Royal Meets Rogue

Athena

“Can you believe he had the nerve to show up like that?” I growled as I crushed the empty pop can that was in my hand. “Like who the hell does he think is?”

“Apparently someone that can get away with stuff like that.” Hecate answered as she wiped a small speck of pop off her arm. “You can’t get so upset about it dear. He’s just trying to get under your skin.”

“Well, it’s working.” I groaned as I fell back against the couch.

“But it does seem he has his eye on you.” She said as she got off the couch and took my crushed can.

“What makes you say that?” I asked confused. “Are you saying he’s a stalker?”

“Pretty much.” She chuckled as she opened the fridge. “How else do you explain your encounter? He just so happened to pick the time that you weren’t with Ares? Either that’s very good luck or he’s watching you.”

I gulped as she handed me another sprite. “I’d rather not think about that.”

“I get it.” She nodded. “But you need to start thinking about that. Athena, you are in actual danger. If he gets his hands on you, he will kill you.”

“I know.” I sighed as I played with the tab on the can.

“You have to be more careful. But most importantly, you have to find a way to take him down and not the other way around. Get him before he gets you.”

“And how do you think I can do that?” I growled slightly.

Hecate laughed. “I think you keep forgetting that you are the Alpha Queen.”

I blushed as I realized she was right. It still hasn’t fully set in that I am the Alpha Queen. It seems so unreal and more of a fairytale than anything. “I sometimes do forget that. It’s just weird to think about how my life has turned out. Not in a million years would I ever think that I would be a queen, let alone get another mate. That doesn’t happen to girls like me.”

“Maybe that’s why it happened.” Hecate smiled as she brushed a piece of hair behind my ear. “You don’t give yourself enough credit. I don’t know anyone who could have done what you did. You’ve prevailed. Look at you! You are so strong, Athena. Don’t forget that.”

“Thank you.” I smiled as I lunged forward and engulfed her in a hug.

“You don’t have to thank me.” Hecate said softly as she squeezed me.

“I still don’t know what to do.” I admitted as I pulled back from our hug. “I mean we can’t just go marching right in and declare war. Our allies will think we are crazy! And most of them probably won’t even help if we do that.”

“Have you tried explaining to them what happened?” Hecate asked. “I’m pretty sure they will jump up and help once they heard everything from the beginning.”

“I honestly have no idea. Ares said that probably won’t work.” I shrugged. “I don’t know why.”

“Has anyone thought of a plan?”

“I have but Ares didn’t like it.” I said sheepishly. “So much, that he had to leave the house and go on a run.”

“What the hell did you say?” Hecate asked, but then shook her head. “On second thought, maybe not. Because I think I know what you suggested.”

“I know it’s bad but it’s not that bad.” I defended.

“Using yourself as bait is probably the dumbest thing that you could ever suggest.” Hecate criticized.

“Okay, that’s just plain rude.” I mumbled.

Hecate laughed. “You can’t blame Ares for the way he reacted. I’m sure you would have the same thing if the roles were reversed.”

“True.” I admitted. “But! The roles aren’t reversed and how does he expect to catch Rick in the act? And no one has a better plan. No one else has even thought of a plan. So really, mine is the one that would work.”

“And how do you expect to make this idiotic plan of yours work?” Hecate asked with a pointed look.

“Glad you asked.” I smiled as I turned to face her.

“Oh boy.” She mumbled, rolling her eyes.

“We go about our normal days like nothing is even happening. I find a place to be, maybe like a little store or something. Then when Rick and his goons come out and bam! We get them.” I smiled proudly. “What do you think?”

“Oh, you don’t want to know what I’m thinking.” She said. “But you do realize that Rick and his goons will know that everyone is waiting for him.”

I smirked. “I’m hurt that you doubt me.”

“I’m not doubting.” She replied. “More like waiting for it to crash and burn.”

“Well, it will work because you’re going to help.” I continued. “I want you to make as many of those hiding scent potions as you can. So that way when Jason, Achilles, and I go to wherever, everyone can hide because their scents will be blocked. Rick will just think that it’s us three and no one else.”

Hecate looked at me with wide eyes. “Wow. That’s actually not terrible.”

“Thank you.” I smiled with pride. That’s right. I’m awesome.

“But do you think Ares will go for this?”

“No.” I said slowly. “But I’m hoping with your help, he will say yes.”

“Athena.” Hecate started, but I shook my head.

“Please Hecate.” I pleaded. “He’s been stressing about this for like a week and he’s going crazy. You gotta help me.”

Hecate stared at me for a couple of seconds before sighing. “Fine. But only if we figure out a way to keep you safe from all angles.”

“Deal!” I smiled.

After talking some more, Hecate and I drove back to the castle to discuss the plan that we came up with to Ares and some other wolves.

“I think his head is going to explode.” Apollo whispered to me as he waved his hand in front of Ares’ face. “Not blinking or anything. Maybe he’s broken?”

“The plan could work.” I pressed.

“Absolutely not!” Ares and Janus yelled.

“Guys.” I groaned.

“Do you know how dangerous that is?” Ares asked.

“And how stupid that plan is?” Janus added. “You could get hurt!”

“Exactly!” Ares said as he nodded at Janus.

Ever since Janus took on the role of being my big brother, he and Ares agree on a lot of stuff and they are both pretty overprotective. It gets annoying pretty easily.

“Why are you even on board with this?” Janus asked Hecate.

Hecate shrugged. “She actually had some good points and I feel that if we do everything correctly, it really could work.”

“No.” Ares and Janus said.

I growled and sat down in my chair. “You guys suck.”

“What is so bad about it?” Apollo spoke up. “I mean sure, it’s a little stupid and dangerous, but you guys will be right there with her.”

“Gee thanks.” I said as I glared at him.

Apollo waved me off and kept talking. “If you guys drink Hecate’s potions, no one will be able to tell you guys are wolves. You’ll be completely hidden in plain sight. Just through on some normal people’s clothes, turn your heads, and you’ll be good.”

“It seems good.” Jason nodded.

“I kind of like it.” Achilles agreed. “We’ll all be right there. So if something really does happen that will cause us all to blow our covers, at least Queen Athena will be an arm’s reach away.”

“You both are not helping.” Ares growled.

“I don’t mean any disrespect, but no one else has thought of a plan.” Jason explained. “Queen Athena’s is literally our only option so far. And with Hecate’s help, it has a very high chance of going really well.”

“You know what, fine.” Ares said standing up. “All in favor of Athena’s plan, raise your hand.”

I watched as the wolves in the room slowing started to raise their hands. Some looked very indecisive, but after a couple of seconds, they raised their hands as well.

The only ones who didn’t raise their hands were Ares, Janus, some wolf named Theseus, another wolf named Circe, and a couple of other wolves that I don’t know.

Theseus was in charge of the scouts or trackers considering he had a very strong sense of smell and direction. And Circe was in charge of a lot of the warriors. So basically she was pretty badass.

“You too Perseus?” Ares asked offended. “I thought you were on my side.”

“Normally yes, my King. But Queen Athena does make a very valid point. I have high hopes that this plan will be successful.” Perseus explained.

“Rick is keeping tabs on Athena now that he knows she is alive. If he gets her, he will kill her.” Hecate said sternly. “We have to get him before he gets her. And that threat about how he has friends in places, we have to take that seriously.”

Ares looked at her before sighing and placing his forehead on his desk. “Fine.”

“Yes!” I shouted as I jumped up and fist pounded the air. “Uh, I mean, thank you for picking my plan.”

Apollo laughed and Janus sat there with a scowl on his face.

“So what exactly is going to happen?” Circe asked annoyed.

I looked at her carefully as she gave me a hard glare.

‘Don’t take it personally.’ Apollo said through the link. ‘She’s a very hard person and doesn’t like anyone.’

“Well.” Hecate started. “Athena is going to go with Jason and Achilles out in the city like they normally would. Probably just go to a small shop and look around. I’m going to make potions for everyone involved except for those three. That way if Rick and his goons do show up, they won’t know that anyone else is there.”

“Won’t they see us?” Circe pressed.

“We are going to give everyone disguises. Some hats, sunglasses, sweatshirts, that kind of stuff.”

“This is so stupid.” Circe growled. “He is going to see people with their hoods up and immediately know something is going on. This whole thing will be blown!”

“Easy there.” Ares said as he narrowed his eyes. “We voted and their plan won. So we are going to listen to it and find a way to execute it flawlessly.”

Circe huffed and sat back in her chair. “Fine.”

“Not everyone will be inside.” Hecate continued. “We’ll place some outside, even in the back of the store, and have some others wait in their cars. Kind of space everyone out I guess. We don’t want them all in the same general area.”

“Then what’s going to happen when Rick walks in?” Theseus asked as he leaned against the wall.

“We rush in and grab him.” Apollo smiled at Hecate. “I honestly think it’s a good plan. I could see it working.”

“But after we catch him red-handed trying to get Athena.” Hecate nodded. “This whole plan is to prove that he has intentions on hurting Athena. So once he reaches for her to take her away, then we rush in and grab him. I’ll have the wolfsbane on standby.”

“And if he brings friends?” Theseus asked.

“Grab them too.”

Theseus shrugged and nodded. “I’m down.”

“This will work.” I said with determination.

“As long as you’re safe.” Theseus said as he looked at me. “I’ll go along with it.”

“But I would feel more comfortable if Apollo, Janus, and I were in the store with Athena.” Ares spoke to Hecate. “Because if I’m not in the same room as she is, we aren’t going through with the plan.”

Hecate rolled her eyes and waved him off. “Yeah, yeah. I know.”

“Just making sure.” Ares smiled at me.

“We already thought of the teams and what they are going to do.” I said speaking up. “Theseus and his scouts will search the forest and around the city to find anyone from Rick’s pack. Circe and her warriors will be set up around the shop. They will be in cars, some sitting on benches, and others kind of in a group just talking to each other. Hecate, Ares, Apollo, and Janus will be inside the shop, but they will be spread around. Jason, Achilles, and I will be walking around the shop talking to each other like nothing is going on.”

“Then we’ll just sit there and wait.” Hecate said. “I will be with Ares and the wolfsbane will be in my pocket ready to go.”

“I mean it doesn’t sound too terrible.” Theseus nodded. “It sounds pretty good actually.”

Thanks. I think.

“Circe?” Ares asked.

Circe stared at him for a couple of seconds before turning to me. “Fine. But at the first sign of trouble, we are getting everyone out of there. I’m not risking the safety of my team or my Alphas just for this Rick guy to show up and pull something.”

“So is that a yes?” I asked confused.

“Yeah.” She said slightly annoyed. “Let’s just get this over with.”

“Then it’s settled.” Ares said. “Everyone get some rest. It’s been a long day.”

All the wolves bowed and left the room leaving Hecate, Ares, Apollo, Janus, and myself.

“I think I’m going to head out.” Hecate said randomly.

I winked at her, causing her face to turn red.

“What?” Apollo asked as Hecate ran out of the room. “Am I missing something?”

“We’ll tell you when you’re older.” Janus teased as he left the room as well.

“Hey!” Apollo called out and ran after him.

Ares laughed and shook his head. “Ready for bed?”

“I thought you would never ask.” I giggled.

Ares grabbed my hand and we walked out of the room and up the stairs together.

“Do you think this plan will work?” He asked once we made it to our room.

I nodded. “I think so. With Hecate’s potions, he won’t be able to tell that you guys are right there. He’s just going to think it’s the guys and I. He won’t know what hit him.”

“I guess.” Ares sighed as he took off his shirt.

“I know it seems a little dangerous, but it’s going to be okay.” I reassured him. “I’m basically going to have an army with me and he’s smart enough to not bring a lot of wolves with him. He may be stupid sometimes, but he has his smart moments.”

Ares chuckled and smiled at me. “I can’t believe I’m actually using you as bait.”

“Me either.” I laughed as I changed into my pjs.

“Zeus is so mad at me right now; he’s not even talking to me.”

“He’ll get over it.” I said as I walked to the bathroom.

I grabbed my toothbrush and put some toothpaste on it when Ares walked in.

“Oh, that’s a cute look.” Ares teased as the toothpaste started to drip down the corner of my mouth. I smiled and opened my mouth for him to see. “That is so gross!”

I laughed and spit out the toothpaste and then grabbed a cup to put water in.

“Your life would be so boring without me.” I smiled.

“Sure. Keeps telling yourself that.” Ares laughed as he began brushing his teeth.

“You know it’s true.” I said. “I don’t know how you lived without me before.”

“I don’t know either.” Ares said after he spit out the toothpaste. “I was a shell of a man.”

I laughed at his comment and he gave me a smile. “Now your life has been blessed.”

“It really has.” He said softly as he kissed my forehead. “I really need to thank Rick. Because if you guys didn’t reject each other, then I would have never found you.”

“I guess something good really did come out of that situation.” I nodded.

“I mean I still want to kill him.” Ares laughed. “But I’m going to thank him first.”

“Violence isn’t always the answer.” I said giving him a look.

“I know, I know.” Ares said. “But damn. What he did to you? That pisses me off.”

“I know.” I said as I looked down at my hands. “But it’s over with now.”

“Yes it is because you’re here with me now.” Ares smiled as he walked over to me and picked me up. I instantly wrapped my legs around his waist and smiled at him. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” I smiled softly.

‘Oh my gosh!’ Artemis howled. ‘I will never get tired of this.’

Ares gave me a big smile and put his hand on the back of my neck, closing the gap between us. His lips danced with mine and I wrapped my legs tighter around him.

I heard a deep growl come from Ares and the next thing I know, he’s walking us over to the bed. He set me down and crawled on top of me, continuing our make-out session.

“I love you so much.” He said softly as he pulled back slightly. He smiled as I felt the hotness from his breath on my lips. Oh, how I just wanted to kiss him again. “I fell in love with you the minute I laid my eyes on you. You were so beautiful and I was left breathless when the moonlight hit your eyes. The way the light made them sparkle, made my legs weak. I wanted to declare my love for you right that second.”

“Ares.” I whispered.

“I know you had a tough past and I’m going to spend every second of my life proving my love for you with both actions and words.” Ares continued as his eyes searched mine. “Athena Polias. Will you marry me?”

“What?” I asked with wide eyes.

Ares smiled and lifted himself off of the bed and walked over to his dresser, opening the top drawer and rummaging around. “I was going to take you out on a date and ask then. But I can’t wait any longer.” I continued to watch him as he grabbed a small black velvet box and walked back over to me, getting down on one knee. “Will you do the honor of becoming my wife, Athena?”

I gasped and covered my mouth as he opened the small box and there sat an emerald ring. It was giant! There was a rectangular shaped emerald in the middle and then smaller diamonds on both sides.

“Yes.” I whispered to him once I overcame my shock. “Yes!”

Ares gave me a toothy smile and quickly took the ring out of the box. “I even got it engraved for you.”

He held the ring up and I saw “my Queen” engraved on the band.

“I love it.” I smiled as he placed it on my left ring finger. “Ares. It’s beautiful.”

“I hoped you would like it.” He smiled as he ran his thumb over my knuckles.

“When did you get this?” I asked as I continued to stare at the ring.

“A couple of weeks after we started dating.” He admitted. “I was going to get it sooner but then I ran into trouble with some rogues. But I started searching for a ring a week after you agreed to date me. I knew I wanted to marry you right away.”

“I love you.” I smiled as I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into me. “I love you so much.”

Ares growled deeply and laid us both down on the bed. “I love you more.”

“You sure about that?” I smirked.

“Oh, I’m sure.” He growled as he placed his hands on both of my sides under my shirt. “You are so beautiful. How did I get so lucky?”

“I should be the one asking you that.” I smiled as I kissed him.

Ares chuckled and started to trace circles with his thumbs on my sides.

I took a deep breath and lifted my hips slightly.

“Are you sure?” He asked quietly as he pulled back a little.

I smiled and sat forward to take my shirt off. His eyes went wide and let out a shaky breath.

“I’m sure.” I smirked and grabbed his face. “Come here.”

“As you wish, my Queen.” Ares smiled and met my lips in a heated kiss. “I love you.”