Xavier's calm mask finally cracked. His voice thundered across the hall.
"No!" He took a step forward, placing himself half in front of Athena. "I found her. I saved her life when no one else could. She stays with me."
Kraven's lips curved into a faint smile, his tone smooth but laced with venom. "And why should one Alpha hoard what could benefit the entire Kingdom? Are you so selfish, brother, that you would keep such a rare asset for yourself?"
Xavier's eyes flared dangerously, but the Elders ignored the tension sparking between them. The leading Elder's voice cut in again, firm and absolute.
"Athena Taylor will now join the healers of the Kingdom. She will be placed in the Omega chambers where doctors reside."
Athena's stomach twisted.
Omega chambers?
Sharing private space with these wolves?
A place where she'd be stripped of the small sliver of safety she felt beside Xavier.
"No," Xavier barked again, fury crackling in his tone. "She knows nothing of our Kingdom. You would throw her among strangers when she has barely survived? It will crush her."
The circle of Elders bent their heads together, murmuring among themselves. Their ancient whispers carried weight heavier than any Alpha's growl.
Finally, the verdict was spoken.
"Then let her be guided. Each Alpha shall appoint one trusted Omega to her side… day and night to ensure she learns our ways, and no harm comes to her."
Kraven leaned back by a pillar, smug satisfaction flickering across his features. Xavier's fists clenched at his sides, his composure unraveling thread by thread.
Athena stood frozen in the middle of it all, realizing the truth in her bones.
She wasn't a survivor here. She was just a prize. A piece of the game between two brothers.
_____________________
Athena had to hurry down the steps, her pace quickening just to catch up with Xavier but no matter how fast she walked, he was already strides ahead of her. He didn't even glance over his shoulder.
He should be relieved, she thought. Both of them had been declared innocent. Yet the air around him bristled with anger, and she couldn't understand why.
Before she could call out, warmth pressed suddenly against her waist. The touch was unwelcome but frighteningly familiar.
Her heart skipped. She didn't need to turn to know who it was.
"Alpha Kraven," she said, forcing steel into her voice, "could you please maintain a healthy distance from me?"
Kraven chuckled low, leaning just close enough for her to feel the heat of his breath. "I rather like it," he drawled, "hearing you give me respect… acknowledging my power."
Athena rolled her eyes, jerking his hand off her waist. "Of course you do. Other than that, there's nothing to like about you."
The smile dropped from his lips. His voice turned sharp, dangerous. "What did you just say?"
Athena turned on her heel and faced him head on, chin tilted defiantly. "What I said is this… just because you're an Alpha, you think you can get away with anything. You use your power to control the weak. I hate people like you."
Kraven's laugh came rougher this time, edged with menace. He grabbed her arms and yanked her closer, his grip burning into her skin.
"Listen carefully, Athena," he hissed. "Just because I give you attention doesn't make you special. You are nobody to me. Thousands of omegas would beg to have me."
Athena's pulse raced, but her words cut back like blades. "Then let them beg. They don't see beyond your power but I do. And without it, Kraven? You're nothing."
For a moment his golden eyes darkened, fury flashing like lightning across his features. His lips curved into a dangerous smile, though it never reached his eyes.
"This little game you're playing, Athena…" he murmured, shoving her arms away with a sharp jerk, "…it's very human-like. A disgusting game they love to play and you're doing the same with me now. I really don't want to make your days harder to survive."
She staggered back a step, breath shuddering from her chest. Only then did she realize she'd been holding it in.
By the time she gathered herself, Xavier was already at the car. He slid inside without waiting for her.
The ride back was silent. The rumble of the engine filled the air, thick with tension. Athena turned her head, watching Xavier's profile in the dim light. His jaw was locked, eyes fixed on the window.
"Xavier…" she whispered cautiously, "what are you thinking?"
But he didn't answer. He didn't even look at her.
And that silence cut deeper than Kraven's threats.
_____________________
The car rolled to a stop outside Xavier's estate. The moment the driver opened the door, Xavier stepped out without a word. His tall frame cut a dark silhouette against the glowing lanterns.
Athena followed slowly, clutching the folds of her dress. She had barely placed her foot on the gravel when Xavier's hand shot out, clamping around her wrist.
"Xavier…" She gasped.
He didn't listen.
His grip was unyielding as he dragged her forward, his strides so long she had to half run to keep up. Her wrist throbbed under his hold, her fear mounting with every step toward the looming doors.
"Alpha!" Lucien's voice rang out behind them. "Wait… Alpha Xavier, let her go!"
Xavier didn't turn. He didn't answer. His silence was a storm, his body radiating rage. The great doors of the estate slammed open under his shove, and he pulled Athena inside, the sound echoing like thunder through the vast halls.
"Xavier, please…" Athena's voice cracked, half from the sting of his grip, half from the terror crawling up her spine.
But his jaw was tight, his eyes unreadable as he strode through the corridor with her tethered to his side. He listened to no one… not Lucien's shouts, not her pleas.
In that moment, Athena realized just how dangerous silence could be.
Xavier slammed the bedroom's door behind them, the echo rattling Athena's bones. Before she could speak, he turned on her… eyes blazing, chest heaving with fury.
"You," he growled, stalking closer. "So easily… so carelessly… you told them you feel nothing for me."
Athena's brows knitted, her lips parting in confusion. "I… I only spoke the truth…"
"The truth?" His voice thundered, shaking the air between them. "Do you even know what those words mean to an Alpha? Do you know what it means for us to be denied our Luna's affection? It is a curse… a wound that festers in the soul."
Athena stumbled back a step, heart pounding. "I don't understand… I just met you yesterday, Xavier. How could I possibly…"
Her words cut like knives. His eyes darkened, gold bleeding into black. His jaw clenched, teeth growing big, canines glinting sharp under the dim light. His voice dropped to a feral rasp.
"So, you won't feel for me… not unless I claim you, right?"
Athena froze, her breath caught in her throat. "Xavier… what are you doing?"
In a blur, his hand shot out, shoving her back against the bed. The mattress dipped under her weight as he hovered over her, caging her with his body, his breath ragged against her skin.
"Don't fight me," he murmured, eyes wild. "Once I claim you, no one… not even Kraven, will dare come near you. And then… slowly… you'll feel for me. You'll learn to."
Her wrists were pinned above her head, his grip iron strong. Panic flooded her chest as his lips hovered by her shoulder blade.
"No… Xavier, stop! Please stop!" Her voice cracked with terror.
"It will hurt," he whispered darkly, teeth grazing her skin. "It always does for a human. But only once… one bite… and you'll be mine forever."
Athena's vision blurred, the pressure of his weight, his heat, his fangs pressing closer overwhelming her senses. Terror clawed through her veins, stealing her breath until the edges of her world dissolved into blackness.