Chapter 0086

Alexander

Caleb leaves us at my office door. Athena lowers herself into a chair with such painful slowness it makes me ache. She lied to Isabella about feeling fine. She knows I can read her thoughts, though I say nothing. I understood her need to return here. This house makes her feel safer somehow.

“Do you need anything?” I ask as she pulls her knees to her chest.

She shakes her head, dark hair falling around her face.

She hasn’t mentioned the hunt again. She hasn’t asked if the others died the same way. She doesn’t need to. She’s already figured it out. Yet she still doesn’t question my decisions. Her mind is somewhere else entirely.

“Athena, I know you’re not okay.”

She picks at a loose thread on her black jeans. “I’m alive.”

‘Is she having a breakdown?’ Titan asks.

“Yes, you are,” I mutter, ignoring my wolf.

“I shouldn’t be. I should be dead.” She grips her stomach, face contorting in pain.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just... uncomfortable.”

“Let me see.”

She lowers her legs and lifts her shirt. “There’s nothing there,” she whispers, tensing again. Her hand grabs my arm. Nails dig into my skin, leaving half-moon marks.

I catch the scent of blood. “Athena, is it your period?”

Her nails sink deeper. “I’ve never had one,” she gasps.

It hits me then. She hasn’t had a period since arriving here. Her body had been too shut down. Too frail. Basic functions weren’t working. Now everything is resetting itself. Returning to how it should be.

“Is it...” She squeezes my arm. “Is it always this bad?”

“Come on. I can help with the pain.”

I don’t let her walk. Lifting her from the chair, I turn her quickly so she doesn’t see the blood staining her jeans.

I stand her in the shower and turn on the water. It soaks us both as I strip off her clothes. Her nails dig into me with each new cramp.

“Take your time,” I murmur, lips grazing hers.

Stepping out, I run a bath. Hot water helps ease cramps. If it doesn’t, my fingers will. A good orgasm usually does the trick.

I hear her weeping as I turn off the water. Her hand presses against the glass door. Blood trickles from between her legs.

I move her from the shower to the bath. Her skin sizzles as it hits the water. She gasps.

“Move forward,” I say, pulling off my wet clothes.

“It’s blood.”

“You think blood scares me?”

She stares at me, then slides forward. Making room for me behind her.

She sits between my thighs, her back against my chest.

My hand rests on her stomach, pressing down, massaging. She’s so thin I can feel the cramps beneath her skin. Coming in waves. One after another.

Her hands grip my thighs. Nails pierce my skin as her body tenses. She whimpers. I slide my hand down to cup her mound.

She grabs my arm with both hands. “What are you doing?”

“Easing the pain.”

She doesn’t let go. “But...”

My finger dips between her folds, moving back and forth. “It doesn’t have to be bad,” I whisper in her ear. “Pain can become pleasure.”

Her hands stay on my arm, preventing me from going further. She considers my words.

“Do you trust me?” I ask, flicking my tongue over her neck mark.

She doesn’t answer. But her hands retreat into the water, resting on my thighs. She parts her legs a little more.

I push two fingers deep inside her, curving them to press against her clit. Her body tenses again. But not from pain.

She pushes her hips up, thrusting against my hand as I stroke her swollen clit.

“Slow,” I tell her. “It will help more.”

Her back arches against my chest. Soft moans escape her lips as I take my time. Sometimes it’s not about my needs. It’s about watching her. Knowing only I can satisfy her.

She throws her head back as I push a third finger in. She’s tight, but responsive. Her thighs clamp around my hand.

My name rolls off her tongue as she rocks her hips. Water splashes over the tub as she spasms around my fingers. Her juices and blood trickle over my hand.

She stills. Breathing heavy. Heartbeat wild.

“Better?”

“Uh huh,” she mutters, voice strange.

A pink blush spreads from her chest up her neck.

I smile, listening to her thoughts. “If you want me to fuck you, just ask.”

We rinse off in the shower. I press her against the cool tiles, lips crushing hers. She parts her lips, letting my tongue taste her.

My hard cock presses against her leg. Her fingers wrap around it, moving in a steady rhythm. Paying attention to the tip.

“You,” I mutter between kisses, “are supposed to be resting.”

“Uh huh,” she says, pushing her breasts against me.

We end up on the shower floor. Athena straddles my legs. My cock presses against her pussy.

Her blue eyes lock on mine as she adjusts herself. She slides down my dick, mouth wide as she takes my full length. She lets out a little growl as she adjusts to me. A sound I’ve never heard from her before.

I guide her hips, encouraging her to move up and down. Slow and steady. Letting her have control.

She was beautiful. And she was mine.