Athena Crimson ✓

CHAPTER 39

(Victor's POV)

We had a very long day. It has been 3 hours after the marking. Athena is still asleep, and it is starting to worry me. Usually during marking, the females will get unconscious but will wake up within an hour. I am thinking if I should call the doctor. No... its not that uncommon to sleep a little extra. Besides it is already past midnight. I should let her sleep. No, I should wake her and check if she's alright, and then let her sleep. I'll probably wait for another hour.

Immediately after marking her, I closed her wound. She was whimpering as I cleaned the mark, and I applied the balm as quickly as I can and she instantly stopped whimpering. I bandaged her neck and informed Z and my dad about the marking and requested them to take over stuff for a day. I wanted to be with her, as she recovers. Marking Athena was the most exhilarating thing I've ever done. I felt the white light engulf us. The white light is the mate bond, entwining us for life. I felt immense happiness but at the same time, I could feel Athena's pain through the bond. I heard her scream in pain as I marked her and then she passed out. It was heartbreaking to know that I was the cause of the pain, I have never hated myself more. I should have done more research to avoid the pain. But I couldn't find any. I am happy that I claimed my mate, but I also feel guilty, even if it was with her consent. I just hope she can forgive me.

I wrap my arms around her and pull her to my chest.

"Please wakeup love... I'm sorry... I know the marking hurt you... I'm sorry" I keep repeating.

She stirs "Sorry for what?" she croaks.

I get her some water, which she gulps down quickly. "Why were you apologizing?"

"The marking hurt you pretty bad. I could feel your pain through the bond. I am sorry. I should have searched for other options to make it painless. I should have-" I say as she interrupts me

"Victor, there is no need to apologize, you informed me that it will hurt. I signed up for it regardless. So don't worry. Besides, even though the pain was intense, it lasted only a moment and then I think I fell unconscious and I don't feel any pain now. In fact, I feel very refreshed and brisk. I am just happy that you marked me, and now I can flaunt that I am 'The Alpha's mate'" she giggles trying to cheer me.

"Seriously Victor, don't beat yourself. I am sure there is no other painless option, because if there was any option, you would have found it. Let's leave it at that. I am excited for our relationship. And I want my mate to be happy that he claimed me. Aren't you happy that you got me? You know I am such a prize..." she flips her hair and I can't stop chuckling. She is just cuteness personified.

"I am beyond happy Athena. I cannot explain it through words. I too am excited for us. I love you so much... You sure, you don't feel any pain?" I ask her still feeling guilty, despite her assurance.

She rolls her eyes, "Come on, Victor, I am fine, I don't feel any pain. I am happy. So, drop it. Now follow me." She drags me to the dressing table.

"Yes mam"

"Can you remove the bandage? I want to see the mark." She asks excited.

"Yeah sure. It should have healed by now. Thanks to the balm." I tell her as I remove it delicately, expecting her to flinch in pain. But she doesn't, the balm worked. The mark has healed completely and she doesn't feel any pain.

I look at my mark on her neck, while she does the same through the mirror. Two small circles are present, where my fangs pierced. The circles are warped words – Victor & Athena.

"Oh my god, this is so cool" she exclaims, and I touch her mark and she jumps.

"Did it hurt?" I ask concerned.

"No Victor, It was as if I felt a thousand butterflies in my stomach. It felt so good." Athena tells shocked and pleasantly surprised.

I relax visibly, "Thank god! For a moment there I thought, the mark didn't heal properly. Those butterflies you felt, that will happen only when I touch the mark. If someone else does, you will feel the touch repulsive and disgusting."

"Wow" Athena says and inspects the mark again.

"Don't females in your pack mark the males?" she asks me taking me by surprise.

Does she want to mark me?

"No, males generally don't allow their mate to mark them. I find that mindset pretty backwards. Both the mates should be able to mark each other. Because, mates belong to each other. You belong to me just like how I belong to you. Some males do allow their female mate to mark them, but it isn't common practice. Speaking of which, do you want to mark me?" I ask

"I wish, but I am only human." She says pouting.

"I wish you had fangs" I tell her, resting my chin on her forehead and looking at her through the mirror.

"I don't want fangs! That would be way too uncomfortable and creepy. I want you to carry my mark though. To show the females, you are taken." She tells her voice laced with jealousy.

"Are you jealous, love?" I ask her

"Maybe, maybe not..." she tells me, her eyes lighting up suddenly.

"I have an idea, please tell yes. Please tell yes!" she starts jumping.

"Yes! Anything for you. What should I do?" I ask her.

"Get a tattoo. On your neck. A tattoo that looks like my mark. Like the circles on my neck with our names warped. The only difference will be- you marked me, whereas yours will be tattooed, but it will look the same. Please agree. I know it may hurt but please..." she pleads

That is a brilliant idea. I'll go through any amount of agony to make her happy. Pain due to tattooing will be nothing to me, she doesn't have to worry about it.

I laugh, "Consider it done Love"

"Yayy!" She twirls around happily and becomes serious all of sudden, "It may hurt you know? I know you are a big bad alpha, but I thought I should warn you just like you did to me" she tells me.

"Love, pain from tattooing is nothing, compared to the pain from actual marking. And you braved that pain for me. I am a big man and can take it easily. Don't worry about it. I wont even feel the tattoo needle. Seriously though, if you had come up with any other painful version, I still would have agreed, no matter what it was. Anything for you." I kiss her forehead.

"Good for you, so can we go now? To get your tattoo?" she says and hugs me.

"Love, it is almost 4 am. I will make the tattoo person come here tomorrow, now rest" I tell her pointing to the bed.

We both get comfortable and cuddle each other, "Victor, can you take a day off and stay with me..."

"I have already informed Z and my dad, They, will cover for me."

"Really! Remind me to thank them both" she says.

I laugh, "Z has specifically told me that, we must return his favour by giving him day offs when he finds his mate. My dad on the other hand, is more than happy to help me. He always told me when I was younger, that he wished he spent more time with my mom, when he marked her in the beginning, but couldn't do so, due to alpha duties. So he is glad to do it for me."

"That is so nice of him" Athena tells yawning.

"Sleep love. Good night."

"More like Good morning Victor" she giggles and before I know it I hear her soft snores and I fall asleep.

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