LUCIUS.
I woke up very late in the afternoon. I yawned and stretched.
I couldn't remember the last time I felt so good. I had slept quickly and swiftly, and my father didn't show up for once in my dreams.
How had Athena done it? I had doubted her abilities until she began to work her magic.
*****
She had come in with my men behind her, looking at my room in awe.
“Oh, please have your seat." She said, gesturing to my bed, and I sat. "If you'll get ready to go to sleep, I'll be pleased." She said politely, and I lay on the bed and put the covers over me.
She knelt close to me and put a gentle hand on my hair, and she began to stroke it.
I was about to tell her to stop since I didn't like it, but she spoke, and her voice was as calm and soothing as the early morning breeze.
"When you fall asleep, there'll be only sweet dreams. Just give it a chance, my king. I've been aware of your condition, and it breaks my heart to see you unable to sleep." She spoke softly, and I listened only because her voice was so sweet, not because I was feeling sleepy.
"Close your eyes. Relax your mind and let your troubles go. Because only then can your dreams flow." She said, and I took a deep breath as I closed my eyes.
"Forget everything happening. Go to sleep. Now that you're there, it's all better; all burdens are gone. It's time to sleep peacefully." She said. It was so strange how I didn't know when I fell asleep.
*****
I didn't remember what exactly I dreamed of, but I didn't see my father chasing me. I didn't even think I saw anyone. It was really surprising as I thought about it. I had lost sleep for days, and finally, a few soothing words gave me rest.
"Theo." I called, and one of my men came inside.
"Yes Alpha." He said. He was bowing to me.
"Get me Athena." I said, and he left to do my bidding.
I washed my face and was drying it when there was a swift knock, followed by Athena, who was ushered in by Theo.
"Your face looks quite bright, Alpha; I suppose you had a good sleep." She said to me, and I nodded.
"I slept well. So, tell me. Are you from here?" I asked, and she shook her head.
"I've been looking for a place to settle down since I've been abandoned by my people. I am a half-blood, born of a wolf and a coyote." She said, and I raised my eyebrows. It was my first time encountering a half-blood.
I knew the pack wouldn't be pleased to have a half-blood around its Alpha, but if I wanted to sleep well, I knew I would have to make a temporary place for her.
"So, tell me about this ability of yours that soothes people." I said, and she smiled.
"It's just a talent I built over time; I've spent most of my days studying everyone I meet and most of my nights trying to think like them and understand how I feel." She said
and paused before continuing.
"And as time passed, I was able to speak and connect to people on a deeper level; people would sleep while listening to me talk because I provided comfort to their very souls." She said, and that was it. It felt like she was speaking to my very soul.
"You can leave. When I need you, I'll call for you." I said, and she bowed and backed out the door slowly.
~
DUSK.
"Hey Dusk." Seline said as she approached me.
"Yeah?" I answered, and she sat next to me in the garden.
"Are you done drawing?" She asked, and I nodded.
“Yes, I am. I'm actually putting the finishing touches on it. I'm about to go back to my room." I said, and she nodded.
"Athena. She's a coyote. Actually, half wolf, half coyote." Seline said, and I looked at her.
"Do you think the pack elders would want her? They're really picky." I said, and she shrugged.
"If she helps the Alpha, it might not matter to them." She said, and I gave it some thought.
"True, everyone's been really worried about his nightmares; I really wonder how it got out to the town people, though." I said, and she shrugged.
"Probably one of those maids who go to town for supplies. Some of them have been saying she'll be Luna. It's annoying." She said.
"I really don't care about that. I hate this pack." I said as I took my painting and stood up. She stood with me.
"I understand. This pack has really done a lot for you. It's fine if you don't want to be Luna. I'm just worried about who the Alpha would have to pick.
“Ariadne has really been dolling herself up since she heard the coronation is in a week." Seline said, and I had the urge to laugh because I knew how funny she'd look if she had the rumour that Athena from nowhere was going to become Luna.
~
Later at night, for some reason, I couldn't sleep.
I kept on turning and tossing about in my bed. Finally, I sat up and put my head in my hands.
"Maybe we should paint something." I said and got down from my bed. I went to my painting tools only to discover one of my brushes missing.
"Where..." I said as I continued to search for it.
"The garden!" I let out an angry whisper. It was already so late at night that I didn't want to go out.
Eventually, I put on slippers and left the room.
I went to the spot where I always sat to paint, and it didn't take long before I spotted my missing brush.
But as I looked up, I saw Lucius.
He was walking slowly with his back turned to me.
I wondered if he still couldn't sleep or if Athena didn't get to him.
I stood up, and it was only then that I noticed his claws were out.
Then he stopped and turned, and when he looked at me,
His pupils were blood red.