Chapter 0358

I rise too fast, and the world tilts violently.

'Athena, are you okay?'

Nyx only groans in response. I leave her be. Her presence, however faint, is enough.

"Athena, don't move." Alexander commands.

"No... I'm alright. I'm healing."

He reluctantly offers a hand, helping me stand. He knows I wouldn't have stayed down anyway.

Alexander keeps a firm grip on my arm as we cross the road toward the three dead Wolves. He acts like I might collapse at any moment.

Even in death, these Wolves are strange. They carry no scent. How did they hide it from us? Especially Luc. He could always identify any species. Whatever method they used, it must have been applied recently.

"We need to move them off the road." Alexander tells Sebastian. "If someone drives by, it will raise too many questions. We don't need more trouble at our gates."

He hasn't mentioned they're from Obsidian Howl, but his fury is palpable.

"Wait." I say as Sebastian reaches for the nearest body. "Did you search them? They might have information. A reason for this attack. Or who sent them."

Luc stares at me. "You expect me to find a written confession?"

"I don't know! Maybe!" I snap back.

"The problem isn't them, Athena." His gaze shifts to Alexander. "The problem is how many of your own Wolves have turned against you."

"They wouldn't." I argue. "They didn't turn against Alexander. Their target was me. And you."

Sebastian searches the bodies anyway but finds nothing. He and Luc drag the corpses from the road into the trees. Alexander guides me back toward Obsidian Howl. His anger radiates from him, though his eyes remain fixed ahead.

"Alexander?"

"I told you not to come out here. You could have been..."

"But I wasn't." I interrupt. "I am not weak, Alexander. That car hit us three times. I should be dead. A human would be. But I'm not. You couldn't have predicted this. We came to talk to Evelyn and Seraphina. None of us expected an attack from Obsidian Howl Wolves. Wolves from your own pack."

I stop walking, blinking hard. A dizzy haze still comes and goes.

"Are you okay?" he asks, watching me closely.

I nod, but Nyx remains unusually silent. "You have Titan. When you get hurt, does it affect him too?"

"Yes. Some call it a curse. But the truth is, they are a part of us. Completely. Give Nyx time. She'll recover. You should be resting too." Usually, he'd offer a reassuring smile. This time, he doesn't.

"What are you going to do?" I ask as we start moving again.

"Have Theodore examine you."

"You know that's not what I meant. Do you think the man who took Hannah is connected to this?"

"It would be one hell of a coincidence if he wasn't. Luc said the man was questioning Hannah. Another one of the newcomers said the same thing. It's possible Levi has corrupted them. Twisted their minds. Made them doubt everything."

"Obsidian Howl has always been a strong pack. They've always respected you as their Alpha. So whatever he's telling them, it's powerful enough to convince them."

"The issue is, everything is changing. There are more Lycans in the pack now than Wolves."

"You think the Wolves feel threatened?"

"It's a possibility. Maybe only a few have fallen for his lies."

"But Levi is a Lycan. If they have a problem with Lycans, why would they work for him?"

He stops me, cupping my face. His crimson eyes search mine. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes. You know I do." I murmur, confused. "Why?"

"When we reach the road leading to the gates, I'm carrying you in. I need you to pretend you're unconscious. Out cold." His eyes sweep over me.

I frown. "You're testing them?"

"I have my methods for finding the disloyal. All I ask is that you stay quiet. And remain inside, out of sight, for the next few days."