Athena’s POV
“You’re shaking.”
The word Luna sliced through me like a knife dipped in venom. I turned slowly, and there she was—Emily Lunethra—in all her red-silk, high-heeled glory, smiling like she hadn’t just shattered the last piece of me with a crown announcement.
My lips parted, but nothing came out.
I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe.
Inside the ballroom, I saw Varianth stood with his back turned to us, surrounded by Alphas, laughing softly at something someone said.
“You look pale,” Emily said, stepping closer. “Are you cold?”
“I’m fine,” I said, already trying to move past her.
I didn’t want to talk. I didn’t want to be near her. But she reached out and grabbed my arm, yanking me back hard.
“Let me go,” I snapped, pulling my arm free.
Emily smiled, unfazed. “You know I’m not the kind to sugarcoat things, so let me get this straight. I know you think Varianth sees you. He doesn’t. He’s just soft-hearted. He feels bad for broken things.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said.
“Oh come on,” she said. “I saw how you looked at him. You actually think you can have him?”
I turned to walk away again, but she didn’t let me.
“If I were you,” she said, her voice low, “I’d get rid of that baby growing in your wolfless womb.”
I stopped walking. Everything in my body locked up. I turned slowly and stared at her. “What did you just say?”
Emily smiled wider. “You’re pregnant. And you’re hoping Varianth will take you as his mate.”
My stomach dropped. I couldn’t speak. I had told no one. No one but Emma. My mouth opened, but nothing came out.
She stepped closer. “Don’t act surprised. You really thought no one would find out? You think the Alpha King sleeps with someone in secret and it stays buried? Someone always finds out. And now, so do I.”
My heart was racing. I couldn’t make sense of what was happening.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, even though it was obvious I did.
Emily leaned in. “Don’t you? Let me make it clear then. Varianth is mine. He’s going to name me Luna. You? You were a mistake. Nothing more.”
I couldn’t handle it. I turned and walked away fast, not caring if anyone saw. I just needed to get out. My hands were shaking. My face was burning. My chest felt tight like I couldn’t breathe right.
As I turned the corner into one of the side halls, I ran straight into someone. Strong hands caught me before I could fall. I looked up and saw him. Varianth.
He held me steady, eyes searching mine. “Athena. Where are you going?”
“I need to go home,” I said.
He didn’t move. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“I just—” My throat tightened. “I need to leave. Please.”
He let go. I walked out of the packhouse without looking back. My steps were fast, unsteady. I didn’t care if people stared. I climbed into the car and slammed the door shut. I didn’t stop shaking the entire ride to Emma’s.
When I got there, I didn’t knock. I walked straight into her house. She looked up from the kitchen, surprised. “Athena?”
“What the hell?” I said. “Why did you tell someone?”
Emma stepped forward. “Tell someone what?”
“Emily knows,” I said. “She knows everything. About the baby. About the night with Varianth.”
Emma’s face dropped. “Who the fuck is Emily? I didn’t tell anyone. I swear.”
“Emily is Varianth’s…I don’t know! But how does she know?” I shouted. “I only told you.”