DUSK.
Before he could bring his hand down, I screamed.
"Tell him to stop it! Now!!" I said, and her eyes widened in fear.
"Lucius stop!" She screamed, and his hands were just inches from delivering a deadly blow to my neck.
"Okay, he stopped; now stop.” She said, and I looked at the silver hairpin. I had managed to do what I didn't intend to do. The pin was right on her heart, pressing deeper with every second.
Her face was screwed up in pain.
"Please stop." She begged, but I didn't.
"Free him." I said, and she looked into his eyes. In seconds, Lucius shook his head and staggered. He caught his balance and looked around him, breathing heavily.
He looked around at the scene before him, and I could see a million questions flash through his eyes.
<<<
Athena looked at us like she couldn't care less. She had been bound in chains, and I, Seline, Lucius, Marcus, Ethan, and Lucius' men stood in front of her.
"I'm going to ask a few questions, and your inability to answer them would get you killed in the slowest way possible.” Ethan said, and she scoffed.
"I'm still going to die, right? I'll bear it. Isn't it just torture?” She asked, and Ethan smiled.
"I love your bravery. It'll be quite sweet to find out if the old story my grandma once told me about vampires growing new legs is true. You'll be here watching your arms and legs in front of you, and trust me, they'll be cut slowly, vein after vein, flesh after flesh.” He said, and Athena gulped.
"What do you want to know?” She asked with a stony look, and Ethan stood up straight.
"It's common knowledge that vampires can't compel wolves. How did you compel our Alpha?” He asked, and she looked at Lucius.
"I was born different. I was the only vampire among my people who could compel anyone, including my fellow vampires. And that was why I was cast out. It's no mystery; it's just my rare ability of being able to compel everyone.” She said, and Marcus stepped up.
"Why didn't you just compel the guards and eat them? Why did you need Lucius?” He asked, and she blinked rapidly.
"Wolves can't deny the call or command of their Alpha. I needed Lucius to control them.” She said, and Marcus growled.
"Why didn't you just compel them?” He asked again, and she looked at him.
"Because I can compel everyone, but that's only if their mind is weak. Your Alpha, as strong as he is, had been rendered weak by all his insecurities and fears; it was very easy for me to get in his mind.” She said, and Seline held up a hand.
"So, you can't compel people who are in total control of their minds?" She asked, and Seline nodded.
"That's just what I said. The funniest part of it all was getting that guy to rub his hands in blood. He's also insecure, and our pretty Alpha here saw him and fell for my bait.” She said and laughed. That got everyone annoyed.
"Execute her." Lucius said and left.
I followed him immediately.
"I know she's done a lot, but don't execute her. I don't want her beheaded.” I said, and he turned to look at me.
"You don't want her beheaded; what do you want?” He asked, and I looked at him.
"A single thrust to the heart would do. I don't want something as cruel as that.” I said because, as crazy as it was, I couldn't watch Athena having her head cut off.
"I heard you. And... thank you.” He said, and I froze.
He had thanked me, and it had sounded so genuine, as though he really meant it. But then, he probably did. If it wasn't for me, he'd have done a lot more.
"You're welcome." I said and smiled.
He looked at me and smiled in return. Then he walked away.
I gave a sigh and went back to where Athena was captured.
"Lucius says not to behead her. A thrust to the heart with a silver knife will do.” I said, and Marcus looked at me.
I looked at Athena, and she looked at me. For a moment, I saw someone different. Someone who only wanted somewhere to belong. Someone who wanted to be embraced and loved, someone who didn't want to have to hide. But she had messed with the wrong people. She had come to the wrong kingdom, to the wrong pack.
She looked away, and her eyes fell to the floor.
It was game over for her.
Seline stared at her in contempt.
"Vampires will forever be enemies to wolves. You are pathetic.” She said and turned around, leaving. "Come on, dusk." She said, and I and Athena shared one last look before I turned and left.
I didn't know how I felt as I left, but I didn't feel good. I didn't feel victorious.
The news of Athena being the culprit was kept a secret to evade the questions that'd come our way.
Throughout that day, I felt a gloom settle over me. I tried to paint, but I didn't feel the inspiration, nor did I feel like doing anything.
Immediately after dinner, I went up to my room and sat on the bed.
After a long time of staring at the door, I buried myself in the covers.
I guessed that news of someone dying wasn't exactly what I had considered victorious.
I fell asleep only to wake up shortly due to the sound of my door opening.
"Hello oh. Look who it is. Our handsome Alpha's beautiful mate.” Athena said, and I stood up, looking at her.
How had she escaped? She had been bound in chains.
"Oh, don't try to think too far. How did she get out? She was bound in chains. Well, sweetheart, you helped me.” She said. Lucius came in with red eyes, and she smirked.
"What did you see in my eyes when you stared at me? Someone pitiful? Someone lonely? That's quite kind of you.”
And I stared at her speechlessly.
"Lucius, finish her."