|| ATHENA's POV ||

As I stood before Godmother Mercery, her piercing gaze bore into mine with a mixture of disdain and contempt. "Athena," she said, her voice cold and unforgiving. "I trusted you, and this is how you repay me? By seducing Viktor and causing discord within our pack?"

I felt a surge of indignation rise within me at her words, my jaw clenched with anger as I met her gaze head-on. "I didn't seduce Viktor," I countered, my voice laced with defiance. "Our bond is real, and nothing you say can change that."

But Mercery's expression remained impassive, her eyes narrowed in disapproval as she regarded me with...