Chapter 0444

Zachary

Luc's hands fly to his jeans, instinctively reaching for a weapon that isn't there. He freezes for a split second before letting out a low growl of frustration.

He was actually following Alexander's rules. If I wasn't bracing for his attack, I might have praised his restraint.

"I don't give a damn about your personal issues." Alexander snarls. He shoves between us, his attention locked on Athena. "Explain."

"She hears a voice. Not Cooper's. A female voice. She has a Lycan spirit, Alexander. Just like I have Nyx."

"That's impossible. Your bloodline ended with you. We saw the family records."

"Actually..." Theodore interrupts. "The records are incomplete."

"What do you mean incomplete?" Alexander demands. "There's more?"

"I believe so. I hit a research wall."

"Are you saying I have another sibling?" Athena stares at him in disbelief. "Nyx is absolutely certain Evelyn isn't related to me."

"No, definitely not. Only Seraphina." Theodore confirms. "Your mother had no other children. But certain birth records I obtained suggest your grandparents had another daughter after your mother was born."

"She would still carry the Alpha gene." I mutter. The name leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I hadn't thought about her in weeks. She was fading into a distant memory. "The grandparents would have passed it down through their descendants."

"You think the bastard knew?" Luc asks with a deep frown.

"Evelyn isn't sure. Her father told her that her mother wasn't ready for children. But she carried the pregnancy to term and handed the baby over to her father. He raised her until his death."

"Did Cooper kill him?" Alexander asks.

"Surprisingly, no. Heart attack. Cooper took over her care when she was about twelve."

"Before her first shift?" Athena murmurs. "That seems convenient, doesn't it?"

"It does." Alexander confirms.

I watch Luc. He's pacing with narrowed eyes and deep forehead creases. He looks absolutely furious. Probably because Athena caught him being wrong. How did he miss so much when he claims to see souls?

"But Cooper must know about her abilities, right?" Athena asks. "His tone. His anger at Theodore for telling us to keep her contained."

Everyone nods in agreement.

"What if he projects into the prison and frees her?" Athena frowns and turns to Theodore. "You said he needs strength to wield a blade while projecting. Could he materialize in the dungeons and unlock her cell? Is that how his power works?"

Silence fills the room.

"Someone say something!" Athena snaps.

"I'll watch her." Luc offers.

"Go. But don't you dare harm her." Alexander warns.

"Is that wise?" I ask as Luc storms out.

"He's probably trying to understand how he missed the signs." Alexander takes Athena's hand. "We need to determine if Evelyn is connected to my mate, and how."

"She doesn't know. I don't know." Athena mutters. "Nyx says we're not sisters. Theodore confirmed my mother had no other children."

"I think we need to return to where this began." Alexander tells her.

Fear flashes in her blue eyes. She pulls her hand from his. "Silver Creek?" she whispers.

Alexander nods. "We might find answers there."

"We haven't been back since..." Her voice trails off. I watch her process the suggestion. I haven't seen this much fear in her since she faced going Rogue. Her usual confidence vanishes completely.

I knew how Alexander found her. I knew what Brianna did to her in that house. But I deliberately avoided learning the details.

Alexander cups Athena's face. "Technically, that land belongs to you now."

Athena's eyes drop to the floor. "No one lives there anymore." She whispers to herself. I watch her take a steadying breath. "Okay. But the boys aren't coming."

"Fine. Zachary, Theodore. You're both coming. Pack your things. We leave in one hour."

"One hour? Not tomorrow morning?" Theodore asks.

"It's a few hours' drive. We should get started."

Alexander disappears into his office to make arrangements. Theodore heads for the door. Athena remains frozen in place.

"Are you okay?"

"I haven't... I haven't been back since they tried to kill me." She crosses her arms over her chest and sighs. "Did Victoria ever take you there?"

"No. I wasn't that privileged. But Alexander is right. The place is empty now."