Chapter 0311

I mastered nudity during practice sessions quickly.

Torn clothing would only invite suspicion and unwanted questions.

Alexander snatches a blanket from the bed.

He swiftly wraps it around my bare form.

His crimson gaze sweeps over me intently.

"Why?" he demands, voice low.

"I've been training," I murmur back.

I stretch my limbs, feeling several bones pop softly.

Lying serves no purpose now.

He’d be monitoring my thoughts closely from this point.

"Too fucking right," he states, eyes still locked on me.

"Training? As in letting the darkness in and pushing it back out?" Zachary questions.

"No." I frown, struggling to articulate it clearly.

"You claimed it was difficult. Told me once darkness enters, it’s nearly impossible to expel. That isn’t true. Brianna managed it. Gabriel did. So did you."

"Through immense effort," Zachary retorts, clearly annoyed.

"Effort for you," I mumble under my breath.

He glances toward Alexander.

"Not for me. Not anymore."

"What are you talking about?"

"Zachary, you explained Rogues carry darkness before turning. Said it’s unique for everyone. Rooted in their past. But me—" I snort, realizing how blind I’d been.

"I was born with this. It defines me. I’m neither dark nor light."

"Athena, that’s Nyx influencing you," Alexander frowns deeply.

'Of course he blames me!' Nyx mutters internally.

"No, it’s not. I fought her relentlessly. Devised plans to break free from her. But I finally paused to listen. And I learned something crucial." I shake my head and rise to my feet.

I adjust the blanket, tying a secure knot to keep it draped over my chest.

"I’m not meant to eradicate her."

"Athena..." Both men exchange glances as if I’ve lost my sanity.

Alexander shakes his head firmly.

"Athena, Luc stated—"

"Lucas Adler said plenty. He told you darkness fills my fractures. He’s correct, but his reasoning about Nyx is flawed. I tried blocking her. She was merely filling the voids to make me complete. To strengthen me. To enhance my functionality. It was never about domination—her controlling me or me controlling her. I needed to accept her. I needed to embrace what I am."

"None of us truly comprehend what Luc perceives," Alexander argues, shaking his head.

"But his experience—"

"He’s never handled a Lycan Alpha before," I interject swiftly.

I step directly in front of my mate, gazing up into his intense crimson eyes.

"There was a purpose behind my parents binding me as a child. Can’t you see? It all aligns. They were terrified. When the bindings failed, they pretended Dominic was the heir, not me. But they engineered me. The last female Lycan Alpha."

Nyx cheers internally as I boldly declare my true identity.

"I’m no longer afraid. I know exactly who I am."

"Prove it," Alexander challenges quietly.

'You’ve got this,' Nyx encourages. 'Clear your mind. Stand tall. And don’t you dare fall.'

My eyes shift toward Zachary.

"Could you turn around?" I don’t mind Alexander seeing me naked—he’s my mate and has seen me countless times—but Zachary is different.

My body begins its transformation.

Bones crack and stretch.

Fur sprouts across my skin.

The pain is sharp yet manageable.

I continue until I stand fully shifted over him.

He looks up at me, a proud smile gracing his lips.

"There you are."