Chapter 0061

A dark thought flickered in her mind. It was a hidden part of her, buried deep beneath the persona she'd built over the years. Most would find it disturbing. I found it electrifying. It called to me. I needed to draw it out.

A sharp knock interrupted us. Isabella’s familiar scent drifted through the door. The conversation halted. From Athena’s thoughts, I sensed her relief.

“Enter,” I called.

My sister stepped inside. Her eyes darted between Athena and me, assessing. “Can I take Athena shopping?”

“Shopping?”

“A few of us are heading into the city. I thought she might like to come. Unless I’m interrupting something important again?”

“That’s her decision.” I watched my mate, listening to her silent worries.

She shook her head. “I’m not… I’m not ready.” Her gaze shifted to me. “It might not be safe.”

“Nothing will happen,” Isabella insisted. “The city is neutral territory. Fighting is forbidden there. I’ll be with her. We’ll keep her safe.”

“Who is ‘we’?” I asked.

“Me, Theodore…” She listed a few others.

“Theodore is going?” Shopping was hardly his style.

“He wants more books. You know how he is. Won’t have them delivered in case the pages get bent.” She rolled her eyes. “I figured you’d want a chaperone.”

“So you recruited him?”

“Exactly.”

I turned back to Athena. “She’s right. The city is safe. I trust Theodore.”

“What about Dominic?” she whispered.

“I doubt he’d go there.” I locked eyes with Isabella. “If there’s any trouble—”

“We’ll get her out immediately.”

I moved closer to Athena, turning her to face me. “Isabella has gone to the city weekly since childhood. She knows it better than anyone. If you don’t want to go, that’s fine too.”

“You don’t… you don’t want me to go.” She kept her eyes down. “I can feel it.”

“I’d prefer you where I can reach you instantly. But hiding won’t help you conquer your fears. I trust my sister. I trust Theodore. They won’t let anything happen to you. Anyone who tries would be incredibly stupid.”

“Every Wolf knows who my brother is,” Isabella added. “Gabriel made sure of that.”

She claimed she didn’t blame me for Gabriel’s rejection. But her words sometimes suggested otherwise. I ignored the comment, focusing on my mate. “It’s your choice, Athena.”

“What if I…”

“We’ll have to trust that you won’t.”

I felt Isabella’s stare burning into me. I still hadn’t told her about Athena being Lycan.

“Wait, what?” Isabella’s eyes shot to Athena when I finally revealed it. “You’re telling me she looks like that thing you killed?”

“Yes.”

“So she’s not a Wolf?” She glared, demanding answers.

“Technically, from what I understand, they are part Wolf.”

“Technically?” she sputtered.

“Yes.”

‘This is going great,’ Titan groaned.

“Okay, so the guy in the dungeon, claiming to be her brother. He’s one too?” Isabella asked.

“Yes.”

“And you’re letting him live?”

“For now. Are you questioning my decision?” My tone was a clear warning.

She turned to Athena, her expression softening. She likely realized her words applied to my mate too. “Are you okay?”

Athena shook her head.

“Then you definitely need to come. Escape this madness for a few hours. Clear your head. Spend a fortune on my brother’s credit.”

Athena’s blue eyes found mine.

“Your choice,” I repeated.

Reluctantly, she agreed. She spent the next hour seeking reassurance.

She asked me one last time before getting in the car.

“Just try to enjoy yourself,” I told her.

Isabella pulled her into the vehicle. “I’ll watch her. If it’s too much, we’ll return immediately.”

“You don’t usually like the clingy ones,” Sebastian remarked as the car drove away.

“This is different.”

“Because she’s your mate? Because you marked her?” He raised a brow.

“She’s clingy out of fear, not possession. She needs time.”

“How did Isabella take the news?”

“She focused more on me sparing Caleb. It took her a moment to realize wanting him dead would make her a hypocrite regarding Athena.”

“Isabella doesn’t usually make friends easily. She must like Athena. Especially to invite her shopping. She’s never done that with anyone else.”

I nodded. My sister preferred the hospital to social events.

“I need you to do something for me,” I said as the car disappeared.

“You want me to watch her?”

“Just as a precaution.”