Birthday resposibilities

Athena P.O.V.

2 years earlier 

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Athena, happy birthday to you!” 

I blink as the sun peaks through the curtains in my room, my bed surrounded by my parents and siblings. I smile, my heart happy. 

Then a voice in my head yawns and I gasp. 

‘Good morning, Athena. My name is Elessa, and I’m your wolf.’ My eyes widened, and mom chuckles.

“I think someone just heard from her wolf for the first time.” She says, leaning into dad. I nod, not really knowing what to do now. 

‘Hi Elessa. It’s so nice to meet you too. I can’t wait until we shift tonight.’ 

‘Me too girlie, me too. But I’m sad about our mate, why would he leave us?’ 

‘It’s so complicated. I miss him too.’ 

She lays down in my mind, and my family hand over their gifts, Emmet and Davina crawling into bed with me, while the others laugh. From mom and dad I get a whole day of shopping for my wardrobe as Queen and Alpha, a spa day with mom, my aunts and cousins and a beautiful jewelry set for tonight. 

From my siblings I get; a set of fighting knives, a bow and arrows, drawings and Alec and the twins have come together to give me a beautiful tiara in dark rose gold with purple and gold diamonds. I suspect mom and dad have given the majority for this as well, but the card says from the guys, so.

“Remember you get both crowned and ascended today, darling. We dress to impress, and we do not back down. Chin high, eyes forward.” Mom says, shooing my youngest sibs from the bed. 

Dad takes the others from my room, saying he’ll mindlink us when breakfast is ready in the private dining room. Alec stays, sitting himself down in a chair, which he brings over to the bed.

“I wanted to talk to her alone, mister.” Mom says, but Alec just leans back. 

“And you can, as long as I’m here.” He says, knowing mom has a tendency to go a little overboard. 

She sighs, giving him a scornful look, while I send him an amused one. 

“Mom, I already know it.” I tell her, taking her han and trying for a smile. “I have to be perfect, not set a finger wrong, smile and be polite.” 

“No!” Mom says, her eyes getting darker, which means Dawn is on the forefront of her mind. 

“No?” Both Alec and I ask, confusion in both our voices. 

“Darling. Athena. You are my most perfect little girl, my eldest daughter. I love you fucking much! As I do with all my children. You have an unbearable burden ahead of you, not made easier by those fucktards in that High Council, and both your father and I are so proud of how you have handled yourself up until now.” She takes a deep breath, locking her eyes with me. “But! I do not want you to think you have to be perfect all the time to be good at being an Alpha or a Queen. You make mistakes, my sweet, and you fail. We all do! What we do with those failures and mistakes is what makes us good or bad leaders. We can learn from them or we can blame the world.” 

“I will never blame the world for my mistakes.” I tell her, crossing my arms in disdain. 

Mom chuckles, shaking her head. She looks at Alec, her eyes a little sad, but he shakes his head. 

“Athena is the eldest, and she is going to be an amazing Alpha. We’re going to have badass all female leadership in this pack, and I’m proud as hell to support them!” He says fiercely, but I know she is thinking what I am. 

I’ve been going over the thought of giving him our pack, but dad has talked me into at least waiting until we’re 20 until I do anything, because it gives him time to meet his mate, and to mature a little. Alec is great, but he is also very typical of a hothead and very stubborn, whereas I’m more diplomatic.

“Well, what I wanted to tell you is this; you keep your head high, your eyes forward and do not let anyone bother you. You are better, you are more, Athena. And never lose your sarcastic bite, or your sharp tongue, just use it wisely.” 

“Are you condoning me being sarcastic to those old fashioned bastards?” I ask her in disbelief, and she smiles.

“You heard me, and I will be damned if they are not bested by my child. You are so much more than they can ever strive for.”

Dad mindlinks us, breakfast is ready, and she and Alec leave me to get changed for the day. I chose a beautiful blouse, tight black pants and high heels. My hair I braid back in a french braid, and I place the tiara my brothers got me in my hair, fastening it with boddypins. I then noticed it matched the jewelry I got from mom and dad, which made me smile, and put that on as well.

In the dining room my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins are assembled to congratulate and celebrate before the pack gets the chance. I’m so happy they are here, and we talk over the food, laughing and reminiscing about childhood memories and funny things we have done through the years. No one mentions the one person who is not here, and it makes me sad that he could not spare even his morning to be here, although my aunt Tabatha is here. She’s been here more and more since Caspian turned 18 a month ago, and she says she has decided to stay within the pack from now on, as he has no desire to have her at court. 

Alessa grumbles at that. She can’t understand what is going through his head since he would do this to his mother and his mate of all people. She seems as family oriented as I am. 

‘I can fathom the reason behind him not wanting his mother at court. I would never not want our parents or siblings at our side.’ Her words make me happy and warm inside. 

After breakfast a letter arrives from the High Council who demands my presence at the next meeting, now that I am of age. Along with the letter are three representatives of the High Council, who say they are here to stay for the day and observe me in my home environment. We greet them in the ground floor audience chamber, which mom and dad had installed after they found out I would also be a Queen. 

“We need to make sure you are fit to rule, as we have been kept in the dark so far as to your upbringing and your origin.” One of the women says, her aura screaming entitled wolf bitch. 

“If you want to know of my upbringing or my origin, Councilwoman Kendra, you could have just inquired or come to visit. You made yourself known when Caspian and I were 15, I am not turning 18, why this particular day?” 

Her fake smile turns into a scowl, but it’s another female, this one screaming vampire, who answers. 

“We have been under the impression that you were not receiving visitors from the High Council, Athena.” 

“The correct title would be accenting Alpha, or future Queen, not just my name. We are not family, nor are we friends, Councilwoman Miriram.” I answer, now crossing my arms. “And your ‘were under the impression’, by who? Did you ever ask, or did you just wait until today, hoping I was cracking under the future responsibilities? Sorry to disappoint, I guess.” I answer, raising an eyebrow. 

The woman frowns, her pale face even paler than before, her semi red red burning with hatred. This is a woman who wants me dead for sure, and mostly because she wants to get to Cas, and I’m in the way. The fucking great. 

“Future Majesty, if I may?” The only male asks, his voice actually pleasant. I nod for him to continue. “You may also know my name, but I am Councilman Tiroc, and we mean no harm. If we may stay here and witness your ascension and crowning, we can lock it into our archives.” 

“If that is the reason for your visit Councilman, then by all means stay. My pack has no qualms with the High Council, neither has my people. But I do not take lightly to accusations against my parents or myself, and I will not accept them.” I say, laying it all out plain as day. 

“Of course we accept that, and it can just be me. I’m a neutral spectator, not a wolf and not a vampire.” 

“Tiroc, out of the..” 

“Come off your high horse, Kendra. I know you have a vendetta against this young woman, although I cannot fathom why. But you and Miriam have been over the line, and I will report it.” 

“I am the Head Councilwoman..” 

“That does not mean there is no one of higher rank than you. And you are only Head Councilwoman because it was the Wolf Council’s turn to have the Head position. I will report this breach of protocol, and you two will leave immediately. There was a reason Xevi was voted to not be here. If you want I can call upon Vulric - he’s a demon and neutral as I.”  

I follow the quick exchange between the three High Council members with interest, and it’s with satisfaction the two women concede to have the demon Councilman called upon as a second witness, and they leave immediately after he arrives in a puff of dark grey smoke. 

This day is getting more interesting as time goes by, I just wish Caspian was here to see it.