June and Zeus grew closer. They trained together, ate together and only separated at night. So much so that Georgina summoned June when she got the complaints from the other girls who felt sidelined.
“I believe you know that the Alpha will be choosing his bride soon.” Georgina said to June in her office.
June was confused at the sudden need to see her and couldn’t understand where the conversation was headed.
“Yes, I do.” She responded and Georgina continued.
“The Alpha can’t do that if you are always taking up his time.” She said, “I could have someone train you, make you the best you can be. Do you understand what I am asking, child?”
June nodded. She wanted her to stay away from Zeus. “I think you should speak to the Alpha concerning it.”
Georgina felt slapped but she managed a smile. “I understand your fear of Zeus, But I promise he won’t hurt you if you make your stance clear to him.”
June remained silent.
“Don’t you want to be a part of this pack? You can’t be integrated if you are always seen with the alpha. You can’t grow like that. I will give you a job, and help your smooth transition into this pack. You just need to leave the Alpha’s house.”
June didn’t buy the idea. She knew the only reason she was alive was as a result of her proximity to Zeus. Besides, she couldn’t trust anyone as she did him.
“The mating ceremony is two days away. I don’t think my presence would hinder the Alpha from choosing his bride.” June said with humility. “I know the ladies might be uncomfortable with my presence but I hope my comfortability is taken into account too.”
Mrs Georgina took a long look at June and sensed her mind was made up. If she wasn’t going to get out of the way, then she left her with no choice. Georgina’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“Forgive me.” She said, “I have been short sighted in my demands. Please pretend this conversation didn’t happen.”
June stood up and they called it a day.
As soon as June stepped out of the office, Georgina placed a call to one of the girls. “Take care of her.”
Later that day, Zeus stepped out of his office for a snack. June was behind the Alpha’s house, getting some training done. Zeus picked up some fruits and joined her outside the house.
“Too weak.” He said, “Strengthen your feet.”
June heard him come in and did as she was told. They continued well into the evening with Zeus dishing out orders while she carried it out. She had grown in leaps and bounds.
“We should fight one of these days.” June said with a smile, feeling happy.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself.” Zeus chided, “You might be better, but you are no match for me.”
“If we don’t fight, we’ll never know.” She said with a confident expression.
“I’ll think about it.” He said and turned around, headed into the house.
June followed him with a swag to her step. Her wolf had informed her of the fact she was getting stronger earlier, and now Zeus.
She had to be doing something right.
“Hop into the shower. I’ll make dinner.” Zeus said and she smiled.
These days, he took it upon himself to feed her. They always ate dinner together and she grew to look forward to it every day. June performed her night routine and headed downstairs for dinner.
The girls were yet to return which gave them the entire house alone.
Soon, they settled in for dinner and ate quietly. June broke the silence.
“I was wondering.” she started, “What is the extent of your ability?”
Zeus smirked. “Why? Are you trying to kill me?” His tone was that of one joking but his eyes told a different story.
“Are you threatened that I would use the information to defeat you in a fight?” June threw right back and he laughed.
“I can kill an entire country if I am not up to it.” Zeus started with a clear face. “And eradicate every living thing if my abilities go out of control.”
June’s eyes widened.
“So you see,” Zeus sliced a bit of his meat. “I can’t be easily killed.”
“Why would I want to do that?” June mused. “No one in their right senses would want to do that.”
“And yet I was almost killed.”
“What?”
“Contrary to your opinion, someone tried to kill me.” Zeus said, “Someone tried and nearly succeeded in killing me, Augusta.” He dropped his spoon and faced June.
“As a result of that person, I now share my body with a foreign personality that thinks of you as his wife.” He gritted,
June felt ambushed. “What?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know what I am talking about, Augusta.” He said with fierce eyes. “That is if you are indeed, Augusta.”
June dropped her fork. “I think I need to retire for the night.”
“Not so fast, darling.” Zeus mused and the lights flickered off.
“You see, while your silly Husband held control of my body for the longest period of time, I wondered, why was he so obsessive about a young rejected and weak woman from my silly brother’s pack.”
“And then I realised, if by some divine occurrence, another man lives inside my head, capable of taking control of my body to fulfill its sick assignment, then maybe, just maybe, this young insignificant lady might have the same problem.”
“Except this young insignificant lady would gladly give up her control to another. I mean, didn’t she try to commit suicide?”
June felt her world enclosed. Gone was the sweet Zeus she had lived with these past few days. Has she been found out? What would happen to her? And her mission? Most importantly, did he just say that Rafael was in there?
“While I tried to gain control of my senses, I made some research, and discovered that Augusta died for a few minutes after she committed suicide, and miraculously came back to life.” He smiled. “The exact experience I had before Rafael Ambrose took up significant space in my mind.”
June shook in her seat, looking around for a way of escape.
“I already sent the girls away. We are alone in this house.” Zeus informed her. “You can either tell the truth, or I will give you a second death. Who are you?”
June swallowed, split between confirming his suspicions and running away. She chose the latter, which proved to be a wrong choice when the lights suddenly went off, she couldn’t see.
“Wrong choice.” Zeus said and appeared before her.
Within a twinkle of an eye, she was pushed roughly to the wall and pressed against her neck. “I will kill you and make sure you can’t achieve whatever sick mission you have, woman.”
“I would kill myself if it means I get to stop whatever it is you have planned. Do not test me. Who are you and what is your mission?!” He yelled in her face, and June felt the burn of his fire.
His hands were scalding hot against her skin and his eyes raged. Zeus was in full control and had banished Rafael to the ends of his mind, never to be heard of again.
“Speak!”
“June Rivera!” She managed to say, “Please don’t kill me…”
He held her still. “What is your mission?!”
“To save the Alpha of Nightshade Pack.”