Chapter 0082

Alexander

I remain at her bedside.

Every slight movement of her muscles holds my complete focus.

I silently urge Athena to awaken.

She was not dead.

I would have sensed her soul departing.

The antidote had functioned, to some degree.

But what lasting harm had the Wolfsbane Toxin inflicted?

We would have no answers until she woke.

Sebastian still hadn't linked me.

My patience was thinning.

It was unlike him to remain silent for so long.

Each attempt to mindlink him was met with a blunt, wordless severance.

“You need to rest.” Isabella murmurs from the doorway. “The pack run is at dawn.”

“I am not leaving her.”

“I can stay with her.”

“My answer remains unchanged.”

She enters, handing me a clean, folded shirt. “Change your top. You’re still covered in her blood.”

I look down at the stained fabric.

Athena would not wish to see this upon waking.

“You haven’t spoken of Genevieve.” Isabella says quietly.

“She is dead. That is all you need to know.”

“You hunted her.”

“Did you believe I would grant her a peaceful end?”

She gives me a final, lingering look before retreating from the room.

I despise this.’ Titan growls.

The feeling is mutual.’

We have controlled everything for so long.

Yet crucial things keep slipping past us, Alexander. Vital things.’

Are you claiming you foresaw this?’ I snap at my Wolf.

No. Of course not.’

Then we should have. Her past was filled with darkness. I should have known she would find a way to harm Athena. Especially after I ended her hopes.

Wolfsbane Toxin?’ He mutters. ‘That was unforeseeable.’

Isabella did! She recognized the potential threat.

Titan falls silent.

He knows I am drowning in self-blame.

That will not change soon.

I change into the black shirt.

Athena’s fingers twitch.

I immediately grasp her hand.

I speak to her, hoping my voice can guide her back.

Isabella is replaced by Theodore.

He knocks lightly, his expression grim as he observes Athena.

“Did you find it?” I ask, not looking away from her.

“Yes. And there was an abundance of it.”

“Explain.”

“She possessed an entire room of them. Forty or fifty individual plants. She was prepared. Not just the plants. She had protective gear. Waders. A thick jacket. Gloves. A beekeeper's hat. She knew precisely what she was doing. She was planning something significant. She had enough to cause severe damage to the entire pack.”

“And?”

“We incinerated the room. Nothing remains. Not even Genevieve's bones.” He moves closer to Athena, sighing heavily.

“What is it?”

“Athena has accumulated more enemies than you, Alexander. For someone unaware of her own history, how has she provoked so many?”

“Her enemies are mine.” I state flatly.

Theodore takes the only vacant chair. “I assume her brother remains unaware.”

“He and Sebastian have not returned.”

“I am certain they are fine. Perhaps they discovered a lead and are pursuing it.”

“You sound confident.”

“I must choose hope.” Theodore offers a faint smile.

“Hope?”

“Consider it. She is a miracle. Who else has survived this many bindings? And now, poisoned by a substance lethal to our kind.” He frowns at my mate. “Any progress?”

“None. Her heart rhythm is steady. Isabella says her vitals are normal.”

“Perhaps her mind requires time to process the trauma. The shock may have triggered a shutdown.”

“Her mind is chaos.” I sigh. “Nothing is clear. I cannot discern if she is reliving memories or trapped in nightmares. I only know she is lost.”

“Then speak to her. Use your voice to anchor her.”

“You believe in that?”

“I have witnessed stranger occurrences. If you are uncomfortable, I can read to her.” He produces a small book from inside his jacket.