Chapter 0068

Alexander

‘What’s our next move?’ Titan demands sharply.

I need to speak with my Beta immediately.

This situation is critical. We must regain control now.

My fist pounds against Sebastian’s door.

“Hey, take it easy!” He yanks the door open before even seeing me. “Trying to wake the whole house?” He freezes when he recognizes me. “What’s happened?”

“Caleb!”

“Damn, he told you. Look, I just needed to vent to someone. I know you’ve been dealing with…”

“That’s not why I’m here. Whatever strange dynamic you have with him is your business. I’m not concerned about that. They can make more.”

He rubs sleep from his eyes. “What did you say?”

“They can create more Lycans.”

“Well, that makes sense. Same as us creating more Wolves.”

“Sebastian.” He wasn’t grasping the severity.

“Shit.” He mutters, finally understanding. “Are you certain? This information came from Caleb.”

“He mentioned it was an unspoken rule forbidding them from doing it. Dominic likely enforced it to maintain pack secrecy. A larger pack would have drawn more attention.”

I recount everything Caleb shared, including their inability to track Athena unless nearby.

“Do you believe they were recruiting?” He questions.

‘The city isn’t exclusively Wolves. Many humans work there, completely unaware of our existence. So yes, that’s a distinct possibility.’

“We should have investigated them more thoroughly.”

“How could we have known? They smelled like Wolves. They acted like Wolves. It seemed straightforward. But their proposed contract was never about needing support or Athena. I think they’re seeking a way to dismantle my authority. And it all connects back to the very system I established.”

“They wouldn’t be the first, Alexander. Over the years, many have tried, including your own brides attempting to escape contracts or gather intelligence. If Dominic and his followers start turning humans, we both know we still hold the numerical advantage. Our fighters are the most skilled. Your brother ensured that.”

He frowns. “How is Athena handling this news?”

“She’s unaware. She was sound asleep when I left.”

A noise echoes from upstairs.

We both pause, waiting to see if one of his sons appears.

Several minutes pass in silence.

We decide to continue the conversation outside.

“Is she alright?” Sebastian asks. “She was unusually quiet on the drive back from the city. Different from that first night we brought her here.”

“I believe it’s a form of shock. She seems to genuinely like Theodore. Seeing someone she cares about that close to death has unsettled her.” I couldn’t describe it as panic; that wasn’t the emotion I sensed from her.

“Thank you for getting her out of there.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You never need to thank me. I am your Beta. Protecting your mate is my duty. I will always prioritize her safety.”

“You never showed much interest in protecting the previous brides.”

He shrugs with a slight smirk. “You never claimed them.”

We spend hours in his garden, strategizing.

Eventually, the sun rises.

His boys appear within minutes, loudly complaining of ‘starving stomachs’ and demanding food.

Sebastian looks at me. “She needs to be part of our next move. It won’t succeed without her.”

‘She needs a tremendous amount of confidence.’ Titan mutters internally.

“Then we’ll help her find it.”

‘So much for our run.’ Titan grumbles.

“The pack run is tomorrow night. We’ll have to wait until then.”

Athena is already awake when I return to the packhouse.

She sits in the kitchen, nibbling on a piece of toast.

She has braided her hair away from her face today.

I notice she has removed the ear plugs.

“How are your ears?” I keep my voice soft.

“Trying… trying to get used to it.” She mumbles, grimacing slightly. “You were up early.”

“I didn’t sleep.”

“Oh.”

“Titan wanted more answers from Caleb. After that, I went to see Sebastian.”

She takes another bite of her toast but remains silent.

She often did this.

Keeping her questions to herself.