-Athena-

''I want to unblock the mate bond,'' I tell Theo, who is now looking at me like he's seeing me for the first time.

''W-w-what?'' he splutters. ''Athena are you sure? I don't want you to think that you're obligated to do any of this.''

''Theo please. I really want this, I really, really do. I've been thinking about this a lot and its time I acknowledge what I'm feeling,'' I put my hand on his cheek.

''What do you mean? What, what are you trying to say?''

''I'm trying to say that I love you. I love you Theo Argent, I've loved you for a while now but I was scared to admit it to myself.''

''Is that why you were behaving all weird this morning?'' he asks me.

''Umm yes. When you didn't kiss me, i- i- um thought you don't want me anymore,'' I whisper nervously and hide my gaze from him.

He laughs at my revelation then kisses me softly. ''Athena Robinson, I will never not want you. You are the love of my life, I fell in love with you from the moment I laid my eyes on you at Ethan's party.''

''You do?'' I look at up at him.

''Yes, I do,'' He smiles at me, his eyes boring into mine, holding all the love he could. I feel nervous under his gaze and a shiver passes through me.

''Ahemm,'' I shy away from him. ''So, are we doing this. Are you going to help me?''

''Athena, are you really, really 100% sure that you want to do this?'' he asks me.

''Theo Argent, you ask me that one more time, I'm going to punch you so hard you won't wake up until tomorrow morning!'' I yell at him. ''I want this, okay. I want you.'' I lean forward and kiss him softly on the lips.

''Okay, okay, let's do this. But, remember Athena, You're going to feel a lot of emotions running through you. So, if you feel any pain you tell me, okay? okay love?'' He holds my face between his hands and squishes my cheeks. I nod in response which makes him chuckle and he lets go of my face.

''What? What's so funny?''

''You looked cute with your cheeks all puffed. Remind me to pull your cheeks more.''

''You're crazy.''

''Only for you, love,'' he replies. ''Now come on, let's get to it.''

''Oh and Theo?''

''Yes, love?''

I lean forwards and kiss him on the lips. ''Happy Birthday.''

''Thanks, love. You know you've kind of given me the best birthday gift,'' he rubs his thumb slowly on my cheek.

''I'd like to think so too,'' I chuckle. ''So, shall we?'' 

I grab a pillow and sit cross-legged on the bed and Theo follows suit sitting in the same position facing me.

''Okay, so take a deep breath and close your eyes Athena. Then dig deep in your mind and look for that wall that is blocking you from linking to me,'' He guides me through with his soft, calm voice.

''You've got a really calming voice you know? You could be a yoga instructor.''

''Athena, focus!''

''Right, sorry. Okay, here goes nothing.'' I focus my mind on the mate bond and sure enough I could feel the block. ''I feel it, I feel it.''

''Okay, now slowly, lift the wall with your mind and let all the emotions in. Don't worry too much about the whiplash, I'm here for you, okay love? I'll make sure you don't lose control,'' he explains.

I do what he says and slowly lift the invisible wall from my mind. Little by little I start to feel each and every emotion that Theo is going through. But the strongest of them all was the feeling of love he has towards me.

''Oh goddess,'' I gasp as a shiver runs down my spine and goosebumps appear all over my hands and legs. My eyes flash open and I'm met with Theo's red ones. He is feeling it too; he can feel my emotions. 

''Ohhh, Theo,'' I call out to him.

''I'm here, love. I'm here. Just take deep breaths and try to clear your head. Okay? Whatever you do, don't think try to think about why I was feeling all these emotions, it might trigger the headache.''

''Mhmm....'' I clutch my chest tight from all emotions I'm feeling and close my eyes shut again.

''Athena, are hurt? Are you feeling pain? What are you feeling, please tell me love?''

''I feel....... Theo......oh goddess......I feel everything, everything that you felt. I can feel your grief and pain, when I left. Theo, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry......Ohhhh,'' tears start falling from my eyes but I couldn't bring myself to look at him. To look at the man I've fallen in love with and all the pain that I caused him. 

''Athena, Athena, hey...hey...look at me, look at me, love. You don't have to be sorry. It wasn't your fault,'' he tries to explain, but I still couldn't look at him. Because, deep down i knew it was my fault.

''Look. At. Me!'' he says in a soft but powerful voice.

I wipe my face and look up at him. ''I'm so, so, so sorry.''

''Come here, love,'' he grabs me by my hands and pulls me into a tight hug. He then starts rubbing his hand down my back, calming me down. The series of sparks that run through my body from the contact making me shiver and clutch onto him tighter. ''So glad your dress is backless,'' he chuckles.

''I love you,'' I whisper softly, my head now on his chest while his chin rests on my head.

''You have no idea how long I've waited for you to say that love,'' he says and kisses the top of my head. ''I love you more. Now come on, let's go change and get ready for bed. That okay with you?''

''Hmm, just a few more minutes. This is so comfortable, I want to stay like this, forever,'' I tell him and snuggle into his chest further.

''Ten minutes Athena, nothing more than that,'' he says and crosses his arms around me. He leans his back against the headboard and lies down with my head still on his chest. He draws small circles on my back, causing tingling sensations all over my body. My eyes slowly flutter close and before I know it, its morning and the sun is shining its bright yellow rays on us.

I slowly unwrap Theo's hand from around me and prop myself up on my arm to look at my sleeping mate. A smile forms on my lips and my hand makes its way to his perfectly sculpted face.

''Good morning, love,'' he grabs my hand before I could touch him and kisses it softly.

''Seriously, Were you even asleep?'' I pull my hand away from him and slap his chest playfully.

''Of course I was, but I woke up a few minutes before you and saw you still sleeping, so I didn't want to disturb. But you on the other hand saw that I was peacefully sleeping and thought, 'why should he sleep when I'm awake, let me disrupt his slumber.' Tell me Athena, why would you do something like that?''

''Are you being serious right now? I thought of no such thing,'' I yell defensively. ''I was just admiring you. What, now it's a crime to admire someone?''

''Oh so you were admiring me, were you?'' he props himself and up and starts tickling me. ''Admiring. Huh?''

''Theo! Theo stop it, seriously, stop it,'' I swat his hand away but he grabs me by the waist and rolls us over with him on top of me. ''Stop it.''

''I don't know what you are talking about love. See, no hands,'' he props himself on his elbows and waves his hands.

''You're such an idiot,'' I snicker and pull him down by the collar of his shirt and kiss him square on the lips. He kisses me back with equal passion. I could feel the mate bond buzzing in excitement. It's such an unreal feeling, how did I ever think of blocking it?

''Wait until Charles finds out,'' Theo says as he gets up from the bed and walks towards the bathroom

''Oh shit!!! Charles and Mila!!! We forgot about them completely!'' I smack a hand on my forehead. ''Oh goddess, I hope they're fine. I hope they're alive!!!'' worry feels me as I get out of the bed and frantically start searching for my phone.

''God dammit! Where is my phone?!''

I throw around the pillows and sheets trying to find it, when I suddenly begin to feel calm. ''What in the world.... Theo, are you doing this?'' I shout at him.

''I can feel your agitation, love. You need to calm down, Your-'' Theo's voice fills my head.

''Did you just mind-link me?'' I yell at the top of my voice.

''You can just mind-link me back, love.''

''Okay, okay, I can do it,'' I whisper to myself and close my eyes in concentration. I search for the link between Theo and I, hoping I don't end up triggering the headache ''I can do it, I can do it, I can do it.''

''I think you already did,'' he replies.

''You can hear me?! I did it, I did it without triggering the migraine.''

The bathroom door swings open and standing there is Theo wrapped in nothing but a towel from his waist down. ''Theo, I did-'' I stop midway as my eyes land on his bare torso, the muscles rippling beneath. I try to avert my gaze from his body but I'm physically unable to. Truth to be told, I don't want to.

He raises an eyebrow at me playfully, knowing fully well of the effect he has on me now. ''You were saying something, love?''

''I-I-I uhh- I- umm, I- ahemm,'' I gulp in embarrassment. ''Phew, okay.''

''Is there something distracting you, love?''

''No, not anything, nothing, nothing at all,'' I squeak. ''Now excuse me, I need to go shower and we need to find your beta and his mate,'' I surprise myself by managing to speak clearly this time and walk past him into the bathroom. By the time I'm done, he is already dressed and is going through his phone. Thank the Goddess.

''We need to check on Mila and Charles, come on,'' I grab my stuff and make my way to the suite opposite us. ''I hope they managed to get home safely.''

''You worry too much love. But yes, let's go check.''

The door to their suite is unlocked, which was not surprising, seeing that both of them are currently sprawled on different ends of the room. Mila, on the bed while Charles, is slumped in an awkward angle on one of the couches by the fireplace. I cringe at the sight of him. ''Those joints are going to hurt like hell when he gets up.''

''I'm trying to figure out how he missed the three-seater sofa and chose to sleep on an arm chair,'' Theo scratches his stubble as he looks between Charles and the furniture.

''Come on, you try to wake them up and I'll order some ginger lemon tea, as well as breakfast for all of us,'' I tell Theo and grab the phone receiver to dial for room service. Goddess knows how much ginger tea these two are going to need.

Mila is the first one to wake up and from the look on her face and her mangled hair she had pretty rough night. ''Ohhhh goddess, my head hurts,'' she groans. ''I'm never drinking again!!!''

''How much did you both drink last night?'' Theo asks her, as he once again nudges Charles to wake him up.

''I-uhh-umm I don't know. I lost count after three bottles of bourbon,'' Mila grumbles.

I raise my eyebrows at her, ''Wow, you guys surely know how to party.''

''Did someone say party?'' Charles' groggy voice fills the room.

''Great, now you wake up,'' Theo scoffs.

''Charles, are you okay?'' I walk up to him.

''I think so, aside from head my whole body hurts. Honey, what exactly did we do last night?'' he asks Mila, who is busy trying to untangle her hair. Just then, there is a soft knock on the door.

''It must be the tea, get up you two, we have a full day planned out and I can't afford to have you two this way.'' I open the door and thank the butler who brought the tea. ''He is bringing the breakfast in ten minutes. Come on, get up you two! Up!!!''

''Athena!!!'' Mila clutches her head and groans, ''please, stop shouting.''

''Now you know how I feel when I get those stupid memory migraines.'' I give them both the tea and seat on one of the couches not occupied by Charles.

''Do you guys remember anything from last night?'' Theo asks the pair, as they sip on their tea. I notice them glancing at each other shyly before landing their gazes on us.

''Nope, nothing,'' they both reply.

''I can see that you guys are feeling a tad bit better, so why don't you go shower, you can use ours if you'd like to. We then have breakfast and leave for the day. What say?''

''Must you have everything planned? It's like you've swallowed a diary Athena.''

''Complaining won't get you anywhere, Charles. So, go shower now and meet us here for breakfast.''

''Okay, mom,'' he rolls his eyes at me and tries to get up from the couch. ''Ouch!!! Damn it to hell and back!! why do my wrist and hip joints hurt?! Mila, honey, what exactly did we do last night? And what day is it today? I feel like it's an important day.''

Mila just shrugs and goes back to sipping on her tea.

Charles limps towards the bathroom as he grunts and curses in pain. I look at Theo who looks like he would like to be anywhere else but here.

''Should I tell them?''

''Let it be love. I never wanted to make a big deal out of my birthday anyway. The longer Charles doesn't remember the better,'' He replies.

''You're sure right?''

''100% sure. Besides, you've given me the best gift already. I want nothing more.''

I throw him a flirtatious wink before facing Mila who just finished her tea. ''You too missy, get your ass up and go shower. Now!''

She quickly grabs her stuff and rushes to my room. Seconds later, I hear the water run. Great.

''I gotta say, I love it when you get all bossy,'' Theo whispers seductively, his hot breath fanning my ear, sending a series of tingles all over my spine.

''You should see me in my office then,'' I wink at him and walk away. Wait! Office, oh shit, shit my office. I haven't checked up on them since yesterday.

''What is it?'' Theo asks me immediately.

''How? Oh, right, mate bond,'' I face palm. ''I need my phone, I don't know where it is, I tried looking for it everywhere this morning.''

''It's in the pocket of the blazer I wore last night,'' he replies calmly.

''What is it doing there? I don't remember putting it in your blazer.''

''Well, last night when, we, umm- you know-'' he shuffles nervously.

''Made out. Yes, continue, what happened then?''

''Well, you placed your bag on the counter and your phone slipped out. Somehow you kicked it and it slid under the armchair. Later when you were sleeping I quietly got up and put in in my blazer safely.''

''You did that? Aww, Theo, that is, umm I don't know what to say. But, uhh thank you. I'll just go get it.'' I rush out of Charles' suite and walk into ours. ''Oh damn.''

I look around the room and its messy as hell. One of my shoe is by table while the other one is by the bed. My jacket is in a crumpled mess on the floor and sure enough my black Chanel sling bag is lying on the counter top with its flap open.

I spot Theo's blazer on the armchair and go through the pockets for my phone. ''Ahh, found it.'' I wake the screen to find over twenty unread emails, messages and a few missed calls from Nancy. I quickly dial her number and she picks up on the second ring.

''You spend 24 hours in New York and you've already forgotten your company,'' her shrill voice echoes from the phone. ''Where were you?''

''I know, I know, I'm sorry. I had this, this, thing and I completely forgot about my phone. Is there a problem that needs sorting?''

''No, no, why do you always think there is a problem? Did you check your mail?''

''No, I called you first. Is everything okay there?''

''Yes, everything is great. We have had more and more orders and we sent in another batch for production. Which brings me to my next question, Rebecca called Leo Grey for authorization and he said he is in New York too, are you together Athena?''

''What? No! No! Why do you think I'm with him?''

''Nothing else, just that, he is in New York and so are you, so I thought-''

''You thought nothing Nancy!'' I snap at her. ''Now, if there is nothing else to be discussed, consider this conversation over.'' I disconnect the line and march my way to the other suite. Thankfully the breakfast had arrived, Charles and Theo had already started to dig in.

''This is great breakfast you ordered Athena, I'm already starting to feel better,'' Charles says as he chomps on a croissant.

''Love, are you okay?'' Theo asks.

''Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just got off the phone with Nancy.'' He looks at me as if waiting for me to continue but I just wave him off and take my seat. Just then, Mila walks in the room, fresh from showering.

''Athena, you okay?''

Oh shoot! I'd forgotten she was showering in my room. ''Yeah, yeah, I'm okay. Come on, join us.''

''So, we have something to tell you both,'' Theo starts, after I give him a nod of confirmation. ''Athena and I unblocked the mate bond last night.''

A series of excited gasps and shrieks fill the room. ''What? Oh goddess, finally. Yes! Yesss! Yesss!'' Charles shrieks loudly and punches the air.

''Told you he'd be excited, love,'' Theo nudges me.

''How was it? how did you it? how did you feel? What happened after that?''

''I'm not answering all your crazy questions Charles,'' I reply. He calms down and pretty soon the excitement dies and we continue with breakfast.

''Great, now I feel like I can at least function moderately,'' Mila tells me as we walk out of the elevator door after breakfast and onto the New York streets.

''You're lucky, you're a wolf and managed to get better fast. A normal human would've spent the whole day nursing themselves back to normalcy,'' I whisper to her so that other people on the crowded street don't hear us.

We spent the whole day walking along the streets of New York. Mila and I walked into every fashion house we spotted and left with bags and bags of clothes and accessories. As we walked on by, I suddenly started getting hit with inspiration for my fall collection. Some of the clothes I saw, made me want to grab a t-shirt or a dress and do some major altercations on them.

I almost did it to a striped dress I saw in one of the stores. That, according to me of course, should have some side pockets and what's with that frill? Gosh, it needs to be taken out. I had to pry myself away from that aisle before I gave into my temptation.

The only downside of shopping with Theo, was that he insisted on paying for every damn thing I bought. Literally, every single item. This happened in the first two stores and we almost got into an argument in front of the manager and staff until he finally gave in.

So, from then on I decided that the moment we enter another store, I would walk up to the cashier and quietly tell them not to accept any cash or cards from him.

''I know what you're doing love,'' he whispered to me as soon as we walked out of the fourth store.

''I don't know what you're talking about,'' I ignore him and walk ahead. But he grabs my arm and pulls me close to him, our foreheads now touching.

''I know you've been telling the tellers not to take money from me to pay for your stuff,'' he whispers lowly, his hot breath fanning my cheek. ''And I'm letting it slide, provided you let me buy you one thing, just one.''

He drops my arm and takes a step back, looking at me intently. ''So, what do you say?''

I think about his offer for few seconds. ''No.''

''What? Why?'' he drops my arm. ''Come on Athena, you can't expect me to not buy anything for you while we are here. Please, love.''

''Just one?'' I question him.

''Just one, love. And, you will not argue with me nor will you question me. Deal?''

I ponder over it then nod. ''Okay, fine.''

''Great,'' he puts his hand around my waist, ''now stop running ahead of me and walk with me, woman. I don't bite.''

''Was that a pun?'' I laugh. ''That was lame.''

''No it wasn't. It was great.''

''Seriously, Theo. It was lame.''

''And yet you laughed.''

''What can I say? Except, I love you, so I'm cutting you some slack.'' I shrug against his hold.

''Yeah right. You say you love me, yet you don't let me buy stuff for you.''

''I've been independent my whole life Theo; I have looked out for myself for as long as I have known. So when someone offers to pay for my stuff or do somethings on behalf of me, I feel like owe them and the need to repay them back. It's like an itch I can't get rid of. I still think about the house you 'gifted' me and it still bothers me Theo, it bothers me that I can't or rather I haven't given you something in return.''

''The fact that I have you back in my life is the only gift I want love. You don't have to give me anything, anything at all. In fact, I'm even starting to come to terms with your memory loss. It's okay that you don't remember anything from the past. We'll make new memories, right?''

''What? Really? I mean, you really wanted me to get my memories back and then there was this talk about a witch that you were looking for? You really sure you're okay with this?''

''Yeah, yeah I'm sure. Are you okay with it though?''

''Ummm, yeah, I mean, if it's okay with you, then I can deal it with it,'' I tell him.

But the reality of the situation was, that I'm not okay. I was not okay with it at all.

I had been thinking for the past couple of days and had decided to tell Theo that I would like to join in their search in looking for this witch. I wanted my memories back. The good, the bad, all of it. And I wanted to tell Theo about it after I confessed my feelings for him, but now, he says he is okay, okay with being like this. Why?

''Athena! Athena, hey. Look, we must go in there, I just saw this amazing leather jacket,'' Mila, who was walking ahead with Charles grabs my hand and pulls me inside the store. ''Look at all these coats!''

''Yeah, yeah, they're great,'' I force a smile.

''Come on, let's go check out that aisle,'' she points towards the furthest corner of the store.

I look back at Theo who looks so at ease and is smiling ear to ear with Charles over something.

''Okay then,'' I breathe out and follow Mila.

We stroll around the store, looking at all the jackets, coats and matching gloves until Mila finally settles on buying the maroon leather jacket she first laid her eyes on.

''It looks great,'' I tell her.

''You think?'' She puts it on for the third time.

''Positive,'' I smile. ''Now let's go, we have one last store to hit from our list then we're done.''

''Are you sure you don't want the caramel colored trench coat you were eyeing before? It really looked good on you.''

''No, no I don't want it. Besides, I have a similar one in navy blue at home.'' She looks like she wants to say something, but decides against it.

We walk out of the store with Mila's bag in hand towards Theo and Charles who are seated on one of the benches with the rest of our shopping bags.

''You girls took a fairly short time in this shop compared to the others,'' Charles says as we come to a stop opposite them.

''Yeah, Athena didn't buy anything from here so we just bought mine and left,'' Mila tells him.

''You didn't buy anything? Why?'' Theo looks at me weirdly. ''You've bought at least two items from every store we went to.''

''I just didn't like the choices here. I think their branch back in Toronto have more options to choose from. Come on, the last one is right around that corner,'' I try to get them to drop the subject.

''Christian Louboutin! Yes! It was a great idea saving it for last,'' Mila squeals.

''I know right. I might buy like two or I don't know three pairs. Come on let's go,'' I pull her in the store with me. I push the thoughts of my memory loss and my conversation with Theo at the back of my mind and concentrate on the varieties of shoes laid out in front of me.

We must have tried on like twenty pairs of shoes until we finally decided on the ones. We both opted for one pair each since I really didn't want to max out my credit card, although I'd like to think I've not even crossed half of my limit.

''Okay so that's it. We are done!'' Mila and I walk out of the store only to find our mates missing.

''Where have they gone? When I last checked they were right here,'' Mila says and faces the opposite direction, trying to look for them.

I search for the link that connects me and Theo. ''Theo, where are you guys?''

No Answer.

''That's weird, I tried to mind link him but he's not answering.''

''Can you sense his presence through the bond?''

I tap into the bond and sure enough it's still buzzing. ''Yeah, I can. But where are they?''

''Oh hey, there they are,'' Mila shouts and points across the street. I notice Charles waving us over to the store he is currently in. ''Let's go, Athena.''

I cross the street and read the sign on the store. Swarovski.

What they hell are they doing here?

I walk in the store and am bedazzled at all the crystals and diamond jewelry. ''What are you two doing here?'' I whisper to Charles, whose eyes are twinkling.

''Theo is this way,'' he ignores my question and points at my mate who is standing a few feet away. His backing is facing us while he speaks to an attendant.

I walk up to him cautiously and tap his shoulder. ''Hey there. What's- what's going on?''

''Ahh, great. You're here. She's here, he tells the attendant, whose nametag reads, Todd.''

''This is her? I must say, you're very lucky sir. She's incredibly beautiful,'' Todd smiles at the both of us.

''That she is,'' Theo smiles. ''Why don't you bring it out, please. I want her to see it.'' The attendant excuses himself and walks away to the back.

''Bring what out? Theo, what did you do?'' I ask him, but he ignores me and grins.

Todd walks out a few seconds later with the signature midnight blue box in his hand and places it in front of us. Inside it lay a dainty, but beautiful crystal necklace. The shining crystals were just adding to its elegance. ''Sir picked it out just for you ma'am. It's a classic piece.''

I face Theo who is smiling wide, knowing very well that I don't have a choice but to accept it. 

Oh goddess. Why? Why did I agree to the 'just one' thing in the first place? I should have laid down some conditions. Now he goes out and buys the most expensive necklace.

''Just one, love,'' he winks and picks up the necklace from its case. ''Now turn around.''

I do as he says, and pull my hair back. I had agreed to the deal in the first place, so there is nothing else I could do or say to make him drop it.

''What do you think?'' He takes the mirror from Todd and places it in front of me.

''I-uh-umm.....it's beautiful,'' I breathe out as my fingers graze the crystals.

''Told you she'd like it,'' Theo tells Todd. I unclasp the necklace and put in back in the box carefully.

''I shall go pack this and I'll bring it out to you in a few,'' Todd tells us and leaves.

''Theo, why-''

''No, no, no questions love, remember that was the deal. And you're not one to back out from a deal right?''

I sigh in defeat. ''Right. But I-''

He stops me again. ''You also agreed not to argue.''

''Fine, fine. Thank you for the necklace, I love it,'' I tell him sincerely so that he doesn't think I'm lying.

''I know you do,'' he replies and hugs me. ''Now I know the way to get you gifts,'' he chuckles.

''Don't get used to it. This was only a one-time thing; next time I'll be more careful.''

''Whatever you say, love.''

After Todd hands us the necklace the four of us leave the store and head back to the hotel. Mila and Charles walk hand in hand in front of us while Theo and I walk behind them. We take a different route to get to the hotel this time and I think we might have gotten lost a few times. And so when we arrived back at the hotel, the restaurant was clearing the lunch buffet and were now prepping for dinner.

''We missed lunch? I can't survive without having lunch!'' Charles shouts as the four of us stand by the dining area watching the staff clear the tables. ''What are we going to do? I need to eat.''

''Me too,'' I groan and on cue my stomach rumbles.

''Can we, like sneak into their kitchen and maybe steal some food,'' Mila suggests.

''Hmm, not a bad idea. Think we can pull that off, Athena?'' Charles nudges me while I scan my eyes around the dining area, looking for the door to the kitchen, not realizing that Theo had left my side.

''Calm down all of you, I've spoken to the manager, they will prepare something for us. It might take a while but they'll send it over to our rooms,'' Theo walks up to us surprising me.

''When did you that?'' Mila asks,looking bewildered.

''When the three of you were busy discussing your plans on how to sneak in to the hotel kitchen and steal their food,'' he replies, looking at the three of us disapprovingly as we all file into the elevator.

''Hey, don't look at us like that,'' I snap at him. ''We were working our way around the plan.''

''Yeah, right. That's not happening. Why are you three behaving like kids?''

''We were just trying to have some fun man, like we used to back at the pack. I mean ever since we've come to Toronto things have changed. We are now so invested in the corporate world, our life back at Crescent is like a distant memory. I honestly miss our pack,'' Charles says softly.

''Charles, I didn't you felt that way. Look, please don't feel like I'm holding you back, you guys can go back whenever you want. With everything going on here I had completely forgotten that you guys have lives back in Vancouver,'' I place my hand on his shoulder and rub it.

The elevator dings open and the four of us walk out. Theo and I go into our suite followed by Mila and Charles. ''Can we just chill here?'' Mila asks.

''Of course,'' Theo replies.

''Look, I meant what I said before. You can go back.''

''But we came here to get you back Athena. We are not leaving without you,'' Charles says.

''You will come back with us right? I mean it's your pack, you have to come back and re-claim it,'' Mila tells me.

''Wait, what do you mean re-claim it? It's not like someone's taken over, right?'' I look between the three of them. Theo removes his phone and starts going through it, while Charles is shooting daggers at  Mila who looks like she had said something she wasn't supposed to and is now avoiding my gaze.

''Mila, is there something you're not telling us?'' Theo asks her, though his voice wavers a little. I look at him suspiciously before looking at Mila.

''Hey, whatever it is you can tell me,'' I smile at her trying not to look as intimidating as Theo usually does .

''Umm, you know Hazel right?'' She starts.

''The pack trainer? Yeah, I met her when I went to Crimson pack like a month ago.''

''Pack trainer, Athena, really?'' she purses her lips at me. ''Hazel was among your first friends at Crescent pack, but I'll come to that later. So uhhh- last week she contacted me and told me, that-umm- uhhh how do I say this?''

''Come on, babe. Just say it,'' Charles encourages her.

''Elena Cavanaugh is going around telling everyone that she is the new Luna of the pack since Athena lost her mind and has gone 'bat shit' crazy. And when Theo comes back from his business, he was going to mark her as his chosen mate.''

''WHAT!!! JUST WHAT!?!?'' I yell. ''I don't even know that bitch and she called me crazy!!!'' a low growl escapes me as my body shakes with anger.

''Love, calm down,'' Theo says and sends calming emotions to me through the mate bond.

I snap my head towards my mate. ''Did you know about this?''

No answer.

''Theo, did you know about this?'' I ask him again. The rage that had started to calm down, is now threatening to rise again. ''Theo.....''

''Athena, love. I need you to listen to me, okay?''

''No! No! You knew that this girl was going around saying that she is now your chosen mate! That she will be the Luna of MY PACK!'' I back away from him.

 A sudden feeling of possessiveness taking over me. A possessiveness for my pack, my people, my family, my position. Why have I never felt this before? Am I able to sense all this because I revived the mate bond?

''Athena, it's just Elena, she is not a threat. She just wants the seat and the title. She doesn't know shit about what it's like to hold that kind of power, ''Charles starts to explain.

''He is right Athena. Once we all go back and she's sees that you're safe and in sound mind, she'll back down,'' Mila adds.

Theo steps forward and takes my hand in his. ''I know what you're feeling. I sensed it too. It's your wolf, love, she wants to take back what's yours, someone is threatening to take over your place. Your pack is calling you. Your pack wants its alpha back and now you want it too, it's time to come back and re-claim your position.''

My breath hitches and I look into his eyes. ''What if, what if, I'm not ready? What if I fail? What if I can't do it?''

''I believe in you love, you can do it. Besides, I will be by your side at every step of the way,'' he kisses the back of my hand.

''You will?''

''Always.''

I close the distance between us and hug him tight, his intoxicating woody scent instantly calming me down.

''Now that that's out of the way, let's eat. The food is almost here, I can smell it, '' Charles claps his hands. In less than a minute we hear a soft knock on our door. Mila gets up to open it and the butler walks in. He lays out the lunch for us and after wishing us a good day, he leaves.

We all dig into the food they prepared for us. There was chicken, fries, salad, shrimp, roasted potatoes, falafel, naan, two types of juices and for dessert, New York style cheesecake.

''Oh goddess, I didn't realize how hungry I was until now, I could easily finish this whole bowl of shrimp,'' I say in between bites.

''Me too,'' Mila replies as she gulps down her juice.

''Hey, Theo?''

''Yes, love,'' the looks at me.

''Can we go back to Toronto today?''

''If you wish to. Let's leave this evening?'' he looks around the table at Charles and Mila.

''Yes, I think we've had our fill of New York for now,'' Charles replies.

***

They unblocked the mate bond!!! 

What do you guys think of Theo's 'just one gift' ? more importantly, what do you think of Athena's sudden need to go back and re-claim what's hers?

Let me know in the comment section as usual. :)

If you guys have any questions or clarifications feel free to DM me :)

-Jessica.S