-Athena-

Hot?

Cold?

I didn't know what I was feeling. I think I was floating. I couldn't feel the floor. My head felt heavy, my skin was on fire. But then again, it also felt ice cold. Is it normal to feel both at the same time?

I could hear murmurs. At first the voices were faint, but then they gradually got louder. I could make out three different voices. Two females, one male. The male voice was closer, I wanted to know who it was. But for some reason, I couldn't open my eyes. My lids were heavy. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't do it.

I thought I had lost feeling until I felt fingers clasp tightly around me. ''Athena can you hear me?'' I heard the harsh male voice. I wanted to reply, but I couldn't. I didn't have the strength in me. A rush of heat passed through me making my body jerk up.

''Athena!!'' The voice shouted. Suddenly I was being pressed onto something hard. It was chest. Someone was carrying me, their hands clasped tightly around me.

''Put her down!'' Someone yelled. A female, but this voice was different, not like the other two. This voice was soft and melodic, yet it still held command. I felt the cold floor beneath me through my already wet t-shirt. It felt nice, but it could only last long before another wave of heat hit me.

''Athena, honey, please open your eyes,'' I heard someone plead. It was a familiar voice, Lila. She's still here?

''You need to go Lila. Nadia needs you,'' Another female voice I recognized said.

''But, Mila. I couldn't possibly leave Athena,'' Lila sobs. ''She's.... oh goddess.''

''Charles and I are here, '' Mila says. ''Go, please, you need to there for the birth.''

Nadia was giving birth! How long was I out? And Charles is here? Who is the third female then? I hear receding footsteps. Guess, Lila finally left.

''Athena, why did you not use the herbs I gave you?'' I hear a crinkle of plastic. Ohhh, so that's Selene. She sounds worried. I felt a warm hand touch my forehead, before someone muttered a string of curses. ''Where is Theo?!''

''He's coming. He's at the border.'' Charles replied.

He's here! He's here! I need to stay awake, I have to open my eyes. With new found vigor, I try to pry my eyes open, when a flash of heat courses through me, my whole skin felt like it was lit on fire. This one was the worst. Worse than the other times, which led to my eyes snapping open on their own accord and an agonizing scream escaped me.

Two strong hands held me from behind, trying to calm me down. But the fire was too much. I began thrashing around, my arms flailing and hitting whoever was in the vicinity. My wolf was clawing at the back of mind, wanting to get out and mate. But I couldn't let her, I had to reign her in, she was going crazy.

''Athena look at me,'' Selene held my chin in her hand and forced me to look at her. ''You're strong, you can do this. Just hold on.'' She then gestures to Mila, who quickly walks forward, and with the help of Charles, pins me down to the floor. ''I'm going to apply the salve, okay, it will reduce the pain, but only for a short time.''

She dips her fingers into the packet, a strange smell wafts out of it. It wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't terrible either. She applies the salve over my forehead, then behind both of my ears. Her fingers touch my mark by mistake, which is currently the most sensitive. A low growl escapes me, as my skin begins to tingle.

''I'm sorry, it was by mistake,'' she quickly apologizes.

She further applies the salve down my arms. Then lifts my t-shirt up and finally puts some on my belly. From the corner of my eye, I notice Charles looking away in respect. ''Put her on the couch,'' Selene demands. ''The ointment will keep her body cool for a while. Let's hope for her sake, that Theo reaches soon. At the rate that she's heating up, the ointment will wear off faster than expected.''

I'm placed on the couch by Charles, while Mila props up some pillows for me. I'm hit with another wave, but thanks to the salve its bearable. My skin however is tingling from the touch of a male. ''Charles......'' I manage to groan, ''Please leave, it's not wise for you stay here.''

''But, Athena...''

''She is right babe. She's in heat right now, she can't be around any other male apart from Theo.''

''I can't leave Mila. Besides, I can control myself.'' He complains.

''You can, but I don't think, I'll be able to. My wolf is getting agitated by the second. Please just go.'' I explain to him weakly.

He nods sadly. ''Okay. But I'll be outside with the others, keeping guard.'' He walks towards the door. As soon as he opens it, a leathery, musky scent wafts inside the house, causing my heart to beat a mile per minute.

''He's here.'' Mila says, breathing out in relief.

I lean my head back on the couch, trying to even my breathing. ''Hey,'' I pull Mila's dress. She looks at me with a small smile on her face. ''Do I look fine?''

She makes a face, ''Well...''

''Athena!!!!'' a loud voice makes me look away from her.

My eyes meet his across the room. It felt like time stood still, as we both gazed at each other. Theo makes his way to the couch slowly. I could hear the echo of each of his footsteps. Selene and Mila got lost somewhere in the back as all my senses were focusing on the man in front of me. I try to conjure up a smile, but it must have looked like a grimace as he is immediately by my side, kneeling.

''Hi.'' I say shakily.

''Hey you,'' his lip curves upwards slightly. ''I'm sorry, I'm really, really sorry. I should've known.'' He looks at me with hunger filled eyes.

''No, no you couldn't,'' I shiver under his piercing gaze. Thank the goddess for the ointment otherwise. I'd be a bigger mess right now.

His eyes flicker behind me to the two women, who I just realized were still there. ''Thank you.''

''You don't need to thank me Theo. Athena is family, and we take care of family.'' Mila says.

''I did say I'm loyal to you, of course I had to help,'' Selene adds.

I notice a look of gratitude in his eyes towards Selene and also something else. Hmm, maybe he will stop being cold towards her now.

''The ointment is wearing off. We should.... umm.... leave,'' Selene speaks up after a few seconds.

''Ohh, yes!'' Mila yelps. ''Yes, we should. You guys have fun, or uhhh, I don't know,'' she blushes furiously. I try to laugh at her awkwardness, but my body just convulses in pain. The two women leave the house, making sure to close the door behind them.

''It's just you and me now love.'' Theo whispers in my ear. That simple whisper caused my whole body to shiver in delight.

''I need to shower,'' I reply, my voice hoarse and raspy.

''Yes, we do,'' he smirks and lifts me up bridal style. ''Your scent is driving me insane, Athena.''

''Is it? You look really calm and controlled.''

He snorts. ''Some of the emotions you're feeling are mine too. Just like I could feel yours.''

''Ohh.'' I blushed. How is he able to look so fine, whereas I am this- this soaking mess? Moon goddess, this is not fair.

We reach our bedroom and Theo heads straight towards the bathroom. He carefully puts me down by the sink. I wobble a little, my legs all jelly-like and had to clutch the counter tight so that I don't fall flat on the floor.

''Ahhhh!!!'' I yell. ''This is how I look like?'' I stare at my reflection in horror. I have a mucky green patches all over my face and arms. I desperately need that shower.

''You could be covered in mud from head to toe and still look beautiful, Athena.'' Theo replies. I watch as he draws a bath. He then removes his shoes, followed by his shirt. Oh my, I think I'm going to faint. My eyes trail down his chest, taking in each and every muscle on this body.

''Stop looking at me like that, love,'' he suddenly speaks up.

''Like what?'' I cock a green paste covered eyebrow at him. However, before I could reply, I felt the wave hit me. Theo's nostrils flared and his eyes turned a shade darker than normal.

''Get in!'' he orders.

I did as he said. Mainly because I didn't have the strength to start an argument right now and also because I wanted this green paste off of me. As I remove my t-shirt and pants, I notice Theo's eyes roam hungrily over my body.

I get into the bathtub, the cool water tingling my skin upon contact. Behind me I heard the sound of a belt unbuckling and seconds later Theo joins me. He pulls me towards him, making my skin light on fire from his touch. I sigh in content when my back hits his chest. Slowly, he begins to rub my tense shoulders, leaving a trail of goosebumps all over my skin. ''You're so stiff love.'' He whispers in my ear then bites it softly.

''Theo,'' I whimper. I was feeling thousands of emotions right now, but one was overpowering the rest. The very same one that's also considered one of the seven deadly sins. His hands slowly massage down my back, leaving a line of fire everywhere he touched. He then proceeds to rub of the salve Selene had applied. I clutch the bathtub tight as my body responded to his touch.

''Careful, love. You might break it,'' he says, his voice deep and husky. I clutched the tub even tighter. The only thing I could focus on was his hands all over my body. He grabs my hair and pushes it out of the way, giving him access to the mark on the left side of my neck. A shiver runs down my spine from the anticipation of what's going to happen next.

But it doesn't come.

Instead, he gets out of the bathtub, wraps a towel around himself and grabs a second one for me. ''What the actual hell, Theo?'' I glare at him fiercely. He looks at me, the mischief very clear in his eyes. ''What are you doing?''

''Taking this to the bedroom,'' he replies and pulls me out of the bathtub. He hands me the towel and watches as I wrap it around me. ''Can you walk?''

I cock an eyebrow at him. ''What if I said no?'' 

He doesn't reply, but instead, scoops me up in his arms and drops me on our bed unceremoniously. ''What's gotten into you?''

''Funny that you ask,'' he smirks and leans closer capturing my lips in his. My whole body erupted on fire. I pulled him closer, latching my fingers on his back. ''You have no idea how much I want you right now,'' he says in between kisses.

''Sssshhhh.'' I put my finger on his lips. ''Just kiss me.''

And boy did he deliver.

The morning came faster than I had anticipated. I could feel Theo's warm breath on my neck, his arm was wrapped around my waist, caging me in. The sun was shining outside, it's bright rays shining through the gap between the curtains onto us. I look at the bedside clock. It's past six.

Oh crap, we missed training session today. I attempt to turn and wake Theo up but my body is sore from last night's activities. A delicious shiver runs down my spine from remembering last night.

''Love, are you awake? What time is it?'' I hear Theo's groggy voice from beside me.

''Well, we missed our training today,'' I reply, trying to stifle a yawn.

''Oh.'' He replies. ''You okay?'' He's light brown orbs meet my green ones, obviously referencing to my heat from last night.

''I guess. My whole body hurts though.''

I watch as a proud look passes through his face. ''I did that,'' he smirks then winks at me.

''Oh, don't get too cocky.'' I slap his bare chest.

''Why not? I've got every right to be,'' he smirks once again. ''So, do you want to get up or stay in bed.''

''I'm still sleepy, can we stay in bed a bit longer? The pack, Selene, the party, Amunet, they can all wait,'' I rub my eyes sleepily.

''Whatever you say love. Come here,'' he pulls me towards him. I lay my head on his chest and close my eyes.

Two hours later, the both of us are up and ready to take on the day. After showering and getting ready we walk down the stairs for breakfast. I pour myself and Theo a cup of coffee, while he set the plates. I was on my second cup, when Charles walked up the front door, into the house.

''You look, not disastrous,'' he gives me a pointed look.

''Hell called, they want you back,'' I reply with the same amount of sass.

''If I'm going, you're coming with.''

''More like escorting you to the gates. It's the least I could do,'' I give him a fake smile.

''I'm letting it slide. Just this one time.'' He points a warning finger at me. I roll my eyes at him and down my coffee. I got him well today, he's just too proud to admit it.

''Ready love?'' Theo asks, as he take my empty cup and puts it in the sink. ''You're coming too?'' he turns to ask Charles.

''Yeah. I wanted to see the baby. Mila's coming too.''

''Right!'' I slap my forehead. ''I completely forgot Nadia gave birth last night.''

''Does anybody here feel that it happened too fast? I mean, she's so young. Man, Axel didn't waste time did he?'' Charles snickers.

If looks could kill, Charles would be a pile of ash by now. He is yet to notice the look Theo is giving him right now. I try to signal him with my eyes, and also trying hard not to laugh at the same time. He finally catches on and meets Theo's fiery glare. ''I'm not wrong, am I?''

''For god's sake, shut up Charles,'' I whisper-yell at him.

''But I'm not wrong!''

Oh goddess, what is wrong with him? ''Okay!'' I get up and pull him outside the door. ''Come on! Come on, let's go.'' I push him down the steps and start walking towards the borders. ''Would it kill you to keep your mouth shut?!''

''I don't know, I haven't tried,'' he shrugs.

''Please be serious,'' I sigh in exasperation.

''I can't. I'm Charles,'' he shrugs again.

''Ughh! it's useless talking to you!''

Just then Mila walks up to us. ''Hey guys what's up?'' she is sporting a wide smile on her face which, if you look at it too much, gradually becomes creepy.

''Definitely not these two's moods,'' Charles replies.

''What did you do?'' she puts her arms on her waist and glares at him. I for one, was glad she stopped smiling.

''Come on, love,'' Theo grabs my hand in his. ''Mom's waiting for us.'' I take one final look at the beta couple, then walk away from what seemed like the beginning of an argument between them.

As we approach the border that separates Crescent pack from Crimson Pack, Theo's hold on me tightens. I tried to ignore it at first, but when he squeezed my hand a bit too tight, I had to ask him.

''Is everything okay?'' I mind-link him, since I didn't want the guards of either packs listening.

''Why ask love?'' He replies back, catching on my memo.

''You've been squeezing my hand tighter every step we get closer to Crimson. Is something bothering you?''

''Later.'' He replies and ends the conversation. I think Charles' words got to him.

The pack members guarding the borders, all bow at as in respect. I give them a friendly smile, so as not to come off as intimidating and do the same to the Crimson pack members.

''So are you excited to see the baby?'' I ask Theo, once we're out of earshot.

''I am.'' He smiles down at me. ''I can't believe Nadia's a mom. If Aiden were here, he would be ecstatic.''

''Hmm, I'm sure he would.'' I reassure him by squeezing his arm. I don't know what would happen to me if I lost Ethan and Aiden was so young, I wonder how Theo managed to keep himself sane.

''You good love, you zoned out?''

''I'm fine,'' I nod. ''In fact, let's go this way. I want to show you something.''

''Athena, the house is this way. They are waiting for us.''

''Oh please, they can wait a few minutes more, it's not like the baby's going anywhere!'' I pull his hand and force him to follow me, away from the house. The meadow wasn't very far from the house, so it didn't take us long to reach there.

We walk the path leading to the huge rock. I watch as Theo's eyes widen in awe. ''You like?''

''It's definitely better than the lake we have.'' He chuckles and leans against the rock.

''I second that. This mine and Ethan's spot. We used to come here a lot as kids and a few times as adults.'' I lean on him.

''What did you talk about?''

''Almost everything. Fights, crushes, dates, gossip, girlfriends, boyfriends. You name it.'' I chuckle from the memories of Ethan and I as teenagers. And his then girlfriend, Camila. I wonder where she is now. From the corner of my eye, I notice Theo stiffen.

''Why are you on edge? Is something bothering you? Wait, no. Don't answer that. Tell me what's bothering you.''

He sighs deep and pinches the bridge of his nose. ''It's Ethan's beta.''

''Wait, Axel? You don't like him? Why? Did he do something to Nadia?'' I bombard him with questions. Although I doubt the last one. I've known Axel for long, he's a really sweet guy.

''No he, umm... it's not about Nadia. It's you.''

''Me! What do I have to do with him?''

''Well, umm, you and him, uhhh, had this-'' he struggles to say the exact words, but I caught the meaning.

''Nooooo!'' I gasp. ''No way!''

''Yes, love. Of course, you don't remember.''

''Shit. Did we......ummm?'' I ask him, but then made the mistake of looking at his face. ''Sorry, shouldn't have asked you that.''

''Yes,'' his jaw ticks. ''So you see, why I feel uncomfortable around him.''

''I get it. I get why you feel that way, but you shouldn't. Especially now that we've been through so much together. I love you, Theo, you. It's always going to be you.'' I tell him.

''You mean that?'' he looks me in the eyes, trying to find a speck of doubt. I wrap my hand around his neck and kiss him passionately.

''Got any doubts?'' I cock an eyebrow.

''Hmm, I think a few more kisses and they'll all vanish.''

''You're such an idiot,'' I shake my head. ''Come on, let's go.'' I begin to walk towards the house, but he grabs my hand and pulls me back.

''So you're going to leave me with doubts?'' he whispers low in my ear.

''How about I clear them later tonight?'' I twist my arm and wiggle out of his grip.

''I'll hold you to that,'' he winks at me.

As we approached Nadia and Axel's home, I could hear laughter and giggles of excitement. I took Theo's hand in mine, then knocked softly on the door before entering.

''Theo, Athena!'' Mom yelled, as soon as we walked in.

''Didn't you two leave before us?'' Charles shouts, making sure he's heard by everyone in the room.''Didn't they?'' he turns to Mila, who shoots me an apologetic look.

''We took a de-tour, Charles,'' Theo answers, making sure to press on the name. Luckily, Charles understood the unsaid warning and shut his mouth.

''Oh it doesn't matter,'' Lila walks out of the bedroom with a towel in her hand. ''I just washed the baby, go on you two, get in there. Nadia's been asking for you.'' She pushes the both of us inside.

The room was very bright, a lot of natural light flowing in. The curtains were drawn, there was a lot of baby stuff placed on the shelves and floor, and in the midst of it all was Nadia, sitting on the bed with a little bundle of pink in her arms with Axel by her side, looking at them both with love. She looked exhausted, yet there was a glow on her face. Her eyes lit up as soon as she saw us.

''I've been waiting for you.'' She says, the excitement clear in her voice. ''Are you okay Athena? Mom said you had your heat last night.''

''Oh I'm fine.'' I wave my hand. ''Congratulations you two. Can I see the baby?''

''Of course, you're the aunt after all,'' she laughs. ''It's a girl.''

I take the baby from her arms carefully. ''Aww she is the cutest. Theo, look.'' I rock the baby in my arms as Theo walks up to us.

''She's so precious.'' He whispers and strokes her cheek. ''What have you named her?''

''Ava Luna Cooper,'' Axel says proudly.

''It's perfect,'' I reply. ''She's perfect.''

I continue rocking Ava in my arms, while Theo plays with her. I could feel Nadia and Axels eyes on us, but I chose to ignore them and focused on the baby. ''She's so cute, aww.''

''That she is,'' Theo agrees as Ava wraps her hand around Theo's finger.

''Look at that! She knows her uncle.'' Nadia laughs.

I adjust the baby and continue rocking her, when I feel Theo's heated gaze on me. Looking up, my green eyes met his brown ones. Neither of us had to say anything to know what the other was thinking, because we both knew.

One day, in the near future, there will be a baby in my arms, and it would be ours.

***

Yes, I know i'm late, but the chapter is here!

Hope you guys like it.

-Jessica.S