The Stripper Slave
Chapter 13

ATHENA

I relaxed in my bed just trying not to think of anything. I wanted to suffer in silence at this point. If no one was going to do anything then I will. I was going to lower my morals in order to replace some freedom back. Because here I was a week in just completely broken. My face was in pain. My ribs were broken and bruised. I was going to play the sexy little stripper until I am healed. I hadn’t seen Vincent for a week after I last saw him. Maybe he gave up as much as I have. But it seems every time I had healed there was someone else beating my ass. I didn’t know how much longer I could take it but I had to. But there was one night in particular. That was tonight. It has been two weeks since I’ve last seen Vincent. I was lured into a room with the other dancers and they took it out on me this time. I didn’t fight back because I was already hurt from yesterday’s beating. My wolf told me we had enough. She told me it was time to stop feeling guilty. I couldn’t rely on anyone but myself. I had to sneak away for just a bit. It was time to take the high road. I went and snuck into the palace to go speak with the Goddess. I was hoping I could get past the guard that was there. Hopefully, it was Vincent. But when I got there, there wasn’t anyone there. Which has to be some kind of mistake. I knew she was there so I did something risky so I opened the door and suddenly my mouth had dropped. I couldn’t believe my eyes and she made eye contact with me while on top of Vincent. I know I shouldn’t be surprised because this was my plan. But he didn’t let me in on it and now I was feeling betrayed. He hadn’t seen me in two weeks because he was sleeping with her.

“Athena.” Vincent had gotten out of the bed with a sheet covering him. She was looking more than satisfied. “You know what Goddess, you win. I’ve been beaten, starved, restless, and violated for the last three weeks. And I am done. You keep him or Jack or whoever you want. Because I am not your puppet anymore. I am a lot stronger than you think and you are no Goddess of mine. Thankfully, your mate didn’t have to experience the hateful version of you. It’s not a good look. And you Vincent proved once again you aren’t on my side. And just like that, I ran. I didn’t look back. I didn’t care who’s life was at stake. Because I should’ve chosen my family and nothing more. I went outside and headed for the forest, ripped off my clothes, and shifted. I would’ve been okay with it all if he told me he was going through with it. Maybe this time he actually fell for her charm. But I was no one fool. She can have him. I ran until I couldn’t anymore. I hunted rabbits and deer to keep myself alive. It’s the first time I stayed in my wolf form for as long as I could remember. I told myself to go back many times, but why should I? No one likes me.

If anything people wanted me dead more than anything so what was the point of fighting for people who had no faith in me. Quite frankly, I had no faith in myself either. There wasn’t anything that I could do but keep running. Everyone was safer without me there. Jack and Vincent need to believe that I was dead so they can move on in life. So I did what I had to do. I stopped at a place nearby that was known for the bones of wolves. I shifted into my human form so I could plan this better. I collected an almost decomposed wolf’s body and carried the nasty thing to a watering hole. Cleaning it until there was no scent left on it left. I then carried it out closer to the pack. I placed the carcass leaning by a rock. I grabbed a rock and busted the head so it looks like I was hit. Right before I grabbed a sharp rock around and cut my arm, and let my blood drain on top of it giving my scent. I did a few more times just to make it real. I was ready to escape this life. Everyone was better off without my baggage. And when I thought there was enough I took one last look at it before I shifted to never be seen again. I was going to be a wolf my entire life. Well mostly.