-Theo-

On Friday morning after a quick breakfast, Hudson drives the four of us to the airport. We walk past the terminals and head towards the VIP section. Along the way I notice a lot of men staring at Athena, the low cut  red dress she'd worn wasn't helping her case either, so I take her hand and entwine our fingers to show all those leering men that she is mine. She gives me a surprised look at first, but then just smiles and squeezes my hand in return.

After completing the necessary procedures, we head to the hangar, where the plane is parked. 

''Are you freaking kidding me?'' Athena shouts as soon as we get inside the jet.

''You like it?'' I ask her, though the look on her face says it all.

''I love it. It's so, it's so pretty,'' she replies and plops into one of comfortable couch-like seats.

''There is a bedroom back there, if you'd like to take a nap or something,'' I tell her as I sit down on her opposite side.

''We call dibs on the room,'' Charles suddenly shouts from behind us. ''We didn't get any sleep last night, so we might as well make use of it.''

Athena scrunches her nose up and looks away. ''I don't even want to know. You can have it.''

The two of the make their way towards the back. A few seconds later we hear a soft click of the lock. Athena gaze meets mine as she smiles and shakes her head. ''Sometimes he is such a child.''

''Last night he was trying to make one,'' I smirk knowingly.

Her eyes widen at my statement. ''Oh Goddess, you did not just say that! Theo, come on! Now i can't stop picturing it!'' she slaps my knee. I start laughing and soon she joins me too. ''I didn't know you were funny.''

''There is so much you don't know love,'' I reply. The laughter dies down and I lean forward in my seat.

''Then tell me,'' she whispers and leans forward too. Our noses are almost touching now, I'm about to close the distance between us and kiss her, when we're interrupted by the voice over of the pilot.

''Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain, I request you to fasten your seat-belts, we are taking off in the next few minutes.''

''Impeccable timing, he couldn't have waited a few more minutes,'' Athena grumbles and leans back on her seat. She crosses her arms across her chest, an annoyed look plastered on her face. I couldn't help but stare at her. She looks so cute with her cheeks puffed up.

''Love, you need to fasten your seat-belt,'' I remind her after a few seconds.

''Oh yeah,'' she slaps her forehead and grabs it.

Charles and Mila appear from the back and take their seats too. Athena eyes Mila, then focuses her gaze on me. A small smile appears on her lips before she turns to look at Mila again. ''Hey, you okay? You look exhausted.''

A faint blush appears on Mila's cheek while Charles, on the other hand is sporting an amusing smirk.

''Yeah,'' Mila replies, trying to stifle a yawn. ''I didn't get much sleep last night. Thanks to this one here,'' she kicks her mate.

''Hey!! You weren't complaining last night though, were you?'' Charles replies, then raises his hand toward me. ''Up top, brother.''

I lean forward and hi-five him as the two females roll their eyes. ''Ugghh, I can't listen to this anymore, '' Athena says and grabs the earplugs from the kit.

We soon take off and after a few minutes the pilot announces that it is safe for us to remove the seat-belts. Charles and Mila immediately retreat to the room, leaving Athena and I alone again. One of the crew members comes and offers us each a glass of champagne.

''This is good stuff,'' Athena says after taking a sip out of her glass.

''Glad you like it,'' I reply and take a sip of my own. I stare at her through the rim of my glass, before slowly putting it down, my gaze not leaving her for even a second.

''Theo, stop looking at me like that,'' she speaks up after noticing my gaze on hers.

''No can't do,'' I murmur.

''Seriously, stop it,'' she says, her cheeks are now red from blushing hard as she tries to shy away from me. She puts a hand on her face to try and hide it from me. ''Theo, stop it please''

''Okay fine, I'll stop, but I have something to ask you,'' I put my glass down and adjust myself on the seat.

''Wh- what do you want to ask me?'' A look of panic crosses her face.

''It's about work,'' I clarify before she starts to overthink.

''Oh,'' she relaxes and let's out a breath. ''What about it?''

''I'd like to propose a merger between my company and yours. My factories will provide the material for your fashions, we will handle the production and also the advertisement for your line of clothing. That way you don't have to deal with Grey and we'll give you a better offer of course.''

''Theo, I appreciate the offer, but I have signed a contract with Leo's company and backing out of it will come with some serious repercussions. I don't think I'm in a position to deal with court cases and fees at the moment.''

''Let me deal with it then. I'll take care of it, you don't have to worry about paying a single dollar.''

''You want to buy me out?'' She questions. I can see the anger beginning to brew in her eyes.

''Athena, listen to me, please.''

''No, Theo. I will not allow you to do that,'' she says in a calm voice, which takes me by surprise. I was ready for her shouts and hand throwing, but the calmness, I was not expecting that. 

''I have a deal with Leo that I intend to honor, I have signed a two-year contract with him and I do not wish to breach it,'' she says in her business-like voice and folds her hands.

And at that moment, the woman who was sitting in front was not the woman I love but rather, a successful business woman who was looking out for her company and her future.

''Very well then,'' I reply. ''I shall drop this topic immediately and not bring it up again.''

She sips on her champagne quietly, her eyes not leaving mine. It was like she was searching for something in them. After a moment of silence, she finally speaks up.

''However, after the end of the two-year contract, I might consider taking you up on your offer.''

I break into a wide toothed smile and nod. ''Agreed. Two years is long time, but it's fine, I'll wait, I'll-''

''But-'', she raises her hand in the air to stop me. ''My apologies for interrupting,'' she then smiles apologetically. ''If the merger were to happen, I expect a competitive offer from your company, since Leo will definitely have a counter offer.''

I glance at her and could sense the confidence oozing off of her. ''What makes you think Grey will do that?''

''What makes you think he won't?'' she quirks an eyebrow and gives me a challenging look. ''If I continue giving him the business that I'm giving him now, and double the productions, don't you think he'll want to keep me?''

''Ahhh, I see,'' I lean back on my chair and tap my finger on the armrest. ''You're pretty confident aren't you?''

''Isn't that one of the traits of a successful business person?'' she smirks and downs her glass of champagne then rubs her thumb over her lower lip and licks the champagne off it.

A low growl escapes me when she does that. ''Athena......don't do that''

''Do what?'' she feigns innocence then bites her lip.

''Not helping love,'' I try to control myself but she goes ahead and leans forward giving me a birds eye view of her perfect cleavage.

''Screw it!'' I growl out, grab her hand and pull her on my lap, kissing her hard. She reciprocates immediately and releases a soft moan. Her hands make their way into my hair and she tugs it while I grab her butt and lightly squish it, eliciting another moan from her. ''You're driving me crazy, love,'' I manage to say in between the kiss.

She takes this as a challenge and deepens the kiss even more. Making me groan in pleasure. We would have ended up on the long couch behind us if it hadn't been for the turbulence. The jet suddenly shook causing Athena's head to hit the headrest hard.

''Ouch! What the hell!!'' she breaks the kiss and rubs her head, an annoyed look crossing her face.

''It's just a little turbulence love. It will be fine,'' I tell her.

She looks at me, her face flushed and cheeks red from the making out. I chuckle and push some stray hairs out of her face. The jet settles and we continue flying smoothly. I look at my watch and realize we have forty more minutes before we land.

Athena gets up from my lap and moves to her seat. ''How are those two still sleeping? She points at the back.

''Beats me,'' I shrug.

The rest of the trip goes by quietly as Athena checks her mail and gets busy with work. Fifteen minutes to landing and Charles wakes up, followed by Mila. They four of us indulge in the food served by the crew.

''What do you guys think Amunet is doing right now?'' Mila asks out of the blue.

''Probably plotting on some new ways to kill me,'' Athena replies as she sucks on a strawberry. I try not to look at her but she is making it way too hard for me.

''Or she is actually working. She has a business to run too. It can't be all about you every time can it?'' Charles says.

''Okay, sassy. I see you,'' Athena replies. ''But knowing her, she is definitely plotting. I mean, she's had it out for me for months. If only I could remember what I did to piss her off.''

''No!!!!'' Charles, Mila and I all shout at the same time.

''Whaaaaat?''

''Don't even try to remember, we don't want to land in New York with you on a stretcher, shouting and writhing in pain,'' Mila says worriedly.

''Stretcher? Yeah right,'' Athena scoffs.

''We're all worried love, that's it,'' I assure her. She just nods and continues eating.

Once the crew cleans the tables, they inform us of our estimated time of arrival. ''Fasten your seat-belts please, we will be landing in five minutes.''

As soon as we land in New York, Charles is the first one to step out and takes a deep breath in. ''Holy mother of God! The air just hits you different!!''  

He was right though, the air was different. As soon as we finish the formalities, we head to the parked black SUV, ready to take us to our hotel.

Turns out Mila booked two suites opposite each other in a very quaint but high-scale hotel.

 ''Oh wow! The rooms are so pretty,'' Athena squeals as she walks around our suite bare foot now that we've settled in. It has this- this vintage touch to it.''

''Yeah it does,'' I agree with her. ''Do you like it that much?''

''Yeah, I love the shades of brown in here, it's so aesthetic,'' she says dreamily and touches the wallpaper. My eyes follow her around the room as she takes in everything. I couldn't help but smile. 

Seeing her happy, makes me happy.

''So... ''she stops and looks at me. ''Since the meeting starts at 04:00 pm and its just 10:00 am right now, I was thinking that, while I take a much needed nap, you can go shower and then we can all go for lunch. What say?''

''I'll do you one better, why don't you skip the nap part and join me in the shower?'' I move toward her, grab her by the waist and pull her close to me. ''I really think we should do that,'' I whisper slowly before pushing her hair aside and softly kissing my mark on her neck.

She wiggles under my hold and manages to free herself. ''First of all, in your dreams mister. And secondly, this-''she points to her mark and takes in a deep breath, ''-is not fair, you cannot do that, okay! I feel like jelly when you do it.''

I laugh at her outburst and take two steps forward as she takes two steps back. ''Theo, don't!'' She warns and takes a few more steps back before hitting her back against the mahogany wardrobe.

I close the distance between us before she could run to the other side of the room and slowly graze my finger from her forehead, to her nose and finally to her lips. ''You have no idea of the things I do to you in my dreams,'' I whisper in her ear.

Her breath hitches, I could hear her heartbeat racing a mile per minute. ''Theo,'' she says softly then closes her eyes and grabs my shirt, waiting for me to kiss her.

''In your dreams lady.'' And with that I grab the towel hanging in the wardrobe behind her and walk towards the bathroom.

''Seriously!!!'' 

I close the bathroom door just in time to see her flushed cheeks and angry face.

An hour and a half later we are munching on New York's finest pizza. ''I'm so glad we did this first,'' Charles says as he munches on his slice.

''Me too. Though we can't stay here much longer. We need to start getting ready for the meeting and make our way to the council headquarters,'' Athena says as she glances at her watch.

We finish our pizzas and leave the little restaurant. Thankfully our hotel is within a walking distance, so we make our way towards it slowly. Mila and Charles walk hand in hand, admiring the city whereas Athena, decides to walk ahead of me, not talking to me at all. Guess she is still angry at me for what I did to her.

''Athena,'' I walk up to her and place my hand on her shoulder, ''love, are you mad at me?''

She tosses her hair back and looks at me, ''Mad? Mad? Why do you think I'd be mad?''

''Well, uhh- because of what-umm-what happened earlier?'' I shift nervously on my feet and ask her.

''Oh that,'' she chuckles humorlessly. ''I get it, you don't want to kiss me, it's fine, it's totally fine, I'm fine!!!'' she waves her hand fervently in the air. ''It's not like I should feel rejected or anything, right?''

''Love, no, no, that's not what I want. I was just joking. What's gotten into you? You've never behaved like this.'' I look at her worriedly. What's going on with her?

''I mean, I could kiss any guy I want to.'' She ignores my question and continues talking.'' It doesn't necessarily  have to be you only.'' She pokes her finger on my chest and starts to walk away.

I grab her hand before she could get further away from me. Before she could protest, I take her lips in mine and kiss her. She tries to resist at first but then gives in and I deepen the kiss. From my peripheral vision I see Mila's camera flash. 

 ''I'm so glad my camera was ready this time.''

We both pull away to catch our breathes. I push Athena's hair away and tilt her face up. ''Know two things love, never, ever in a million years will I ever reject you. Secondly, you can kiss whoever you want, but no one and I mean no one will make you feel the way I do. Side note, i'd rip his jugular out.''

She looks at me, all flustered and red. Her eyes wide like deer caught in the headlights. ''Y-y-you, you are impossible! Argghh, I want to be mad at you, like so mad, but you are not letting me!! You say and do such nice things that it has become mentally and physically impossible for me to be mad at you!!!'' She yells.

''Is she seriously complaining that his being so nice to her?'' Charles asks. ''What's gotten into you women these days? Don't you appreciate anything?''

''Hey, stop generalizing us okay. To each her own.'' Mila snaps.'' Besides, we all know Athena's weird.'' She whispers the last part. 

I heard her, but I'm not entirely sure if Athena did.

Athena's yelling has now caused bystanders watching us. ''Let's get back to the hotel guys, we don't want to miss the meeting,'' I take her hand in mine and lead her and the others away from the people who are staring.

''So you were mad weren't you?'' I ask her as we start getting ready for the meeting.

''You know I was,'' she replies while zipping up her skirt. 

''Then why did you tell me you weren't? I don't understand with you; you say something else but you mean something else.''

''That's the thing with us women, you will never understand us, it's an unsolved mystery,'' she replies. ''A small tip though, learn to read between the lines.''

I look at her confused but choose to drop the topic. ''Come on, let's go, Charles and Mila are waiting for us in the lobby.''

She grabs removes another handbag from her suitcase and transfers her stuff from the first one. I don't even know why she needs a different bag, the first one was perfectly fine. But i know better than to question her on that. So i patiently wait for her until she's done.

''Take a jacket love, it might get cold in the evening.''

''Don't worry, I'll be fine.  and Anyways, I don't have a coat that matches.''

''Suit yourself.''

The ride to the council headquarters was fairly quiet, aside from Athena and Mila who were talking about visiting some fashion houses. By the time we arrived the building it was quarter to four. We look the elevator to the conference room and upon walking in, realized we're among the last people to arrive.

''Theo, Athena! Oh, I am so glad you two finally arrived,'' Alexanders voice fills the room, causing all heads to turn toward us. ''I was wondering where my favorite alpha couple was.'' He crosses the room and pulls me into a hug. From the corner of my eyes I see Ethan snicker.

''Athena!!!'' he smiles widely at my mate after releasing me, ''Always a pleasure seeing you. Hope you're not giving any witches trouble, ehh?'' he laughs and kisses her hand.

Athena re-coils from his touch and leans onto me, her hand finding mine then looking at Alexander suspiciously. ''Alexander, Ahemm- you know, what happened, don't you? she doesn't remember you or any of this,'' I lean in and whisper.

''Oh, Oh, ohhh yess,'' his eyes widen in realization, ''My apologies, it had completely slipped my mind. She looks completely normal. My bad,I'm sorry Athena. Please proceed to your seats, the meeting will start soon.''

We take our seats next to Ethan and Michelle. ''Drama never leaves you, does it Ena?'' He whispers.

''Tell me about it,'' she rolls her eyes. 

Charles and Mila take their seats behind us while I turn to my left and greet my old friend. ''Ashton, my man,'' I clap a hand on his back.

''Theo,'' he greets,'' I see things look great,'' he gestures towards Athena, who is now talking to Michelle.

''Not exactly great. But we're working on it. How's Olivia? Also, any news on Selene,'' I lower my voice so only he can hear me.

''Olivia's great, she's due this month. As for Selene, unfortunately, my informers have gone silent on me and I fear something bad has happened. I'm afraid we've lost our lead Theo.'' He replies glumly.

''Damn it!''

''Hey, will think of something else. When are you coming back? Your pack needs you man, your gamma can't keep on handling your issues. It's been over three months now.''

''I know; I know what it looks like. I'm portraying a bad picture, but I'm doing everything I can from here to make sure my pack is taken care of.''

''It's not the same Theo and you know it,'' Ashton tells me.

Our conversation then comes to a halt as the council announces the start of the meeting. I notice a younger looking man with dark brown hair and piercing hazel eyes seated at the council table.

''So they finally got Jonathan replaced, huh?'' I mind-link Ashton through the Alpha link we have. It connects all alphas and their Lunas in our area. It's easier for us to communicate that way instead of sending someone across the borders every time.

''Yup, he's called Edward Stevenson. Cool guy, isn't meddlesome like Jonathan. I met him once last month on my visit here. Shit! Xavier is looking this way. I think he knows we're mind linking,'' He says in panic and closes the link.

My gazes meets Xavier's and I send him a small smile. He acknowledges me and returns back to listen to Alexander who is drawling about how we can increase protection amongst our kind.

The meeting continues and the council reminds us of the centuries old treaty we have with the vampires and that we should do our best to keep away from them.

''Do you think we should tell them about Amunet then?'' Athena whispers to me. All through the meeting she had been quiet and was listening to every word Alexander blabbered.

''No, not really. Involving the council in this could risk your business. What we have with Amunet is personal and I would not want the council getting involved. Goddess knows what they'll do.''

''Okay,'' she sighs and leans back.

When Alexander finally announces the end of the meeting, it's past 06:00 pm and everyone looks like they could use a drink or two. I notice a pair of eyes on me and look up to find Leo, staring at both me and Athena.

By instinct my hand goes around Athena's waist. She, on the other hand is busy talking to Michelle and Mila and hadn't noticed Leo yet. She is however aware of my hold on her and puts her hand on mine, squeezes it lightly then drops it.

Leo's eyes follow our actions before he finally meets my gaze again and nods curtly in respect. I acknowledge him the same way and he moves away from my line of sight. 'About time this man met his mate.' I think to myself before We all head to the rooftop for the cocktail party. 

''Stick to my side if you don't want to be asked questions,'' I whisper to Athena who nods and puts her arm around mine. All through the night she stuck to my side like glue. If any of the Alphas or Lunas came by asking questions about last year, she would just smile and nod and mumble some vague replies.

''You okay? No headaches? No migraines? No sudden urges to slap someone?'' I ask her when we're alone at our table.

''I'm not entirely sure about the last one,'' she looks at me, '' but I'm pretty sure I drew some blood by balling my fists so hard trying not to punch that one,'' she points at one of the American Lunas.

''I should have known you'd have problems with that one,'' I chuckle and take a sip of my champagne.

''Why? Did she do something to me last year? Who is she?''

''That is Hailey Cavanaugh.''

''Is that supposed to mean something to me? Do I know her?''

''Not her. But you do know her sister, Elena Cavanaugh.''

''No I don't,'' she shakes her head.

''Yes you do. But please love, don't try to remember, okay. Just don't.''

''Okay I won't. Just tell me this, we weren't exactly friends, were we?''

''Ohhh, you were far from that,'' I laugh at the memory of Athena and Elena during the pack breakfasts.

''Come on Theo, tell me,'' she nudges me.

''Not today, maybe some other time,'' I tell her and kiss her softly on the cheek. We are soon joined by Mila and Charles on the table who couldn't be more excited to leave this party.

''So, the crowd is thinning out. This is the best time to make our exit. Let's say our goodbyes and meet at the door in five minutes' guys. We have to go the hotel, change and then head to the real party,'' Charles says while nodding his head suggestively.

''Wait, what is the real party?'' Athena asks.

''Just go say good bye to your brother and meet us at the door in five,'' Mila pushes her.

The three of us also say our goodbyes to the other Alphas and Luna and wait for Athena to join us. ''Okay, let's go,'' she catches up to us after a while. We all file into the car with Charles at the wheel and head to the hotel.

''Can you tell us where exactly we are going?'' Athena asks from the back.

''Mila and I found this high end club, so tonight we are going to party!!!'' He yells in excitement.

''A CLUB!!!'' Athena and I both shout simultaneously.

''Charles, I don't want to go a club, i'd rather we go to a nice dinner and a walk or something.'' she says.

''Me too man. We're too old for this!''

''You can say that when you turn thirty next year. Come on, Theo, Athena, please let's go. It will be fun,'' he begs.

''Charles, I'm really not up for it,'' she replies softly. ''Can we go something else?''

''Please, please, please, Athena. I have already reserved a table for us in the VIP area.'' he looks at her through the rear view mirror and pleads.

''Okay, fine,'' she sighs in defeat. ''let's just go.''

As soon as we get to the hotel the girls rush to change. More like Mila rushed and dragged Athena with her.

 Charles and I decided to wait for them in the hall way when we hear a squeal. ''Are you both okay?'' I walk to the door and ask.

''Yes, Yes, we're fine,'' Mila replies. ''Be out in a few.''

Five minutes later Athena and Mila both emerge from the room in incredibly short dresses. My jaw literally dropped from seeing Athena in her dress. 

''Excuse me,'' Charles pats my back, ''You dropped this,'' he snickers and pats my jaw.

I swat his hand away from my face and look at my mate. ''You're wearing that!'' are the first words that leave my mouth.

Athena looks at me, her eyebrow raised in question, as if challenging me to question her further on her choice of outfit. ''Yes I am, you got a problem with it?''

''N-not, not at all. You're carrying a coat though, right?'' She raises her arm showing me the black coat hanging around it. ''Okay, okay, let's go.''

Mila walks up to Charles, in an equally short dress and puts an arm around him. ''I'm going to rip that dress off you before the end of the night,'' he whispers to her seductively.

''Heyy!!! Keep it PG,'' Athena shouts and fake gags.

''You're not helping the case with that dress too, love,'' I whisper to her, low enough so the other two don't hear.

''If it makes you feel any better, it's not mine. Mila had packed an 'extra'. At least that's what she told me.''

I help Athena into her coat before we leave the building. A series of pleasurable sparks rush through my body when my fingers brush against her bare back. ''No back? you're trying to drive me crazy woman,'' I tell her before kissing her behind the ear.

''That is the first part of the plan,'' she whispers back. 

''And what's the second?''

''How about we stay at the club for an hour or so, ditch these two and come back to the hotel to properly celebrate your birthday?''

I take two steps back, blink thrice and stare at her wide eyed. ''Did you just- I can't believe you suggested that. Are you serious, love?''

''Does it look like I'm joking Theo?'' she raises her eyebrow at me again.

''Okay, okay, I'm not questioning this any further. I'm on board with your plan,'' I answer quickly, still trying to process her words. 

''Come on you two! We're getting late,'' Charles calls out from the car.

''Why are you grinning like that Theo?'' He asks me as soon I close the door to my side.

''Like what?''

''Like Christmas came early for you.''

''It's almost like it did,'' I reply and wink at Athena from the side mirror.

''Such an idiot,'' she shakes her head and mumbles under her breath.

To say the club was packed to the brim was an understatement. We had to squeeze our way to get to the VIP area. The look of displeasure on Athena's face was a clear indication of how much she didn't want to be here. 

My protective instinct for her kicks in and my arms immediately go around her shoulders, keeping her safe from all the people in the club. Charles and Mila on the other hand didn't waste time and were on the dance floor seconds after we ordered our drinks.

''Those two really are in the mood, aren't they?'' Athena asks me over the loud music. She is seated a few spaces away from me but thanks to our enhanced hearing I could hear her very clearly.

I look at the beta couple dancing together and tear my eyes away from some of provocative moves they were showcasing. Athena sips on her drink quietly looking everywhere else but at them. Suddenly, a group of boys, probably in their early twenties walk by our table. One of stops and stares at Athena like she's a piece of meat.

''Yo man, look at her, she so fine,'' He calls out to his friends who stop and face us.

''Damn, I'd tap that,'' One of them says. 

I look between the boys, who I can easily crush in ten seconds and my mate who couldn't be bothered by their comments.

The first guy slides in the empty seat next to her and bumps his shoulder with Athena's. ''Hey, beautiful, wanna dance with me?'' he asks then nudges her shoulder again when she doesn't answer. 

All the guys' focus was on Athena and they hadn't even noticed me seated a few seats away from her.

My mate finally looks at the boy next to her. ''Touch me again and I'll gauge your eyeballs out with my bare hands.''

A few of them look scared but not the first guy. In fact, he looked aroused. I sniff the air and could indeed smell his arousal. 

My wolf starts getting agitated and is ready to rip out the jugular of this male who dared to touch our mate, but I manage to stay calm and push my wolf back. Let her handle this.

''I'll let you gauge out whatever you want to, sweet thing,'' he replies and inches closer to Athena who leans further away from him. But the guy seems determined and leans closer to her, like he was trying to smell her or something.

I didn't need the mate bond to sense her discomfort and agitation and so decided to step in before things got too dirty. ''Whenever you're ready love,'' I call out, loud enough for them to hear me.

She looks at me and smiles wickedly, ''I was wondering when you'd say something.Please, be by guest.''  

I turn to look at the boys who now look like they've seen a ghost. I crack my knuckles and give them an intimidating look.

''Y-y-y-you're with h-h-h-him,'' the first guy stutters in fear. The rest of his friends have now left our table and made themselves scarce. So much for being 'friends'.

''I'd leave if I were you, your backups have gone already,'' I tell him. He looks behind him to find no one there, then turns to face us.

''I'm, I'm sorry ma'am, sir. I'll leave now,'' He bows. He actually bowed before making a run for it. What a wuss.

''Ma'am! did he just call me ma'am?'' Athena giggles. ''He went from 'damn she fine' to 'ma'am' real quick.''

''Love?''

''Hmm?'' She looks at me.

''Come here,'' I say and pull her towards me. She stops giggling and places her head on my chest.

 ''I know it hasn't even been an hour, but can we leave?'' she asks.

''Sure thing, come on. We'll take the car. Those two will find their way back themselves.''

The ride to the hotel was uneventful, save the shy glances she was sending me. ''You can look all you want love, I'm all yours.''

''What? Pffftt, I'm not looking,'' she replies and stares out the window.

As soon as we get in to the hotel elevator, Athena removes her coat. ''Goddess, it's so hot,'' she fans herself. I look at her from head to toe, taking it all in. Oh moon goddess, she is so perfect. My eyes travel up to her neck and land on the mark, my mark. Sinister thoughts run through my mind as the memories of the day I gave it to her resurfaces.

''Theo, Theo, Theo are you okay?'' Athena's voice brings me back to the present. ''Hey, you okay? you look lost.''

''I love you so much,'' I blurt out and before she could respond, I grabbed both of her hands and pinned her against the elevator, taking her lips in mine. She responds fervently and deepens the kiss. I grab her and lift her up, causing her to wrap her long legs around my waist.

The elevator dings open and we make our way to the suite. I fumble with the key card and somehow without breaking the kiss managed to get the door open. We continue kissing until I reach the bed frame and put her down slowly.

''Theo, wait,'' she pulls away from the kiss and pants slowly, trying to catch her breath.

''Sorry, I'm sorry, did I get carried away? We won't do anything if you're not ready, love.''

''No, no, no, that's not, that's not what I want to say,'' she stops me.

''Then, what is it?''

''I, ahemmm, I wanted to tell you something,'' she starts.

''Right now? I mean, really?''

''It's important Theo.''

''Okay, sorry. Go ahead.''

''I want to unblock the mate bond.''

***

So, what do you guys think of the chapter?

Athena had a lot of outfit changes in chapter and i just had the perfect dresses. So i had to post them.🙈

I hope you guys liked that chapter. Let me know in the comments as usual.

-Jessica.S