Athena's Human Mate

Chapter 6

Silence. Complete utter silence descended on the group, the only sound to be heard was everyone's heartbeat. Athena heard the thump thump rhythm change as her family thought about all she told them and the repercussions of her tale.

Gramps spoke first, "I think the time has come for everyone to go home. Athena will be here a few days, you can stop by tomorrow to visit." He stood up, clearly stating it was time to go with no room for arguments, his Alpha tone coming through.

It only took a few minutes for everyone to file out, after giving more hugs and kisses. Gramps ushered Athena and Linda to his office. He sat down behind the desk and the girls took the high back chairs facing him.

"You told us a whopper, I wasn't expecting anything like that was going on. I think there's more going on than meets the eye. Your dad was losing it on the phone earlier, he accused me of interfering with his pack. He thought I convinced you to come here."

Athena scoffed, "you didn't even know I was coming until I was almost here."

"I explained that to him, took a while before he believed me." Gramps paused a moment before beginning, "it's time you learned about your past."

Athena frowned, "my past?"

"Yes, more specifically, my past." He looked at Linda first for approval, "your grandma isn't my fated mate." Athena's eyes almost popped out of the sockets. "Six months after I met her and we mated, she was killed in a rogue attack. We had just found out she was with pups."

Linda reached forward and took his hand, "I also had another mate, he was killed in the same attack. No one can understand the pain and grief of losing a mate until you experience it."

Gramps kissed her hand, "I shut myself off from the pack, I'd been Alpha for a year and the Beta was at his wits end running things. I'd practically rip the head off of anyone who came near me. Then one day he sent this angel to bring me food. She didn't talk to me, she didn't try to make me feel better, she just sat with me."

"Well, I knew how it felt, getting the looks of pity and empty words of empathy. We found comfort in each other."

"The older wolves began pushing me to take another mate, to pick their choices for the Luna. I had no interest in those she-wolves put forward, it was obvious they only wanted the title. The only one who saw me, not the broken shell, was your grandma. It took some convincing but she agreed to be my chosen mate and Luna."

"I might seem silly now, but at the time I was afraid the pack wouldn't accept me. I already loved him and wanted the best for him. I didn't think it was me."

"Why? You were a great Luna! Mom always admired you and tries to be like you. Sometimes it makes me wonder."

Gramps gave Athena a knowing look, "you wonder why your mother submits to your father. It's quite simple really, and even though you aren't aware, it was never a secret. Grandma was an Omega before we mated."

To say Athena was shocked would be an understatement. Omegas were the weakest wolves in a pack, although they can shift, they are small in wolf form. Not many are effective at fighting, they usually are the caretakers of the pack. Working in the daycare centers and for other wolves. In her eyes, they were just as important to the pack as the warriors who keep the borders safe.

"Are you saying my mom is an Omega?"

"That's exactly what we're saying. Mike and Chris both got the Alpha gene but your mom got the Omega gene. I often wondered if she passed that onto you. I had my doubts when you entered the games but now I can see what's happened."