Our Luna, Our Mate by Linda Middleman

Athena's POV

To say that the pack house was in full chaos was an understatement, for when entering the kitchen yesterday after spending the day decorating the ballroom there wasn't many people in it but with today being the day before the actual ball everything seemed more chaotic as maids, cooks, waiters as well servers all rushed around to get things done as it was only mere hours. before the packs would start to arrive and everything had to be perfect.

'Don't just stand there, find Maya' remarks Artemis as I tried to look for her among the sea of people as Maya was the head Omega for the kitchen and would be the one to know what to do in situations like this. "Maya?" I call from the doorway. "Maya".

"Athena? Why are you here? Shouldn't you be getting ready to greet guests" asks Maya who would have thought that being related to a Beta would earn me brownies points for today's special occasion.

"Nope, Beta Collin is handling that along with Brian, I've been told to help in here until the ball starts" I say a little reluctantly, having wanted to see other packs as they arrived.

"Why that arrogant piece -" starts Maya only to stop when she realized they weren't alone and bad mouthing the Beta was a big no no causing me to giggle.Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

"It's okay, I'd rather be here, helping you then meeting a bunch of different pack members" 1 mumble as I had been extremely lucky the previous night as to have been able to pull off dinner for the family as my uncle and aunt hadn't gotten home until almost 7:30 which allowed me to have everything all done and waiting on the table for them just as they walked in.

No sooner had I finished and had everything completed did I quickly rushed upstairs to my room before either of them could yell at me in which I was totally thankful for as it had remained punishment free as well.

"If you say so" whispers Maya before shrugging, moving to turn her attention towards a tray of cakes and pastries. "Here, take these to the dining hall, guests can help themselves to these as they slowly arrive" is all I'm told as Maya begins to hand me trays of food to put out for the

guests.

Nodding, I swiftly moved to take them before returning moments later for more, making sure each tray looked presentable as I did.

1/4

'Stay sharp, something tells me today won't go as smoothly as we hope whispers Artemis, trying to be on alert for anything that was considered fair game especially when it came down to my family including how it was handled.

'I will' I assure her, moving back towards the kitchen after my third run with trays of food, trying to help with as much as I could before guests would begin to arrive. -Hours Later-

"I'm so exhausted' I whined to Artemis just as we had finished with the whole entire kitchen, and things began to slowly settle down as food was being cooked, tables being set and servers waiting to serve the guests once they arrived.

"You did wonderful sweetheart' yawns Artemis, exhaustion seeping in as she had lent me all her

strength and energy to keep me moving throughout the day.

"Thanks to you, but you should rest, you've been lending me too much of your energy today. You need rest and I think I can handle these last few hours by myself' I say, trying to assure her that it was okay to rest.

"Alright, but if you need me, yell' and with that she moved to sleep within my head, soft purrs rising to give me an added bonus to let me know she was still there.

"You did wonderful Athena" replies Maya as she moves to hand me a glass of water and sandwich, both in which I take generously while making sure to give her a smile as I did.

"Thank you" I say, grateful to her as I move to take a bite and sip of water knowing that today would get even crazier as the night grew on.

"Are you attending the ball?" asks Maya as she looks at me, a small but knowing smile on her face. causing me to cough on my sandwich as I move to drink more water.

"Um, maybe, that's if I'm allowed to" I whisper to her, my eyes turning away with a knowing look as my family would probably not allow it even if I asked them.

"Pish Posh, I say you should go... after all it's for all the unmated wolves not just for the Alpha's and Luna's" replies Maya a frown showing on her face as she thinks about the ball. "But.. I can't" I say, not wanting to anger my family by going.

"Why can't you? Give me one good reason that you can't attend other than your family" asks Maya as she turns to look at me, eyes searching mine for answers.

2/4

"My family..." is all I can say because in reality it was.

"That's not a reason" remarks Maya only to pause when Beta Collin enters the kitchen, searching for mine.

his eyes

"Athena, You're attending the ball tomorrow night.. By order of the Alpha" growls Collin not liking.

the fact he had to allow it.

"E-Excuse me?" I stuttered, not sure I had heard him correctly. "Did you say by order of the

Alpha?"

"Yes" glares Collin, his eyes telling me that it was an order and that I had no choice in the matter. "Now finish up, your presence is needed in the dining hall tonight." "What?" I gasp, my hands suddenly shaking at the mention of tonight's dinner. "Why?"

Growling, my uncle moves to grab me by the arm causing me to drop the glass I had been holding. "Weren't you listening to me? The Alpha has requested this so do not question me for if it was me, I'd have you locked up inside the basement during all of this." Then, as if nothing had happened, he storms off, most likely to look for his family and to tell them of the news as well, my body shaking at the thought of messing up tonight's dinner or worst embarrassing my family in front of the Alpha and everyone present. "Shh, it's okay" whispers Maya who was gently holding me as a maid comes to clean up the broken glass and the rest of the water from when I had dropped the glass.

"B-But I can't go.. I don't have anything to wear" I mumble, realizing it was too late to go shopping for an outfit let alone two as

r was only a few hours away and guests were starting

to arrive.

"Nonsense, come with me, I have the perfect outfit you can wear for tonight's dinner as well as for the ball" is all Maya says as she moves to lead me towards her room and where she would proceed to help me in getting ready for tonight's dinner. Please... Moon Goddess, Please... Don't let me fail tonight's dinner or tomorrow's ball... is all I think as I give Maya complete and utter control for the next 24hrs.

374

Our Luna, Our Mate