Royal Meets Rogue
Chapter 8: Priorities

Ares

“Bout time you guys got back.” I laughed. “I was about to send out the search party.”

“Hardi har har.” Janus laughed at my joke.

“We were fine.” Apollo said, but he seemed a little off.

I gave him a weird look. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah.” He nodded slowly. “Why?”

“I don’t know. You just seem a little off.” I shrugged.

“He ran into a girl.” Janus chimed in. “Like literally ran into her.”

“You didn’t hurt her did you?”

“No, I didn’t.” Apollo said and then he cringed. “Maybe just her nose. But she could have gotten out of the way too!”

Janus and I laughed as Apollo huffed.

“It was weird though.” Janus said suddenly. “She didn’t have a scent.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked leaning back in my chair as I took my reading glasses off.

“You couldn’t smell anything. No perfume, no shampoo, anything. It was like everything was masked.” He explained.

I sat there and thought for a moment. Okay, I’ll admit. That is a little weird but it’s really nothing to be concerned about.

“That is a little weird.” I mumbled but shrugged. “It’s really nothing to be concerned about, to be honest though. But if you guys want, you can tail her for a little and see what’s up.”

“I’m going to do that.” Apollo agreed as he stood up. “There’s just something about her that my wolf likes and I need to replace out what that is.”

“Just don’t let her catch you.” I chuckled. “I really don’t feel like bailing your ass out of jail for stalking.”

Apollo growled and narrowed his eyes at me. “You are such a jerk.”

“Was she cute at least?” I asked laughing.

I laughed even harder as Apollo’s face turned red.

“Yeah, a little.” He mumbled.

“Why don’t you ask her out?” I smiled.

“What? No.” Apollo said shaking his head.

“Why not?” I asked. “You said that your wolf liked her.”

“Yeah but not like that.” He groaned. “Gosh, you are such a jerk.”

“Love you too!” I yelled at him as he stormed out of my office.

“What are you going over?” Janus asked as he sat down in the chair.

“Just some papers.” I mumbled as I put my glasses back on and read over the words.

“I get that.” Janus laughed as he snatched a page from my desk.

“Can I help you?” I growled in annoyance.

“Nope.” He laughed popping the ‘p’. “Huh. Alpha Rick’s pack.”

I rolled my eyes. “If you must know, I had some of my contacts get more information on him.”

“What for?” He asked as he handed the page back.

“There was just something about it that didn’t sit well with me.” I admitted and I shuffled around the papers. “I got this sinking feeling when I stepped foot on his land and it made my wolf so uneasy. It’s just bothered me ever since.”

“I hear ya.” Janus nodded. “My wolf didn’t like that place either and I would really appreciate it if we never returned.”

I laughed. “I wish we could do that. But that would be very unprofessional for me since I am the Alpha King.”

He shrugged. “So. One unprofessional thing won’t matter.”

“Maybe for you.” I laughed even harder.

I wish that was true.

“What do you think about this girl?” Janus asked out of the blue.

“What girl?” I asked. “The one Apollo was talking about?”

“Yeah.” Janus nodded.

“I really don’t know.” I shrugged and leaned back again. “I mean don’t get me wrong, I really do think it’s strange considering he’s a royal wolf and he can’t even pick up a scent on her. But at the same time, it’s not really a priority. A human girl with no scent is nothing compared to the problems with the rogues we are having. I just don’t see the point in investigating her when we could be investigating how the rogues got through my patrol.”

“I see your point.” Janus agreed. “But when Apollo said that his wolf felt some type of connection to her, he wasn’t lying. My wolf did too. I thought it was stupid and I didn’t believe him at first. But when I actually met her, I understood.”

I gave him a puzzled look. Is this girl really worth checking out if what these two are telling the truth?

I sighed. “Maybe I can check her out with you guys sometime. But not right now, I’m far too busy.”

“Hey don’t worry.” Janus smiled. “I’m pretty sure Apollo is capable of handling it. Just figure out the whole rogue situation and we can handle the girl.”

“You are making it sound like you’re going to kill her.” I laughed.

Janus rolled his eyes. “We are not going to do that.”

“Be careful!” I yelled as he walked out of my office.

“I will!” He yelled back.

‘What person doesn’t have a scent?’ Zeus asked.

‘I don’t know.’ I replied. ‘But I really don’t have time for this.’

‘You need to calm down. There is no point in stressing over the rogue situation.’

‘How?’ I asked getting annoyed. ‘I have rogues getting through my border left and right and you’re telling me not to worry? What happens if they get into the city? Do you know how many people could die?’

‘Ares.’ Zeus sighed. ‘That’s not what I meant.’

‘I’m sorry.’ I mumbled.

‘Hey now. Don’t get all upset. You will be able to replace out what is going on, okay? Don’t beat yourself up.’ Zeus replied softly.

‘Thank you.’

‘Let’s go for a run. We both could use it.’

‘Sounds like a good idea to me!’ I smiled as I shot out of my chair and ran out of my office.

“Oh goodness!” Perseus shouted as I ran past him.

“I’m so sorry.” I apologized embarrassingly.

He laughed and fixed his bowtie.

“It’s quite alright my King.” He laughed. “You sure do have your father’s energy.”

I blushed slightly and checked him over to make sure he was alright. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes.” He waved me off with a smile. “I was actually just on my way to see what you wanted for dinner.”

“Oh.” I laughed. “I’m actually going to go for a run real quick. But I’ll let you know when I come back.”

“Very good.” He bowed. “Have fun.”

I shook my head smiling as he walked away before I turned and walked to the door.

I can’t wait for this run.

~*~

Athena

“This is so complicated!” I groaned as I slammed my head down on the table.

“No, it’s not.” Hecate laughed as she sat down next to me. “Look dear.”

I lifted my head and watched as she took the phone from my hands.

“This is the lock button.” She explained as she clicked it. “And because you don’t have a password just yet, just slide your finger across the screen.”

“This is so stupid. Why can’t it just have buttons?” I growled as I took the phone and looked at the screen.

“Because it’s a smartphone.” She laughed.

“You act like I know what this is.” I pointed out as I stared at her. “I was never allowed to have a phone. I think a touch screen is just way too complicated.”

“You are really starting to sound like a seventy-year-old instead of a seventeen-year-old. Did you know that?”

I rolled my eyes but cracked a smile. “I know.”

“Good.” She chuckled as she got up. “Now just follow the instructions and I will cook us dinner.”

I nodded and flipped through the pages.

After we got done grocery shopping, Hecate wanted me to get a phone. Which I didn’t mind at all, but I had no idea she was going to get me a newer iPhone. I would have been happy with just a regular flip phone. I couldn’t complain too much because my phone case was blue marble and the flip phones didn’t have this case. But I still felt bad.

Then when we got back and put everything away, she let me drive the jeep around in a small clearing. Hecate taught me the basics and even though I’m not perfect at driving, I wasn’t terrible. Although we did almost hit a tree, she told me I didn’t do too badly for my first time and she would give me more lessons later.

So for the next hour, I spent messing around with my new phone. I put Hecate’s number in, created a password so no one could get in, and got my ringtones set. I found a picture of the ocean and put that as both of my backgrounds. It’s a place that I have always wanted to go and I didn’t care which ocean. It’s just something that I’ve wanted to visit before I die.

“Oh!” Hecate smiled as she reached and grabbed us some plates. “About the driving. I was thinking maybe you wanted to go get your license.”

“Do you mean that?” I asked smiling as I set my phone down.

She nodded. “Of course dear. I’m sure you don’t want me to be driving you everywhere.”

“I don’t really mind.” I laughed which made her smile even more. “But I don’t have a middle name to put on the license. So it would just be Athena Polias.”

Hecate stiffened and stared at me with wide eyes. “What did you just say?”

“I don’t have a middle name to put on my license.” I repeated.

“No, no.” She said shaking her head. “P-Polias?”

I nodded. “That’s my last name.”

“I-It can’t be.” She whispered. But with my werewolf hearing, I heard it.

“What?” I asked confused.

Hecate cleared her throat and shook her head. “Nothing.”

After that, we fell into an awkward silence.

‘What was that about?’ Artemis asked.

‘I have no idea.’ I mumbled. ‘Do you think she knows something?’

‘Maybe.’ Artemis replied.

“Well if you pass your driving test, we can replace you a car.” Hecate said breaking the silence.

“That would be wonderful. But please promise me you won’t go all out.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She huffed.

I rolled my eyes and laughed. “All the clothes, the furniture, and my phone.”

Hecate’s face turned a slight shade of red before she sighed in defeat. “Fine.”

“Thank you.” I sighed in relief. I didn’t want her spending any more money on me.

“How would you like a mustang?”

“Hecate!” I groaned.

“What?” She asked shrugging. “We can get you a last year’s model.”

“No.” I laughed.

“Fine, fine.” She smiled. “What about a jeep wrangler like mine?”

I was about to open my mouth, but I stopped myself and thought about it.

Her jeep is very nice and I like how it can go off-road.

“That will work.” I agreed.

“Good.” She smirked.

“What are you planning?” I asked skeptically.

“Nothing.” She said a little too quickly. “Eat up.”

I rolled my eyes at her behavior and picked up my fork and knife.

“You worry me.” I teased.

“Me?” She asked shocked. “Never.”

“Uh huh.” I hummed. “Whatever you say.”

I moaned a little as I put the steak in my mouth.

A girl could get used to this.