Chapter 0322
Athena’s fingers tighten around mine. Her eyes are wide, almost startled. “I can handle this, can’t I?”
So far, the number of Lycans arriving had been manageable. Some came alone. Others in small clusters. Except for Silverwood, but even their group wasn’t large.
“Absolutely. You were born for this, Alpha Athena.”
She offers a faint smile before descending toward the gathered Lycans. She delivers the same speech she gave the others. Well-practiced. Effective. It’s what she needs right now.
Zachary watches the crowd carefully as he approaches me. “I thought Isabella might have come down with you. I hoped she’d want to see how Athena is managing everything.”
“Have you two talked?”
“Of course we have. She’s my mate.”
“You know that’s not what I meant. Have you discussed what she’s feeling?”
“She’s completely closed off.”
“I walked in on her arguing with Athena.” His eyes widen at my words. “Athena told her she’s rewriting what really happened with Julian. Isabella didn’t take it well.”
“Where is she now?” He frowns.
“She stormed off. Zachary, I know she lost her brother. But Alexander did too. She’s so fixated on how Seraphina betrayed him that she’s forgotten Julian sought her out. Does she not remember he went to Seraphina willingly? Or is she still in denial? She shouldn’t be, right?”
“I’ll talk to her.”
“Do you think she started the fire?”
“No. She knows the pack would turn on her if she did.” He sighs. “What did Athena say about my mate?”
“She thinks Isabella is heading down a path where no one can help her.”
I flinch as Lucas fires his gun.
It’s a sound I doubt I’ll ever get used to.
But it silences the arguing Lycans instantly.
They all stare at the woman bleeding out on the ground.
One by one, they drop to their knees in submission.
All except two.
They’re dead before they even realize they’ve been caught.
I’ve been surrounded by death for years.
I’ve killed. I’ve watched others kill.
But when Lucas does it, it’s effortless. Like choosing a drink from the fridge.
It means nothing to him.
Caleb and a few other long-term Lycans move through the crowd.
They collect the bodies.
They’ll take them to the far edge of the territory and burn them.
Just like all the others.
It’s an exhausting process.
My idea, originally.
But I hadn’t expected so many Lycans to lose their lives.
What’s strange is that no other bitten Lycans have shown up.
Every single one here, except me and Zachary, is a pureblood.
“Doesn’t this seem weird to you?”
“Usually I follow your train of thought, but you’ll have to give me more than that.” Zachary smirks.
“We haven’t seen any bitten Lycans. None like us. Not even among the dead.”
“Athena didn’t issue an order. It was just a request. They’re probably staying away because they fear being killed for not being purebloods. If they’re even still alive. We don’t know if he’s taken any out.” He nods toward Lucas. “He doesn’t mention them. I’m sure if Athena makes it an order, they’ll come. Why? Feeling left out?” He muses.
“No. Just curious, I guess.” I sigh inwardly. Something always feels off. “Where are we going to house all of them? We’re out of cabins. What about the pack run tonight?”
“It’s handled.”
The gun fires again.
A sharp, burning pain tears through my stomach.
I see horror flash across Zachary’s face.
Sebastian rushes toward me.
The sky spins above until I’m staring straight up.
The men hover over me.
Sebastian presses his hands hard against my stomach.
Panic is written all over his face.
I hear Athena ordering the Lycans to drop flat.
What about Lucas?
He’s the one who shot me.