Chapter 0312

Brianna

"There you are." I smile brightly as Zachary descends the packhouse stairs. He looks distracted, his expression clouded. "Everything alright?"

"She did it."

"What?"

"Full control. She shifted."

"Seriously?" A wide grin spreads across my face. "That's incredible news. We've waited so long for this moment. How did it happen?" I watch him eagerly, anticipating the details.

"Athena's different." He murmurs quietly. "She's bonded with her Lycan spirit." His gaze meets mine directly. "That's good, right?"

"Of course it is. What's wrong with you? Why wouldn't it be positive?"

Zachary gives me a small smile. "Nothing. I suppose part of me never believed it would happen. She's fought her inner darkness for so long. I started to think it might eventually consume her. Darkness has always prevailed before."

"You're mistaken. We're both living proof that darkness doesn't always win."

He nods slowly. "You're right. I'm overthinking things." He glances back toward the staircase. "She seems genuinely happy. Both parts of her do." His attention returns to me. "You were looking for me?"

"I need your help."

He follows me to my house without question. I gesture toward the kitchen table. He exhales deeply and steps closer. His eyes scan the array of items scattered across the surface.

"Are these..."

"Yes!"

"And they..."

"Yes!" I interrupt sharply.

"And I'm the first person you're telling."

"Obviously. You're my best friend. Who else would I tell first?!"

He raises an eyebrow at me, picking up one of the numerous pregnancy tests. "What about the father?"

I puff out my cheeks in frustration. "Haven't told him yet. He asked me about having children before and I said no. Told him it was too soon after what Gabriel did to his sons. Now I'm pregnant anyway."

"You don't have a choice here, Brianna. You can't keep this from him..." His eyebrows furrow with concern. "Please don't tell me you want my help to get rid of it?!"

"No, never. Of course not. I was hoping for some wise advice. You're usually full of it!"

"You'll make a wonderful mother."

"That's your wise words?" I tease lightly. "Anyone could have told me that."

"But you wouldn't have believed them." I roll my eyes because he's absolutely right. Sebastian is my mate, but he doesn't know me like Zachary does. Nobody does. "Congratulations Brianna. I'm truly happy for you."

"What about you and Isabella?" I ask carefully. I know she suggested trying, but he hasn't shared any updates with me.

He presses his lips into a thin line and sighs heavily. "We would actually have to be intimate to make that happen." I watch his shoulders slump. "Since Julian ended up in a coma, she hasn't been in the right headspace. Now that he's gone... I don't even know where we stand."

"Where is she now?"

"Sleeping. Finally."

"Maybe proper rest will help her think more clearly."

"Here's hoping." He mutters, his dark eyes lifting to the clock. "I need to check on the Lycans." He points toward the tests. "You have to tell him, Brianna. You know who will figure it out and blab to everyone. I'm certain Sebastian would prefer to hear it from you."

I watch him leave and release my own heavy sigh. He's right. Lucas is the last person I need spreading this news.

I thought I would grow accustomed to Lucas after all this time. But knowing he's mated to Hannah and doing nothing about it infuriates me. I want to slap him repeatedly across the face.

It makes everything worse that only Athena and I know the truth. Hannah doesn't want us to say anything. She believes the other Lycans would turn against her if they knew. Athena suggested leaving the pack, but Hannah insisted this is the first place she's ever felt safe.

I make a cup of tea and carry it out to the porch. Before I can even sit down, Lucas is approaching me. He stops several meters away. "Have you seen Theodore?"

"Not since earlier." He nods and starts to turn away. "He isn't like you."