Queen Athena

01. Untameable Spirit

Chapter One - Untameable Spirit

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Athena Grace Hound 

BloodHound Pack

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I anxiously took a step outside, I looked around, catching any movement that may look like a guard that is secretly hiding from me.

They could be anywhere, by now I learned that the hard way.

"Athena, just go. Dad already gave you permission, and he did promise that he will let you go out unguarded today right?" I heard the voice of my brother behind me. I turned to him clicking my tongue.

"You had it easy big bro, you don't have mother and dad constantly behind your back" I crossed my arms, the smell of dew behind me calling my name already. He then threw me a medium sized messenger bag at me, I barely catched it, slinging it across my body so when I shift I wouldn't have to carry it in my mouth

"Well now you have your freedom, so go and enjoy it" ruffling my hair as he said that. "Just don't go off to the back border lines okay, We don't want to rescue you from a neighboring pack now would we?" I punched his shoulder which he responded with a whisper of how I punch like girl.

I preceded to ignore him and walked out, closing the door at his face, serves him right for thinking like that. Of course I punch like a girl, if he hadn't noticed, I am a girl.

I inhaled deeply, basking in the smell of pine and wood. I shifted just then, not caring if I ruined the clothes that I was wearing, but the sling of the bag was left unscathed, now hanging from my back.

My human form turned into my white wolf. My wolf yipping excitedly in my mind as she was let out.

My fur was the sign of class, as my mother lectured me. Only a few wolves have white fur like mine. It was a symbol of class and elegance, also means your a daughter of an Alpha, or some cases Beta's

Alpha males have dark fur, either black or dark brown, but the Alpha females have lighter fur, white or blonde. It depends on your bloodline.

I cautiously walked on my four legs, my paws hitting the dirt ground, leaving a paw mark behind. The wind picking up my scent and drifting it behind me as I strolled.

I walked slowly, rejoicing in the freedom that I waited for, ever since I was four. My father promised that once I turned eighteen I could roam the pack freely, without any guard, he allowed me to go outside earlier than expected, in which I was greatful for.

Tomorrow was my 18th birthday, the day my father was hoping to never come. The day that we were suppose to feel who our mates was.

My Mother though was enthusiastic, apparently she started planning my 18th birthday ever since I was born.

I jumped over a log that found its way into the middle of the path. The woods only a few feet away, I yipped again and walked faster.

Stopping just before I could enter, I looked around once more.Even if he promised, I do not believe that my father would be so willing to let me out unguarded.

He was that protective of me. He only allows me to go out when I need to shift, werewolves have to shift at least once a week, but still I wasn't allowed to enter the woods.

And even by then I had to have someone watching over me, its either him or Liam standing guard.

I let out a wolfish smile and ran straight into the trail, I picked up my pace, taking in everything that I couldn't see when I was a child.

The trees seem to be so tall, towering over my wolf's form. It's leaves covering the afternoon sun creating shade. This trail leads to the center of the pack, a small town that is surrounded by various shops and houses.

The trail was a bit worn out from years of use, my father once did tell me a story, when he was a boy he would always train here, he said that the trees provide excellent obstacles to build for his agility and speed, he was a fast runner.

But that doesn't mean that he don't hit a few trees with his face sometimes. He did said that he hit one so hard that the trunk had a small dent on its side. Of course at that time the only thing that I thought about was that, he was allowed to be in the woods while I wasn't. But seeing as how his face lit up at the memory I couln't tell him that.

I looked left and right, hoping to find that particular tree, but the forest was so dense that the trail was your only option for you to get past.

I started to run faster, it was mid morning by the time I finally reached the town.

Memories flashed through my head, there were a only few times that I've been to this town. Mother would sometimes bring me here when I was a kid to shop for dresses and clothes.

Pack members and some humans roamed around, shopping and having a great time with their friends and families. I shifted back into my human form, my bones clicked back to place, the annoying snapping ticked me off just a bit.

Shifting to your wolf is easy, but changing back was a bit painful, especially when you were only allowed to shift once every week.

I thanked my brother internally, searching thru the bag that he gave me, I found a large black shirt that could pass off as a dress, some underwear thankfully and a pair of flats.

I quickly got dressed behind a tree, hoping that no one could see me. I then found a pair of sunglasses in the bag and worn them, letting my hair cover the Alpha mark on my shoulder.

I deliberated internally if I should continue on, but encouraged myself to not be afraid, they are my pack "Athena you are here to meet the pack, and possibly enjoy some donuts, but mostly enjoy your freedom."

Walking out from the confines out the woods I approached the busy town.

Werewolves weren't allowed to be in their wolf form when in the town. Humans have access to the center of the pack, so seeing a bunch of Wolves running around would definitely scare them.

I nervously held the bag near me, this was a new experience for me, being around the pack without any guards, it even made me a bit scared, not having guards constantly watching for my safety was unsettling for me. Now I have to watch for my own butt.

Looking around, I spotted a few clothing shops and various stores. The center of the town was the main road, cars constantly pass by, some stopping and some parking in the back alleys.

People walk past me, I was relieved that no one acknowledged me. I grew up secluded from everyone, with both my parents worried for my well being, every staff of the house was sworn to secrecy.

The pack knows that the Alpha family have two children, a son and a daughter. My brother was always in the public eye, he was the next in line for the Alpha position, making it mandatory that he mingles with the people, seeking for their support and approval.

I however was hidden from them, they only get to see me when the pack has it annual celebrations, and I was always seated in front of everyone, wearing a veil like cloth that matches the dress I was wearing, concealing my eyes from onlookers.

Walking about and blending to the crown, I searched for a particular shop, I then found the giant muffin that I was looking for just across the street.

The smell of newly baked cookies greeted me when I opened the bakery door, being a wolf with heightened senses made it even more aluring. The man behind the counter was in his early sixties, he was a close family friend, and he was one of the people who knows about my eyes.

His face lit up once he noticed who I was, he beckoned for me to come closer which I eagerly did. I eyed the various desserts that lined the glass freezer of his counter.

"Athena our lovely Angel, isn't it nice to see you" he greeted me with a big smile, navigating his way out of his counter to give me a hug.

He was once a cook for our house when I was a child, and served delicious baked treats for me and my brother. He had always planned to have a bakery one day, and e did get his wishes.

"It is Uncle John, Dad finally let me out without any guards, so here I am. But I'm not returning home until I get to eat one of your delicious paistries" returning his hug. He then grabbed a seat for me and pushed me to a table.

"Well you came in just in time. I have a few desserts that I plan on adding to my menu. And who could be better to taste test them other than our little Angel" I cringed at the nickname that my father seem to pass into him.

He gave me a tray filled with his creations, it varied from cupcakes, to creme filled doughnuts. I didn't want to stay here the whole day though I still have a lot to see and explore.

I bid him goodbye and a lot of thanks once I finished and helped him around the store. He did let me takeout a few paistries to take home.

I continued to stroll deeper into the town, the parts where ony a few people seem to wander in. A lot of closed stores greeted me when I looked around, and some where suburban houses that a few pack members live in.

I saw from a distance a sign that caught my eye. It was an old bell that seem to draw attention to itself,. As if on a trance I went to it. From the outside it looks like a small wooden cabin, the first floor turned into a shop.

Looking thru the window I noticed that the shop was selling homemade goods, some unique trinkets here and there. I was intrugued.

Opening the door one thought came into mind, the atmosphere inside was different, It calmed me to a point that I didn't seem to worry about my well being. Like the shop had a protective barrier from the outside world.

A glass case was situated at the center of the store, a velvet case inside of it. Looking closer there was two pendants placed inside, hanging on the neck of a jewelry mannequin.

Placing my hand against the glass, I removed my sunglasses and placed them on the top of my head. It seems like it was calling my name, drawing my full attention to it.

One of the pendant was a crescent moon made of silver. and hanging from it was a lavender stone. I didn't know what it was though, maybe a birth stone or a piece of diamond.

//AN: I made a sketch of Athena's Pendant and its posted on my insta❤.  @BellewithaJ

The one next to it was a small pocket watch, like the moon pendant the watch was filled with such intriquite details and made of silver. It was ticking, such a small thing was a working watch, but it was going in the wrong direction though, a clockwise rotation.

"I was expecting you my child" A voice startled me. Turning around I was faced with an elderly lady, she was probably in her eighties or younger. A smile directed my way, I looked at her cautiously

"Who are you?" I asked silently, watching her every movement. She laughs at my uncertainty of her and moves about the shop. " I am the keeper of this establishment my dear Athena" I stiffened in place when she said my name.

"How did you know my name" with shaking hands I gripped the bag closer to me. She gave me a assuring gaze " Do not fear me Athena, I will never harm you" she said calmy.

"Why should I trust you?" I asked, a frown on my lips. Something was unfamiliar with her, I cannot whiff a scent of a wolf from her, and she doesn't smell like a human. She was different.

"Because I'm one of the Elders of the pack" She said confidently, I lifted my guard up just a fraction. Then she must know my secret.

She then went to the stand that contained the pendants. "So it seems like they already found you" She opens the side door of the case, I studied her warily. She grabbed the necklace that held the two pendants and shown them to me.

"What do you mean by that?"

She smiles again and beckons for me to hold the necklace. "You see my child, I made this just for you" she says and placing the necklace on my palm. I eyed it, the cool metal against my skin. "It was suppose to be a gift for your eighteenth birthday but it seems to call out to you" she adds.

I stood there confused, the trinkets in the shop then started to lift up by themselves, I watched it all unfold with my own eyes. The door locked itself and the old lady hummed to herself like nothing was happening.

"What is going on?" I asked wide eyes, the lady then bows "I'm Clio Sephiran dear, I'm a close friend of your father." she explains, the floating objects seem to rearrange themselves and the glass case that was once in front of me, moved to the very back of the shop.

"What are you exactly?" asking her puzzled. she smiles. "I'm a witch darling, a white witch to be exact" and grabs a few bottles in one of her many shelves. "A witch? in a pack of wolves?"

"Yes dear, I am an elder witch of the Blood Hound pack" she says with pride. Shock marred my face upon hearing her. We had a witch in our pack.

I then looked at the necklace that I was still holding, the wieight of both metals against the palm of my hand. I continued to watch her, there was a podium of some kind, a small bowl on top of it. She was pouring the contents of the bottle into the bowl.

"I simply can't accept this gift Clio, this is too precious I might loose it" I said, thrusting my hand in her direction, planning on giving it back. "No Athena, it is my gift" she sayd, making her way closer to me. She then takes the necklace and beckons for me to turn around.

"This is made for you darling, they are yours" she then helps me put the necklace on me and clasps it close. Turning around to face her. "I don't understand Clio, why would we have a witch? aren't wolves and witches enemies." she grins and takes both my hand in hers.

"We aren't Athena, it was just a silly story for children." she laughs. "You see Athena, I have been here long before you father has, I seeked refuge here when your grandfather was the Alpha, he took me in and I helped the pack" she tells me I nod in understanding.

"You remind me so much of him you know" she tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear, caressing my cheek. "That adventurious spirit of yours, you got it from him" she smiles.

"I watched you grow up my dear Athena, although I don't exactly approve of your father's decision to hide you from everything, I do understand where he is coming from. You are a special girl with special abilities Athena, and one day I know that whatever your heart desires, you will make it come true" she says, it was like she lifted the unknown weight on my shoulders. the more I spend time with here the more I grew trust in her.

"Just always remember this" the smile on her face gone, she was looking directly at my eyes. "Be careful of who you trust, never loose this necklace, always wear it especially if you are alone. The world is a dangerous place Athena, and some people will take advantage of your venerability. Show them weakness and you will crumble beneath them. This gift could only do so much to help you my dear." she warns me, stating it sternly. I nod and smiled at her. "I promise Clio, I will be careful"

She pulled way from me, and I looked at the two pendants that were hanging on my collarbone, this necklace was so much more than just a gift. It warms my heart knowing that someone like her cares for my well being, even if I just met her today, it felt like I've known her since I was a child.

I looked up and gasped in surprise, intending to thank her for her gift but it seems that I couldn't.

I was now outside, looking directly at a abandoned building. It was like the shop wasn't there in the first place. I stood there once again stunned, she did know how to make my heart leap out of my chest.

I looked around in disbelief, was I daydreaming? She left me with so much unanswered questions, for a minute there I didn't believe that what happened was real

But feeling the cool metal of the necklace told me otherwise.