Queen Athena

07. Linkage

Chapter Seven

➳ ➳ ➳

William James Thompson

The Free Lands

➳ ➳ ➳

I watched him closely, while he does the same with me. In the hierarchy, he is superior than me seeing as he has royal blood flowing in his veins.

A stare down between two betas. "Stand down Beta Liam, need I remind you that under the law, you are a traitor" he glares and shifts his body to attack.

He then lunged, but I was prepared to counter. He grabs the front of my shirt and backs me to a wall. Baring his sharp canines at me, taunting me to fight him.

One thing for royal blooded is that they love a good fight, due to their strong stamina, they could withhold a fight until their enemy dies from exhaustion.

"Excuse me!" We heard a voice say behind us. A man in a suit, he was obviously a guard of the store. "I would kindly ask you to leave the premises." he says. He was a human for sure.

The Royal Beta didn't glance at him, holding the front of my shirt in a death grip. His eyes glazing over to black.

Pack law does state that no harm may come to humans, and furthermore wolves are not allowed to shift or even show any signs that they are not human, to the humans.

This lands, the hierarchy is not prioritized, with the exception of the Alpha King and Queen of course.

"We don't condone to violence in this establishment" the guard says and motions for us to leave. The royal beta releases my shirt and growls under his breath, almost loud enough for the human to hear.

The second he turns his back, I made a run for it.

I was called the fastest runner of the pack for nothing.

"Hey!" The human shouts as the royal beta follows me, hearing him cursing under his breath.

Navigating along the isles, and among the busy patrons I manage to run out of the store with him in tow.

The alarms of the shop blasted seeing as I was carrying a basket of unpaid goods.

I would've paid if it weren't for the royal f*****g beta.

Crossing the street in the middle of traffic was chaos. The drivers tried there best to avoid me with their vehicles, making them hit another car, and it went downhill from there.

Loud horns and shouting is heard. The cars nearly fatally damaged, and others barely managed to avoid the mess that is in the road.

I quickened my pace to head to the motel, making a plan in my head on how to lose the royal beta out of my tracks. Huffing under my breath and gripping the basket tighter in my hand I maneuvered my way thru the busy street, filled with humans enjoying their day.

Remembering the streets that I pass by, I was getting farther and farther away from where Athena was. But I cannot afford to lead him to where she is. Making a quick plan in my head and remembered the busy bar that was around this area.

Hearing his shouts behind me and the annoyed voices of the people that we shove and pass by, ignoring it and focusing on the task at hand

Even if I wasn't included in the missions I made it my point to remember the map that Alpha Benjamin showed me before, photographic memory comes in handy in these type of situations.

As we approach the end of the street I immediately noticed the large neon sign that is hanging on top of the obnoxious bulletin board conveniently placed at the front of the bar. People were already mingling about, the sun has set and humans seem to flock in these types of places.

The scent of the humans might throw his scent off of me. I unexpectedly made a right turn for the entrance, thankfully there wasn't a line that was holding up the door, I slipped easily inside.

Immediately going to the center of the stage I masked myself within the dancing crowd. The rapid colorful blinking lights and blasting loud music would be difficult to go around if I weren't a wolf. Going around I spotted him, still has his eyes on me though.

Cursing under my breath, I quickly think off a fool proof plan to loose him. I inhaled, frustrated. Then a very upbeat song was on, making the humans seem to be energized and jump in their places, blocking his view of me.

Every human that was on the dance floor was going wild, needless to say very not like them since they are, after all, humans. But I guess it's something that us wolves, that has not interacted with humans at all, dont know.

The dew like smell of humans and the stench of alcohol in the air made it easier to escape him. Looking around quickly, I noticed the hallway leading to a staircase, quickly making my way I rounded a corner and found a dead end leading to the staff's area.

Hiding myself behind the wall, I prayed to the gods that my scent won't be smelled by him. Looking back, and keeping a look out. A phone would come in handy right now, a advantage humans seem to take advantage of

Being a wolf from a very old-fashioned pack, technological advancements were either unheard of, or the citizens just dont care. Phones and the internet was limited, to only a few people.

"Only the staff are allowed back here" hearing a feminine voice behind me. Quickly turning around I came face to face with a bar employee, dressed rather in unconventional way. Based by what she was wearing, she would very well get cold easily.

Arching a brow at me she then points to the direction I was from. " Hmm.. do you need anything?" She then notices what I was holding and hold my gaze a little longer.

"Your not from around here are you?" She asks, peeping around the corner and looking to the crowded dance floor. "Seems like you need help. Follow me" she said and motioned for me to follow her to the closed door.

Leading me to the back door, I followed her around people who were looking at us suspiciously. I dont blame them, I look sketchy. Inside the closed door was a lot of woman dressed like her, one even called out and asked her.

She ignored her and continued to the door, which I guess leads outside. The smell of fresh air, relieved my wolf. We were at the back of the building, damp and the only light source was the blinking bulb of a street lamp and the sun setting behind the tall buildings

"are you a criminal, or something?" The woman asks, drawing a cigarette from her the pocket of her barely there, shorts, lighting it. The smoke irritated my sensitive nose as I tried my hardest as to not inhale any smoke.

She keeps watching me, studying me under her lashes. Taking out a big puff of air she exhales.

I didn't know exactly know what to answer to her, and my mind was to keep Athena safe and away from the royal guards who managed to follow our trail.

"I'll take that no, as a yes" she answers for herself and dropping the death trap to the ground, crushing it under her feet. She then grabs a small plastic bag from her pocket and tosses it to me.

"I suggest you pack your stuff, lunging around that basket would definitely get you in trouble" she explains and I followed her. Thankful for the help.

I then quickly surveyed the area, looking a way out of the alley. She notices this and points to her left, I thanked her silently and used my wolf's speed to get out of there.

I then started to feel a chill light to my core, it was my wolf sensing something was amiss. I started to panic, my blood running cold.

It was like the world around me was in slow motion, my heart palpitating while my pace turned quicker. Ignoring everything around me, my only focus is to get to her before anything bad happens.

Turning a corner I skidded to a stop catching a whiff of the scents of the royal guards, their metallic like scent taunting me.

The street leading up to the motel that we checked in only littered with humans going about their days.

Cautiously surveying the area for any signs of the royal army or even the King himself, I quickly entered the building and raced up the stairs to our floor, too impatient for the elevator.

The floor was empty when we checked in, I specifically asked for our room to be on a floor that has the least number of people, we were lucky that the highest floor was clear, and not many humans decided to check in today

Cold sweat the started to pour down my back noticing the open door of our room. Running to our door I dropped the bag that I was holding.

There was a woman, dressed in the motel uniform. She was laying on the floor, her cart a blocking the door. Panic rush over me as I then realize that Athena was on the bed,

unconscious. Pushing the cart away, I rushed to Athena.

I felt as though my heart was ripped from my chest seeing the blood soaking her shirt. "Alpha! I need help!" screaming to the pack link.

Grabbing the sheets I tried to stop the bleeding, applying pressure to the wound. Athena is already in a weak state, her body receiving more trauma will be fatal.

"What is it? What happened?" I heard Apollo's voice at the back of my head. With shaky hands I tried my best to stop her from bleeding out, remembering the protocol that was taught to us at an early age.

"Athena's been shot"

"What!? Where are you?" I could hear his fear, I then heard the Alpha mutter profanities.

"We're in the Free Lands, I…" I could no longer form coherent words. Until the bullet is taken from her wound would she be able to heal, her blood soaking the sheet that I was holding. If the bullet was laced with wolfbane, she could very well die from it.

The pack link was in chaos, I can hear everybody in the pack trying to reach me. But the only thing that I want to hear is Athena's heart beating.

Spiking my senses, I focused on Athena's breathing, or any sign that her heart was still beating. But I couldn't hear anything.

Tears started to block my vision, not daring to take my hands away from her. "Athena, you will not give up on me" I pleaded to her. "Help! Anyone please help us!" I screamed out to the open door, hoping that any human passing by could help. Blood started to soak the sheets beneath her, as her skin started to get paler.

I then felt my body get weaker, my vision started to darken, as black spots flooded my vision. Frustration overcome me. I need to help Athena, but it was as if my body wouldn't let me.

"Ena, please stay with me" I pleaded, trying to regain control of my body. My body was swaying side to side, my legs trembling, threatening to buckle. I was barely standing up.

"Ena" I whisper.

I then felt a tingling sensation on my shoulders. My arms feeling heavy as my hands started to burn. I couldn't see anything clearly, my vision appearing grey as I tried to look at Athena's face.

Barely trying to keep myself upright, my body was as if not my own. Cold, as if a bucket of ice was poured on my head and down my back.

Then a shrill sharp tone buzzed in my head, making me wince in pain and my head ached. I didn't know what was happening to me, nor could I control my body.

It felt like a eternity until I felt my body again. In a blink it was if everything was back to normal. Gasping a breath of air I got back to my senses.

Hearing a heartbeat I stopped and examined Athena. Blood was still present, but her skin turned to normal, as if she didn't bleed out on the bed.

Taking away the sheet that I was pressing against her chest to stop her bleeding I noticed the hole on her shirt where the bullet entered, but her skin had no wound.

It was like she didn't get shot, aside from the blood surrounding her.

I can hear her breathing again. Relief washed over me, the heavy weight I felt was lifted off of my shoulders.

I couldn't explain what happened. Maybe it was Elder Clio helping us out. But the most important thing here is that Athena is safe and alive.

Saying a silent prayer to the Gods, I thanked them for keeping Athena alive. I wouldn't know what to do with myself if she died. Lifting Athena's unconscious form close to me, I hugged he to my chest.

"Apollo, she's okay" I said in the pack link, then I was overwhelmed with everyone trying to contact me, making me wince in pain as their voices was to loud for my wolf's senses.

"What!? How!? Is she okay?! I have to go there" Apollo reasoned, panic clear in his voice. "You and I both know that you can't, The King has the pack on lock down, it's honestly a blessing that we got out"

" Besides I'm just thankful that Elder Clio was able to help her out"

"What are you talking about? Elder Clio suddenly passed out before you contacted us and she's still out" Apollo explained. Shocked I chose not to report to him what happened until I figured it out for myself.

"I.." hesitating. "nothing" I muttered and pushed the link at the back of my mind.

I noticed a faint smell of a human behind the lingering smell of Athena's blood. It didn't smell like the lady unconscious on the floor, it was a human male.

Growling in anger I cursed myself for leaving Athena vulnerable like that. I will find that man and make him pay for what he did to her.

A knock on our door made me crouch in defensive mode. My wolf on edge seeing as Athena almost died today. The woman I met at the bar stood there but in more decent clothes than before.

"I figured you need help" she entered the room unwelcomed. She then assesses Athena and frowns. "I suggest you get out while I help her clean up and change into another set of clothes" she tells me and points to the door.

Wary, I growled under my breath, not caring of showing the human my wolf form. My wolf and I are very protective of Athena, we almost lost her we won't let that happen again.

"Relax your wolf ass down, I won't do anything to harm her, I'm just here to help" she declares and arches her brow.

Something wasn't right here.

"Look. I know this situation is bad but I promise I just want to help out. I may be a rogue but I have good intentions" she confirms what I assumed and made me relax a bit.

She sounded genuine, and at a time like this. Especially in Athena's case, she does need a woman to help her while she's unconscious. I wouldn't take advantage of her.

"Just trust me, I'll even help you out of the land if you want me to" that made my wolf ease down. She was our best bet in leaving this land and into the Clawfang Territory.

Looking at her suspiciously, I reluctantly agreed.

I then carried the human woman along with her cart. Leaving the room I sat the woman on the seating area next to the elevator, to make it seem that she was taking a break.

➳ ➳ ➳

Xavier Blackwood

The Free Lands

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My wolf was in a state of distress, itching to be let out. Calming myself down and trying my hardest to contain it.

"Alpha I lost him, he's a clever b***h" I heard my Beta report to me. Groaning in frustration I nearly punched the wall right next to us weren't it for the humans.

But if he is indeed in the free lands, Athena should be close by.

"Get out of there and search for your Luna's scent." I ordered to him. He growls in response and cuts of the link.

Overwhelmed with the scents of humans. As years pass humans seem to repopulate frequently. Unlike wolves who mate when the Goddess seemed fit, the human population doubled the past century.

Not only do they hold the largest space in their territory, they expand and invade other packs space.

For it not for the Pack laws that us wolves abide by, I would've killed of their entire species or tried to form some sort of agreement with them. But our numbers are to small to compete against humans.

It is my job to take care of my wolves, and lately humans are always a problem in the royal court. Humans have this absurd tradition, hunting down wolves and other animals for recreational enjoyment and for lavish lifestyles, and it angers me how inhumane humans could get.

I swear, if I was given the chance to invade the free lands and take over the human government, I would.

"Alpha, I found his trail, eastside of the territory." I heard my tracker report to me. Not thinking twice I sprinted to his location, following his scent.

Spotting my wolves near a suburban part of town. My beta, tracker and one soldier stood awaiting for my command. I then smelled the stench of blood that made the hairs on my back perk up.

Athena's scent was present, but it was laced with the smell of her blood.

My wolf then took over, running inside the motel and followed her scent, with my wolves behind me.

The humans stood surprised by my intrusion, They tried to welcome me but I ignored them. Quickly sprinting up the nearest set of stairs.

Entering the highest floor I met with the man that started this mess. I caught him by surprise when I lunged to his neck, holding him against the wall by his neck.

Growling angrily at him, my wolf wanting to tear him limb from limb. But Athena's scent was so potent I thrown him on the floor, letting my wolves take care of him.

Making my way to the hall, I could'nt run fast enough. Opening the door leading to her, I saw her laying on the bed, her weak body pale but breathing. A familiar face greeted me who sat right next to her, placing a cold damp rag against her skin.

"Xavier?" She looks at me by surprise. Her face grown older since the last time I saw her. Standing next to my mate, I caressed her cheek, igniting the intoxicating sparks that my wolf crave.

"Don't worry, aside from the fact that it smelled and looked like that she bled out. She has no signs of wounds or any sort of trauma." she informs me, making my wolf relax from his very tense state.

"What happened?" I asked, holding Athena's right hand in mine.

She frowns, pulling away from her and standing up.

"The human who owns this place somehow found out she's a wolf." she says collecting the blood soaked sheets on the floor. My blood then started to boil, humans are nothing but a problem.

"Find the human who owns the motel, and make sure he's alive" I ordered my beta in the link. "Yes, Alpha"

Focusing on Athena I made sure that she was right. Examining every inch of her skin for any marks of wounds. Relieved that I found none aside from the scar left by her park mark.

"She's your mate" I heard her say, looking at her she as a small smile on her face. "She is" I proudly said, pushing away strands of unruly hair away from her beautiful face

"After so many years, you finally found yours" she sighs and looks at me longingly.

"Why won't you go home? I'm the King now, I can take you back" I bargain with her, she just smiles and shook her head no.

"Brother, I don't want to be in that pack anymore. I could no longer face our mother, not after what they did" she sadly mutters.

She was mated to a human, but our parents opposed to it. But she didn't care for what they think. A mate bond is a mate bond, no matter what. Father then forced her to leave the pack for mating with a human was once considered a disgrace for wolves. And thus a royal committing it would humiliate our linage

I applaud her for surviving the cold human world on her own, for all these years.

"Don't worry, I'm happy and I could very well take care of myself" she assures me, giving us a small smile.

Ordering my wolves to prepare for transportation for us, I made sure that Athena would be as comfortable as possible.

I can finally take her home where she belongs.