Hector Kensington is what you would call the pack's golden boy. First of all, he's gorgeous as hell.
His beautiful blue eyes, perfectly sharp jaw and six-foot-three, toned body have earned him spots in many international magazines, including Vogue.
Looks aside, he's powerful and intelligent as well. Every father in the pack wants his son to be like Hector and every mother wants her daughter to end up with him.
What the heck was I thinking when I let myself fall in love with him?
I take a deep breath to keep my voice from breaking.
"You say this baby isn't yours, but why did you ask me to keep it? Why didn't you deny being the father when I first told you I was pregnant?"
Hector shakes his head in disgust.
"You still don't get it, do you?" His eyes darken dangerously.
"I did all of that because I didn't want to lose the bet. I hate your very existence, Athena. We all do. You're not one of us and you'll never be accepted here."
For the longest of minutes, I look deep into his eyes, hoping to see even the tiniest trace of the boy I fell in love with and the guy who used to love me fiercely in return.
But he's gone. And in his place is a cold-hearted monster.
"I am not a whore, Hector." I say with the last strength I can muster.
"I don't care if you believe me or not, but you were my first and only love. The baby in my womb is yours. And I will make you take responsibility. I promise."
Whispers ripple through our small audience at my bold declaration.
Hector's expression darkens even further.
"Let's rumba, then, little hybrid. I'd love to see how a witch like you intends to make me claim a bastard child…"
***
A WEEK LATER…
"What?! Do you even realise what you've done?" Jasmine berates me after I tell her my plans.
"This will never end well, Athena. I want you to call it off. For your safety and the safety of your unborn child."
Unfortunately for her, my mind has already been made up.
"I did what I had to do and there's no going back. This Convention is happening. It's the only way I can make Hector take responsibility.
Are you with me or against me?"
After three minutes of indecision, she swings her arms around my shoulders and pats my bulging stomach.
"Of course I'm with you, chipmunk. I'll always be on your side."
You might be wondering what I did.
Well, I called a NightHunters "Convention."
A convention is the gathering of all NightHunter werewolves in the clan and even from around the world. It usually happens when the pack is in danger or when important information needs to be passed.
Anyone can call a convention by sending the "sacred feline signal."
But the thing is… the punishment for calling a convention for a non-important matter is death or banishment.
And I'm not sure if the NightHunters Pack will consider the fact that their future Supreme Alpha has refused to take responsibility for his unborn child as "important information."
The convention usually takes place at the Pack's fighting ground. It's a huge open field that fits everyone just fine.
My nervousness is almost sailing through the roof as more people continue to troop into the fighting ground. Thirty minutes later, luxury cars are parked all the way down the street. Everyone really showed up.
After confirming that none of the pack's elders nor the Supreme Alpha called the Convention, everyone looks confused as hell.
Soon enough, people begin to murmur and get upset. I guess it's time.
The Supreme Alpha rises from his throne-like chair and the fighting ground becomes silent.
He looks upset. Dang.
"I was at a meeting in New York City when I got the sacred signal. I wasn't done, but I had to abandon that meeting and get the next available flight down here only to find out that the Convention was organised by a strange entity.
Which one of you called this gathering? Show yourself right now or prepare to face the consequences!"
The throng of people part like the Red Sea as I walk forward. Whispers of surprise and hatred follow my every step but I honestly couldn't care less.
Ten seconds later, I'm standing in the middle of the field and facing our Supreme Alpha.
"I called the convention, Alpha."
Gasps of shock ripple through the crowd. I can feel Hector's eyes burning a hole through the side of my face but I pointedly refuse to look in his direction.
The Supreme Alpha looks at me like I've grown an extra pair of eyes on my forehead.
"Athena, right? You're the hybrid." He doesn't even try to hide the disgust in his voice.
I nod. "Yes, Alpha."
"Why did you call this Convention?"
I lift my head and hold his gaze.
"The pack is not in danger. I did this because I've got something important to say and I need the entire park to bear me witness."
"Go on."
I take a shaky breath. "I'm pregnant for your son. The baby in my womb belongs to Hector. He's the father."
For a moment, everyone is silent. Then all hell breaks loose.
The whispers and name calling become worse. Some of the pack members laugh in my face and call me an evil witch.
"What a desperate liar. I'm sure she only wants to trap our Alpha's son…"
"We all know you're a whore and a hybrid bastard! Alistair can never be the father…!"
"Stupid witch, you will never succeed in trapping him…!!"
The insults go on and on until the Supreme Alpha raises his hand and silence reigns once more.
My eyes are stinging with unshed tears but I force myself to remain composed.
"Are you sure of what you're saying, Athena?" He growls.
I nod. "Yes, Alpha. Alistair is the only man I've ever been with. He's the father of my child."
Shouts of "liar!" "Witch!" and "whore!" rent the air.
The Supreme Alpha turns to his son, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Hector. Come here."
"Yes, father."
I'm already trembling with awareness as he comes forward. I look up and just as I expected, that cold, hard mask is still in place. His eyes brim with hatred. Hatred for me.
"What is this I'm hearing about you having something to do with the hybrid?" He asks angrily.
"Are you responsible for this pregnancy?"
I hold my breath as I wait for his response.
"Father, you know more than anyone else that as the heir to the throne, I would never do anything that would soil our family's name.
Athena Montogomery is nothing but a cheap slut. A lot of my friends have told stories of how they've had their way with her countless times.
That bastard in her womb is not mine. It can never be mine."
My mouth falls open with shock as I listen to his hate-filled words.
"I've never slept with any of your friends, Hector. They're all lying."
He doesn't even spare me a glance.
"Infact, father, I have listened to you and mother's advice and finally found someone to settle down with."
Wait, what?
He stretches his hand towards the crowd with a soft smile.
"You can come out, sweetheart."
My stomach tightens with dread as the "sweetheart" in question makes her way towards us.
Finally, she emerges from the crowd… and a gasp of shock slips past my lips.
All I can do is watch in confusion as Alistair's "supposed" partner comes forward and takes his hand. He kisses her softly on the cheek and turns to his father;
"Father, this is my mate and the woman of my dreams. We've been dating for almost a year and she's the one I've chosen to be my mate and life partner."
My mouth drops open in awe… because Hector's mate is none other than Zara, my own cousin.