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"The article you wrote about the captains pre-game expectations was phenomenal Athena. The voice, the tone the construction of it was remarkable—many of my fellow teachers had great things to say about it. Everyone is very excited to see what the four of you can compose for the segment after the game this Friday."

It took everything in me not to wince at the smile on Miss Elignton's face, the pride.

"As team leader, I would like to second that. All of the work was great, Gia the new storyline in the comic was hilarious as well as those photos from football training," Jesminda says with a large smile and Finn coughs, making her roll her eyes. "And your piece on the petition to construct a new park in the lower socio economic parts of town was great as well."

The park they were building a block down from me.

"Now all we have to do is the game on Friday! Did you need a ride there Athena or is Micah going to take you? Oh, I also wanted to say that getting a pre-game interview from him would be awesome, if you interview him and I speak to the coach then we can co-write the article!"

Everyone looks at me, awaiting a response. "Um, uh yeah about that..."

"You are coming aren't you? You have to come," Jesminda cuts in, her tone dead serious.

"The thing is, I kinda have work that day and I don't think I'm going to be able to skip out on it," I state and the room goes silent, awaiting her explosion.

"Skip out on it? Athena this is very important. The first game of the season is something all students care very much about, if we screw this paper up then people might just loose interest all together," she lets out a huff of disbelief. "I mean not to mention your own mate is playing, how would he feel if you weren't there to watch?"

"Jess," Miss Elignton warns and I gulp.

"Its not about that, its just, well I—" My defensiveness falling to a loss for words quicker than I expected.

"Trouble in paradise?" Gia asks, tapping her pencil on the table with a mischievous smirk.

"No, I just need to help out my coworkers. Fridays are busy, you guys can probably do it just as good without me."

"Athena, is there no way you can miss one shift? This is very important for the paper, for your team members and it could be a lot of fun. You don't want to miss out on events like this during high school for work," Miss Elignton says with a kind smile and I don't know how to tell her its highly likely I'd have a better time at work.

"If you don't want to interview Micah, you can just set it up for me and you can speak with the coach," Jess suggests and I look at everyone, intent on me joining them.

I didn't think they would care that much about me attending. No one had really cared much for my presence in the past, so why the sudden need to start now?

"I'll see what I can do," I state, defeated and Jess smiles broadly, Finn amused at her antics while Gia just stares at me—her eyes contemplating. "But if its okay I'd like to maybe move on from writing articles about him after this game. It's just that I don't really want to bring that part of my life into this."

"It's fair enough, mixing business and pleasure never is a good idea," Finn comments, a grin on his face. I'm not sure pleasure is the right word.

"There is no problem with that, Athena. When it comes to any article, if it makes you uncomfortable or you'd prefer to not do it, just say in the future and we can prepare the article to fit in something else," Miss Elignton says kindly and I look to Jesminda who doesn't seem impressed.

So one game on Friday night and then I can forget about having Micah be a subject of every piece of writing material I do? Seems fair enough I suppose, an offer I can't really refuse, either. If it was a no I wouldn't be writing anymore at all.

"I actually had another article planned for this week," I tell her, the words scrawled on my notepad feel incredibly heavy as all the attention falls on me. "Maybe I can do two articles this week."

"I'm sure that's fine!" Miss Elignton says. "What's it on?"

I wring my hands together. "Well I saw news segment on an Alpha being challenged for their title in a southern pack last week. That makes it the second one in the last year. It's just something that's becoming more frequent and I thought I'd so some journalism on it."

"I bet you could get some inside scoop from the pack on that!" Joey says enthusiastically, a respectful glimmer in her eyes.

"That sounds really great, Athena. It might take a little longer than a week though, I can speak with your English teacher about including it as a credit." I smile towards miss Elignton, beaming at the idea.

"Yeah, that'd be awesome, actually."

"Right, well that's settled! Onto our next subject, Gia, I know that it is something your passionate about but I don't think I can convince the principal that your cartoon submission for week holds a subliminal message that advocates school values," Miss Elignton says with a smile, her voice still somewhat stern however.

Gia holds up a picture of one of her cartoon characters, the image composed of bright colours shows the character in a psychedelic setting, puffing on an insanely large joint with words like 'happiness', 'elation' and 'freedom' cleverly hidden in the smoke. Gia shrugs, a smirk on her face. "Really? I thought I'd dedicate it to the old man."

———————

The group meeting went on a half hour more than it was supposed to and by the end I had most of their details in my phone. The phone that was finally given back to me by my parents after the dinner fiasco. They'd been more cautious since it, even though it had only been a day.

I received three individual texts from the both of them, telling me how much they loved me and how strong I was. No talk of grounding or punishment for being reckless.

They were more scared than me. Are more scared.

I put in my right headphone as I walk out of the classroom, gripping my backpack tighter as I move down the hall. "You sure about that lift?" I turn around to meet Finns voice, seeing his large smile as Gia scrolls through her phone.

"I'm fine walking, thanks though," I reply and they wave goodbye, letting me put my other headphone in and walk through the vacant halls in peace, scrolling through my own phone to find a song.

A led zeppelin playlist comes up on my suggested so I click it, the sound of the song reminding me instantly of the feel of the leather seats in Micahs car.

I can't help but smile as the music switches to an insane beat, thinking back to the shock I had when I first heard the song. I walk out the back entrance of the school, deciding to take a shortcut home and the whistle that fills the air makes me regret my choice.

I glance briefly into the distance where the footballers all practice on the field. They are far away enough that I don't worry but I quicken my pace regardless, focusing on the music in my ears, turning the volume up to its height.

I nearly jump out of my skin, however, when I feel a tap on my shoulder, whipping around with wide eyes to find Micah stood right behind me. He says something with a slight smile but the music drowns out his voice.

He speaks again and it provides me with enough incentive to overcome my shock and take a headphone out, turning the music down so its only faint in my one ear.

"I didn't mean to startle you," he says with a smile and I look back to the training going on so far in the distance.

"How did you get here so fast?"

He cocks his head to the side, laughing. "I noticed you walk out of the school and I wanted to see you before you left," he says, because the answer to my question doesn't really need to be spoken. He's a werewolf.

"Oh," I say, looking down at my sneakers briefly before meeting his piercing gaze once more. It makes me uneasy how it feels to stare into his eyes, how captivating it is.

"I just wanted to give you these," he says extending his hand which holds a bunch of card looking things. I furrow my brows, accepting them tentatively and inspect them. "They're passes," he says and I look at the cards again, pack passes that contain my name with the signature of the Alpha.

"Wha- how did you get these? I thought I had to ask your father directly if I wanted to leave," I say and he scratches the back of his head, a nervous smile on his face.

"I may have used my access to his office and taken advantage of the large amount of pre signed passes he has—the Alpha's a busy man you see, signing passes in advance is a lazy little trick of his," he jokes and I smile but nerves flutter in my stomach.

"Won't you get in trouble for this?" I ask and he shrugs, contemplating.

"Only if he finds out," he says. "Besides, there's only so much damage he can do to his heir."

"So I can just use these whenever I want?"

"Yep, and if you run out then just tell me and I'll sneak you some more," he says and I look at the amount of cards I already have. I haven't been out of the pack this many times in my life.

"I thought that you couldn't disobey your father," I comment.

"Call it a loophole. If you want to leave the pack on your own, for whatever reason you want then that's your business. Not his." He tucks his hands into his pockets, maintaining his comforting smile. It's almost difficult to feel so anxious around him, like my body is pulled between the instincts to run away and towards him.

"Doesn't it bother you that I could just leave without you knowing anything?" I give him a sceptical stare.

"Are you always this on edge?" He asks with a laugh. "Look, would I love to know you are safe at all times? Absolutely, I'm not going to lie. But I also know that trapping you isn't going to help either of us in the long run and I don't want you to resent me anymore than you already do," he says, somewhat more serious now.

"I don't resent you," I reply, shooting him a look that reads its ridiculous to think such a thing. I don't resent anyone, or hate anyone either for that matter. "Thank you."

I put the cards in my pocket and his smile returns. "Don't mention it. I uh, I also ran into a... friend I guess, who told me you were going to be at the game Friday. I didn't think you liked football games," he comments, seemingly anxious.

"The paper is sort of forcing me too," I reply, trying not to focus too much on his plush lips as he smiles, the sight just so... beautiful.

"Are you sure that's not just a cover up for wanting to see me play? I've heard I'm one of the best quarterbacks around," he says, a glimpse into the arrogant side of the school captain that I'd heard of but never witnessed myself. I mean I'd be cocky too if I were him.

"Even if that is true I wouldn't be able to confirm it by watching you, I've not got much of an idea about the game honestly."

He looks at me with confusion. "Then why on earth are they making you write an article on it?" He asks, genuinely baffled. He can join the squad.

"They figure I can get some sort of inside scoop again, like with the last interview," I say and he folds his arms over his chest, making his muscles show even from under the sleeves of his uniform.

"Is that so?" He raises a brow, still smiling.

I hadn't even asked him yet.

"Yeah, well I was going to ask you or just figured we'd end up talking one way or another if I rocked up at the game. I mean, can you?" I ask and he contemplates.

"I don't know, I don't usually like to give interviews unless I absolutely have too." I think I must visibly wince because his smirk widens. "I'll do your interview Mennison, but I want something in return."

His proposition shocks me, after all that talk of letting me be free to do what I want. But I guess he doesn't have to take interviews from me or do anything for that matter. If I am going to use the bond to my advantage why shouldn't he?

"Like? I don't have a whole lot to bargain with," I reply.

"Come out with me after, there's this diner just down on the docks and it has the best burger you'll ever taste. Foods on me, I'll have you home before whatever your curfew is and I promise you it'll be a good time. No surprises, just you and me and some dinner," he bargains, his usual hopefulness laced with more confidence.

I let out a laugh, silent for a moment as I wait for him to tell me its a joke, but he doesn't back down. "Isn't there usually some like, rave you sporty people go too afterwards? Some party or something?" I ask and he looks a little bewildered but his smile changes into more of a challenge.

"Gee Mennison, I didn't peg you for the partying type. There is something planned for afterwards if you'd prefer to go to that but I'd suggest not using the word 'rave', no one says that. And it might be a bit..."

"No!" I cut in, shaking my head. "No I definitely didn't mean that, I figured you'd be busy is all, going to parties. Alone," I say and he shakes his head, shrugging.

"It's just another party, I'm sure no one is going to miss me. Those things are thrown for any occasion. So what do you say? It's a win, win really."

I bite down on my lower lip, an action he doesn't miss. "Alright, I guess I can do that. But I've gotta be home by ten," I say, the lie coming out smoothly. I don't actually have an official curfew. My parents never had the need to set one and I never had to ask for one either, I either stayed at home with Henry or went somewhere with Henry.

I'd never been out past midnight but when I got home that late they never seemed to care.

"I'll have you back before ten, I promise."

"Okay," I say with a sigh, feeling slightly criminal for accepting the deal. It'd actually be more criminal of me to reject the offer. It's not honestly the worst feeling though, I feel sort of like a fugitive. In a good way.

"I'll find you after the game. See you later, Mennison."

He shoots me a wink as I raise my hand in goodbye before he turns around, jogging back to his training, a slight skip in his step.
Another secret date. A week after the last one which didn't bring about anything good.

Oh boy.

-

"Like I said, I've got to go to the game and then meet with the newspaper team after to compare notes and whatnot." Probably the worst lie I've managed to create. Compare notes? I don't even know if that's what journalists do and I'm hoping my parents don't know either.

"What time will you be home?" My dad asks, his hands in the sink of soapy water as he cleans the dishes, passing them to my mom who dries.

"Ten at the latest," I reply.

"And how are you getting there? Did you need one of us to pick you up?" My mom asks, passing me a plate to put away.

"It's still light outside so I'll walk and one of the girls said she'll drop me back after," I say and they both share a look in the creepy way they do, like they are reading each others mind.

"Alright, but keep your phone on you at all times. If you need picking up we are staying in so just give us a ring and we'll be right there," my mom says, fully serious.

"If anything, anything at all happens there that doesn't seem right just come home Athena. These public events might have some of the higher ranking wolves present, the Alpha even and I don't want you speaking to him without us present. Not after how it went last time." I look at my dad and decide against arguing with him when I see the fear in his eyes.

He's not entirely wrong either, if my last encounter with him is any indication of how another would go I can see their concern. If it wasn't for their intervention I don't know what else I could've said or done in anger, or what rights he'd take away because of it.

Even if I told them about the stash of passes hidden away in my room that Micah gave me I don't think it would change their minds that much. I know how they feel about me being mated, it devastates them. And its a feeling I don't see changing anytime soon.

"Yeah, I know. I won't do anything stupid, I promise," I tell them with a smile.

"Just have some fun, try to enjoy yourself," my mom adds as I grip the door handle.

"I will," I reply, walking out of the apartment and leaving the complex.

The sun had just begun to set outside and I made it to the school just as the sky turned to complete darkness. I could hear the celebrations before I saw them, the car park packed out with people loitering around, all dressed in either white, blue and green for our schools team or red and black for the opposition.

"Athena!" I whip around to find Jess waving me down, Finn and Gia stood next to her at the main entrance. I smiled at them, waving and Gia took the opportunity to raise her camera and take a photo, pulling it down to inspect it immediately.

I made my way over and Gia continued her task, taking pictures of the crowds as they gathered but also of other things too, random shots of the wall or a chair from the looks of things. "Glad you could make it, we were beginning to worry your weren't going to show up," Jesminda said with a nervous laugh.
I offered her a tight lipped smile. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"I hear this is your first football match," Gia said, lowering her camera for a split second.

"How'd you hear that?" I ask and she simply shrugs.

"I have my sources."

"Anyway, we need to get inside, the team has just begun warmups so Athena if you come with me we can probably speak with he coach and captain briefly before the match and gather some quotes. Finn, you can get some crowd perspective, write about the rivalry like we discussed and Gia you... you just keep doing what you're doing."

"Yes boss," Gia responds, grabbing Finn by the forearm who salutes us before allowing himself to be dragged away into the crowd.

"If the teams already warming up shouldn't we just wait until after the game, I mean we really shouldn't interrupt them," I say and Jess shakes her head like the idea is pure blasphemy.

"No, I've already used everything we got and I want just a couple quotes to highlight the article from right before the game begins. Trust me. Besides it shouldn't be a problem, I'm sure your mate won't mind at all." He better not considering I'm going on a date with him after. I try to hide my annoyance at her comment though, I don't like how all I am to her is an angle at getting to him. To say it diminishes my worth is an understatement.

"Right. Do we just walk over there?" I ask and she loops her arm around mine, a fire in her eyes.

"Just follow my lead." So I do. We walk through the crowds of people and she heads in a direct line for the coach who stands at the edge of the field, talking through something in-depth with players and his assistant.

"Coach Frigg!" The coach visibly tenses as we approach.

"It's Friggs, and we've been through this before Jesminda, pre game is no time to come up-" he stops short when he faces us and sees me, but it only remains for a moment before going tough once more.

"Harboured a new recruit, I see," he says, visibly annoyed.

"Well yes, it's only right the next Luna of our pack should get involved in something so community centred such as the school paper wouldn't you agree?" Jess asks, angling her argument and his annoyance breaks somewhat.

"Of course," he says, looking at me a little differently with the addition of a title. "I'll answer two questions, max. This has gotta be quick, I've got a game to run."

"Athena," I turn around to my name, facing Micah as he runs up.

"My captain too? Holt, c'mon," Mr Friggs says, desperate.

"Coach," he says, shooting him a look before his voice drops into a slight mumble. "We talked about this," he says, looking at me and then repeating that look.

Mr Friggs heaves a heavy sigh and his stoic expression returns. "Fine. But I swear if I don't see you back on that field in five minutes you'll be running more laps than you can count."

"Yes coach." Micah lightly touches my arm, directing me away from the others.

"Hey," I say, shifting on my feet.

"Aren't you going to rapid fire questions at me?" He asks with a raised brow, glancing at the coach. "He's very serious with his threats, I'm afraid."

"Right, yeah." Truthfully, I didn't plan any questions. "Are... are you nervous for the game?" I ask, pulling out my notepad and pen, straightening up a little to appear as though I know somewhat what I'm doing.

"With you here... maybe. I suppose you'll be critically analysing me instead of cheering me on," he says with a goofy grin.

My brows furrow and a frown comes over my face. "I don't mean to put you under pressure, sorry." He shakes his head.

"No, don't be," he replies, his smile sticking, "I think that a critical journalist might make me play better. Well, that and me wanting to impress you of course." I can't help the blush that rises to my cheeks. His tentative approach is seeming to wear off, I guess he's discovered I'm not just a scared little human.

"And do you think you'll win the game?" I ask, tapping the pen against the pad.

He smirks. "I think tonight is going to go very well, I have all hope that it will be a memorable and enjoyable evening."

I raise my brows at him. "Funny."

"Well I hope we win. We've been in pre-season training for months and I believe that this team is going to put up a real fight for any opponents," he says, more seriously this time. I jot down what he says as he speaks. "We have put together a very solid squad this season."

"The lineup for this match showed that over ninety percent of team members playing on field are wolves and there are only two substitutes that are human. Is the clear imbalance another game strategy?" The question flies from my mouth before I can stop it, the thought having lingered on my mind in the build up to this moment. His shock is clear and from the look that settles on his face I can tell my words pack a certain punch.

"Um, well." I wait for his answer, looking at his clear discomfort with slight guilt. "Well I... I guess I hadn't really thought of that before."

I nod, writing the response down. I feel like the school councillor as I do and part of me hates that fact while the other part gets a sort of power from it. "Last year the school released a statement in accordance with the packs promise to make a larger effort for inclusivity and equality, as a part of the reparations, to promote humans inclusion in sporting programs in particular. But since then the only change has been the two substitutes. Do you, as the captain of the school and many sporting teams have any comment on that?"

His cocky demeanour has disappeared and if anything, he's slightly confused. I don't think anyone has had the nerve to ask him something so forward before but I'm going on a date with him after this as payment. And I want what I paid for.

"We make our game strategies to match that of our opponents. I can't speak on behalf of the coaches decisions nor the schools without hearing their answers to a question like that but should we oppose a team that plays human athletes I don't see why we wouldn't match them."

I furrow my brows. "Okay, but what about—"

"Micah! Times up, get back on that field. You two have your whole lives to chat now c'mon, we have a game to win."

"I... I'll come find you after?" He asks, completely vulnerable in the way he does. Given the conversation topic I suppose he expects me to reject him but instead I just nod, feeling an overwhelming amount of guilt seeping in as he nods back, solemn before beginning to turn around.

In a mad dash I grab his hand and his head jolts to face me immediately, his eyes focusing on the contact like I sent a shock running through him. I retract my hand immediately. "I didn't mean to upset you, or put you off your game or anything like that," I mumble. I did want an answer to my question and as far as journalism goes, its the kind of thing I want to write about but perhaps grilling him before a game isn't nice.

"It's fine, don't feel bad I mean I'm the one who should apologise. I apparently underestimated your abilities as a journalist," he says with a slight laugh, lightening the mood.

"Micah!" He turns his head to the coach and instinctively starts to move back.

"Sorry, duty calls," he says with a smile and I step back too, retreating from the field.

"Good luck." 

authors note

til wednesday homies!! follow me on insta for early chapter hints ;) 

k