Chapter 0039

Athena

I jolted upright in bed, disoriented. My mind was a foggy mess. I distinctly remembered heading toward the shower.

It took a moment to register my state of undress. I wore only my sweatshirt, my legs bare. My gaze darted across the room, landing on my discarded joggers and underwear draped over a chair. A wave of nausea hit me. Had Alexander done something while I was unconscious?

My eyes frantically scanned the room, searching for any sign of him.

“Stop overreacting, Athena,” I muttered under my breath, scrambling out of bed. I hurried to the closet, grabbing fresh underwear and a pair of jeans.

There was no blood on the sheets. Everything seemed normal. Alexander had promised he would never cross that line. But what if I’d given involuntary consent while lost in a daydream?

I dressed quickly and slipped out of the room. On the stairs, I nearly collided with Alexander. His brow was furrowed deeply.

“I was coming to check on you,” he said, his voice tense. “We need to talk.”

A hard lump formed in my throat. Was he going to end our contract already? Or remind me yet again that I had insisted on it?

“Please, come to the office. There’s a lot we need to discuss.”

“Okay.”

“Athena, I need you to engage with me. This is serious. I know you’re upset, maybe even angry. But if this is going to be a one-sided conversation, I can’t help you understand.”

I scowled. What was there to understand? I simply nodded.

Alexander rolled his eyes and stepped back against the railing, allowing me to pass. He followed a few steps behind, maintaining a careful distance.

In his office, he gestured for me to sit. He closed the door and slid the lock into place. My heart began to race. I’d never seen him lock this door before.

He remained behind me for a few seconds, doing something I couldn’t see. Then he moved around the desk and took his seat. The deep frown still etched his features.

“Athena, we’re holding a man in the dungeon. He claims to be your brother.”

“Dominic?” I asked, confused.

“No. He says he’s your younger brother. His name is Caleb.”

“I… I don’t… There was only Dominic.”

“I know that’s what you believe.”

Believe? Dominic was my only brother. Alexander had met him. He should know.

“But the prisoner insists Dominic isn’t your brother. Biologically, he’s your uncle. I have to admit, the family resemblance between this prisoner and you is striking. You and Dominic share no similar features.”

I looked everywhere but at him. I’d called Dominic brother until I was forced to address him as Alpha. There had never been anyone else.

“Are you… Are you saying one of my parents had an affair?”

“No. He believes when you were bound the first time, he was erased from your memory. He didn’t grow up in Silver Creek. He was rejected by the pack and eventually adopted by humans.”

His crimson eyes held mine as I struggled to process this. It sounded absurd.

“You are actually the eldest child of the Alpha. There’s a reason you required a second binding,” Alexander stated. “When you turned eighteen, you were of age to assume the Alpha role. The Alpha gene surged within you.”

“I’m not an Alpha. Just look at me.”

“You may not believe it, but your blood tells a different story.”

I leaned my head back against the chair and closed my eyes. “It’s a lie.”

“Is it? You were bound twice, Athena. Twice. I disagree with binding on principle, but twice? You would have to possess significant power. I think there’s truth in his story.”

“You believe him?” I was shocked he’d accept such a wild tale so readily.

“He isn’t holding anything back.”

“Are you going to kill him?”

“Not at this time. Athena, look at me.” I opened my eyes to find his focus entirely on me. The frown had finally vanished. “Do you want to meet him?”

I shook my head.

“I’ll respect your decision. But may I ask why?”

I shrugged. I had no specific reason. I just didn’t want to.

“Okay,” he muttered. He didn’t press for an answer.

“Where did you find him?” I asked softly.

“Sebastian found him while searching for Dominic and Victoria. The guy fell out of a tree.”

“So he’s from Silver Creek?” Curiosity got the better of me.

“Yes and no. Dominic expelled him. Apparently, he’s been trying to help you.”

“Me?”

“The only thing he kept asking was if you were safe. If I had gotten you out. He hasn’t demanded to see you. He just wants confirmation of your safety. And for me to tell you the truth.”

“That he’s my brother?”

He clenched his jaw. “Unfortunately, there’s more. He wasn’t in human form when he fell.”

“He was a Wolf in a tree?” Wolves can’t climb trees, not in wolf form.

“No.”

“I… I don’t understand.”

“He resembled the creature that attacked my men.” He studied my face closely. “He calls himself a Lycan.”

“Ly… Lycan.” What in the world was a Lycan?

I pulled my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them.

“I… I don’t know what that is.”

“You’re not alone. I’ve been searching for information and found nothing. The prisoner claims the Silver Creek pack are the last of their kind. That they’re a dying race.”

It didn’t sink in immediately. “Are you… Am I… Are you saying I’m one of them?”

“Yes.”

“No,” I whimpered. The beast that had attacked was hideous, a monster straight from a nightmare.

“We can’t be certain, not until you’re unbound.”

My whole life, I’d wondered what it would be like to shift. To run as fast as possible through the trees. I wondered if others truly enjoyed it. If they liked becoming an animal and feeling that total freedom. But I didn’t want to become a monster.

“Don’t.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t find someone who can unbind me. Please!” I whispered.

He looked shocked. His eyes widened, eyebrows raised as he stared. “You don’t want to be unbound?”

I shook my head. “Not if I’m going to become a monster.”

“Is that truly what you want? You’ve been bound for nearly your entire life.”

“Then it won’t make a difference, will it?” I shrugged.

“You won’t be able to heal. You won’t be able to protect yourself. You won’t—”

“I understand,” I whispered, lowering my head so he couldn’t see the tears welling in my eyes.

He stood and moved to the window. I seized the opportunity to wipe my tears on my sleeve.

“Are you sure?” he asked quietly.

“Yes… I don’t want to be a monster.”