|| ATHENA's POV ||

As I stepped through the castle gates, the weight of the night's events heavy on my shoulders, I was met with Viktor's piercing gaze. His eyes bore into mine with a mixture of love and anger, his jaw clenched with tension as he approached me.

"Athena," he said, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine. "Where have you been?"

I swallowed hard, the guilt of my absence weighing heavily on my conscience as I met his gaze. "I needed some time alone," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper as I struggled to find the words to explain my actions.

Viktor's...