Chapter 6 Athena in my bed

Prince Lucian held Athena close, his hand firm around her waist, the other gently cupping her jaw. His lips met hers in a kiss that deepened with urgency. At first, Athena melted into it, heart pounding, but then she hesitated there was something off.

She pulled back slightly, breathing heavily and her brows drew together. A strong unmistakable scent wafted off him.

"You've been drinking." She said quietly, her eyes scanning his face. His pupils were slightly dilated, cheeks flushed.

Lucian leaned in again, reaching for her, but Athena stepped back.

"I said your drunk." She repeated firmer this time.

He scoffed, stumbling softly as he tried to follow her retreat. "I'm not." He muttered, but his words were just a bit too blurred, his stance just a bit too unsteady.

Athena's gaze flickered to the side. On the ornate table by the hearth sat a half empty bottle of strong amber liquor. Her heart sank.

"Prince Lucian..." she whispered, disappointment lingering in her chest.

When he tried to get close again, she caught his arm and gently ushered him toward the bed. He resisted at first, insisting he was fine, but eventually relented, swaying.

The moment she let go, he collapsed onto the mattress, one hand reaching lazily for her wrist, but she slipped out of his grasp just in time.

Within seconds, his breathing evened, his features softened, and he fell into a deep, dreamless slumber.

Athena stood over him, sorrow swimming in her eyes. So this was how the Fates chose to reveal her mate to her, drunk, unaware and unable to see her for who she truly was.

She went to the bathroom and got a basin filled with water. She dipped a towel into the basin and quietly began to clean his face, brushing away the sweat and the remnants of the night lost to drink.

Her fingers moved with care, but her heart ached with every motion. And when she finished, she tucked the blanket over him and stepped away.

He hadn't recognized her.

Did he even know she had been there?

------

The old wooden door creaked open as Athena slipped inside, wrapping her cloak tighter around her.

The fire was still warm from the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. The scent of herbs and soap lingered in the air, a comforting contrast to the princes chamber.

The old maid looked up from her knitting, eyes narrowing with concern.

"Child. What is it? Your as pale as death."

Athena hesitated for only a moment before whispering. "It's him. I saw him tonight. The Prince. He's my mate."

The maid gasped, the yarn slipping from her fingers.

" Hush!" She hissed quickly standing up and checking the doors and windows. " By the spirits girl keep your voice down. The walls have ears, and tongues sharper than blades, if the King were to hear-"

"I know." Athena said softly, eyes brimming with unshed tears. "But I had to tell someone."

The maids voice trembled with urgency " You're a maid. An Omega. You know what this means."

Athena nodded "I know."

The old woman touched her cheeks gently, thumb brushing away the tears. "Did... did he recognize you too?"

"No." Athena's voice cracked " He was drunk."

The silence hung heavy for a moment, and then the maid exhaled, her shoulders sinking. She led Athena to the cot by the fire, pulling the blankets up to her chin.

"You must forget this for now. Sleep child. There will be time for heartbreak tomorrow."

As the old woman tucked her in and returned to her chair, Athena stared into the fire, her thoughts tangled with longing and pain.

Somewhere in the castle, her mate lay dreaming.

And he had no idea she was his.

------

In the morning....

The late morning sun stabbed through the velvet curtains, slicing golden lines across the room. Prince Lucian groaned, burying his face deeper into the silk pillow. His head throbbed like a drum beaten in war,slow, deep and unrelenting.

He sat up sluggishly, wincing as the world spun for a breath. The scent of alcohol still clung faintly to his skin, mingled with the lavender from his sheets.

"Gods." He murmured, rubbing his temples, his voice was dry and hoarse.

He snapped his fingers. A young maid, who had been silently placing logs by the hearth, jumped to her feet.

"You." he croaked " Lemon water.Now!"

"Yes, your highness." She curtsied quickly and darted out the room quickly.

While he waited, Lucian dragged himself toward the adjourning bathroom chambers. Warm water had already been drawn, thankfully someone remembered their duties. He sank into the water with a hiss, steam curling around his aching muscles.

As she soaked, his meteorites of the previous night flickered into the palace. Half formed. Blurred images. Lips against his. A soft voice the silent wind of fresh flowers. The name. Athena lingered in the back of his mind, and for a moment his brows furrowed.

She'd been here.

He remembered her pulling away from him. His drunken attempt to hold her. He laughed like a maniac.

Shame curled in his gut like smoke.

After the bath, he dried off, dressed in dark navy robes trimmed with silver, and stepped back into his royal chambers. The maid from earlier was there waiting with a glass of lemon water in her trembling hand.

He took it form he without a word. He looked to her and said." Where is Athena? Bring her to me."

The maid hesitated. "Your highness... Athena had gone to the eastern fields to gather wildflowers.... For lady Helena's procession in two days."

Lucian froze.

Helena.

His face darkened with sudden tension. He had completely forgotten she was due to arrive at the palace.

His jaw clenched " When Athena returns," he said carefully, suppressing the frustration rising in his chest. " have her come straight to my chambers. If I'm not here, she is to wait for me, is that clear?"

The maid nodded quickly " Yes your highness."

"Good. Go."

------

The heavy oak doors creaked open as Lucian stepped into his father's study. The scent of old paper,ink and tobacco smoke filled the air. The King sat behind a wide desk littered with scrolls, maps, and documents, a gold seal glinting on his finger as he read through a scroll.

"You look like you drank the whole wine cellar." The King remarked without looking up.

Lucian dropped into the chair opposite him. " I feel like I did."

A short silence passed between them before the King set his scroll aside and steepled his fingers.

"Let's speak of something important then," he said " You still haven't found your mate."

Lucian leaned back, annoyed " Not this again-"

"It's not a suggestion anymore. Your nearing your twenty fifth this year. Your heir to the throne. The court grows restless. You know how this works."

Lucian narrowed his eyes.

" I know exactly how this works. You want to parade me like a prized stallion and handpick someone you can control."

The Kings jaw tightened " Watch your tongue, Lucian."

Lucian stood up in agitation " You've had someone in mind for a while now, haven't you?"

A pause.

"Yes. Helena."

Lucian laughed bitterly " Of course. Of course."

"She's noble born, graceful, intelligent-"

"She's like a sister to me!" Lucian snapped.

"We were children together, we played together, snuck into the kitchens. I watched her chase butterflies and she watched me scrape my knees climbing apple trees. She's not my Mate!!"

"You dated her." The king growled "The realms know it."

Lucian's voice rose in defiance. " We were young, and ended it. We didn't feel anything real! And I would not take a chosen mate just to ease the councils nerves."

"You don't have the luxury of waiting for some Fantasy bond." The King barked, standing now. " You're a prince, you marry for duty. Not dreams!"

Lucian's fist clenched " And what if I already have a mate?"

The King froze.

A long silence hung between them.

" is that so?" He asked slowly

Lucian looked away, not answering.

The King stepped around the desk. " If this is another rebellious stunt-"

"It's not." Lucian said, his voice low. " But if it were... it would be better than marrying sometimes I don't love."

He stormed toward the door, anger radiating from every step.

"Lucian-" The King called out but he didn't stop.

He threw the doors opened and and left without looking back

------

Penthouse Rooftop.

Fashion shoot...

The sun was dipping low casting a molten glow across the skyline. On the edges of a glass and steel penthouse rooftop, the wind teased at long, flowing fabrics and tousled waves of rich brown hair.

The photographers camera clicked in a rapid rhythm, flashes occasionally adding burst of light against the velvet sky.

She moved with practiced ease, one hand on her hip, the other brushing through her hair as she titled her head, eyes lidded. Her mouth curved just slightly, not quite a smile, not quite a smirk something between innocence and sun.

"Gorgeous! Hold that! Yes-chin up,eyes on me!" The photographer shouted.

Her legs, long and graceful, peeled through the slit of a black satin gown. She exuded both elegance and danger. A woman could walk into the room and own it without saying a word.

Her body was flawless, sculptured and trained for perfection. She wore confidence like a crown, and no one could look away.

But when the camera dropped and assistants rushed to fix her makeup and hair, she sneered.

"This light makes my skin look like clay." She snapped at the makeup artist. " I said golden, not orange. Are you color blind or are you just stupid."

The woman flinched apologizing quickly. A stylist rushed to fix her dress.

"Don't touch me with those sausage fingers." She said sharply " You'll ruin the line of the fabric. Just-ugh! everyone get out of my way."

The set fell silent under her storm. Assistants and creatives who had once admired her beauty now scrambled, hoping no to be next in line for her fire.

She pulled out her phone and texted someone.

She smirked.

" Almost time for the palace. Let's see if Lucian still plays the hero."

A final breeze swept across the rooftop, lifting her rich brown waves up. The photographer called out again, but she turned back to her lens.

Helena was done for today.

------

The palace. In the evening....

The corridor to the princes wing was quiet, too quiet. The lamps lining the walls flickered, casting Athena's shadow long against the walls as she walked.

The maid who was sent to get her walked in front and she walked behind.

"The prince said.... You should wait for him in his chambers." The maid whispered. Her eyes nervous.

Athena's heart pounded, leapt out so loud she was sure it could be heard.

He remembers. Or maybe not. Maybe he just wants to asks why I left. Or maybe...

Her wolf stirred restlessly beneath her skin, pacing and screaming mate, mate, mate.

But something weird clawed at her thoughts-a strange weight in her chest. Not fear, not quite. A knowing. Something want right.

Still, she walked.

The moment she reached the door, she hesitated. Her fingers trembled. She took a breath and stepped inside.

She looked around.

The room was empty.

Quiet.

She moved to the chaise near the hearth and sat, scanning the place. Everything was as it had been the night before. Except now a new rose sat onto vase table. Red. Freshly cut.

Her heart thudded loudly.

Then-click.

The door shut behind her.

Locked.

She turned sharply.

Prince Lucian stood there, his eyes dark and intense. His broad frame leaning against the door as if he had been waiting for this moment all day.

"Athena" he said, his voice low and Lust filled.

"Let's have sex. Shall we?"

Before Athena could answer, he crossed the room in three long strides and captured her mouth with a kiss so fierce it stole the breath away from her lungs.

His hand slid to her jaw, the other to her waist, pulling her against him like she belonged there. Like he'd found something he couldn't let go off.

Athena's body froze.

Sparks danced on her skin. She felt aroused.

She felt the pull, the fire, the bond.

Her wolf howled in her mind.

But in her mid an uneasy feeling curled like smoke.

Before she could think further, Lucian pushed her to the bed and hovered over her, he kissed her neck making sure to leave a hickey.

He kissed her lips again, he liked them. They were sweet. He moved to her breast and with his claws he ripped her dress open. He dipped his head licking the valley between her cherry blossoms. Athena moaned.

He had just taken her right pink nipple into his mouth, sucking onto it like a starved newborn.

When-

An urgent knock pounded on the door.

"LUCIAN!!"