I don't think this is a good idea.
The ride was oppressively silent, broken only by the low purr of the engine and the occasional crunch of gravel beneath the tires. Athena sat stiffly against the leather seat, her fingers twisted together on her lap.
She didn't dare look at Xavier, though his presence beside her filled the entire car like a shadow she couldn't escape.
Lucien cleared his throat from the driver seat. "Alpha… you know as well as I do, the moment she stands before the Elders, they'll see through it. No amount of concealment will hide what she is. Her blood, her aura… it'll give her away."
Athena's pulse quickened.
What she is.
The words cut deep, reminding her again of her place in this strange, brutal world.
Humans.
For them I am weak. My existence in their territory is considered wrong.
Her chest ached with the weight of it, her mind spiraling with possibilities she didn't want to imagine. What if they cast her out and put behind bars? What if they demanded her death?
Xavier's voice was calm, but hard as steel. "They won't. I'll make sure of it."
"Alpha…" Lucien hesitated. "If the council turns against you, protecting her may cost you the throne."
Athena froze, the breath in her lungs turning sharp. Because of me… he could lose everything. She wanted to ask him why? And even if her existence threatens him to lose his power, then why keep her?
Her hands shook in her lap. And then, suddenly, they weren't alone.
Warmth pressed against her trembling fingers as Xavier's hand, strong and steady, closed around hers. He didn't look at her, didn't even glance her way, his gaze fixed ahead at the dark road winding toward the unseen kingdom. But his grip was unyielding, grounding her with silent command.
Her heart beat loudly against her ribs. She wanted to pull away, to demand why he was touching her but she couldn't because at that moment, her fear softened. His grip was not gentle, but it was certain, and certainty was exactly what she needed to breathe again.
For the first time, Athena realized something dangerous. If Xavier Thorne needed her… needed her to survive, needed her to stand at his side… then maybe he wouldn't let anything happen to her.
And maybe… just maybe… that made her far more valuable than she had ever dared to believe.
Xavier's grip tightened briefly over her trembling fingers before he spoke with his tone low and commanding.
"When we arrive, keep quiet," he said without looking at her. "If the Elders question you… your rank, your bloodline, or the pack you belong to before coming here… say nothing. I'll answer for you."
Athena's lips parted, her chest tightening. She wanted to protest, to tell him she wasn't some child who needed silencing. But something in his voice… like steel wrapped in warning… froze the words on her tongue.
Lucien shifted in the seat ahead, his eyes flickering to the rearview mirror. "And if Kraven presses his side of the story, Alpha? He's not one to let accusations go. He'll insist you had a hand in the attack on his fox mate's clan."
The car seemed to thicken with tension. Xavier's jaw flexed, his silver eyes narrowing. "Let him insist. I'll handle Kraven the same way I always have… by reminding him that no matter how loudly he howls, I will not bend."
A chill ran through Athena.
Fox mate?
Why is Kraven hell bent on knowing about the attack in the secluded town?
The pieces were scattered but she could feel them trying to fit together. Slowly, painfully, a picture formed.
This was why Xavier had warned her about Kraven. This was why he was so protective, so harsh at times because beneath the polished exterior of brotherhood lay something broken, something violent.
She swallowed hard, the question clawing at her. What happened between them? Why is there so much hate in their blood?
But she kept silent because Xavier's hand was still on hers. Because for now, she didn't want him to let go.
Her gaze flicked toward Xavier.
And that was when his hand tightened almost imperceptibly around hers. His silver eyes, met hers, narrowed as if he'd heard her.
Her breath caught. "W–what?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
"Nothing," Xavier said quickly, his tone clipped, final. But the faint crease in his brow gave him away.
Athena's stomach turned. She hadn't spoken the thought aloud. She was certain of it.
I must be overthinking. There's no way he could be reading my thoughts.
_____________________
The sleek black car slowed to a halt before the towering council estate, its ancient stone pillars casting long shadows under the dim lights. Athena's pulse quickened.
Outside, leaning casually against a marble column, stood Kraven. A cigar glowed between his fingers, smoke curling lazily into the air. His posture was relaxed but his eyes… sharp and predatory.
His eyes were fixed on the approaching car. At his side stood his right hand man, tall and broad, a mirror of Kraven's untamed aura.
Xavier's hand lingered over Athena's for a moment longer, his thumb brushing across her skin almost unconsciously. Then, as though remembering his situation, he pulled away sharply just as the car rolled to a stop.
The warmth of his touch vanished, leaving her with an emptiness she couldn't explain.
Her gaze shifted back to Kraven. Even from inside the car, she could see his smirk forming, as if he had been waiting for this very moment.
Waiting for her arrival.
The moment Athena stepped out of the car, the sharp scent of smoke hit her nose. Kraven's smirk widened when his eyes landed on them.
"Well well, brother," Kraven drawled, exhaling smoke into the night, "it was about time you showed up. The Elders aren't fond of waiting but then… they do tend to prefer me."
"I'll make sure you won't have the pleasure of getting your way with them today with your petty lies." Xavier replied.
"Lies huh? I know you went to kill my fox mate and to remove any evidence, you burned the whole town down."
Xavier ignored him, his hand resting lightly against Athena's back as he steered her forward but Kraven kept on mocking him.
"You know what keeps me awake some nights?" Kraven tilted his head, eyes glittering. "The thought of your mate. Whoever she is. If I ever find her…" His smile turned cruel. "I'll make sure she doesn't live long enough to make you king."