As the clock strikes 05:00 I get out of bed and change into my navy blue mickey mouse leggings and a white t-shirt. I walk to the mirror and see dark circles under my eyes, I couldn't sleep a wink last night. Every time I closed my eyes, the icy blue ones haunted me.

I go down to the living room expecting Theo to be there; but he's not. I wait for about 10 mins when I hear him come down the stairs.

''Hey, morning.'' I say and he looks at me sleepily; clearly not used to waking up this early.

''Morning to you too.'' He replies groggily as he stifles a yawn.

''You don't have to do this you know; I can go on my own.'' I say as I notice that he is still sleepy. ''No, it's totally fine, let's go.'' He replies and walks towards the door.

As we walk out I take in a deep breath inhaling the scents of the earth and dew and immediately feel fresh. Theo copies my actions and I see a smile form on his face.

''Feel better?'' I ask and he looks at me ''very fresh, come on let's do this.'' He says and grabs my hand. We slowly jog to a secluded area that leads to the foot of the mountains.

''This is my favorite route to take when I go for my runs. The other pack members rarely use it, so it should be clear.'' He says and I nod in response.

Theo proceeds to remove his t-shirt and shoves it in the hollow in one of the trees and I couldn't help but stare at his bare torso, he has a well-defined chest with six pack abs. I couldn't help but gulp, I try to avert my gaze but I'm unable to. ''Like what you see?'' he questions as a smirk plays on his face.

''I've seen better,'' l lie to cover my obvious embarrassment from getting caught. ''Whatever you say love.'' He smiles cunningly knowing that I'm lying.

''So, shall we?'' he offers and I take in a deep breath to calm my nerves down and say, ''before you turn, there is something that I need to show you. Can I trust you Theo?'' I question him.

He looks at me in disbelief, ''of course you can Athena, why would you ask me something like that, I thought we were becoming friends,'' He says clearly offended.

''We are friends but what I'm about to show you is a secret I've been keeping for years, apart from my parents' no one else knows, not even Ethan.'' I whisper to him. ''Whatever decision you take after this I will respect it. Whether you choose to support me or let me go, I will honor it.'' I say with confidence.

''What is it love, just show me please, also I could never let you go Athena. I...'' he starts but stops abruptly''you're really important to me," He says. "We'll see,'' I reply and go behind a tree to change.

I carefully remove my clothes and put them on the ground as I call my wolf forward. I welcome the snapping of the bones as I feel myself transforming. Once I'm done, I walk out from behind the tree to stand in front of Theo who is now looking at me with wide eyes as a gasp of shock escapes his lips.

''Oh my god, Athena!'' he exclaims as he eyes my wolf who is the size of an alpha. ''You're are an alpha female, gosh! this is what you wanted to tell me?'' he asks and my wolf nods her head.

Oh love, this is spectacular.'' An occurrence like this hasn't happened in over 200 yrs. You are extraordinary.'' He gasps again as he walks forward to place his hand on my head. '' Alpha female or not; you are my mate Athena and I will always be on your side, I will kill anyone who comes in your way or threatens your existence and that is my promise to you love.'' He concludes and I feel tears brimming in my wolfs' eyes at his revelation.

"So, how about that run?'' he voices as my wolf turns to take in our surroundings. I hear the snapping of bones and soon feel a presence besides me as Theo's wolf walks up next to me. He nudges me with his snout and I nudge him back playfully. His wolf is huge and black with powerful red alpha eyes, indicating his status.

''race you to the foot of the mountains,'' his voice floats in my head. ''game on'' I send it back and start running downhill and he follows me.

As we continue along the trodden path Theo starts nipping playfully at my hind legs and I increase my speed. We finally come to a stop at a stream on the foot of the mountain and rest for a while as we drink water when suddenly my wolf's ears perk up as she hears a rustling sound nearby, Theo hears it too and is immediately by my side in a protective stance. As the sounds get louder we prepare to attack only to find a deer galloping its way to the stream for a drink, however it runs away at lightning speed the moment it sees us.

We decide to head back as it's almost 07 o'clock and pack members will soon be going out for their runs. As soon as we get back to the top, I go behind the tree and transform back. I walk out from behind the tree attempting to tie my hair when Theo says, ''you should leave your hair down more often; you look more beautiful that way.'' He comments and I give him a look.

''you're joking right? I'm a mess.'' I say as I point to my hair which I'm sure resembles a nest.

''doesn't matter, to me you're still beautiful,'' he says and I smile shyly.

''Come here,'' he whispers and I walk towards him as he pulls me into a hug and encase me in his arms. ''I'm bound to you Athena, I swear to protect you, no one will hurt a single hair on your body as long as I'm alive'' he says and kisses my head. I've never felt safer before in my life than I do at this very moment and mumble him a thank you in response.

As we walk back to the house I sigh in content, feeling like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I thank the moon goddess for giving me an understanding mate like Theo and a smile creeps up my face.

Since we decided yesterday to have breakfast together, we are both seated at the kitchen counter having coffee and pancakes. Chef Perez is a magician, i think to myself as the pancake literally melts in my mouth and I have to stop a moan from emerging. Goddess knows how embarrassing that would be.

As soon as Theo leaves for the pack house I go up to my room and shower, I decide to put on a dress today. Once I'm done i get started on my work when suddenly my phone rings.

''Nancy, hi how's it going?" I answer

''Athena, hiii...'' she says excitedly over the phone. '' Sales for the second line have broken records, we are a hit. Suppliers are asking for more clothes Athena, we need to contact Scott and get more clothes made.''

''Why don't you call him up and get him to start manufacturing Nancy?'' I say. ''That's the thing Athena, he wants to speak to no one but you, that's why I'm calling you. Please call him otherwise he will not agree to manufacture our clothes.'' I sigh and reply. ''Okay let me see what I can do.''

''Thanks Athena, I hope to see you soon.'' Nancy says and the line disconnects.

I go through my contact lists and press dial on Scott's number. ''Athena, my precious, I knew you would call me.'' He says in a snake-like voice.

'' Scott.'' I reply monotonously.

''How are you doing? It's been long since I have heard your beautiful voice precious.'' He replies making  me I cringe but continue.

''So,how are your wife and kids?'' I tell him and I hear a sharp intake of breath.I know I've got him trapped.

''So your office informs me that you want to start new production?'' he asks completely ignoring my first question. '' Yes, and they told me that you would speak to no one else but me, so here I am; calling you and requesting you to start the manufacturing process.''

''ohh you see now, when you talk sweetly like that, how can a man refuse?'' he says suggestively and I roll my eyes.

''So will you start the manufacturing?'' I ask him again, already done with this conversation.

''Of course my precious, I will give the order right way, in a weeks' time all outlets will be re-stocked'' He says. ''Thank you Scott.'' I respond and cut the call.

I send a quick message to Nancy informing her of the news as I look out the window and my mind reels back to the icy blue eyes from last night. 'Who could that be?' I wonder as my stomach grumbles all of a sudden, I look at the clock and see it's well past noon.

I go to the kitchen and rummage through the fridge for some food, I get all the ingredients to make a sandwich and start assembling one when I hear a soft knock on the door.

I get up to open it but it swings wide open as Aiden walks in followed by Nadia. They both look at me surprised, I guess they expected me not to be in.

''Told you we should have knocked, you manner-less oaf,'' Nadia whisper-shouts at him and I chuckle.

''It's okay you guys, this is your home too. Sandwich?'' I offer and they both take one each.

'' So what brings you guys here?'' I ask and Aiden snorts a laugh, ''We always come here at lunch time since Chef Perez only cooks breakfast and dinner, the lunch time chef is always changing so we don't get food from the pack house. It's another one of the reasons why this fridge is always stocked.'' He says and grabs the third and last sandwich from the plate. 'There goes my lunch' I thought warily as I watch him gobble it down.

''So what are you doing this afternoon?'' Nadia asks ''might take a nap, might watch a movie?'' I don't know really'' I shrug.

''I'm down for a movie.'' She says.

'' Okay cool, you have anything in mind?'' I say and she goes deep in thought.

''Please for god's sake do not say the notebook.'' Aiden whines and i look at him sheepishly.

''okay umm, how about a walk to remember?'' Nadia suggests and Aiden looks confused.
''It's a classic, you'll like it,'' I tell him and he nods. ''that's done then, I'm in charge of snacks!'' Nadia declares as I go to put on the movie.

''Why should you be in charge of food?'' Aiden challenges her, ''So that you don't swallow everything before it even gets to us you pig.'' She shoots back and I shake my head at their childish banter.

Soon we are deeply engrossed in the movie and by the time it ends Theo's returned back from the pack house. ''why did she have to die! It's not fair,'' Aiden bawls as we all look at him and burst out into fits of laughter.

''It's just a movie Aiden, it's not real'' Theo consoles him. ''What do you know, you haven't even watched it from the beginning!'' he wails and I just shake my head in mirth.

''Okay you two, it's almost dinner time, mom must be waiting. You should both go.'' Theo tells them.

''Just say you want to spend some alone time with Athena instead of shooing us away like goats.'' Says Nadia accusingly and I bite my lip to stop a smile.
Theo notices this and shoots me a wink, ''maybe I do. Now go,'' he says and practically pushes them out of the door as the omega climbs up the steps with our dinner.

I walk to the kitchen and start removing our plates as Theo walks up to me and hands me the bag of food. ''Hi,'' he whispers.

I look up at him and smile ''heyy, how was your day?''

"not bad,we are having some rouge problems lately so Ashton's been coming by a lot. How was yours?'' he asks.

"Pretty productive, our clothes are sold out so we are manufacturing a second batch which will be out in the shops by next week.'' I say and he looks at me impressed.

We continue our dinner in a comfortable silence when he suddenly announces. ''Will be having breakfast with the whole pack tomorrow, it's tradition to do that once a week over here. I know that you're not ready to be announced as Luna of the pack so you will not be able to sit with me at the high table, I just want to know if it's okay with you to sit on the tables with the other pack members.'' He asks me politely.

''That's totally fine by me, no big deal.'' I reply as I pour myself a glass of wine.

''Great,'' he says in relief and I give him an encouraging smile.

As I get ready for bed I notice some of my papers on the floor by the window, 'I really need to clear my desk' I thought as I go to pick up the papers when there is a knock at my door. ''It's open,'' I say and Theo walks in.

"Heyy so umm...run tomorrow at 05:00?'' he asks. ''Yeah, sure.'' I say, let's make that and breakfast our daily routine?'' I continue hoping that I haven't crossed a line there.

''yes..yes...yes...that's great'' he says almost immediately.

''Goodnight Theo,'' I tell him as I laugh a little.

''Goodnight love.'' He replies and walks out of my room.

I turn back to my desk and go to collect the papers when I see the blue eyes staring at me again. I back away and almost trip but manage to catch myself in time, I go closer to the window and sure enough the icy blue eyes are still there, staring at me intensely.

'Second time in a row, there is something wrong here' I thought as I slip into my bed with thoughts scrambling through my mind.

***
Blue eyes again!
Athena is starting to feel comfortable around Theo and his siblings.
Thoughts in the comments section as usual

-Jessica.S