On with the day

Athena P.O.V.

Present day 

Outside the sun is shining, and mom walks up to Alec and I just as Cas makes his way over with his entourage as well. I only cross my arms, and pointedly ignore Cas, trying not to give anything away. Ellesa whines, but quickly lays down with a pout, knowing he’ll meet us tonight in our usual place. We always meet at least three times a week during the night, his second in command, Drake, helping him get away from the Coven without anyone knowing. For his loyalty I have taken in Drake’s mate Vida, who has become a close friend of me and the girls. Vida is funny, quirky and quick as a viper when it comes to comebacks and defending those who need it.

“Alpha Queen, a word in private if you will excuse the intrusion?” Cas asks, his eyes moving to the side with meaning. 

“If you really insist.” I answer, turning my voice bored and annoyed. 

Alec makes to move with me, but I touch his arm discreetly and ask Vida to please escort me to the side, as it would not be appropriate for me to be alone with the King of vampires. Caspian turns with a sour face, scowling like a petulant child, but I can feel his satisfaction through our bond. 

“You think I have impure thoughts, Alpha Queen?” He asks dryly. 

I roll my eyes, Vida offering her arm with a giggle. 

“I would actually think anything of someone who rejects their fated mate just because he feels like it fits better to his new ego status.” I reply just as dry, sending love down the bond and shushing Ellesa who doesn’t like it when I insult Caspian so openly. 

“Funny.” Cas mumbles, shaking his head and demanding Drake to come with him as well. “If the Alpha Queen needs an escort, then so do I.” He states, nose in the air. 

I guess he also noticed the High Council members who have filed out, especially our two least favourite bitches, and how they slowed significantly down when they saw us talking. 

Caspian moves us into a shaded corner, and mindlinks me to make sure no one can eavesdrop on our conversation. I raise an eyebrow at him, but he only raises his back at me. I then make sure to secure our corner, but in a way where if and when someone tries to eavesdrop, because lets be honest, they are going to try, they will hear trivial shit and mild insults. 

“We’re good. What’s going on?” I ask, my entire body itching to move into his powerful arms, and just disappear from the world. 

“First of all; smart move to accent Alec to Alpha of Silver Dawn, I would have suggested it tonight if you hadn’t done it today.” Cas says, giving me a small smile, this one actually reaching his eyes. 

For the first time since our last nightly meeting, I finally see the real Caspian. My mate, and the man I know he is under all the prompt and ego talk. The one he won’t let the world see for the life of him, because it’ll eat him alive in that hellhole he calls home nowadays.

“Second, my uncle is pushing for me to take a vampire bride and make her my Queen, or make him the King and I can move back to the pack and try to mend things with you.” He crosses his arms, his nostrils flaring in annoyance. 

“Your uncle is an idiot.” I answer, rolling my eyes.

“No, my uncle is angry I came back and took the throne he finally got after my father died. He has gotten the Coven back to the old way of thinking, and me and Drake are working on turning them again. He doesn’t like that, neither does the oldest generation. It’s tedious work, and it’s slow, but we’re doing it and we’ve gotten some way already.” 

“You've been living there for five years, Cas..” 

“And my uncle was already undermining my father before he even mated with my mother and had me. He was positioning himself to usurp the throne when my father died in the war Thena.” 

“How do you know?” 

“I know.” Drake says quietly, he eyes sad. 

“Alright, so how do you know?” I ask him. 

He explains that his parents stayed back when the war happened, but they also stayed loyal to the late King. They just kept it quiet, so when Caspian came back, they moved Drake into a position where Cas might choose him for a position close to him, and he did. Cas said he felt Drake’s honesty, and he was the only who outright said he didn’t believe in the purist nonsense and would help Cas and I, and he also straight up told Cas about Vida. 

“What are you going to do about the bride thing?” I ask my mate and he cringe. 

“I’m procrastinating as long as I can, but at some point might have to pretend to look. But that was actually not what I wanted to tell you.” 

“Then what was?” 

“The High Council is looking for a way to exclude you from it and the Wolf Council, and they are working to get you removed as Alpha and Queen. Or Kendra and Miriam are, and you need to know.” 

I thank him for his concern, tell him about my fathers, aunt Ruby and uncle Xander’s promotions, and tell him they’ll have a hard time doing what they want done with them on the Wolf Council. After that I tell him who is the next Witch representative on the High Council and his mouth literally drops open. 

“She is joining the next session, and she’ll be voting on the between species ban. She is not going to vote ‘ay’, neither is Xevi. Tiroc can be persuaded to vote in our favor, and so can Vulric I think.” 

“Xevi hates my guts.” Caspian pouts. 

“Xevi is very protective of his Queen, your pouting Highness. And now I better get going. See you tonight my love.” 

Back at the group I ask Alec if he wants me to go with him to Silver Dawn, and he looks like I just threw him the last lifeline on the sinking ship. Vida also asks if she should come, and we agree it would be a good idea, as Tilly is keeping things together at home anyways. 

“I’m also coming, and Rose and Xander are meeting us there.” Mom says, linking her arm with me. 

I look at dad, but he shakes his head. He’ll head home and help with the pack, so I mindlink him if he will find Xevi back home and talk to him, as well as aunt Talia. Maybe those two can talk Tiroc and Vulric into seeing reason.

When we arrive at Silver Dawn, Rose and Xander are waiting for us on the porch of the packhouse with Tara, who has grown into a powerful and gorgeous woman. She is hiding at Rose's side, peaking at a young man, who is being held back by Xander, and I teleport out of the car before it’s parked and land in front of Rose and Tara. 

“What the fuck is going on?” I ask, glaring at the man, who solely has his eyes on Tara, when he can see her. 

“These two won’t let me near her, and she ran when I came to her as if she doesn’t recognize our matebond.” The young man says, frustration all over his voice. 

Tara walks around Rose, who tries to grab her arm, but I interfere and shake my head. He opens her mouth to protest, but I again shake my head, and put my finger to my lip. Right then Alec comes to the scene and watches as Tara, as in a trance walks to the man, and Alec orders uncle Xander to let the man go. 

He does so, reluctantly, and the man reaches a hand out to Tara, who doesn’t seem to see it. She just walks straight up to him, locks her eyes on his and then a second later she leans up on her toes and kisses him. 

Rose and Xander splutter in protest, I’m doubling over in laughter and Alec seems so confused. Maybe Tara wasn’t the one to hide, maybe she was held back? Damn. 

“May I kindly ask what the actual fuck is going on, and why is Tara kissing one of the future Beta prospects?” Ruby asks, laughter in her voice.

“I’d like to know that myself as well, actually.” Alec says, amusement in every word. 

His voice finally breaks the couple apart, and the man looks at him with wide eyes, bows his head and mumbles something or other. Tara just rolls her eyes, and wraps her arms around her mate, not bothered even a little bit.