**Chapter 9**
**Two Weeks Later**
**Athena’s Perspective**
+25 Points
Today marks the birthday of the most detestable creatures to ever walk the earth; the very essence of misery wrapped in human form. Yes, it’s the day of the s**t stains’ birth.
Hooray, and may they rot in the deepest pits of hell.
The atmosphere within the pack has been nothing short of utter pandemonium for the past fortnight. It’s as if the Lycan king himself is making an unexpected visit, causing everyone to lose their minds in preparation. I can’t help but wonder about the nature of this king. What kind of man wields such power? One would hope for a ruler who embodies fairness and justice, but my instincts tell me he’s likely as arrogant and cruel as the other Alphas. Power has a way of corrupting even the noblest of souls.
Oh, and let’s not forget—when I mentioned that wolves reign supreme in the shifter hierarchy, I was actually referring to the Lycans. They sit one rung above the regular werewolves. Though fewer in number, they are significantly larger, stronger, and faster. More lethal. Imagine a werewolf on steroids, and you’d have a Lycan. They possess the bizarre ability to shift partially, allowing them to walk on two legs instead of four.
Despite their absence from our pack, they hold ultimate authority over all packs, dictating the course of events with an iron fist. The world operates on a straightforward principle: the strongest command the most respect and power.
Legend has it that the Lycans harbor a fear of magical beings—warlocks and witches. They steer clear of them, which speaks volumes about the potency of magic.
There’s even a whispered tale of a once-dominant shifter species that has vanished from our history books. Some say they were annihilated by a warlock king, but I can’t verify the truth of such claims. Regardless, it’s wise to avoid provoking either Lycans or warlocks.
But I’m straying from the point. As I mentioned, chaos has reigned in the pack for the last two weeks. Goddess forbid if everything isn’t absolutely flawless for their grand celebration. Thank the stars they won’t ascend to Alpha status for a few more years. By then, I’ll be of age and free to leave this place behind.
The only intriguing aspect of tonight will be the potential appearance of the unluckiest woman alive. I can’t help but wonder if she is already of age and what her demeanor will be like. I’m almost certain she will end up mated to Thalia eventually. It’s a match made in hell, and I doubt the moon goddess would pair an innocent soul with the likes of them.
Tonight’s festivities promise to be monumental. Multiple packs will be in attendance, each hoping to increase their chances of finding their destined mates. Only Alphas, their offspring, and all unattached women of age are invited.
I can’t decide what I loathe more: the inevitable drama that will arise from the gathering of all those women or the dreadful prospect of facing the s**t stains during my weekend.
Thank the goddess for small mercies; Millie will be there too. Although neither of us has reached the age of maturity yet, all pack members and guests are required to attend. Lucky us.
I carefully apply eyeliner and mascara, just in case I might stumble upon my own mate at the party. Though I’m not holding my breath for a union with someone of Alpha blood. A girl can only dream of her own escape, right?
“What’s upppppp, girlfriend?” Millie bursts into my room like she owns the place, her energy infectious.
“Hey, Barbie! What’s going on?” I reply, grinning at her reflection in the mirror.
“Bite me.” She playfully flips me off before flopping onto my bed, her laughter filling the room.
I chuckle, finishing my mascara application before turning to face her. She looks utterly stunning. The fiery red dress she’s wearing accentuates her eyes and complements her vibrant hair perfectly. It clings to her curves like a second skin, leaving me momentarily speechless.
“Wow… Mills. You look…”
“Oh my goddess, is THE Athena actually speechless right now?” She twirls around, showcasing her attire with a flourish.
“Well, my lady, it appears that I am.” I respond with a mock curtsy, laughter bubbling up as I do.
“Speaking of which, why is my lady still dressed in sweatpants and a sweater?” She raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips.
“Uh, because this is how I’m going?” I reply, a hint of defiance in my voice.
Millie bursts into laughter, shaking her head. “Oh, no, you’re not. What if your mate happens to be there?”
“He will accept me as I am,” I shrug nonchalantly, though her words gnaw at my confidence. He would, wouldn’t he? Isn’t he supposed to accept me, flaws and all?
“Well, your mom and I figured you’d be a stubborn little mule, so we got this for you.” She produces a bag from behind her, a grin stretching across her face. I hadn’t even noticed she brought anything with her—how sneaky!
Curiosity piqued, I take the bag from her. The gold lettering on it glimmers, hinting at something special inside.
Pulling out the contents, I find… a dress?
“Oh, hell no…”
“Oh, hell YES! Your mom and I went out of our way to pick this out. At least do us the favor of trying it on!” Millie pouts, knowing full well how soft-hearted I am when it comes to her efforts.
“Fine,” I huff, rolling my eyes. I can’t help but feel a mix of dread and excitement. Millie and my mom are literally the only ones who have seen me in just my underwear, and while it’s still awkward, I trust them completely.
“Ath, I know I’ve told you this a billion times, but I honestly don’t understand why you hide your body like this. You have a flawless figure! There’s nothing to be ashamed of. If the other women saw you, they’d be envious. Even I would be!”
“Pfffft! Says the supermodel to the girl who could be Cartman’s sister,” I retort, rolling my eyes again.
“What?” Her brow furrows in confusion. “Jesus, Ath. I’m speaking the truth. Your body is stunning. Any man would be drooling over it, and any woman would envy you. Honestly, if I were into women, I’d be all over you!”
She’s right about one thing: she has told me countless times. Yet my response remains unchanged. I truly despise the sight of my own body.
‘Stop it, human. Millie is right. Listen to your best friend,’ Ares chimes in, but I choose to ignore both of them.
As I slip into the dress, discomfort washes over me. Still, I must admit, they didn’t push me too far out of my comfort zone. They likely knew I would’ve flat-out refused anything more daring. The dress flows down to my feet, cleverly concealing my legs. Everything below my chest is loose-fitting, and it features delicate lace sleeves. Best of all, it’s black—my favorite color.
“So… what do you think?” Millie asks, her excitement palpable.
I hate to burst her bubble, but I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t.
“Well… I think it’s a dress,” I reply flatly, giving her an uninterested look.
“Oh, Jesus. Come on, Ath! It doesn’t reveal any skin at all. You can’t see your beautiful figure. Please, do us this favor!” She pouts again, her puppy-dog eyes working their magic.
“Don’t do that.”
“Why not? Because it’s working?” She blinks innocently, making it almost easy to forget her manipulative nature.
“Maybe,” I grumble just as the door swings open again, and my mom steps inside.
“Honey, are you… oh, my!” Her hand flies to her mouth, and I can see the pride shining in her eyes. Just great. “You look so beautiful, sweetie! Gosh!”
“Thanks, Mom, but I…” I want to say I’m not planning on wearing it, but the traitor on my bed has other ideas.
“She loves the dress, Mirella! Thank you so much for taking me to the mall and helping pick it out. You should have seen her face when she first saw it!”
Cheater. I can only imagine how horrified my expression must have been.
“Oh my goddess, I’m so happy!” Mom exclaims, rushing over to wrap me in a tight embrace. “You can’t imagine how proud I am of you, my girl. Not just today, but every single day. You are the best daughter any mother could wish for.” Her voice is thick with emotion, and I can’t help but cherish the moment, even as a pang of hurt strikes my heart, reminding me of the mother who abandoned me.
“I love you, Mom,” I manage to croak out, relishing the warmth of her embrace.
“Alright, dears, let’s get going. The party is about to start.” Ugh.
“Time to get this s**t show on the road.”
