Moonlit Vows Of Vengeance-Chapter 38: Unwanted Entanglements

Then 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 searching mine.

"No," I said immediately, too harsh. "No one will be there at that time. We’ll speak then. At the training grounds."

He nodded once, relief flickering over his face. "Thank you."

I didn’t reply.

I turned, letting my steps fall into rhythm with Lucas’s as we walked away.

He didn’t speak at first, letting the silence coil between us like smoke. But I could feel the heat radiating from him. I didn’t know if he was angry. But why would he be angry? It didn’t make sense. It was definitely something else. anger. Maybe he was waiting for me to break the silence.

I didn’t.

We walked in silence for a while, my thoughts tangled like roots. Jesse’s voice echoed in my mind—It has something to do with your blood. What could he possibly mean?

Lucas finally spoke, voice low. "Why did you agree to meet him at noon alone?"

I sighed. "I don’t know why he wants to see me. But I want to know why. Only by meeting will I find out what."

He didn’t press. Soon he departed from me and I went to my own quarters.

Training Grounds – Noon

The wind was cold and dry when I arrived. Dust swirled along the edges of the empty field, disturbed only by my footsteps. Jesse stood in the center, arms folded, his back to me. He turned the moment he heard me approach, as if he’d been counting my steps.

"Athena," he said, relief washing over his face. "You came."

"I said I would." My voice was flat. I didn’t care for whatever game he was playing. "Now talk. What about my blood?"

He stepped forward, but I didn’t. The distance between us remained like a line drawn in blood.

"I was invited by the king to take part in an upcoming Awakening Ceremony," he began. "It’s a rare chance—a path toward elevation. A chance to bond directly with ancestral power. All it requires is a blood offering."

I narrowed my eyes. "Congratulations."

"The king says he’s not done gathering what’s needed for the rite," he continued carefully. "But it’s within reach now. Just a few items more... so for now I will be staying here until the ritual is over and I’m rewarded."

I tilted my head. "Why are you telling me this?"

He hesitated.

"Because I want you to join me. We can go to the king together and he’ll check if your blood is suitable, then you can participate too."

I scoffed. "You’re serious?"

"Athena, listen—this life you’re living, you’re just a guard. But with this ritual, your status could rise beyond anything you’ve ever known."

"You mean to say I don’t belong where I am?" My voice dropped an octave. "That I should be chasing prestige instead of serving the kingdom dutifully?"

"That’s not what I meant—"

"You knew exactly what you meant," I snapped. "Let me guess. You thought I’d swoon at the idea of becoming something ’greater’ at your side?"

A dream or a nightmare

He stepped closer, hands raised. "No, I just—"

I laughed.

It was a very loud laughter that made his brows furrow.

"So this," I said, waving a hand, "this is the important thing you dragged me here for? This is what couldn’t wait?"

"Athena—please—" freёwebnoѵel.com

"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.