Chapter 0115

Athena

"Twins?"

"Yes." Isabella smiles. "Definitely." She presses the ultrasound wand firmly against my abdomen as I stare at the ceiling.

Alexander's fingers tighten around mine. His happiness radiates through our bond, vibrating against my skin.

Twins? I whisper to Nyx, hoping she understands my terror. I can barely care for myself, let alone two pups.

Look at him! She murmurs.

My gaze shifts to Alexander. He holds the monitor in his free hand while Isabella points out our developing pups. The widest grin spreads across his face, his crimson eyes glowing with pure joy.

He's thrilled. Nyx whispers. We have help.

How? My body has endured too much. I can't be six weeks. I try calculating dates, but everything blurs together since my first cycle.

Nyx remains silent.

Did you know?

No response.

Nyx?

The forest. She finally answers. Our pups develop faster.

Lycans? I'm carrying Lycans? Despite my own nature, I never wanted this connection.

It's too early to confirm. But there's every possibility—

"NO!" I scramble off the bed, yanking my hand from Alexander's grasp. Both Isabella and Alexander stare at me like I've lost my mind.

"Athena?" He reaches for my wrist but I pull away sharply.

"I need space!" My voice comes out harsher than intended as I push past them.

Nyx tries speaking to me.

"Quiet!"

Isabella's dark eyes widen as she glances between me and Alexander.

"Just... give me a moment." I mutter, backing out of the room.

"Athena?" Isabella calls after me. I hear Alexander telling her to let me go. To honor my request.

"Hey, everything alright?" Theodore asks as I burst through the doors onto the grounds.

"I need solitude. And I... thought you were with Sophia?"

"Sebastian's at the house."

"Right." I exhale sharply.

"Is solitude truly what you need?" He offers a gentle smile. "Perhaps you need someone to talk to? Or vent against? Someone who isn't your mate."

I narrow my eyes momentarily. "Have you uncovered more research?"

"About you, specifically?"

I nod.

"I have materials at the house. But I assume you're referring to the pregnancy?"

"You know?"

He shrugs. "It wasn't difficult to deduce. You arrived at the hospital without visible injuries. You merely seemed disoriented and Alexander maintained his composure."

"What do the texts say?"

"Honestly, very little."

I sigh internally, disappointed by the lack of information.

"What does your Lycan say about it?" He probes.

"That the pups develop quicker."

"You're concerned the pup might be Lycan?"

"Worse, that both will be."

He pauses, processing my revelation about twins. His eyes widen with understanding.

"I have Dominic and Victoria hunting me with unknown numbers of Lycans. Alexander will have guests arriving and... and..."

"It's overwhelming?"

I nod, closing my eyes against threatening tears.

"After everything those monsters did to me, they deserve death. But now I might bring more of their kind into this world."

"That frightens you?"

I nod again.

"They'll be raised by you." He offers another small smile. "That means everything."

His words should comfort me, but they only plant more doubt.

Raised by me? It feels like a cruel joke.

I spot Sebastian emerging from the pack house, his hands firmly on Sophia's shoulders. He scans the area briefly before pushing her toward us upon spotting me.

Her eyes remain downcast as they stop before us. I'm too focused on Sophia's butchered hair to hear the men's conversation. She'd taken scissors to it, hacking it unevenly.

Her eyes meet mine. "I couldn't wash the blood out."

I start to offer to fix it—I'd learned to cut my own hair over the years—but Sebastian interrupts to announce Alexander's guests have arrived.

Alexander bursts from the hospital with explosive force. The door slams against the brick wall, making Sophia jump. Her hand grabs mine instantly. I can hear her heart pounding so violently it creates a humming vibration.