Chapter 0093

"Fine. Show them the mark then." He says it like it's that simple.

I thought it would be, too.

But Alpha Alexander explained it isn't.

If they find a way to kill him first, I would be free.

Just like when he killed Marcus.

Alpha Alexander tells him exactly that.

"For argument's sake, let's say they do manage to kill you." He mutters to Alpha Alexander. "Why are they so obsessed with getting a pup in her? There are other females in the pack."

"She doesn't just carry Alpha blood. She is an Alpha."

Julian's dark eyes find me again.

They linger longer this time.

I shift in my seat.

My gaze drops.

Prick! Nyx snarls inside my head.

"I'll help." He mutters finally. "Like you said, Alexander. This is my home, too."

He sweeps out of the office.

He's muttering about taking his old room back.

"You didn't tell him." I whisper.

"About Nyx? No. I thought it would be more interesting to see how you handle him. Now that you have another spirit sharing your mind."

"You want Nyx to surprise him?"

He smiles.

It's the first real smile I've seen in days. "It might remind him to stay in his own lane."

"Someone will tell him. It's not a secret."

"Perhaps. Or maybe they'll assume he already knows. What did she think of him?"

"She called him a prick."

Alpha Alexander laughs. "Finally. A female who sees right through him."

He leans back in his chair.

He folds his arms across his chest. "I know I haven't been easy to live with these past few days. But something like this... it doesn't happen to my pack."

"I know. And I'm so—"

He holds up a hand, stopping me.

"You have to stop apologizing, Athena. I know you're sorry. But you can't feel guilt for something out of your control. I was the one who put you in that situation. I left you with only a few guards. And the man who claimed to be your brother. Stop blaming yourself."

I don't think I can.

Years of conditioned guilt don't just wash away.

Someone could stub their toe.

I'd probably find a way to blame myself.

I look up at the ceiling.

I try to blink back the tears.

I expect Nyx to comment on my weakness.

But she is silent, too.

She told me she sees everything.

Every little memory I have.

She hates that she wasn't there to protect me.

She claims she would have slit their throats while they slept.

Sometimes, I'm almost jealous I didn't have the courage to do it myself.

"Hey." Alpha Alexander is suddenly in front of me.

He moved around his desk without a sound.

"I won't stop until he is dead. I won't stop until all of them are dead."

He cups my chin.

His thumb runs along my bottom lip, freeing it from my teeth.

"Let me handle this."

I nod.

His hand moves from my chin to my throat.

He crushes his lips against mine.

He suddenly pauses.

His forehead rests against mine.

His eyes close.

A low growl rumbles in his chest.

"What... what's wrong?"

"I'm being summoned. We'll finish this later."

He takes my hand.

He leads me from the office and out of the house.

We head straight for the forest.

Not to someone's house like I expected.

"Where are we going?" I ask quietly.

He glances at me with his crimson eyes.

He doesn't speak.

Dread fills my body.

Nyx is growing restless, too.

"Where are you taking me?!" I snap.

Instant regret follows.

Nyx pushing forward will get me into serious trouble.

A curious glint shines in his eyes, one I rarely see. "I just want you with me. A Lycan has been found in my forest. Theodore called me to check it out. Don't worry. He's dead." He pauses, studying me. "I told you, I don't want you out of my sight. But it is nice to see you showing your spine."

We move deeper into the thick trees.

Voices reach us.

Theodore's voice, snapping at someone.

A half-shifted man is sprawled on the forest floor.

A man I recognize.

A man who came to beat me regularly.

A man who liked to use the metal of his belt for his own twisted drama.

I never knew his name.

But I never forgot his face.

"He wandered in," Theodore mutters. "Claimed he was human. Said he was lost. As you can see, he was killed mid-shift."

I can't look away from him.

Someone tore out his throat.

All I can think is that I wish it had been me.