-Theo-

''Thanks for coming man.''

''Thanks for calling, how is he?''

''See for yourself, he has spiraled. I've tried everything but he seems to be losing it,'' Charles replies as he leads Ashton to the living room.

''Goddess he is a mess,'' Ashton says as he takes in the state of the living room and Theo who is sprawled out on the couch.

''He started drinking last night and hasn't stopped, it's almost 24 hrs now,'' Charles says while looking at the clock.

Ashton walks over to the couch, ''Theo.... hey man...can you hear me?''

''What...uh...I yeah...who is it? What's the time?'' Theo grumbles and tries to stand up but miserably fails.

''It's night time Theo, you've been drinking for 24 hours now.''

''Guess he broke a record here, should I call Guinness?'' Charles asks but shuts up when Ashton glares at him.

''I'm fine, Ashton you didn't have to come all the way here. I'm okay,'' Theo says and gets up.

''Are you sober?'' Ashton asks him, crossing his arms over his chest.

''I'm moderately functional.''

''I'll take that as a no. Theo look, you need to snap out of it. Athena wouldn't want this.''

''Athena doesn't remember!!!! She doesn't even care!!! She left!!'' Theo yells and both Charles and him take a step back from his sudden outburst.

''She does care, it's just that she doesn't remember you man. You sitting here, drowning in alcohol is not helping!''

''Then what do you want me to do, huh? Because I have done everything I could possibly can to try and find Selene to reverse the spell. I searched in every corner possible but she has disappeared. There is nothing that I can do,'' Theo whispers and sits on the floor with his head in his hands.

''You need to look at this from a different perspective man, cause from where I'm standing, the witch is not the only way to get Athena back,'' Ashton says. Theo looks up at his friend with hope in his eyes.

''You can help me get her back?''

''I can give you a push Theo but it's you who has to swim to get across.''

''Didn't peg you to be so philosophical Ashton,'' Charles teases him.

''Ohh you have no idea.''

''What can I do man? tell me,'' Theo gets up and grabs Ashton by his shoulders.

''I will, but not to you.... I mean not to this version of you. I want to speak to the Alpha you. The man who wants to get this mate back. Not some loser who has given up and taken to alcohol just because his woman left him. Can I get that man?''

Theo nods at Ashton and starts picking up the empty whiskey bottles.

''I'll get this place cleaned up Theo, you go and shower because you stink buddy,'' Charles pushes him towards the stairs and pats his back. ''We'll bring her back, I promise.''

''You know Theo; I didn't think you were the type to lose your sanity for a girl.''

''I didn't either,'' he replies from the top of the stairs.

''Come see me when you get back to the man you once were,'' and with that Ashton leaves the house.

-Athena-

''Stupid Leo, stupid men!! of course he would think that.... seriously how hard is it for them...can't a woman be happy on her own? Is it necessary that it has to involve a man! Argghh I'm so sick and tired of this misogyny!!'' I grumble to myself in the elevator.

''Stupid elevator!! Can't you go fast?!!'' I press the 7th floor button repeatedly.

As soon as I walk out of the elevator a familiar scent hits me. Ethan.

I growl in annoyance and storm inside my house. ''What the hell are you doing here Ethan?''

''It's good to see you too Ena,'' he replies from his comfortable position on my couch.

''How did you even get in?''

''Putting your spare key under the flower pot outside, not one of your smartest ideas,'' he replies.

''I'm not in the mood for your sass Ethan, save it for someone who appreciates it.''

''Oh come on Athena....be nice. I'm your older brother after all.''

I roll my eyes at him and then proceed to remove my coat. ''date?'' Ethan asks as he eyes my attire.

''Wouldn't you like to know?''

''Ena what has happened to you, talk to me please.''

''I have nothing to say to you Ethan. Leave.''

''I'm not going anywhere, until I know that you're okay.''

''Does it look like I'm harmed in any way, I'm perfectly fine Ethan. Happy? Now go.''

''You're not fine Ena, you need to come home with me.'''

''How many times do you want me to tell you this Ethan, was I not clear when we spoke on the phone?!!'' I yell at him. Doesn't he understand that I have no interest in going back.

''You were very clear Athena.... but I refuse to agree. If you're stubborn then so am I. It's not safe for you to stay here alone...''

''Whooaa there, hold on a second. Not safe to stay alone! Really? In case you haven't noticed brother, I have been staying alone for the past 8 years, without the likes of you meddling with my life!''

''But this time is different Athena, why don't you get it? You have no memory of the past year.  I know that, mom knows that, your friends back home know that, then why the hell don't you want to accept that!! why?''

'' I know you know that something is not right. Tell me Ena, haven't there been instances where you feel like you've missed out on things, things that you have done or said but you have no memory of?'' he questions me.

''Don't even think of lying to me Athena, because I will know,'' he warns.

He is right, of course he is. It's Ethan after all. So much has happened that has made me question myself but I can't bring myself to accept it. Call it pride or fear even but I just can't do it.

''Come home with me please. We all miss you. We all want you to come back. Me, Mom, Axel and......''

''I hope you're not going to say the creepy billionaire and his hero haired friend,'' I cut him off and he laughs. ''So, will you come?''

''No, I can't. Actually scratch that, I don't want to.'' He sighs in frustration.

''I have a really good thing going on here Ethan. I love it here and I don't want to leave. I'm sorry if that's not the answer you were expecting.''

''but Ena....''

''I don't want to start a fight with you Ethan, we both know I could take you down,'' I smirk at him.

''So you know.... you know that you're an alpha. Don't you want to know how? I'm sure you've seen the mark on you neck, don't you want to know how you got it? Or are you so blinded in grief or whatever it is that you're feeling, that you don't care anymore?''

Damn he hit a nerve.

''You need to leave Ethan. Now. And don't come back here again,'' I tell him as I move away from the door to give him space.

He walks out the door but stops at the threshold and turns to me, ''Sooner or later your memory will come back and when that happens you are going to regret everything.''

''I regret nothing,'' I sneer at him.

''It's because you don't remember what you're supposed to regret,'' and with that he closes the door and leaves.

I place my head in my hands and slide down the wall to the floor as tears start spilling down my cheeks.

''What is going on with me?!!'' I shout. If the neighbors hear me they might think I've lost it.

Come to think of it, I have lost it. I get up and make my way to the bedroom.

After a long shower I get into bed and make myself comfortable but a thought keeps me awake for the most of the night.

''Have I really suffered a memory loss?''

***

What do you guys think of Theo's spiral?

Thoughts in the comment section below as usual.

-Jessica.S.