Chapter 89

Lucius's shoulders sagged as he sank deeper into the chair. "The same happened to Victoria." His voice cracked slightly on her name.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Achilles went rigid beside Shea, his jaw clenching tight. She'd only heard him mention that name once before - his mother. He'd shut down immediately after, changing the subject with such finality that Shea never dared bring it up again.

"Victoria bore the same mark," Lucius continued, his eyes distant with memory. "It appeared just weeks before..." He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Shea's hand found Achilles's, squeezing gently. His fingers were cold against hers, but he gripped back with desperate strength. The pain radiating from both men was almost tangible, filling the room with a heavy silence.

"She was chosen by Selene too," Lucius said after a long moment, his voice barely above a whisper. "We thought it was a blessing at the time. Victoria's powers grew stronger, her connection to the moon deeper than any werewolf I'd ever known." His fingers traced absently over the arm of the chair. "But we didn't understand what it truly meant until it was too late."

Achilles's hand tightened around Shea's. She could feel him trembling slightly, though his face remained a mask of careful control. The loss of his mother was clearly still a raw wound, even after all these years.

"Father," Achilles started, but Lucius held up a hand.

"We need to be more careful now," he said, straightening in his chair. "Much more careful than we were before."

Lucius rose from his chair, his movements heavy with the weight of memory. He paused at the doorway, looking back at his son with a mix of concern and resignation before quietly stepping out.

Achilles remained frozen in place, his eyes fixed on some distant point. The mention of his mother had cracked something in his usually controlled demeanor. Shea watched him, her heart aching at the pain etched across his features.

"Achilles," she whispered, reaching for him. He didn't respond, lost in whatever memories haunted him.

Shea moved closer, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. His skin was cold to the touch, but she held him tighter, trying to share her warmth. After a moment, she felt him lean into her embrace, his rigid posture slowly softening.

"Let's lie down," she murmured against his ear. Her hand found his, gently tugging him toward the bed. He followed without resistance, allowing her to guide him down onto the mattress.

They settled together, Shea's body curled protectively around his larger frame. She stroked his hair, feeling the slight tremors that ran through him. His breathing was uneven, each exhale shaky and raw.

"I'm here," she whispered, pressing closer. His arms finally came around her, pulling her tight against his chest as if she might disappear. They lay tangled together in the growing darkness, sharing warmth and comfort in silence.

The silence hung heavy in the darkness until Achilles's deep voice broke through. "I was eight when it happened." His arms tightened around Shea. "Mother had been having the same dreams you described. The mark appeared on her neck, just like yours."

Shea remained still, listening as his chest rose and fell against her back.

"They came in the night. A group of werewolves we'd never seen before. They knew about the mark, knew what it meant." His voice grew hoarse. "Father tried to fight them off, but there were too many. They took her."

His fingers traced absently over Shea's arm as he continued. "Father and Vincent tracked them for days. I stayed with Marcus's family, but I remember the waiting. The not knowing."

A shudder ran through his body. "When they finally found her..." He swallowed hard. "They were too late. Those bastards had already killed her, trying to extract whatever power the mark held."

Shea turned in his arms to face him, finding his blue eyes gleaming with unshed tears in the darkness.

"Father never forgave himself. He blamed himself for not being strong enough, not being fast enough." Achilles's jaw clenched. "That's why he's so protective now. Why we both are. We can't..." His voice cracked. "We can't let it happen again."

Achilles pulled Shea closer, his strong arms enveloping her completely. The moonlight filtered through the window, casting a soft glow across their intertwined forms. His heart thundered against her back, each beat a reminder of his presence, his protection.

"I won't let anything happen to you," he whispered, his breath warm against her neck. "I promise." His voice carried a fierce determination that made her skin tingle.

Shea nestled deeper into his embrace, feeling the solid warmth of his chest against her back. His fingers traced gentle patterns on her arm, each touch carrying the weight of his vow.

"I know what it's like to lose someone to this mark," he continued, his voice rough with emotion. "I won't let that happen again. Not to you." His arms tightened around her, as if shielding her from invisible threats.

The silence between them was comfortable, filled with unspoken understanding. Achilles buried his face in her hair, breathing in her scent. His body curled protectively around hers, creating a fortress of muscle and warmth.

"You're everything to me now," he murmured against her skin. "I'll fight anyone, anything, to keep you safe." His words weren't just a promise - they were an oath, carved into every fiber of his being.

Shea felt tears prick at her eyes, overwhelmed by the depth of his devotion. She placed her hand over his where it rested on her stomach, threading their fingers together. His grip was firm, anchoring her to him, to this moment.

Achilles shifted slightly, pulling Shea even closer against his chest. His heart raced beneath her palm as he drew in a deep breath. The moonlight painted silver streaks across their intertwined forms, casting gentle shadows on the bed.

"You're everything to me now," he repeated, his voice deeper, rougher with emotion. "I'll fight anyone, anything, to keep you safe." His fingers tightened around hers where they lay clasped together. "I love you."

The words hung in the air between them, powerful and raw. Shea's breath caught in her throat as she felt the tremor that ran through his body - the vulnerability behind that admission. His arms tightened around her, as if afraid she might slip away after his confession.

His face pressed into her hair, breathing in her scent as they lay together in the silvery darkness. The steady thrum of his heart echoed against her back, each beat seeming to reinforce those three words that had changed everything between them.