Chapter 0336

Athena

The silence in the room is heavy as I step back inside. Lucas Adler’s hazel eyes are locked on Isabella. Alexander is pacing quietly, lost in thought.

I can feel his pain like a physical ache. It doesn’t show on the surface. His crimson eyes burn with rage, not sorrow. His expression is stern, but controlled. No clenched fists. No labored breathing. He’s eerily calm. The kind of calm that comes before destruction.

His gaze snaps to me and he freezes. He knows exactly what I’m about to do. I feel Zachary step in behind me. He closes the door softly. The gentle click of the latch echoes in the tense quiet.

'We can do this.' Nyx whispers, though only I can hear. 'It’s necessary. You know it is.'

That doesn’t make it any easier.

“You won’t kill me, Athena.” Isabella’s voice mocks me. “I’m your closest friend.” I stare at the face I know so well. I have to remember she’s already gone. This isn’t her anymore.

“You’re just a soul hiding in a body that doesn’t belong to you.” I snap back.

She smiles. I hear a faint cracking sound. Julian is trying to force a shift. I won’t allow it. My hand closes around Isabella’s arm just as the bones begin to break under my grip. If he thinks shifting will let him escape, he’s wrong.

I begin my own shift. My hand transforms first. Claws extend. Fur spreads up my arm. My shift seems to disrupt his. Maybe he didn’t expect this.

For someone who prided himself on strategy, he should have seen it coming. He should have known there was no escape. Or perhaps he simply didn’t know me as well as he thought.

Those dark eyes find mine. Filled with hatred. Burning with fury.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you, Isabella.”

My claws plunge deep into her chest.

I keep my eyes forward. If I look at any of the men, the tears I’m holding back will erupt.

Her eyes drop to where my claws are buried. Julian probably thought I’d hesitate because it was her body, not his.

I retract my claws.

Julian stumbles back against the wall. One hand clutches the wound. The other slams against the wall for support. It’s useless. She collapses to the floor. Blood spills from her partially shifted form, soaking her legs and the carpet. Her dark eyes stare up at me until she slumps over, motionless. The room is as still as she is.

My heart hammers in my chest. The room blurs. I killed my friend. I killed Alexander’s sister. I killed Zachary’s mate.

'It wasn’t Isabella.' Nyx reminds me. 'And it was necessary. He was too dangerous.'

'I need air. Now.'

I step back and bump into Zachary. He just watches me as I turn to face him. He knew this was coming. Yet I still feel like I’ve betrayed him. Betrayed Alexander.

I shove past him and burst through the door. The blood pounds in my ears.

'It was the right thing to do.' I whisper to myself, repeating Nyx’s words as I crash into my bedroom.

'It was.' Nyx confirms.

I know it was. I know Julian had to be stopped. So why do I feel so sick?