Athènia's POV
??? : Athènia, my dear.
I open my eyes and see my mother standing in front of me.
Athènia : Mom...
Nancia : You've grown so much, my darling.
Athènia : Mom, why did you leave me and Jiji?
I cry as I speak to her. She wipes my tears with her hand.
Nancia : I'm sorry, my dear, but it was my destiny. You don't know how much I miss you both.
I hold her hand and look at her.
Athènia : I wish you had stayed… maybe the king would never have hated us.
Nancia : No, he doesn't hate you.
Athènia : But he said it himself.
Nancia : No, my dear, he's only afraid of losing you.
Athènia : But his hatred isn't justified. In just a few seconds, he believed you were going to kill him. He threw away all the love he claimed to have. No, it wasn't love—it was just a fleeting relationship. And Jiji and I are the result of that fleeting relationship.
Nancia : Don't say that, my darling…
Athènia : But it's the truth, Mom. And I don't have time to think about my family. I need to prepare to defeat an enemy who wants to destroy us. So, Mother, I won't think about the king for now.
The dream ends, and I wake up. I sit up, gasping for air, clutching my chest as I try to catch my breath. I glance to the side and see Atlas waking up.
Athènia : Good morning, Atlas.
Atlas : Good morning, Athènia.
I stand as he regains the strength to get up.
Athènia : Good morning, Kora.
Kora : Morning, Lis.
Atlas takes my bag and hands it to me with a smile. I take it and thank him with a smile of my own. I open my bag and give him a brioche.
Atlas : I have enough strength to walk already.
Athènia : Yes, but this will help you even more.
I insist, taking another brioche for myself and eating it as we walk. Atlas follows me. I don't know why I thought to bring food and water for what was supposed to be just a short walk with my friends. I contact Tevi through our mental link.
Athènia : Tevi, we're stuck in SACHO's cave. Please, someone outside needs to stand at the entrance to open the passage.
Tevi : I'm on my way right now, Supreme.
Atlas : Athènia, what exactly are you?
Athènia : A hybrid—half witch, half werewolf.
Atlas looks at me, a little shocked.
Athènia : Yeah, I know, it's shocking. But please, there are other allies stuck in here too.
Atlas : Hybrids...?
Athènia : No. The future Alpha of Silver Moon and the future Lord of the Vampires.
This time, his eyes widen in shock.
Atlas : What!? I thought you were all enemies.
Athènia : We are. But to defeat the Supreme, we must unite. And please—I don't want them to know who I really am.
Atlas : Is it normal to keep secrets from allies?
Athènia : It's not normal, but the Goddess herself told me to keep my identity hidden from them.
Atlas : Then why tell me?
Athènia : Because, like my other hybrid allies, I trust you. I'll introduce you to them when we get out.
We arrive at the place where the seven caves divide. We find the Alpha and the vampire sleeping in each other's arms. If she weren't his mate, I might have been jealous—but I don't care.
Atlas : That's them.
Athènia : Yes, that's them.
Atlas : And why are they sleeping as if they weren't enemies?
Athènia : Because they're mates.
I look at them.
Athènia : Come on, wake up, you lazy marmots.
I admit—I just used my Alpha tone, which I probably shouldn't have.
Kora : You're pushing it, Lis. Naynah will realize you used the Alpha tone.
She growls.
Athènia : I know, but she won't. She was in a deep sleep when I used it. If I spoke normally, she wouldn't have woken up. Anyway, both of them were in a deep sleep, so they won't notice.
The two wake up, rubbing their eyes.
Kemran : Do you have to shout so loudly?
Athènia : Is it my fault you were sleeping like rocks?
Naynah : You could have woken us more gently.
Athènia : That's the price you pay for fooling around while stuck in a cave.
I turn to Atlas.
Athènia : It's morning. Mr. Ken will surely be here soon. Let's go, Atlas.
Atlas and I start walking toward the main entrance while the other two stand up.
Athènia : Tevi, are you there?
Tevi : Almost there, Supreme.
We reach the wall.
Athènia : Let's wait a little.
Atlas : Are you sure someone's coming?
Athènia : I'm sure T… Mr. Ken will arrive any minute.
Then we hear Tevi's voice.
Ken : Athènia, where are you?
Athènia : Mr. Ken, we're inside.
We hear footsteps approaching, and the passage opens.
Athènia : Quickly, let's get out. The passage will close in 30 seconds.
We hurry out, the passage closes, and we sigh in relief.
Tevi : Athènia, are you okay? You're not hurt?
Athènia : I'm fine.
His worried expression turns to anger.
Tevi : Now tell me—what were you doing in that cave?
Kemran : clears throat
Tevi : And what are those marks on your neck?
Naynah blushes in embarrassment. That's what happens when you fool around while trapped.
Naynah : Uh, we…
Athènia : What she means is that we heard a voice singing and followed it into the cave. Then we got trapped. Oh, goodness, that cave is full of bugs that bite. I think they especially love werewolf blood.
I tease them, while Tevi's shocked expression shifts when he notices Atlas behind me.
Tevi : Atlas.
Atlas : Ken.
Athènia : Wait—you two know each other?
Tevi : Yes. Atlas was my classmate. Then one day, he vanished without a trace.
Atlas : I was imprisoned by the Supreme.
Tevi : Let's return to camp.
We walk toward the camp.
Tevi : Supreme, what happened?
Athènia : We found out what happened 17 years ago.
Tevi : I'm glad you didn't end up killing each other.
Athènia : Honestly, I'm surprised too. Tell me, Tevi—do you know Macerson HOODS?
Tevi : He's the greatest seer of all time. Unfortunately, he disappeared and was never found.
Athènia : He's inside that cave.
Tevi : What!?
Athènia : Yes, he's still alive, but he can't leave the cave until I kill the Supreme, Im.
Tevi : So… you're allies now.
Athènia : Yes, but they don't know who I really am—and I want it to stay that way.
Tevi : Understood, Supreme.
He cuts the mental link just as we're almost at camp.
Tevi : Atlas, where have you been all this time?
Atlas : I was trapped in that cave all these years.
Tevi : My poor friend… you must have suffered greatly. And my condolences, my dear friend. Do you know…?
Atlas : Yes, I know. The Supreme Im killed my family. I will stand by Athènia to defeat him.
Tevi : As will we all.
He says, glancing at me. We arrive.
Tevi : Atlas, come with me. The rest of you, be here at 8 sharp, understood?
Naynah : Yes, sir.
We each head to our cabins. The moment I step inside, I'm pulled into a tight hug.
Mara : You're crazy—you really scared me.
Asher : Yeah, we didn't sleep all night.
Athènia : I'm sorry I worried you. But I discovered some things.
Garth : In the meantime, someone wants to see you.
Athènia : Who?
He steps aside, and I see a man sitting on the couch. He has green eyes and the iconic blonde hair of the family.
Athènia : Uncle Kevine.
Kevine : Hello, Athènia.
He stands and walks toward me.
Kevine : My son wasn't wrong—you are very different from the GRONDS family.
He remarks.
Garth : Lis, did you discover the enemy we must face?
I nod.
Athènia : Yes, I've almost uncovered the enemy. My mother.
Mara : You know who your mother is?
Athènia : Yes.
Asher : Who is she?
Athènia : The sister of the Alpha of Silver Moon—Nancia DELMAL.
They stare at me in shock.
Mara : Wait a minute…
Asher : The Alpha is your cousin!!
Garth : And you share the same mate.
Athènia : I know. I've had quite a life, haven't I?
I walk over and collapse on the couch. My uncle sits on one side of me, MJ on the other. I'm completely exhausted after this hellish night. I need a break.