Zeus [Book One] - Rewriting

Twenty-Six

Zeus
| twenty-six |

The wolves were silent as their eyes focused on Ares who stared back at them, Helios having escaped from the room as he returned with a notepad. Behind Zeus, Apollo glared towards his friend, "Knock it off, stop fucking around." Ares didn't respond as his eyes widened Athena biting back a sob as she pressed a hand over her mouth. Hot tears ran down her cheeks, Anya forcing herself to remain by Zeus' side, although she wanted to comfort her friend.

Hermes stood awkwardly in the corner of the room, far from Artemis who snuck glances towards her mate as she bit her lip. Stubborn, Hermes refused to look at her, his wolf still hurt. Pan stood next to Apollo, his hand entwined with his mate's as Apollo narrowed his eyes.

Ares' eyes focused on Athena, Zeus sucking in a breath as the Beta's eyes stared towards his mate. Athena reached towards his hand, joining their fingers together, Ares looking down at her before he stared up at the other wolves.

Suddenly, an eruption of giggles escaped from his mouth.

A low growl ripped its way out of Zeus' chest as he glared down at his Beta.

"You are such a dick," Artemis muttered, rolling her eyes as she moved towards the door. She paused, her eyes looking up at Hermes, who ignored her as he bit his lip to stop himself from laughing at the curses being muttered under Apollo's breath. Scoffing dramatically, Artemis grabbed the door handle and flung it open, marching from the room.

Apollo took a step closer to Ares, who had sobered up, Pan's hand tightening on his to stop himself from hitting his friend. "You're lucky you're basically disabled. Or I'd hand your ass to you on a plate," Apollo spat, Pan letting out a small sigh as he pulled Apollo back. Anya held a hand to her mouth, hiding the huge grin on her face. She could understand why the others were upset, but she couldn't help but find it funny; it was typical of Ares to pull a prank.

Ares' eyes found Zeus, who stared back at him with a blank expression on his face.

"It's times like this when you make me wonder whether making you Beta was the right decision," He said, his voice emotionless as his dark hair fell in his eyes. Ares opened his mouth to argue, but Zeus spoke, "But I'm glad you're feeling better," He reached forward, his hand connecting with Ares' in a fist bump, Anya's mouth falling open as she watched her mate do something so un-Zeus-like.

A grin made its way onto Ares' face as he looked towards Anya, who smiled back at him politely, before his eyes fell upon Athena.

"Athena?" He said, frowning at her furrowed eyebrows and glassy eyes. "Hey, I was only joking."

"You think it's funny?" She hissed, wiping at her eyes angrily. "I've been sat here, wondering when - or if - you were ever going to wake up. I've been going out of my mind, literally waiting to see if you were going to die!" She shouted, glaring at her mate who stared at her with wide eyes. "And you think it's just a joke!?"

The room fell silent once more, the only noise coming from Ares' heart monitor and Athena's heavy breathing as she attempted to calm herself down. "I love you," Ares finally breathed out, his hand on Athena's tightening its hold when she tried to pull away.

"Fuck you, Ares."

That was when Helios cleared his throat, "I need to ask you a few questions, and it's important you answer me honestly." Ares glanced towards Zeus who's expression had darkened once more, Athena biting her lip as her gaze moved from Helios to her mate, and then back again. Helios stood beside Ares, "How often have your seizures been happening?"