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chapter thirteen ━ roles in reverse

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❝ he stared with awe ❞

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this book is most likely going to become mature so be prepared for some language and sexual themes that may be coming your way. also, this book is going to be a little more intense I suppose you can say, as the chapters go on. athena and thomas are truly going to become a major power couple so expect more sexual themes to come your way. if that makes you uncomfortable, i apologize, but that's how this book is going to be.

( IMPORTANT NOTE ABOVE! )

THE SECOND SHE got caught up with the latest troubles about a certain man named Papa Tunde who had a history with her siblings, she jumped head first into the situation. Klaus was against it at first, saying she wasn't strong enough, but then Athena had slapped him across the face and argued that she wasn't weak. It seemed that now that she was attempting to get more involved in things and now that she had Thomas, he was tense around her. She knew it was because he didn't feel comfortable with the idea of her growing up so quickly. He missed the old her. They all did. But she told herself not to dwell on the old her because she had to mature. Yet, with Thomas, she found herself reverting to her innocent ways.

In the present time, she was at the Mikaelson compound. Athena stared down at the body of the warlock, tilting her head to the side. She kicked his arm, jumping back a step as if she expected him to spring up suddenly. He didn't and so she peered over to look at him. Marcel and Klaus were watching her, both looking very amused.

"Can I get you anything, sister?" Klaus teased, a wicked glint in his eyes. "A magnifying glass? that little lost puppy of yours, perhaps?"

She huffed, rolling her eyes at his pathetic nickname for Thomas. He couldn't seem to stop making up insults. "If you have a theory about this, please do enlighten me." Then she smiled suddenly, looking excited as she bounced on the balls of her feet. "That's a new word I learned, Thomas taught me it." 

Marcel shook his head with a chuckle while Klaus scowled. The younger vampire spoke up, gesturing towards Papa Tunde's body. "Back in the day, the witches wanted to send a threat, they'd just kill a chicken and leave it on your doorstep."

Athena rose an eyebrow at that, her eyes widening as her innocence shone through. But she caught herself, not wanting to seem childish though she was still learning new things every day and had many questions she usually kept to herself. After all, she was stuck on the Other Side for over a thousand years, it wasn't her fault that she didn't know what an airplane was until three months ago when she saw a picture of one on a billboard.

Klaus noticed her confused look and cleared his throat, nudging Marcel with a silent warning, letting him know that she hadn't a clue what he was saying. He moved on before his sister could question them. "Papa Tunde defeated Rebekah with ease, almost got the two of us as well. If he was supposed to be the prizefighter, why leave him for dead in our front yard?"

Rebekah arrived before another word could be said, looking quite shocked at what she just caught wind of. "Well, don't you look cheery. Listen to this — A girl literally exploded from a grave today as Sabine was giving a tour of the city of the dead. It was Monique Deveraux."

"What?" Athena replied. That time her eyes were wide with confusion, appalled at what she was hearing. The last she knew, Monique Deveraux was a part of the Harvest that had failed at first and was one of the girls who was killed and never brought back.

"The tourists thought it was part of the show, but the witches are celebrating like it's some kind of bloody miracle," Rebekah explained to her and the two males who were both looked like they wanted to dive off the nearest balcony. There were too many pieces floating around their heads. Nothing was connecting.

"Maybe it is," Marcel suggested. "They think that all hope is lost, but now suddenly a Harvest girl is resurrected. This is how we're gonna get Davina back — kill the witch who took her place."

No one responded to his words, the siblings exchanging knowing glances because they knew it was a stretch. But they were aware of Marcel's desperation to get Davina back, no matter the cost. Though it was touching and sweet to see his devotion, they also knew that sometimes that devotion got people killed.

Hayley entered the compound, crossing over to them. She had eavesdropped on them by the poised expression on her face. Her belly was beginning to bulge, forming a bump where her child was waiting to be born. "I have a theory about who one of them could be. Celeste. I mean, it's got to be. Davina was trying to tell us, she was drawing pictures of Celeste. She was warning us that a great evil is coming."

Athena nodded her head as she knew Hayley had a point. "So first, this Papa Tunde guy shows up to finish what he started, now Elijah's murdered love is back from the grave." They all glanced at her and she shook her head at them. "This isn't them attacking vampires anymore, this seems like revenge. They're declaring war on us, can't you see that?"

She never got a reply but she didn't need one because each of them agreed with her and she knew that. The witches were going to fight them till they were all dead or until they got what they wanted.

———

To keep Hayley safe, Athena volunteered herself to go and assist Rebekah to watch over her at the Mikaelson mansion. She wasn't too thrilled to sit around all day but when the pregnant wolf had asked her if she could help her throw a party, the Queen had shrugged her shoulders because she was not a fan of parties, yet told her that they could. Her only concern was that she didn't know how to throw a party. Because she hated them. So naturally, she called the only person who she figured may know what to do.

Rebekah walked onto the front porch first, Athena and Hayley trailing behind her. The blonde seemed quite surprised that there was no argument between herself and the wolf, expressing so by sighing, turning towards her when they reached the front door. "I thought I was gonna have to drag you to the plantation kicking and screaming."

"Yeah, well, we all just wanna protect me and the baby, right?" Hayley retorted.

Athena frowned, pressing a hand to her shoulder comfortingly. The action came instinctively and Rebekah looked at her sister with a raised eyebrow. Even Hayley herself seemed taken aback. Usually, the female Nyx stayed to herself, only showing affection to her siblings and occasionally Thomas. "We're on your side, Hayley. So what's up?"

"Tonight's a full moon, Athena."

That made her gasp, putting the hand over her mouth as she had completely forgotten about the date. "Oh my, I forgot, oh no, no, no. I was supposed to be at the bayou with the wolves. And here I am, playing nanny to you." She slapped her forehead, upset with herself.

Hayley smiled at her reaction. "With everything going on, it's understandable. It's why I wanted to invite a few people over." Rebekah looked at her with disbelief. Little did she know, her words were a hint towards the brunette and Athena looked up at her since she had hung her head low in shame. "The Crescent Clan will be human but only for a few hours, and won't be again until the next full moon, so I asked Thomas to get a message out to Eve in the Bayou."

Athena's eyes visibly brightened at the mention of the male wolf. Suddenly, Thomas appeared, almost as if he heard his name. He grinned at the girls. "Ladies. . ." He glanced to Hayley. "Kegs out back, right?" Hayley nodded and Thomas smiled more, winking at Athena as he continued rolling the kegs to the back of the house. Her eyes followed him the entire way.

Instead of being upset, Rebekah was amused. "Right. It appears you weren't gonna wait for me to grant you permission to throw a kegger."

"Listen, you all want me safe?" Hayley questioned. "Fine. I'll do as I'm told. I'll play the damsel in the glass tower. But tonight's the one night a month that I can meet my family. Now, you could rat me out and send me to my room, or you could help me to throw one hell of a party."

Athena smiled widely, looking at them. "What's a keg? I want to try it."

"No," they both replied instantly.

———

They all anxiously awaited the Crescent wolves arrivals, watching as the moon rose higher up. Hayley was outside putting clothes on a line for the pack, Rebekah was cooking crawfish in the kitchen, Thomas was going to meet up with the wolves and lead them in the right direction, and Athena took it upon herself to tidy the mansion up a bit.

She didn't know that the wolves had arrived and were currently dressing for the party, humming to herself as she fixed the pillows. However, she was getting a bit antsy so she started to bounce on the heels of her feet again, swinging her head back and forth and swaying her hips. The female turned around and there stood a blonde male, completely naked but thankfully, she only saw his chest before she gasped, covering her eyes. A blush coated her cheeks.

"Oh! Um, h-hello."

"You're her, aren't you? The Queen?" Oliver questioned, looking at her with awe because after all the stories he heard growing up about the Nyxs, he couldn't believe he was finally meeting one.

"She is, I would say that with more respect," Thomas spoke up, entering the room. He didn't look too thrilled to see Oliver's state since he didn't want Athena to be embarrassed, uncomfortable, and most certainly not see a male without proper clothing. His protectiveness seeped through as he continued on, shoving some clothes to the wolf's chest. "And with clothing. So I suggest you get dressed but before you do, apologize."

Oliver's nose scrunched up but he glanced to Athena who's back was turned, no doubt to hide her crimson cheeks. "My apologies, Miss." Then he left the room, leaving the two alone.

Thomas scoffed, muttering something about how disrespectful some people were. He walked over to Athena, standing behind her but didn't touch her, leaning towards her ear. "You can turn around now and uncover your eyes, he's gone." His tone changed from irritated to gentle when addressing Oliver and then her. She did as he said, glancing around to make sure he was really gone. "Did you see anything?"

She shook her head, still flustered so she avoided his eyes, looking down at their feet. "No, only his chest." There was a pause. "He was very. . .muscular." Obviously, that hadn't been the right thing to say because he rose an eyebrow, a flash of something going across his eyes, his pupils dilating.

"Most wolves are," he began slowly, taking measured breaths. "But none of them can compare to me." He seemed almost dumbstruck at the thought of any werewolf being bulkier than he was, even more so, that she had said that Oliver was but had never spoken about him. She didn't understand the type of jealousy he was feeling, couldn't detect it, because she had been jealous before, but not in this aspect.

Athena blushed, humming. "That's true." He smirked and then she looked up at him fast, eyes widening as she realized what she said. "I-I mean not that I would know. I haven't seen you shirtless before. At least I don't think I have. All I'm saying is that you are probably muscular and—"

"You talk way too much," he chuckled, shaking his head as he looked down at her. His pupils dilated more and she gasped lightly, realizing just how close he had gotten. The bottom half of her body was pressed against the armrest of the couch, her short frame locked in by his significantly taller one. Thomas leaned closer to her face, staring at her lips, wanting so desperately to kiss her and make her be quiet. But she was dead silent already, looking up at him like she expected him to do something.

He quickly reigned himself in before his wolf took over his body, clearing his throat as he pushed himself away from her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Without waiting for her answer, he turned around and left the room. Athena stared at where he stood for a long moment, reaching a finger to her lips and touch the bottom one, taking a deep breath.

———

Athena stood on the back porch, watching with awe as the werewolves roamed free. The backyard was lit with dozens of candles and strings of lights. There was music, some of the wolves playing instruments while others danced. Individually, each one had come up to her, introducing themselves to her, each looking equally as amazed to meet her finally. But something that made her frown with confusion was that all of them had bowed their heads, some even went to their knees. She told them it wasn't necessary but they had all insisted that they wanted to.

She stood alone finally, no cup in her hand because Eve had slapped her hand away several times when she tried to go towards any of the kegs or get herself a drink, explaining that Rebekah didn't want her to have any and neither did Thomas. Her innocence only brightened, not comprehending why. She had had a drink before, unaware that the ones she had were always light, never strong. But the alcohol in the kegs? Those were the real deal. And her sister and mate wanted to preserve her innocence because they loved it, they didn't want her to change who she was. Because her innocence was who she was.

Yet, stubbornness was another trait of her's. Athena strolled up to Eve, wearing a serious expression on her face. "I want to try the keg."

The wolf turned to her, sighing gently. "Honey, that alcohol is real stuff, it's strong. And I'm under strict directions from Rebekah and Thomas, they don't want you to have any. If you really want some, go ask them yourself." Then she resumed her conversation with another wolf, turning her back to her.

Athena scowled and spun on her heel, her eyes searching the pack before her eyes landed on Thomas. He was laughing with two other males, a cup in his hand, clasping the one's shoulder as they conversed about something humorous it seemed. She took another deep breath, nervous to interrupt their conversation. But she shoved her worries away and approached him, her feet moving without her really even trying.

"I want to try the keg," she spoke firmly, the three glancing over at her, her eyes staying right on Thomas's face. He murmured something to the other two, getting a nod in response before they both walked away. Then he sighed, looking back at his mate. "I want to try the keg."

"No, Athena," he answered simply.

She scoffed, rolling her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, why not? I've drank before, I know what it tastes like. Why are you telling me no?" It was challenging for him not to smile in amusement at how cute she looked when she was agitated, forcing himself to keep that same stern expression.

"Because it's too strong for you. And all those drinks you have had before were light drinks, watered down according to Rebekah. So you have never actually had a real drink before. I would like it to stay that way for a little while longer."

Athena still didn't understand, throwing her hands up with an exasperated look on her face. "Why? Why can't I try it? Everyone else is having one. You have one." This truly sounded like an argument between an adult and a kid, just over a mature topic that kids shouldn't involve themselves in. No one dared listen though, knowing better than to eavesdrop on the King and Queen.

Thomas sighed again. "Just because everyone else, including me, is having one, doesn't mean you need to try it. You're your own person." She went to question why again but he stopped her before she could, cutting her off. "Don't ask why again. Because you want to know why? I want to make sure you stay innocent just a little longer. Yes, you've killed, yes, you've manipulated, yes, you've done questionable things. But those were all because of supernatural occurrences." His facial features softened. "Every time I look at you, I still see that thirteen-year-old you. And I know she's still in there, but Elena and those other idiots piled their crap on top of you and you became someone different."

She didn't know what to say. "Thomas. . ."

He held a hand up to stop her. "You're slowly becoming the person you're meant to be, I can see that. But you're innocence is beautiful to me, to your siblings. You're the one person who carries the most light out of everyone we know. If you lose that light, we're surrounded in darkness. If you lose that light, I have no motivation to smile as the sun rises. Your innocence keeps me from losing the good parts of myself. Because I depend on you, no one else, only you. So please just. . .indulge me."

When he opened his eyes, he hadn't realized he closed them in the first place. Thomas cleared his throat, blinking a few times to clear of the haze in his eyes. Athena nodded slowly, submitting to his desires. "Okay." Then she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. It took him a moment to react, setting the cup on a nearby chair and then embraced her back, breathing in her scent.

———

Athena had gone back inside, leaving Thomas to enjoy some more time with the Crescent wolves. He had invited her to join but she waved it off and told him that he needed some guys to bond with because he spent most of his time with her, not to mention he did spend a thousand years with her. She walked in just as Hayley left with an odd look on her face, her eyes going to meet another male's. He was handsome, shaggy, curly brown hair, and a soft smile on his face when he saw her.

"Hi, I'm Jackson." He quickly stood up, bowing and gave her knuckles a polite kiss before straightening up, his smile never wavering. "I'm the alpha of the Crescent wolves." She finally understood who he was, grinning back. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"It's nice to meet you as well." He sat back down at the bench of the piano, playing a quiet tune while she leaned against the instrument. "Why did Hayley look upset?" Then her eyes narrowed at him, feeling that familiar protective feeling come over her. "You didn't say anything rude to her did you?"

He shook his head rapidly, holding his hands up in surrender which made the notes stop momentarily before he continued playing. "No, no, of course not. I explained to her that our parents knew each other years ago and how. . .well you see we were supposed to marry."

Athena's mouth hung open. "Marry?"

Jackson nodded. "It was an arranged marriage but it never went through. You see, the Crescent bloodline started with my family and Hayley's. I would say it makes us royalty but we both know there are only two royals and that's you and Thomas. New Orleans was our home until a fight broke out. Things didn't work out the way anyone thought they would. Our pack made a huge misstep with the vampires when we refused to back down, and Marcel had us cursed by a witch." His eyes turned desperate, looking at her with a pleading look. "These people will follow you and Thomas, you know that right? You two can help us break this curse for good."

She felt sympathetic towards him but then his last words made her frown because he sounded so sure of himself. A little too sure. She shook her head. "What are you talking about?"

"Your witch friend. She told Eve she was coming here tonight to set us free."

Her heart plummeted. "Jackson. . .what witch friend?"

The wolf suddenly realized that she hadn't called for anyone to help break their curse. Athena got up fast, getting out her phone and called the first person she thought of who wasn't there: Elijah. She knew Klaus was busy with Marcel. He answered, sounding worried. "Elijah, something's going on with the witches."

"Ena, listen to me. Hayley was right. Celeste is back. Niklaus, Rebekah, Hayley, they're all in danger."

Hayley came in, no doubt to come to continue her previous conversation with Jackson before the door clasped shut behind her by a gust of wind. She hurried into the living room where Athena and Jackson were standing.

"What's going on?" Jackson questioned the two females, tensing up as he was officially in alpha mode, wanting to protect them.

Athena shook her head, keeping calm the best she could. "It's a trap. I didn't make a deal with any witch, none of us did." Her mind was racing, trying to figure out what was going on and why Celeste was doing this. What was her goal? But she was at a disadvantage because she had never met the witch, only knew of her from Elijah's past.

"You have to find Rebekah," Elijah told her, sounding extremely worried for her wellbeing. "You stay with her until I get there."

Outside, a fire started around the perimeter of the mansion. Thomas, who was outside cleaning up the mess the wolves left behind, saw the flames igniting, his face paling. He looked horrified as he dropped everything he was holding, running towards the house. The group inside ran for the door but when Athena went to open it, she found that they couldn't because a boundary spell had been cast.

Hayley took Athena's phone because the Queen had started to hyperventilate. "Elijah, it's a spell. They're trapping us inside." Though Athena couldn't die, that did nothing to stem her fear of being burnt alive. She knew all she had to do was rush through a window or the door but everything was coated in flames.

She was terrified.

Thomas ran around the house, looking for any possible way to get inside, knowing that Athena wouldn't be able to get out on her own. She couldn't carry Hayley and Jackson, nor did she have the courage to go running through bursting flames. Also, she didn't want to risk hurting Hayley and the baby.

Jackson tried to break through a window with the piano stool, but it shattered upon impact, leaving the window intact. He was in utter shock, looking to Athena. Now, even if she did have the guts to go bursting through a door or a window, she couldn't, because they were trapped. 

The flames continued to grow inside the house, torching the curtains and carpet. Jackson worked quick, grabbing a tablecloth from an end table and poured the water from a vase of flowers onto it before handing it to Hayley, doing the same to another one and handing it to Athena.

"Here. Breathe through this."

The girls did as they were told, but both coughed repeatedly, it starting to turn violent as they fought for air. The fire continued growing in size, burning its way up the walls toward the ceiling. Thomas's rage towards whoever did this was building. And that gave him the strength as he raced towards a window, throwing himself into it, shattering it. He grabbed Athena first, speeding her outside to safety.

He started checking for wounds but she shoved him, crying. "Thomas, Hayley and Jackson are still in there!" The King heard her and raced back into the burning mansion, grabbing the two and sped them out as well, depositing them on the ground. His mind had been focused on one thing: making sure his mate was safe. So, he had completely forgotten the other two, worried about getting Athena safe above everything else.

Because she was everything to him.

———

After the situation, the four had watched the Mikaelson Mansion burn, unable to stop it before Elijah arrived, revealing that Klaus and Rebekah were missing. It didn't take long for them to realize that it must be Celeste's doing. Athena had gone to join a search party but Marcel told her they search everywhere. Their best bet was to rest up and start in the morning again. He told her that if they went around the city, tearing things apart, being reckless (because that's clearly the route she and Elijah were going in), they would never find Klaus and Rebekah.

Thomas took her back to his place because most of her things burned in the fire, seeing as she hadn't completely moved into the compound yet, and he also wanted to make sure that she was alright. He let her take a shower to wash away the smell of the smoke, handing her some vanilla scented body wash which made her raise an eyebrow, eliciting a blush from him and a weak reply as to how he had it just in case she stayed over.

She got dressed in one of his white t-shirts but it didn't fit her so the top was baggy on her and some gray sweatpants. Athena stood at the entrance of the living room from the hallway which led to his bedroom, leaning against the wall as she watched him down a glass of whiskey. "You didn't scare me you know."

He looked up at her, his eyes lingering on how she looked in his clothes before he pushed his dirty thoughts away. That time, she saw the slight dilation of his eyes instantly, her breath hitching before she glanced away. Athena wasn't sure how to explain how she was feeling but she tried her best. He waited patiently, not speaking. "I don't understand how what this feeling is. But all I know is that. . ."

Without warning him, she used her hybrid speed to go over to him, pressing her arms on either side of his body on the counter, locking him in that time. The roles were reversed. Thomas's breath hitched that time, eyes widening at their close proximity, his eyes still dilated. Athena continued, staring up at him, glad that he didn't move. "When you look at me like that, when you get that look in your eyes, when you take control. . ." She was trying to copy what he had done to her, standing on her tippy toes to reach his ear. "I love it."

If it weren't for her pressing him against the counter, Thomas would have fallen to his knees as all of those wolves did. Because at the moment, he was in total awe of her, letting her have control, not moving, not speaking. He was turned on by the tone was used because it was soft, delicate, her accent intertwined, and a hint of dominance but she didn't know that. He went to lean close to her but then she pulled away, gracefully maneuvering around the counter away from him.

"I'll be sleeping in your bed, you sleep on the couch. Tomorrow I expect breakfast and an update on my siblings and the search party that I will be joining whether you like it or not." She stopped at the entrance to the living room from the hallway, pressing her hand against the wall and turned to him to see Thomas staring with a dark look in his eyes. "Understand?" She didn't wait for a response before moving down the hallway, still looking at him. "Goodnight." And then, she was gone.

Thomas didn't move for a long moment, staring at where she had once stood, leaning against that wall. He didn't have anything to say, didn't go after her, didn't call after her, didn't do anything but stand there. His wolf wouldn't stop putting thoughts into his head about her. But one thought he couldn't deny or push away:

Athena truly sounded like a Queen.

———

Before I say anything else, please read the note at the beginning of the chapter! I wanted to sincerely apologize for how much I have been mistreating this book in terms of updating, I promise that I am going to try to write more for this fanfic. Also, this chapter was a bit all over the place but the point I was trying to get across is that Athena is slowly learning new things about Thomas and is going through some developing. Regarding the possible mature rating, here is my reasoning:

At first, I thought of these two are a cute couple, totally soft for one another. But then I saw a quote 'A king only bows to his queen' and the first people I thought about was Athena and Thomas. To me, that quote radiates so much power. Typically in history, Queens are overshadowed and follow whatever the King says. I wanted to flip that, as I did with my story Shattered Chances. By no means am I a hardcore feminist, I believe every gender is equal, I merely wanted to make a twist.

Thinking about this some more, I came to realize that these two were not made to be a cute and cuddly couple. That scene where they storm into the Quarter and kill Marcel's vampires was proof of that. These two are meant to be a powerful, dark, and intense couple because that's what they radiated, that's the vibe I get when writing them.

So as the chapters go along, you will most likely see these two becoming darker. There will be sexual themes, possibly some actual sex scenes but I still need practice. I am changing the rating to mature so please do not be alarmed. For those of you who can't or don't like reading mature books, please stick around but glaze over anything that makes you uncomfortable.

Also, a quick note, Nyxs have two sides to them (I have yet to address this): their human and their wolf counterpart. So in those cliche werewolf books that have that voice in the main male character's head? That's what I mean. Thomas has a wolf that talks to him in his head and can take over whenever he feels immense rage or whenever he loses controls or if Thomas ever allows him too. Same goes for Athena, but her's hasn't developed yet because she hasn't truly embraced her Queen status yet.

If you have any questions or concerns, please comment away and ask or feel free to private message me!

I hope you guys have a great day/night and don't forget to vote on this chapter, comment your thoughts, and follow me for updates!

( credit : @pepperronys )