Chapter 0132

Trigger Warning- Talks of miscarriage

Athena

I ran.

My feet moved on their own.

The pack's voices echoed behind me.

They called out promises.

They said they could help.

They said Alexander would be fine.

He wasn't.

I felt it.

The pain intensified.

It clawed at my heart with every step.

'What's the plan?' Nyx's voice was tense.

I have to find him!

Tears threatened to fall.

'Athena, he left hours ago. We can't find him on foot.'

I have to try.

I burst through the final line of trees.

The boundary lay before me.

I had never crossed it alone.

The old panic returned.

The fear of the snow.

The fear of the unknown.

"ATHENA, STOP!" Sebastian's shout came from behind.

I turned.

He moved carefully through the trees.

His eyes were downcast.

His frown was deep.

The pain shifted.

It moved from my heart.

It sank deep into my abdomen.

"You're lying." A single tear escaped.

It traced a path down my cheek.

"I feel it." My hand pressed against my chest. "He's gone, isn't he?"

'Something's wrong.' Nyx's murmur was laced with fear.

"Alexander is alive." Sebastian's voice was firm. "You were right, he wasn't. There was a car accident. Glass impaled him. It missed his heart. Julian saved him." He took a slow step toward me. "I swear it, Athena. Our Alpha lives. But right now, you need a hospital."

"For Alexander?" My voice was a whisper.

"No. For you."

"I need to see him."

"I know. But he's miles away. You are the priority."

The pain spread.

It shot into my hips.

It burned down my thighs.

That's when I smelled it.

The metallic scent of blood.

My eyes dropped to the ground.

Spots of red stained the grass.

Drops marked the fallen leaves.

A trail led right to me.

"Let me help." Sebastian held out his hand.

He caught me as my knees buckled.

He swept me into his arms.

He ran.

The forest blurred around us.

Pain radiated through my core.

"Am I losing them?"

Sebastian didn't answer.

I felt Nyx pacing in my mind.

Her worry mirrored my own.

'I killed my pups, didn't I?' I whispered to him.

He held me tighter.

He pulled me close to his chest.

Just like Alexander would.

My tears fell freely.

Sebastian crashed through the hospital doors.

"In here!" Isabella's voice was sharp.

He laid me on the bed.

Isabella immediately lifted my top.

She ran a scanner over my stomach.

"Well?" Sebastian demanded.

"Two heartbeats." Isabella's tone was focused. "Two strong heartbeats."

"Then why is she bleeding?" he pressed.

"If I knew, I wouldn't be running tests, would I!"

"Are they really okay?" I asked, too afraid to look at the screen.

She offered a small smile. "They seem perfect."

More tests followed.

No cause for the bleeding was found.

She ordered bed rest for several days.

She promised to recheck me then.

"I can't. Sophia is missing. Alexander is hurt. I still have Ethan to deal with. And that ridiculous party tomorrow?"

"Not a fan of parties?" Isabella tried to lighten the mood.

I glared.

She knew I'd never been to one.

"Just take it easy until then. If the pain worsens, tell me immediately. I'll be at your side during the party. If anything happens, I'm there."

"What's wrong with Sebastian?" I nodded toward the door.

He paced outside.

His arms were crossed tightly.

His eyes were distant.

He was linking someone.

"He's updating Alexander." Isabella gave a weak smile.

"He said he was okay?"

"Oh, he is... Maybe Sebastian should explain. He's my brother's Beta. He'll have more details."

"Tell me."

"Not my place." She turned away.

Sebastian reentered.

His smile was strained.

It didn't reach his eyes.

"Alexander's okay?"

"He's fine. They found a safe place to recover." His gaze flicked to Isabella, who suddenly found the wall fascinating.

"And?"

"They found another Lycan."

"Another?"

"She says she was turned years ago. One of the first."

"Did they kill her?" I already knew the answer.

"No. She's going to help them."

"Help?"

"It seems this Brianna was also bitten by Victoria."

"Brianna?" A cold dread washed over me.

My body began to tremble.

It couldn't be her.

"No. No, no. You heard the name wrong."

"Athena, what is it?" Isabella asked.

"I know her."

"How? That's not possible. They're miles away." Sebastian frowned.

"She was at Silver Creek. Not for long. A few months."

"A slave?" Isabella questioned.

I shook my head. "She was their pet."

"Brianna?" Sebastian sank into the chair by my bed.

"She appeared one day. Victoria brought her to the house. She was all smiles and laughter. Then, after a few days, something changed. A darkness took over her." I paused. It reminded me of myself. The girl who became happy to rip out hearts.

"What do you mean?" Isabella's voice was soft.

"She joined them."

"You mean she hurt you?" Sebastian leaned forward.

I nodded.

The memory was brutal.

It was just before my final binding.

"She grabbed my shoulders. She smashed my head into the concrete basement wall. Over and over. Blood sprayed the walls. The floor. I lost consciousness. I never saw her again after that."

Sebastian and Isabella exchanged a long look.

"Surely it's not the same one?" Sebastian muttered to her.

"How long ago?" Isabella asked.

"When I was seventeen. Almost eighteen."

"Five years. It can't be her."

Sebastian sighed. "What did she look like? I can have Alexander confirm."

"Blonde. Brown eyes. A scar." I touched my face. "Right above her lip."

"I'll be right back." Sebastian strode out.

"Alexander can handle himself." Isabella gave a weak smile. "If it is her, people change. Five years is a long time."

"Or she's filled with so much rage she'll kill him the first chance she gets."