Chapter 0338
“But were they the right ones to eliminate?”
He lifts a brow, waiting.
“I knew they had to die. They were trouble from the start. Did something unforgivable.” I kept it vague. Maybe Alexander wouldn’t want it known his sister was gone. “I’ve only ever executed threats. Those who endangered the pack. This one was…” I trailed off as Isabella’s smiling face flashed behind my eyes.
“A leader who doesn’t question their choices is a poor one.” He exhaled slowly. “I’ve heard the stories. Where you came from. What happened. How you were raised. Everything since. Most train for years to lead. Alexander was groomed since birth. I was thrust into it, though I was never an Alpha. You’ve had what, three years?”
Was that all? It felt like lifetimes. “A year of that was just learning who I am,” I murmured.
“Athena, you were thrown into something vast. Beyond any of us. And you are more than capable. Your choice is yours alone.”
“What if it harms those around me? What if they can’t accept what I did?”
“Perhaps you must accept it first.” He shifted on the tree trunk; it looked uncomfortable for his large frame. “Never thought I’d be the one advising you.”
I studied him. He seemed amused.
“Is that how you feel about Seraphina? You accepted she must die, so you’re at peace with it?”
“Yes. Zoe knew long before I did. Her own mother. I suppose I believed I could be the father she needed. But she only ever learned to care for herself.”
‘Just like Julian,’ Nyx sighed. I felt her concern for me. But I didn’t regret the act. It was Isabella’s face stuck in my mind, twisting my thoughts. Like poisoning my parents all over again.
Caleb and I turned at the sound of footsteps. Alexander’s woody scent hit me, and my body went rigid. Caleb had come out before him. Alexander hadn’t followed me earlier. That only meant one thing. He was furious.
“I’ll leave you to it.” Caleb walked toward Alexander. He paused briefly, but I couldn’t hear their words.
‘I feel his anger from here,’ I told Nyx. ‘He’s angry. Frustrated. Hurt. Because of me.’
I stayed perfectly still as he strode over. Even without his scent, I’d know his walk anywhere.
My body stayed locked against the tree, my chest aching with each pounding heartbeat. I kept my gaze down as he stopped before me. That old feeling of awaiting a scolding washed over me. He was the only one who could still make me feel that small. And yet he’d never once harmed me.
His hands locked around my wrists and yanked me to my feet. My eyes remained lowered until he tipped my chin up, forcing me to meet his brilliant crimson gaze.
“You should not have done that.”
I opened my mouth to argue.
“You weren’t ready. You should have let me end it.”