-Athena-

"And that's how we ended up here,'' I explain everything to Charles while gesturing at my now ruined apartment. Theo listens closely while he hoists the door and puts it back in its position.

''Yeah man, that's not helping really,'' Charles shakes his head at him. 

''At least I'm trying . What are you doing?''

''I am actually helping Theo,'' Charles retorts. ''Come on Athena, let's get you cleaned up,'' he helps me up.

We walk towards the door as Charles dramatically lifts it and places it aside all the while side-eyeing Theo. I suppress a laugh at his antics before we walk into his apartment. A few seconds later Theo walks in behind us.

''First things first, you both need to shower. Athena you can use the guest bathroom. Let me give you a fresh set of clothes.'' Charles takes charge and announces.

After a few minutes he signals me to go in. Theo has already gone to shower and should be out anytime soon. I wince in pain as the hot water touches the deeper wounds on my ribs and back.

A few of them have already healed and the pain starts lessening. I make sure that no water touches the big wolfs-bane wound. I wash the blood off my face and hair, the smell of it making me gag. I make the mistake of looking down and see a whole lot of blood go down the drain, making me cringe. It must have taken me more than thirty minutes to get all clean as I hear a soft knock on the door.

''Athena, are you done?'' Theo asks from the other side of the door. 

''Umm no. I'm almost done though,'' I answer back.

''Ask her if she needs help,'' I hear Charles whisper to Theo. I catch a hint of teasing in his voice.

 ''I'm done!!!'' I shout before Theo actually asks.

I grab the clothes Charles left for me on the counter and roll my eyes. Of course it had to be his! Charles left me one of Theo's shirts and boxer shorts. His scent is all over the shirt. I wanted to barge out of the bathroom and give him a piece of my mind, but then remembered that I'm only covered in a towel. 

''Dang it!'' I curse.

''Everything okay in there Athena?'' I hear Charles ask. I could just imagine that annoying smirk on his face. Oh how I want to wipe that smirk off his smug face. ''I will kill you,'' I growl in annoyance.

''Not today you're not,'' he chuckles. ''Now come out, we have much to discuss.''

I groan knowing I have no other choice. I put on the clothes then walk out the bathroom, drying my hair.

Both Theo and Charles turn their heads towards me. I smile at them before taking a seat on their couch. Theo's gaze lingers on me for a few seconds, a satisfying smile playing on his lips. My wolf feels at ease with our mate being around and recedes at the back of my mind.

Charles walks to the kitchen and comes back with a plate of cookies. ''Those smell great,'' I say while sniffing the air. ''This scent, it -it feels familiar.''

Theo and Charles exchange glances before the latter places the plate of cookies by my side. ''Just try these. You'll love them, I can guarantee that,'' he winks at the end of his sentence.

''Charles.... I'm not hungry,'' I push the plate away. ''I was this close to getting killed today. This Amunet situation is getting out of hand. I need to get to the bottom of it.''

''We. Athena, we need to get to the bottom of this,'' Theo says sternly, looking right into my eyes. 

,I shy away from his gaze and shake my head. ''No. absolutely not. This is my fight and I don't want you fighting it for me. I can handle this on my own!''

''We are not having this conversation again Athena,'' Theo sighs. ''I'm your mate for crying out loud, I was there when those vampires attacked you. I watched you rip them apart. What makes you think I'm not going into this fight with you.''

''You don't have to Theo. Thank you for your help tonight. Really, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. But I can take it from here. I don't need you fighting my fights for me,'' I reply, anger starting to build up in me.

''Who said anything about me fighting your fights for you, Athena? I'm talking about fighting with you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it I'm going to be there, by your side. The fact that the mate bond is blocked doesn't stop us from being mates,'' he gets up and takes long strides towards me.

I get up too and walk towards him in anger. The both of us now standing in the middle of the living room staring at each other in challenge.

''I forbid you to fight for- ugghh- with me,'' I scowl at him. '' You can't forbid me, I'm an alpha'' he scoffs.

''So am I,'' I state proudly and stand on my tiptoes. Damn him for being so tall.

''You're not changing my mind Athena. We're in this together,'' he inches his face closer to mine.

''I....I.... arghh damn it. You can't get involved in this Theo. Why don't you understand. What if something happens to you, huh?'' I throw my hands up in the air in frustration and back away from him.

''So you're worried about me now are you?'' he smirks and crosses his arms. I eye the veins popping from his muscular fore arms and have the sudden urge to trace my fingers over them but  I catch myself and quickly look away before I'm caught.

''No...no I'm not,'' I reply and turn, my back facing him. ''If you die it will be on my conscience and I would have to live with that guilt for the rest of my life.''

He suddenly starts laughing loudly making me turn to look at him in shock. ''You're worried about me dying?!! Oh goddess,'' he claps his hands.

''It's not funny! And I'm not worried okay!'' I yell in frustration, what's wrong with him?

''Athena......'' he walks up to me and places a hand on my cheek, ''I'm not dying, okay?'' he whispers slowly.

''You can't be sure of that Theo,'' I whisper back, ''everyone has to die someday.''

''Ohhh would you just kiss already and get married!!'' Charles suddenly shouts from the couch. I lean over Theo's shoulder and glare him. 

"Seriously? Where were you this whole time? I had almost forgotten you were here!''

''Heyyy...it's not my fault you can't see anyone else apart from him,'' he complains, as he munches on a cookie. ''Why are you glaring at me!?''

''I'm hoping you will spontaneously combust.'' I stomp towards him and grab the plate from his hand. ''Give me those!!'' I plop on the empty space by his side and take a bite out of the cookie.

''Ohhhhhhhhhh my godddd,'' an involuntary moan escapes me making me slap my hand on my mouth. I swallow the bite and look at the two men in the room who have amused smirks playing on their lips.

Charles is the first one to speak up. ''Come on man, pay up,'' he extends his hands towards Theo.

''Wait a minute, you guys knew this would happen?'' I ask them. 

''Yup, we did,'' Theo nods. ''Well, Charles was sure it would. I however, had my doubts.''

''Hence the bet,'' Charles concludes. 

''So, I have done this before,'' I whisper in shock.

''Yes you have Athena, yes you have. We've had so many memories together and it saddens me that you don't remember any of it. You don't know how many times I've caught myself wishing that some miracle happens and all of your memories come back,'' Theo confesses.

''I......I.... I don't know what to say,'' I stutter, suddenly feeling ashamed of myself.

''You've forgotten a lot of things Athena. Theo and I have been trying to track down-''Charles stops midway as Theo elbows him.

''Track down? Track down who? Do you guys know who did this to me?'' I ask them.

They both exchange nervous looks before Theo answers, ''No. No we don't Athena. What Charles meant is that we are trying to track down some people who might be of help to your- umm- condition,'' Theo replies calmly.

I tune in my hearing to his heartbeat, trying to see if he is lying but it's steady. So either he is telling the truth or he is a really good liar.

''Okay-umm.... I should go,'' I tell them as I get up and walk towards the door. ''You can't go in there Athena. You place is a murder house,'' Charles stops me.

''It's okay, I'll just grab a few things and sleep at a hotel,'' I tell him. 

''Athena, stay please. We have an extra room in here. No need for you to go a hotel,'' Theo says, his eyes begging me to stay.

''I really can't. You guys have done enough for me; I shouldn't impose on you like that. Thank you, again,'' and with that I leave the apartment and shut the door behind me softly.

I rush to my room, grab a few clothes and stuff them in my duffel bag. I thank the moon goddess that none of the guys followed me. I run to the elevator and make my way to the basement. I get into my BMW and drive towards the airport.

I call Nancy on the way, informing her of my departure, telling her that I will be back on Monday. ''You're sure you'll be back on Monday? cause the last time you said that you left for a year,'' she says over the speaker.

''I promise I'll be back. There are somethings I- umm I -I need to sort out back home,'' I reply.

''Okay, fine. Fly safe, I'll see you Monday and not a day later,'' she says. I could sense the worry in her voice. 

''See you soon,'' I reply and cut the call.

I pay the parking fees for four days and leave my car at the airport. ''Hi, when is your next flight to Vancouver, ''I walk up to the counter and ask the ticketing agent.

''Hello Ma'am. Just give me a second to check,'' he replies and looks at his computer. ''30 minutes from now ma'am. In fact, they have already opened the gates for boarding,'' he replies.

''That's great. Are there any seats available on first class?'' I ask. He checks his computer again then shakes his head at me, ''I'm afraid not ma'am. However, there are seats on coach class, would you like to book one?''

Just at that moment my phone starts ringing. I look at the caller ID to see Charles' name flash on the screen. ''You know what? Book it,'' I need to leave. Also, please allocate an aisle seat for me. Thanks,'' I tell the agent and give him my miles card.

He puts in the details quickly, prints out the boarding pass and hands it to me. I swipe my card and pay for the ticket then make my way towards the gate.

Four hours later I land in Vancouver. I walk out of the airport to see it's almost dawn. While in flight I realized that this was the last flight for the day from Toronto. In fact, due to some technical reasons it had delayed, which clearly worked out in my favor.

I hail a cab and give him the directions to the highway which leads to the forest. He looks at me skeptically then asks, ''you want me to drop you in the middle of nowhere? Are you sure? You know it's not safe for a girl to be out there alone, especially on the side of a highway this early in the morning?''

''Trust me sir, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Besides, I'm not going to be alone. I'm meeting some friends there. We will be camping for a few days,'' The lie rolls off my tongue easily.

He shakes his head and chuckles, ''kids these days. No one knows what you're up to. Come on, hop in girly.''

I switch on my phone and all the messages start pouring in. Most of them from Charles and Theo asking me where I am. Over 25 missed calls from the both of them combined. ''Can't a girl get a break?'' I sigh and drop the phone in my handbag.

''You're having boy troubles are you?'' The driver asks me. 

'' You don't know half of it sir,'' I massage my temple in stress. After thirty minutes of silence he speaks up again. ''Well, here we are.''

I look out the window and realized he stopped way ahead of the pack lands. ''Umm this is not the spot sir, if you could just drive a few more kilo meters ahead, I will tell you when we are there.''

''How can you identify the exact spot girly? They all look the same to me,'' he grunts. ''You grew up in these areas did ya?'' he turns to ask me. 

''Something like that,'' I give him a coy smile.

''That's it. That's the spot. You can stop right here,'' I tell him after ten more minutes of driving. The pack smells hitting my nose, my wolf stirs up and stretches, welcoming the feeling of coming home.

''I don't even want to ask,'' the driver says as he places my bag by my feet. I pay him and watch him drive away towards the city.

''Well, there is no going back now,'' I say to myself and walk towards the Crescent pack borders.

A warm sensation sets in me as I near their borders. A feeling of home, the woody scent hits me which reminds me of Theo. Of course it smells like him, this is his pack.

From a distance I could see pack warriors lining up for their shift when one of them notices me. I see him walk towards a woman who seems to be in deep conversation with another male. He whispers something to her before she turns to look at me.

As I get nearer, almost all the warriors are now facing me. I see the leader's eyes widen in realization. She knows me. All the other warriors fall back and bow their heads low as I approach them.

''Athena!! Oh thank the goddess! Athena, you've come back,'' the hazel eyed female runs towards me.

''You.... you know me?'' I ask her. 

''Of course I do. It's me Hazel!'' she says excitedly. ''And judging from your reaction you still don't have your memories. But come, let's get you settled. Also, where is Theo? didn't he come with you? Charles told us that you're together.''

''He did? Why that stupid son of a bitch!'' I growl in annoyance. 

''No, not like together, together. Like you've been talking and hanging out together,'' she says carefully. Clearly trying not to piss me off.

''No....no nothing of that sort. Listen you look like you hold an important position here... uhhh...Hazel right?'' I ask, not sure if I got the name right in the first place.

''I- uhhh- yes, I'm the packs' leading warrior,'' she replies. ''Okay great, so I need to go to Crimson. Can I get an approval to pass?''

''Athena. You're the alpha of this pack. You don't need anyone's approval to go across your land,'' Hazel tells me.

''Ohhh right,'' I face palm myself. ''Right yeah, makes sense. Theo is my mate and this is his pack so......okay-umm- 'll just go. Please, please don't stop on my account,'' I gesture towards what they were doing earlier.

''You sure you'll be okay Athena? I can send someone to escort you to the Crimson borders,'' Hazel suggests.

''No, no, no, no,'' I quickly refuse. ''Please no, I'll manage on my own,'' I reply and walk towards what I'm assuming is Crimson. Damn this pack is so huge!! I better stick to the borders so that I don't get lost.

After fifteen more minutes of wandering I finally spot the border separating Crescent from Crimson Pack. I start jogging towards Crimson pack my eyes setting on the familiar pack house at a distance. A few pack warriors notice me and stand on alert, ready to take me down. ''Let me pass,'' I say after coming to a stop just outside the borderline.

''We cannot allow you to. Who are you?'' One of them says. I size him up. He is a young pup, looks like he just recently got accepted.

''Athena Robinson! Always a sight for sore eyes,'' someone shouts from behind the group. I try to look but the said person is blocked by other warriors.

The group of men split into two to create a path for the him. He walks towards me, a boyish grin on his face, ''took you long enough,'' he shouts.

A smiles forms on my face as I run towards him. ''Axel!!'' I yell and hug him.

''Boy am I glad you didn't forget me,'' he chuckles as he pulls away from me. ''What are you doing here?''

''I came to see Ethan and Mom. I've got a lot of apologizing to do,'' I say softly. He puts an arm around my shoulder, ''That you do my friend, come on,let's go.''

''So how's everything?'' I ask him. 

''Everything is great,'' he replies, a huge smile on his face. He is practically glowing, ''Nadia, my mate, she is pregnant!! We just found out two weeks ago!!''

''Oh wow! That's is some brand new information!'' I yell in excitement. ''Congratulations!''

''Thanks,'' he rubs the back of his neck bashfully.

We continue making small talk as we approach the big house. Our house, my dad's house. I stop in my tracks suddenly feeling ashamed of myself, of all the things I did seven months ago. The way I behaved with Ethan, the way I left my mom to fend for herself. The way I used my father's death as an excuse to behave like a bitch.

''Athena, hey, hey what's wrong?'' Axel shakes me, bringing me back to reality.

''Sorry, I...uhhh I zo-''

''You zoned out didn't you?'' he cuts me off then chuckles. ''At least some part of the old you is still there.''

I give him a small smile then walk to the front porch. ''You can do this,'' Axel tells me while giving me a thumbs up.

I take the steps up and push the door open. ''Hello, Mom?'' I call out weakly. ''Are you there?''

I hear a small gasp from somewhere in the living room followed by a crash. ''Athena?'' I see mom emerge from the living room.

''Mom!!'' I yell as tears start filling up my eyes. ''My baby!'' she comes closer and holds my face between her hands. ''You're back.''

She hugs me tight as we both hold on to each other, our tears being proof of all the emotions we had been holding in. ''I'm sorry mom, I'm so, so sorry,'' I whisper to her.

I sense two more presences in the house as I catch the sound of multiple footsteps from upstairs which then come to a sudden stop. 

''Ena?'' the voice says, making me let go of my mom and look up.

''Hi,'' I say, while wipingoff my tears.

***

Athena has returned back to Crimson!!! About time isn't it?

Let me know what you guys think of the chapter.

Happy reading 😊

-Jessica.S