The Equal Claim

Chapter 7

"Easy there judgey,'' he remarks, "my guard was down, thought I was alone in the house. Mom and dad are already at the pack house welcoming guests,'' He says while handing me a shot glass.

''Bottoms up,'' I smirk and we down the tequila. ''Great now let's proceed to the event,'' Ethan says while taking in a deep breath.

''Hey,you're going to do good brother, I'm sure of it,'' I assure him while rubbing his back and gave him a hug as we walk out together.

''Let's do this,'' He says with confidence.

I'm almost at the pack house when the kitchen head Mrs. Clearwater pulls me to her side. '' Athena, dear please come and see if all of this is in order. Luna Victoria said we need to start bringing in the starters as soon as the guest are seated,'' She looks at me waiting to confirm. I nod my head in response as I weary feeling from before cause shiver to run down my spine. The leathery scent from before hits me again but this time it has double the effect as my feet automatically start to lead me towards it when it suddenly vanishes.

'What in the world just happened?'  I ask myself as I come to a stop and look around my surroundings.

''Athena, Athena, can you hear me?'' a voice says which I recognize as Mrs. Clearwater's. "Athena!" She says a bit loudly. "Are you okay, should I call the pack doctor," she sounded worried.

''Uhh no, I'm fine thanks.'' I reply as I regain my posture, ''I should go inside,'' I quickly add. She nods at me then starts walking towards the kitchen. ''Oh and Athena?'' she calls, I look at her and she says with a smile ''you, look very pretty tonight dear.''

''Thank you,'' I reply with a smile and walk away.

''Do you Ethan Robinson, agree to take responsibility of the Crimson Pack? to treat it and every member in it as your own? Do you solemnly swear to protect this pack with the goodness of your heart and keep the needs of your members before your own?'' the elder asks.

''I do, I will try to be a better leader to this pack and swear to protect it until my last breath,'' Says Ethan with confidence. Well, atleast the tequila played it's part.

I'm standing at the back watching the whole ceremony with silent tears  in my eyes sending a quick prayer to the moon goddess to give Ethan the power and strength to run this pack, when I get hit with the scent again although this time it's much stronger and musky with a hint of mint.

The scent gets so overwhelming that I practically run away from there towards the tented area where the dinner is served buffet style. As I get there I see a shadow of a male following me. I get ready to defend myself when the male identifies himself.

''Axel,'' I breathe out in relief as I see him walking towards me. ''Thank the moon goddess it's just you, I seriously thought someone was following me.'' I say as I begin to relax.

''Actually I was following you,'' He says looking at me from head to toe. ''You look heavenly Athena,'' He continues as he eyes me with a look of longing in his eyes and something else that I can't put my finger on. Was it want? Or lust?

''I really need to talk to you Athena, you didn't let me finish what I wanted to say this morning,'' He pleads.

''Axel please, we talked about this, this cannot happen,'' I say exasperatedly as I wave my hand between us. ''I thought you agreed with what I'd said that day.''

''I only did it because I didn't want to pressure you into anything, I thought that in a few days you will realize you're wrong and will continue from where we left off,'' He confesses.

''Oh Axel, why? Why would you think that? I meant every word I said that day, I just want you to move on, you can't keep living like this, you're my friend before anything else. I don't want to see you like this.''

''So you do care,'' He says in a whisper. ''Of course I do, I will always care for you, but not in the way you want me to,'' I reveal.

''Look at me Athena, look at me properly, is there something wrong with me, is there?'' he almost shouts as he grabs my shoulders. ''Or is it because I'm nothing but a beta and you're an Alpha's daughter, that's the reason isn't it?" He says accusingly.

''Axel no, why would you think like that, your position has nothing to do with this and you know it.'' I express as anger starts building in me and my wolf threatens to come out as his grip on my shoulders tighten, when I hear a low growl and a deep voice says, ''get away from her!'' he commands and walks out of the shadows.

In that moment all the air leaves my lungs and for once I'm thankful for Axel's hold on my shoulders.

I see Axel flinch a little as he loosens his grip but still continues to hold me. He looks at the man haughtily and says, ''this does not concern you, please leave.''

''I said get your hands off MY MATE!'' He commands again and his voice booms, this time Axel lets go of me and takes a few steps back, disbelief clear in his eyes.

I on the other hand am frozen in place, not knowing what to do or even say, my heart must be beating at a million miles per minute and as the man comes closer I back away a little wanting to get some space.

Mate. My mate. I can't believe I found my mate. I don't know what to do now, how do I react to this? Should I be happy? should I cry? should I go to my mom? Oh my God Mom! She will be over the moon with this bit of news. My overthinking takes on its drive as I sense a presence behind me making my skin tingle as goosebumps appear all over my hands.

''I'm Theo,'' he says in a polite tone as he walks over to face me while holding his hand out for me to shake. I tremble as I return the handshake, ''Athena,'' I manage to croak out as a wave of sparks ignites my body upon contact,when it strikes to me 'did he say Theo? As in Theo Argent, Alpha of the Crescent pack?' my eyes widen as I look at him properly. He is almost 6ft tall with light brown eyes that shine under the lighting, dark brown hair that has been styled to perfection and a light stubble covering his well-defined jawline.

''Ahhhem, not that I mind but you need to let go off my hand,'' He says in a husky voice, clearly the mate bond is affecting him as well. I immediately let go of his hand and create some space between us, my wolf howling in happiness inside of me and have I take a deep breath in and try to push her back.

''ohh uhh, sorry,'' I say completely flustered, ''I should get going I'm needed inside,'' I lie and start walking.

''I know you're lying; I can hear your heartbeat,'' He says calmly and walks around me like a hunter targeting its prey.

"You, I, uhhh...umm.'' I try to form a sentence but I'm unable to, when Suddenly Charles appears from the hall.

''Hey Theo, man, I've been looking for you everywhere.'' He says and glances in my direction. ''Sorry am I interrupting something?'' he asks politely.

''No, not really, I should get going, it's great to see you Charles,'' I say hastily and try to make a move when Theo catches my wrist to stop me and the fire ignites once again.I turn and see him looking directly at me. We continue staring at each other until Charles' voice interrupts our staring contest.

''You've got to be kidding me!!'' he almost shouts as realization hits him.

******
She found her mate!!!!
What do you guys think about this chapter?
Athena's outfit as above.

-Jessica.S