Chapter 0210

Six months later

Athena

My eyes dart to the clock as cries pierce the quiet bedroom. I nudge Alexander, but he doesn’t move. He’s completely out, not even stirring when the twins’ wails grow louder.

I drag myself from the warmth of our bed and tiptoe toward their cribs. There’s no point in being quiet—they’re already awake. Only Alexander was still asleep.

The moment I lift them into my arms, their tears stop. I sink into the large armchair by the window, both boys snuggling against me. These cuddles make every sleepless night worth it.

But I still watch.

Every night I’m awake alone with the boys, I find myself scanning the grounds. Waiting.

It’s been nearly nine months since we last saw Gabriel, and six months since we learned there’s another woman who looks just like me.

Zachary and Isabella often return to the city to search for Julian and the lookalike, but they’ve found nothing.

I should feel relieved. Instead, I’m on edge. What are they planning? Will they show up here with an army? Are they coming for my sons?

I will protect us, Nyx whispers softly.

I know, I murmur back.

It took my Lycan a long time to relent. To let me find my own way instead of filling my head with fears. To keep me from that looming darkness.

Now we’re more like we were when she first emerged. She speaks to me. She respects my choices.

I don’t turn when I hear Alexander rise. He always feels guilty when he sleeps through the crying, but I let it slide tonight. He’d been on a pack run.

“Sorry,” he murmurs near my ear, lifting Evrin from my chest with a sleepy yawn. “You’re watching again?”

I nod. “Gut feeling.”

“There’s been nothing for months. Everything is calm.” He means to reassure me, but the feeling never fades. It’s the same around Brianna. She still makes me feel… off.

“I like to watch,” I mutter.

“And I’d like my mate in bed with me all night,” he says with a smile. He knows it wouldn’t happen even if I weren’t watching. The twins rarely sleep more than a few hours.

“How was the run?” I ask, shifting topics.

Every full moon these past months, I’ve wrestled with going or staying with the twins. My need to be with them always wins. Mostly because I’m afraid to shift.

He knows, but he doesn’t push. He thinks shifting would help me regain control.

Maybe I will when I’m sure the darkness won’t pull me under.

He smiles. “No change.”

His way of saying all is normal in the forest. But his words only deepen my unease. I hold Logan tighter, and he sighs contentedly.

Alexander moves to the crib, gently laying a sleeping Evrin down. Then he takes Logan from me and does the same.

“Come back to bed,” he whispers, guiding me from the chair.

“Something isn’t right,” I murmur.

“Your mind is playing tricks again,” he says softly, leading me to bed and sliding in beside me.

His arm wraps around my waist, pulling me close. He leaves a lingering kiss on my lips. “You need sleep.”

“The twins—”

“Are asleep.”

“But what if—”

“We have it covered.” He runs his fingers through my hair, then suddenly freezes. His eyes glaze over.

“Now?” he snaps, annoyed.

What’s happening? Nyx asks.

I don’t know.

Alexander gets up, pulling on shorts. “Stay with the twins. I’ll wake Zachary to guard you.”

“What’s going on?”

“Not sure yet.”

He rushes out. Minutes later, a drowsy Zachary appears. “Any idea why I’m on guard duty?”

“He got a mind link and left.”

“That’s all he said?”

“Yep.” I pop the ‘p’ in frustration. After everything, we agreed sharing information was key. It helps keep my mind from spiraling.

Isabella enters and immediately leans over the cribs, admiring the boys. She adores her nephews and makes sure everyone knows it.

“Aren’t they just precious when they sleep?” she whispers joyfully. I’ve heard that exact phrase every day since they arrived.

“Isabella, let them rest,” Zachary mutters, sensing my tension. He pulls her away from the cribs.

He turns toward the open door, frowning.

“What is it?” Isabella demands.

“Lycan, I think,” he says, still frowning.

I bolt for the door, but he grabs me, pulling me back into the room.

“It’s not Gabriel,” he says, as if reading my thoughts. “But the scent is familiar.”

“If it’s not Gabriel, how did they get through?” Alexander has guards everywhere.

I glance at my sleeping children. The urge to protect them is overwhelming. I would die for them. I would kill for them.