-Athena-

The gala was a massive success. The recognition we earned from it was far more than anything. Nightshade was on the front page of every newspaper, we were trending on social media too. Come Monday morning, our office was swamped with orders. I caught a few people who used to have one or two client files, now juggling with almost four. And I just signed off a few documents requesting Leo's company to start production of more garments from the fourth line.

''Rebecca for you on the other line,'' Nancy's voice echoes through the telephone line.

''Put me through.''

''Athena, hi. Gosh, I would have come up there but, we're so occupied down here,'' I hear Rebecca's voice.

''That's fine, don't worry. What is it you wanted to tell me?''

''Can you start working on more designs please? At the rate we're going, we might have to release new outfits soon.''

''I think that's a good idea. I haven't touched my paints and easel in a long time. Thanks Rebecca, I'll start working on something,'' I inform her and cut the call. ''A few more hours at work and I'll be home.'' I mumble to myself as I reply to some of my emails.

All through the day I kept glancing at my phone, expecting to see a message, or even a missed call from Theo. I even checked and re-checked my volume settings, in case my phone was on silent.

''I've been watching you,'' a voice calls out, making me jump in surprise.

''I don't pay you for that Nancy,'' I roll my eyes at her.

''What's bothering you Athena? tell me. You've been looking at your phone a lot lately, are you expecting a call from someone?''

''NO! Why? Why would I be expecting a call,'' I reply defensively and fiddle my fingers.

''Cut it with the act,'' she waves her hand, ''just call him.''

''Why should I?'' I ask her and flip my hair back.

''The real question is, why shouldn't you? I saw you two at the gala the other night. Why didn't you just kiss him?! it was such a perfect moment.''

''Nancy!! keep your voice down. We are in the office for crying out loud. There are people here who are working, and you should be too,'' I tell her sternly.

''Stop trying to change the subject Athena. For once, just give your mind a break and listen to your heart,'' she says and walks out of my cabin.

After that, Nancy didn't bother me for the rest of day and I got buried in more work than i'd expected. When I was finally done, it was almost six o'clock in the evening. So much for going home early. My two bodyguards for the day, Sharon and Cameron were waiting for my by the elevator when I walk out.

''We thought you had escaped through the window alpha,'' Cameron speaks up as soon as I join them. Sharon, elbows him in the ribs and glares at him.

''A week ago, I would have, but I'm used to you guys now. Come on, let's go,'' I tell the pair and we leave the building.

''Did Theo call anyone of you?'' I ask them after a while. We pass the park and restaurants as the Cameron turns around a corner. I lean my head against the window, waiting for their reply.

''No alpha, were you expecting a call from him?'' Sharon is the one who speaks up.

''No, not really, I just thought he might have,'' I sigh.

I spot my apartment building a few blocks away, as the car swerves towards it. Cameron parks it perfectly in the basement. The three of us file into the elevator, the two guards first, followed by me. The doors are about to close when two teenage girls shout across the basement. ''Wait, wait for us please!''

I press on the button at the side of the elevator so that the doors stay open. ''Thank you,'' the both say as soon as they get in. We scooch to one side to give them room as the elevator dings close.

''So do you think he will ask you?'' the blonde haired girls ask her friend.

''I hope he does. I mean he has been showing signs since Friday,'' the raven haired girl squeals.''Just imagine, me and Sebastian walking around the school hand in hand. Ahh, I cannot wait to see the looks on the other girls' faces!'' She squeals.

''You scored big hun. I mean a guy like Sebastian, you could get lost in those eyes of his,'' The blonde says dreamily.

I look back and forth between the two girls and try to conceal my smile as they continue talking about this Sebastian guy. 

'Sebastian? Sebastian?' I continue repeating the name in my head, why is it so familiar? Do I know someone who goes by that name? I rack my brain for any memory of it when the elevator comes to a stop. The two chattering girls walk out, leaving the three of us.

As the elevator jolts upwards, a series of pain shoots through my skull. ''Oh, for the love of God, no!'' I shout and clutch my head.

''Alpha, alpha is everything okay?'' Sharon grabs me by the shoulders before I could hit the floor.

''My. Head. Hurts,'' I enunciate each word and slide down the wall.

''What can we do?'' Cameron asks me, looking frightened.

''Arggghhhh!!! Stop talking! It hurts more'' I growl in pain, I could feel my wolf trying to take over and I'll bet you anything that my eyes are now flashing red.

''Call alpha Theo. Now!'' Sharon orders him.

Apart from my painful growls, it's silent. So I'm guessing Cameron is mind linking Theo. ''We're are almost there,'' Sharon whispers as she rubs my back slowly.

''It's getting worse!!!'' I growl out again and latch onto Cameron's hand, since he was standing next to me.

''Alpha Athena, Alpha Athena, please let go. You'll break my hand,'' he winces in pain and tries to free himself from my death grip.

''Make it stop!!!'' I yell in agony, shutting my eyes, a feeble attempt to lessen the pain.

The elevator suddenly stops and the doors slide open. My hand slips away from Cameron's arm and I'm lifted off the ground.

''Grab her stuff,'' his husky voice floats through my ears, seconds before his scent hits me. ''You'll be fine love,'' he whispers and kisses my forehead.

''Athena? what happened? is she okay? why are her eyes closed?'' I hear Mila's worried voice.

Theo places me on the couch and holds my face between his hands. ''Athena, I know it hurts love, but you need to work through with me on this, okay? okay?''

A small scream escapes me as another jolt of pain hit me, but I somehow I managed to nod a yes.

''Okay, now I need you to open your eyes first, slow, slowly, just open them and look at me. You can do it Athena,'' Theo's now soft voice guides me.

I tilt my head to the right trying to ease the pain but it's to no avail. So I slowly open my eyes and gaze into his.

''Good girl,'' he chuckles a little, rubs both of his thumbs on each of my cheeks. I lean into this touch and sigh deeply; the pain starts to recede and I sit upright.

Theo notices this and tries to drop his hands from my face but I grab them. ''No. Stay,'' I whisper.

''Are you sure?'' he asks; I could sense the surprise in this voice.

''Positive.''

He then lifts me up bridal style and takes me to my room, then gently places me on the bed. ''Are you feeling better now?''

''A bit, it still hurts but its bearable,'' I reply softly as I watch him remove my heels.

''Move,'' he demands and gets into bed with me.

''Seriously?'' I raise an eyebrow at him.

''Come on Athena, we both know you missed me all day,'' he smirks.

''I did not!'' I shout. ''Ow!! Look what you made me do,'' I clutch the side of my head.

''Sorry, now stop trying to fight me and come here,'' he pulls me towards him and wraps his arms around me. ''Just rest, love.''

I do as he says and place my head on his chest, his intoxicating scent making my heart race like a drug but then also calming me down. My eyes flutter close and we remain like that for a few minutes, our breathing in sync as he plays with my hair. The headache is now gone and I can feel myself relax.

''Theo?''

''Hmm?''

As Nancy said, heart over mind. Just this once. I pull myself up and look at him. ''What's wrong Athena? is there something you want to tell me? Is the headache coming back?''

''Just shut up,'' I scold him and without thinking twice place my lips on his. He stiffens at first but then leans in and deepens the kiss. 

The kiss was unreal; I've never experienced anything like that before. I could feel fireworks blowing up in my head, my whole body was tingling in pleasure.

I pull away from him to catch my breath but he was not done and pulls me back to him. ''No!'' He grunts and kisses me again. This time he takes control and before I know it, I'm now straddling him.

''Athena....''he grunts again, in between the kiss.

''Seriously?'' I pull back and look at him, ''I was trying to adjust myself,'' I wiggle again.

''You're not helping, love,'' he groans in his husky voice. I stop my wiggling and stare at him then burst into a fit of giggles.

''Oh goddess, you just, you......holy shit!'' I slap a hand on my mouth to stop myself after seeing the disgruntled look on his face.

''Sorry, let me, you know, get out of your way,'' I lift myself off him and plop myself beside him. ''You know, I read somewhere that a cold shower helps. You're welcome to use mine,'' I tease him.

''I'm only getting in that shower if you promise to join me,'' he teases back.

I get out of the bed and sit at my vanity to straighten my hair out. ''In your dreams mister,'' I reply as I stare at him through the mirror.

''You have no idea of the kind of dreams I have, love,'' he winks at me while putting on his shoes.

My eyes widen in shock at his statement. A blush begins to creep up my cheeks making me look away from him. I avoid eye contact with him for like thirty seconds before I remembered something.

''Hey, can I ask you a question?''

''But you already did,'' he starts chuckling, but shuts up when I glare at him.

''Did I, umm, did I happen to know someone by the name of Sebastian?''

He stops whatever he was doing and looks at me worriedly. ''Why, did you remember something?''

''Well, I'm not entirely sure. But that name did trigger the migraine, it felt so,so familiar. Could it be that this Sebastian is somehow related to all this?'' I ask him.

He remains silent for a few minutes. His hand on his chin, grazing the light stubble that has grown over the past few days. ''I'm not going to lie to you Athena, Sebastian is partly responsible for all this, but it's all in the past now, love,'' he replies. I got the feeling that he doesn't seem to want to talk about it, so I just nodded and dropped the subject.

''I feel better now. Let's go, I hope there's food, I'm starving,'' I say and as if on cue, my stomach grumbles. I grab my stomach and look away in embarrassment but my mate just chuckles and grab me by the shoulders. ''Come on, you monster. Let's get some food in you.''

''Heyyy are you feeling better now?'' Mila asks as soon as I take a seat at the dining table.

''Yeah, much better,'' I reply and give her a smile. My eye catches Theo's who is helping Charles lay the table and he winks at me. I smirk at him before turning my attention to the food on the table. ''Hmm, pizza. You guys made these?'' I ask the beta pair.

''Yup, Mila had kept everything ready, so all I had to do is assemble it all and place them in the oven,'' Charles replies.

''Smells good. I'll grab the wine,'' I tell them and fish one out from the cabinet. Soon the four of us are gobbling down the pizza's and sipping wine as we talk and laugh about random things.

''So, the alpha meeting is this Friday you guys,'' Mila says, as soon as the laughter from Charles joke dies down. ''Who's attending this time?''

''Argghhh! Those meetings are so boring!'' Charles complains.

''Except last years,'' Theo replies.

''Wait, an alpha meeting? So we are supposed to go? But I don't know anything about this? what will I even do there? what will I even say?''

''Okay, okay, cool it with the questions Athena. It's nothing that big. Just all the Alphas, Lunas and Betas attend it, the council is there, they ask us if we are having any problems or in other packs' cases, if they're causing any problems. We say no and the meeting ends. That's it,'' Charles explains.

''That's it?'' I ask.

''Not exactly,'' Theo replies. ''The best part of the meeting is the cocktail party at the end, you get to meet the other alphas and discuss strategies and ideas and just catch up in general.''

Charles scoff at Theo's answer then looks at me, ''don't listen to him, he's lame. The best part is the booze at the party,'' he winks.

''Oh, I see and where does this meeting take place?'' I ask them.

''Well, last year it was here, in Toronto. This time, it's in the big apple......New York baby'' Charles says after a short dramatic pause.

''Wow, New York,'' I whisper. ''The city that never sleeps.''

''Have you been there?'' Theo asks me.

''Once, when I was in college,'' I reply.

''So are we going or what?'' Mila asks, looking around the table hopefully.

''Of course we are, babe. It's the alpha meeting, we have to go,'' Charles tells her as he rubs her shoulder soothingly. ''In fact, I suggest we stay an extra two days there.''

I grab the laptop that was placed on the table and look at the e-invite that was open. ''But why? I mean we can fly out on Friday morning, attend the meeting that afternoon and return back by the last flight. Why stay there? is there anything special you want to do?''

''Funny that you ask,'' he smirks. ''Did you know-''

''Charles, don't do it, I'm warning you man, don't'' Theo suddenly says. I look between the two men. Charles, who looks like he has a secret he wants to spill and Theo, who is ready to strangle the man as soon as he opens his mouth.

''itstheosbirthdayonsaturday,'' he blurts out so fast that I barely catch a word.

''Do you mind saying that slowly, I didn't catch a single word you said,'' I lean forward on the table to hear him clearly.

He shoots Theo an apologetic look before answering. ''Its Theo's birthday on Saturday.''

''You're kidding me! No way. Are you serious? Is he serious?'' I turn to look at Theo who looks embarrassed.

''Yeah, it's true,'' he looks at me sheepishly. ''But its nothing big, i mean, its just a birthday.''

''Nothing big?! Are you being serious right now?! Charles, your idea is great. In fact, it's more than great. We are definitely staying those two days in New York,'' I tell them, giddy with excitement.

''Then it's decided. Athena has said it, meaning it's happening,'' Mila squeals. ''You're not going to say no to Athena, right?'' She raises her eyebrow, waiting for Theo to say something.

''Fine. We'll stay,'' he sighs in defeat.

Perfect. Since the council headquarters is in New York, that's where the meeting will take place. I'll get to booking the hotel.'' She grabs the laptop from the table and starts searching.

''Great, I'll start looking for flights,'' I tell her as I place my plate in the sink and wash my hands.

''Nope, you're not doing that,'' Theo stops me before I could run to my room for the laptop.

''And why not?'' I place my hands on my waist and give him a challenging look. ''We are not going to do this every single time Theo. For once, let me pay for something. Stop smiling, it's not funny okay!'' I slap his arm.

''Will you listen to me, please,'' he grabs my hand before I could hit him more. ''You're not booking any flight, because we are taking the private jet,'' he replies calmly.

I must have blinked a hundred times before i found my ability to speak again. ''Wh-Wh-what? No way!'' I look at him shocked. ''You can't be serious; you have a private jet?!'' 

''Of course I do. How do you think I came here?'' 

''Like every other normal person does! By car or by flight. And by that I mean, buying a ticket and standing in line for boarding.''

''You never cease to amaze me love,'' he chuckles and a kisses me lightly on the lips.

''Umm, excuse me, but when did this happen?'' Charles, who is still eating, points his finger between the two of us.

''A while ago,'' I reply and smile coyly at him.

''Mila, honey?'' he calls out to his mate, who is sitting cross legged on one of the couches, her eyes scanning the laptop screen. ''Looks like we won't be needing three rooms.''

Mila looks up from the laptop, just as Theo places an arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer to him. ''What he said,'' Theo tells her.

She looks at me and then asks, ''You're okay with it?''

''Yeah, just book two rooms,'' I reply. She smiles knowingly and goes back to whatever she was doing.

I wanted most of the work to be done by Friday. So for the next two days I decided to put in some extra hours at work. The first time it happened, I stayed in the office past 08:00 pm. Sorting out the files for the celebrities and other VIP parties. Much to Theo's dismay who, as per Hudson's words, was ready to storm over here and drag me back home. But made the smart choice of staying put.

It was Thursday evening and I was wrapping up the last of the files, when my phone starts ringing. I peek at it to look at the caller ID before answering. ''Well if it isn't the old hag who has set her eyes on ruining me.''

''You're getting cocky these days, Athena. Is it because of your handsome mate?'' Amunet's snake like voice hisses through the speaker.

''Why, are you jealous?''

''Ohh, I see what has happened here,'' she chuckles. ''Any who, I heard about your little show. You were just lucky I wasn't there Athena, or else that would have been the last show of your pathetic existence.''

Okay, that struck a nerve.

''What exactly is your problem with me?!?!'' I shout, banging the file I was holding on my desk in anger. ''You've had it out for me from the moment I met you!''

''Ahhhhhahhh! There it is! this is the Athena I was looking for. The impulsive one, the one who gets angry in a second. Its him who keeps you calm doesn't he?'' I could know by the tone in her voice that she was smirking. ''Come on, Athena. You can tell me.''

''I don't need to tell you anything Amunet. But be rest assured, the next time I see you, I will tear your throat out,'' I growl over the phone. Anger rising in me like a raging fire.

''If I don't get to you first darling. If I were you, I'd sleep with one eye open from now on. Pass my regards to your mate, will you?'' she cackles and disconnects the line.

''Aaarrrrghhhhh!!!'' I pull my hair in frustration. I need to find out what Amunet has on me. What could I have possibly done for her to hate me so much? I think its time i tell Theo that i want in on this hunt to find the witch who did this to me.

I need my memories back.

***

Thoughts on the chapter?

Athena kissed Theo!!!! And now they're together. What do you think will happen next.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments as usual.

-Jessica.S