"Who are you?"
The room froze.
Athena's fork clattered against the plate, loud in the suffocating silence. Xavier had gone rigid at the table, his dark eyes locked on the figure standing at the entrance of the dining room like a shadow.
Kraven Thorne.
His half brother didn't even bother to hide his grin as he stepped forward, boots echoing against the polished floor. His presence felt heavier than the walls themselves, and Athena suddenly understood why the omegas along the sides of the hall had bowed their heads the moment he arrived.
Why are they bowing for him? Is it because Xavier called him brother?
She swallowed, every instinct screaming to answer with something… anything but Xavier's presence beside her felt like a wall at her back, making her mouth dry in panic.
"None of your concern," Xavier interjected coldly, stepping between them before she could speak.His voice, dangerously calm. "Why are you here exactly, Kraven, this is not your lair!"
Kraven tilted his head, feigning innocence. "What a question. It's been three weeks since you last returned to the kingdom. Naturally, I grew… worried." His lips curved into a sharp smile. "Imagine my relief to find you alive and well in your little hideaway."
His gaze slid past Xavier, landing on Athena. Unapologetically bold, he let his eyes travel over her before inhaling deeply. "And who is this gorgeous omega? Haven't seen her before."
Athena stiffened. Why is he looking at me like that?
She didn't understand half the words being thrown around in this cursed place, but the way he was looking at her made her skin tingle.
"Don't," Xavier snapped, his tone a warning.
But Kraven wasn't listening. He circled the edge of the table, drawing closer.
"Strange," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "You smell… unusual. Not like them." His eyes narrowed, flicking briefly with curiosity. "Why do you smell different?"
Athena's heart thundered. Something inside her… the same wild energy she'd felt when staring into the mirror… seemed to stir at his words. She opened her mouth to speak, but Xavier cut in sharply.
"She is none of your concern. She serves me."
Kraven raised his brows, amused. "Protective, aren't we? But she's just an omega right?" His smirk deepened. "That alone makes me wonder what you're hiding."
The air in the dining hall turned heavier, like a storm pressing against the walls. Omegas shifted nervously, some lowering their heads, others retreating into the corners.
Athena swallowed hard, gripping the edge of her chair. Whatever this was, it wasn't just two brothers bickering. This rage between them was something far older, deeper between two brothers. What could it be?
"Enough," Xavier commanded. His voice carried the weight of authority, sharp enough to slice through the tension. "Athena, go with the omegas. Now."
She hated the way her body jolted at the sound of his order, hated that she almost obeyed without thought.
"Why?" she demanded, her voice rising in defiance. "Am I not allowed to sit at your precious table? Or speak in your Alpha presence?"
Silence. Pin drop silence.
Kraven's grin widened, eyes glittering with interest. "Fiery little thing, isn't she? How come a mere level wolf talks to their Alpha like that?"
Xavier turned to glare at him, but Athena saw the muscle twitch in his jaw… the smallest crack in his composure.
"She stays," Kraven said smoothly, folding his arms as though he'd decided it for them.
The standoff stretched taut with ego clashing at each other, every second winding tighter. Finally, Xavier exhaled through his nose, a low growl rumbling beneath his breath. He sat back down at the head of the table. "Then eat," he bit out.
Athena didn't need to be told twice. She grabbed the nearest bread roll and tore into it, hunger overwhelming her fear. Bite after bite, she devoured the food… meats, cheeses and fruits. She barely stopped to breathe.
The omegas stared in open shock. Even Xavier, who had returned to his plate, kept throwing glances her way.
Kraven, though… laughed softly. "Look at her go. She eats like one of us, yet she isn't one of us. Fascinating brother."
Athena froze while chewing, her eyes darting up to him. But before she could answer, Xavier's fist slammed against the table, rattling plates and cups. "Enough!"
Kraven tilted his head in question. "What happened brother? Why do you seem so agitated whenever she is in the question?" He leaned forward with a sinister smirk on his face. "Don't tell me… Is she the one I'm looking for?"
Athena blinked. What is he talking about?
Xavier smiled, "so that's why you are here Kraven?" He wiped his mouth with the cloth and leaned forward casually folding his arms on the table. "You thought I might have kept your mate captive here, didn't you?"
Kraven's demeanor changed. Suddenly his eyes turned silver and his jaw clenched in anger. "You went to the town where the last fox of the fox clan was hidden. You burned the whole town down. What do you expect me to think?"
Athena's eyes widened. Xavier was the attacker!
"Bullshit! It wasn't me." Xavier said but then his eyes met hers. She was shocked and he fears Athena might explode. "Kraven, the town was already on fire when me and my team reached there, everyone was dead already."
"But I'm alive." Athena spoke but she regrets it instantly. Xavier glared at her as if he would rip her tongue off. Whereas, Kraven looked like he just found his jackpot.
"You're from that town's wolf pack?" He stood up from his chair and walked towards her. Athena stiffened, she instantly looked at Xavier for help but… His eyes were crimson red.
And he was looking at her.
Oh god! Please help me!
Kraven pulled her chair towards him and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Tell me… tell me where my Fox Mate is."
"I… I don't know what you are talking about. I don't know what that means… Please leave me." Athena squirmed, "Xav… Xavier…"
She didn't need to call him twice. He was already grabbing Kraven's arm before digging his nails and bleeding his flesh. "Leave. Her. Now."
"Why do you care?" Kraven dares him. "What is she to you?"
"She is no one to me." Xavier said, snatching his brother's hands from Athena. "I took her in as she was the only survivor there."
"You're lying Xavier… I know you did something to my mate. Because you want to be the king." Kraven spat at him. "And I can clearly see that she is lying too!"
Athena couldn't understand a thing they were saying. Her mind was occupied by the pain inflicted upon her by Kraven. She didn't know why her heart felt sad and her eyes started to get blurry.
Xavier exhaled in frustration, "I know how much you are desperate to find your mate Kraven but don't put blame on me. If I found your mate, I wouldn't dare bring any harm upon her."
"I don't trust you!" Kraven stepped back, running his hands through his hair. "I know how far you are willing to go for the crown." He laughed but the venom in his eyes was evident. "Tell me, why did you bring this wolf to our pack?"
Xavier glanced back at Athena, "she was a surgeon for their pack. I thought she would be useful to our pack."
"That still doesn't explain why she doesn't smell like us. And I would like to find out why…"
"I took her in and it's my responsibility. Don't sniff around where you are not needed." Xavier gave him a last warning.
The smile on Kraven's face died instantly.
He leaned back, unbothered, still smiling that infuriating smile. "Touchy… tonight, brother." His gaze flicked once more to Athena. "I'll be staying and I'll be watching her."
And with that, he turned and strolled out of the hall, leaving the air thick with the scent of unease.
Athena's stomach twisted… not from the food, but from the heavy knot of dread coiling tighter inside her. Whoever Kraven was, he had looked at her like she wasn't just a stranger.
Like he knew something she didn't understand.