Chapter 0211

I snatched the diaper bag and hurled it at Zachary.

Darting past him, I flew out of the bedroom and down the staircase.

I froze on the bottom step.

There, in the doorway, stood a mirror image of myself—except for the eyes.

Hers were a deep, unsettling brown.

She smiled, thrusting her hand out as Alexander stepped back. “You must be Athena. I’m Seraphina.”

I kept my mouth shut.

Six months she had taken to show up, but she sounded nothing like what Zachary had described.

He said she was clad in leather.

Heels like a stripper.

I’d even looked that up because I hadn’t understood what he meant.

Yet here she stood before me, wearing trainers and baggy jeans.

An oversized sweatshirt swallowed her frame.

It was almost as if she were trying to mimic my style.

“I don’t know you,” I muttered, refusing to shake her hand.

“Father never mentioned me? How rude.” Her brows furrowed in clear frustration. “I’m your half-sister. We share the same father.”

I couldn’t sense her aura.

But that was the one thing Alexander and Zachary had warned me about—that it might be true.

Still, one of my fondest memories was how deeply in love my parents had been.

“No,” I stated firmly. “I’m an only child.”

Her shoulders slumped. “Mother warned me he might have kept me a secret. I just never really believed it.” She rolled her eyes and moved forward—though she still hadn’t been invited inside.

She opened her mouth to speak.

“How did you get past security? And where is Julian?” I demanded, cutting off whatever lie she was preparing.

She shrugged. “I suppose they thought I was you.” She gestured between us. “And I haven’t seen Julian in months.”

“Liar.”

“I only want to talk. Will you at least hear me out?”

Brianna had used those exact words.

I glanced at Alexander, hoping he’d say no, but I already knew his stance—it was my decision.

“Outside,” I snapped.

“Afraid I’ll hurt those twins of yours?” She smirked.

Rage exploded through me.

How dare she mention my sons.

Every fiber of my being screamed to tear her heart out.

Alexander’s hand slipped into mine.

I knew what he was doing—his warmth spread through me, trying to calm the fury coursing in my veins.

She grinned, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

They were the one thing that set us apart; at least mine weren’t completely dead.

I took a deep breath and glared. “Julian told you about them.” He’d learned they were Lycans right before he left. “What else did he say?”

She’s luring you in, Nyx whispered softly.

Seraphina laughed and turned away. “You coming?” she called over her shoulder.

Alexander and I followed her out, keeping our distance.

“Daddy was with my mother first.” She spun around, gazing up at the night sky. “It’s stunning here. It would make a lovely home.”

“He fell in love… but on the day my mother found out she was pregnant with me, he found his mate. You see, he never bothered to claim my mother.”

“No matter how much she begged. No matter how many promises he made to return. He never did.”

“And how is that my fault?” I snapped, itching to get back to my babies.

“I’m just telling you the truth. He led her on. Said he needed to find the right moment. Then he put you in your mother’s womb.”

“That’s when the empty promises started. The only way he could’ve stayed with my mother was by rejecting his mate. But in the end… he chose you.”

I snorted.

“You find that funny?” she scoffed.

“Hilarious,” I growled.

I could feel the darkness spreading through my veins.

“Athena,” Alexander murmured. I knew he felt it too.

“So what—you’re jealous? Is that it? You missed out on having a dad?”

“You have no idea how I watched my mother suffer.”

“Have you ever been bound?” I snapped.

My eyes had to be black by now; Alexander’s grip on my hand tightened.

Seraphina’s eyes narrowed.

“Let’s see. My parents bound me when I was a newborn.” Sarcasm laced my words; shifting always made me sharper. “Then again a few years later.”

“You’ve been bound… twice?” Her spine stiffened. So Julian hadn’t told her everything.

“Yes,” I said, pain prickling at my fingertips. My claws were ready to break through.

“More… but you’re—”

“I think the word you’re searching for is ‘alive’.”

“Athena!” Alexander’s voice was firmer this time.

I followed his gaze down to our joined hands.

Claws were slowly emerging from my fingertips.

For months I’d been afraid to shift again.

But I would do it for them.

I would do anything to protect my boys.

Alexander flashed his crimson eyes at Seraphina. “I suggest you leave. And don’t come back.”