Chapter 0474

Athena

“Why is there no news?” I ask Zachary. The sun would rise soon, yet we heard nothing. Neither Theodore nor Evelyn had linked us.

I glance back over my shoulder. We were about a mile from home. Alexander must still be asleep, or he would be in my head, questioning my location.

“A little longer,” Zachary mutters. “Unless you can get into his mind.”

“I tried,” I sigh. “It’s the same as always—nothing. I just… I need him dead. This urge to end him is overwhelming.”

There’s still time. Theodore knows what to do.

How can you be so sure everything will work?

I have a hunch. Maybe you should talk about something else.

I nod. “Did you know Alexander was a twin?”

“No, I didn’t.” He furrows his brow. “What happened?”

Stillborn. Theodore told me. I probably shouldn’t discuss it before speaking to Alexander, but Zachary was right—I needed a distraction. Nyx was no help at all.

“And you’re worried?” he asks.

Everyone keeps saying I’m automatically carrying more than one. What if it’s true and something goes wrong?

The boys are healthy, he tells me through a yawn.

“This doesn’t stop,” I say, pointing to my head.

“It’s good that you’re concerned. I’d worry if you weren’t.” He smiles at me. “You’ll find out soon. If you’re still worried, just have Theodore do more scans.”

Theodore is leaving.

Since when?

“He told me he’s leaving after we kill Levi. He wants to find his place. I don’t want him to go, but I understand,” I sigh.

“We all want to find our place in the world, Athena. It’s not the same for everyone.”

We stand in silence, hidden by the trees as the sun rises. “We should go after them,” I mutter.

“No, we don’t need to.” He points up the road. Theodore is pushing Levi forward. Levi stumbles, struggling to stay upright. Evelyn is talking to another female.

“Who is that?” I ask quietly.

“No idea. Definitely a Wolf, but her scent is faint.”

“She’s not from this pack,” I mutter.

“No, she isn’t,” he confirms, his dark eyes fixed on the road as they approach.

Three times, Theodore has to pull Levi up from the ground. Levi is clearly falling on purpose, looking for an escape.

Zachary steps slightly in front of me. It’s his instinct when he senses a threat.

“Who are you?” he demands, his eyes locking on the long-haired woman.

Her golden eyes widen. She wasn’t expecting such a blunt greeting. It’s how Theodore and Zachary differ.

“Her name is Jasmine,” Theodore answers for her. “Levi was holding her hostage. He took her abilities.”

Not all, since she still has a trace of scent, Zachary glares at her.

“He didn’t do it the same way as the others,” Theodore explains.

A spell, Jasmine adds.

“And you brought her here?” Zachary asks.

“We’re not inside Obsidian Howl yet,” Theodore replies. His deep green eyes settle on me. “Are you or Alexander aware that Crestwood City changed its name to Dawnmist?”

“No.”

“It was a forced change,” Jasmine adds. “It wasn’t our Alpha. The new guy takes over.”

“So you thought we would take her in?” I ask with a frown. I didn’t want any part of this.

Theodore doesn’t answer.

“It’s fine,” Jasmine tells us. “I understand.” Her gaze shifts to Theodore, who is holding Levi steady. “I told you this was a mistake. I’m better off alone. I can figure it out.”