ARTEMIS

A strange silence had fallen over the packhouse, only whispers echoed throughout the halls. Tightly knit groups ushered quickly through the seemingly empty space.

I frowned, it wasn't even noon yet, the pack house should be filled at this time. Where was everyone?

I caught the eye of a small group of girls that were whispering to one another, "Do you know where the Alpha is?" I asked one.

I awoke alone, the bed seeming dark colder without his body to warm me. I had assumed that he had come here. I had no reason in particular to see him, no pressing matters in need of discussion, I just couldn't explain this feeling inside of me. My whole body ached from him, every part of me grieved his absence.

Her eyes dragged lazily up my body before meeting my eyes, and drawling. "Why?"

I fought back a snarl, "Why do you think?" I spat, "I want to see him, now tell me where he is before I relieve you of your tongue."

Did I have the authority to do that? Probably not, but Theos did. If I acted the part no doubt they would treat me it.

"He's in his office." The leggy blonde scoffed, turning back to her friends with a roll of her eyes.

"See, that wasn't that hard was it?" I hissed at her back, taking a hand through my pale hair as crossed the hall to Theos' office.

I stood at the doors for a moment, would he want to see me? I mean he was the one that came to me last night. I held up my fist to knock right as the door opened, and three men walked out, each as attractive as the last though all in different ways. The power that washed over me from them was the same as Theos'. Alphas, all of them.

The male with dark hair and pale grey eyes frowned, "Amora, what are you doing here?"

I could only frown back at him, "What?"

He reached out a hand to touch me but I slapped it away, "Who are you?"

"Who are you?" Confusion and shock covered his features, as the two males behind him burst into laughter.

"Please excuse him." A blonde male stepped forwards, "Greyson, this is Artemis. Remember, Theos mentioned her."

It was almost as if I could see the cogs turning in the confused Alphas head, realisation dawning on his face when it finally clicked.

"You're Mare's sister." Greyson said softly, almost as if to no one in particular.

I gave him a tight lipped smile, was my sisters demise common knowledge or had Theos told them? I guessed that as fellow Alphas, of course they would know. The death of a Luna was not easily covered, and the packs loss was felt nationwide. "Is Theos in there?" I asked, hoping they wouldn't notice my change of topic.

"Yes."

"Then please excuse me." I said brushing past them, my fingers had just brushed the cold metal handle when one of them reached out to grab my shoulder.

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea.." The final of the three males said, a certain sadness in his eyes. "I think he just wants to be left alone for the moment.. he has some news he has to process.."

"What are you talking about?" I said scowling, flitting my gaze between each of the three men, searching for any hint as to what they were inferring. "What news? What's happened?"

"Trust me. Don't go in there." The blonde male chimed in.

But before they could stop me I was already inside, shutting the men out behind me.

I let out a sigh of relief as the door clicked shut and did not open again.

"What are you doing?" Theos' gravelly tone had lost any remains of the softness it had held last night.

I turned to see him filling a glass of honey liquid the same colour as his eyes.

"I-I wanted to see you."

Stupid.

I sounded so stupid, like a silly little school girl with a crush. I cringed at my own words, especially when his face remained stoic and cold.

"Get out." He snapped, his jaw ticking and clenching.

"What?" I said softly, did he really mean it? Did he really want me to leave?

"You heard me!" His voice raised and slurred. "Get the fuck out!"

I flinched at his harsh words, self consciously cowering back against the door instinctively. "Theos..I-"

"Why are you still here! Why can't you just leave me alone!" He slammed his glass to the desk, droplets of gold spilling onto his paper work.

His inebriation fuelled an anger inside of me, my fear fast fading. How dare he. How fucking dare he. Especially when last night he was the one whispering sweet nothings into my ear.
"Why are you acting like this!"

"Like what?!"

"You're acting like a child Theos!" I threw my hands in the air in frustration.

He let out a booming laugh, though there was no humour behind it. Every move and breath me made only served to make my heart tremble more. He was so much stronger than me.

"You knew didn't you!" Through his anger I noticed the glassy sheen that reflected off of his eye. This was all an act, to cover the sadness inside. "You knew all along."

"What are you talking about!"

"The same thing anyone ever talks about! The exact same fucking thing half my pack whispers about behind my back!"

I couldn't break his eyes, and though they scorched into mine I could see that the fire behind them was damaged, years of a flickering flame exploding into an inferno in an instant of uncontrolled rage.

"This about Mare? Isn't it?"

"Of course it is! Everything always is!"

"What about her?" As far as I was aware, nothing new had come up, everyone I asked about her all said the same thing. She was Theos' mate, and she died. That's as it.
End of story, except not really.

Still his every thought echoed around her, his every waking moment was devoted to her. He pretended it wasn't. But I knew better.

Sometimes I worried that I was just a replacement Mare. But I could never be her, not in his eyes.

"I killed her. I fucking killed her." He held his head in his hands in despair. His cold mask breaking, cracking in two to reveal the years of pent up agony beneath.

I stepped closer, holding out a comforting hand to touch his arm, "Theos it wasn't your fault-"

The second my skin touched his he flew back from his chair as though I were on fire, sending it flying across the ground. "Don't touch me!"

His hands tore at his hair as he began to pace back and forth.

"What if she was innocent!" He cried, "Never for one second did I stop to think that she might be innocent!"

A creeping coldness settled into the pit of my stomach, "What.."

"She had me so fucking twisted! She had all the evidence, and I believed her over my own mate! And now she's gone!"

"Are you saying that Mare-"

He finished the words that I couldn't bear to form. "-She was innocent."

***
The moment you've all been waiting for 🤩
Don't forget to vote and comment!
-🍟