Chapter 0301

Athena

"Charlotte is waiting for you." I murmur as Lucas approaches the house with a shotgun resting on his shoulder. He looked furious, like he had just received the worst news imaginable. He had only just returned.

"Right." He dips his head at me. "I should go see her." A faint smile appeared but it didn't soften his expression. Instead, it made him seem more menacing. What happened out there?

“And your mate is in the hospital.” I add as he brushes past me.

He freezes, but maintains his composure. "My mate died. I will never have another mate."

"We both know that's not how it works. Zachary is Isabella's second chance mate. Perhaps it's your turn now."

He slowly turns to face me. "I don't know what you think you know, Athena. I. Do Not. Have. A. Mate!"

Denial.

His hazel eyes narrow. "My mate was my everything. No one could ever replace her. Understand?"

I nod, though Hannah had already confirmed it was him. The moment she was coherent, she gave me his name. 'Lucas Adler, the Hunter'. There's only one of him.

As soon as she said it, my suspicions were confirmed.

It explained why she panicked when he was near and calmed when he was gone. All because she believed he would kill her. That possibility still remained very real.

Tears had streamed down her face as she asked me how she could be mated to a Hunter. She asked why she was being punished this way. What had she done to deserve a mate like him? I had no answers for her. I was still trying to understand why Lycans were being paired with Wolves at all.

"How long have you been back?" He must have been nearby for Hannah to sense him and panic.

"I just returned." He replies coldly.

"Really? You haven't been lurking in the forest, watching Brianna's home? Her house backs onto the woods."

His face becomes unreadable as he stares at me. He was skilled at hiding his thoughts during conversations. Less so when he was alone.

"I am not, nor will I ever be mated to another, especially not a fucking Lycan."

"You didn't answer my question."

"Because it didn't require an answer. I've been away, solving your problems." He jabs a finger in my direction.

I roll my eyes. His denial was extreme. “Then why not just reject her instead of torturing her?"

"I don't know what you're talking about Athena." He shakes his head. "To reject someone would mean I need to be mated to them. As I've told you, I am not mated to her." He spits on the ground, making his feelings perfectly clear.

"She told me, Lucas."

"It's a lie."

"Why would she lie about something like that?"

"Why don't you ask her? You're her leader." His answers are short and sharp.

"I will."

His brow furrows. His hand tightens around the gun on his shoulder. "Or perhaps I should visit her myself. End her misery. Especially if she's spreading these lies."

"You won't do that!" I warn him.

"Try me." He growls back. "You know I'm not afraid to put a bullet in someone. Now if you'll excuse me, my little girl is waiting for me." He strides into the house, plastering a grin on his face for Charlotte.

I glance across the grounds where Brianna is sitting on her small porch with a cup, watching me. 'He's denying it.' I mutter through our link.

'I understand.' She tells me. 'He is a Hunter, she is a Lycan. I don't know what's happening.'

'He's in denial. Or perhaps this is his way of torturing Hannah.'

'No, not him. The Moon Goddess pairs us, right? Why would she do this?'

I don't know if she could see my movement, but I shrug. I turn to face the house, considering my next move. I didn't want a gun pointed at me again.