Chapter 0119

Athena

“It’s been nearly four days.” Alexander paces in front of me, his voice low.

“At least the vomiting stopped.” I attempt a smile, but his worried expression doesn’t fade.

“You need to see Isabella. I should’ve taken you last night, after the pack run.”

“I’m fine.” I wasn’t. The constant attention was grating. Everyone watched my every move.

The other Alphas put me on edge. Around them, I either went silent or snapped. No middle ground.

“You might feel fine, but you haven’t eaten.” He pulls me up, hands settling on my hips. His thumbs trace my frame. “You’re losing weight.”

Nyx said the same thing. But I felt okay.

“I’ve gone longer without food. When I was a slave.”

His hands move to my stomach. “You need nourishment. For you and them. You have everything you need here.”

“You should worry about Dominic and Victoria.” I snap. “There’s still no sign of them. The other Alphas are getting restless.”

“Screw them. It’s you I’m worried about.”

“I’m fine.”

“Stop saying that.” His gaze intensifies. “I hear your thoughts, Athena. I smell your distress. But you won’t talk to me. Are you scared they might be Lycans? Or are you starving yourself hoping the pregnancy fails?” He raises a brow.

‘You were supposed to block him!’ I hiss at Nyx.

‘They are my pups too!’ she retorts.

“Well?” Alexander demands.

“It’s… not like that. I…” I bite my lip. “It terrifies me.”

“If they’re Lycans, then that’s their destiny. Madame Zora should arrive today. Maybe she’ll have answers.”

Dread pools in my stomach. The witch who bound me was coming. My stomach growls loudly. Alexander smirks.

“Stop worrying about them. They will be loved. Cared for. No matter what they are.”

He kisses my forehead. “Now go eat. Make my pups happy.”

As I head for the door, he calls out that Theodore will stop by later to check on my reading progress.

Downstairs, I hear Julian in the kitchen explaining mate bonds to someone.

“I’m fifteen!” Sophia shrieks.

I burst into the kitchen. Julian leans against the cabinets, arms crossed, staring at Sophia.

I immediately jump to her defense. I knew Julian’s reputation. No way was I letting him near a fifteen-year-old.

“What’s going on?” I glare at him.

“Want to tell her, or should I?” Julian presses his lips together, annoyed.

“What’s happening?”

Sophia’s eyes are downcast. Her face is bright red.

“Did you try something?” I snap at Julian.

“I like women, but I draw the line at underage ones.” He sighs.

‘They are mated.’ Nyx murmurs as I process his words.

‘And to make it worse, you were human.’ His dark eyes fix on Sophia, not kindly. Sophia runs from the room crying. Julian rolls his eyes.