Chapter 0097

The office door slammed open without warning.

Julian stormed inside, his expression grim.

He ignored me completely, bracing his hands on Alexander's desk.

The two men locked eyes, communicating through their mind link.

I felt a chill run down my spine. This couldn't be good.

Alexander's gaze flickered toward me for a split second.

It was so brief I almost missed it.

"What's happening?" I whispered, dread coiling in my stomach.

Julian turned to face me, his features tight with tension. "The Lycan we just captured asked for you."

"Me?"

'Stay calm!' Nyx commanded. 'Ask why.'

"Why would they want to see me?"

"That's what we need to find out. And it's not a he."

My breath caught. "A woman? Was she bitten?"

He gave a sharp nod. "We think you should talk to her."

"She's alive?" Shock rippled through me. They'd killed all the others without hesitation.

Alexander moved around his desk. "Athena, she's just a child. There are lines I won't cross."

"A child?"

"Fifteen years old." Julian sighed heavily. "She claims a blonde woman dropped her off. Told her to walk through the forest and not look back. Then ask for someone named Athena."

"Victoria?"

"No name given, but likely. She's terrified and exhausted. Keeps begging to go home to her parents."

'She's a kid, Athena. We can't ignore this.' Nyx murmured softly.

"Where is she?" Tears welled in my eyes inexplicably. This stranger's suffering felt personal.

"With Sebastian." Julian informed us.

"Are you certain you want to do this?" Alexander studied me carefully.

I nodded, biting my lower lip.

Julian led us across the pack grounds toward Beta Sebastian's residence.

"He took her to his home?"

"Easier to contain and monitor her there." Julian explained.

Sebastian answered the door, looking as weary as the rest of us. "She cried herself to sleep."

He gestured us inside. A young redhead lay curled on the sofa, much like I used to sleep at Silver Creek.

"Did she say anything?" Alexander asked.

"Her name is Sophia. Last thing she remembers is shopping with friends before waking in some fancy woman's car. Then the tears started. She crashed out about five minutes ago."

'Why turn a child?' Nyx wondered.

"This is despicable." Sebastian murmured, draping a blanket over the sleeping girl.

"We know they have no boundaries." Julian muttered darkly.

We let her sleep for thirty minutes before Sebastian gently woke her.

Tears immediately welled in her eyes as she saw us watching her.

She sat up, brushing her shoulder-length hair behind her ears.

The fresh bite mark on her neck stood out starkly.

"Sophia?" I asked softly, remembering how intimidating these men could feel.

"Sophie." She whispered, her blue eyes darting nervously around the room.

"Sophie, I'm Athena."

"What's wrong with me? I feel so hot... and sick... I want my mom. I promised I'd be home for dinner." Fat tears rolled down her cheeks, which she swiped away angrily.

'She doesn't know.' Nyx realized. 'She has no idea what's been done to her.'

"Can someone take me home?" She continued weeping.

"Not possible right now." Sebastian said gently. "It isn't safe for you."

She whimpered as Alexander gestured for me to follow him outside.

"What do you want to do?" He asked.

"Me?"

He nodded. "The girl has no idea what she is or where she is."

"Why would they do this? Why would Victoria do this?"

"They're targeting your compassion. The men didn't work, so they're trying a different approach."

"I hate them." My hands clenched into fists as I closed my eyes. "They ruined my life, and now they've destroyed this girl's too. She'll never go home again. Never see her family or friends."

"Do you believe her story?"

"I can smell her fear."