Athena's POV
One Year Later
"Come on we're going to be late" My words were rushed as I threw the changing bags into the boot. My parents were throwing a party for Layla as she turned one today, and we were going to be late... again.
"We have plenty of time, stop worrying" Hector came up behind me placing a kiss on my cheek before getting into the car. Checking the children were strapped in their seats properly I got in beside him. Lately we were always late which really irked me, I was someone that liked routine though lately I didn't even know what that was.
"Please tell me Axel will be back in time. I haven't heard from him" The day I killed his mum he left for a few weeks and truthfully, it did us all good. We needed time and space and he knew that. He knew I wasn't just going to roll over and forget everything that happened. That I wasn't just going to forgive him, and he accepted that. When he did come home however, both Hector and I were waiting for him. Our relationship isn't perfect by any means, who's is? But it was ours and after months and months or bickering, me being a bitch and Hector's silent treatment we forgave him.
"Athena he will be back, he's not going to miss his daughters first birthday. You know he won't. Relax"
"I just want everything to be perfect for her. She deserves it" And she did, she deserved her special day and so much more.
The last year had just flown by and soon enough it was Layla's birthday. I can still remember the day I first laid my eyes on her. How all my fears and the grudges I held instantly disappeared the moment I held her. There isn't a day that goes by that I regret taking care of her.
***flash back***
"Oh my goddess she's so tiny" I whispered as the nurse showed me which baby was Axel's. My heart was already full of love from the moment I saw her. She was the spitting image of Axel. Her tiny little facial features matched his perfectly. She had his dark hair only she had bright green eyes that resembled his wolfs. Thankfully, she didn't look an once like her mother. She was a week old, and Axel hadn't remotely tried to bond with her before he left, he wouldn't even visit her. It wasn't her fault she was born and she sure as hell didn't deserve to be treated the way she was. The poor little thing needed someone to care for her, to love her. I gave Axel my word the day he marked me that I would be there for her. So, this was me keeping my word.
"Does she have a name?" The nurse looked concerned; her eyes full of sorrow as she watched the sleeping baby.
"No but I was thinking of one and I think it suits her. Let's call her Layla and if her father doesn't like it, he can always change it" The nurse smiled as she placed the baby in my arms before showing me where we could have some privacy.
***End of flashback***
Eventually Axel did bond with Layla and he along with anyone else that knows her absolutely loves her. She isn't going to be gifted when she's older, but it wouldn't change a thing. I won't allow her to feel like the outcast I was. No, she is going to grow up happy, she will live a long healthy life and she would one day take over the Gemstone pack. We would teach her to love herself that she is in every way perfect.
I was bought back to reality by the baby crying. Teething had been an ultimate nightmare this time round. Roman was now four months old and his teeth were causing him so much upset; nothing we did seemed to work. Imagine our surprise when I gave birth to a boy. I mean after all the effort Axels mother put into her plan; we were all under the impression my pup would be another girl. Everything we had was pink. Axel stayed with me at the hospital while Hector went and got us some blue baby bits. Don't get me wrong the pink did for while we were in the hospital, but I certainly wasn't bringing him home in it.
His gender wasn't the only shock we got that day. Henrik rushed into the room seconds after Roman was born. My legs were still in the air, so he got a front row seat to the view. Both Hector and Axel wanted to kill him until they heard what he had to say. It turned out this witch by the name of Sadie, from the coven he used to be a part of had a vision. Henrik was just as convinced I was having a girl as we were, so he rushed to the labour ward to check. Turned out the prophecy everyone thought was about me and my sister was wrong. Our son was to become the Alpha of Alphas. A wolf stronger than anything this world had ever before witnessed. My mates did the whole 'yeh mate' thing while I became terrified for his future. We had kings and queens, but never before did we have an Alpha of Alphas. What did that title mean for him? Would he become King once I've had my time to reign? Or would the royal monarchy end with me? There were so many questions and I just hoped we would someday find the answers for them.
*****
"Finally, guests have been arriving for the last fifteen minutes" my mum looked pissed as we pulled up, though the sour look on her face soon disappeared as she helped get the babies out. She was an amazing nanny, she loved to cuddle and play with them, while my dad was just happy to watch. He wouldn't hold either of them until they were a few weeks old out of fear of hurting them.
"Sorry mum things have been hectic all week. Hector, can you grab the cake out the boot while we take Layla and Roman round?"
"Yes, go I need to make a phone call anyway" my eyebrows furrowed, he hadn't mentioned needing to talk to anyone, so now I was intrigued.
"Who? Surely it's not important. It's Layla's birthday Hector, can work not wait"
"Who said it was work? Look I will be round in a minute I promise. Stop frowning or your going to get wrinkles" I growled in response as my mum just chuckled at out bickering. Her and dad were constantly saying that me Axel and Hector argued worse than an old married couple.
Leaving Hector to make his mysterious phone call I was adamant not to let it get to me. Today was all about Layla and that's how I wanted it to stay. Mum took Roman into the pack house having finally gotten him back to sleep. With him down I could focus on the birthday girl. I found her in the ball pit. Her giggle was bloody contagious, when she laughed you laughed. Walking towards her I tried to spot what she was laughing at but didn't see anything. Taking off my sandals I got in with her. The moment I did something grabbed my foot making me scream. Layla just found it hilarious. Hector walked round laughing as Axel jumped out from under all the little balls, a massive grin on his face.
"You git" I chuckled as I smacked his shoulder while he feigned hurt.
"Couldn't help myself. Your just such a fiddle little target and ah I'm sorry I just couldn't help myself" he pushed himself backwards as he continued to laugh.
"Is this what your phone call was about?" I glared at Hector who shifted uncomfortably on his feet under my gaze.
"Oh come on Athena live a little. You've been so stressed lately we thought you could do with cheering up"
"You'll both regret this you know that right" flashing them an evil smirk I picked Layla up and took her inside. I would get them back and they knew it.
Once everyone had arrived and the children were settled the magic show began. Henrik was putting on one hell of a display and everyone seemed to enjoy it. He created animals using magical orbs for the children and ended with a firework display. Layla had really enjoyed her day and eventually she gave in to exhaustion. We were spending the night at my old pack, a pack that would be mine in less than two weeks. I would be their Alpha even though we were going to merge the Moonlight pack with the Gemstone pack. At first my dad wasn't thrilled, he had jumped the gun and assumed there would no longer be a Moonlight pack. He however was wrong. I may be mates with another alpha but that didn't mean I couldn't run my own pack while completing my Luna duties for his. It would be hard work, especially with two children, but hey I'm looking forward to it.