Chapter 0117
Alexander
Hearing her finally declare her identity was deeply satisfying.
I couldn't tell if her growing confidence came from the pups or if Ethan had simply pushed her too far.
Either way, it no longer mattered.
“A Lycan Alpha?” Nathan questioned, his expression baffled. “What in hell is a Lycan?”
He glanced around at the other men, who looked equally confused.
Except for Ethan.
Ethan’s gaze was locked on my mate.
He watched her with the same predatory hunger Julian once had.
A hunger to consume her entirely.
He can try.’ Titan growled low in my mind.
I remained silent, much to Titan’s irritation.
I wanted to drive Ethan into the ground, but that could wait.
“I am a monster.” A dark smile touched Athena’s lips.
Her eyes had darkened, the blue nearly swallowed by black.
Nyx was hovering close to the surface.
“And you’re running from your pack?” Ethan directed his question at my mate.
“As I’ve already explained, no, she is not.” I cut in sharply.
I had expected more questions about her being a Lycan.
He gave a slow nod. “So you’re the reason humans are turning up with bite marks.”
Ethan rubbed a hand over the stubble on his chin.
“What are you talking about, Ethan?” Nathan asked, frowning.
Before Ethan could answer, my mate snapped. “I am not biting anyone!”
I held a hand up to Athena, turning fully toward Ethan. “You’ve seen this?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve seen them shift?”
“That, I haven’t witnessed. When they started appearing in the city, we handled them before the situation escalated.”
“Your pack is in the city?” Athena asked, sounding confused.
“Next city over. Crestwood City.” Ethan muttered, as if she should have known. “My pack is more urban than you forest dwellers in Obsidian Howl.”
I rolled my eyes. His way wasn't everyone's way.
“When you say you ‘handle’ them, you mean…?” Athena’s voice was quiet.
The black in her eyes receded, blue returning.
“We kill them.”
“You didn’t think to tell me, Ethan?” Nathan snapped at his brother.
“You weren’t anywhere near the situation. You married and took a pack hundreds of miles away. We may be brothers, but we haven’t been close in over a decade.”
My fist slammed onto the table. “Whatever history you two have, set it aside. You all signed a contract with me. I held up my end when you needed me.”
The wood splintered under my hand.
“Now it’s your turn.”
“There’s nothing about Lycans in that contract.” Nathan murmured.
“You’re right, there isn’t. But it does state that you will protect my heirs with your lives if they are threatened.”
“They aren’t even born yet!” Nathan grumbled.
“From the day of conception,” Ethan rolled his eyes at his brother. “We are contractually bound. Or are you prepared to tell your wife you just handed your pack over?” Ethan challenged.
All eyes turned to my mate.
Her head was bowed.
I saw her taking slow, deep breaths, fighting back another wave of nausea.
I don't like how pale she looks.’ Titan warned me.
“Athena, go rest.” I told her firmly.
“I have questions!” Ethan snapped.
“And if all my attention is on my mate, I cannot answer them!”
Athena practically fled the room.
Whether to escape the meeting or to be sick, I wasn’t sure.
But this way, Ethan couldn't keep ogling her.
Every eye in the room was on me.
“Go on, ask!” I challenged, knowing the one question burning on all their tongues.
“What are they?” Nathan asked.
“It’s too early to tell.” I answered casually.
“What if they are like her?” another Alpha asked.
“They are still my heirs.” I knew it was likely.
She was developing faster than any Wolf.
But I also knew the fear of them being Lycans plagued my mate’s thoughts.
She hated the idea.
She wanted the Lycan line to end.
Julian and Sebastian were quiet, listening intently to every word.
Until Julian finally spoke.
“We didn’t call you here to debate the pups' heritage. You are here to uphold your end of the contract. Nothing more.”
“And when this is over, the contract is complete?” Ethan asked. “We are free?”
Their lives won't be worth living if anything happens to our pups!’ Titan snarled.
I was doing this to keep my mate and my heirs safe.
“Yes.” I agreed. “The contract will be completed.”
The Alphas exchanged looks.
Finally, they all nodded in agreement.
They all wanted the same thing—to be free of their debt to me.