Axels POV
I couldn't believe what I was hearing, Thor was snarling while pacing around in my mind. The mere thought of harming our pup had his hackles raised and my blood boiling. My father, the man I spent my childhood looking up to murdered his own pup before she had a chance to even be born. There was no way in hell I was able to do that, where he even found the strength to commit such an atrocious act baffled me. I was now seeing my father in a whole new light; he was just as big a monster as his mate. My mother I would gladly put an end to, she had never shown an ounce of love towards me growing up and now I knew why. She never wanted a son. The problem with that however was she was mated and marked by my father. If she died, he would to. He may not have been the best father growing up but at least now I knew why he was so distant not that it condoned what he had done.
I could feel the anger within me rising as Athena's grip on my hand tightened, she could feel it to. Pulling away from her I launched myself at my father unable to control my temper any longer. My fist hot and encased in flames as it connected with his jaw with such a force you'd think it was thunder. He stammered backwards struggling to remain on his feet as he clutched his jaw that I had just broken, holding it in place as it healed. He didn't retaliate which angered me more. I let a flame form in my hand before aiming it at my father's feet trapping him in a ring of fire. A ring that allowed only me and my father to enter as we had the fire element in our blood. Stepping through the wall of fire my father just stood his ground. I punched him again only this time he dodged attacking me with a jab of his own. He may be old, but the man was quick on his feet. I feel to the ground extending my claws as Thor wanted a piece of the action. With speed and accuracy, we swiped our claws towards him his blood splattering my clothes and, on the floor, as we ripped into him. He didn't want to hurt me, so he never used his power, over the years he had learned to control his anger which I knew too needed to do.
"Axel stop please. Don't do this" Athena was screaming for me to stop, but I didn't care. I was angry and needed to release it. He wasn't an innocent man by any standards, and he could take the heat, so it was best I gave him my wrath and not someone else. My father had killed more people than I fathom to count, it was how our pack gained its reputation among the highest-ranking packs sitting just a few places under the Royal Kingdom. Though one perk was that our family's security company earned well from our reputation, other species knew we had the means when it came to their protection.
"Listen to your mate Axel. Control the power do not let it control you" My father's voice remained strong regardless of the injuries I had caused him.
My breathing began to regulate as Athena sent waves of calm through our bond. Thor however had other ideas, he wanted both my parents gone and what better way to do that then killing my father, letting his death kill my mother with the bond they shared. Two birds and one stone so to speak. I dropped the flame wall just as Thor took full control, blocking the bond from Athena temporarily, that way she wouldn't be a distraction to him. I was forced to watch from the back of my mind as they attacked each other, me my father wouldn't hurt but Thor, he was savage so father would hurt him if needed. Both his body and mine covered in cuts as they clawed and bit one another, chunks of flesh hanging off from the attacks. My father's Beta was quick to intervene nearly ripping the door from its hinges as he entered the room. Stepping between Thor and my father wanting the fight to end knowing if my father's wolf came forward things would only end with one of us dead. Thor went for the beta his claws piercing his shoulder before slinging him against the wall with a growl that shook the entire room. I watched with fear as Thor went to rip my father's heart from his chest only for Athena to knock him away taking his place. My hand embedded in her chest my fingers around her heart each beat it made vibrating against my skin. My heart stopped beating for a split second hoping and praying it wasn't too late, that Thor had registered it was no longer my father, but our mate. Thor suddenly retreated the veil of anger having lifted as he took in what he was about to do. I carefully released my fingers from her heart, blood dripping from her mouth running down her chin. I pulled my hand from her chest leaving her heart intact, but a gaping hole was left behind. What had I done?
"Axel... I" her eyes glowing brighter blue than ever before as she collapsed to the ground coughing up splutters of blood, her wolf struggling to repair the damage I had caused.
"You're ok Athena you're ok" I cradled her head in my lap constantly stroking her face as I listened to every beat of her heart. Slowly the open wound began to heal, the sounds of bones grinding and cracking as her rib cage was reformed. The sight and sounds made my stomach churn, I had never been faint hearted until now. Until it was my mate.
Athena's POV
The last thing I remembered was Axel's hand embedded in my chest, the feeling of his hand around my heart both scary and electrifying. Looking around I know exactly where I am for, I had been here many times before. This place never changed, the grass always emerald green, the water like crystal. You could see every type of fish that resides in the lake. The first time I came here I was scared but when I met her, my great grandmother I relaxed a new sense of peace flowing within me.
"Hello again Athena, I'd ask how you are but we both know the answer to that already" I smiled as I ran into the arms my great grandmother our moon goddess. This woman never aged a day forever stuck at the age she was when she gained her title, the day her human body died. A story I hope to hear one day.
"I couldn't let him kill his father, he would never have forgiven himself" my worries seemed to wash away the longer I was in her embrace, a feeling that still weirded me out.
"I know child. You did the right thing regardless of the repercussions. I know you feel I have let you down, that I'm not watching over you as I should, but I assure you Athena, everything that has and will happen is for a reason"
"How is Hector? Can you tell me?" The smile she had faltered, her blue eyes that matched my own held nothing but uncertainty and sadness. She didn't control the lives of the wolves she created once they were sent from the moon realm, something I knew she wished she could rectify.
"I can show you, but I must warn you it isn't good. Prepare yourself child for he is not remotely out of the woods yet" taking my hand in hers I watched as she closed her eyes holding both our hands over the lake. A few seconds of silence filled the air before I saw Hector. The lake acting as a window into the operating room of the Gemstone hospital. The moon goddess gripped my hand tighter preventing me from pulling away at the sight before me, keeping the picture in place. The knife had been removed from Hectors chest, but blood continued to arise. The doctors remained incredibly calm as they continued to work. One nurse held what looked like a mini vacuum as it sucked the leaking blood away keeping the area clean and clear so the doctor could fix the problem. The machines began going crazy as Hectors body started convulsing. He was having a seizure and by the looks on the doctors face it wasn't a good sign. I wanted to keep watching to see him stop and wake up, but the picture faded away. "Athena your time is almost up, I truly wish you the best of luck. One thing I can tell you is that the witch you need to break your sister's bond, is the witch that caused it be it by will or by death. One thing to bare in mind is that by removing the bond before the time is right it will cost an innocent their life. You know I would tell you more if I were able, but you're of my blood so your future is hidden from me. I do know that we will see each other again and it will be under better circumstances I promise you. Good luck my darling granddaughter love be with you always" my surroundings once again faded away before I felt my eyelids being probed, a bright light flashing into them causing me to wince at the intrusion.
"Oh my goddess you came back. I'm so-so sorry Athena. I have no excuses for what I have done, for what I almost did to you. I only hope you can forgive me" I cupped Axel's face as he hovered over me while I remained on the floor of his father's office, his father nowhere to be seen.
"Hector, I need to see him" I tried to find the strength to stand but failed. Venus was unconscious in my mind, her own strength diminished as she healed me.
"He's fine. The doctor said he had a seizure but that they closed his wound and now he's resting. He won't wake for some time, he's lucky very lucky. Had the blade been a hairline further to the right it would have punctured his heart" I let out the shaky breath I hadn't realised I was holding before remembering what the moon goddess had told me.
"I know who we need to break the bond between you and Vanessa, but it comes with a price"
"Who? Whatever it is Athena, I'll pay it"
"Your mother, but the price is the pup, Axel. If the bond is broken before the time is right the pup would die"