Royal Meets Rogue

Athena

I groaned as I rolled over to shut my alarm clock off.

“Another day, another beating.” I mumbled to myself as I carefully got out of bed.

My body cringed as I felt a sharp pain in my right side. I slowly lifted up my tank top and sighed as I saw the giant bruise. It was already starting to heal thanks to me being a werewolf. It does have its advantages sometimes.

“Let’s move it! I know you’re awake!” I heard Alpha Rick’s voice over the intercom.

I looked at the white plastic box that hung on my wall. I so desperately wanted to tear it off the wall but I know I would get into big trouble if I pulled that little stunt.

I walked over and pressed the small, red button. “I’m coming Alpha.”

After changing my clothes and putting my long, wavy brownish hair up, I tiptoed down the stairs making sure I didn’t make any loud noises. It’s still pretty early so that means a lot of the pack members are still sleeping.

“About time you got down here.” One of the older maids sneered at me.

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” I replied as I grabbed an apron.

“It better not. Now go over there and help with the eggs.”

“Yes ma’am.” I bowed as I hurried by the stove.

I’m lower than the maids. That’s how much my pack hates me. And I’m not making fun of maids, but I mean these ones are quite bitchy to me.

I don’t even know what I did? I guess being born was all it took to be the pack’s punching bag. Or maybe they have something against orphans? Who knows really? I’ve never asked and I never will. That’ll just give them another reason to beat me and quite frankly, they don’t need any more reasons.

But after three hours, breakfast was finally done. I smiled to myself because that meant dishes. Washing dishes was the only time that I was left alone. I mean, I still had the occasional name calling and members throwing their dishes in the sink. But other than that, I was left alone. The other maids thought that it was too degrading, so I gladly took the job. But I really don’t understand how, because isn’t that part of their job?

I shrugged my shoulders at my own thought and got to work.

‘Just think.’ My wolf, Artemis, said suddenly. ‘Tomorrow is your birthday.’

‘I’m so excited!’ I chipped excitedly. ‘Maybe I’ll be one of the lucky ones and run into their mate exactly on their birthday.’

‘Just don’t get your hopes up sweetie.’ She said softly. ‘I know you want to get out of here, hell I do too. But the odds of meeting your mate on your birthday are very slim.’

‘I know.’ I sighed as I picked up the sponge and a bowl. ‘I just want to have a little faith.’

‘I understand.’ Artemis replied. ‘It’s good to hold onto faith. It’s the only thing we have besides each other.’

I nodded. I remember when I first shifted on my 16th birthday. Artemis is beautiful. My pack made fun of me because they thought my wolf looked stupid.

Artemis gave a humorless laugh as if reading my thoughts. ‘I remember that day too.’

‘Don’t listen to them. You are gorgeous. And I’m not just saying that because you are a part of me.’ And I meant it, she really is. She is a pure white wolf with a gold moon in the middle of her forehead.

Artemis giggled. ‘Thank you. And besides, I know I’m hot. They’re just jealous.’

I had to cough so I wouldn’t accidently let out a laugh.

‘Stop!’ I laughed. ‘You’re going to get me into trouble.’

“What are you smiling about?” Megan sneered.

I had to resist rolling my eyes. Ever since her and Alpha Rick started dating a couple months ago, she thinks she’s all that.

“Nothing Megan.” I mumbled.

She smirked at me. “It’s Luna to you.”

I bit my lip hard to stop myself from talking back and just nodded my head instead.

She dropped her plate into the sink that was filled with water, which in turn caused the water to splash upward directly into my face.

A small tear ran down my cheek as she turned and walked away laughing.

‘It’s going to be okay babes.’ Artemis softly spoke. ‘Just a little bit longer. Okay?’

‘Yeah. Okay.’ I sighed as I continued to wash the dishes.

Maybe I really am worthless. I mean that’s how everyone here treats me. Maybe it’s true.

‘Athena!’ Artemis yelled causing me to jump and almost drop the sponge on the floor. I quickly looked around and sighed in relief when I saw that I was alone.

‘Don’t scare me like that!’ I yelled back.

‘I’m sorry but you can’t be thinking like that. You are not worthless! You are amazing and they just don’t know it yet.’

‘Could have fouled me.’ I said as I rolled my eyes.

‘Don’t roll your eyes at me. Because I can do the exact same thing.’ She sassed at me.

‘Okay okay, I’m sorry. I’m just having a bad time right now.’

‘I know, but it’ll get better.’ She reassured. ‘Just have faith and don’t let go of it. Everything is going to fall exactly into place. You’ll see.’

‘Yeah? When?’ I scoffed in disbelief.

‘I-I don’t know.’ She sighed defeated. ‘I’m just trying to help.’

Great. Good job Athena. Way to make your only friend feel bad about trying to cheer you up. Idiot.

‘I’m sorry Artemis.’ I mumbled to her and I placed the bowl on the drying mat.

‘You should really stop apologizing.’ She laughed. ‘You’ve been doing that a lot.’

‘Right. Sorry.’ I replied, but then shook my head with a smile as I just realized what I said.

‘Like I said. You’ve been doing that a lot lately.’ She laughed, but the turned serious. ‘The alpha is coming. I can feel him.’

I put my usual blank face on and quickly picked up the last bowl that was in the sink.

“Athena. Are you almost done yet?” He asked with an exaggerated sigh as he checked his apple watch.

“A-almost Alpha.” I answered nervously.

“Keep up the good work.” He smiled as he patted me on my back. He smirked as he saw me flinch when he touched me. “What a loser.”

I glared at his back as he walked away. Oh how I just wanted to take this bowl and throw it at his gigantic head. His ego made it a pretty big target. You couldn’t miss it even if you tried. One day Athena. One day you can take something and throw it at him. Maybe it’ll even be a knife?

“Hi baby!”

I cringed as I heard Megan’s high pitched voice ring through the pack house.

“Hey.” He smiled as he pulled her into a hug.

I think I’m going to throw up.

“Are you ready to go?” He asked as he rested his hands on her butt.

Umm ew!

“Yeah. I need to do something real quick.” She winked at him before she started walking my way.

I gulped as I saw the look in her eye.

“I need you to clean this cup.” She smiled innocently, but that look went away as she peered inside. “Oh my. There’s still some milk left in here.”

I gasped and jumped back as she spilled the rest of her milk on my head.

Alpha Rick was holding onto the island so he wouldn’t fall over from laughing so hard.

Megan laughed and dropped the cup on the ground. “Oops. My bad.”

It took everything in me to not cry right there.

“Oh my gosh babe!” Alpha Rick laughed as he wiped a tear. “That was great.”

Megan winked at me before turning around and skipping over to him. “Now we can go.”

“Did you see her face?” Alpha Rick asked as he put his arm around her.

“Yes!” She yelled laughing as they walked off. “It looked like she was about to cry! That’s what I was going for.”

I waited until they walked out the front door before I let the tears fall. I felt myself drop to my knees and put my head in my hands. Then the tears really came. And they came hard.

‘Athena. I-’ Artemis started to speak but I cut her off.

‘Don’t. Just please. Don’t.’ I hiccupped as I cried harder.

I knew she wanted to say more, but I was glad that she respected my wishes when I felt her return to the back of my mind.

I just wanted to be alone right now.

~*~

Ares

“Of fucking course.” I mumbled to myself as Janus, my royal Third, handed me the new report.

My borders keep getting breached by these stupid rogues and I don’t know how. You would think that since I’m the Alpha King, I would have a strong defense along my borders. But apparently not.

I felt a small growl go through my body as I took my glasses off and ran a hand through my short, black hair.

“Don’t get too worked up about it.” Janus said quickly.

“These rogues are interfering with everything.” I growled as I slammed my fists down on my desk.

“Ares, you need to relax.” Apollo, my royal Beta, sighed as he rubbed his forehead.

“Don’t tell me to calm down.”

“I didn’t. I said to relax.” He laughed.

I rolled my eyes. “That’s basically the same thing.”

“I swear you two are secretly brothers.” Janus laughed.

“That’s because we are.” Apollo smiled as he threw his arm around my shoulders. “Well not by blood. But you know what I mean.”

“You’re touching me.” I said blankly at him.

“So?” Apollo said confused.

“I don’t like being touched.” I mumbled as I picked up his finger and took his arm off of me.

“Your name should have been Oscar.” Apollo said as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Why?” I asked as I walked to my window and looked across the garden.

“Because you’re always grouchy.”

As I turned around, I saw Janus trying to keep a straight face. But he failing miserably at it.

I let out a small chuckle. “I know, I’m sorry. It’s just the rogues keep pushing these days back. I need to go check on the neighboring packs.”

“Oh please.” Janus laughed. “You only like doing that because you hope to find your mate.”

“Can you blame me?” I asked with a sigh as I looked back out into the garden. I smiled as I saw one of the helpers watering the rose bushes. White roses are my favorite. “I’m 23 years old. I’ve been looking for her ever since my 17th birthday. I know she’s out there. Zeus can feel her. She’s close.”

“And you will find her.” Apollo smiled as he rested his hand on my shoulder. “Just give it time. Your mother would yell at you for stressing about it so much.”

I laughed. “You’re right. She would be lecturing me right now. I never thought I would miss that so much.”

“I know man. But her and your father are smiling down at you right now. Probably shaking their heads at you because you’re stressing about it.”

“So with that being said.” Janus started as he walked over to us. “Let’s go deal with these rogues so we can get back to traveling to the neighboring packs.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” Apollo smiled.

“Thank you guys. Truly. Thank you.” I smiled gratefully.

Janus waved me off. “Don’t worry about it. That’s what brothers are for.”

I nodded as I followed them both out of my office. I’m so glad that I have these two. I don’t know what I would do without them. Who cares if we aren’t blood related? We are brothers by heart and that’s all that matters.