QUEEN ATHENA FATED MATE

CHAPTER 1 ATHENA The crowd roared around the amphitheater, and with so many people on their feet, stomping in support, the ground shook. I was sitting quietly on the raised platform which was reserved for the Alpha’s family, but deep down I felt as much as tense as any of them. My heart was pounding as I fixed my gaze on the center of the arena where Roman was fighting, my hands tightly clenched around the edge of the regal, golden chair. His name was in every lip as he fought and that was only because he was a joy to watch. Every swing of his claws was calculated and his footwork was measured with utter precision, one I'd never witnessed before. Standing at 6’4, he was simply a dangerous wall and rhythm of skill and power. The noise was cut short the moment the opponent lunged at him, but ended slashing through air after Roman had sidestepped smoothly. Another cry of admiration rose from the crowd, before Roman spun and delivered a kick to his enemy's ribs. I heard the c***k from where I sat. "He's incredible." Someone yelled on top of their lungs behind me. When his opponent growled and shifted slightly in an attempt to feint, Roman already saw it coming, and struck through his armor, landing his saber-like claws into the man's shoulder. Blood splattered across the sand, and the cheer intensified. "He's going to win." I muttered under my breath, just in time before he struck another blow which instantly floored the other man. He didn't give his opponent a chance to react, because as soon as the man was on the ground, he quickly locked the man's hands and held his claws at his throat. "Yield," Roman growled, glaring at him as he panted. The man, no doubt, hesitated but after a guttural growl, he morphed back his claws into fingers and raised his hands in surrender. The crowd erupted into applause, chanting his name as my father got up from his seat. "That was incredible." My father, Alpha Jaxon, said, silencing the arena as his booking voice carried over the noise. "Roman, step forward." He did, clutching his side. I peered closely to see blood dripping from a cut right beneath his chest. It was a deep gash, and seeing it made my stomach twist but I fought the urge to go and treat his wounds. Besides, he was Alpha, so his wounds would heal soon. "Today, you have proven yourself not only as a fighter but as a leader. From this day forward, you will join the Pack Vanguard and you'll also be one of the Pack trainers. Your skill is unmatched!" Dad declared. I'd never see him sound so proud. The crowd cheered again, but Roman’s expression didn't change, and for some weird reason, I felt worried about him. He nodded respectfully to Dad, but before he could respond, his knees buckled. The crowd gasped as he collapsed with a plomb the the whole arena went grave-silent and before I could stop myself, I was already running towards him. "Athena, no!" A gruff voice, surely belonging to a guard, called after me. But I was already running through the sandy space towards him, panting. By the time I reached him, a small circle had formed around his unconscious body. I quickly dropped to my knees and tore off the straps of his armour, taking off the breastplate before I spotted the angry, bleeding gash. "He's losing too much blood." I muttered, panic-stricken. I'd never felt this worried about someone. Tearing off a piece of my maxi, I rolled it together till it was thick enough and pressed it down on the gash to stop the bleeding. "Someone get the medics!" I yelled, but no one seemed to move because they were all too stunned that the Alpha’s daughter had lowered herself to tend to a warrior. After a few seconds, Roman stirred slightly, then his eyes fluttered open. They were the most striking shade of gray I'd ever seen, like storm clouds. And for a moment, he just stared at me with a violating, piercing gaze that made my face heat up. "Stay still," I whispered. "You've lost too much blood. But you'll be fine." His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out. I couldn't explain what was going on, but something about the way he looked at me made me feel... funny. There was this pull, this strange feeling of connection that left me breathless. "Your Grace, the medics are here, please move." A deep voice called from behind. Reluctantly, I stepped back and watched as they lifted him onto a stretcher while Someone pressed down on the wound. My hands were still stained with his blood. "Athena," My heart sank the moment the familiar voice called. It was Dad, and when I saw the unreadable expression he carried, my heart sank because I'd overstepped. But instead of the scolding I expected, he placed a hand on my shoulder. "You did very well." I felt a ripple of shock seize me. That was because for as long as I could remember, I'd been the outsider in this Pack. I was adopted, and wolfless, which they wouldn't stop throwing in my face anytime they got the chance. Even my siblings treated me like an intruder and mocked me whenever they got the chance, but Dad's approval in that moment lit up my soul. "Thank you," I said, almost giggling as I walked past him back to the stands where Liam, my boyfriend, was waiting, worried sick. "Are you alright?" He asked softly when we reached him. I nodded. "I'm fine. Just need to wash my hands." I replied, a bit surprised because this was the warmest he'd been to me in the past few days. Lately he'd been distant, but that didn't matter because at the Mate Ball tonight, he would claim me as his mate and everything would be fine. We'd been together for years, keeping things under the wraps until we both turned 18 last year and brought it to my father who gladly gave him his blessings. He'd been my anchor this whole time, and saw me more than just the Alpha’s adopted, wolfless daughter. I couldn't stop dreaming about the moment he'd go down on a knee and propose to me at the ball in front of the whole Pack. The thought alone made my stomach squirm with butterflies. When we got to the Ball that evening, the celebration was already underway with unmated she-wolves hanging around to find their other half. My focus, however, was on Liam whose hands were wrapped around my waist possessively. "Athena, you look... stunning." He said for the thousandth time that evening, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. He seemed nervous, but that was to be expected, because I felt the same way too. I leaned in, wrapping my hands around his neck and kissing him. Was this the moment he'd propose? I asked myself, already feeling the nerves. But our conversation was interrupted by Rose, my elder sister. She'd always been the family's and Pack's favourite, and most of all, a thorn in my side. "Athena," she said sweetly while looking me up and down mockingly. "I'm surprised you're here. Isn't this an event for people with wolves? You haven't shifted yet, have you?" Her words stung but I said nothing. I only turned away while Liam came to my defense, growling as he stared at her. "Watch your tone, Rose. Athena is my date, and you better go pick on someone your size." She raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. Instead, she turned to her friends, whispering something that made them laugh. I tried to focus on Liam, and the warmth of his hand on my waist, but something had shifted and his body suddenly tensed. I turned sharply just in time to see his nose flare as if he'd caught a scent. A ripple of fear descended on me. I knew what that meant. "Liam?" I called, but he didn't respond. He'd turned around now, and his gaze was locked onto Rose who was rooted to the spot as well, in front of her equally shocked goonies. "L-Liam?" My voice shook as I called again, glancing at Rose who was also staring at him the same way. Before I could process what was going on, his hands fell from my hips and he ambled across the silent room towards her, then he said the words that turned my world upside down. "Mate."