Chapter Select
Athena awoke with a yawn and a stretch. The pretty white fae opened her caramel eyes, blinking softly in the watery winter light. Rolling on to her back, she looked at her mate, who was still fast asleep. She smiled at the thought. Her mate.
They had been mates for almost six moons now, but the thought still made her tummy bubble. Mates. Athena and Shaw. Mates.
They had known each other since they were pups, but they had loved each other since they knew what love was. However, there had been complications - Shaw had to take over as Alpha when he was only two years old, and the stress had put the thought of a mate out of his mind. The pack had to fight against the elements, lone wolves, other packs, lacks of food, drought. They lost wolves to the dangers, and they gained pack members. Athena didn't care, however. She would wait. And wait she did. A few months ago, things had calmed down. They had no issues with loners, everyone was doing their jobs, prey was plentiful and weather was fine. It was then that Shaw approached her to be Alpha female. She had accepted with an open and happy heart.
They were happy.
She sighed, looking at her sleeping mate. His black muzzle twitched as he came to consciousness, yawning widely. "Good morning, flower" He sighed, deep voice croaky from the night's sleep. She wagged her tail, and it swept across the den floor. "Good morning, my love" She replied happily, licking his nose. He chuckled and stood, stretching low. "I suppose it is time for us to rise" He smiled down to her, sticking his cold nose into the fur on her stomach, causing her to squeal and squirm onto her feet. Nudging him softly with her own nose, she padded out into the cold daylight. Sitting outside the den, tail wrapped around her paws, she smiled and greeted each one of her pack members as they arose. The pack all answered her with their own smiles and wagging tails. Even though, in the beginning, a lot of the pack did not agree with Shaw's choice - in particular the jealous females - the pack had soon warmed up to the sweet new Alpha, and now she was beloved by all. Standing up when the last of her pack had woken, she padded over to where Shaw was discussing a hunting patrol with their Beta. Nodding her head in a greeting to the large grey male, she turned to her mate. "I am just heading down to the river for a drink. Don't miss me too much, my love" Ignoring the smirking Beta, Shaw licked her nose lovingly. "Stay safe. I will miss you until you return." Laughing at his answer, Athena turned, swatting him with her tail as she left. Padding down to the river, her footfalls almost silent, she listened to the birds and the wind in the trees.
She was happy.
xx
