Chapter 0286

I hadn't told her the full extent of our plan. She sat with me while I changed the twins. She simply reminded me that I had the power to do this. Then it just happened. No one has replied yet.

They don't need to reply. They will come. I frown deeply. Some will come out of annoyance. Others will come from curiosity. But they will come. Seraphina will probably show up too. I watch her carefully.

Her wide blue eyes lift to meet Alexander's crimson gaze. The last time we had many people here, terrible things happened.

The difference is we expect trouble this time. Alexander tells her firmly. That's what he is here for. He gestures toward me.

Right. Her voice wavers with uncertainty. He doesn't help ease her fears.

Their bond was stronger than any I had ever witnessed. Stronger than the connection I shared with my own mate. It shouldn't work between them. Yet somehow it does.

I needed to observe bonded pairs more closely. Especially those with Lycan mates.

Athena begins to panic more visibly. She thinks she made a huge mistake. What if I shift?

Then we handle it when it happens. His tone softens when he speaks to her. It never softens for me or anyone else.

Promise you'll protect the twins. She whispers urgently. If I...

You won't shift.

They both look at me suddenly. They had forgotten I was still in the room.

I won't let you go Rogue. The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.

Stopping Lycans from turning Rogue never interested me before. I only cared about ending their miserable lives. But something about Athena made me hesitate. Perhaps I was too fascinated by her fractured soul. Perhaps it was just part of the job. I also knew I couldn't learn anything from her if she went Rogue and died.

Two days passed. A handful of Lycans appeared.

Every single one ended up lying before me. Each had a bullet buried in their skull.

They hated her. They despised that she led them. They loathed that she mated a Wolf. They were furious she had children with him. They were enraged she summoned them.

I watched their souls darken while Athena spoke to them. They became threats. I put them down before they could do anything stupid. Nobody questioned me. Not even Zachary.

I took the bodies to the pack's edge. I planned to bury them. Instead I built a fire. I tossed their bodies onto the flames. I watched them burn.

The smell of burning Lycans is putrid. It becomes worse when the bodies swell from gas. The stench invades your senses for days. Just when you think it's gone, a tiny reminder drifts back. Even after all this time, I never adjusted to that odor.

Done. I mutter upon returning to the house. Zachary, Blondie and Alexander stand outside.

You burned them? Blondie asks.

Too many to bury. This way we only deal with bones. I shrug casually.

Bet you enjoyed that, didn't you? Zachary crosses his arms. He glares at me intensely.

I'm doing my job. I mutter back. I wouldn't tell him I felt sorry for Athena. The first ones to come wanted nothing to do with her. Feeling pity for a Lycan was new for me. Any sign of others?

Alexander shakes his head. Not yet.

They've lived without a leader too long. Even her mother lacked her power. She must understand many won't like this. Many will resist. Especially after freedom lasted this long.