**Catherine P.O.V**
‘*I’m freezing. I should have found one of their drop spots and stolen a pair of clothes*.’
‘*Why don’t we shift*?’ Bella suggests. ‘My fur will keep us warm.’
‘*There’s not enough room here and they’ll spot us*,’ I say, watching the hospital entrance from our hiding spot nearby.
‘*I still don’t think we should do this. You saw what she did to Costas*,’ Bella whimpers.
‘*Because of Costas, she’s weak and injured. This is the perfect time to kill her.*’
‘*Well, I don’t want any part of it*,’ Bella says firmly, as she curls up in the back of my mind and blocks me out.
‘*Fine’ I huff, rolling my eyes*. ‘I’ll do it myself.’
I slowly creep out from my hiding spot and run across the road to the side of the hospital building. I try the windows as I walk along the wall, but all of them are locked. “Shit,” I quietly curse out loud. The last window is an old push out kind, and when I look through, it looks like it’s a janitor’s closet. The lock looks flimsy, so I push hard on the top of it, and after a few attempts, it finally opens with a creak.
I quietly climb through and tiptoe over to the door. cracking it open slightly, I look out into the corridor, finding it empty besides a supply trolley. I creep over to the trolley and find a pair of scrubs, quickly put them on, and then continue up the hallway. I look through the doors along the corridor, trying to find Athena, but they’re all empty.
“How’s she doing?” I hear someone ask, and I quickly slip into the closest room, out of sight.
“She’s unconscious, but we’re flushing her system with I.V fluids. The wolfsbane should be out of her system by tomorrow.”
“That’s great Doc. I’ll be by first thing to check on her. I have to tend to the visitors.”
“I’ll take good care of her, Alex.”
“I know you will, old friend.”
I finally hear them walk away, so I check the hallway again to make sure it’s clear and continue to look for Athena. I check the next room, and finally, I find her lying in a bed in the middle of the dark room.
I slip in quietly and lock the door behind me. ‘*I’ve got you know bitch,*’ I smirk to myself, as I look around the room to try and find something to use. ‘*Fuck, where’s a scalpel when you need one*?’ I think to myself as I look through the cupboards. I let out a small growl when I can’t find anything.
“I guess I’m just going to have to do this the old fashion way,” I whisper quietly and walk over to the bed. I look down at Athena, and all the rage I’ve been feeling the last few weeks overtakes me. “You fucking bitch,” I whisper. “I wish you’d never come to my pack. I’ve lost everything because of you.” I put my hands around her already bruised neck and squeeze, bending down so that I can whisper in her ear. “I wish I could have dragged this out, Athena. Even given you a matching scar on your other eye, but this will have to do,” I say as I squeeze harder.
I feel her body move slightly underneath my hands as she fights for air, and I smile. Finally, I’m getting my revenge. I feel her pulse slow under my fingertips and I almost laugh with delight, when suddenly her fly eyes open, and a blue glow fills the room as she turns her head slightly and looks at me. In a flash, her hand is around my neck, and she squeezes hard.
I let go of her throat and grab her hand. “No, please. Please don’t kill me,” I manage to gasp out as she sits up. Her eyes look murderous, and my heart pounds hard. “Enyo please. I’ll leave, you’ll never see me again,” I gasp out.
“Enyo isn’t here right now,” she says, and my eyes go wide.
“How?” I ask. How the fuck are her eyes glowing if it’s Athena in control?
“Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you, Catherine,” Athena says, and she releases her grip slightly.
“Information. I can give you information,” I tell her. “Please,” I beg.
#
**Athena P.O.V**
I stare at her for a moment, before throwing her down on the cold hard floor. She gasps as she grabs her neck, crawling away from me and cowering in the corner of the room.
‘*Tony, I need you in here please*,’ I mind-link him as I lie back down in the bed, exhaustion hitting me hard.
A moment later Tony bursts into the room, breaking the door. He looks at me and I point to Catherine. “Put her in a holding cell,” I tell him before passing out again.
#
**Hours Later**
It’s still dark out when I open my eyes, and I wince in pain as I try to stretch my sore muscles.
‘*I can’t believe that son of a bitch stabbed us*,’ Enyo says as she yawns.
‘*I should have seen it coming. Costas always had to win, no matter the cost*.’
‘*I can’t believe we’re Alpha*,’ Enyo says proudly.
‘*I’m not sure if we should be*,’ I tell her.
‘*Why not? I think we’d be good at it!*’
‘*We still don’t know who else is behind these attacks. We’re still in danger and being Alpha could put the entire pack in danger. What if we have to do what Andreas did and leave to protect them*?’
‘*Andreas didn’t have the support that we do*.’
‘*I guess. But it still puts everyone at risk*.’
‘*So, let’s make it the pack’s choice*.’
‘*What do you mean*?’ I ask.
‘*Lay everything out for them, and then let them vote on if we should be Alpha*,’ she explains.
I yawn as exhaustion hits me again. ‘*Okay. That sounds like a plan*.’
#
“Athena? Can you hear me?”
I groan and slowly open my eyes, but quickly shut them again, the bright lights instantly making the pounding in my head worse.
“She’s waking up,” I hear Doc Apollo tell someone.
“Kill the lights,” I croak, my throat dry.
I hear someone shuffle in the room, then the flick of a switch, so I open my eyes carefully, and sigh in relief when they’re off. “Water please,” I say, sitting up slowly in the bed. Tony appears at my side with a glass of water with a straw. “Thank you,” I say, taking a large drink.
“How are you feeling, Alpha?” He asks.
“I’m not Alpha yet,” I say, sitting up more. “How long was I out for?” I ask.
“Only about 9 hours. Well, you were awake briefly, but I don’t think it was for long,” Doc Apollo says.
“So, it wasn’t a dream,” I say, remembering Catherine was in my room.
“No. We have her in holding.”
“I want to speak with her.”
“She’s not going anywhere, and we have more important matters to deal with right now, Alpha.”
“Tony, I’m not Alpha. And what matters?” I ask, finishing the water.
“Well, for one, we need to discuss your position. And two,”
“I think you should address all the leaders that are here,” Uncle Alex interrupts Tony as he comes into the room.
“Why?” I ask, my eyebrow raised.
“They witnessed what happened with Damon, and your challenge. As the new Alpha of our pack, it would be a good idea to explain to them what happened with Damon, and to let them know what’s happening with the chosen lycan. They could have chosen among their pack and be in danger without even knowing it. Just like we were,” Uncle Alex explains. “We also need to make sure our peace treaties are intact. Who knows who Damon made deals with?”
“I see,” I say, thinking it over. “Let’s meet with the high-ranking members of the pack before we do anything. I never planned to become Alpha, and I’m not sure I’m going to accept the role.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Uncle Alex asks, shock clear in his tone.
“Being Alpha never crossed my mind. I knew Damon had to die, and I had to be the one to do it. But I never thought of what would happen afterwards.”
“But… You defended the pack against Costas! Entering that fight made you Alpha!” He whisper yells at me, trying to contain his anger.
“If I didn’t accept, he would have killed Cassia. But if I’m going to be Alpha, I want it to be a pack decision. Not just because I killed Damon,” I state calmly.
“That’s not how this works, Athena!” He erupts.
“It’s the only way I will accept the position,” I tell him, crossing my arms across my chest.
I can see the vein in his forehead pulsating, as he paces the room as he tries to calm himself. When he finally turns back to me, he asks, “This is what you want? A pack vote?”
“Yes. I’ve had time to think about it, and things need to change, Uncle Alex. We’re pack. We’re family. Our family should be able to choose who leads them.”
He runs his fingers through his hair and sighs. “Okay, Athena. I told you I will follow you until the end, and I meant it. I trust you to do what’s right.”
“Thank you,” I say with a small smile. “Tony, Can you organize the meeting please?”
“Wait,” Uncle Alex says. “I don’t think you should have a meeting with the high-ranking pack members.”
“Why?” I ask, confused.
“Address the pack first. Right now, everyone is under the assumption that you are Alpha. We still don’t know who can be trusted, even in our own pack. Someone could use this as an opportunity to take it from you before you can take this to the pack,” he explains.
“Like whom?” Tony asks.
“Shit, that reminds me. Nick Teresi is involved in all of this somehow. I need one of you to tell Jess and Cassia not to go near him,” I tell them.
“What? How is he involved?” Uncle Alex asks.
“Last night when he came to talk to me, he took me outside and drugged my drink. When I woke up, I was tied to a chair in Damon’s office, and he told me that Damon was working for him.”
“WHAT?!” Tony yells. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”
“I haven’t exactly had the bloody time, Tony,” I say with a huff.
“Of course. Sorry… Did he say anything else?” Tony asks.
“He wanted to know why I’d called him and what I’d learned. He also seemed really interested in how I was able to ignore Damon’s commands.”
“This is bad,” Uncle Alex says.
“I’m going to kill him,” Tony growls.
“Has anyone seen Michael?” I ask.
“I saw him earlier. He looked like shit,” Tony says.
“He could be a threat…” I say. “Okay. Uncle Alex, can you please gather the visiting packs? Tony, can you please mind-link the pack and tell them we’ll meet in the pack hall?”
“Okay. When would you like to do this?” He asks.
“In thirty minutes.”
“Athena, you need to rest. The wolfsbane will still be in your system. If anyone else tries to challenge you…” Doc Apollo trails off, concern etched on his face.
“I’m fine, Doc. We need to get this sorted out as quickly as possible. The longer we go without an Alpha, the more vulnerable we’ll be to the visiting Alphas,” I tell him as I get out of bed. “Someone find me some clothes, please. I can’t address everyone in a hospital gown.”
“Are you sure, Athena?” Uncle Alex asks.
“I’m sure. Can you please also make sure that Cassia is still protected by the Luna guard?”
“Of course,” he says, and he kisses my forehead, then leaves the room.
I wince in pain as I stand from the bed and Tony passes me some clothes.
“I failed you, Alpha,” he says as he hangs his head in shame.
“What? You haven’t failed anyone, Tony,” I say, placing my hand on his shoulder.
“I should have been guarding your door. That woman should never have been able to get that close to you.”
I sigh and place the clothes on the bed, and then I take Tony’s face in my hands and make him look at me. “You are not to blame for Catherine’s actions. She is. You had no idea this was going to happen, Tony,” I tell him.
He gives me a small nod, and I give him a reassuring smile as I kiss him on the cheek. “Now get out of here so I can get ready for this meeting,” I say as I turn around to get changed, and Tony and Doc Apollo leave the room.