As we walk through the side door and into the main hall, Jess and Jason walk in front of Cassia, while Tony and I walk behind her. Cassia begins greeting and mingling with people while the four of us keep an eye on her. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Harry talking to an older man, and when he notices me, he leads the man over to us.
“Delta Athena, I’d like to introduce you to Felix Denning from the Shadow Rock pack,” Harry says.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Delta,” Felix extends his hand for me to shake.
“You too, Felix,” I say as I shake his hand.
‘*Where’s Damon*?’ Harry asks over the mind-link, and after a moment, Leah responds.
‘*He’s drinking at the bar with Alpha Costas*,’ she says.
“It’s safe to talk, Felix,” Harry tells him.
“I’m sorry, Delta,” he says. “But as I told Harry, I wasn’t able to find out what Alpha Costas and Alpha Damon are up to. But I can tell you it isn’t good, whatever it is.”
“Why do you think that?” I ask him.
“Alpha Costas has been leaving the territory at odd hours, and cars that aren’t pack vehicles have been coming in and out of the territory,” he explains. “But no one knows who they are or what they’re doing on the territory.”
“Is there any way for you to find out where they’re going in the territory?” Harry asks him.
“I can try,” Felix says, his smile crooked. “I should leave before he notices us talking. But, once again, Delta, it was a pleasure to meet you,” he says as he walks away.
“Would you please honor me with this dance, Luna?” One of the younger Alphas approaches her and asks. She smiles and nods, and Jess and Jason follow her onto the dancefloor.
“Would you like to dance, Athena?” Tony asks.
“Oh, uh, sure,” I say awkwardly and take the hand he’s holding out for me. He leads me onto the dancefloor, next to Cassia, and spins me around before pulling me against him, his hand on the small of my back. His hand feels warm through the thin fabric of my dress, and I try to focus on Cassia and her conversation as Tony sways with me slowly to the music, and I realize I’m nervous.
“Do you believe in chosen mates, Athena?” Tony asks after dancing for a few minutes.
“I’m not sure. I haven’t given it much thought. Why do you ask?”
“I was just thinking about what I’d do if I couldn’t find my mate.”
“There are a lot of unmated females here tonight. That’s the one perk of Damon’s vanity and inviting so many packs. Why don’t you ask Harry to step in for you so that you can mingle for a bit?”
“What if she’s not here?” He asks sadly. “I don’t know if I could take the disappointment.”
“You can’t think like that, Tony. What if she is here, and she’s waiting for you to find her?”
He looks down at me and smiles. “But what if I already have someone I think I’m falling for?”
“Tony, you don’t want to miss out on your fated mate. Unfortunately, I only had a short time with my mate, but the things that I felt when I was with him are things everyone deserves to feel and something I will never forget,” I say with a sad smile.
Tony is about to say something when he is interrupted. “Athena!” I hear a familiar voice call out and turn to see who it is, and even behind his mask, I can tell it’s Nick heading towards us.
“Hey, Nick!” I say as he pulls me into a hug. “How are you?”
“Oh, I’m great! I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to talk yet. My dear cousins have had me running errands like an errand boy,” he says as he smiles lovingly at Jess and Cassia, and they come over to hug him.
“Nick! Are you enjoying yourself?” Cassia asks.
“I’m having a great time,” he says, placing his hand on her cheek. “You’ve done a wonderful job with the ball, Cass. Everything looks stunning.”
“Thank you, Nick,” she says with a big smile.
“I was wondering if you had a moment to talk now, Athena?” He asks, turning his attention back to me.
Shit
“Ah, yeah, sure. Harry, will you take over for me?” I call out to Harry, standing at the edge of the dancefloor.
“Of course, Delta.” Harry gives Nick a friendly smile and walks over to Cassia. “Would you like to get some food, Luna?” He asks her as they walk away.
‘Be careful, Athena,’ Tony mind-links and squeezes my hand before letting go.
‘Always.’ I turn back and smile at him.
Nick guides me through the crowd and out of the hall into the cool air. It’s just getting dark, and the white fairy lights strung around the various canopies twinkle, casting a romantic glow over the area.
“Would you care for a drink?” He asks and leads me to one of the outdoor bars that have been set up.
“Sure,” I say, smiling.
“Two champagnes, please,” Nick says to the pack member manning the bar.
“Of course, Sir.”
“I have to say, Athena, you look absolutely stunning,” he says, smiling.
My cheeks flush, and I fight the urge to cover myself. “You scrub up pretty well yourself,” I compliment him back.
Nick chuckles as he takes the glasses of champagne from the bar and hands me one. “Cheers, Athena,” he says and clinks our glasses.
“Cheers,” I say and take a sip.
“So, what did you need to discuss with me, Athena? I thought it was important with how our conversation went, but I’ve barely seen you since I arrived.”
I take a larger sip of the champagne. “I’m sorry about that, Nick. Luna Cassia has been making everyone work like crazy with the final preparations for tonight,” I lie.
“It’s fine. I know how Cass gets,” he smiles, but it doesn’t seem sincere and sends a little shiver down my spine. He must have noticed because he asks, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s just a little chilly,” I lie again, and he nods and motions me to one of the outdoor heaters. “Thanks” I smile and pretend to warm my hands from the heater.
“So? What was it you wanted to discuss?” He asks.
‘*Why the fuck didn’t we come up with something to tell him*?’ I internally growl to Enyo.
‘*Don’t ask me. We’ve been so focused on Cassia and fuckhead Damon that I didn’t think of it*.’
“Athena?”
“Hmmm?”
“Is there a reason you don’t want to tell me now?” He asks.
“I, uh, well,” I stutter as I start to feel dizzy.
“Does it have to do with Doctor Shields?” He asks.
I stiffen and Enyo’s hackles instantly raise. “What does Doctor Shields have to do with anything?” I ask, trying to hold back my panic.
“You kidnapped him, right?”
My face pales, and I look around, but Nick and I are alone, as most guests are still inside or still arriving. Even the guy that was behind the bar has disappeared. “How did you know that?” I hold my head as I start to feel dizzier.
“Don’t worry, Athena. I thought it was brilliant,” he smirks. “But you had to have had help to get him out of the Moonstone territory. I never saw you leave. So, tell me, did you end up finding your mate?”
‘*Athena, something is wrong. We need to get away from him*,’ Enyo growls, but she sounds weak.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say as I try to stand, but my legs give way and I fall, but Nick catches me and throws me over his shoulder.
‘*Tony*,’ I try to mind-link, and that’s the last thing I remember before everything goes black.
#
“We need to find out what she knows.”
“I don’t give a fuck what she knows. This bitch keeps challenging me, and I’m sick of waiting. I want her dead. This is why I wanted you to kill her at Moonstone!”
“That’s not up to you.”
“Then who is it up to? Let me talk to them,” Damon says angrily.
I open my eyes and blink a few times, groaning from a splitting headache, and try to hold my head with my hands, but I can’t move them. “What’s going on?” I ask groggily.
“Welcome back,” Nick says, crouching in front of me. “Here, drink this,” he says, offering me a glass of water.
“What the fuck did you do to me?” I growl and try to move. I look around, and I can see that I’m in Damon’s office, and I realize I’m tied to a chair.
“Don’t worry, Athena. It was just a strong sedative and muscle relaxer. You’ll be fine in an hour or so,” Nick explains, standing up and putting the water down on the coffee table. “And don’t bother yelling for help. I made sure this room is soundproof.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“I need answers, Athena. I need to know what you know.”
“About what?”
“The chosen. The prophecy.”
“What fucking prophecy?” I ask, trying to wrestle out of the ropes. ‘*Enyo? Are you there*?’
‘*I’m here. I feel like I got hit by a truck, though*,’ she whimpers.
Nick eyes me suspiciously. “Okay, if it wasn’t about the prophecy, why did you call me for my help?”
I spit at him. “I’m not telling you shit!” He takes a handkerchief out of his pocket and wipes his jacket. ‘*Tony, Uncle Alex, can anyone hear me?*’ I try to mind-link, but my head is killing me, and I don’t receive an answer.
“Do you see what I have to deal with?” Damon asks, and I finally notice him in the corner of his office, his face red with rage.