Chapter 0353

Two pairs of eyes lock onto me. "You have no idea what's out there or what could be waiting." Zachary argues. "And I'm certain Alexander won't approve."

"I can take care of myself. I'm the Lycan Alpha. Hannah is a Lycan. She falls under my protection."

Alexander clearly dislikes the idea of me going. His crimson gaze burns into me, forehead creased with disapproval. Anyone would think I'd suggested something utterly outrageous.

"Luc is coming with me. We'll return before tonight's ceremony." I attempt to reason with him.

"You can't guarantee that. You don't know what you're walking into. This could easily be a trap."

"You never know what you're walking into either. You didn't expect to find me or all the complications that came with it."

"That was different."

"Because I'm a woman?" I scoff, feeling Nyx stir with interest.

"No. Because I have extensive experience navigating unknown situations. You never leave pack territory, Athena. While that usually means I know you're safe, it also means I'm always minutes away. I won't be if you go out there without me. And I'm not comfortable with that."

'He's overreacting.' Nyx murmurs.

'He's allowed to. He said it himself—he won't be with me.'

I sigh and bite my lower lip. "If one of your Wolves went missing, what would you do?"

"You already know the answer."

"Then I have to do this too." I sense he understands how important this is to me. Perhaps that's why he's not outright forbidding it, but making his concerns perfectly clear.

"Keep your eyes on her at all times." Alexander snaps at Luc. I'd almost forgotten he was in the office with us.

"My job has always been to protect her." He's busy checking his gun's ammunition. "I don't break my agreements, Alexander. You should know that—you're a man who values contracts."

"If anything happens to her—"

"I know." Luc shrugs. "But if it comes to that, you'll have to find me first."

Alexander and Zachary accompany Luc and me to the gates. Alexander pulls me against his broad chest. "Don't block me at any point."

'I won't.' Nyx mutters, and I echo her words.

Alexander's lips crush against mine. He kisses me with desperate intensity, as if trying to memorize the feel of me. When he pulls back, my lips feel swollen and tender under his crimson gaze. "I'm coming back." I whisper.

"I expect you to."

"Let's move!" Luc mutters. He slides into the driver's seat of the waiting car. I take the passenger seat and glance back at my mate. He absolutely hates this.

"You good?" Luc asks as he starts the engine.

I nod, keeping my thoughts private.

He says nothing more but periodically stops the car to examine the ground. Going on foot would probably be more efficient.

"You haven't asked." He raises an eyebrow as he gets back in.

"Asked what?"

"Why we didn't just walk?"

"You claim you can't read minds, yet you have this annoying habit of knowing exactly what people are thinking."

He laughs. "You haven't spoken since we left, but I see your expression every time I stop and exit the vehicle. You know walking would be just as effective for tracking, if not more so. Yet you remain silent. It's the obvious thing you'd be thinking about."

'He's so irritating.' Nyx mutters with a yawn. She's bored and craving action.

"Is that how you figure things out?" I ask.

He shrugs. "Nine times out of ten. So are you going to ask me?"

"I'm guessing it has something to do with me?"

He claps his hands and restarts the car. "Alexander's idea. He thought it too risky if any Lycans encountered you in the wild."

"They'll scent me either way."

"That's what I told him. You wouldn't have left the pack at all if I hadn't agreed to the car. Not that a car would slow anyone down if they really wanted to reach you."

"Then why didn't you stop me from coming?"

"I knew it would be pointless."