Chapter 0271

Alexander

Zachary and I stood by the gates. Dawn hadn't broken yet, but the sky was beginning to lighten. This Lucas Adler made me wary. His quick agreement to come here felt suspicious.

The call with Brianna was even stranger. The man stayed silent, yet she told him to ask a specific question to Athena. I still didn't understand why. The line cut abruptly, and a drowsy Athena stared at me like I'd played some childish prank.

Headlights approached from beyond the gates. Theodore stepped out of the lead car first. Sebastian followed, visibly furious.

"I told you not to point a fucking gun at her face!" Sebastian shouted, turning toward the second vehicle.

"Can't be too careful." An unfamiliar voice replied flatly. "I warned you all—no surprises. Relax, she's still breathing."

"It's fine, Sebastian. My mistake." Brianna murmured. "He despises Seraphina, so I had to explain about Athena. Didn't want him shooting her by accident since they look identical."

‘What the hell went down out there?’ Titan asked me.

‘Trying to figure that out myself,’ I muttered back.

The four of them approached. Sebastian and Brianna trailed behind Lucas, while Theodore stayed close to him. Lucas seemed indifferent. He strolled forward casually, a bag over his shoulder, hands tucked in his denim pockets.

He stopped before the gates, his hazel eyes locking onto mine. "Alexander."

"Outsiders call me Alpha."

"Not doing that. Not when you harbor filth in your pack." His gaze flicked to Zachary, and he spat on the ground. If not for the gates, Zachary would've had his hands around the man's throat.

"Show some fucking respect," Zachary growled.

"Respect is earned," Lucas snarled back. "And I have zero for your kind, Rogue."

"I am not a Rogue!" Zachary's nostrils flared as he gripped the iron bars.

"But you were. And you still feel the pull." Lucas grinned. "How long until you snap, Zachary? A week? A few months? Either way, I'll gladly end your miserable existence."

"You told him?" Zachary demanded, glaring at Brianna.

"No, I swear," Brianna insisted. "Like I said, he just... knows things."

‘Sounds like a complete psycho,’ Titan rumbled.

Lucas kept his eyes on me but pointed at Sebastian. "Why don't you tell him, Blondie!"

"My name is Sebastian!" he snapped, stepping forward with a frown. "The guy says he can tell Lycans from Rogues. Calls himself a Hunter."

"It's not a claim, Blondie. It's a fact. Centuries old."

"Whatever. Stay away from my mate, or I'll put a bullet in you."

Lucas laughed like it was a challenge. "Now, are you letting me in? You're the ones who asked me here."

"Why agree so easily?" I pressed.

"She made a deal." He pointed at Brianna. "If that deal falls through, I'll go on a killing spree. Starting with her."

Brianna puffed her cheeks out. Whatever she promised, it was to save her own skin. I didn't blame her. But the final call wasn't hers.

"I'm the only one here who makes deals," I growled.

"Is that so?" he mocked.

"He can tell the difference," Brianna blurted. "I said he could kill the bad Lycans. It's easier than brewing Wolfsbane Toxin. No one will find out."

"Is that true?"

"It's what makes me a Hunter."

"Long as I get to kill something, I'm happy. So it's your call, Alexander." Lucas smirked, his lips peeling back from his teeth.