Chapter 0413

Alexander

'She is furious.' Titan growls inside my mind.

'I know.'

'You could still call this off.'

'No. This has to happen. It must work.'

"Are you going to say anything?" I ask my mate.

Athena remains silent, but she doesn't need to speak. I feel her anger through our bond, see it burning in her blue eyes as she stares down at me from the top of the staircase.

She rises slowly, her hand gripping the banister. Her gaze locks with mine for a brief moment. "I hope you know what you're doing." She turns away just as Luc appears. His eyes track her movement, then shift to me. He frowns as she disappears down the hall. "You've really pissed her off." He observes, walking toward me.

"I'm aware."

He raises an eyebrow. "Aren't you going after her?"

"Normally I would. Right now, my presence will only make it worse. She needs space to process this."

"What exactly is happening? What did I miss?"

I explain the situation. He spends most of the time shaking his head and scoffing.

"Let me get this straight. Seraphina made a threat. Evelyn is in denial. You think the solution is releasing Seraphina from the dungeons. I have to agree with Athena on this one, and that's fucking hard for me to admit."

"You don't lead this pack. Your opinion doesn't matter."

"Fair enough." He mutters. "But consider this. You talk about Evelyn playing games. Seraphina could be part of it. Her reaction might be part of their plan. You know that, right?"

"I don't think so. Not this time. Her defeat is genuine. She asked if she gets to live by following our rules. She thanked Athena. She's broken. Maybe you should observe her more closely."

"You want to fix her?" He gives me a skeptical look.

"It's not about fixing her."

"Could have fooled me." He says sarcastically, studying my face.

"Don't pretend you know everything, Luc."

"You have to consider Athena might not want family outside this pack. She's been through hell. Until you, she had no one. Not everyone wants siblings. Frankly, I'm surprised you're reacting this way after what Seraphina did to your brother."

"My brother dug his own grave and dragged my sister down with him. He was always selfish. Instead of just dying, he piggybacked my sister's soul. I brought out his true colors. I'm not saying what she did was right. I'm not trying to make Athena trust her."

"Right." He presses his lips together, watching me carefully.

"Your opinion doesn't matter anyway. When the time comes, she'll be offered for trade along with Evelyn."

"If you say so."

"I do."

"In that case, I'll keep an eye on her." He offers. "Not when she's with her stepfather, but during her work duties. She fears me more than she fears you. My presence will be a good reminder."

"You mean you want to keep a closer watch on Caleb?"

He scowls at the mention of Caleb's name.

"Caleb returns tomorrow to meet with Zachary and me. We're discussing what happened with the children. As Charlotte's father, you're welcome to join. But under two conditions. No weapons. Keep your hands to yourself."

He clenches his jaw, staring at me.

"Those are the terms, Luc."

"She's my daughter."

"Then act like a father and have the damn conversation with him. Both children were wrong. You can't blame only Liam. Charlotte pinned him down. She had her reasons, and we need to understand them. I told Zachary the same thing. He's willing to reach an agreement with Caleb."