Chapter 0398

Alexander

The pack house stood silent.

No noise came from Athena or the twins.

Zachary must have settled Charlotte because I couldn't hear them either.

I followed Athena's lavender scent upward.

She sat in the attic surrounded by baby items.

Her tired blue eyes lifted to meet mine.

She released a heavy sigh but remained silent, continuing to fold tiny clothes.

"I'm not upset." I stepped further into the light. "I needed to make arrangements to protect him. To protect them both. If Evrin can shift, Logan won't be far behind. I must ensure no one tries to take advantage."

"Okay."

She wasn't speaking her true feelings.

I didn't need to read her mind to know that.

'She's furious.' Titan murmured.

'I can see that.'

I sat on a storage box, feeling it dip under my weight. "I wasn't running from this. That's not who I am."

"Okay."

I hated her one-word responses.

I thought we had moved past this.

"Athena?" My voice dropped lower.

She stopped folding clothes.

Her shoulders slumped as another sigh escaped her lips.

"I can't remember it clearly, but I imagine what Evrin saw when you handed him back... was exactly what I saw during my first shift. A smile that vanished instantly. That urgent need to get away."

"You're comparing me to your father?"

"Not him specifically, but his reaction. They bound me because I shifted early. They tried to abandon me when that failed. When they still couldn't get rid of me, they bound me again. And you... you just handed him to me and walked away. All day you've ignored us. Made excuses not to come home."

'You've triggered her trauma.' Titan whispered, as if Athena could hear him.

I moved toward her as her pain intensified.

She pulled back, tears tracing down her cheeks which she hastily wiped away.

"I didn't expect-"

"Neither did I! But you don't see me running from our sons!" She snapped, her voice sharp.

"I didn't run away."

"You've been gone all day." The tears stopped, replaced by pure anger.

"I was ensuring Theodore hadn't told anyone. Luc knows to keep quiet but we both know Theodore talks too much. He overshares. This would be exciting news to him. He'd think it's wonderful to tell the pack. I only want the pack to know when you're ready. I want to keep the boys safe. I don't want them becoming new targets for Levi. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left like that without explaining."

I felt terrible, and Titan confirmed I should.

I always insisted Athena never keep secrets from me.

Yet I had done exactly that.

And I was still withholding something.

But she wasn't in the right mindset to hear it. Not yet.

"I assume the twins are asleep."

She nodded, wiping another tear away.

I hated being the cause of her pain, but loved her fierce protectiveness toward our boys. I hoped that part of her never changed.

"Has Logan shifted?" I asked quietly, taking another step toward her.

"No." She sealed the box she had finished organizing. "Evrin hasn't either. He's been sleeping mostly."

"Have you slept?"

She shook her head.

I extended my hand.

Reluctantly, she took it, allowing me to pull her to her feet.

We descended to our bedroom where she collapsed onto the bed without undressing.

She didn't stir as I removed her boots and jeans.

I stripped down and climbed into bed, drawing her against me.

She was deeply asleep, yet her body instinctively pressed against mine, just as it did every night.

'You didn't tell her!' Titan muttered.

'I will. In the morning.'

'It won't go well.'

'I know. But there's no good way to tell her one of our pack members is missing.'