Chapter 0108

My gaze darted to the wall clock. “What if they attack within hours?”

He followed my line of sight. “They’d be idiots to strike now. You did exactly as I said. If they have any intel, they won’t risk hitting us when everyone’s alert and rested.”

“I have to talk to her first,” I muttered. Athena was a terrible liar. If I saw through it, Dominic or Victoria definitely would.

“Listen. If you want her safe and out of whatever’s coming, this is the only way.” He watched me rise. “If you see my twin, send her in?”

I rolled my eyes. “She won’t release you until you’re fully healed.”

“A Wolf’s gotta try.”

Outside, Isabella and Athena were deep in conversation on a small bench. They fell silent as I approached. “He wants to see you,” I told Isabella.

“Already said no. I know him—he’ll just run straight back out.” She shook her head and stormed inside, ready to lay down the law with Julian.

Athena stayed quiet. She picked nervously at the wooden bench, avoiding my eyes.

“You’re doing it again,” I murmured, taking Isabella’s vacated seat.

“Isabella told me.”

“Did she now? She certainly has a habit of that.” I frowned. She hadn’t been inside when Julian and I discussed the plan. “What exactly did she say?”

“That I’d be in the forest—”

“No.” I cut her off and pulled her against me. “Not happening. But Julian had another idea. I need to know if you’re okay with it.”

She tilted her head. Moonlight glinted in her blue eyes, reminding me of a crystal-clear lake my father took us to once. That was the last time I saw him and my stepmother.

“Not here.” I had no idea how she’d react. I didn’t want an audience.

‘She won’t agree,’ Titan mumbled.

‘I have to try.’

We headed back to the house, barely acknowledging anyone around us.

She took her usual spot in the office, drawing her knees to her chest. Messy dark hair fell around her face. She quickly tucked it behind her ears.

Her eyes widened as I laid out Julian’s idea. By the time I finished, she blinked several times, staring at me like I’d lost my mind.

“You…want to put your pup in me? I thought we agreed to wait a year?”

“That was the contract you wanted. We’re way past that now.” I raised a brow, amused, but she didn’t see it that way.

She snorted, blinking again. Her blue eyes steadily darkened. Nyx was close to the surface.

“I can’t,” she muttered, keeping her gaze low. “I’m not ready. I’m twenty-two. The only places I’ve ever been are here, Silver Creek, and the city—and I only went there once. I still can’t read properly. I definitely can’t write. What kind of mother would that make me?” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”

“Then you’ll have to lie.” I kept my focus on her, trying to read her reaction.

“Huh? I can’t lie about something like that.” Her eyes met mine, scowling deeply.

When I didn’t respond, she leaned back, tilting her head over the rest. Her eyes fixed on the ceiling. “He thinks it’s the only other way?”

“Yes. Other packs that owe me will join the cause.”

“Because they’ll think I’m carrying your heir.”

I nodded.

“I can’t make a decision like that, Alpha…Alexander.”

‘Told you,’ Titan mused. He loved being right.

“Look at me,” I ordered. Her face slowly turned to mine. “This way, you live.”