Chapter 0457
Alexander
What the hell was that?
Through Ryken's kitchen window, thick black smoke billows into the sky.
I shove past Calihan in my rush to the door.
Ryken catches the boy just as Seraphina appears, demanding to know about the noise.
I don't answer.
I'm already outside, sprinting toward the explosion.
The packhouse is demolished.
Half the structure has collapsed into rubble.
Our pack members scramble desperately to douse the flames.
The remaining roof section sways precariously as more bricks crash down.
Then I spot my mate.
She sits motionless on the grass, staring blankly at the ruins of our home.
I drop to my knees beside her.
She remains silent.
"Were you inside?" I demand, unsure where she had intended to take Liam.
She shakes her head slowly.
"Where is Liam?" Titan growls urgently.
I scan the chaotic grounds but see no sign of the boy.
"Athena, where is Liam?" I mutter as people rush past us.
"He did this." Her whisper is barely audible.
"What are you talking about?"
"He blew up our home." She taps her wrist absently. "He wore something. A watch with a button. Levi got to him."
"Athena..."
"He blew up our house!" Her voice cracks with strain.
"Let's get you out of here." I lift her into my arms.
She offers no resistance, seemingly in shock.
I glance back at the destroyed packhouse before heading toward Sebastian's home.
Thank the moon the twins were with them and not inside.
I mentally link every pack member who should have been in the building.
Relief floods me as each one checks in safely.
The house had been empty.
Sebastian meets us at the door. "What in goddess's name happened? Is she alright?"
"I need to use your house."
"Of course."
I settle Athena on the sofa, listening to her racing thoughts.
Her fury is palpable.
Claw tips emerge from her fingertips.
How could a child destroy such a large building?
Yet her mind insists it was Liam.
That Levi had promised him something.
"What happened out there?" Brianna asks softly.
"The packhouse was blown up."
"What?"
"Liam blew up the house." I repeat Athena's words, still struggling to believe them.
"Seriously?"
I nod, watching my mate's eyes darken ominously.
Nyx is rising to the surface again.
"Where is that little bastard?" Brianna demands.
"I don't know."
"He ran off." Athena murmurs. "He fled after the explosion knocked us down."
She swings her legs around and sits upright.
The darkness in her eyes recedes, returning to their usual soft blue.
"He spoke of Levi and promises. That man told Liam they could be free, that I would ruin them. He said Levi chose him, not Charlotte and not his brother."
"Charlotte?" I ask. "Was Charlotte one of Levi's targets?"
"I don't know." Athena shakes her head. "I should have commanded him to remove it." She rubs her eyes roughly.
When she lowers her hands, tears glisten in them. "I made him confess. Levi told him to push the button when the time was right. I tried to stop him when I saw the watch, but he pressed it anyway. I should have ordered him to stop... I don't even know if anyone was inside... I could have prevented this."
Guilt radiates from her.
Brianna sits beside her, wrapping an arm around Athena's shoulders. "He's just a child. None of us could have predicted this."
"I should have. Controlling adults is simpler. I could have stopped him and none of this would have happened."
"It would have happened regardless." I mutter.
"He's right." Sebastian confirms. "Whatever explosive was used had likely been planted there for some time. It must have been scentless or we would have detected it. Once the fire is out, I'll assemble a team to sweep the area for evidence."
"At least you and the boys weren't inside." Brianna sighs.
"And no one else was in the house either." I assure Athena. "They were all elsewhere. Everything lost can be replaced and rebuilt. No one was harmed."
"The boys," Athena whispers, looking at Brianna. "Are they safe?"
"Asleep. They slept through the explosion." Sebastian offers a reassuring smile.
Athena nods. "Ryken keeps linking me, demanding where his son is. How do I tell him that Levi corrupted Liam? That Liam destroyed the packhouse?"
"I'll handle it. Tell him I'm returning." I press my lips to hers and wipe the tear from her cheek.
Passing the packhouse, I see the flames are nearly extinguished.
Nothing remains salvageable.
The entire structure will require demolition and reconstruction.