Chapter 0122

“Once this Lycan mess is over, we’re finished, Alexander. I owe you nothing. I want no part of your pack ever again.”

LYCANS! Sebastian shouts through the mind link.

“They’re here,” I tell Ethan.

He charges out without hesitation, setting aside his issues with me for now.

“Find Sophia,” I tell Athena, guiding her toward the door. “Stay with her. Do not leave the house.” I press my lips to hers and silently beg the Moon Goddess to let me return to my mate alive. None of us truly knew what we were facing.

My pack had formed a defensive wall three rows deep, standing shoulder to shoulder. I could see the Lycans, all shifted, lining the edge of the trees, waiting. It was impossible to tell how many there were.

They didn’t move. They watched us just as we watched them. Everyone listening for the slightest sound.

Was Dominic here? Was Victoria? I had no idea what they looked like in Lycan form.

‘What are they doing?’ Sebastian links me. He stood in the front row, eyes locked on the massive Lycan directly across from him.

‘Scouting. They’re trying to see if this is all we have.’

Faint clapping started somewhere within the trees. One by one, the Lycans joined in, slamming their large clawed hands together. The sound was deafening.

‘Something’s wrong,’ Julian mutters. ‘It’s a distraction.’

We scanned the area. Nothing had changed. My thoughts immediately flew to Sophia. Had I been tricked by a child?

‘Athena? Is Sophia with you?’ I linked her, my heart pounding.

‘She’s hiding in her closet.’

‘Keep her there!’

I scanned the clapping Lycans again. That’s when I noticed them parting, making way for the blonde woman. Victoria was still in human form. As she moved through the crowd, she stepped to the front and raised her hands. The clapping ceased.

“Where is she, Alpha Alexander?” Her voice grated like nails on a chalkboard.

“Not here. Where’s that coward husband of yours?”

“Hiding her in the house, are you?” She smirked. “I suggest you bring her out. This could get very ugly.”

“For who? Not a single one of your creatures made it through. We killed every last one.”

A slow smile spread across her face. “Except one.”

“The one you never should have turned,” I growled.

“Are you certain?” Her eyes closed, and a twisted grin took over. When they reopened, she stared directly at me. “You see, Alpha Alexander, no matter how much little Sophia wants to fight it, she cannot resist the commands of her maker. Athena will have two choices: come willingly, or kill Jessica.”

I already knew what Athena would choose. She would never harm Sophia.

My eyes shut as I heard the packhouse front door open.

“I’m so sorry… I’m so, so sorry.” Sophia couldn’t even look at me. When I refocused on Athena, her eyes were solid black.

‘Don’t shift,’ I linked her. It wouldn’t be safe for her or the pups.

She didn’t respond. She stepped onto the grass, walking calmly beside Sophia. Athena’s expression was cold and detached.

A wall of wolves still stood between Athena and the Lycans. There was no way they were taking her.

The Lycans began cheering as if they’d already won the battle.

“Bring her to me!” Victoria shrieked as Sophia stopped behind Julian.

Sophia’s head snapped up. Her eyes were as black as Athena’s. She held her hand out to my mate. As their fingers intertwined, Sophia growled, “You may be my maker, but you are not my Alpha!”