Chapter 0208

Athena

"My Daddy said you're different from me." Charlotte mumbled, her face scrunched in concentration as she scribbled on her drawing.

Zachary had returned and was now in the office with Alexander. Isabella had come to find us but kept pacing nervously, chewing on a hangnail.

I watched her with suspicion while Charlotte continued her questioning.

"No, Charlotte. I'm not like you. I'm like Zachary."

"Daddy?"

I nodded as she wrinkled her nose. As far as I knew, Zachary hadn't told her he was a Lycan.

"Isabella."

She froze and met my gaze. "I can't discuss it," she whispered.

"Did you...see Gabriel?" It still troubled me that no one had found him. Maybe someone had killed him and I wouldn't have to deal with that nightmare anymore. That would be a true blessing.

"No." Her answer came too quickly.

"Who's Gabriel?" Charlotte asked from the kitchen table.

She kept drawing but was clearly listening.

"You don't need to worry about that." I forced a smile.

Isabella glared at me, but what did she expect? Tell a six-year-old that the monster who slaughtered her captors was named Gabriel?

"Grown-up things." I added. She shrugged and scribbled more aggressively.

"Okay...okay...I can't do this anymore." She ran hands through her dark hair, chewing her lip while staring at me. "I saw Julian."

"Oh? Is...is he alright?"

"I don't know. We didn't speak."

I almost hugged her. I knew how much she struggled with losing her twin. She still suffered, even if she'd never admit it.

"Alexander followed him. He was with another woman."

I snorted. "Well that didn't take long." He couldn't do anything with Sophia due to her age and the mate bond. Yet everyone knew he couldn't keep his pants on. "Who? Do I know her?"

"I'm not supposed to tell you."

"Isabella, you're scaring me. I hate secrets, you know that."

"Alexander said she looked exactly like you." The words tumbled out as if burning her lips. They came out hushed and rapid.

"That's not difficult. Many people have hair like mine."

She shook her head. "Maybe Alexander should explain this."

"Isabella, please." I murmured. I despised being kept in the dark.

"Perhaps..." Nyx began.

"Not you." I shut her down. My Lycan and I still weren't on speaking terms, and I preferred it that way.

Isabella's dark eyes locked with mine. "He said she was practically your twin."

"What are you saying? That I have another relative out there? Another Lycan?"

"You really should talk to Alexander and Zachary. I'll stay with Charlotte."

I paused with my hand on the door, glancing back at her. She mouthed 'I'm sorry.'

I was sorry too. I'd been dragged through enough lies and secrets. I hated every moment. Yet Alexander still insisted on keeping things from me.

Waddling down the hallway toward the office, I heard Alexander and Zachary's heated argument. They were debating when to tell me.

"It's not fair to keep her in the dark." Zachary snapped.

"She's my mate. I'm protecting her." Alexander retorted.

"Wouldn't she be safer if she knew what she's facing?" Zachary countered. "She's the only female Alpha, and now there's someone who looks just like her roaming the streets. Do you know how many scenarios I've imagined?"

"Look. We still don't know who she is." I imagined Alexander standing, glaring at Zachary. He was so engrossed in the argument he hadn't detected my scent outside the door.

"Julian probably went to her because she resembles Athena." Alexander sighed. "He's like a child, always wanting what he can't have. He's tried fighting me for Alpha multiple times. He challenged Sebastian for Beta. Instead of winning, he chose to sleep with Sebastian's wife. Was he even sorry his children are dead?"