Chapter 0205

Alexander

"Tell me this is a joke." I growl at Zachary standing in my office. He was only supposed to get supplies for Charlotte.

It has to be. Titan mutters. Julian would be an idiot to stay this close. Surely Aspen wouldn't agree to this.

I sigh. "He probably is. Aspen lost Sophia too."

I know what I saw, Alexander. Zachary cuts into my conversation with my Wolf. I knew I was right. I knew there were more out there. He mumbles. I didn't need a damn book to prove it.

I raise my hands to silence him while processing Julian's actions. "Alright, so he's involved with another Lycan. Why is that our problem?"

You won't like what I'm about to say. He mutters.

Say it anyway. I snap.

You told me everything Athena endured growing up. You explained how it shaped who she is.

Yes, but—

He interrupts me. Does she have any siblings?

I glare at him, surprised by the question. No. What does that—

Are you completely sure?

I'm ready to punch him for cutting me off again.

No, she doesn't. I told you about the man who claimed to be her brother.

Dominic, yes, but you discovered he was actually her uncle.

I nod. Then there was Caleb who also claimed to be her brother. That was a lie too. He was bitten by Victoria or maybe Dominic, I can't recall exactly. Athena killed him. But what does that have to do with this?

His dark eyes lock with mine. He runs a hand through his stubble, thinking. The woman, she looked just like her.

That means nothing. Titan shrugs.

That doesn't make them siblings. I tell Zachary.

Normally, I'd agree. But the only difference I noticed was her eye color. Alexander, aside from that, they looked identical.

I shake my head. You must be imagining things.

I know what I saw.

Did Isabella see her?

No. He sighs. She didn't want to speak to him, so she waited in the car while I followed. Alexander, I'm telling you, I know what I saw. He went to her, panicking because he knew we spotted him, then they got in a car and drove off.

What were they saying?

I don't know. He shakes his head. I was too focused on figuring out who she was. When I saw her face, I was stunned.

Older or younger?

Impossible to tell. Why does that matter?

Are we believing this? Titan asks.

I don't know. He has no reason to lie.

Well, if this woman is older, Athena would surely remember her. Plus, it would prove they aren't siblings because otherwise, that woman would be the female Alpha, not Athena. And we all know she's the Alpha. You can't deny that.

And what if the woman is younger?

I pause, because I have no answer. Athena was bound. Caleb used that, telling her it erased parts of her memory, which was why she couldn't recall him before his adoption.

What if that was partially true? What if he was hinting at another part of her life and just used that information to get close to Athena?

What if one of her parents had an affair? That would explain why they look so similar. Zachary suggests.

Athena's memories of her parents aren't great. They're overshadowed by their deaths and the revelation that they were the ones who first had her bound. It's a sensitive topic, and I'm not sure she can handle discussing it right now.

I hate keeping so much from her, but for now, it's crucial to keep her calm.

I doubt they were like that. Besides, wouldn't it have killed his mate?

Not if he hadn't met her yet. Zachary mutters.

It seems unlikely.

Were they aware of you? I press, scanning the paperwork on my desk. There's a million things needing attention in the pack.

Not while I was watching. It seemed your brother was more focused on escaping and sleeping with the Lycan.

What a damn surprise! Titan scoffs.

I chuckle, and Zachary raises an eyebrow at me.

He tried his luck with Athena. Several times, actually.

He nods. Isabella told me.

It makes sense he'd sleep with someone who resembles her. Athena was the one he never had a chance with. I lean back in my chair. Julian has sunk to a new low.

That might be your concern, but I'm more interested in how he found her. Lycans don't just wander around. If they did, news of their existence wouldn't be such a shock, right?

I shrug. As long as he stays away from here, I don't give a damn.

He's a pissed-off man, Alexander. Everything I saw suggests he has plans. He's involved in something dangerous, and there's only one reason most people do that. Revenge.

By sleeping with someone who looks like Athena? That's hardly revenge, Zachary. Athena is still my mate. She's still carrying my pups. If he wants to sleep with someone who resembles her, that's his business. It doesn't cause me any issues.

You're missing the point.

Really? And what's that? I narrow my eyes, annoyed by his controlling attitude.

He can't get revenge alone, not against a pack your size. He needs support. Help. His dark eyes lock with mine. It's unlikely Wolves will help him, given your reputation and your ability to twist things in your favor. It's possible he went searching for something and found what none of us have.

It was a Lycan who killed Sophia. I snap.

But he blames you, Alexander. He blames you for bringing us here.

So what do you suggest I do, Zachary? Because it feels like sticking my nose into something that's none of my business. Julian made his choice by rejecting the pack. If he wants to run around sleeping with this Lycan, it's no concern of mine.

She had control. He mutters.

I tilt my head. What are you talking about?

He was panicking. Zachary's frown deepens. Like he was worried we had seen him. He shakes his head. She was the one reassuring him, like she knew what she was doing. She pulled his face to hers and told him to get in the car.

He sighs, straightening his back until it cracks. He's screwed up.

I understand what he's saying. He went to her for help, and now he's trapped helping her?

What the hell have you done, Julian?