Page 80 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate

Chapter 16 - Athena

Athena was laughing—actually laughing.

It startled her.

The sound spilled from her lips, unfiltered and bright. Her head tilted back, her hair blowing in soft streaks across her face. Her eyes shimmered beneath the rising moon. For a brief, impossible moment, she felt... light. Like the war outside had finally paused to let her breathe. Caleb’s joke wasn’t even that funny, but the way he said it made it impossible not to laugh.

She had been training alone when she saw a figure approach her. He had condemned her movements and had mentioned, “My grandmother could win you in a sparring without even trying.”

It had made her laugh rather than offend her. She knew she had many improvements to make in combat, but it was heartening to see someone call her out on it.

She liked it here. She liked how the people smiled with their whole faces, how their magic hummed in the air without a hint of shame. She liked how she was starting to feel bright again.

Her newfound acquaintance had introduced himself as Caleb, and she guessed he was a hunter from his attire. He had offered to help her out, and she had accepted the offer, since it was harmless.

Caleb was adjusting her stance and made her turn around when she sighted Marcus from a distance.

His boots hit the ground fiercely as he approached them, his shoulders rigid. The gold of his wolf eyes flickered beneath his lashes. He was angry, she could feel it.

“Athena,” he barked.

The sound cracked through her like a whip. She turned, blinking. “Yes?”

His eyes didn’t move to her. They were fixated on Caleb. If looks could burn, the hunter would have been reduced to ashes now.

What was wrong with him? She wondered.

Marcus stepped closer as his body slid between them like a drawn sword.

“Can we talk?” he bit out. “Alone.”

Athena stiffened as her smile died. He was interrupting her training session.

“It can wait,” she stated.

“It can’t,” he said sharply.

There was no warmth in his voice, and Athena sighed.

Caleb’s stance shifted, his hand inching toward the dagger at his hip. “The lady said—”

Marcus was on him in a blink. He grabbed Caleb on the neckline of his shirt and pinned him against the nearest tree, his forearm pressed against the other hunter’s throat. His voice was low and deadly.

“Don’t,” Marcus snarled, his wolf flashing gold in his eyes, “ever presume to speak for her.”

The clearing went dead silent.

Athena ran to Marcus’s side, her magic sparking white at her fingertips. “Let him go.”

For a heartbeat, Marcus didn’t move. Then he released Caleb with a shove that sent the hunter stumbling and coughing for air. Athena blinked.

Caleb gave her a side glance and a short nod before backing off, though clearly confused.

Athena waited until Caleb was out of earshot, then turned on Marcus as her heart tumbled in her chest.

“What was that?” she queried.

Without responding, Marcus turned on his heel and walked away from the field.