Page 78 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate

The words slipped out, unguarded and threaded with guilt.

“I’m Athena Meadows,” she said with a mock toss of her head. “I made it work.”

She studied him for a moment. Then looked out toward the trees.

“Chicago was first. I used a different name. I stayed on the run from witch hunting for months. I couldn’t trust anyone. I learned a lot about my magic there, too, and picked up one or two tricks.”

“Like breaking out of magic restraints?” he teased.

She grinned. “Please. Magic restraints are laughably basic. Half the witch population already knows how to break out of those cuffs. You guys need better tools. Upgrade.”

“Noted,” he said gently.

“Why did you choose to be a kindergarten teacher?” he asked.

Her smile faded into something softer. “Ellensburg wasn’t my first safehouse. But it was where I stayed longest. When I became heavier, everything changed. Riley became my mission. I moved there and had him. Teaching kindergarten was the safest way to blend in and stay close to him. Everyday.

His expression softened.

She did everything for their son.

Then, gently, she turned the question on him. “Why did you become a hunter?”

He swallowed hard.

To find you.

The words scraped the back of his throat, itching for freedom.

Because I was miserable without you. Because I needed to feel like I was doing something instead of drowning.

But he couldn’t say them.

“To have a purpose,” he said instead. “A different one than the path I was born into.”

It wasn’t a lie, but it also wasn’t the entire truth.

She watched him carefully.

“Did you get it?” she asked.

He took a deep breath as he reflected on the question.

At first, yes. Being a hunter was fulfilling initially. The work had meaning. Structure. But things had fallen apart after the exposure of corruption within the order; it felt like he had spent six years fighting the wrong enemy. Capturing innocentwitches and serving the darkness in disguise because they were blind to the truth. Was that a life of purpose? He didn’t think so.

He had a lot of regrets; he was sure every member of their squad did.

Before he could formulate his response, he turned to her when he noticed her head slowly tilt to the side. She had fallen asleep. He watched her as she took light breaths. She was easing around him, and he appreciated that.

She looked so peaceful like this. So at ease. And for a moment, he allowed himself to feel that same peace as he sat beside her.

***

Marcus had just finished sparring with some hunters on Dominic’s request.

It was already evening, and the clouds had begun to darken, but he hadn’t seen Athena all day as he was occupied.

He made his way out of the training grounds when he spotted her on the other side.