16 Chapter 15

Athina's P.O.V.

A loud cry escaped through my lips as I slipped across the icy path and fell onto the cold snow. Shivers racked through my shine from the chilly air. But I gladly welcomed it, anything keep mind away from the kiss I shared with that man, or to numb out the pain spreading across my chest.

I sob, wheezing as my chest tightened, making it close to impossible for me to breath in the oxygen I deeply craved for. Tear after tear caressed my cheeks, I gathered my knees together, hugging onto them, as more and more sobs racked through my body. My deep red dress from last night was patched darker from the wetness the snow brought, but I paid little to no attention to that. Even as I gazed at, watching it spread through slowly as more of the snow's wetness was absorbed, my mind threatened the replay the events... the sinful kiss that led me to believe something was blooming. I foolishly let myself believe the attraction... the tension between us would bloom into something more.

I had foolishly let this man distract me from what mattered most to me. My developed feelings for him, and it let me overlook the fact he wasn't family. I naïvely gave him my heart forgetting everything else in life, only for him to crush in his hands, like meant absolutely nothing. Without any mercy, he crushed my soul and heart, and I cursed at myself for actually developing feelings for a man I knew nothing about in a short space of time. I didn't realise how stupid I was until now. I cursed at my weak heart, for letting it to allow someone other than family to enter it.

I wanted to laugh at the faces of people who believed following your heart will only lead to happiness, because it did nothing of a sort, only led to the pain and agony of an unnecessary heart-break. I needed constantly remind myself now that Zayden wasn't family. My family were out there in the arms of those cruel, bloodthirsty wolves, whose fur wasn't smooth or clean-cut like the silver wolf, but shaggy, ragged and coated in dry blood. While silver wolf -Zayden's wolf- looked like a beautiful majestic creature that belonged to the beauty of nature, the woods. The wolves that took my family were creatures of the dark that spilled blood, being a disgrace to the beauty of nature, overthrowing every good aspect.

I whimpered as the deep twilight sky awoke, soft strokes of purple and pink filled the sky, clouds as delicate the brushing of a paintbrush, surrounded a smooth glow within them, creating a path for the sun to set, and for the moon to rise. The evening, a time, that belonged neither to the day, nor the night. It stood unsure like a lost princess, not knowing which prince to choose as her partner, for the night brought danger and unexcepted challenges, but its beauty drew her in trying to tempt her into choosing the night. The day stayed clear in her path though, showing the brightness and clarity, no secrets to hid, giving her the shining truths of life, refusing to leave her in the dark like the night did. Both princes promised her many things, but she stayed indecisive.. afraid to make the wrong choice.

I found myself connecting the dots of my life to her own, I could accept the night -Zayden, but be forever condemned in the secrets and dangers he brought, or choose the day- someone my parents will choose for me as family.. as my husband. I always knew, I would be given into an arranged marriage, I had no objections or doubts to it, for I knew my parents will choose wisely, and with care. I didn't need to got through torment the night would put me under, for it would a clearer path, no pain or agony came with the light of the day, everything was left in the open for me to see, nothing will be kept from me, I would be treated as the delicate rays of the sunlight.

Letting a deep tired sigh leave my lips, I tired stood upon my shaky feet, but right now, what to choose wasn't my concern. I needed to my family, that was my goal, everything else came after. I wouldn't stand watching people suffer like he did, I was willing to fight towards the end for the people who loved and raised me.

From the strong beating of my heart, I knew the determination within me spread across my body like wildfire, the adrenaline took its course through the frayed nerves of my body, empowering me onto fight. The cold air and frosty chills were long forgotten as I stepped forward, only to hiss in pain. The side of neck, where my shoulder met, began to sting through, like cutting the soft veins again. A cry left my lips as the stinging sensation was slowly turning to an agonising pain.

I felt dried blood on my fingertips, deep roughness like dry soil that stuck on to your skin. As much as I wanted to brush or peel away the dried blood, I knew breaking the clotting will only allow more bleeding from the fresh wound.

"What sort of punishment-" I hissed in pain, holding on to my neck.

I gulped, pulling myself up, trying to find my away across the thick patches of snow, only to freeze as low menacing growls reaches my ear. I whimpered turning.

Up until now, I had no idea how to find the wolves that kidnapped my family, but as I turned to meet eyes with a shaggy charcoal wolf, I knew.. they had found me instead.