Chapter 0430

Athena turned her face away from me. I gently guided it back. "You can't keep everything locked inside. Some things, yes. But not everything. Having me read your thoughts isn't the same as you actually telling me what's wrong."

"I am not weak anymore," she scowled.

I never said she was.

"Not knowing what Levi wants makes me feel weak. He's part Lycan. I should be able to command him. Or at least link him. It's like he doesn't even exist."

"That would be his Witch half."

"But his Lycan side is still there, right?" She frowned deeply.

"I suspect it depends on how dominant his Witch genetics are. If he's lived his whole life as a Witch, that side is probably stronger. He may have never even shifted."

Her brows furrowed in frustration. "None of the scenarios I imagine feel right. It wasn't like with Gabriel, who was always one step ahead. It isn't like Seraphina, who taunted us from a distance. This man only hurt Hannah. He took Theodore. He convinced a few Wolves to rebel. That's it. If it were you, you wouldn't waste time like this. He'd already be dead. His pack would be gone too."

"You're right. I wouldn't have waited. But we aren't just dealing with Wolves or Lycans. He is part Witch. That changes everything. They play by different rules. Not all are like Madame Zora. And she wasn't exactly innocent either."

"I suppose," she said, shaking her head. "I'm just done with it."

I raised a brow. "Done with it?"

She nodded firmly. "I want it handled. I want him gone. I want Evelyn gone. I want peace. I want to raise my sons without fearing someone will come for them."

"Alright. I will link Theodore. I'll tell him to inform Levi we are ready to make the trade."

'She didn't mention Seraphina,' Titan noted.

'No, she didn't,' I confirmed. I hadn't planned on bringing her up either.

Athena leaned forward, resting her head on my chest. "Thank you."

I reached for the link to Theodore. 'Is now a good time?' I asked, aware his opportunities to speak were limited.

'Yes,' he replied, though his tone felt strained.

'Are you okay?'

'Tired,' he muttered through the link. 'His watch on me has intensified.'

'Anything new?'

'No. He spent the day trying to convince me I'm his mate.' He sounded utterly disgusted.

'It doesn't matter now. Tell him we want to offer a trade.'

'Alexander, I need more time.'

'I'm sorry. I can't give you more time. This needs to end. Athena is right. This has dragged on far too long. Tell him he needs to be at my gates with you by six tomorrow morning.'

'He will refuse.'

'Then tell him his sister will be killed. There will be no hesitation.'

Theodore was silent for a moment. I looked down at Athena. Her eyes were closed. Her lips were slightly parted. Her breathing had settled into a steady, slow rhythm.

'I will tell him.'

I severed the link and remained still. Letting Athena have her moment of peace. I pressed my nose against her hair, inhaling her calming lavender scent. It soothed my own mind. It was a scent I would never grow tired of.

Her body grew heavy against mine as she slipped deeper into sleep. I closed my own eyes just as Theodore linked me again.

'We will be there.'