Chapter 0343

"My half sister is named Athena Harrison. She's the female Lycan Alpha." I whisper, watching the flames dance.

She freezes. "What?"

"It's true. We share the same father. We look identical, like twins. But we have different mothers."

"Why tell me this now?"

"Would it have mattered?"

She gives a soft smile. "Yes. I could've helped you reach her. She can stop Levi."

I shake my head. Going to her was never an option. She'd kill me on sight. I couldn't even defend myself.

"I tried to ruin her." The words tumble out.

In Levi's prison, I had endless time to think. I replayed every move. First I blamed Julian. Then myself for ever getting involved with him. Instead of letting him go, I made him suffer for every failure. Hoping he'd rise to my level. I fell for him, yet he always compared me to her. I wondered if he told them that before he died. But none of that was what doomed me.

So many warned me. Told me I was chasing what wasn't mine. Even my own mother. I was hellbent on taking what I felt I deserved. Maybe this is my punishment.

"I tried to steal her life." I keep my eyes on the fire. "Levi knew nothing about that. He punished me for nearly exposing our kind to humans. He's been cleaning up my mess for years."

"I could go to her. Explain everything. Tell her what happened."

"And if she doesn't believe you? She'll kill you. Then who tends your chickens?"

She rolls her grey eyes. "She doesn't know me. She might listen. Be reasonable."

"What does that achieve? We won't be Lycans again. We're stuck like this forever."

She moves closer to me. "At least your conscience would be clear."

"How are you so hopeful?" I ask. She always found light in the dark.

Her warm hand cups my cheek. "I'm free. You can be too. We could be together."

We talk late into the night. I tell her everything. Answer every painful question. Evelyn pours wine and offers me a glass. I refuse. Something I never would have done before Levi. Now I can't stand the taste of alcohol.

Evelyn keeps reminding me. Everything is different now. I've lost my Lycan.

It's nearly seven in the morning.

I'm exhausted. My head throbs. I feel more exposed than when guards watched me shower. Evelyn hugged me multiple times. I cried more than I wanted.

I wouldn't have done that before. I would have hidden. Swallowed the tears.

"I need to reach her before Levi does." She says softly.

"You said he'd search places he thinks I'd hide. He could already be there. Whispering lies to Athena. He could capture you."

"She needs to know about him, Seraphina. She is his Alpha."

"You can't go alone. I've been there. They have guards. Let me come. I can show you the way."

"You're still weak. Malnourished. I can't risk you collapsing."

"I won't let you go alone."