The birthday excetion

Caspian P.O.V.

2 years earlier

“And there is this document, your Majesty.” Drake says, handing me another piece of paper. 

I read it through from one end to another, although they keep telling me it’s not necessary. I want to know what I’m signing, and I have my moms voice in the back of my head “never sigh anything you are unsure about.” 

This document seems to be plain enough, but I notice something fishy in the way some words are spelled out, and the vague way it’s put into writing. I read it over again, trying to read between the lines and it suddenly dawns on me - this is a document saying we are forever basic enemies with the Gold Moon wolf pack, and their Alpha Queen is persona non grata. 

“I’m not signing this, and I want you to bring the people who drafted it and the people who wanted it in writing.” Dake looks at me weirdly, but I just lift an eyebrow. “Now!” I say, and he jumps. 

He leaves the office, and I put the document down, my phone ringing in my pocket. I take it out, seeing my mother’s name on the screen. I sigh. She probably thinks I forgot what day today is, but how could I when my blood hums to go to her and claim her as mine? 

“Mother.” 

“Do not Mother me, Caspian Sunborn Wild! You promised to be here, where the fuck are you?” 

“Held up by duties right now, but I have not forgotten, and I will be there. I promise, and I’m sorry I haven’t been there from the beginning.” 

“You better be as one of your vamp fangirls already have been here to try and ruin her day. I’m telling you right now, Caspian, you get that Councilbitch in line, or I will.” 

For fuck sake, why did Miriam go to Gold Moon today of all days? I roll my eyes at her idiotic actions, but I do not miss my mothers murderous tone. 

“I’ll handle her, don’t worry.” 

“I’m not worried. She’s going to be handled, because even Athena can see her agenda, and she is about to have had it with her as well.” She takes a deep breath and continues in a softer tone as the door opens. “Please get here, Cas, she needs you today.” 

“I will, I want to be there.” I tell her, ending the call. 

Drake raises an eyebrow at me, and I raise one right back at him. He has become a close friend and a secret ally for me and Athena ever since he found out about our matebond and the High Council’s crazy vendetta. It also helps that his own mate is a witch, and he doesn’t want to lose her. They have not come out in public, as his father, who is best friends with my uncle Henri, will surely die of shame. 

Those two are the worst purists I have ever met, and I thought that bullshit only existed in the wolfpacks. I was surely mistaken, 

“Majesty, Councilwoman Miriam and your uncle, the young man is a court scribe.

”You three are behind this piece of paper?” I ask, holding it up, blocking so they can’t see if I signed it or not. 

“Yes, is something the matter, nephew?” My uncle asks, his voice too sweet. 

“No, I just wanted to make sure who made this, and who wrote it down. Thank you.” 

I nod for them to leave, but Miriam stays behind, her eyes raking over me in greed. It sends chills down my spine. In the beginning I kind of liked her attention, but now it’s just stalkerish and creepy. And rude to Athena. 

“Yes, Miriam?” 

“I wanted to let you know that I tried to be there for the future Alpha Queen, but sadly her hatred for vampires has just grown too big, and she threw me out of her pack.” 

“Why would you go in the first place?” I ask, narrowing my eyes. 

She looks confused, her eyes flinching before she swallows. Her mouth opens a couple of times before actual words come out. 

“Well, because you can’t, Caspian. Not with how hateful and deceitful she is, but I wanted to offer her something, and a piece of you if you will. When we make it official, then she’ll have to get used to me anyway.” She gives me a seductive smile, her eyes raking whatever she can see of my body again. 

“Excuse you?” 

“Of course. This must not be known, I understand. Just know that I can wait. And now I’ll leave you to work. By the way, just so you know, next meeting she is going to be there, and you are rejecting each other. You’ll finally be free, darling.” 

She leaves the room in a hurry, and you can hear a pin drop. That bitch is fucking delusional.

Drake laughs, shaking his head and handing me the presents I bought for Athena. I have no words, but I need to warn her. Not today though, but tomorrow. I may have a chance to warm aunt Allie or uncle Blake.

Drake and I shimmer to Gold Moon, landing in my parents room in the packhouse. The sun is about to set outside, and I know I’m going to hear so much shit for how late I am. But I’m here now, and that is all that matters. 

I quickly venture outside, Drake at my side, with the presents under my arm. We enter the garden, and we hurry up to the front row seats where my parents and aunts and uncles are all gathered. My cousins hurry over when they see me coming, and most of them are really happy to see me, especially my younger siblings. 

“It’s really good to see you Cas, but you are late.” Aunt Allie says, her eyes narrow. 

I rub my neck, blushing a little. 

“I know auntie, I’m so sorry. I had to handle some things in the Coven, and then Councilwoman Miriam informed me that the High Council expects Athena and I to reject each other at the next meeting where she is attending.” 

Gasps sound all around me, but aunt Allie quickly shut it down, thanking me for the information and then directing the attention back to Athena’s evening. 

The music starts, aunt Allie and uncle Blake walk up onto the stage with the Beta’s and Gamma’s, waiting for the new generation to come down and join them. Tilly, Christy and Olivia are not of age yet, but they are initiated tonight anyway, and their parents will govern their process for the next two years until they turn 18. 

Then Athena walks out and towards the stage, arm in arm with her brother. She is a vision in a silver dress, her jewelry dark rose gold with purple and gold diamonds. Her hair is in a half updo with a braid and a tiara. She’s barefoot, and so ethereal beautiful she reminds me of a Goddess. 

Athena locks eyes with me, and they turn bronze for a second, showing her wolf is close to the surface. Wow! Something in that statement just draws me close to her, and the urge to stand and claim her in front of everyone is overwhelming, but I stay seated.

She is initiated on stage as Alpha of the Gold Moon pack, and afterwards crowned as Queen of the dark faes. People are whistling, howling and hollering, clapping and cheering. Athena turns to face us, her aura so extremely powerful it momentarily overwhelms my own, which is just a fucking turn on. She raises her face, and her arms, embracing the moonlight. Then her dress rips and she seamlessly shifts into a wolf, a big and gorgeous Alpha wolf. 

She has silver fur with streaks of black and caramel through it, and her eyes are melted bronze. She lifts her massive head and howls to the moon, which in turn creates something unforeseen and magical; the three young women behind her, then ranked females not yet of age, suddenly jolt and then they shift. As if Athena’s wolf called them forward with her. 

After all the commotion on stage, and everyone has shifted back, I sneak into the audience chamber in the packhouse to wait for her. I know, she knows, I’m here, and it doesn’t take long before the door opens and she walks in, in a new dress, this one deep red. 

“You’re late.” She says, her voice hoarse. 

“I know, and I’m so sorry.” I tell her honestly. 

“Are they really going to force us to reject each other?” She asks, and I immediately cross the room and bring her into my arms and kiss her hair. 

“They are going to try, but we are not going to let them. I will not lose you, Thena.” 

“But, you have been so distant, so.. I thought you hated me now.” Her sobs are quiet, but they make my heart break no matter what. 

“Angle, I have never hated you. I tried to create distance to keep them satisfied that we are not close, but clearly it didn’t work. It's been hell.”

She looks up, unshed tears in her eyes, and I do what I have been longing to do ever since I saw her walk towards the stage, I claim her lips with mine. She tastes a little salty because of her tears, but exactly like my Athena otherwise - sweet and delicious.

“I can’t lose you either, Cas.” She whispers when we break the kiss, and I peck her forehead. 

“We will find a way, and until then we will fake it in public although we are going to say and do hurtful things.” 

She nods, sighing. 

“Wait, how did you know?”

“Brennan can’t keep a secret to save his life.” 

I shake my head, leading her to the couch in the corner, and sitting us down. We need this time, need this talk and cuddle. These years ahead are going to be hard, but we need to fight for our right to be together. Athena has been my mate as long as I can remember back, and I am not losing her just because someone got their priorities wrong.