Chapter 0089

Athena

His gaze was locked on my hand.

A strange, hollow gurgling sound escaped his lips.

Blood seeped down the front of his shirt, spreading in a dark, wet stain.

He looked down slowly.

It was as if time itself had paused to let him comprehend the event.

His hands trembled violently as they touched his chest.

He choked out a broken croak.

His entire body swayed unsteadily.

Without a single conscious thought, I shoved him off the roof.

I remained completely still.

The sound of his body hitting the ground echoed up—a sickening, final crack.

I sat down heavily.

Pulling my knees tight to my chest, I let the cold night air whip through my hair.

I had just ended a life.

Turning my hand over, I examined it.

It had partially shifted.

Dried specks of blood still clung to the skin.

I ran my thumb over my fingertips.

I felt nothing.

No pain.

No sharp edges hiding beneath the surface.

The claws had vanished as quickly as they appeared.

‘Sorry about the mess, but that bastard had it coming.’ The voice rumbled in my mind, utterly unconcerned.

The rooftop was empty except for me.

It definitely wasn't Alpha Alexander speaking.

‘You are correct. I am nothing like a man.’ I could hear the clear amusement in her tone.

“Who...who are you?”

‘I am Nyx. Your Lycan. It appears we found each other at a most opportune moment.’

“We don't... You are not supposed to be inside my head.”

‘It is amusing what a bit of Alpha blood and some powerful bindings can achieve.’

Annoyance flared in me. If I had a Lycan, why had she remained hidden for so long? ‘Where have you been all this time?’

‘I have always been right here. But those monsters had me completely suppressed.’

It was a bizarre sensation, feeling her presence moving through my consciousness. ‘My cycle?’ I whispered the question.

‘Precisely!’

Stunned into silence, I kept my arms wrapped tightly around my legs.

Was this what Alpha Alexander and the others experienced when their wolves communicated with them?

‘You will grow accustomed to me, Athena. My purpose is to ensure our survival.’

I let out a derisive snort.

I had managed just fine on my own until now.

Mostly.

‘From this moment forward, that changes.’ She added firmly.

By the time the sun began to rise, my entire body was shaking uncontrollably.

I only wore the thin tee and joggers I had slept in.

My feet were bare.

Even though my body could generate significant heat, it wasn't enough to fight the bitter cold of the night.

I refused to let her come forward to help us climb down.

I was still too terrified of becoming a monster.

I would rather freeze.

“Athena? Athena, are you alright?” Alpha Alexander's voice rushed through my mind urgently.

Looking over the roof's edge, I could still see Caleb's broken body among the others he had murdered.

There were no other people.

The grounds were silent.

What about the children?

What about those too old or too young for the pack run?

Where were they?

How many had Caleb actually killed?

“I'm on the roof.” I mumbled the reply through our link.

“Why couldn't he sense my fear? My panic?” I asked the empty air aloud.

‘I blocked him. It was necessary for you to stand on your own. As attractive as he is, he cannot shield us constantly.’

“You blocked him?” I shouted, my annoyance flaring again.

She offered no answer.

She fell completely silent.

Alpha Alexander and the others emerged from the forest line.

They halted abruptly at the sight of the dead bodies surrounding the packhouse.

Very slowly, Alpha Alexander's eyes scanned the rooftop, searching for me.

The moment his gaze found me, he simply stared.

He believed I had killed them all.

‘I'm coming up.’ He muttered through our link.

He scaled the side of the house with expert ease, as if he'd done it countless times.

His feet and fingers found ledges and holds without hesitation.

As he climbed over the top, his eyes remained fixed on me.

“It...it wasn't me! Well, only Caleb.” I whispered, my voice weak.

“Did you shift?”

“No. A little... She talks so much. What happened to the children? Where are the others?”