The God She Rejected

Chapter 4: Anika's POV

The walk to the taverna was short, but every step felt like a mile. The morning sun, which had felt so warm and promising moments ago, now felt harsh and exposing. My own stupidity was a heavy, hot cloak around my shoulders.

I want to reject him, but I shouldn't act like a jealous girlfriend in front of him; that will only give him more ammunition.

Thethys was uncharacteristically silent, a sure sign she was just as mortified as I was.

The taverna was blessedly cool and quiet. The long wooden table was indeed laden with food: bowls of fat olives, slabs of white cheese, dark bread, and a platter of figs that looked like they’d been stolen from a still-life painting. The scent of fresh coffee was strong.

And there was Eleni, wiping down the counter with a clean cloth. She looked up as I entered, her smile as warm and open as it had been yesterday. “Anika! Good morning. You found your way. Coffee?”

“Please,” I managed, my voice coming out a little strangled. I avoided her eyes, focusing intently on selecting a piece of bread as if my life depended on it.

She bustled about, preparing a small cup of the thick, strong Greek coffee. “Did you sleep well? The bed is comfortable, yes?”

“It was fine,” I mumbled, which was technically true. The bed was fine. My brain was the problem.

She set the coffee and a small glass of water in front of me. “Leo said you might be leaving today, is that right?"

I froze, the piece of bread halfway to my mouth.

This piece of shit...

“Did he?” I said, my tone carefully neutral.

“Yes,” she said, leaning against the counter. Her expression was sad. "I thought you would be staying a couple of days, considering you had some luggage with you, but I guess you were only passing through."

I shook my head. "I'm not sure what gave Leo the impression that I may be leaving soon, but I will stay for a couple of days. I like the place."

The relief on her face was so genuine it was like a punch to the gut. "Oh, wonderful! I am so glad. It is nice to have new faces here. Especially ones that seem to... fluster my brother so much." She winked, a mischievous glint in her sea-blue eyes.

I nearly choked on my bread. Fluster him? Is that what he was calling it? More like I’d provided him with a millennia’s worth of entertainment at my own expense.

I forced a smile that probably looked more like a grimace. "I'm not sure fluster is the right word. Annoy, maybe. And aren't you angry about that?"

She lifted an eyebrow. "Why would I be?"

"Uhh..." I stammered. "I thought you two were a couple."

I know Leo said they weren't, and my little magic didn't tell me it was a lie, but it is nice to have both sides of the story.

Eleni laughed, a light, musical sound. "Oh, no. I love Leo, and we are close, but that's it. Did he tell you we were a couple?"

I shook my head. "He didn't, but men can lie to get inside your pants."

"No," Elien said, her laughter softening into a warm, understanding smile. "Leo is many frustrating things, but he is not a liar. We may not be related by blood, but we have known each other for a while."

"Do friends usually have s*x?" My wolf asked, flabbergasted that they both said the same thing.

"Dunno," I replied, because I was not sure I could fool around with a close friend.

I've had my flings here and there, but they are not my friends. There are pack members I have met during parties, some humans I have encountered by chance, and other supernaturals who came to the school.

I can say that wolves are not the only well-endowed creatures that exist.

"Is that so? For how long?" I asked.

I have a feeling that "Leo" is far older than he appears. And Eleni... there is a timeless quality to her as well, but I don't sense a different aura.

She appears to be human.

“For a very long time,” she said, her voice softening. “I loved him very much, that's why I can tell she is attracted to you.”

I blushed. "I doubt it."

I'm sure he is attracted to me because of the mate bond, but that's it.

She picked up the cloth and began wiping the already-spotless counter again. “I know what I'm talking about, Anika,” she winked at me.

Again, my cheeks burned.

"Anyways," I said, already trying to shift the conversation. "Can you tell me where I can go and have some fun? I want to make the most of my vacations."

She chuckled. "Nice try,” Eleni said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “But the best guide is the very man you are trying to avoid. He should be down the dock, waiting for our guests." She nodded towards the doorway, through which I could just see a sliver of sparkling blue sea. “He knows every hidden cove, every forgotten path. Things I could not even begin to tell you about, you can go with him if you want.”

My heart gave a traitorous thump. After the sheer humiliation of this morning, the idea of being alone with him again sent a fresh wave of heat up my neck.

I'm sure he is an excellent guide, but I don't want to be with him.

"Thanks, but I'm looking for something else. I know you think there is something between Leo and me, but that's not the case," I stated before she could think of another way to pair us up. "I want to have some other fun. Maybe there is a club?"

She looked a little bit disappointed; her matchmaking abilities were not going to be used this time, but then she smiled again.

"Yeah, I know one. It opens at ten, but I can make Leo or someone else take you."

Nope, no way.

"You can tell me the name and I'll find my way. I've been in Greece before," I replied, "and I have a decent sense of direction. I’d rather go alone.”

Eleni’s smile tightened slightly, a flicker of concern in her eyes. “Alone? This island is… quiet. The clubs are not like those in Athens. Or even Mykonos. It can be… intense for a woman by herself.” She was being polite.

She has no idea I can send any human and probably supernatural to the UCI if they try to mess with me.

“I can handle intense,” I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. I needed space. I needed to remember who I was without the confounding, overwhelming presence of Leo and his ancient, knowing eyes. A loud, dark club where I could just be a body in a crowd sounded like paradise.

I can't kiss anyone because he'll feel it, but maybe I can call my older brother, Killian, and ask him for the spell he once used because his mate and he were separated.

"He is going to nag you about it," Thethys pointed out.

And she was right.

Dammit.

Eleni studied me for a long moment, then sighed, giving a small shrug of surrender. “As you wish. The place is called ‘Kýma’. It means ‘The Wave’. It’s in the main town, about a twenty-minute drive from here. You’ll need a taxi. I can call one for you tonight.”

“Thank you,” I said, the words genuine this time. “I’d appreciate that.”

I finished my breakfast quickly after that and then thanked her for everything.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of determined solitude. I took a long, solitary walk along a rugged coastal path, the salt spray stinging my cheeks. Thethys, for her part, seemed content with the plan.

By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of violet and gold, a restless energy was thrumming under my skin. I dressed with care: a simple black dress that clung to my curves, and sandals with just enough heel to be elegant but not impractical. I left my hair down, a dark curtain around my shoulders. I looked exactly like what I wanted to be: a tourist out for a good time.

The taxi Eleni had arranged was waiting punctually. As I slid into the backseat, I caught a glimpse of Leo through the taverna’s window. He was talking with Eleni, his back to the road. A ridiculous part of me wondered if he would turn, if he would see me leaving. He didn’t.

Good.

The drive to the main town was winding and dark. ‘Kýma’ was exactly as I’d imagined: a low, unassuming building tucked away on a side street, with a heavy door that pulsed with the bass from within. The bouncer, a large man with a bored expression, gave me a cursory glance and waved me inside.

The wall of sound hit me first. The music was a deep, rhythmic electronic beat that vibrated through the floor and into my bones. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, alcohol, and perfume. The club was a cavernous space, lit only by strobes that cut through a haze of artificial fog, illuminating a sea of moving bodies on the dance floor.

It was perfect.

I made my way to the bar, ordered a whiskey neat, and leaned back to observe. I won't get drunk with this, but I enjoyed the taste.

Sometimes.

I lost myself in the music for a while, sipping my drink and letting the rhythm soothe my nerves. After a second whiskey, the pull of the dance floor became irresistible. I slipped into the crowd, closing my eyes and letting the beat move me.

I danced until my skin was slick with sweat, until the world narrowed down to the music and the movement. It was during a slower, deeper track that I felt a presence behind me. Not threatening, but… definite. A body moved in sync with mine, not touching, but close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him.

I opened my eyes and turned my head slightly.

It wasn’t Leo.

The man was handsome, in a sharp, polished way that contrasted with Leo’s wildness. Dark hair, slicked back, eyes that held a glint of predatory amusement.

He was a wolf.

“You dance like you have a storm inside you,” he said, his voice a smooth murmur that cut through the music.

"What a cheesy line," My wolf commented as she rolled her eyes.

"He is hot, that's all that matters," I reminded her. I was not here to judge someone by their intelligence; I came here to enjoy good looks, that's all.

I gave him a slow smile, the one I reserved for flings. “Maybe I do.”

He moved closer, his hand finding my hip. His touch was confident. Presumptuous. “I’m Alexi. And you are?”

“Just passing through,” I said, turning to face him fully. His eyes dropped to my lips.

“A shame. Storms are always more fun when they stay awhile.”

"At least he is bold."

"Yet we still have the problem of our mate feeling if we cheat on him," I grumbled lowly.

He would have been a good distraction, but unfortunately, I had to let him go.

For tonight at least.

"If I stayed, I wouldn't be a storm, would I?" I chuckled. "Unfortunately, this storm is going to leave sooner than expected, but it was nice meeting you, Alexi."

He quirked an eyebrow. "Why don't you give your number? We can..." He leaned closer. "Talk some other time."

"Is that so?"

Fuck!