''Ethan wait.... Ethan!'' I scream as I follow him. ''Stay away from me Athena, I can't even look at you!'' he shouts.

''Ethan please, I'm begging you to stop; please, '' but he continues marching forward in anger.

''Do you even know where you're going? Ethan! Stop! '' I yell again.

This time he slows down but still keeps on walking. I jog up to him and shove him on the ground.

''What the heck is wrong with you?'' I scream at him. 

''Me! What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you Athena? You hid this from me, for 8 good years. I am your brother; I told you everything, every single thing and you hid this from me. How could you?! '' he hisses in an accusing tone as he gets up from the ground.

''I didn't want to Ethan, you have to trust me on this, believe it or not you were the first person I wanted to tell, heck I even thought you would come with me on my first run! but I heard mom and dad talking when I turned. They said I was threat to you and the alpha position, I did what I thought was right at that time. I didn't want to be viewed as a threat. I was just 16 years old. Can you imagine what would have happened if I had stayed?''

''Nothing would have happened Ena, we would have protected you from everyone, even the council.''

''The council would have hunted me down Ethan, they would have killed me, ''I whisper slowly and see his resolve breaking.

 ''You could have at least told me, '' he says dejectedly.

''and what would you have done huh? You were just 19 years old,'' I tell him and take a hold of his hand warily thinking he might push me away but he wraps his free hand over mine, ''I'm hurt Ena, hurt that you didn't trust me enough with this and that I'm literally the last person to find out.

I hug him as my eyes brim with tears. ''I'm sorry Ethan, I am really really sorry. Will you please forgive me?'' 

 He doesn't say anything and I fear that he won't forgive me,at least not today, but he surprises me when he nods and starts wiping my tears. 'I'm still pissed that i'm the last person to find out but I forgive you Ena and I vow to protect you. If it's a matter of going against the council to keep you alive, I will stand by you and Theo, '' he says and I smile. ''Thank you Ethan.''

''We should head back to the dining hall or else your mate will come looking for us,'' he chuckles.

''He won't come, Theo knows when to give me space,'' I say proudly and he looks at me with raised brows.

''Does he now? you two have grown close in these past months haven't you?'' he asks and I nod as a blush creeps up, ''I love him Ethan. I really do,'' I confess and he laughs.

''I can see that, he does too you know, the way he looks at you; it's like you're the last slice of pizza in the entire world and only he gets to eat it,'' he says and that earns him a  smack him on the shoulder.

''Of all the things in the world you are comparing me to a slice of pizza!'' I exclaim. 

''A very good looking pizza, might I add'' he continues, trying to save himself as we head towards the hall.

Every one turns to look at us when we walk in. Mom tries to run towards us but dad holds her back. I look at Ethan and he nods. ''I will stand by you and protect my sister at all costs,'' he announces and everyone sighs in relief. He kisses my forehead one last time and I go to the high table to stand next to Theo who immediately entwines our fingers.

''Now that we are all on the same page, I would like to make an announcement, this is my decision as alpha of Crescent pack and I want you all to know this first before it is revealed to the public.

As of today this pack does not have a Luna, instead Crescent pack will now have two alphas ruling over the pack,'' he says in a confident voice and everyone including me stare at him in shock.

''but Theo son, no pack can have two alphas everybody knows that, '' dad comments, '' I'm well aware sir but Athena and I are mates and mates can never harm each other, it's against our laws, I'm sure you all recall them,'' he states.

''Yes Theo we do, but that only applies to mates who have marked each other and you two clearly haven't,'' Benjamin adds and I stiffen. Damn! that hit right where it hurts.

''I'm well aware of this Benjamin but you need not worry on that matter. I just wanted to inform you that from now on Athena is also the Alpha of this pack. I will announce it to all the members' tomorrow morning. You are all free to leave, thank you so much for your support, it is much appreciated,'' he states.

Ashton and Olivia bid their goodbyes. Mila decides to stay behind and I think I have never seen Charles happier. I laugh and give him a thumbs up as he smirks cheekily and I shake my head.

''Come on love, Charles is going to have a busy night today, '' Theo smirks and I elbow him playfully. ''What, it's true isn't it? Charles is getting laid tonight that's why he's so happy, juts look at him, '' he adds jokingly but I frown in thought as his words felt like a jab towards me, towards us.

''Theo, are you not happy?'' I ask.

''Why would you ask me that love, of course I'm happy.''

''No it's just that you said Charles is happy cause he is getting some tonight, but you and I have never...you know umm, so are you unhappy with how things are going between us? Because from what I see Mila could be sporting a mark tomorrow morning and we have known each other for a while now and we are in love too but we've never really got to that point in our relationship, is that why Charles always teases us, is that why you're not happy?'' I rant and I'm about to continue when he grabs my face between his hands squishing my face.

''Love, you need to calm down; stop overthinking this. Of course I'm happy. I love you Athena and I like how things are going on between us and yes I would like nothing more than to mark you but I do not want to rush you into things you aren't ready for okay. I will wait, however long it takes,'' he concludes and kisses me so passionately that I have to grab on to his arms for support as I wobble.

''Okay you two break it up, there are parents present here,'' Charles comments and we pull away.

Mom and Dad are looking at us amused while Ethan looks visibly disgusted as he gags. ''I don't think I'll be able to hold in my dinner for long,'' and he excuses himself.

''Thank you for everything you're doing for my daughter, we couldn't have asked for a better mate for her, '' dad says and he proudly pats Theo's back.

''Come princess, walk us to the border,'' dad says as he extends his hand towards me. ''I'll see you at home,'' I tell Theo and leave the hall with my parents.

''Why are you so afraid of Theo marking you Athena?'' dad asks; he doesn't waste a single second as soon as we are out of hearing range.

''I'm not scared dad, it's just that I don't want things to move too fast. Marking is a big thing; I will be able to feel every emotion of his and him of mine, things will escalate quickly after that and soon you'll hear I'm pregnant and from there everything goes downhill, '' I assert, dad and mom look at me like I'm some crazy person.

''Oh goddess, you're losing your mind Athena,'' mom says as she face palms herself.

''You are blowing this way out of proportion, kids are not even on the table right now, how much have you overthought this?'' she questions and looks at me incredulously.

I bite my lip nervously and reply, ''I even overthought my over thinking,'' I say guiltily and she shakes her head.

''Listen to me princess, I understand you're taking your time with this relationship but you both have needs...'' he starts but I cut him off, ''oh come on dad, I'm not having this awkward conversation with you again, I get the point okay; I get it,'' I comment.

We are at the borders now and I sigh in relief. As I bid my goodbyes mom whispers to me, '' don't wait too long, it's okay to be impulsive sometimes, '' she pulls away from me and winks and I'm left with my mouth hanging open. Did my mom just ask me to go get laid? Cause it sure sounded like that to me.

I'm now walking back to our house pondering over my thoughts when I feel a presence besides me and I take a deep breath, ''what do you want now Sebastian?'' I say lazily, '' can't a girl walk in peace over here?'' I almost yell and he chuckles.

''I actually came to check up on you darling, especially after the big revelation this evening. You still don't know how the pack members will react, Theo got them to shut up today but people will not take this lightly. You are a rare occurrence and people around these areas have settled in to a certain lifestyle; they do not adapt well to changes. You could really use a friend in your corner you know, '' he suggests.

''Ohh and let me guess, you are offering to be in my corner?'' I scoff.

''Actually I was under the impression that I'm your friend, so naturally I am in your corner, '' he smiles and I give him one of my fake ones.

''Tell me Sebastian, you, Noah and the others were on the Eastern side of the border; meaning you were closer to Shadow pack how did you manage to get to the clearing up front so fast, it took Theo a little longer than you to reach us and Eclipse pack is closer to us compared to Shadow, '' I muse.

''What are you trying to say Athena?'' he questions and his voice raises an octave.

''Oh I'm not trying to say anything, I'm just trying to understand why the rogues decided to attack all of a sudden, sure there have been sightings but they never attacked, then why today?'' I wonder out aloud and for once Sebastian stays quiet.

''Seems like someone brought them here, we only sighted one or two rogues passing through at a time, but today they were over 50 rogues who attacked; what do you think Sebastian?'' I pose and look at him. He seems to be deep in thought when he looks up at me solemnly.

''I think you're really smart Athena, I'll advise you to be vigilant and beware of people like Caleb. He is vengeful and might be on his way to bringing the council to your doorstep as we talk, '' he advises and with that walks away in to the darkness and I towards my house.

I walk in and see Theo setting the table for dinner. I smile at this and wrap my arms around him, ''Thank you for everything, '' I say sincerely and he chuckles. 

''You never have to say thank you to me for anything love. Everything I do is for you and for our future, so never thank me again okay?'' he orders playfully. '' Sir, yes sir,'' I mock salute him and he chuckles, ''come on let's have dinner, its pizza today,'' he says and my mouth waters instantly.

I'm staring at the pizza slice in my hand wondering how on earth Ethan compared me to a triangular slice, ''Are you going to eat that love?'' Theo questions as he eyes my slice.

''Nope you can have it,'' I say and pass it to him. ''Is there something wrong with it, because you've been staring at it for the past 5 minutes?'' he looks at me skeptically clearly not trusting my willingness to pass the last slice to him.

''Ethan compared me to a pizza slice today and I was wondering how on earth he managed to do that, '' I muse and he laughs out loud.

''You Robinsons are crazy, I'd rather not know the answer to that question, lord knows what answer Ethan will come up with, '' he comments and I throw my napkin at him but he catches it before it hits him, damn those reflexes.

I'm currently in the bathroom freshening up. I pull my hair up in to a bun and my hand goes to the left side of my neck where the mark is supposed to be, 'am I ready for this? Should I go ahead with it? How do I tell Theo that I want him to mark me?' I ask myself. I take a deep breath, to hell with it all and walk out with a new found confidence.

''Ready for bed love, it's been a long day,'' Theo says as he pats the space next to him.

''Theo....'' I start and he looks at me, ''Yes love?''

''Mark me, '' I state in a serious tone and he looks at me shocked as he jumps out of the bed. ''Are you sure? Is this because of Charles and Mila? You don't have to rush Athena, it's okay. I will wait; I don't mind, '' he says in a rush and I have to shush him up.

''Mark me Theo,'' I sort of order him in a whispered tone and he needn't be told twice as he crashes his lips to mine and pushes me against the wall. I pull off his t-shirt as my hair comes undone, we continue making out until he pushes my hair to the right side exposing the left side of my neck leaving it bare for him to mark.

''You sure love?'' because I won't stop once I start and I nod my head vigorously.

He places soft kisses on the spot on my neck as I feel his canines extending, they graze my neck and I shiver in delight as I feel my canines protruding too.

''On the count of 3 love, he says and I nod, not able to form any coherent words in my current state.

''3...2...1,'' he says and bites on my neck as I do the same to him, I whimper in pain at first and he grunts too but it's soon replaced with immense pleasure and I have to hold on to him tight in fear of falling down as I'm all wobbly.

A few seconds later and I feel power surge through me and my eyes open wide as it courses through my veins, Theo finishes and admires his handiwork as licks the bite and places soft kisses on it. He pulls back and looks at me and his eyes widen in admiration and love as he looks at me like he's seeing me for the first time.

''Athena, your eyes; they're glowing red,'' he says in amazement as he takes me in front of the mirror in the bathroom and sure enough I see my eyes are glowing red and a gasp escapes me.

''What does this mean Theo?'' I ask him placing my hands under my eyes moving closer to the mirror.

''Well love it means that you're officially the Alpha of this pack, the moment you marked me the power was divided since you are already an alpha female the only thing you lacked was a pack, now that you're marked by me you belong to this pack and so your alpha status got activated,'' He explains to me in layman terms and I nod in understanding.

''Whoaaa...I'm an alpha now; an alpha with a pack. I love you, '' I say and pull him in for a kiss, ''I love you too, '' he replies.

''Show me your eyes now, '' I command.

''well aren't you a dominant one,'' he teases.

''Oh just shut up and show me,'' I tease back and he flashes his red eyes as I flash mine back to him.

''You're driving me crazy woman,'' he growls and kisses me fervently as we make our way to the bed.

****

They marked each other!!!!! finally!! **screaming intensifies**

Thoughts on the chapter? 

Let me know in the comments.

-Jessica.S