-Athena-

The four of us walked into the cell, Theo and I entered first, followed closely by Ethan and Ashton. I feel a firm hand squeezing my shoulder. I glance behind at my brother and give him a small smile which he returns.

This place felt familiar. I look around the cell, my fingers gliding on the hard surfaces. I walk up to the glass that separates the witch, Selene, from us.

''That's her?'' I peer into the glass to take a closer look. ''She is responsible for my memory loss?'' I look at the others in disbelief, then at the witch again. She is so small and petite. Her long dark hair is disheveled and messy, her skin looks dried and dirty. I watch as her cracked lips part and she says something. At first I couldn't make out what she was saying, but then her voice gradually became louder.

''Athena, is that you?'' she croaked then looked up.

''Oh my!'' I gasp and stumble back. Thank the moon goddess Theo was right behind, and he caught me.

She looked terrifying. And that is coming from someone like me. There were scratches on her face, quite deep scratches that traveled from the corner of her right eye to her jaw. Her lips were dried and cracked, her skin so pale and sticky from sweat. She looked like a character from a horror movie.

''Why have you come here?'' I ask her after gathering enough courage.

''I-I.....'' she starts but then bursts into a fit of coughs. ''Water, please, please.''

''Somebody give her water!'' Theo orders some of the pack warriors who were on guard.

''Yes Alpha,'' a curly haired girl quickly rushes to one corner of the room and fills the glass.

Selene downs their content in one go and then speaks up again. This time, her voice is clearer. ''Thank you.''

''You didn't answer her,'' Ethan says from my left. ''Why are you here?''

''I need your help.''

''Did I hear that right?'' Ashton looks at the three of us.

''Yes, you heard it right Alpha Ashton, I do need your help.'' Wait can she really see us? How can she know who's talking? I'm so confused right now.

''You and your sister killed some of our own, why should we help you?'' Ethan questions her.

''One of your own killed my sister too,'' she says and looks directly at the glass. Okay, this is getting creepier. And who killed her sister? Was it me? Or was it Theo? Ethan? Oh Goddess, Dad??

Theo's hand is immediately around my waist and he pulls me closer. That small action held a lot of words, a lot of words that were better left unsaid. But I knew. I knew what he was trying to say. ''It's okay,'' I rub his arm. ''It won't happen again. I'm not going anywhere. Not this time.''

''We will not help you,'' Theo says in a cold voice. ''But be rest assured, we will kill you.''

I've never seen or heard Theo being so cold and harsh. I got to say, his new found attitude sent shivers all over my body. If it wasn't for the current situation we were in, I would have grabbed his face and kissed him. But no, I had to control my urges. We are in the middle of something important here. Control yourself, Athena!

''You and I have a common enemy, Athena,'' she ignores Theo's threat and continues. ''I think you know who I'm talking about.''

''Amunet,'' I whisper.

''That's right. You want her gone and so do I. We can help each other.''

''How can we trust you?'' Ashton asks. ''What if you're working with her? After all, she did find you before we did.''

''I'm not. You have to trust me on that.''

''Trust you, how do you expect us to trust you? You hate us and us, you.'' Ethan says.

''Yes, that's true. But not more that I hate Amunet. She has something of value to me and I need to get it back. I need your help just as much as you need mine.''

''What is it?'' Theo steps up and asks. ''What does she have?''

Selene chuckles dryly and cocks an eyebrow. ''Let me out and I will answer all your questions.''

''There is no way you're leaving that cell. It's either you tell us what we need to know or we leave you in there to rot,'' Ashton growls out.

While Ashton, Ethan and Theo pester Selene with their questions, the wheels in my head turn. Thought after thought begin to process in my mind. Maybe? What if? Could she? Will she? What if she says no? It's a long shot, but I can at least try, what do I have to lose?

Apparently, a lot.

''Let her out.''

''What? Athena are you out of your mind?'' Ethan is the first one to react.

''We cannot let her go Athena, we've been searching for her for so long and now we finally have her,'' Ashton explains. ''Theo, tell her. We can't release Selene.''

But Theo doesn't say that, instead he looks at me and cocks his head. ''Are you sure about this love?''

''What? No, Theo. Do not allow this, I'm telling you man.''

''Ashton,'' my mate raises his hand up to stop the other alpha from talking. ''Are you sure Athena?''

''Yes. I am. Release her.''

He nods once and gestures the guard to open the shackles around Selene's legs. ''Leave the ones on her hands.'' I order him.

''Athena, do you know what you're doing?'' Ethan grabs my upper arm and puts pressure on it. Rather painfully might I add. If I had been a normal human, my bones would have cracked by now.

''Yes, brother,'' I grit my teeth, more from anger than from pain. ''I know what I'm doing.'' I put my hand on his and jerk it away from mine. He looks at me in shock at first but quickly masks it. Guess he didn't know I'm stronger than him, much more stronger.

The sound of chains clanking tore my gaze away from him and to the small door that was slowly being pulled open. Selene staggers out slowly, followed closely by two guards who were smart enough to carry a blood-root dart each in their hands, in case things go sideways.

''I'm letting you out because I'm ready to listen to what you have to say. But, if you dare put one toe out of line, I will decapitate you faster than you can say 'magic', understood?''

She nods her head. ''Understood. But for the sake of the men in this room, who find it incapable to hear me out. I'd like to make one thing clear.'' She looks at the three alphas in the room. For someone who looked like she'd crawled out  of a grave, she sure did have spunk. ''I'm came here by my own free will to ask you to help me. I know that I have wronged you in the past, but right now I have nowhere else to go. I have no ulterior motives, I just want help.''

The three men exchange glances but neither of them speaks. I give them ten more seconds before stepping in and taking charge.

''Okay then,'' I crack my knuckles. ''You can take a shower and put on some fresh clothes. You do have clothes right?''

''Yes, I did come with a few of my things, but your warriors confiscated them.''

''Very well, we shall give you your clothes but your other stuff remains with us. Regardless of your little speech a while ago, I still don't trust you.''

''You are a smart woman Athena Robinson.'' She inclines her head towards me in respect. ''For what it's worth, I never wanted to hurt you.''

''Doesn't change the fact that you did,'' Theo says from behind me, his arm encircling my waist once again. She made the wise choice to stay silent this time. I watch as four pack warriors surround her and they start to leave.

''One hour.'' I shout. ''You have one hour, then you and I will have a nice long chat.''

As soon as she is out of hearing range, Ashton walks up to me, fire blazing in his eyes. He takes a step, dangerously close to me. ''What game are you playing?'' he hisses. I notice Theo stiffen behind me. Most likely from the sudden closeness between me and his friend.

''Move out of my personal space.''

''What game are you playing, Athena?'' he hisses once again and this time raises his hand to grab me by the shoulders. But before he could even touch me, a hand shoots out from behind and stops him.

''I wouldn't if I were you.'' He growls.

Ashton's eyes leave mine and flicker to Theo's, whose grip seems to tighten around his wrist. ''You're with her on this?''

''She is my mate, man. Of course I'm with her.'' Theo's says in his deep husky voice which once again manages to send pleasurable shivers down my spine. ''What kind of man would I be if don't support my woman?''

My woman. Holy shit! Did he just call me his woman? My heart fluttered from hearing him say that. I so wanted to break into a smile, but I had to keep up the fierce bitch glare I was giving Ashton. Damn it, who would have thought it would be this hard?

Finally, after what felt like forever Ashton nods his had just a tiny bit and drops his hand. ''I'm not going to be here for this. I don't know what you're doing Athena, but it's not going to end well. You can't trust her. She tried to kill you, in case you didn't know. The best thing for you to do is to end her.''

''I never said I trusted her, Ashton.'' I say calmly. Surprising myself and Ethan, who looked like his eyes would fall off anytime now. ''I just want to hear her out. After all, even the guilty are given a chance to explain themselves, right?''

''Very well then. From one alpha to another, I respect your decision. However, I will not stay here and watch you all make fools out of yourselves.'' He says and starts walking away towards his pack. ''The least I can do is offer my warriors. If you need me, I will be there with my reinforcements.'' We watch his retreating back disappear into the deep forest, before turning to look at each other.

''What now Ena?''

''Now we eat, brother,'' I pat my stomach. Both men give me an amused look. ''What?''

I take Theo's hand in mine and rub small circles on it as we walk towards what I'm guessing is the pack house. ''You've been weirdly quiet. Why?''

''Maybe I was just enjoying watching you take the reins.''

''Oh really?'' I elbow him playfully in the ribs.

''Yes really. I have said it before, haven't I? I enjoy seeing you being all bossy and in charge. I trust you love, but just out of curiosity, what exactly is going on in that devious mind of yours?''

''Why don't you just wait and watch,'' I wink at him.

''Will there be blood spilt?''

''I can't promise,'' I smirk at him as we continue our walk towards a huge structure that came into view. 

''Alpha Athena!! Ohhh heavens above, it is you!!'' A stout man, wearing a chef's apron and hat comes running at us. ''When beta female Mila told me you were here, I could not believe. It is truly so great to have you back, Alpha Athena!!

If it hadn't been for Theo's arm around my shoulder, I'm quite sure the chef would have hugged me. And I'm a hundred and one percent sure, Theo purposely did it to stop the poor man from actually doing it. Talk about being possessive.

Not that I'm complaining. Like I said, I'm really liking this side of him.

''Chef Perez, If I remember correctly, Athena was not the only one who was gone,'' He drops his hand and extends it forward to the chef.

The happy man takes Theo's firm, huge hand in both of his and shakes it with excitement. ''Of course, of course Alpha Theo, it is good to have you back too.''

Ethan watches the exchange with mild interest and stifles a laugh. Chef Perez nods respectfully in his direction and guides us into the big barn like structure.

Ohh, guess it was not the pack house, but the pack kitchen. It was huge to say the least. Considering the size of this pack, it's understandable.

''I've very glad Beta Charles asked me to make these. He said, that you will love them, Alpha.'' Chef Perez puts down a plate of cookies in front of us.

''He did, did he?''

''Yes, yes. Why don't you take one, huh?'' he pushes the plate in my direction.

''Uhh yes, of course,'' I say politely and pick one cookie from the plate. Theo and Ethan follow suit and pick one each.

Before I could take a bite out of it, Theo's hand clamps around mine. ''I'd rather you don't moan until we are alone love.'' He mind-links me.

''What, why would I- Ohh, Ohhhhh,'' My eyes widen when realization sets in. I slowly turn my head towards him. These are the same cookies Charles had brought for me months ago, the very same ones they both bet on.

''Yes.'' He gives me a knowing look. ''Eat.''

That was one order I will never say no to. A girls' got to eat, right?

''Did I miss something here?'' Ethan asks. My head snaps in his direction as he leans forward to grab another cookie from the plate.

''Did you like the cookie?'' I squint my eyes at him suspiciously.

''Yeah, it's pretty good,'' he replies and continuous munching.

Okay, if Ethan can do it without eliciting suggestive moans, I can do it too. I mean how hard can it be, right? Just bite, chew and swallow and whatever happens do not produce any moans. Easy, right?

Wrong. Very wrong.

As soon as I bit into the cookie and the chocolaty goodness melted in my mouth, I almost moaned, but I managed to clamp my mouth shut before any sound could come out.

''Ena, you alright?'' Ethan throws me a worried look.

''Hmm? Mmmhmmm, hmmmm,'' I give him a thumbs up. From the corner of my eye I see Theo trying, but failing hard to hide his laughter.

''You denied me the pleasure of enjoying my cookie.'' I send angry thoughts to him through the mate bond.

''That cookie is nothing compared to me. Wasn't last night enough proof of that?''

I choked. I actually freaking choked on my cookie. ''Water, uhhhhh, somebody give me water!''

A glass was immediately brought to me. I gulped the water down and took in a deep breath. ''Chef Perez? Would you please pack these for me, I'd love to have them tonight after dinner?'' I purposely stress on my words and glance at Theo, who looked simply unbothered.

''Yes Alpha, of course Alpha,'' he bows graciously and takes the plate away.

''Hey! I was still having those,'' Ethan complains, his mouth full of cookie.

''Not now you're not. Here, have this,'' I pass him the pancakes and maple syrup.

We were almost finished when Charles walks up to us. ''You guys about done here? We have business to attend to.''

''Yes, come on let's go.'' Theo downs his coffee and gets up. Ethan and I follow suit. After thanking Chef Perez for the lovely breakfast we walk out of the kitchen.

''They're ready for you,'' Charles' gaze meets mine. ''I've asked the warriors to meet us at the pack house dining hall.''

''Lead the way.''

The pack house dining hall was even bigger the kitchen. There were long lines of tables placed across the hall and another long one placed on a higher platform. Two huge chairs which looked like thrones of some kind were in middle. I'm guessing those are for the alpha and Luna or in our case, alpha and alpha. Surrounding the throne-like chairs were other slightly smaller chairs, for the betas, gammas and other persons of authority in the pack.

''We'll just sit here,'' I point at a random empty table. Theo pulls a chair out for me, I shoot him a grateful smile and sit myself down. Both him and Charles take one side each and sit down beside me.

''What are you planning, love?'' My mate asks me.

''I want to make a deal with her. If we help her, she has to do something for us in return first.''

''And what would that be?'' Charles inquires from my right.

I'm about to answer when the I hear the familiar sound of shackles at the door. A few seconds later, Selene walks in, looking slightly better than she did an hour ago. The four guards surrounding her were all on high alert.

''Athena.'' She inclines her head towards me. Her gaze then focuses on the two men besides me. She nods to them once. From the corner of my eye I see Charles stiffen, his face contorted into a dangerous frown. Theo on the other hand, looks calm and stoic. His eyes however, are blazing  fire. His gaze not wavering one bit from the witch standing in front of us.

''Selene,'' I nod. ''Please, take a seat. Let's talk.''

She sits down opposite me and places her hands on the table in front of her. She still looked weak, meaning she doesn't have enough strength to do magic. I study her carefully as she does the same before finally speaking up.

''Why did you release me from the cell?''

''I want to hear what you have to say to us. You said you wanted our help?''

''Yes. Yes, I do. Amunet has something very valuable to me with her and I want it back.''

''I see.'' I tap my finger on the wooden table. ''And what is this valuable thing she has?''

''I can't.... ahemmm... I can't tell you.''

''Of course you can, '' Theo leans forward. ''If you want our help, you need to tell us everything.''

Her head snaps in Theo's direction, anger filled eyes boring into his. ''I.CAN'T. TELL. YOU.''

''Then we're done here.'' I push back my chair and get up.

''No, no Athena please, you're the only one who can help me. I have left them there, I will not be able to live with myself if something happens to them. Please, please, I beg of you. I will do everything you ask me to!'' she scrambles across the table, her shackles clinking as she grabs my hand.

''Please, Athena. I beg you, please!''

The four warriors flanking her, take two steps forward and push her back on her chair. Her fingers scratch my hand leaving marks on them. I look up from where she'd held me and into her eyes, which are filled with fear. The kind of fear you have for someone you deeply care about.

''Who have you left behind?'' I massage my sore hand and take my sit again.

''I, ummm, I, I should not be saying this, b-but they are, uhhh- they are children. Five children who have magic in them. I had gone into hiding with them in Fes. I was training them, honing their skills. I wanted to build a new coven, to start afresh.''

''So Ashton was right,'' I hear Charles whisper. ''You were in Morocco.''

''Yes, I was. But Amunet found me, she threatened to rip out the children's throat if I did not go with her.''

''What did she want from you?''

He hesitates at first, her eyes flickering between the three of us. The fear in her eyes was very visible, as if she expected Amunet to jump out from behind the doors and attack her.

''She can't come here. You're safe from her at least,'' Theo senses her apprehension and tells her, his voice so cold and harsh, even I had to suppress a shiver.

Selene gulps and nods her head before continuing. ''She wanted me to tap into dark magic like my sister did and find a permanent solution to the memory spell Celeste cast on you, Athena.''

''Of course she did. That old bitch.'' I suppress a laugh. ''And did you?''

''Did I what?''

''Tap into dark magic?'' I  give her a pointed look.

She hesitates at first, but then slowly nods her head. ''Yes, yes I did.''

''So you admit you were working on the memory spell.'' Theo says.

''No, no, no, I was no! Amunet just thought I was. I was working on a plan to get out and come to you. Like I said before, I never wanted to hurt you, Athena.''

''How did you escape?'' Charles asks.

She goes on to explain to us how she cast a binding spell on one of her men and how she linked the children to him, so that they cannot be harmed. Smart move if you ask me, I really didn't think she had it in her.

''She knows you've come to us.'' I tell her after she finishes her escape story.

''Of course she does. I really need your help Athena. I believe together we can destroy her. So, what do you say?''

''I might believe you, and I might be inclined to help but I'll need two things from you.''

''Whatever it is, my answer is yes. Yes, I'll do it.'' she folds her hands and looks at both Theo and I.

Wow, she really is desperate, isn't she?

''I'd prefer if you hear me out first,'' I pat her hands softly.

''Yes, yes of course,'' she smiles at me, her eyes glimmering with hope.

''First and foremost, you will pledge your undying loyalty to Me and Theo. You will stick by our side until the end.''

''Yes, agreed. From now on, I'm loyal to you and you only.'' She nods her head.

I notice Theo's gaze on me and turn towards him. He doesn't say anything, but his eyes hold this look of love and admiration. He grins at me approvingly and entwines our fingers under the table.

''Before I state my other condition,'' I squeeze Theo's hand lightly and look at him. ''I want to apologize for not discussing this with you before. So much has happened in such a short time and this is something I really want.''

''What are you talking about, love?'' he whispers.

''I'm sorry,'' I lean forward and kiss him lightly on the cheek. ''I really wanted to talk to you about this, I really did, but I just couldn't find the right time.''

Theo's forehead creases in confusion as he looks at me. I take in a deep breath and focus my attention on the witch sitting in front us, a knowing smile playing on her lips. Guess she's knows what I'm about to ask of her.

''I want you to break the memory spell cast on me. I want my memories back.''

Theo hand slips from mine and he stiffens in his seat. From my peripheral vision, I notice Charles' jaw significantly drop. Selene on the other hand looks amused to say the least. 

At last, after what felt like an eternity, but in reality was only a few minutes, my mate decides to speak up.

''W-w-what?!"

''Athena, are you completely sure about this?'' Charles puts his hand on my shoulder. Well, at least someone is asking the right questions.

''Yes, yes I'm 100% positive. I want this.''

''You do realize that it's not going to be easy, right?'' Selene quirks an eyebrow at me. ''Memory spells are tricky and complicated. To break it,one needs precision and time, not to mention a lot of magic. Dark magic.''

''Which you've recently tapped into.''

''Yes, I have. But it's not easy. And I'm not saying that to get out of doing it, I'm saying it because it's not going to be easy for you.''

''I think I can handle a few more headaches. I'm kind of used to them now,'' I chuckle halfheartedly.

''This is not something to joke about love.'' Oh would you look at that? My mate finally found his ability to speak in full sentences.

''Does it look like I'm joking?'' I snap my head in his direction.

''Why do you want this, Athena? Didn't you hear what she just said?''

Behind that calm and calculated facade, I could see the storm brewing in Theo's eyes. He was ready to fight me on this, but so was I.

''Theo,'' I put my hand on his arm. ''Can we discuss about this at home, please?'' I press his hand.

''Fine.'' He huffs and gets up to leave.

I watch him march out of the dining hall and release a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. I then turn to face our small group of audience. ''You, start the preparations for the spell.'' I point to Selene. ''You and you,'' I point to two burly warriors, ''go with her. Make sure she gets what she requires for the spell.''

As soon as the three of them leave, I look at Charles who is sporting a smirk.

''Charles?''

''Yes?'' he is immediately at my side.

''Find Selene a place to stay while she is here. It shouldn't be far from me; I need to keep an eye on her. Take these two with you.''

''Got it Alpha,'' he nods and gestures the remaining two pack warriors to follow him.Not even half a minute later, his head pops around the corner. ''He's inside the house.''

''I know, I know, ''I pinch the bridge of my nose. ''I'm going.''

***

There you have it!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments. And please vote too, it means a lot.

-Jessica.S