Chapter 0100

Athena

His fingers closed around my elbow, pulling me inside the house.

Those crimson eyes searched mine, probing for any sign of hesitation.

I wasn't even sure myself if I was prepared for this.

But action had to be taken.

The situation had escalated beyond control.

Everything was spiraling, and now children were being turned.

"Beta Sebastian needs to warn Sophia." I mumbled as Alpha Alexander guided me toward the office.

"If this works, she'll be able to hear me too. It'll terrify her."

I'm twenty-two years old and still get unnerved hearing Alpha Alexander's voice in my head.

Nyx's presence is even more unsettling.

"I've already informed him. He's speaking with her right now."

I still couldn't see how this would help.

If anything, it seemed like it would only provoke them further.

He directed me to the chair, his voice firm but calm.

I could see the doubt in his eyes now.

He knew there was a strong possibility this might fail.

'Accept the role.' Nyx whispered in my mind.

'Will it actually work?'

'We won't know until you try.'

'Fine! I accept it!' I just wanted this over with.

I wanted their heads on spikes.

I wanted... My thoughts trailed off as I realized how dark they'd become.

'You'll need to do better than that.' Nyx's laughter echoed in my mind.

I looked up at Alpha Alexander.

He was watching me intently.

He once told me he could always tell when I was communicating with Nyx.

"You can do this. I'm right here with you." He gave me an encouraging smile.

"I accept." I muttered aloud.

Alpha Alexander shook his head slightly.

I understood what he meant - I needed to phrase it properly.

"I, Athena Harrison, accept the role of..." My voice faltered.

Could I truly go through with this?

'It's in our blood.' Nyx murmured softly.

I slumped back in the chair.

Caleb had been pushing relentlessly for me to reclaim my Alpha position.

To take control and lead Silver Creek.

He had insisted it was what they all needed.

Yet they all believed a woman shouldn't hold power.

"Continue." Alpha Alexander urged. "You have the strength for this."

"It's a trick." I whispered.

"Athena, you're panicking." His voice remained calm and steady.

"It was Caleb who revealed my identity to you.

He begged me to lead the Lycans.

To take command.

He claimed they needed me.

But he was working for Dominic all along."

I had been so foolish.

I never saw through his deception.

"You think this is what they want you to do?"

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat.

"They never wanted me to lead.

This is a trap.

This is exactly why Caleb was sent here."

Tears threatened to fall, but I blinked them back.

I felt incredibly stupid.

'Damn it!' Nyx snapped. 'That's been their plan all along.'

She was furious for not realizing it sooner.

Her restless pacing in my mind wasn't helping.

She hadn't been present until the very end.

She missed many of our conversations.

"His strategy is more sophisticated than we anticipated." Alpha Alexander muttered.

He circled the desk, scratching thoughtfully at his stubble.

He paused, leaning heavily on the table with his knuckles.

"What if you accept the role anyway?"

"I don't... I don't understand."

"As an Alpha, I can block out my pack's voices.

I choose who to listen to, who to link with.

The plan was for you to connect with all of them.

What if you start isolating them instead?

One at a time.

Getting inside their minds to gather the intelligence we need?"

"And what if it fails?"

'He's right.' Nyx murmured. 'I can assist with the blocking.'

Alpha Alexander stared at me, waiting for my response.

I sighed deeply, knowing neither of them would like my answer.

"We find another solution."

"Athena..." Alpha Alexander began.

"I never wanted this, Alpha Alexander.

Maybe if I'd been raised differently, things would be different.

But this... I don't want to lead them.

I don't want them using this as leverage to drag me back.

And I absolutely refuse to let them plant their damned seed in me!"

I was practically shouting by the end, which is something I rarely do.

"A..."

"Don't!" I snapped, storming out of the office.

Fury coursed through me, and thankfully Nyx remained silent.

I trudged toward the hospital, hoping Isabella would be there.

I needed someone else to talk to, or perhaps just some silence.

"Hey." She muttered without looking up from her work.

"Alexander mentioned you might come this way.

What did he do? He was being very cryptic in the link."

"He wants me to accept my role."

"As Luna?"

I hadn't even considered that possibility.

"No. As Alpha."

Her dark eyes snapped up, locking with mine.

She pressed her lips together and moved around the station she'd been leaning against.

"There must be a reason for this."

I filled her in on the conversation with Alpha Alexander and told her about the girl.

"I heard about the girl.

Sebastian is bringing her by later.

Thought it would be good for me to examine her."