Chapter 0425

Lucas Adler

"I told you she would fear me!"

"You used Hannah?" Alexander raised an eyebrow at me, though his annoyance was clear.

"It was her suggestion. She believed connecting with Seraphina over what Levi did to them both might help her relax."

"And?" He leaned back in his chair.

"Nothing happened. Seraphina didn't lie as I expected. She was surprisingly open with information. She focused on the task, accepting everything Hannah showed her. If we didn't know her history, you'd think she was a model pack member."

"Probably because you were watching her?" He muttered. "She fears you, of course she'll behave. But do you truly believe she's being honest?"

"As much as I despise her and would gladly use her skin as a warning to others, she isn't lying. I never thought I'd say this, but Levi broke her in ways I couldn't imagine. I saw something in her I've never seen before." Did I want to admit it? No. Did I want to tell Alexander? Absolutely not. But it was better coming from me.

"What?"

"Empathy."

"Empathy?"

"Yes." I answered sharply. "The bitch actually showed empathy."

He stared at me in disbelief. "Keep that information to yourself."

"I can do that. Are you worried about Athena?"

He shook his head. "Athena can handle herself."

"Okay, but..."

"It doesn't matter, Luc. Just do this for me."

I scowled at him. "Seems like more things keep getting added to our agreement."

He looked me directly in the eye. "Are you going to tell me you suddenly hate living here? You haven't returned home in months."

I remained silent. I wouldn't admit I was growing accustomed to pack life or that I didn't want to be away from Hannah. I still disliked ninety percent of the Lycans, but the Wolves were tolerable.

"Having regular people to talk to is nice, right?" He paused for my response. When I didn't answer, he continued. "Speaking with others like you every day. Having your mate here in the pack. And don't tell me you dislike my mate, because I know you're fascinated by her soul."

"Alright! Yes, I do like living here."

A smug smile appeared on his face, and I rolled my eyes.

"It's just not how I was raised. I could never accept you as my Alpha, but yes, I do enjoy living here."

"I can accept that for now." His eyes flickered to the clock. "Want to join me to feed the other prisoner?"

"You're feeding her now?"

"We need to keep her alive if we want to trade her."

I followed him to the kitchen where a tray of food was already prepared. Just a sandwich, a carton, and some fruit, but it would be enough to sustain Evelyn. Personally, I would have let her starve for another day or two.

In the dungeons, Evelyn sat at the back of her cell. She held her knees to her chest and rocked slowly. Alexander opened her door and gestured for me to bring in the food. She didn't move as I placed it on the ground and stepped out.

It was only when Alexander turned the key that her head snapped up. "Levi is going to kill you!"

"Are you talking to me or him?" I asked while pointing at Alexander.

"Both of you. You both hurt me. You both punished me. You took away my friend. You ruined everything I had."

"Your friend? You mean the one you lied to? The one you tricked into leading you here?" Alexander challenged. "You're an excellent friend."

I had to stop myself from laughing at his sarcasm because Evelyn didn't understand it.

"Have you killed her?"

"Does it matter?"

She rested her forehead on her knees and began crying. "This is all wrong. This wasn't supposed to happen."

"Being thrown in the dungeons?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Why are you really here, Evelyn?" Alexander pressed.

"It doesn't matter." She sniffled. "He's coming for me."

"I assume you're talking about your brother?"