Chapter 35

*Athena's POV*
We pull up to the small diner that displays a cute sign that says ‘Skyline Eatery’ in simple and elegant cursive. We all get out of the vehicle and we are welcomed with amazing smells that are escaping through the door way.
“Now I’m starving.” Celeste says breathlessly and we all head file in through the small doorway.
There are people spread out among the place, and ages are quite diverse. There are a few older couples, mid aged couple with their children, and even teenagers with their friends. The atmosphere is lively and filled with smiles and wonderful smells of food.
We all take a seat at a 3 sided booth and take hold of the menus that are sitting there waiting for us. It’s filled with diverse and delicious options.
As we are thinking of what to get a waitress finally stops by our table with a friendly smile. She looks in her mid twenties and her honey blond hair is up in a messy bun.
“Good morning, my name is Chloe! Can I start you all off with coffee or other refreshments?” She asks.
“I think two pots of coffee will work out great.” I say and look for any objections from anyone. Everyone gives a nod.
“Excellent! Ill bring that right over. Are you ready to order or will you need a few more minutes?” She looks at each of us.
“Im ready, ill have the mushroom and Swiss omelet with whole wheat toast.” I close my menu and hand it to her with a smile. She takes it and looks to my mate who is next to me.
“How are your Belgium waffles?” He asks
“Customers say they are to die for! I would definitely give them a try if you are interested.” She says enthusiastically.
“Then ill give them a try.” He smiles and also hands her his menu. Celestes ends up getting the same as me but with a fruit salad. Atlas ordered for scrambled eggs with sausage and toast. Lastly Alaric asked for buttermilk chocolate chip pancakes.
She collects all the menus and leaves to bring us our coffee.
She comes back with two full pots of coffee and five mugs for the each of us.
After she leaves, we finally start to discuss business.
“We are nearing the boarder of Virginia. If we continue to go south we may encounter the rogues.” I say as I pour myself a cup.
“I don’t think so, if we can catch up to him. The Luna said they are in North Carolina. If we get an early enough start we can probably catch up to him before we get anywhere near the rogues.” Silas says. “That’s if he isn’t constantly moving.”
“What should happen if we do come across them? Isn’t the leader ruthless?” Celeste asks while sipping her drink.
“As much as I hate to say it, yeah and quite so. He committed many serious crimes while apart of my pack. Damon is unlike me and Alaric, he takes after our predecessors. He is of a higher ranked family and was groomed to be cunning and vicious before his parents were put to death. To begin his reign of terror, he challenged me for my title. He accumulated a decent amount of followers and he lead them to question my leadership. So when he challenged I couldn’t decline. After a brutal battle I managed to come out on top.” He explains and pauses for a sip of coffee. “He became even more unhinged after losing and more of a pain to deal with. His number of followers grew and he came up with strategies to force the title out of my hands. He ended up kidnapping Alarics younger sister and took her hostage for 5 days and nights. If Alaric didn’t pry her out of their hands I would have reluctantly handed him the title. Knowing I would banish him soon after, he started a mass riot. They burned down houses, raped woman and children, then came for the pack house to take my life. Since we grew up together I couldn’t find it in myself to take Damons life. He used to be as close to me as Alaric is. So I banished him and his followers. Now I see what a horrible mistake I made.”
That’s why he seems so guilty for Aidens condition. Because he didn’t have the heart to take another’s life another is paying the price. Ill bring It up to him when we are alone next.
“Upon his departure, he vowed to find my mate and take her. So I will have no choice to give up my pack. He vowed to hurt me where it’ll hurt the worst.” He sighs at looks at me. “In no instance should you put yourself in danger Athena. If he gets his hands on you it’ll be over for everyone.”
My eyes widen in shock. Does Damon already know I’m Silas’s mate? If he does, I’m in big trouble.
Chloe finally comes with our plates of food and hands each of us what we ordered. My omelet looks absolutely amazing. The eggs look so fluffy and the mushrooms are sautéed to perfection. We all dig in and we all slightly moan in delight. This tastes heavenly! I look over to Silas who is cutting his waffles that also look quite good. They look airy and nice and fluffy. He looks at me and smiles as he is taking a bite.
“Do you want to try some?” He takes a piece into his fork and holds it towards me. I smile and slightly open my mouth and the piece of waffle hits my tongue. The buttery and sweetness fill my taste buds. I never tasted anything so wonderful.
Silas chuckles at my reaction and continues to eat. He’s so handsome when he smiles.
Chloe comes back and asks if we are enjoying our food and if we we want a refill on coffee. The waitress fills up our coffee pots and goes to help other tables.
“Judging how strong Aiden’s scent is in this area, we’re getting closer.” I say and take a bite out of my buttered toast.
“Everything will be fine Athena. There are five of us and one of him.” Celeste says.
“Theoretically.” I mumble.
We all finish our breakfast and Chloe comes back with our bill. We all end up fighting who will pay it. After a losing argument Silas and Alaric pick up the bill and Celeste and I take care of the tip.
We pay and we all head out of the diner and yell thank you to the kind waitress. We get back into the vehicle and we get back onto the road. I hold Silas’s hand in mine and text mom to tell her we are all fine. Obviously she’s worried and tells us to be cautious.
We turn up some music and take many back roads in the direction Aiden went. The roads are empty and quite ominous.
About fourty five minutes into the drive we are stopped. A line of what smell like werewolves stand in our way. We come to a stop and look at each other.
“We may be on pack territory. They may think we are trespassing.” Silas sighs and looks back at them. “Stay here, ill go explain to them we’re passing through.” He unbuckles his seat belt and opens the driver side door. He steps out and approaches the pack warriors. What pack are we in right now? I take out my phone and pull up a map of territories. I find we are in the SilverFang pack territory. They are relatively peaceful and deadly when threatened.
I see Silas discussing something with them and he suddenly becomes interested in what they are saying. He turns around and speed walks back to us. He opens the door and looks at me.
“They said a black wolf has been through here. It must have been your brother.” He says and I open my door to get out of the vehicle. I rush to the warriors with Silas.
“You said a black wolf has been through here? Did he attack you guys or say anything?” I ask a bit frantically and they all raise their brows at me.
“And you are?” One of them asks in suspicion.
“Athena Goldstein. Potential Alpha of the Mystic Evergreen pack.” I proclaim in confidence. Their eyes widen and they bow their heads.
“Please forgive our rudeness. He only passed through. He evaded us while he trespassed. He continued south from here.” A light brown haired and tall warrior says. “He did, however, give off the metallic scent of blood.”
Oh goddess, I hope he hasn’t killed anyone. When he returns to normal, he would never forgive himself if he ever took innocent lives.
“How long ago did you see him?” I ask slightly above a whisper.
“About two hours ago. He ran like there was a fire under his tail.” A large blond warrior says.
“Thank you for the information. Will it be alright if we pass through? We just want to find him.” I ask and look at each of them. Ones eyes become clouded meaning he has entered a mink with someone.
“The Alpha has permitted it. However you and your group must only pass through swiftly and quickly. We don’t want any trouble.” One says with pure seriousness. We nod and turn to head back to the car and walk back hand in hand. We get back in and go continue our way on Aidens trail.