Queen Athena

03. Fated Promise

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Athena Grace Hound

BloodHound Pack

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I stood alone in an empty field, the moon high up in the sky, barely visible from the clouds that surrounded it. I waited for them, a basket on my hand. The cold breeze of the night pinched my skin, shivering slightly I patiently stood there.

Water then dripped slowly from the sky, dark clouds covering the moon, I looked around waiting for their arrival.

A shrill scream was then heard from the thick forest, I stood their wide eyed, leaving the basket behind, running to the unforgiving woods.

"Momma!" A child's voice echoed back at me, her voice very familiar to my ears. I run faster, following the sound of the voice.

"Where are you?" I frantically searched around, not missing a step. "Help!" I heard her again but this time barely audible.

Panic rushing through me, urging me to run faster but no matter what I do, the forest seem to go on and on. The line of trees seem to go last forever, the ground littered with withered leaves and wet dirt.

"Please! Somebody!" I heard her cry again, this time I was closer. Adrenaline pulsed in my veins, eager to catch who ever hurt the little girl.

In one blink

I was by the clearing again.

Gasping in surprise I looked around, the basket was where I left it, the food I prepared this morning littered the ground.

Another scream of help reached my ears again. I stood their wide eyed, helplessly wanting to help the little girl in distress.

I ran to the clearing again, but barely coming close it I was thrown away. A unseen force blocking me from the forest.

"Mommy!"

I groaned in pain, the throw left me a few meters away. Barely managing to stand, I limped closer to where I once stood.

"Please!"

Tingles ran thru my spine, I wanted to save her, I wanted to hold her, but I couldn't

Laughter was then heard, shooting fear into my head. The little girl's call for help was no longer heard, only a woman's sickly laughter.

"Blood for Blood" her screething voice called out, I watched the forest.

"I told you Athena" She said, her voice coming from the same forest I've entered. I frantically searched around, but the forest seem to drift away from me.

"I told you." Her laughter followed, her voice imbeded itself in my mind. "Pathetic" she spat out, fear etched in my mind, fear of losing a little girl.

"Blood for blood, a soul for a soul"

. . .

I gasped immediately waking up, sweat was dripping from my head. I inhaled deeply pondering about what I've dreamt about.

The nightmare awaking me in cold sweat. I looked around my bedroom, the light of early morning shined through my window. I squinted at the harsh glare and rubbed the sleep away from my tired eyes.

I woken up earlier than normal, laying on my bed for the last hour contemplating on my nightmare. Maybe it was a bad omen, that today was a unlucky day? Or it could be my nerves, I am officially being introduced to the pack after so many years of hiding.

The bouquet of flowers the King gave me caught my attention. It was placed in a vase on my vanity, while the single black rose lay on my study table.

The King was attending today and as well as every unmated Alpha in the kingdom.

Getting up from my bed, shaking my head to get rid off the bad thoughts. Still in my pajamas I made my way to the kitchen where breakfast was about to be served.

As expected a particular little black haired lady was stuffing her face with pancakes, I chuckled under my breath while she glares at me when she noticed I was already in the room.

"Well if it isn't my daughter Pops" I heard Dad say as he enters the room, I gasped at him, feigning fake hurt, placing my hand on my heart. "I thought I was your only daughter" I mutter.

He laughs and kisses the top of my head, grabbing a plate for himself. "I mean Poppy could be another sister for you"

She then laughs hysterically, pointing at me, while with a mouthful of food. "Very graceful" I teased, she responds with a glare. I tied my long hair back into a high ponytail and and took a seat next to Poppy.

"Where's the she-devil?" Dad jokes and I shrug, "Probably fussing over decorations or something" I shove a mouthful, eating faster than I usually would, or else the monster next to me could steal my food.

"So mates" Poppy suddenly says out of the blue, which makes my father shoke on his food. I gave him a glass of water while glaring Poppy who shrugs her shoulders.

"Could we not talk about it here? Your going to give Dad a heart attack" I said, Dad was slowly recovering and pats his chest. "Athena wont be mated until she's seventy" That makes Poppy shoke.

"Seventy? you have to be kidding us." Poppy stares at him wide eyed. I gave her a frown. "Don't include me into this Pops"

"Maybe she'll meet her mate later, you have consider that Popo" I cringe at the nickname she gave Dad, sometimes I wonder if I was the best friend, and Poppy was their daughter.

"That's easy for you to say, you've already met yours, even before your 18th" I mutter, she gave me a scowl, and covers my mouth with her hand.

"Sure, I do consider that, that's why she'll lock herself in the attic when that happens" he casually says, sipping his cup of coffee, she gapes at him in shock and looks at me bewildered.

"You won't allow that won't you?" she then removes her hands. I shrug, continuing to eat my food."If push comes to shove"

She sighs exasperatedly, "What is with this family and not letting you have a mate?" she pouts at the table and eating another piece of pancake.

"Athena, where is my darling daughter?" I cringe when the sing songy voice of my mother, enters the room. She holds a basket, filled with god knows what. She seems awfully too cheery, which is worse than her being angry.

She shoves the basket in my arms and pulls me up from the stool. "Athena, its time to start getting ready, have a nice soak with these soaps, and moisturize your skin, from head to toe. I swear your mate will think your skin is the Sahara Desert," she said and pushes my form to the door.

"But I'm not done eating yet" I mutter, she ignores me and mentions for Poppy to come with me. "Poppy, I trust that you make sure Athena does what she is told, okay" she tells her, beckoning us up the stairs. Poppy just grabbed my hand and dragged me up.

"Just follow" Poopy whispered too silently, I almost didn't hear it.

She laid everything on my bed once we reached my bedroom, various bottles of fragrances, shampoo's and lotions with different kinds of brands.

Poppy shook her head and grabbed one of the bottle, " I seriously don't know whose worse, your mother or your dad" she jokes, before tossing it to me.

"What's so wrong with having a mate anyway? why are you so against it?" she asks exhausperatingly, plopping herself on the top of my bed.

"I just feel it's too unnecessary, besides he'll just prevent me from leaving" I shrug. She tilts her head to the side.

"Tena.. a mate is a mate. The other half of your soul. You seriously won't even consider him?" She frowns looking at me. "I thought of it you know" sitting next to her.

"All those love stories I've read and heard of. I sometimes wonder what it feels like to fall in love, but this whole mates situation…" I stopped "seems like forced, like I won't have a choice on who I want to fall in love with." I explained to her. She smiles.

"I mean it's your choice if you want to accept him or not." She grabs my hand. "My point is, at least give him a chance? It's the goddess's wishes afterall"

. . .

I sprinted along the corridor, keeping my steps light, sneaking away. I've been walking around the hallway for the last hour, managing to escape from Poppy's tortuous tweezers

Come to think of it mother will be furious that I was not preparing for the party.

But curiosity got the best of me, I just wanted to look around for a bit.

A few staff recognized who I was but ignored me, too busy with the tasks that mother probably ordered them to do.

Managing to go outside to the pack's enormous backyard, everyone was doing their own duties for the party. Tables and chairs littered the area while a podium was set in the middle. A red carpet was placed leading from my house unto the center stage.

My mother certainly knows how to throw an elegant party.

Navigating my way around the forest that sorrounded the backyard, some of the immediate staff knows who I am so I can't get caught this early in the afternoon.

"Have you ever seen her?" I overheard a conversation from the unfamiliar ladies that were arranging some table cloths on a few tables. They were probably the additional staff my mother asked for "Who?" a brown haired lady asks.

"The Alpha's Daughter of course" she whispers not so silently might I add. Intrigued I hid behind a tree, and continued to listen.

"I think no one in the pack has ever seen her, the Alpha really kept her behind closed walls, I wonder why?"

"Rumors say that Luna Katerina is so ashamed of her because she isn't pretty to look at" one subtly whispers back, I chuckled, if that was true mother probably gotten be adopted by now.

"That can't be true, have you seen Sir Apollo? I'm sure Alpha only hid her because she's so gorgeous" I laughed silently amused, covering my mouth with my hands to muffle my laughter. I should do this more often.

"You do know that eavesdropping is rude right?" I heard a whisper behind me, making me jump out of my stance placing my hand against my heart. He pulls me out from my seclusion to the view of everyone, thankfully no one acknowledges us.

"and it's also rude to scare people like that" I glared at Liam's amused form. He then comes closer to me and looks at the conversing ladies that I was listening to. "What are you doing here anyway?" Asking him, giving him a glare.

"Do I really need to answer that? I'm your guard, even if you manage to escape I'll be just a few meters behind you" He doesn't even look at me, huffing in annoyance I turned my back to him.

"Aren't you suppose to be getting all dolled up right now? And why aren't you wearing your contacts?" he asks worriedly, turning his attention to me. I shrugged. "It's too early for that, besides I just want to have a few minutes of freedom before everybody knows who I really am"

He laughs "Well, since we're doing this, I might as well show you something" He then grabs my arm and pulls me into the woods.

"I never agreed to coming with you" struggling to free my arm from his hold, but he didn't budge he just continued to drag me with him to God knows where.

"You have no choice, and besides we will be quick" he says as we manouvered our way through the forest, he knows the forest like the back of his hand.

I remembered a few stories that he would tell me when we were children, he was free to roam around, sometimes accompanying his father, the pack beta to patrol the border lines and the BloodHound forest.

He suddenly stops, pointing above a large oak tree. looking up to my utter amazement there was a small tree house, hanging from a few thick branches. "What are we doing here?" I ask him, he looks up

"It's my secret hideout, Dad and I built it when we were five." He pulls a rope dangling from the bottom of the house and a rope ladder fell from a latch. "After you my lady" he bows jokingly. Climbing the ladder was quick, since the tree house was only a few feet above ground.

"Welcome aboard" He spreads both his arms, almost bumping his head on the ceiling, both of us have to crounch as to not have any head injuries.

The treehouse was the size of a small room, the height suited for a seven year old child, but the house has surprisingly a ton of space. A rustic green rug covered the wood floorboards, from the corner I noticed a small basket filled with toys

While a flashlight barely hanging from the ceiling by a rope, provided light to the small house.

I stiffened a laugh, there were crayon drawings of penguins and turtles covering one wall. I remembered, back when we were children that Liam loved turtles, up to the point that he asked for one for his birthday. I on the other hand was obssessed with penguins, but I was heartbroken when I was told that I cannot have a penguin as a pet.

"Why penguins?" I asks curiously, he rubs the back of his neck, chuckling to himself. "You loved them so much, I guess five year old William wanted to remember that" Smiling at him I continued to look around.

Aside from that everything seems too clean for a five year old boy's treehouse, like the walls didn't have that much too tell.

"I actually wanted to bring you here ever since this was built" Turning around in surprise, but it didn't linger once I saw Liam's awkward stance. It's not everyday you get to see a six-foot man force himself into a tight squeeze.

"It was suppose to be a secret hideout, or something cool like that. But I was told you weren't allowed inside the woods" he shrugs, causing him to hit the shelve next to his body and for the flashlight to fall on his head.

Hissing in pain, he caressed his head. Chuckling at his demise I helped him with the rope that dangled on his shoulders. I sat on the floor cross legged, mentioning for him to do the same which he did.

"After that I spent a lot of my time with you inside your house, I guess this place doesn't hold many memories" he sighs, gazing at me, his ears flushing a shade of pink.

"I'm sorry about that, father shouldn't have forced you to be my guard when you were so young" I said, inspecting if he gotten a bump on his head. He always took care of me when we were little, so I guess it's my turn now.

He smiles warmly at me, grabbing my hand that was on his head." Nobody forced me Tena, in fact I volunteered. Once I saw what your eyes could do, little Liam couldn't help but worry about you" he places boy of our hands on his chest.

I grew flushed, this was new. Why was he acting like this.

"I rather spend my time with you than here alone" he added, his blue eyes looking directly to mine.

I pulled my hand away from his, tucking both of them on my lap. "Thank you" I've always knew the Liam was caring and gentle, especially with me. But today he was a acting so differently I don't know what word to use for it.

"I wish I was" he suddenly says hesitantly looking at my face, pushing his hair back. I looked at him curiously. "Was what?"

"Never mind" he sighs, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply, frowning I wondered what he was talking about.

I wasn't that naive, a part of my head and my whole heart wants him to say mates but I'm sure it wasn't. We were childhood best friends, we grew up together, experienced a lot together. In a friendship that lasted that long, It was obvious that one of us could have the possibility to fall for the other.

Unfortunately it was me.

" Violet?" he asks pulling me away from my thoughts, studying my eyes, moving a bit closer to me. "I've never seen your eyes be violet, what does that mean" he asks, tucking a unruly strand of my hair behind my ear.

I diverted my gaze away from him, clearing the lump in my throat I didn't know I had. "We should probably head back, its probably close to my birth time" Keeping my emotions in check, but I wouldn't say the same for my eyes.

He was about to say something, opening his mouth but shaking his head. "Yeah we probably should"

. . .

"I swear Athena, if your mother gets mad I blame eveything on you" Poppy painfuly tugs, probably intentionally on my hair, as she combs thru them.

"I'm sorry Poppy, I'll buy you orange juice if I have to" her harsh treatment suddenly stops. Wincing in relief I massage my scalp carefully, avoiding the hairline that she strategically placed.

"You better" she then grabs the curling iron and continues to curl the ends of my hair.

"I almost died when your mother entered the room earlier." She exclaims and finishes what she was doing.

"Time for you to wear your dress" she squeals excitedly, she motions for me to get dressed in my closet so I did

I struggled a bit, but managed to get myself inside the gown. It fitted me perfectly, it was a family tradition to never try on your 18th birthday gown until it was the day of your birthday. Thankfully the tailor got my measurements right, well he better did because mother will get him banished if he didn't. Opening the closet door I heard her gasp.

"I swear, your mate will faint when he sees you" ignoring her comment, Poppy then helps me with the skirt so it wouldn't catch on anything sharp and tear. Turning to my tall mirror, I saw the dress was more than what I envisioned.

After so many years of mother forcing me to dress the way she wanted, she gave me free reign to design this gown with her favorite tailor.

The gown was a two piece black ensemble. A lace long sleeved top paired with a ball gown skirt, that is lined with colorful flowers printed on the bottom of the hemline. I then paired it with a pair of black platform pumps that Poppy gave me for my birthday last year.

Of course mother was outraged by my color choice, but I was glad that the tailor was seeing the vision in my head persuading her to say yes.

Twirling, smiling at my reflection, I never thought that I would be this happy seeing myself in front of my mirror.

Poppy worn a much simpler gown, with a mermaid style bottom. The dress the shade of emerald complementing her green eyes.

Poppy did great with my hair, she styled it so half was in a bun and half flowed down my back. The makeup I done myself, I made light, a fierce cat-eye, contouring and highlighting my face and a red bold lip for a pop of color.

The lens perfectly hid my eyes, the natural brown shade of my eyes.

I then gazed at teary eyed Poppy with her hand against her chest and a smile on her face. "You look so beautiful Tena" she then gives me a tight hug, I then hear her stiffle. I pull away from her looking at her face.

"Pops, don't cry"

"Its just seeing you like this, and the fact that you could meet your mate later this night. I'm a proud momma" she jokes, patting her eyes with a handkerchief.

A knock on the door then interrupted our moment. The King of wrong timings aka Apollo barges in, in his tuxedo that fits to his body perfectly. A black tie hang on his shirt to match with the color of my dress.

"Pops, I swear. Sometimes your worse than Dad" she then gives him a glare, turning his attention to me he gives me a heartwarming smile.

"My little sister is no longer little" Apollo then offers me his arm. "I believe I was your escort for tonight" smiling I looped my arm around his. "Its almost your birth time, wouldn't want to miss that now would we" he then pulls me out of the room, with Poppy ahead of us, finding her mate

The hallways were bare of people, no one was upstairs seeing as the party was at the back gardens, and mother doesn't like people spoiling secrets.

We descended the stairs, Dad was at the bottom, dressed in his Alpha uniform. The pack's emblem along with a few badges adored the sash that he was wearing.

But of course he wouldn't be Alpha Benjamin if not for his ridiculous ties. I swear he only does it to upset mother. He supported a black one too, but crowns patterned the tie. I guess it was his way of greeting the King.

He stares at me, like Poppy, almost tearing up. Once we reach the bottom he pulls me into a hug. "I swear if you meet your mate today, I will steal you back" pulling me into his arms giving me a kiss on the top of my head.

"You look so beautiful my daughter" he praised me and kissed my forehead. "Too beautiful in fact, should I get my gun then?" he joked gesturing behind him. I laughed at him, while Apollo gives dad a hug also.

"You don't have to Dad, I'll just punch him until he forgets that he has a mate" popping his knuckles threateningly, I shook my head at their antics.

"Let's go then, we don't want to anger your mother now do we?" he asked placing his hand at the bottom of my waist, guiding me to the backyard.

"Let them wait, I don't even know who the half of them are" I exclaimed which he laughed at. "You indeed are my daughter"

The calm music greeted us as soon as the patio doors were opened. Mother was already there, patiently waiting for us. She gave me a once over and smiles in approval. All of the seats were occupied, other than the center isle, the King wasn't here yet.

A voice then was heard. "Could I have everyone's attention please" the host says. Everyone then turned to us, I heard a lot of gasps and whispers once they saw me. My nerves got the best of me, causing Apollo to grab my trembling hand in his and give me reassuring squeeze.

"Give them a show sis, don't be nervous it's your day" he whispers encouragingly. I inhaled deeply and kept my chin up.

"This is the day that we all have been waiting for, standing before you is the only daughter of our Alpha and Luna. Athena Grace BloodHound" claps were heard, everyone then stood on there feet and bowing.

It was accustomed for pack members to bow at there Alpha family in such occasions like this. It was more like a sign of respect for not only us, but the Moon Goddess too.

"My pack and invited guests, I am delighted that you came to celebrate my daughter's eighteenth birthday. This will mark the day that she blossomed into a adult, and I couldn't be prouder of what she became" Dad says, his voice booming, addressing the pack like he always does. Giving me a smile he continues.

"Once the clock strucks ten just a few minutes from now, her birth time. She could finally meet her predestined mate, that the moon goddess gifted her with, I could only hope and pray that the man in question is not present so I could still have my daughter here" a few laughs from the audience. "Let the festivities begin" he says and everyone rejoices.

The mating ceremony.

. . .

"Dad, what is mates?" I asked eagerly, jumping up to see my dad behind his tall desk. He diverts his gaze to me and laughs.

Standing up he makes his way to me and carrying me on his arm. "Why do you want to know so suddenly?"

"I overheard a few maids talk about it" I fumble with the tie that he was wearing, playing with the pattern that he was supporting today.

He then walks us and sits on a comfortable chair, placing me on the top of his lap. "Well my darling daughter, mates are your soul mates, the other half of your soul. Like mommy and daddy" he pats my hair.

"Ew" I mutter, disgust on my features. He laughs at me. "Oh I do hope you still think like that when your older" he whispers, I then get distracted by the wedding ring on his left hand.

"On your 18th birthday exactly on your birth time you will sense who will be your mate, by smell, touch, and telepathy. Us wolves can know if a person is our mate or not."

"By smell, the scent of your mate is the first thing you'll notice. He will immediately catch your attention, your mate scent is irresistible to your wolf. Next will be the touch of skin to skin to your mate, you'll feel these tingling sensations once you touch your mate, then that eventually leads to" he then stops suddenly, I looked up, a horrified expression was on his face.

"Then what Dad?" I asks, doe eyed. He laughs."I will tell you when your older" Giving me a kiss on the top of my head

. . .

Laughing at the memory, I mingled about meeting a few mateless Alpha's that my mother so helplessly matches me with.

I swear mother could work for the show Batchelor.

A few pack members introduced themselves to me, giving me compliments and greetings. But a lot of them were subtly asking as to why I was hidden from the public eye all this time, thankfully I managed to divert their attention from the topic.

I then noticed Liam, wearing his tuxedo looking very much like a pack guard. He was standing by the house, on the porch guarding and looking around. I hesistantly walked closer to him but retreated back, I shouldn't give myself false hope like this.

Looking around, diverting my attention form him I saw Pops. She was having fun with her mate, having a few glasses of wine she waves at me when she meets my eye and points to her mate, making a smoochy face and point to me.

I laugh at her and let her enjoy herself.

"Lady Athena, it's a pleasure to meet you" A voice behind me startles me. Turning around, a buff lookingAlpha smiles at me beamingly. Bowing I greeted him. "Good evening Alpha" studying him, he stood taller than me, his dark hair were as dark as his eyes. He was quite handsome, but my wolf was uneasy around him

He gives me a hand, which I returned shaking his. "Alpha James, also known as Alpha North" I stiffened. He was the infamous Alpha that my father despises. If it weren't for protocol he wouldn't be invited here in the first place.

"Happy Birthday Lady Athena, I do hope that your mating ceremony will be successful" he gives me a smirk making me shiver in my place.

"Thank you Alpha James" I answered him forcing a smile.

"Calling the attention of my wonderful daughter can you please make your way to the center stage?" I heard my mother say to the microphone. Excusing myself I followed her order, thanking my mother internally.

Once I stood in the center, everyone eagerly watched on. Both my parents stood close by as well as my brother and Liam. Poppy was giving me a thumbs up, almost jumping on her seat.

The clock ticked by closer to my birth time, as the tradition says. A Alpha child must perform the ritual of the mating ceremony if she or he is lucky enough to find his or her mate on their birthday.

Praying to the moon goddess above that I wasn't one of the lucky ones. Keeping my eyes directly on the clock.

A few seconds from now, I will be of legal age and having a lot of Alpha's here increases the chance of me meeting my mate today.

Keeping my dreams in thought I braced myself on what could happen today.

The clock then rang a strong chime and an ooverwhelming feeling rushed through my senses.

It couldn't be.

Looking around, I met Liam's gaze but I felt nothing. Disappointed I looked away from him. This is what I get for hoping for something that I knew from the start couldn't be true.

Clenching my fists on my sides, there were only two options. Be mated to Liam which was not going to happen or leave the pack and start my journey.

A wolf howl was heard, and a scent captured my senses.

The howl of the Alpha King.

A army of guards entered the backyard from the woods. Royal Guards secured the whole place making way for the King.

An unfamiliar power rushed through the yard, making people bow and kneel. He was the King of Wolves after all, he could bend people at his will.

My heart started beating faster, I felt my wolf jump and yip in my head. I was the only one left standing, looking at my father he looks back at me in fear.

Everyone knows what this means.

No it couldn't be true.

The man then entered the yard, wearing his Royal attire. My sole attention was then on him, my body wanting to get closer to him.

His dark grey eyes looking to my very soul, silence rang in the air as everyone waited for his command. I stood there gaping at him

"At last" he said suddenly, his voice making me shiver.

"My mate"