Chapter 0321

Brianna

"Go find Athena and Alexander for me." Sebastian commands me.

"I can mind-link her instead."

"Better if you go personally." His gaze pierces through the gates at the approaching crowd. A massive group of Lycans heading our way.

"Fine." I roll my eyes. Still no chance to tell him about the pregnancy. Maybe he already suspects. He didn't question me when I refused the pack run tonight.

I move swiftly but avoid running. Don't want to draw attention. At least a hundred Lycans approaching the gate. Abraxas claims he can handle them, but I doubt it.

Zachary and Alexander are in the office. "Where's Athena?"

"Upstairs with the twins. Why?"

"More Lycans." They both start moving. "You'll need backup."

Alexander turns to Zachary. "Gather more Wolves and Lycans. Meet us at the gates."

Finding Athena is easy. I follow her voice. She's having a heated argument with Isabella.

"So you think I should let you kill Seraphina because of Julian?" Her irritation is palpable.

"Look what she did to him!" Isabella snaps back.

"Isabella, you're not the only one who wants her dead." Athena lists names of those wanting Seraphina eliminated.

"Notice you didn't include yourself." Isabella pushes.

"Sorry, didn't realize I had to." Surprisingly good to hear Athena stand her ground.

"You've changed!" Isabella snaps. Logan and Evrin start crying.

"A lot changed while you trapped yourself in a hospital with your traitor brother."

I enter to find Evrin clinging to Athena while she glares at Isabella. Logan tries pushing away from Isabella. The pups sense the tension. I quickly free Logan, earning a growl from Isabella.

"You have no right to take my nephew."

"I do when you act like this. I'll protect them with my life." Logan buries his face in my hair. His tiny hands paw at me. He stops crying, and Evrin follows. They definitely work together.

I face Athena. "More Lycans at the gate."

"Is Seraphina with them?" Isabella demands.

"Don't know, didn't see her. But listen. You blame Seraphina, and you're right—she's a royal pain. But remember, Julian went to her first. Without that, she might not even be on our radar."

Isabella scoffs, stepping back, shaking her head. "You were my friend."

"Trying to be now. But you're stuck. You said it—you missed so much. Everything changed quickly, and you missed it all."

Her head swivels between Athena and me. "You're supposed to be on my side. I helped both of you. I..."

"That's what we're doing." Athena tells her. "You're stuck, forgetting everything that led Julian down this path. He's gone, Isabella. That was his choice."

She claps her hands. "Some friends you are." She storms out. I feel slightly bad, but she needed that reminder.

Athena sighs, squeezing Evrin tighter.

"She'll come around, Athena."

"Not sure she will. That might get her into trouble. Trouble none of us can fix."

Sadly, I think she's right.

I help with the twins. We take them to Sebastian's parents' house—on the way to the gates anyway. Athena gives me a quick hug and a wink. Different from her usual greeting. Do they know? Can't be possible—haven't told Sebastian yet.

At the gates. Abraxas is already vetting Lycans one by one. The crowd grows rowdy.