Chapter 0073

Athena

“Dead?” I whisper.

Theodore rubs his chin thoughtfully. “From my understanding, that side of you shouldn’t survive the bindings.” He glances at Alpha Alexander. “We all know bindings are the worst fate for a Wolf. It traps their other half. It’s the most severe punishment—I would know. I’m living proof. But according to these ancient texts, she shouldn’t have lived through it.”

“Well, she’s clearly standing right here,” Beta Sebastian snaps. “And she’s stronger now than the day we brought her home.”

“Maybe the bindings weren’t done correctly?” Theodore suggests with a shrug.

“You really believe the Witches messed it up—four separate times?” Sebastian questions sharply.

“It’s a possibility.”

Alpha Alexander frowns but doesn’t look at me. Maybe he can’t bear to see the panic written all over my face. I want him to say something—to acknowledge what Theodore is implying. Or maybe he’s finally realizing I’m not worthy of being his mate.

“Or maybe marking her saved her,” Sebastian mumbles under his breath.

“Perhaps,” Theodore replies.

I look up at Alpha Alexander. He’s reading the book Theodore handed him, his fingers tracing the words as his eyes move rapidly across the page. Absorbing every detail.

“Alpha Alexander?” I whisper.

He doesn’t respond. Instead, he slams the book shut.

“This isn’t helpful right now.” He shoves it back toward Theodore. “She can’t be the only one. And why didn’t you tell me you had information on Lycans—or whatever they’re called?”

“These books are ancient, Alexander. I thought they were myths—just stories. I never expected to meet a living one. I’ve been here twelve years, and nothing like this has ever crossed our path. How was I supposed to know it would become relevant?”

“You weren’t,” Sebastian cuts in before Alpha Alexander can speak.

“Am I… am I going to die?”

All three of them turn to look at me. Yet no one answers. Tears prick at my eyes, and I force them back.

For years, I believed death would be better than living as a slave. But that was before Alpha Alexander came into my life.

“Preferably not,” Alpha Alexander says, offering a tight-lipped smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. Is he already expecting the worst?

“I need… I need some air.” I turn away from them and hurry outside.

None of them try to stop me. It’s as if all three are already waiting for my impending death.

I lean against the wall, focusing on my racing heart. I will it to slow down, just for a moment.

I hurry across the grounds. People ignore me, and I’m grateful. No one tries to speak to me—not until I reach the back door of the house.

“Finally. Just you and me.”

My eyes lock with strange gray ones.

“I assume you know who I am?” she spits.

“G-Genevieve.”

She laughs mockingly at my stutter. “Do you always do that? You sound like a child.”

I keep my mouth shut. I can’t help the stutter—it happens when I’m nervous. She reminds me so much of Victoria.

“How the hell are you his mate?” She plants her hands on her hips. I decide it’s better not to speak.

“Cat got your tongue?” she taunts. “So tell me, what is a Lycan? The others say you become part Wolf. Is that true?”

“I d-don’t know.”

“You don’t know? What, have you never shifted?”

When I don’t answer, she laughs coldly.

“You won’t last long here. Alexander will see what a mistake you are. He’ll reject you, just like he did with the others. Only I get to survive. Only I deserve to be by his side.”