Royal Meets Rogue
Chapter 30: Old Friends And Stories

Athena

I smiled at myself in the mirror as I looked at the small mark upon my neck.

‘Girl!’ Artemis moaned. ‘Only one more step.’

I blushed and shook my head at her. But she was right, only the mating process next and then we are fully mates.

‘Athena?’ I heard Apollo asked confused. ‘Ohhh! Well damn. Look at you two.’

I groaned and blushed even harder. ‘Shut up will you!’

Apollo laughed and I blocked him out.

I hate him.

‘Give her a rest Apollo.’ Janus scolded.

I jumped as I heard my phone start to ring, but smiled instantly when I saw the picture of Hecate and me making a funny face at the camera.

I dragged my thumb across the bottom and answered. “Hello?”

“Hello dear!” Hecate’s usual chirpy voice rang through the microphone. “What are your plans for today?”

“Umm.” I paused as I thought. “I don’t think I have-”

“Well, you do now.” Hecate laughed, cutting me off. “Travis is working and I want to surprise him with lunch. Want to go with?”

“I would love too!” I smiled. I actually miss Travis. He’s been such a sweetheart to Hecate and he has been really nice to me as well. He’s just a very honest and considerate person all around.

“Oh sweet.” She said excitedly. “We can go get some lunch after I drop it off.”

“Yeah! I’m totally down.”

“Okay good because I’m down in the living room.”

“Wait, what?” I asked laughing.

“Your living room. Downstairs. I’m on the couch.”

“Let me finish getting dressed.” I laughed, shaking my head.

After getting dressed and walking downstairs to see Hecate playing some guys in Mario Kart, we are currently in the jeep with Travis’ lunch almost at his work.

“Now you get to see him in his work clothes.” Hecate winked. “Hot damn.”

“I think I’m going to hurl.” I gagged.

“Oh stop.” Hecate laughed as she lightly smacked my arm.

“I agree with her.” Jason said from the back of the jeep while Achilles nodded his head in agreement.

“Quiet down in the peanut gallery.” Hecate huffed but smiled. “We’re here.”

I looked up and saw a giant sign that said ‘Tony’s Shop’.

“This place looks pretty nice.” Achilles said in awe.

“You two need to stay in the car.” Hecate said sternly. “Everyone is human here.”

Jason looked at her worriedly. “But shouldn’t we stay with Athena?”

“King Ares would get mad if he found out we let her go someplace without us.” Achilles finished.

“She’ll be with me.” Hecate said as she grabbed Travis’ lunch. “And besides. She can now kick both of your asses.”

I chuckled and nodded. “I’ve gotten better at training.”

“I know.” Achilles rolled his eyes with a laugh. “My shoulder was bruised for two days! That’s a long time when you have advanced healing.”

“Sorry.” I mumbled.

“Fine. But you stay in the view of the jeep.” Jason said sternly.

‘Mess with him.’ Achilles laughed as he linked me.

“Are you ordering me around?” I asked, glaring at Jason.

Jason’s face paled instantly. “N-No, my Queen. I-I would never.”

“I’m kidding.” I laughed.

“She got you good.” Achilles said as he gave me a high-five.

“I hate both of you.” Jason mumbled as he sulked deeper in the seat.

“Love you too.” I smiled as I got out of the jeep and followed Hecate.

“Yo Travis!” A man yelled with a smile. “Your lady is here.”

“Hey!” Travis smiled widely as he jogged over to us. “This is a pleasant surprise.”

“I thought I would bring you lunch.” Hecate blushed as she handed him the subway bag and his drink. “I brought Athena with.”

“I see that.” Travis smiled as he pulled me into a hug. “Come here squirt.”

“Hi, Travis.” I laughed as I hugged him back.

“Thank you again.” He smiled at Hecate as he pulled her into a big bear hug.

“How’s work today?” Hecate asked after she pulled back from his hug.

“Good.” Travis smiled. “Was busier this morning. Had a lot of oil changes.”

“Oh, crap.” I whispered.

“How’s your oil?” Travis asked giving me a pointed look.

“Uh.” I gave him a sheepish smile. “I, uh, haven’t looked at it in a while.”

“Athena Polias!” Travis scolded with a sly smile. “You need to be more aware of that.”

“That was such a dad move.” I teased.

“I can’t help it.” Travis laughed as some other men walked over to us.

“You can always bring your car here.” A man with blonde hair said. “Even if it’s not due for an oil change. We can still check it.”

“Oh good.” I said in relief.

The man bowed and walked away.

Umm did he just bow? That’s weird considering he’s human.

‘They probably watched your coronation on TV.’ Jason said.

‘It was televised?’ I shrieked.

‘Yeah.’ Jason and Achilles said slowly.

‘Oh my gosh.’ I groaned.

‘What are the odds that Rick or anyone from our old pack watched that?’ Artemis gulped.

I groaned again. ‘Very high.’

‘Well, this just got interesting.’ Artemis said.

“Oh, that’s right.” Travis said. “How does it feel to be royal?”

“Weird.” I admitted truthfully. “Very weird.”

“In a good way, I hope.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I love the people. Everyone is really nice.”

“Is it awesome to be engaged to a King?” Travis asked.

“Engaged?” I asked confused. Hecate cleared her throat and gave me a look that said ‘I’ll-explain-later’. “Oh. Uh, pretty awesome.”

“I hope he treats you right.” Travis said sternly. “I’ll kick his ass if he doesn’t.”

“Travis!” The same blonde man yelled. “Got a customer!”

“Coming!” Travis yelled back. “Looks like I got to go.”

“Have fun.” Hecate smiled as she pecked him on the lips.

“I won’t.” He laughed. “I’ll see you tonight?”

“Yes, you will.” She winked.

‘I’m going to be sick.’ Artemis said.

Travis blushed as he saw my grossed out face. “Uh, bye Athena.”

Travis gave me a quick hug and ran back into the garage.

“Smooth.” I teased.

“Oh stop.” She laughed as she opened the door and got into the jeep. “I’m hungry. What about you guys?”

“Yes!” Jason and Achilles yelled at the same time.

“I think they are.” I said.

“You think?” Hecate smiled.

Because the guys were so hungry, they didn’t care where we decided to eat. And of course, Hecate being Hecate, wanted to eat at a Chinese buffet, which I did not mind one bit. Time for sushi!

“Oh, what does he want?” Hecate asked, rolling her eyes.

“Who?” I asked before taking a bite of my sushi. Oh my gosh, this is so good.

“Ares.” She chuckled. “I’m going to go take this. You good?”

I nodded. “Jason and Achilles are in line and I’m sure they’ll be back shortly.”

“Okay good.” She smiled as she put the phone up to her ear. “What’s up Ares?”

I looked back down to my food. Okay sushi, time to get into my stomach.

But before I had the chance to devour my sushi, I froze when I heard the booth move. I knew who he was before he even spoke

“I didn’t know you liked sushi.” Rick laughed.

I swallowed the sushi that was in my mouth and looked up. “I do. But you wouldn’t have known considering you never let me eat.”

“Ooh.” He sneered. “You can actually talk without stuttering.”

I growled as I clutched my chopsticks, almost breaking them in half. “What are you doing here?”

I wonder how much trouble I would get in if I jammed the chopsticks in both of his eyes.

“Can’t one say hi to an old friend?” Rick asked in mock hurt.

I rolled my eyes and sat back in my chair. “They can if they were friends.”

“Oh, that was deep.” Rick said as he put a hand over his chest.

“You have feelings?” I asked in fake surprise. “Could have fooled me.”

Rick growled and leaned forward. “Watch it, Polias.”

I smirked and leaned forward as well. “You can’t make me.”

“You might be the Alpha Queen, but I will never bow to you.”

“Oh trust me.” I said giving him a humorless laugh. “I’ll make you.”

“I would like to see you try.”

I scoffed. “I’ve gotten a lot stronger since the last time I saw you.”

“Bring it on.”

“I will.” I said as I leaned back and crossed my arms. “And besides, I have an army. What do you have?”

“I have an army too!” He growled annoyed.

‘Why did he just sound like a five-year-old for a second?’ Artemis asked laughing.

“Do you really think that your entire pack will back you up?”

“What do you mean?” He asked confused.

“Think about it.” I smirked. “You are threatening the Alpha Queen. Do you really think your entire pack will like that? Sure, some might back you up, but not everyone.”

Rick growled at my point. “I don’t need everyone.”

I scoffed again. “Oh really?”

“I have other friends in different places.” He smirked.

Okay, that caught my attention.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t call Ares and have you killed right now.” I threatened.

Rick smirked at me. “You can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Even though King Ares does own this land, he can’t have me killed for trespassing.” I was about to ask what he was talking about, but Rick held up his hand. “His pack territory ends about a mile from here. So technically, any werewolf can be here without his permission. If we were on his pack’s territory, it would be a different story.” He explained.

I growled. “I can still have you killed.”

“I don’t think you want to do that.” He chuckled, stealing a piece of sushi from my plate.

“And why’s that?”

‘He touched your sushi. Kill him here and now.’ Artemis growled.

“Because I have someone who has a visual on your friend.” Rick smirked. “And if you even as much as look at your phone before I leave, you can say goodbye to her.”

Where the hell are Jason and Achilles when you need them?

“You need to leave.” I commanded.

Rick glared at me. “Whatever you say, your highness.”

“Watch it.”

“We’ll see each other again.” Rick said coldly. “And that’s a promise.”

I glared at Rick’s back as he walked away.

A couple of seconds later, Hecate came and sat down across from me.

“Such a nice boy, he held the door open for me.” Hecate smiled, but it dropped when she saw me. “Are you okay? It looks like you are about to break the table.”

“That was Rick.” I growled lowly.

“Rick?” Hecate asked confused before realization hit her. “The Rick? As in, your old alpha?”

I nodded. “The very one.”

“Why did you let him get away?” She asked.

“He had someone watching you.” I explained as I watched his car pull out of the parking lot.

“What do you mean?” She asked slowly.

“If I tried to tell anyone, he would have killed you.”

Hecate’s face paled and she sat lower in her seat. “Oh.”

“Hey, guys.” Jason said with an apologetic smile. “Sorry. The line for the crab was long.”

“What did we miss?” Achilles asked confused as he saw my angry face and Hecate’s scared face.

“I’ll explain later, let’s just eat.” I said as I shoved some more sushi in my mouth.

After that awkward lunch, we made it back to the castle. The car ride was very tense considering no one talked the entire ride back. Hecate tried to make small talk, but I was too focused on staring at the trees that zipped by us as we drove.

“Where’s Ares?” I asked Perseus as he opened the door for me.

“He’s in his study having a meeting with Alpha Dan.” Perseus said. “Do you need me to call him?”

“No, it’s fine. Thank you.” I said as I waved at him and walked towards Ares’ study.

Once I got to his door, I gripped the handle and pushed the door open.

“Athena.” Ares smiled as he stood up. “You’re back early.”

“Queen Athena.” Dan smiled with a bow. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“We have a problem.” I said quietly.

“What do you mean?” Ares asked as he walked over to me. “Are you alright? Did something happen?”

“We can continue this meeting another time, Ares.” Dan said as he got up to leave.

“No.” I said quickly, making them both jump. “We might need your help.”

“Okay, what the hell is going on?” Ares asked.

“I think Rick is planning something big.” I blurted out.

“Rick?” Dan asked. “Like Alpha Rick of the North Forest Pack?”

“What makes you say that?” Ares asked confused.

I sighed. “He’s my old alpha. He was at the restaurant and made a very clear threat.”

“He’s dead.” Ares growled as his face hardened.

“No!” I shouted as I jumped in front of the door, stopping him in his tracks.

“Move Athena.” Ares growled.

“No.” I said standing firm and crossing my arms over my chest.

“Athena’s right.” Dan said as he stood up. “You can’t just go and attack him.”

“Stay out of this.” Ares growled again.

“Knock it off.” I said glaring at Ares. “You need to calm down.”

“Oh, I’m sorry that I’m angry because some little twerp made a threat towards my mate. I think I have every right to be pissed off.”

“I didn’t say that you couldn’t be mad.” I explained. “You just need to relax a little. We weren’t on the pack territory, so technically you really can’t do anything to him.”

“Well.” Dan started. “If he threatened you, Ares has a right to go question him.”

“Ha!” Ares laughed as he pointed a finger at me.

“I said question, not kill.” Dan chuckled.

“Ha!” I copied Ares motion and he rolled his eyes at me.

“So Alpha Rick was your old alpha?” Dan asked as I nodded. “Interesting.”

“Also her first mate.” Ares added.

“Really?” Dan asked as he looked at me.

I nodded. “Long story short, we both rejected each other and I may or may not have hit him in the head with a lamp, knocking him out.”

“That’s my girl.” Ares smiled proudly as he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer to him.

“But in my defense, he was hurting me when I did that. So it was self-defense.”

“No judging here.” Dan said as he held his hands up. “I never liked the kid.”

“I knew there was something fishy about him and his pack.” Ares said. “I mean that locked room? Creepy.”

‘Should we tell him?’ Artemis asked.

‘I mean we might as well. He’ll replace out eventually.’ I said.

‘Get ready for the blow.’

“About that locked room.” I started.

Ares’ eyes switched from his normal hazel eyes to glowing gold eyes. “Don’t tell me.”

“That was my-”

“Nope.” Ares said shaking his head. “Please don’t finish that sentence. I’m having a really hard time holding Zeus back. I already know what you are going to say and if I hear those words, I’m pretty sure Zeus will break free and go kill Rick.”

“That might not be a bad idea.” Dan mumbled to himself.

“Hey!” I yelled.

“I’m just saying.” Dan shrugged with a laugh. “No one would miss him.”

“I get that, but we can’t go around killing Alphas. Do you know how much trouble that would cause?” I asked, trying to get through their thick heads.

“Well I mean-” Ares started, but I cut him off.

“No!” I yelled. “I swear I’m the only logical one here.”

“Okay, okay.” Dan said. “Is there a story behind this?”

“How much time do you have?” I asked, giving him a humorless laugh.

“All day.” He said.

“Everyone sit down.” I sighed as I took the seat next to Dan.

The time to tell the story took about an hour or so. Mostly because Dan and I had to stop Ares from shifting and going out the kill Rick.

“I want to kill him.” Ares growled to himself as he held up his head with his hands. “I want to kill him. I’m going to kill him. He’s dead.”

“Is he broken?” Dan asked as Ares continued to growl and mumble to himself.

“I honestly have no idea.” I answered. “Ares?”

Ares’ head popped up and he looked at us with gold eyes.

“Oh just great.” Dan sighed. “Ares, you have to calm down.”

“I am calm.” Ares replied with a strained voice.

“No, you’re not.” I smiled. “Your eyes are gold.”

Ares groaned. “I’m trying to hold Zeus back. It’s not working very well.”

I smiled as I got up and walked towards Ares. I leaned forward and placed a small peck on his lips and rubbed his back softly.

“So this little alpha thinks he has an army?” Dan chuckled. “I’ll show him an army.”

“We have a bigger army.” Ares smirked at me. “Way bigger than that little twerp’s.”

“And I don’t understand why he can’t just move on.” Dan said rolling his eyes. “No means no. You rejected him. That should be a sign to leave you alone. Good lord.”

“I think he’s just mad because she knocked him out with a lamp.” Ares laughed.

“I’ll have to thank Hecate for stepping in when she did.” Dan said softly.

“Me too.” Ares nodded in agreement. “If she wasn’t there, I might not have a mate.”

I shivered at the thought. “I’d rather not think about that.”

“So what are we going to do?” Dan asked. “I mean it’s not like we can just go stomping on his land and declare war.”

“We’re going to have to wait for him to make a move.” I said speaking up.

“But how?” Ares asked annoyed. “He’s going to be on his toes since he paid you a visit at the restaurant.”

“We’ll come up with something.” Dan said as he stood up. “But for now I’m going to go make a few calls. I have a bad feeling about all of this.”

“Thank you Dan.” Ares smiled as they shook hands.

“Well of course. I’m always going to be here for you guys.”

“Thank you.” I said as he nodded and walked out of the office.

“I wonder who Rick is talking about.” Ares said, thinking out loud.

I shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“Could he know any rogues? Hunters?”

“I honestly have no idea. I never followed any of that stuff. But seeing as how sly and sneaky is he, it wouldn’t surprise me.” I shrugged again. “His father has friends all over the place so he could have picked up a few extra contacts from him.”

“I can’t believe his father allowed all that stuff to happen to you.” Ares growled.

“He doesn’t know.”

“How does he not know?”

“Once Rick turned eighteen, his father handed over the alpha title.” I explained. “Then he and his wife left for Europe. They’ve been there ever since.”

“So they have absolutely no idea what their son is doing?”

“Nope.” I answered shaking my head. “They weren’t bad people, but they aren’t exactly in the lineup for being the greatest parents of the year.”

“I can’t believe this.” He growled shaking his head. “I say we just kill him.”

“We can’t do that.” I chuckled. “We’ll just have to replace a way to catch him.”

“Fine. But I’m not going to play fair.” Ares smirked. “He won’t know what hit him.”