Chapter 0137

Athena

“Are you absolutely certain I can’t assist with anything?” I ask Isabella, my voice tight with frustration. “Sitting here idle is driving me insane.”

“No. You need to remain exactly where you are. Sebastian has everything under control.” She hands me a glass of orange juice and settles onto the bed beside me. “Any word from Alexander?”

I shake my head slowly. This was the longest stretch of time we had gone without speaking. It felt profoundly strange. I knew he was safe now. I could sense it through our bond, but that knowledge did nothing to quiet my restless thoughts.

‘I’m positive everything is fine. Who knows? He might even make it back for the celebration.” Isabella offers the words with a hopeful tone.

“Sebastian already said that’s highly improbable. And we still have no strategy for dealing with Ethan.”

“Stop worrying about that. Sebastian and Theodore will handle it.”

I groan softly, taking a sip of the juice just as a sharp knock echoes from the door.

“Enter!” Isabella calls out.

Sebastian steps into the room, his gaze lowered. “Alexander is on his way back.”

“He found Sophia?” I blurt out, thrusting the glass toward Isabella.

“Yes. She is unharmed. She is secure.”

“Why does it feel like you’re withholding information, Sebastian?” Isabella fixes him with an intense stare. “I’ve known you my whole life. I can always tell when there’s more you aren’t saying. Julian is fine, Alexander is fine, and you just confirmed Sophia is safe. So what is it?”

His eyes shift to me. “You must remain calm.”

Isabella scrambles off the bed and shoves him hard in the arm. “Are you serious? You should know by now that telling a woman to stay calm has the exact opposite effect!”

He releases a heavy sigh. “Alexander is bringing Brianna here.”

My heart seemed to freeze solid in my chest. “Why… Why would he do that? You told him. You told him what she did to me. You said he verified it was the same woman. That she bore the same scar.”

“Athena, breathe!” Isabella urges as I slide from the bed and begin to pace the room.

“He’s bringing her here?!” My voice cracks, threatening tears.

Let me think! Nyx snaps, her agitation mirroring my own. ‘Perhaps… perhaps he is bringing her here so we can end her.’

“Athena, talk to me.” Isabella pleads.

Maybe he wants you to have closure.’ Nyx suggests.

A wave of nausea washed over me. Since hearing that name, the memory of what she had done had unlocked completely. Now, just like the bloody images of my parents, it replayed on a relentless loop in my mind. The searing pain, the sickening crack of my skull, my desperate pleas fading into nothingness before the darkness consumed me.

“Athena!” Isabella calls my name again, more forcefully.

“She cannot come here.” I whisper, my voice trembling.

“Okay. But please, get back into bed.” She turns her furious glare back to Sebastian. “Why in the goddess’s name would he bring her here?”

“He said he would explain everything upon his arrival.”

“I don’t understand.” I mutter, moving numbly as Isabella guides me. “He always swore he would kill anyone who ever hurt me. And now… he’s bringing her here. To my home. I’m pregnant!”

“And that is precisely why you need to rest. We will handle this.” She grinds her teeth, her eyes burning into Sebastian. “Won’t we!”

“Without question, you and the heirs are our top priority.” Sebastian states firmly.

I feel my stomach lurch violently. I knew what was coming and barely managed to stumble into the adjoining bathroom.

“Just go and keep watch on Ethan.” Isabella snaps at Sebastian as she follows to rub my back.

“This is a joke, right?” I gasp out when she helps me back to the bed.

“Alexander always has his reasons. I’m certain he wouldn’t do anything that would intentionally endanger you. Focus on the positives. Sophia is safe. Alexander and Julian are bringing her home. No matter what has been thrown at you, you have always found a way to rise above it. If you have to kill her, then kill her.”

“You’re right. I need to keep my pups safe.”

She nods and turns on the television. “Now, can we please watch this film I’ve been telling you about?”

“Why are we still proceeding with this?” I mutter as Isabella carefully walks with me toward the training grounds.

Music had been blaring for most of the afternoon. The entire pack already seemed to be in a festive mood, even though the celebration wasn't scheduled to start until sunset.

“As I’ve said, the pack needs this. It was Alexander’s idea. It kept Ethan here a little longer and it gave my brothers the chance to locate Sophia.”

And bring that bitch here.’ Nyx growls low in my mind.

“Ladies!” Ethan’s voice comes from behind us. Did he hear Isabella? “How are you feeling, Athena?”

“Exhausted.” I reply flatly. He was still playing the charming guest.

“It must be difficult carrying twin Lycans.”

“We don’t yet know if they are Lycans!” Isabella tells him sharply.

“Right. Yes, Athena did mention that. Out of curiosity, when will you find out?”

“Not for several months.” Isabella declares.

His dark grey eyes linger on me. “Several months is a considerable amount of time.”

“There is nothing I can do to change that!” I snap at him. Knowing what he had planned for Sophia made my blood boil. But his excessive interest was solely focused on the twins. More specifically, my unborn children.

“Hey, there you are!” Theodore jogs toward us. “Happy Birthday.”

“I was under the impression this was a celebration for winning the war.” Ethan states.

“It is, but we also celebrate our pack leader’s birthday. It’s a joint celebration.” Theodore informs him.

“No one mentioned it was your birthday.” Ethan grins at me. “Happy birthday, Athena.”

“It’s not an occasion I typically celebrate.” I mutter.

He watches me intently as Isabella and Theodore converse. He doesn’t utter another word, and a cold shiver traces its way down my spine. Sophia was a distraction. It was the twins he truly wanted. I could feel it deep in my bones. That was the real reason he was still here.

“Come on, Ethan.” Theodore calls out. “Come tell me about Crestwood city. I’ve always been curious what it was like for your kind. Do you still conduct pack runs?”

I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding as Ethan follows Theodore, answering his rapid-fire questions.

“His brother is dead, correct?” I ask Isabella quietly.

“That’s what Alexander told Sebastian.”

“He hasn’t said a word about it. Not a single word. He would feel it, right? He would know his brother was killed.”

“Possibly. The bond is different when they belong to separate packs. There’s a chance he felt something. But there’s an equally strong chance he felt nothing at all. Why?”

“I believe it was a setup.” My eyes dart around to ensure we are alone. “He hasn’t mentioned his brother once. And his questions… He is utterly desperate to know if the twins are Lycans.”