Queen Athena

10. Treason

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Athena Bloodhound

The Dining Hall

In The Blackwood Estate

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"You majesty" I uttered, kneeling down and bowing to her, it was protocol to curtsey in front of royals, especially upon meeting them for the first time.

She then approached me, lifting my head towards her. "There is no need for that my child, bowing is suffice seeing as you are to be mated to my son" she gave me a small smile and mentioning me to go back to my seat. The servants immediately taking action, assisting the Queen to the front of the table, serving her food as well.

She took a seat at the head of the table, seeing as she is the highest ranking in the pack, and the whole werewolf population.

"Athena Grace Bloodhound, it's been a long time since I last saw the only daughter of Alpha Benjamin" she addresses me by my full name, I gave her a shy smile, I have been told by my mother that they indeed presented me to the Queen and King when I was a mere new born pup. I didn't reply, I have no idea what to reply to that.

I looked directly at my plate of food, Prince Nathaniel silently eating his food, completely silent unlike before the Queen arrived.

I heard her chuckle, "Those eyes are so particular isnt' it" she said with a smile, I nod my head. "Dear, do speak up when the person is trying to initiate a conversation with you, it is rather rude if you dont reply" she tells me, my palms then feel sweaty, now I know where my mother takes from, even if they aren't related.

"I'm sorry your highness, its just nerves I guess" I muttered, and taking a large intake of breath. She then observed me, her ever so graceful way of judging people, as I been told by my brother when he met her.

"That is normal" she replied. "Now tell me, did my son take you here by force?" she suddenly asked making me look at her.

"Tell me the truth"

I slowly answered back "Yes your highness"

Her calm face then turned stern. "I apologize for my son's actions. It is no way to behave as a royal, you know how Alpha's are, territorial and possessive when it comes to their pack and mates" she stops, looking directly at my eyes making me queasy. "But Athena, you must understand the situation, even if, his way isn't ideal, you are his mate. Being mated to the King means a lot of responsibilities."

"You are to be the next Queen, once I crown you." that made my blood run cold.

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William Anthony Thompson

The Underground Cells

In The Blackwood Estate

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Jolted awake by cold water being thrown at my face, I met with a dark damp floor that I was lying on. The heavy chain on my neck holding me down, while the silver made me dumb in pain.

"Wake up mutt, the King is here to speak with you" hearing a soldier ordering me, a wave of nausea hit me as I felt the wolfsbane in my system.

Turning to them, the silver laced bars was the first thing I noticed. Infuriated, they locked me in a cell like a rogue, but the weight on my shoulder indicated that I was still a member of the BloodHound Pack.

"Beta, give me a reason not to kill you for taking my Queen from me?" his smug face greeted me, his fangs bared at me. Growling in anger I tried to stand but the collar didn't allow me, it was just too heavy.

"In fact I should just dethrone the whole BloodHound from the lineage" he said, I could barely face him. My wolf was weakened by the wolfsbane injected to my blood stream, his ranking as King made it even harder.

"But I would not do that because it is the pack where my Luna is from. For that I will give respect, but that does not mean there is no consequences for your's and your Alpha's actions" he started to pace in front of my cell.

Glaring at him, trying my best to fight with his hold on me. "You don't deserve Athena" I muttered angrily at him, he stops in his tracks and lets out a booming laugh.

"And who does?" he asks. "You?" Taunting me.

Letting out a growl from under my breath while he laughs at me.

"I could kill you for that" he squats down, his face visible to me. "you took her against her will, she doesn't want to be mated to you" I said matter of factly. He arches his brows.

"And look what happened to her while she was with you"

"Not only was she shot, but she gotten so weak to the point that she wasn't able to recover on her own"

"William, tell me." he grabs my face, gripping my jaw and pulling me closer, pushing my face against the silver bars, my face burning from the contact. Wincing in pain I could only open one eye, the smell of my flesh burning slowly making me even more nauseous.

"Do you think you can fulfill her needs more than me?" his eyes glazed over, looking at me with his black eyes. "Do you think you can replace me" he continues "her fated mate?"

"I suggest you forget this obvious affection that you have on my mate, you are not and never be worthy of being mated to her" anger consumes me, but his hold was too strong.

"You will know your place Beta, or I will force you to"

"She will never be happy with you" barely muttering from the pain, I continued to glare at him, showing him my hatred. His scowl deepened, throwing me down on the floor.

Relief hit me, hissing from the remnants of silver that was against my skin. Barely keeping my self upright, I continue to taunt him.

"She will hate you, and she will never accept your bond" I uttered to him, groaning.

The collar, the wolfbane and the silver slowly weakening me. At this point I couldn't feel my wolf, it is forcibly pushed away from my senses that I'm afraid I couldn't get it back.

His anger is radiating into the cell, his skin slowly covering his arms and face. He then gripped the bars and pulled at it, bending the sliver laced bars and breaking it in two.

He walked closer to me, I could hear the soldiers panic.

But they couldn't interfere.

He held me against my neck, the collar crushing my neck. He lifted me against the wall and glared at me.

He was the King, and he was clearly showing me his power against me. I stared directly at him, I will never show weakness. He observed me, the powerful wolf on the surface. If it wasnt for the collar, my windpipe would be crushed right now.

"You don't know her, and she will never let you get close to her."

"Kill me now and watch Athena hate you until you die" I challenged him. He growled, making me weaker.

He finally released me and I hit the ground, the heavy weight of the collar pulling me to my knees.

"I will not kill you Beta" he kicked me on my stomach, making me hurl.

"But I will make your life miserable you'll wish you were" he then left the cell, his steps heavy.

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Athena Bloodhound

The Blackwood Estate

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After meeting the Queen, my mind was made up. I have to get out of this pack before Xavier proclaims me to be his mate.

I excused myself from the room, wanting to wander on my own despite Mrs. Garcia's refusal. I know I could easily get lost inside this rather large estate, but at this point I don't care anymore.

Fates really f****d me up.

Not only they gifted me with these eyes that is the sole reason why I wasn't allowed to be on my own and wander as a child, but they mated me to the King of all werewolves.

escaping is my only option from the responsibility that is bestowed on me. But it would be very difficult to escape, the Blackwood Pack is known for its security and soldiers.

It is difficult to get in, it would be harder to get out. Even if I mange to escape, I have the other packs to worry about. Being markless, I am basically deemed as a rogue, and packs aren't fond of rogues.

Aimlessly wondering around the hallways, I didn't keep track of where I was going. There were so many doors it would give you a headache if you remember which one was which. But now guards seem to do their rounds, every now and then I bumped into them walking about

Walking down one particular hallway I noticed a room, wide open unlike the other rooms, this one was just left with its door open. Curious I walked to it, peeking inside.

Before walking inside I waited for any signs of the guards but none seem to enter this one. The room was bare, aside from the white grand piano in the center and a large portrait hung in the center. To the side was a large balcony,

The painting caught my attention. It was of the royal family before Prince Nathaniel was born and the King Arthur was still alive. The Queen sat proudly, a large smile on her face while she carries a very young Xavier on her lap, with King Arthur on their left, standing pride in his eyes. |They were all wearing the crown jewels, showing their grace and status with it.

I never seen a photo of Xavier as a child, none that my mother ever showed us for that matter.

The breeze blowing against the large curtains, brought the smell of wood inside the room. The balcony door was wide open.

Looking back to the door, there was still no sign of the royal guards. Tempted I slowly walked to the balcony, looking through it, I noticed one guard outside, walking along the forest, unlike the ones inside the estate, he was in full uniform, metal plates covers his chest, arms and legs. The royal badge on his shoulder.

Waiting for him to pass by I cautiously hid behind the curtains. Once he was out of sight I walked out.

The room was situated three floors up from the ground, the breen bushes can catch my fall if I do jump from here. I could get a few minor scratches, but I'll come put alive I suppose, I've never heard of a wolf falling to their death just a few floors from the ground.

If I escape now I could easily cross over the teritorry, if I don't run into royal guards that is.

Looking down I was indecisive, Liam was still here, and for sure he's imprisoned in their dungeon.

I could help him escape to, I could very well steal the key from one of the guards and release him. The only problem is I don't know where the dungeons is, I barely even find my way inside the estate let alone the whole pack.

"Your highness?" A voice behind me made me look back immediately. There stood Mr. Johnson, confused.

"Luna did you happen to loose your way around?" he ask, nodding I just go along with him. They can never know what I am planning.

He chuckles. "That is very common for new visitors, the estate is indeed large" he then points both his arms to the door.

"I will gladly show you around my Luna" he offers, I agreed undoubtedly. If I plan to escape successfully I mus know the whole estate, and even the whole layout of pack if I must.

He showed me around, led me into multiple rooms. Shown me the Grand Hall, the library, the saloon even the kitchen. I was having a hard time keeping track, but I understand the initial layout of the estate.

He led me to the fourth floor where the guest bedrooms were. A large floor to ceiling window over looking the backyard of the estate. "Why don't we go outside, I really want to explore the forest." I asked Mr. Johnson, he shook his head no.

"I'm sorry Luna but I couldn't accompany you outside." he answers. I nod in understanding. "It is okay, I can go outside on my own" he shooks his head again to my dismay.

"The King ordered that you can only go outside if you are with his company" frustrated upon hearing that consciously I rolled my eyes.

"Especially that you haven't been formally introduced to the pack, people might see you as a rouge." he did have a point. Huffing I crossed my arms.

"Where is the King now?" I asked. He mentions for me to follow him. We go downstairs to the second floor, close to the room where I slept at.

"The Alpha will surely be in his office" he mentions, nodding I followed him. We stopped at a large set of doors, he knocks.

The door opened and the royal beta greeted us. He opens the door fully and bows at us. "Luna, how may I be of service?" he asks I looked at him sternly.

"Where is the King?" I ask and he frowns. "I'm sorry Luna but the Alpha is unavailable today. He has some important business to take care of outside of the estate." informing me. Of course he does. Exhaling irritatingly. "Surely you can accompany me outside to the forest, I really want to shift into my wolf" I asked him, he again shooks his head. Darn that King.

"I apologize again Luna, but we are under strict orders not to let you out of this estate, he is afraid that you might escape yet again" Mr. Johnson then stood silent next to us. The Royal Beta was as strict as the King.

"I have to shift, or do you prefer that I do it inside of the estate?" I asked him, he scratches the side of his arms. "I will inform the Alpha, Luna. But as of now I cannot let you outside of the estate until the Alpha lets you"

I could use my authority, but that wouldn't work seeing as I am not yet proclaimed as the Luna of the pack. And I wouldn't want that to happen, but as the days pass by, the close proximity of, Xavier and I strengthens the bond, it would be very difficult to dettach myself away from him,. That's just how the mate bond works.

I must find a way to get out of this territory before that happens.