Chapter 0376

Athena

I sifted through boxes of miniature baby clothes, creating a hopeful pile. My fingers brushed against soft fabrics, each tiny garment whispering a silent prayer. I desperately waited for Zachary’s mental link, praying Brianna had accepted the little boy.

'She’ll say yes, right?' Nyx’s voice echoed with hopeful anticipation.

'I truly hope so.' She needed this. Sebastian needed this.

'The boys can have playdates together.' She murmured happily. 'Someday, he could even become Beta.'

I smiled softly. 'He’s just a newborn, Nyx. Not quite ready for that yet. But when the time is right, absolutely.'

'What if the birth parents—'

'We’ll face that if it happens!'

'She hasn’t given an answer yet.' Alexander’s voice rumbled through my mind, and my heart sank. 'But she hasn’t refused either.' He added, 'And she hasn’t taken her eyes off him since she saw him.'

'Fingers crossed.' I whispered back, continuing to sort through the clothes as he severed the link.

'What if she actually says no?' Nyx asked suddenly.

'Then I suppose we’re about to have a third pup.' Though I was definitely not prepared for that reality.

Just as I finished, Alexander appeared with a triumphant smile. “They’ve taken him home.” He took the box of baby supplies from my hands.

"She said yes?"

He nodded. “I never truly believed she would turn him away. Not after she gave him a name.”

"She did?"

He smiled warmly at me. “Luca."

'I adore it!' Nyx declared. I was certain if she had her way, we’d be perpetually pregnant.

"It seems Logan and Evrin will have a new friend." I murmured. "Everything in that box should last them a couple of weeks until they can get their own things."

His gaze locked intensely on me as he nodded. His fingers drummed rhythmically against the side of the box. "I won’t let her lose him.”

I understood his meaning perfectly.

"Alexander, they abandoned him. If they show up here, demanding him back, do you honestly believe I would force her to surrender him?"

"I simply needed confirmation that we share the same perspective." He nodded toward the box. "I’ll deliver this to her myself, considering you’re supposed to be resting indoors. I spotted Caleb returning from the forest. He was conversing with some other pack members. He’ll likely be here shortly."

“Thank you.” He had finished executing those traitors already. I had half-expected a prolonged, torturous process keeping him occupied all night.

I followed Alexander down from the attic. Just as he departed, a blood-drenched, half-naked Caleb entered. He left crimson footprints in his wake as he strode toward me. Alexander didn’t even pause, continuing his exit as if witnessing the Alpha drenched in blood was an ordinary occurrence.

"Are they dead?" I asked, though the answer was already evident.

"Do you believe I would have returned if they weren’t?"

"You’re furious." I could see it in his eyes and feel it radiating from him. "But you’ve handled them."

"They were merely two Wolves, Athena. Who knows how many other disloyal pricks are turning against Obsidian Howl! I’ve sacrificed immensely to build this pack to its current strength. Somewhere along the way, complacency set in. Their loyalty is wavering. They needed a stark reminder of the consequences. A brutal refresher on the punishment for disrespecting you and me."

I nodded in agreement.

"You don’t disagree?" His tone was laced with skepticism.

"No. I’ve taken lives too." I turned away, but he seized my arm, spinning me back forcefully into his blood-soaked chest. He dragged his thumb across my cheek, tracing a path down to my lips. His breath was hot and heavy as he inhaled my scent deeply.

"Where are the twins?" He asked softly.

"Sleeping. It’s late." I murmured in response.

"And the pup?” His anger seemed to be subsiding.

"Brianna agreed to take him. She’s taken him home with Sebastian. Alexander is delivering some of the twins' old baby items for me, to help them get settled."

"Good. Come shower with me." He lifted me effortlessly from the ground, wrapping my legs around his hips, and carried me up the stairs. I was immensely grateful I hadn’t chosen to wear white today.

He was intentionally slow undressing me, peeling my clothes away inch by inch as if unwrapping a precious gift. As he did, he left bloody fingerprints on my garments and my skin.

Stepping under the hot water, diluted blood swirled quickly toward the drain. Caleb held me tightly, pressing my back firmly against his chest. His hardening length pressed into the small of my back as he cupped my stomach possessively.

He pressed his lips against that specific spot just below my ear. A place that never failed to send shivers of pleasure through me. "When do I get to put another pup in you?”