CHAPTER 149: MATE BONDED

"If you ever touch her again—"

"I’m protecting the realm," Mirea choked.

"No. You’re turning her into a weapon."

Behind him, Athena moaned again, her body arching, glowing faintly as divine energy sparked across her skin.

"I can’t stop it," she whispered. "It’s killing me—"

Lucas turned back to her, panic in his eyes.

If he didn’t act now, they’d lose her.

Not to death—but to the bond.

A forced one.

And her soul would never be hers again.

The door slammed open.

Cassius stood there, eyes wild, scent fierce with fury.

He took one look at Athena and crossed the room in two strides.

"What did they do to her?"

Lucas’s jaw clenched. "The King tried to force a mating—"

Cassius turned to Mirea, eyes glowing red. "You want power? You’ll drown in it."

In a flash, he knocked her out cold with a single blow, her body crumpling to the ground.

Then he turned to Lucas.

"This is your fault too," he spat. "You got too close. You let them know she could be broken."

Lucas didn’t respond.

Because he knew.

"We have to get her out of here," Cassius said. "Now. Before the King sends in his chosen wolf."

"But where?" Lucas asked. "She can’t walk. She can’t even think."

Cassius lifted her into his arms, holding her like glass. "I’ll carry her. You cover the gates."

Lucas hesitated. "Cassius—"

"I don’t care if you hate me," Cassius growled. "But we both love her. And I will not let her be turned into a pawn."

And for once, Lucas agreed.

They were enemies.

But for Athena, they became allies—if only for tonight.

The world came back in fragments.

The scent of crushed herbs. Damp moss. Smoke. Musk.

Athena’s eyes fluttered open—and the canopy of an unfamiliar forest loomed overhead, thick and ancient. Sunlight barely filtered through, casting everything in shadows.

Her limbs felt heavy. Her body, burning.

Heat. Again. But... not like before. This was wrong. Amplified. Feral. Like something had been triggered unnaturally inside her.

She tried to move—and found herself lying in a soft nest of furs and cloaks inside a hollowed tree structure. A sanctuary carved into nature. She wasn’t alone.

Two male scents clashed in the air, wild and dominant.

Her breath hitched as she recognized them.

Markus.

Cassius.

He was sitting at the edge of the shelter, watching her. His sharp golden eyes gleamed, wolf barely contained under his skin.

"You’re awake," he said, voice low, feral.

"What... what happened?" Athena rasped, trying to sit up, but dizziness struck. Her heat was rolling over her like crashing waves.

"You were drugged," Markus said. "Someone inside your own court tried to sedate you and manipulate your bond—push your heat into overdrive. If we hadn’t gotten to you in time..."

She shuddered. "Who?"

Markus’s jaw tightened. "We don’t know. Yet."

Behind him, Cassius emerged from the trees, shirtless, sweat-slicked, a blade strapped across his back. His energy was tense—fighting something inside himself.

Athena’s gaze shifted between them. Their scents. Their presence.

She wasn’t safe.

She was desired.

Cassius approached slowly, eyes avoiding hers.

"You’re okay," he said quietly. "We got you out. Barely."

"Why are we here?" she asked, swallowing the growing need in her throat. Her wolf was howling inside her, clawing for one of them. Or both.

"Because if you stayed in the palace, whoever did this would try again," Cassius said. "You needed to be isolated until your heat burns out."

Athena’s hands trembled. "I can’t control it."

Markus leaned closer. "That’s the point, isn’t it?"

His voice was like a growl of temptation.

Cassius stepped in between them instantly. "Back off."

"Oh, relax. I’m not going to claim her."

"You’re circling like you want to."

Markus smirked. "Because I do. But I won’t unless she begs me to."

Athena groaned, the pressure in her core nearly unbearable.

"I need... something," she gasped. "It hurts."

Markus’s eyes darkened with lust. "I can take care of you, goddess. I’ve studied how alphas ease a divine mate’s heat. It wouldn’t take long. Just say the word—"

Cassius shoved him against the bark wall. "Touch her, and I’ll tear out your throat."

Athena cried out—not from fear.

But from the fire in her veins boiling over. Her body wanted contact. Her wolf wanted to be chosen.

Cassius turned to her, chest heaving, expression torn. "You need someone to help you through this. But if I touch you... I won’t be able to stop."

"And if I do," Markus said smoothly, brushing a hand along her ankle, "I promise you’ll enjoy every second."

She whimpered—heat pulsing so violently she couldn’t breathe.

"I don’t want either of you to fight," she said, voice breaking. "But I can’t... take this. Please—just help me."

Cassius knelt in front of her. "Athena—look at me."

She met his eyes.

"I’ll stay. I’ll hold you. I’ll help you breathe through this. But I won’t do anything unless you beg me to."

Markus raised a brow. "I don’t need begging. I know what she wants."

"I said back off!" Cassius growled again.

The tension thickened. The two Alphas, both on edge, circling her with a storm of emotions—possessiveness, jealousy, restraint.

Athena’s voice cracked. "Then don’t touch me unless you love me."

The world froze.

Markus blinked. Cassius flinched.

She looked between them. "This heat—it’s not just physical anymore. Whoever did this tried to break my will. If I give in now, I lose part of myself."

Cassius lowered his head, voice shaking. "Then I’ll hold you all night. I swear. And nothing more."

Markus backed away, jaw locked. "Call me when you stop pretending that love is enough to calm a storm like that."

And he disappeared into the trees.

Cassius wrapped her in his arms, pulled her against his chest, and whispered soft nothings until her shaking slowed.

"I’ve got you," he murmured. "And I won’t let anyone use your body or your bond."

Her head rested against his shoulder. Her heat still burned—but for once, it didn’t control her.

Because someone chose to stay.

Even when she was dangerous.

Even when she was divine.

Even when it hurt.