Athena Crimson ✓

CHAPTER 16

(Victor's POV)

I am shaking with anger. I really can't believe she was the target. Not a silver bullet... damn... That is why I am alive. No wolf, not even an Alpha can take a silver bullet to his heart or somewhere close and live to tell the tale. I had just brushed off the thought, not thinking through. Sure, being the Alpha, even if there is slight chance that I could survive a silver bullet, I couldn't have been out of bed for a week, minimum. I should have realized the moment I woke up, I mean I got shot at night and here I am, safe and healthy in the morning. If only I get the person behind all this shit, I will rip his heart out of his body. My mate. No one will harm her. I hear myself growling and see Athena in shock.

Shocked because of my growl or due to the position she is now, I don't know. I must comfort her. I go near her and pull her into my arms. She doesn't resist. My guard slipped once and I got hurt. Thankfully it was me and not her. I would have gone insane, if she had got hurt. I will protect my mate with my life and take more than a bullet if it means keeping her safe.

"Athena, look at me" I put my finger under her chin and make her look at me. "I will protect you no matter what. Don't worry. Do you by any chance know who could be behind all this."

She shakes her head and mutters a 'no'. I guessed that much. My sweet mate possibly cannot have any enemies at least not anyone that she knows directly. They cannot be linked to me, as I knew that she was my mate only a day ago and no one else knew... not even my beta, except...

I feel her shivering, and pull her even closer. I mind link my pack police to bring him in. He is the only one who knew that she is my mate, before we went to the dinner.

"Luna, do your parents have enemies that you may know of." Z speaks up. "No" she whispers.

I can tell Z knows something, but isn't telling it aloud. "Z what's it that you are not telling me", I bark in frustration. Z always speaks straight to the point. But now he seems to be beating around the bush and it's getting me edgy.

"I must apologize to both of you Alpha and Luna" Z bows and continues "but my intentions were pure." I started to get agitated and before I said anything Z puts his hands up in surrender, "I had investigated about Luna, but I didn't know that she is your mate then Alpha" he adds quickly.

"What?" Me and Athena yell at the same time.

"Alpha, I have never seen you with a date, or witnessed you being with any woman except for professional deals or stuff like that. I realized she must be special to you. But I just didn't want her to be a spy from any enemies we have, so I did a background check on her" Z tells with his eyes fixed to the ground.

Oh crap.

"Though your intentions were good, I still don't like that you snooped on me Z" Athena replies.

I really don't know what to tell. I know Z did it in best interests and he didn't know that she was my mate at that time. But at the same time my wolf gets angry knowing that he had done a background check on my MATE!

Before I can say something, I hear Athena speaking "It's okay though, I forgive you, but never do something like that to me... ever again, because once you lose my trust, you lose it permanently, there won't be any going back" she continues calmly.

"Thank you, Luna! my loyalty rests only in Alpha Victor and now you Luna, it will never waver. I will prove to you that I am worthy of your trust. Thanks again" Z says, his eyes look up to us again and he visibly relaxes.

Okay. My mate really is Luna material. She didn't even let me interfere in this and took care of it as quickly as possible. I feel pride rising in me... MY MATE!

I speak up "Okay Z, tell us what you got when you did the background check?"

"Luna Athena comes from the Crimson family who have been known for their discipline and traditions with respect to business and personal lives. When I say that they are rich, I really mean it, very similar to your financial status Alpha. But Luna prefers to lead a simple life and makes a living out of being a food blogger, lives on her own, away from her parents and has just one close friend, Betty and hasn't had any boyfriends. Am I correct till here Luna?"

She nods.

My mate really does have a unique personality... to lead a simple life when she is that rich... She knows her priorities...Plus she has never had a boyfriend. Not that I will be bothered, if she had had them. What matters to me is the future not the past. Yet I cannot be a happier man.

Z breaks my thoughts by continuing "Your parents are overprotective of you Luna, they watch your every step and for some unknown reason you keep reporting to them. That's it, everything else is perfectly alright. No discrepancies, which is why I personally feel something is not right. Every case I have investigated has had something abnormal in it, because no one is perfect. But in the Crimson family, not a hair is out of line."

"It is just the way we are Z, there is nothing wrong with it" Athena says, I can feel her anger rising at the accusation of being too normal.

"With all due respect Luna, your parents are hiding something from you which you have no idea about. No parent will be this protective over their child, something's wrong" Z says.

"Z" I growl low, warning him. He keeps saying things about her family, of course he is my friend from childhood and I will trust him with my life but I can't let him degrade my mate's family, not in front of her at the least. What has gotten into him?

"You don't have to trust me. But you will, once you ask your parents about what they are hiding from you" he says it with a determination that I have seen him have only when he is absolutely sure.

{Hey peeps! I'm back and will post regularly! Please Vote, follow and comment!}