"Don't forget that your reports are due by the end of tomorrow." A report I hadn't even glanced at. "This is the last major assignment before break and worth a big chunk of your final grade."

All the students had already begun packing their items away as the bell blared. I shoved my mostly empty note books into my bag and stood up. "Athena, can you hang back a moment please?"

Dread shot to my core and I closed my eyes, moving towards the desk as the rest of the students filed out. The moment we were alone he moved around the desk, leaning against it as he folded his strong arms."How are you holding up Athena?" He asked, genuine concern coating his words and I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes.

It was a sentiment I'd heard from many of the wolf teachers but this was a first from him—part of me figured maybe the subject of literature on mostly human books gave him better insight than to pry. "I'm fine."

His lips turned down, disapproving but sympathetic. "Athena I'm not trying to understand your... situation, I know you are probably facing a lot right now. I want to check in because your grades are slipping, fast."

Shame consumes me and I think about the last test I completed, how my brain couldn't pull together a coherent sentence and even if it could — I hadn't read the assigned text anyway. "I know, but I'm getting back on top of things."

He reaches back onto his desk and picks up a piece of paper, my last test that has a massive F in red on the top corner. "Athena I could barely give you ten percent for this paper, you were one of my top students last year. I spoke with some of your other teachers in the faculty room and this is starting to show across your other classes—Athena, I'm obligated to notify the principle who will contact your parents."

"There's not a need for that, sir, please. I know I've been slipping up I've just had a lot on my plate. I just never got around to reading the assigned texts but I promise I'll catch up over break."

"This is your final year of study—all the hard work and effort you've put in over the last few years will be meaningless if you throw it away now. Your studies needs to be a top priority and the school can help if you need support. There are many reasons kids slip behind—I know that you work alongside school so if its financial then there are steps we can take to assist you through study. It's important that you really consider what is impacting your ability to learn because you and your legal guardians will be asked to explain this decline to the principal."

"Will Micah also be contacted?" I ask, an edge to my tone and his face drops with sympathy.

"As per pack policy, your mate will be informed by head office and may be involved in the consultation process to get things back on track."

"Please don't report it just yet, give me one more assignment to get my grades back up—or anything for extra credit. Things are already stressful enough as it is." I know my parents would understand, but that doesn't mean they won't be mad. They'd likely just direct their anger towards Micah and who even knows how he'd react to it all?

"Athena, it's my responsibility and even if I didn't, there are two other teachers that I know already have, it was a matter of time before your case wound up in the head office. I figured you'd prefer a heads up."

Right, responsibility, something precious to these wolves. The kindness and respect that my parents drilled into me itches at my chest, edging me to thank him for the consideration.

But more than the itch to appease is a fire, one that makes me fight a glare. "Well I'm sure the pack house will appreciate your loyalty," I say, my tone flatter than the very floor I stand on.

"Athena—"

"Is there anything else about my education concerning you? Or am I free to leave?" His face softens with sympathy and I realise as much as his words infuriate me, he is only trying to help in a small way. I also realise I'm not ballsy enough to turn tail and storm from him without dismissal.

"Athena I'm sorry to add more trouble to your position, truly I am. My own mate and I are currently on a break, I get how tough these things can be."

"You've got a human mate?" I say, well more like accuse. My whole body tightens with the revelation.

"Yes," he says and I can't help how wary it makes me, like I know what the next words that come out of his mouth will be. "You've got to believe me when I say that your mate cares for you, Athena. Micah is a great young man and he will be one of the strongest Alpha's this pack has ever had—"

"I've got to go," I say bluntly, cutting him completely short. I can tell my disrespect bothers him but I'm already walking to the door as he nods. I should leave, should continue storming down the halls but my blood boils so much that it makes me pause in the threshold. "You know, maybe you should reconsider what caring from a mate should look like given your own doesn't want you."

I don't give him pause to react and leave the room, storming down the halls as tears prick my eyes. The hall speakers start to chime and I push past every other student eager to leave and go home.

"Athena Mennison, please report to the principal's office. Athena Mennison, please report to the principal's office." The second one head turns my way, everyone else follows suit and tears really do fall from my eyes.

The whispers start next and I train my eyes on the floor in front of me as I push one foot in front of the other, trying my hardest to breathe. He must've called the office after I was so rude and left like that. I'm probably in so much shit right now oh god.

I try so hard to stop crying as I walk obediently towards the principle but tears stain my cheeks.

"Athena! Thea wait up." Micah's voice is unmistakable and my whole body clenches at the sound of it. Of course he'd come running, why did things have to go from bad to worse? "Athena." He says again, closer this time and more solidly—like the words are a command.

I can't even muster up the willpower to turn and look at him so I tighten my grip on my bag strap and move faster, glancing at the green exit sign to my right and pushing my way through. I continue walking towards the tree to find Henry and hide from all this shit in his comfort but a loose grip on my bicep forces me to stop.

"Thea, hey," I'm forced to turn around and meet his confused stare, his tense body, everything I wanted to avoid today. His voice drops as his eyes search mine. "Hey, hey, what's going on? What's wrong? They were calling you to the office, Thea—is everything alright?"

I pull my arm away from his touch and I notice how his hand itches at his side, begging him to reach out and comfort me. "I'm fine. Everything's fine, you can go."

His brows scrunch together. "Go? Athena you haven't answered any of my texts or calls, you weren't in gym this morning and now your being called up to head office. What's going on?" He must've left five messages on my voice mail and an adjoining seven texts. The last thing I texted him was that I wasn't coming to the meetings held in the pack house due to a family emergency and I hadn't replied since.

"It doesn't matter, I just pissed off a teacher and so I'm probably going to get yelled at by the principal who will call my parents and then god knows what else will happen and you... you..." I didn't realise I was sobbing until it was too late to stop and then his confusion turned into agony. He moved to console me and I stepped back instantly. "I really don't want to talk to you right now," I managed, wiping away my tears.

It was as though I'd kicked him in the gut with the strength of superman. "Athena... I'm sure whatever happened with your teacher was a misunderstanding and we can sort that out, clearly you've got a lot going on right now. I had a chat with the principal today and he told me about your grades, Thea if something is happening with your family I can talk to the school, get them to give you a break."

He thought this was all because of a made up family emergency I texted him about on Sunday morning. I just sobbed even more, scrunching my eyes closed as I let out a sound that was halfway between devastated and frustrated. "You really don't get it," I accused, anger finding its way into my words.

Because I was angry. Here he was, blaming my breakdown on a made up family crisis and my inability to handle it. If he really wanted to see the problem he should just hold up a fucking mirror.

"Then explain it to me, Thea. Talk to me, or just tell me what it is that you want. I can speak to the school, I can sort out the issue with the teacher—whatever you need just tell me."

"Whatever I need?" I sobbed.

"Whatever you need," he reassured and I almost believed him, my very body wanted to lean into his words and find comfort in the protection he could offer from the big bad world. But the rational side of me knew how ridiculous that was, he was part of the big bad world, part of the problems.

"Take it back."

"What?"

"Take it back!" I raised my voice and shook my head, tears continuing to roll down my face. People could see us here, not many but we were exposed out here in the public. "Just take it back," my words turn into a beg. I shouldn't have talked to them, taken that stupid poster. Right now, in and amongst all the other fucked up shit I have going on that's the only important topic on my mind.

"Take what back, Thea? Help me out here."

"The protest! The protest, the club, the—the stupid dinners and the contract, all of it. Take it back, I don't want it."

His eyes turns steely as they flick to onlooking crowds and I know I look insane right now, the way he holds his hands out like he's taming an animal says as much. "Let's just go someplace quiet and talk about this, I know you're upset—"

"I don't want you." I spell out. "Just leave me alone. I'm not going to the stupid principles office, I'm not coming to your stupid dinner with the superiors I'm not doing any of it. I don't want this bond." My cries had become nearly uncontrollable and he looked like he might shatter then and there too.

"Athena that's not an option. I need you to calm down." His hand finds my bare arm quicker than I can pull back and his touch, the sparks... the panicked tension in my chest releases ever so slightly. He takes that as a sign and moves closer, his palm moving to my cheek. "Just breathe."

I follow his instructions and I hate that I do, hate that I'm such an emotional wreck I can't even stand my ground. Hate him for being able to calm me down when he's the problem.

"Take it back," I beg again and his eyes search mine.

"I'm sorry Thea, I'm sorry. I swear to you, that was out of my control." Like I'm to believe that, like its a damn coincidence that they were shut down the day following our argument. "It was the Superiors."

I'm shocked enough that my breathing stops momentarily. "The Superiors?" Disbelief taints my tone and he doesn't miss it. His eyes flick behind me, to the people scattered around us.

"Let's go somewhere and talk it out, I'll explain it all, Thea. I promise."

"Explain it here," I urge, my feet firmly planted in the ground.

"I'll explain everything, just somewhere private. We don't need to go to the office or have your parents called—whatever the principal wants I'll make it go away."

"So my parents won't know?" I ask and he nods.

"Not unless you tell them—which you probably should, in your own time."

I glance again to the students around us, most a fair distance away but that doesn't matter if they have enhanced hearing. Whatever this explanation is, maybe it really is serious.

"Where can we go?"

"We can sit in my car and then I'll drive you straight home after."

—

Micah had turned on the air con and set the radio music on a low volume, background noise to whatever this conversation was going to be about. I was curious to hear the justification, eager to know what reasoning he'd armed himself with.

"There is unrest amongst pack members, wolves. It's worse in some packs and we have controlled it pretty well here but people aren't happy."

"Aren't happy how?" I press. I don't see anything on the news suggesting unrest, not in this pack or in others. I guess my news sources aren't exactly far reaching but press freedom was enabled a few years back, most media outlets were pretty vigilant—especially the human owned ones, small as they may be.

He blows out a heavy sigh, quiet for a pause like he's still deliberating telling me. "Most wolves accepted the laws that were introduced bringing humans into an omega—ordinary rank," he corrects, thankfully, because wolf jargon isn't something I'm familiar with. "Many had to be because it was ordained by our leaders, endorsed by Alpha's, Beta's and most Gamma's too."

"That was years ago, it was endorsed by the superiors—the whole world shifted." I can't hide the urgency in my words, the fear that creases them.

"Some see it as unnatural. Just as I'm above them in my status due to my Alpha blood, they feel that they are above humans and should have status that reflects as such. It's an idea that is becoming increasingly popular, mainly in packs where the economy isn't as strong and humans are an easy target. Just the other week there was a report on a few wolves that had murdered some ex-cartel members, killing them in ways that are traditional to the pack—ripping them apart as befits the crimes they committed. Not everyone is willing to follow the new human laws."

Traditional killings was something I'd heard about, murders carried out by wolves that felt they were entitled to kill in the name of the goddess or the pack. It still happened today, but back when all laws were stacked against my kind it was so regular it became normal.

"These laws have been in effect for years, they work. I thought wolves were meant to follow their leaders."

His stare shifts, like my words strike a chord. "Wolves are loyal but not to a fault. They have their own thoughts and opinions just as well as anybody else. Wolves listen to their leaders because we have the best interest of the pack at heart, because we are the strongest among us and because it's ordained by our goddess. But they prefer when we lead by example." Which I suppose they haven't been—not when they tell their inferiors to follow one set of laws around mates and them another.

"But does your status not matter? Surely it's okay that there is another set of rules for you."

He raises a brow. "Never thought I'd hear those words out of your mouth," he mumbles before running a hand down his face. "The short answer is no, we are supposed to follow pack law fully as is interpreted by the high council and priestesses and ourselves where needed. The high council accepted humans into the pack but never gave their support to the laws surrounding mates—they opposed them. So as it stands, we are theoretically going against our duty, managing to justify it through the loopholes that exist in our ancient scriptures and because the king and queen vetoed it. It's part of the reason why the Superiors came here, to meet you."

"What does it have to do with me? Why would any of that make the superiors care more about me? I'm not causing dissent amongst the ranks, I'm not starting a revolution."

"Because you're my mate." My gut sinks. "A lot of wolves want stronger laws around the mating bond—laws like the ones that govern us." The ones that govern me. "There is mediation and some restrictions on humans mated to Gamma status and below but nothing that honours the sanctity of the goddess, the laws aren't enough to keep mates together and even those with human mates who have accepted them feel it isn't right."

I didn't have anything to say, couldn't think beyond the ringing in my ears. What he was saying...

"Pack law, since the very dawn of time has dictated the importance of mates being together, even during battle. For a wolf to be without their mate, even their family for long periods of time, it's unnatural. It goes against our nature and our way of life. The ability for human mates to openly leave destabilises that, scares people and fractures the pack system — especially now that laws have shifted to open movement beyond our continent."

"And you agree with them?"

"Not entirely, but with some of it, yes." My expression must convey my true thoughts because his stare hardens. "I don't want to reverse the years of work that brought humans into this pack, my hope is that the relationship between our two species strengthens under my rule—but it's not so simple. There are a few packs where Alpha's are being challenged by lower ranking wolves because of their position on humans, groups that are forming to advocate for omega's to be restored to a higher power status as it stated in old pack scriptures."

"Challenged?" I ask, my voice a whisper and he nods solidly before shaking his head. I'd read it in the news, heard of it through whispers and gossip but from his lips... it became real.

"To take the Alpha title. Pack law places the strongest wolf as Alpha, if another wolf wishes to challenge that strength and fight for the title, they are able—given its the third full moon of the year, when all wolves are at their strongest. There hasn't been a successful challenge so far, mostly its lower ranking wolves that will initiate the fight but it's not a great trend."

"Do... do you think your dad will be challenged?" I ask, the question striking a nerve and he is silent.

"I don't know." His words are honest. "I don't think so, he's strong enough still that it serves as a warning to anyone that would try and our pack security is high—we tend to know of threats before they become a problem. But he won't be strong forever."

"So what does any of that have to do with them shutting down studies in universities? Surely that research is needed now more than ever, if there is a way to end the bond without harming either party maybe that would help the situation."

Fear settled in my bones, despite the fact that I'd urged him to have this conversation with me weeks ago.

"No wolf would endorse that, Athena. All those movements do is harm mated couples, physically and emotionally and act as a catalyst for more rebellion. It is forbidden under pack law to interfere with a mate bond, the pack allowing that to take place is yet another reminder of the changes people are resisting."

"What about what humans want?" I press.

"Frankly, I'm not worried about humans." No, because we aren't a legitimate threat. We're inferior, incapable of posing any real danger. "The Superiors came here under the assumption that you had accepted this, only because we hadn't overtly informed them of anything otherwise. They saw our bond as an opportunity to show that the laws were fine as they stood because we got along fine either way."

"But we don't," I point out, earning a tight look. "You've already used your laws to your advantage with our bond."

"Not to the knowledge of the pack. Which is why keeping up certain appearances is important. If wolves in our pack see you as resistant to this bond it will bring into question our laws, leadership—all of it."

"So I need to pretend you aren't imposing your authority in this bond so that what? Some wolves don't start getting jealous that you can force your mate to be with you but they can't? And within all of this, any chance of having some scientific solution to erase the bond is impossible—regardless of what humans want, because it could threaten the pack system?"

"It's not like that," he tells me.

"It sure seems like that."

"It's complicated, it's not all about mates—that's just a piece of the puzzle. And I'm not forcing you Thea," his voice had gone utterly soft as his eyes searched mine. "I don't want you to feel that way." He was genuine, I knew that. But I didn't just feel that way, it was the reality—whether he forced me or not he still could, it was the principle of the matter. "Look, it's a lot to digest and there's only so much I can even say to you without you having proper clearance, but maybe I can talk with my dad—set up some way for you to get better across this stuff. It impacts you, you deserve to know."

"I guess that wouldn't hurt. But honestly, right now... I've got a lot on my plate. I'm trying to keep up with my studies, work and maintain a social life and then this," I motion between us, "on top of it all? Maybe when it's spring break or something. I get that it's important but you said once that we can take things slow, maybe we can just leave the politics for now."

"Absolutely," he agrees eagerly. "The school told me about your grades slipping—I know this is all a lot of pressure for you and I am sorry to have contributed to that, I am. And we can press pause on the formalities but Athena that doesn't mean that it's okay for us to air out our grievances in public or for you to do something like protest the pack. For those sorts of things, we do need to at least have a private conversation first."

I try to hide that it bothers me, despite his leniency but its so obvious that he reads right through it. "Okay," I mumble, casting my eyes down to stare at the seat below me.

His palm finds my cheek, drawing back my attention. "Hey," he says softly. "It's all going to be fine, we've got time. You've got time, Athena. Focus on school, I'll always be here when you've got a little less on your plate—I'm not going anywhere. There is a lot happening in the pack right now and if you need more information to understand something or have an issue just give me a call. I know you haven't accepted your position fully yet but you are still destined to lead alongside me—your input matters."

He was giving me exactly what I wanted—needed and it made guilt pour into my chest, forming a tight lump in my throat. "I'm sorry for yelling you before, I didn't mean..." I told him I didn't want the bond to hurt him, to fixate all of my issues onto him because he's an easy target. This bond is stressful as hell but I chose to prioritise things outside of study, I'm partial in the blame. "What I said about the bond was rude, you've been patient and you're trying and that means a lot. I just don't want to get lost in all this. I don't want to deal with the pack house or politics or leading. We can just hang out normally, play video games or get coffee."

I see the cogs turning behind his eyes as he nods. "I'd love that. I promise I will do everything I can to make it easier—you don't have to come along to events or ceremonies until you are ready for it. Just give me a day to talk things through with my father, the superiors were probably expecting you to be around so I've gotta get some good excuses lined up. The family emergency wasn't real right?"

I nod. "I made that up," I say, surprised at how ashamed I sound.

He just laughs to himself. "I thought so. Well let's just run with that for the time being until I get more creative. Are you ready to head home?" I nod and he starts the car up, turning the radio down before flashing me a comforting smile. "So how long do you need an extension on your assignments?"

—
I'm dressed in my pyjamas when the doorbell finally rings. It's been at least an hour since we impulsively ordered pizza to go with our dinner and my whole family was coming down with a bad case of hangry.

I texted Gabe that I couldn't come in for my shift and spent the entire afternoon holed up in my room, pouring over texts that I was behind in. I've never taken notes faster in my life and I was a quarter way through my paper when my parents forced me back into reality for dinner.

"Pizza!!!" My little brother exclaims and I bounce up, throwing my playing cards face-down on the coffee table.

"I'll get it," I say with a grin walking towards the front door.

"Money's on the counter!" My dad yells and I dart to the kitchen, snatching up the notes and coins when the door rings again.

I flick the the money, counting it as I open the door but there is no delicious scent of pizza waiting.

Four wolves stand at attention, I know their wolves because they dressed like soldiers. All clad in black uniforms bearing the symbol of the Superiors pack on their chest.

The one at the front looks me up and down. "Athena Mennison?" He knew the answer, knew who I was—the question was clearly a formality. I didn't want to nod, every bone in my body was warning me against it. I inclined my head ever so slightly and his stare hardened. "I'm going to need you to come with us ma'am."

"Athena, do you need more cash?" My dad asks from behind me, pulling the door open to get a full view of who is stood there. He looks at the emblem on the warriors chest and then glances to me. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm afraid the answer you want is confidential sir. We are here concerning matters with Miss Mennison and Miss Mennison only."

My dad was quick to grab my bicep and pull me behind him on instinct more than rationale. If just one of the four warriors wanted to get past him, they easily could.

"Well as her father, it does concern me. Unless my daughter has committed a crime or any of you have a warrant to detain her then I'd like you to leave."

Annoyance was prevalent on the wolfs face, like this task was well below deserving of any reaction. He glanced to the warrior next to him who provided a bored shrug, like they were considering how easy using force would be. "Sir, we are here to escort miss Mennison to the pack house by direct order of the Alpha Superior and your own Alpha Holt. We have full jurisdiction to ensure that she is safely removed from this premise and escorted by my men to the pack house. As your daughter is mated to a member of the pack house with Beta rank or above, your parental guardianship does not apply."

I take a step back, shaking my head. "I haven't done anything wrong," I blurt, frantically glancing between them.

"You are not in any danger," he informs me, and the attempt to reassure me does the exact opposite.

"Is my daughter in some sort of trouble?" My dad asks and the same guard shoots him a bored look.

"This matter does not concern you, sir. We weren't informed of the reason for Athena's summon to the pack house, simply to escort her there safely and securely. There is no need for resistance."

I felt like scoffing, maybe I would if I wasn't so afraid. "Why didn't Micah come and get me?" I press. He told me today—no promised me, that I wouldn't be involved in pack affairs.

So what the fuck was this?

"Ma'am the request did not come from your mate. You've been summoned by your superiors and are expected to come without delay. We don't want to have to resort to force but we will escalate our measures if you do not cooperate."

My dad's eyes were unmoving from the men in the doorway. "This is ridiculous, we will be calling our lawyer before you so much as step foot in this house I swear to god—"

"The goddess won't help you in this matter. Neither will a lawyer," he said, his irritation on fire. "You've got thirty seconds to start moving out of this door Miss Mennison or we will remove you."

My dad shifted and the look the warrior gave him sent chills ripping through my bones. His eyes held a promise that he'd waste no removing him too.

"I'll come!" I exclaim, my hands shaking. "Just... just let me talk to Micah first."

It was an effort to stall, there was no way in hell I was going to the pack house tonight. Again, the wolves looked to each other in silent communication, weighing up the odds.

"Fine, make it quick." He settled, returning to glare at my father.

I scrambled to get my phone in my hands, fingers shaking as I dialled his number and let it ring through twice before picking up.

"Micah?" I ask, my dad staring intently between me and the men.

"Athena, hey," he sounds frazzled and the line is filled with background conversation. "What's going on? Are you alright?" I look to the guards again, he doesn't know they are here?

"There are these people at my house, they said they are going to take me to the pack house."

"You're bringing my mate into this now?" He asks angrily, the question clearly directed at someone else in the room with him. Someone answers back but I can't pick up any of the words. "You couldn't explain to them how inappropriate that is? I don't care!" The sound is quieter, like he'd covered the receiver but I'm thrown. "Athena?"

"Yeah?" I reply, glancing towards my dad and the irate men.

"Sorry, yes those men are there to escort you—they are warriors that came as part of the Superiors security detail, you'll be safe. You're gonna have to go with them, this... it's out of my hands. I'm sorry."

"Go with them?" I question. "It's nearly ten at night, I'm in my pyjamas and I have to go with some random men to the pack house? What's going on?"

Someone talks to him again and all I can hear is muffled conversation. "Thea, look I gotta go—I know this massively inconvenient but you've just gotta come down. The only orders currently are for you to be at the pack house, just do what they ask, you're not in any trouble or danger. If I can get the order reversed before you're here I will and they'll turn around and take you right back."

"This is... I don't want to, Micah," I say, fear settling into my stomach.

"Athena they will make you go by force," he says bluntly. "I can't stop that and I'm assuming your family is there right now so even if it's for their sake. The Alpha Superior just wants to have a meeting."

"I don't want to, Micah just tell him I'm sick—say I can't." The wolf in the doorway scoffs then.

"Athena, I wish there was more I could do but my hands are tied, you need to go with them."

I shake my head, taking a step back. "No."

"I think we've heard enough," a wolf I can't see says, and the one in front takes one look at the terror in my eyes before nodding. They barge through the door and my dad places his hand out towards them, pushing me further behind.

The second his hand touches a wolf, they retaliate, one of them grabbing his wrist in a simple manoeuvre and twisting his body before shoving it into the wall with excessive force.

A scream tears from my lips as I move forward. "Stop! You're hurting him! Stop!" Sobs wrack from my body as I take another step back. Not that it makes any difference, within seconds both of my arms are restrained and I'm forced to watch as my father winces, metal cuffs clicking around his wrists.

My mom is in the room in an instant—twins no where to be seen. "Hey! Take your fucking hands off them!"

"Stay back!" my dad struggles, looking at her with desperation before glancing towards me with smooch desperation it shatters my heart. "It's okay, honey just stay in our room." Where the twins were, no doubt.

This ordeal was only going down one way and either one of them could be locked up or both.

"Mr Mennison, you are under arrest for obstruction of a pack order, you do not have the right to remain silent, failure to cooperate with pack officials in the pursuit of justice will result in additional penalties that fit your crime."

"Leave him! Please leave him, I'll come, I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" My pitch raises as the guard shoves my dad's chest into the wall.

There's nothing I can do, no amount of screams of protest that stops them as I'm pulled from my home and dragged into the den of wolves.