Moonlit Vows Of Vengeance

Chapter 38: Unwanted Entanglements

Chapter 38: Unwanted EntanglementsThen I saw Jesse. Ugh.

A lady was with him, clinging to his arm like she owned it, it was pretty petty and possessive, her eyes narrowing the moment she noticed me.

Wasn’t Jesse supposed to be used for something important? I hadn’t kept tabs, nor did I care to but I remembered Marcus telling me that the king had plans to use him for something that could potentially kill him. For some reason, seeing him here, so casually entwined with another, sent an old, bitter taste crawling up my throat.

I rolled my eyes and moved to walk past, not sparing him more than a glance. He didn’t deserve more than that.

"Athena!" His voice rang out.

I paused, spine stiffening at the sound. I didn’t turn around immediately.

"What do you need?" I asked coldly, turning only just enough to meet his eyes. His werewolves’ senses would pick up on my disdain.

He untangled himself from the she-wolf, stepping forward hesitantly. "Athena, I’m sorry. For everything. I wanted to speak with you since but I was told that you had gone for a secret mission for the king. So I’ve been waiting for you to come back. I’m sorry if I’m talking too much right now... Ijust... I was hoping we could go back to how things were before."

A laugh burst out of me, loud and mocking. Several werewolves nearby turned to look, but I didn’t care. The absurdity of his words practically demanded an audience.

"The fates must be playing some sort of sick joke on me today," I said, shaking my head in disbelief. "Go back to how we were before? And why on earth would I want to do that?"

He winced, shoulders falling. "I know I hurt you. If I could take it back—"

"But you can’t," I interrupted. "You made your choices, Jesse. I made mine."

"Athena, please. Can I speak with you for just a few minutes? Maybe somewhere a big more private—"

The other she-wolf, still watching, bared her teeth ever so slightly. Her jealousy oozed from her aura like spoiled meat, thick and sour. I wondered if she even knew what she was competing for.

I scoffed and took a step away. "Forget it."

But Jesse moved in closer. "It has something to do with your blood. I need to tell it to you."

That stopped me.

My blood?

"What are you talking about?" I asked slowly, watching his expression tighten.

He leaned closer, voice low. "I can’t say it here. But you need to hear it. It’s important, Athena.It’s really important."

Important. The word stirred something in me. I did feel fear. Just curiosity. Damn curiosity.

Lucas was still by my side, oddly silent. I didn’t need to glance at him to know he was listening.

"I’m still busy now," I said flatly, gesturing subtly to Lucas.

Jesse held up his hands. "Later. At noon. Meet me at the training grounds. It’s usually deserted at that hour. We can talk there."

"I could find your quarters instead," he added, eyes

"Athena—please—"

"Just do what you came for," I said coldly. "Whatever game you’re playing, whatever hole you’re trying to crawl your way onto—leave me out of it. I’m not interested."

I turned to walk away, but his hand shot out and gripped my wrist tightly.

"Please, Athena. Just listen to me. Please."

His grip tightened.

I could feel my wolf stir beneath my skin.

"Let. Me. Go." My voice dropped low, warning seeping into every syllable.

But Jesse held on, desperation blooming in his eyes.

"I’m begging you," he whispered. "You don’t understand what’s at stake."

"Let go of me," I said again, more forcefully.

Still, he didn’t.

So I leaned in slightly, so close our breath nearly touched.

"If you don’t let go," I whispered, "I’ll break your hands into two."

That finally made him release me—but not without one last act of sheer desperation.

He dropped to his knees.

Athena, please," he said again, voice cracking.

There was silence in the air around us. Even the wind seemed to pause.

I looked down at him, kneeling in the dirt like a man with no dignity left.

But the pity I might’ve once had was long dead.

"I’ll see myself out," I said quietly, then turned and walked away—leaving him there in the dust.