuries were.
"Outside. Axel told us where you were"
As we reached the door that led outside, I could see both Vanessa and Axel on their knees with cuffs being placed on them both. Standing in front of them was my dad who was trying to restrain my mum. By the look on her face, she wanted blood.
Hector's POV
We had an hour until sunrise, and I was going out of my mind. This had been the longest I had been away from Athena since we marked each other. Though I knew she was in serious trouble, the fact Axel was with her offered me some comfort. She was also his fated mate so I knew he wouldn't allow Athena to be killed. Alpha Jake appeared he was furious, though had it been my daughters going through this I guess I too would be, especially as what Vanessa had done would be an automatic death sentence had she been any other pack member. A loud snarl bounced off the trees as Luna Angel emerged. Alpha Jake was quick to her side grabbing her by the arm as he tried to force her back into the forest. By the way he handled her it was clear to all present that she had been told not to come yet being the stubborn, fierce woman she was completely ignored what she was told.
"I swear Jake if you don't let go of my arm, I will rip it the fuck off" Luna Angel growled at him using her Luna voice, yet Alpha Jake didn't as much flinch. They were mates, equals. Their strengths matched each other so no matter how hard each of them tried they couldn't make the other submit.
"I told you not to come. You do not need to be here to witness this. If the allegations made prove true, I would have mind linked you instantly. Now go home Angel" Alpha Jakes voice remained strong as he pleaded with his mate to leave.
"They are my children Jake. I need to see whatever has happened with my own eyes. Do not deny me this" The way she looked at her mate as he rolled his eyes before releasing his grip on her arm.
"They are not children anymore Angel" Alpha Jake snarled as he stormed my way.
We spent the next half hour scanning the area, checking for any means of escape Vanessa could have planned. It was impossible to miss the turmoil on both Alpha Jake and Luna Angels faces. Neither one of them wanted to believe their daughter capable of such things yet a part of them buried deep within had to have expected it. Before we knew it the door to the house opened, from where we hid, we waited for both Vanessa and Axel to appear. Axel didn't look nervous in the slightest he looked cool and confident. My eyes darted to his neck where Vanessas mark sat, it took a lot of self-control to stop myself from growling. I knew they had marked but until I saw it with my own eyes it hadn't sunk in.
The bleeping of Axels car as he unlocked it snapped me out of my thoughts. This was it; this is what we had been waiting for. The moment their guards were down we struck. Vanessa growled as my own father pounced from the back of the property tackling her to the ground. Fighting out of instinct Vanessa threw a punch hitting him in the jaw yet my father looked unfazed. Perk of being the packs Beta meant it would take more than some flimsy hit to knock him. I ran from my hiding place when Axel dropped to his knees not putting up a fight as a pack warrior placed silver cuffs on him. I was outraged, he was the reason we knew about this place. If it hadn't been for him then Athena would likely be dead. Picking up Athenas scent I knew she was badly hurt, the coppery smell of blood hung in the air. Diverting my gaze away from Axel I ran into the house. My heart stopped when I found her slumped against a kitchen counter, blood soaking her clothing as it seeped from her wounds. She asked me where Axel and Vanessa were to which I told her outside. Athena tried to force herself off the floor as my embrace may have floored us. Holding her up I walked us outside, the sun had risen the sky a beautiful array of colours as it bought in the new day. Luna Angel spotted us leaving the house and wasted no time in coming to Athenas aid. I continued to hold her up as Luna Angel inspected her daughter's injuries,
"I need you to tell baby who is responsible for this" Tears were streaking down the Lunas face as she held her daughters face in her hands. She knew the answer yet without hearing Athena name her attacker nothing could be done. "Athena please, I know this is hard for you, but you need to tell me"
"Va...Vanessa" was all she said before breaking into tears herself. Luna Angel's eyes glowed their freaky shade of blue as she whimpered dragging Athena down to the floor with her. My heart broke for them, no one should ever have to be put into the situation where both of their children are affected. Alpha Jake and Luna Angel were both incredibly strong as mates and leaders, but how would they survive this. They now knew what their daughter was capable of, what she had done wouldn't go unpunished and would likely result in death. A parent should never have to lose their child regardless of the situation, though everyone here knew what needed to happen. I just pray to the moon goddess that when the time comes they can survive it.