Chapter 0236

Brianna

“What a complete bitch!” I mutter under my breath, seething with frustration. How could two people share the same father yet be so entirely different?

Zachary swings the front door open forcefully. He had waited until Athena was safely back with Alexander before coming to find me.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he demands sharply. “I had to tell Athena it was my idea for you to be hiding in the damn trees.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because she questions everything you do. You’re lucky she bought it. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“No, I just… I thought I could help by keeping watch. Nobody lets me join guard duty, so I took matters into my own hands. We all know Rogues and Lycans favor tree cover.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me your plan?”

“Because you would’ve said no. You seem to forget I used to watch over the Rogues before you. I kept an eye on anyone passing through town. And it’s a good thing I was in those trees. Neither of you spotted the gun tucked into the back of her ridiculous leather leggings!”

“A gun?” His surprise mirrors my own when I first saw it.

“Yes! Not exactly a Lycan’s weapon of choice, right? But I know what I saw!”

I lift the coffee pot and gesture if he wants a cup. He nods, slowly sinking into a chair as he processes my words.

“You think she was going to kill Athena?”

“I don’t know. All I know is the moment she asked to speak to Athena alone, I had to act. Athena might still hate me, but if I can prevent her death, I will.” I shrug wearily. I’m tired of constantly proving myself, but I’ll keep trying as long as I’m here and breathing.

“I appreciate what you did.”

“But she doesn’t, does she?” I sigh deeply. “I don’t know what else to do, Zachary. If I just sit around, I feel like I’m waiting for the day Athena decides she’s had enough and orders my execution. If I act, it’s wrong. If I don’t act, it’s wrong. I’ve told you many times - maybe now is the time I leave for good.”

“No.” His response is blunt and final. No explanation. Just that single word.

“Zachary, you know as well as I do that everyone who’s hurt her is dead. She keeps very few people in her inner circle because of it. You, Isabella, Theodore, Sebastian and Alexander. That’s it. I’m literally waiting for her to say ‘enough’ and have me hanged in front of everyone.”

“She won’t hang you.”

“You won’t be able to stop her. She’ll just order you to stand down.”

“No, I mean she won’t hang you. She’ll have you torn apart or rip your heart from your chest.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence!” I snap sarcastically.

He groans. “Forgiveness doesn’t come easily for some people.”

My shoulders slump. “I know, but you’re the only one here who tolerates me. Everyone else only sees what I did years ago. Nobody lets me train with them. Nobody wants to be my friend except you.”

“I’ve seen you talking to Isabella and Theodore.”

“Okay, maybe Isabella. But I think Theodore only talks to me because he’s an oddball.”

“It’s not like you to sound so whiny.” Zachary raises an eyebrow at me.

“This isn’t whining. This is me reaching the end of my patience. Unlike other situations, I can’t just take her forgiveness. It’s not a physical object! I have to earn it, and I genuinely don’t know how.” I slam his mug down harder than intended, coffee sloshing onto the table.

I angrily wipe up the spill, feeling his dark eyes burning into the side of my face.

“Have you considered this might not actually be about you?” His tone holds no frustration, unlike mine.

“What are you talking about?”

“The whole time we’ve been here, what have we learned?”

“That I’m the bitch?!”

He snorts and shakes his head. “She comes from trauma. Not once has she had it easy. And I still believe we don’t know everything. Darkness clings to every part of her being, feeding on that trauma, manipulating her thoughts and feelings in ways she probably doesn’t even recognize. You know this.”

“Then there’s also the possibility she doesn’t know how to handle genuine apologies. Or maybe she’s never heard one from someone who truly means it. We both know sometimes it’s easier to stay angry at the world than to forgive. And it’s ten times harder for her because she’s fighting battles only she can fight.”