Currently Theo and I are seated at the kitchen counter having our breakfast. ''You ready to go love?'' he says. ''yeah, I think I am,'' I reply as I give him a smile. ''Charles will walk you to our border and I'm assuming the beta will escort you from there,'' He explains. ''That's cool, when will he be here?'' I ask. ''Anytime now love.''

I get my stuff ready and I'm putting on my shoes when Charles walks in. ''Happy Birthday Athena!!!'' He shouts as he walks towards me and pulls me into a hug lifting me off the ground. ''Thank you Charles'' I reply as I snort out a laugh. ''You know; Theo might find your little snort cute but to me you sound like a pig,'' He comments and I slap him on the back of his head. ''heyyyy, that hurt!'' He screams. ''Serves you right for calling me a pig, you doofus,'' I call back as Theo walks down to the foyer. ''If you two are done bickering, we can proceed to leave,'' He says with a serious look on his face.

''Well someone wants me gone,'' I comment with a look of hurt in my eyes as I gaze  at Theo's and his eyes soften. ''No love, it's not that, I'm just stressed out from the rogue issue that I have to deal with and I couldn't leave without saying goodbye to you,'' He says softly. ''I'll wait outside, '' Charles vocalizes and proceeds to leave.

''Have fun today love,'' Theo says as he pulls me in for a hug and I nod in response. ''I doubt if you'll miss me but it's still worth asking.'' He continues and I laugh ''nahh not really, 'He raises his eyebrows in surprise and says ,''oh is that so?''

''Mnhmmm'' I say casually and he chuckles. ''That's fine, I don't mind,'' He responds as he kisses my cheek and we walk out. ''Good luck with the rogue, I hope that we can get something out of him,'' I state and he nods in agreement as he entwines our hands together.

We walk down the steps and I notice Charles waiting for me patiently as Theo lets go of my hand and begins walking in the direction of the pack house. ''Theo,'' I call and he turns back to look at me, ''I'll miss you.'' I say and smile cheekily. ''I know love, I'll see you soon,'' He replies.

As I'm walking towards the borders my mind drifts off to my family. I contacted mom a few weeks ago, but I haven't spoken to Dad or Ethan ever since I left, I wonder how they'll react. I continue pondering over my thoughts when Charles snaps his finger at me. ''Hello, Athena... Athena.'' He says while snapping his fingers and I look at him, ''what!'' I snap and he smirks, ''you zoned out.''

''ohh sorry, I tend to do that a lot.'' I flush as we start nearing the border. ''Yeah, I noticed,'' he scoffs and I roll my eyes at him. ''Clearance for Athena Robinson to cross pack border,'' He announces and the guards nod in agreement. ''Bye, Athena. Have a great day, I'll see you in the evening,'' Charles says as he hugs me. ''See you soon,'' I say and hug him back.

As I cross the Crescent Pack borders and walk into the Crimson pack, I take in a deep breath and a smile automatically appears on my face. ''Good to have you back,'' A voice calls. ''Axel,'' I breathe out as I turn to him. ''Hey there,'' He replies and we stand staring at each other awkwardly not knowing what to do.

''So, ummm... everyone is waiting for you at home, we should get going.'' He shuffles awkwardly and I nod as we begin walking towards the house.

''So how is everything going on at Crescent pack, how does your mate treat you?'' he asks.

''t's all going good, Theo is amazing, he is so calm and understanding. He accepts me for who I am, lets me make my own decisions, he is a good mate'' I say as I gush about him.

''Of course he is, he's an alpha after all. Everything he does will be good to you, it's like the man can't do wrong,'' He says spitefully and I look at him shocked.

''What's the matter with you Axel, I thought we were over this!'' I yell at him. ''what's with the bad mouthing? You know he is my mate; you can't just say all these things about him when you don't even know him. He knows about my history with you but he respects that because it's all in the past,'' I say and then continue, ''and I thought we were past the jealously issue,'' I state.

''Well I'm not okay!'' he shouts back, ''I thought I was but I'm not Athena. The thought of you with him makes me furious.''

I looked at him wide eyed and took a deep breath in, ''you know what, This. This is exactly the reason why I didn't want us to go ahead with what we started months ago. Just think; if our roles were reversed and you'd ask me to back off, I would do it wouldn't I? You need to understand and respect that I'm with Theo now Axel, because this is seriously getting tiring. So how about I walk on my own to the house so you can get time to think about this,'' I remark and walk away from him.

''Athena, you're home! Happy Birthday Darling!'' Mom screams as she pulls me into a hug, ''oh honey, I missed you. Chris come out, Athena's here.'' She cries out and I have to cover my ears as dad walks out of his study. I run to him and hug him tight but he just stands on his spot not returning my hug and I let go of him slowly, ''dad?'' I ask, ''what's wrong?'' He doesn't respond and walks to the kitchen where I follow him, ''Dad? Dad?'' I repeat, ''what's wrong, why are you not talking to me?'' He turns to look at me before he finally speaks, ''you have been gone for over a month and you don't even bother to call us, to let us know how you're doing?'' he questions and I look down guiltily, ''I'm sorry dad, it's just that everything happened so fast and i......'' he cuts me off' ''Don't use the it-happened-so-fast card on me young lady. I'm really disappointed in you,'' He voices.

''I'm really sorry Dad, it won't happen again, I promise.'' I say softly and use my puppy dog face on him. He immediately melts and pulls me into his arms, ''I missed you princess, Happy Birthday.'' He whispers and places a small kiss on my temple, ''missed you too dad,'' I reply.

''Ahh the puppy dog face! always works doesn't it little sister?'' says a voice behind us and I turn to find Ethan standing at the threshold with his arms open wide. ''Ethan!'' I scream as I run to hug him and he chortles a laugh, ''missed me Ena?'' he asks. '' ehh not really, I kind of found your replacement at Crescent,'' I reply and he stares at me incredulously, ''please, no one can replace me,'' he says proudly. ''Yeah, tell that to Charles,'' I mumble and he laughs. ''Happy Birthday Ena, it's good to have you home,'' He says.

As we sit in the living room I tell my family about my life at crescent; mom however seemed a bit disappointed that we still haven't told everyone that we are mates. I assured her that we were taking things slow and it will happen sooner or later. I left out the part of the blue eyed stalker as I didn't want to worry them too much. Ethan soon leaves the house to attend matters concerning the pack but not before I tease him on being the 'big, bad alpha' to which he shakes his head and calls me crazy as Mom proceeds to the kitchen to cook lunch.

''Princess, why don't you come with me to my study where we can talk properly,'' Dad suggests and I nod as I get up and follow him.

''So what did you want to talk about dad?'' I ask as I look around his study. ''Have a seat Athena, we have much to discuss,'' He says in a business like voice.

''How are you princess? Answer me honestly,'' he questions. ''I'm good dad, really everything is going well,'' I answer honestly. ''You sure Athena, cause if that boy is not treating you well I will march down to the Crescent Pack right now and beat his ass up.'' Dad says in a serious tone which causes me to laugh. ''You don't have to dad, Theo is really good to me, he respects me and besides I can beat his ass up If he wrongs me in any way,'' I comment. ''That's my girl,'' he says and produces a throaty laugh.

''So now to my main concern, have you introduced him to your wolf? What does he have to say about it? It will be bad for you if he rejects you; you know that don't you? Have you thought of what to do if he does?'' dad quizzes and I stare him. My family has serious overthinking and some other questionable issues. ''Dad, relax. Take a deep breath first; I'm going to tell you everything,'' I say calmly.

''First things first, I introduced her to him on the third day. I also told him I would accept whatever decision he takes once he sees my wolf but he took it so well dad, I was surprised really. He called me extra ordinary dad.'' I chuckle as I remember his words and I see dad breathe a sigh of relief. ''He vowed to protect me and if push comes to shove, he will be by my side through it all,'' I conclude and dad nods his head slowly, clearly a sign he is impressed by Theo.

''He really loves you,'' dad comments and I freeze. ''Love! What no, come on dad. We've just been together a month and love doesn't happen that fast,'' I refute. ''Athena honey, love doesn't have a time and place to happen. It can happen at any given moment; sometimes a week, a month, or even a day. Tell me, don't you both live together, haven't you done everything that a couple does?'' and I looked at him visibly shocked. ''Dad! What the... I am so not having this conversation with you.'' I say in embarrassment and walk out of the study but dad stops me. 

''Athena, think about it. You know the answer, but it seems like you're not ready to hear it. It's okay princess it happens.'' He smiles at me encouragingly and I walk out of the study in a state of confusion. Theo in love with me. No it can't be, it's too soon but what if dad's right. I continue pondering over it and bang! ''Oh my God Athena are you okay?'' my mother calls as she comes running from the kitchen. ''I'm fine mom, I just walked into a wall no big deal,'' I reply as I rub my forehead.

''Goddess girl, how does one walk into a wall!'' she shouts and goes back to the kitchen grumbling about how the Goddess gave us eyes but we seldom use them. I follow her and sit on one of the chairs. ''Is lunch ready, I'm hungry.'' I say and she rolls her eyes at me,''when are you not hungry Athena, I swear you and Ethan can eat a whole buffalo and still complain you're hungry,'' she grumbles again. I wonder what Theo thinks about your appetite, you eat for 10 people.'' "Okay mom exaggeration much. There is a whole fridge stocked at his house, so I can indulge at any time,'' I reply smugly as dad comes down from the study and mom places the pot of stew on the table. Ethan soon joins us and we all have lunch together. 'I missed this' I thought as I looked around the table at my family and smiled.

In the afternoon Ethan and I go to the meadow and sit on the boulder where we last sat 4 months ago. ''So much has changed in 4 months hasn't it Ena?'' he asks as he looks at the horizon. ''Yeah it has, I miss this meadow,'' I reply. '' What? a big pack like crescent and you don't have a meadow?'' Ethan questions ''what is Theo even doing? Where do you go for your dates?'' he quizzes and I roll me eyes at him. '' Okay number one, Crescent is huge and we have a lake so in your face alpha boy and number two, I'm not answering the second question,'' I reply and he chuckles. '' Well someone's possessive about her future pack, huh Luna?'' he teases and I nudge him playfully, ''don't start.'' We both burst into laughter. We talk and joke for about 2 hours until he frowns in concentration, guess someone's mind linking him. ''Well Ena it's almost dusk, we better get home. It's almost time for you to go back to Crescent too.

As we get home I see mom wrapped in a trench coat. ''Don't recall it being rainy season mom, what's with the trench coat?'' I question, ''It's fashion honey, look it up,'' she replies sassily and I'm left with my mouth hung open. ''Okay mom,'' I reply putting my hands up in surrender to mean no harm. ''I'll go get my bag and then we can leave.''

All three of them walk with me to the border and I keep getting confused by the minute. ''Do you all have to come, I'm not twelve you know, I can cross borders on my own,'' I say with a roll of my eyes. ''Shush Athena, we just want to come take a look at your new home, meet your mate that's it,' My mother responds and I chose to remain silent.

As soon as I cross the border to Crescent, the mate bond lights up and my skin begins to tingle, he is nearby, was the first thought that came to my mind and I bite my lip nervously.

''Well look who decided to come back,'' Charles calls as he meets us half way, '' I was just coming to the borders to get you,'' he continues and greets my family, I notice a subtle exchange of nods between him and Ethan but ignore it. ''Hey Charles missed you too, oh and by the way Ethan meet your replacement, Charles.'' I joke and they both shake their hands and nod in respect to each other.

''Come on let's go, it's getting dark,'' He says and winks at my parents. Again, weird but I chose to ignore it because come on, it's Charles; he is the king of weirdness.

As we get closer I see a lot of lights, ''did Theo get new lights installed while I was gone?'' I question loudly and Charles looks at me perplexed.

"Ohh Athena, my cookie, how clueless you are," he says as we come to a clearing next to the training area and more lights get switched on. I see a huge crowd of people gathered as they all shout; ''Surprise!! Happy Birthday Athena!!''

My jaw drops open as I look at everyone. ''oh my god'' Is all I could say as Theo appears from the crowd smiling.

''Hello love, how did you like my surprise?''