18: In My Blood

ATTICUS

The door had barely clicked shut behind me when Lilith burst in, her eyes blazing with fury.

“How could you, Atticus?” Her voice was sharp, slicing through the air like a blade. “You’re disrespecting Rachel by sleeping with her murderer!”

Anger blinded my common sense at the accusation, and before I could give it a second thought, I had her slammed against the wall.

My hand gripped her throat, not enough to choke her, but enough to remind her who the hell she was talking to.

“Watch your mouth, Lilith,” I growled, my voice cold and dangerous. Her eyes widened, a flicker of fear passing through them.

Good!

“You’re betraying her memory,” she hissed with a strained voice, struggling against my hold. “Rachel died because of that bitch, and now you’re crawling into bed with her like none of it ever happened?”

I tightened my hold around her neck, my patience wearing thin. She groaned slightly in pain.

“You don’t get to question me, Lilith,” I growled. “You don’t get to talk to me about betrayal. Not when you’ve been crawling around trying to fill her shoes since the day she died.”

Her eyes flashed with hurt and fury at my words.

“I loved Rachel!” She screamed back at me. “ And I’m not the one disrespecting her memory—you are. You’re letting her killer walk free. You’re sleeping with her as if Rachel’s life meant nothing to you!”

I leaned in, my face inches from hers, every word dripping with venom.

“You loved Rachel?” I scoffed at the sheer irony. “You love Rachel, yet, I also fucked you… remember!”

“At least I was her friend!” She fired back. “She would have wanted me to satisfy you, knowing that I’m up to the task.”

I chuckled bitterly, shaking my head.

“Up to the task?” I repeated in disdain. “You’re not even half the woman she was, Lilith. And you need to watch your tongue, or I’ll remind you of that in ways you won’t forget.”

Her breathing quickened, her eyes watering with hurting and angry tears.

“You’re weak, Atticus,” she spat. “Weak for her. Can’t you see what she’s doing to you?”

I slammed my fist into the wall next to her head, the impact shaking the room. She gasped, literally thawing beneath my grip.

“Weak? You think I’m weak!” I thundered, my voice shaking the very walls of the room. My blood pounded in my ears, my control hanging by a thread. “Fine, then! I think I know how to remind you that I am still your Alpha, and I am as strong as I’ve ever been.”

Lilith’s stubborn demeanour fell as she realised she had crossed her boundary.

But now, it was too late for apologies.

I mindlinked my guards, my thoughts sharp and clear. Come to my chambers now. Take Lilith to the dungeon. A night in the dark cell will help her regain some sense.

“Atticus—” she started, her voice trembling now. The fear she had tried so hard to hide finally bled through her words. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”

But I had no patience for her apologies. “It’s too late, Lilith. You need a reminder of your place.”

“Atticus, please…” she pleaded, taking a step toward me, her earlier bravado completely crumbling.

The door swung open, and the guards stepped in, their eyes locking on me for instructions. I gave them a single nod, and they moved toward Lilith.

She backed away, panic flashing across her face.

“Wait, Atticus! Please! I’m sorry! Don’t do this.”

I turned my back to her, the sound of her whiny pleas getting on my nerves.

“Take her.” I ordered.

The guards grabbed her by the arms, dragging her toward the door as she struggled and pleaded.

“Atticus, don’t do this! Please! I didn’t mean it!” She screamed some more

I didn’t even flinch, looking away as they pulled her away.

Once the door closed behind the guards, I stood in the middle of my room, heaving heavily.

The anger that had flared so fiercely moments ago began to simmer down, leaving only the bitter taste of regret.

Lilith was right. She’s a bitch, but she’s right.

What the hell was I thinking, letting things get this far with Hera?

I shouldn’t have slept with her. Heck, I shouldn't have slept with either of them.

It had been a terrible mistake—one that I couldn’t afford to make again.

But I wasn’t worried about Lilith. I was worried about Hera.

She was the enemy, the one responsible for Rachel’s death, and yet…

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get her out of my mind. Her voice, her scent, the way she fought against me, her stubbornness and doggedness—it all clung to me like a curse.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face, felt the pull that I tried so damn hard to ignore.

It shouldn’t be like this.

I should hate her. I do hate her.

But every time she’s near, every time our eyes meet, that hate twists into something darker, something primal. And no matter how many times I tell myself it’s wrong, that I’m betraying Rachel’s memory, my body doesn’t care.

My body wants her.

My body wants Hera.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Sleeping with Hera was a mistake.

A mistake I must not repeat.

But even as I stood there, trying to convince myself of that, I knew… Hera was in my blood now, and no matter how hard I tried to get rid of her, she wasn’t going anywhere.