Chapter 0141

“By this Zachary guy?”

“Yes.”

“After what she did to me?”

“What she did was horrendous, I am not disputing that. And I am thankful that she didn’t kill you. But just like you are haunted by your parents death, she is haunted by what she did to you.”

“Good!” I lie back and glare at the ceiling. “She deserves to be haunted.”

He stays silent and finishes his shower while I simmer in the quiet. Soon, he slips into bed and pulls me close. “I am not asking you to forgive her. I am not asking you to become friends with her.”

“I don’t understand why she is here.” I whisper, holding back tears.

“She didn't have to help me find Sophia, but she did anyway. Without her, Sophia might not be here.”

“That doesn't answer my question.”

His hands settle on my stomach as he sighs. "I don’t have an answer right now. Or at least nothing that will make you feel better.”

I sit up and stare at him. “You always have an answer.”

He says nothing. In the dim light, I watch his chest rise and fall. This wasn't like him. He always had answers. His silence unnerved me as much as Brianna's presence.

At the breakfast table, I bury my face in my hands. I felt awful.

“Come on.” Theodore speaks gently. “You’re almost done.” He points to the book before me.

“Sorry,” I mumble.

“Alexander mentioned you weren't feeling well this morning.” He offers a kind smile.

“No one warned me about this part of pregnancy. And I'm so sick of ginger biscuits!”

He chuckles and taps the book again. “Try to focus.”

I read a few lines and look up. “Has he said anything to you?”

“About Brianna? No.”

“But he's with her right now.” I glance toward the window.

“He said he’s giving her a tour.”

“Why?”

“I didn’t get to ask. But I assume it’s so she knows her way around.”

“Do you think he’s mated to her? Is that why he’s so welcoming?”

“What?!” Theodore chokes on his drink, spilling it across the table and my book.

“It's just... I was mated to Marcus and Alexander at the same time. He could have another mate.”

“That explains why you look exhausted. Were you up all night worrying about that?”

I avoid his gaze.

“Athena, I don’t know if it’s your hormones or you’re genuinely overthinking, but there’s no way. Alexander is honest. You know how long he searched for you.” He shuts the book. “Let’s go for a walk.”

‘I’m supposed to be resting.”

“What good is rest if you’re just lying there stressing?”

Stepping into the warm morning sun, I spot Alexander standing alone. His arms are crossed as he watches the pack.

“You should be in bed if you’re not studying!” He grumbles as we approach.

“Where's Brianna?” I demand, and he raises a brow.

“Getting settled in her temporary quarters.” His crimson eyes shift to Theodore. "Give us a moment?”

Theodore says he’ll catch up later and winks as he leaves.

I take a deep breath and ask the question that haunted me all night. “Is there something between you two?”

‘I've been waiting for you to ask since I read your thoughts last night.” He smiles, trying to ease the tension.

“And?”

“No.” He pulls me into his arms. “You are my only mate. You are the one I love. You are the one carrying my children.”

“Then help me understand because I feel like I’m going crazy!” I fight back tears.

“I think she can help you.”

I open my mouth to respond, but only shake my head in confusion.

“Athena, if you’re carrying Lycans, we need someone with more experience. It’s new to you, new to most of us here. She’s not the person she was. But she’s lived as one much longer than you have.”

Images flash in my mind. Her hands gripping my face, her thumbs inches from my eyes as she slammed my head back repeatedly. Pain shoots through my skull as if it’s happening now.

“The others who hurt you kept hurting you. She left because she couldn’t live with what she did, and she’s carried that guilt ever since.”

“She told me the same thing.” I mutter.

“You don’t believe her, or you choose not to?”