Chapter 0157

"He refused me." I choked out.

"I know. And it's a good thing he did." He settled into the chair beside my bed, his gaze fixed on me. "It would have complicated my search for you."

"Is he dead?" I exhaled, frustrated. Why did this man provoke such intense, irrational feelings in me so effortlessly?

"No. He's in the dungeons. Alpha Athena is interrogating him, trying to extract information or break his will. I'm not entirely sure. She's forbidden me from going down there."

"She shouldn't be alone with him. And she dislikes being called Alpha." I muttered.

He raised an eyebrow. "She is perfectly capable of handling herself. She took a piece of his leg as payment for what he did to you."

That information provided a small measure of satisfaction.

"You can't kill him, can you? You want to. I can see the desire in your eyes. But you can't bring yourself to do it because he's your brother."

Zachary didn't answer. He just snorted and shook his head.

"You spoke." I muttered, recalling hearing his voice as a Lycan.

"Yes."

"How? You're not like him."

"I was once." My hands clenched the blankets. His eyes dropped to them. "I won't hurt you."

"I'm not scared. I'm frustrated." I sighed. "I don't... Alexander said you told him there was no return from being like that."

"I found a way." He offered no further explanation.

"You don't want to tell me, do you?" I winced as another sharp pain shot through my thigh. This healing process was going to be long and arduous.

"You tried to warn me." I sighed. He had told me I should be afraid of him. That I should fear him.

"I did."

I nodded slowly. "I give you permission to reject me."

He scowled at me.

"You clearly couldn't decide before. But now, I'm damaged. I'm giving you a free pass. I won't fight it. I won't refuse your rejection like Sophia refused Julian's."

"Aren't we all damaged in some way?" He stood and moved closer, cupping my face. "I've been waiting days to taste you again." He leaned down, pressing his lips to mine. Softer. Gentler than last time, as if savoring the moment.

My arms looped around his neck, pulling him closer. I felt him smile against my lips. Little sparks of electricity burned through me as the kiss deepened. But he was careful not to press against me this time.

He pulled away at the sound of a knock on the door. "There will be more than enough time." He muttered, noting my frustration. "But I am not rejecting you, mate."

My heart skipped a beat.

Athena opened the door. She shot Zachary a look of pure disgust before smiling at me. I noticed her rubbing her small bump. Something she didn't have the last time I saw her. How long had I been unconscious?

"She thinks I put you in danger." Zachary made sure Athena heard him before stepping outside. I saw he didn't leave, instead standing guard as she closed the door.

"He didn't know." I muttered, unsure what I was even defending. "He didn't know it would come for me. I didn't know Gabriel was a... a Lycan!"

"He should have told us. He should have explained what he is."

"Was." I corrected. "But that's not what's really bothering you, is it?"

Athena sat in the chair. "Sebastian wasn't going to tell me." She saw my confusion. "When the Rogue took you, Sebastian was guarding me. Alexander wanted me to stay put. If I hadn't gone, you could be dead right now."

"But I'm alive."