Chapter 0200

Alexander

I settled into the large chair, scanning the shadows across the grounds. A full week had passed since Zachary's return. Still no trace of Gabriel. Perhaps that was for the best. Maybe he finally understood he couldn't get what he wanted from us. Until I had more information, the grounds would remain heavily guarded.

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Athena still deep in sleep. She was curled into a ball, hands cradling her bump. Completely undisturbed by my absence beside her.

She looks so peaceful. Titan murmured.

She's breathtaking. I whispered back to my Wolf.

With Gabriel gone, she had become significantly calmer. Isabella insisted it was just a phase in her pregnancy where she gained temporary clarity. Even if it was fleeting.

I was immensely relieved. There was a moment I truly believed the darkness would claim her forever.

The same darkness I had once found intriguing in her.

Her heart rate shifted. She stretched out slowly. You're watching me again. She mumbled, still half-asleep, eyes remaining closed.

I will never stop watching you.

She didn't respond. The steady rhythm of her heart told me she had drifted back into slumber.

My eyes flicked to the clock. It was nearly four in the morning. The guard shift change was imminent.

Movement caught my eye on the far side of the grounds. A figure emerged from the shadows. Theodore was heading this way, arms laden with books, his pace quick and urgent.

I groaned softly, pushing myself up. I moved to the bed, pressing a gentle kiss to Athena's cheek. She didn't stir, but a faint smile touched her lips. A kiss was all she permitted these days. She claimed pregnancy made sex too uncomfortable. Once the twins arrived, I would remind her of all she'd been missing.

Slipping out the door, I descended the stairs. I found Theodore poised to knock on my office door.

"Theodore, it's four in the morning."

"I apologize, Alexander, but this couldn't wait." He was practically beaming.

I gestured for him to enter. He hurriedly dropped the stack of books onto my desk. "You recall how difficult it was to find information on Athena and other Lycans. How everything was ancient history, mere fragments."

"I remember, Theodore." I stifled a yawn.

"Remember what Sophia said? About the humans having stories?"

"Get to the point." I snapped, my exhaustion evident.

"I've been scouring libraries and bookstores in the city and nearby towns. If these books hold even a grain of truth, I believe there are more Lycans out there."

"What are you talking about?"

He eagerly opened one of the books. "This one." He was visibly excited. "It discusses how Lycans revealed themselves to humans roughly five centuries ago. It mentions a war between them. Massive casualties on both sides, but ultimately, the humans claimed victory."

"Okay."

"There's no mention of Lycans being wiped out, Alexander. Just that the humans won. Don't you see? They survived."

"We can't assume that. I've never encountered any." I had treaties with numerous packs. None had secrets as deep as Silver Creek's.

He shook his head, opening another book. "This one also discusses the war, but it claims the Lycans were victorious."

"If Lycans won the war, humans likely wouldn't exist."

"That was my thought. But there's more. This text says the Lycans won, but their numbers were too depleted to conquer the world after such heavy losses." He smiled, then frowned. "They needed time to repopulate. They couldn't do that with humans aware of them. They went into hiding. They let the humans believe they had won."

Hiding? Where? Titan muttered. I repeated the question to Theodore.

"It's not specified. I've searched the entire book. No location is mentioned. It only stresses the importance of keeping Lycan existence a secret."

"Why were we never taught about this war in school?"

"Think about it. If they wanted to hide, the last thing they needed was humans or Wolves uncovering this information years later." His deep green eyes met mine. "We were taught about a war, Alexander. Recall your history."

"The Great Wolf War."

He nodded. "It was known as that. But what if that was just a cover? I feel like a complete fool. Of course the Lycans worked to erase all information. But then why would someone write a book?"

I raised an eyebrow. "It probably wasn't meant to be found. It was likely intended to stay within the Lycan community."

"You're probably right." He tapped the book, more excited than ever. "The author was a leader in that war. He constantly emphasized the importance of a bloodline. His bloodline, to be precise."

He closed the very old book and handed it to me. The title was etched on the cover: "The War." By Aldous Harrison.