Chapter 0204

She remains silent as I lift the shower head back into place. I take the shower gel, working it into a lather across her skin while she leans heavily against me.

She still hadn't uttered a word by the time I finished washing her hair. I started to worry I’d pushed her too far.

“Isabella?”

“Yeah?” Her voice comes out unusually high. I suppress a laugh rising in my throat. She was still floating.

It takes a solid thirty minutes for her to seem grounded again. Her dark eyes meet mine, then drop to the outfit she wore. A simple blue tee and matching jeans. I’m surprised she managed to dress herself, given how dazed she’d been.

“What did you do to me?”

“Gave you exactly what you asked for.” I smirk. “I think you were in a sort of mid-heat cycle from my extended absence.”

“Right.” She moves to the closet, pulling out combat boots and slowly lacing them up.

She stands, a soft smile gracing her features as she looks at me. “No one has ever made me feel like that.”

We’re nearly finished in the city. Isabella had spent a significant portion of my money ensuring Charlotte was equipped for what seemed like the next decade.

We’re loading the last bags into the car when she freezes. I know why. I caught his scent, too.

I glance up. She’s standing rigid, staring past me, all color drained from her face as if she’s seen a ghost.

I turn, following her line of sight to Julian. He isn’t looking our way initially, too engrossed in a phone conversation.

Seconds tick by before his eyes lock onto us. I see his lips form the word ‘shit!’

He shoves the phone into his pocket and spins on his heel.

“What is he doing?” Isabella mutters as he retreats. “I thought he’d at least be happy to see me.”

“Whoever he was talking to must be important.” I slam the car door shut.

“Zachary, don’t.” Isabella grabs my arm. “He clearly doesn’t want to see us.”

“I just need to ask him what he did with Sophia. For Athena.” I add when she shakes her head in protest.

She hesitates but releases my arm. She tells me she’s staying behind, waiting in the car.

I keep my distance, tracking his scent through the winding streets until I spot him with a woman. A Lycan woman.

I knew I was right. I knew there were more. But why would Julian seek out another Lycan after what happened to Sophia?

Julian looks panicked, his hands gesturing wildly. She stands perfectly still, her back to me, hiding her identity. Her arms are crossed. Dark hair falls just below her shoulders.

Her feet are wedged into ridiculously high heels. One foot taps impatiently on the concrete.

Her hand snaps out, gripping his chin, forcing his face toward hers. Seriously, Julian? You just lost your mate and you’re already with another Lycan.

She releases him. He circles a Porsche, sliding into the passenger seat. As the female Lycan turns, I get a clear look at her face just before she gets into the driver’s side.

She looked like Athena. Same dark hair, same sharp facial structure. Except for the eyes. While Athena’s are a striking blue, this woman’s are a deep brown. That was the only discernible difference.

The car speeds past. I press myself flat against the brick wall. The moment it’s out of sight, I sprint back to Isabella and leap into the driver’s seat.

“We have to go. Now.”

“What did you see?” Her voice is laced with panic.

“Isabella, I…” My foot slams the accelerator. The car lurches forward as I speed out of the city toward home.

“Zachary, you’re scaring me!” Her hands clutch the edges of her seat as the car races down the road.

“Julian was with another woman.”

“Seriously?” she snaps, irritation flashing in her eyes.

“A Lycan woman.”