Chapter 3: ³: politics is cruel

"Athena! Athena what happened?" The bedroom door burst open as Romana rushed inside, panic filling her face maybe she had heard my sobs.

For the past two days, she had barely left my side, it was only her who had been with me, as if guarding me from my own self.

I had seen Harry just at the time of the funeral after that it was only Romana who was at my side. Even if I wanted Harry to be with me at this time, I still understood he had to handle the pack matters.

It was only because he was there to handle everything that I was relieved, at least the pack would not go into disarray after knowing about Dad’s death.

Romana hugged me, holding me tightly while my body shook violently against hers. She caressed my hair, maybe trying to tell me that she was there for me.

"Romana..." My voice cracked horribly. "If Dad had just let me fight beside him, I wouldn’t have let him leave me alone like this..."

Romana pulled back slightly before gently cupping my face in both hands.

"This is not your fault, Athena," she whispered firmly. "War is cruel. It always demands sacrifices."

Tears blurred my vision again.

"Alpha Steven died protecting this pack. He died as a warrior and a leader. He is a martyr so you should be proud of your dad. Your father was a great man."

Her eyes softened painfully.

"So be his brave daughter now. Make him proud by protecting the people he gave his life for."

Something flickered weakly inside my chest at her words.

Determination.

Painful. Fragile. But alive.

I wiped my tears harshly before forcing myself to breathe.

"You’re right," I whispered. "I can’t break down forever. I have to be tough and prove to be worthy of being called Alpha Steven’s daughter."

The words felt strange and heavy now.

"It is thanks to Harry that the pack hasn’t fallen apart yet. I have to be there for my pack as soon as possible." I said deciding not to let pain break me but build me into a new person, someone of whom my dad would be proud.

"That’s my Athena," Romana said softly, helping me stand. "Now eat something first."

I shook my head immediately.

"No. I need to meet the council first."

Romana frowned.

"The matter of succession cannot wait any longer," I continued firmly. "Before rumours spread or the pack becomes unstable, I need to speak with the council members myself."

I inhaled slowly.

" I should start work at the Alpha office as soon as possible," I said not wasting another second to get ready to leave for the council.

...

"Athena," Romana said quietly once we stopped outside the council chamber doors, "take a deep breath and go inside, the late Alpha will be discussed a lot in there you will have to make sure to keep your composure."

I nodded stiffly.

After mustering my courage, I pushed the doors.

The moment the doors opened, loud voices spilt into the hallway.

Council members filled the large chamber, their faces tense and grim.

But then one sentence made me freeze entirely.

"Miss Athena is indeed the only legitimate child of our late Alpha," my father’s Beta said coldly, "but how can we allow a she-wolf to lead our pack?"