Chapter 46 - The Pack
Morning light spilled across the stone courtyard as Silas led Athena beyond the main halls for the first time in daylight.
The fortress felt different when the sun touched it.
Less imposing.
More alive.
She walked beside him quietly, taking everything in. The open space. The sounds of movement. Voices echoing from different directions. Laughter somewhere in the distance.
This wasn't what she had expected.
She had imagined something darker. Harder. Colder.
Instead, she saw life.
A group of men were sparring near the far wall, their movements fast and controlled. Not brutal - disciplined. Nearby, two women sat at a long table preparing herbs and bandages while talking softly to each other.
Athena slowed her steps.
"They all live here?" she asked.
"Yes," Silas said. "This is not only a stronghold. It is home."
She watched as a man jogged past them and gave Silas a respectful nod without breaking stride.
Not fear.
Respect.
Children's laughter echoed again, and Athena's head turned immediately toward the sound.
Three small children ran across the courtyard chasing one another, their energy chaotic and bright. One tripped and fell, popping back up without crying as another grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
Athena stopped walking completely.
Her chest tightened in a way she hadn't expected.
Silas noticed.
"You like children," he observed.
She didn't look at him.
"Yes."
The word came out softer than she meant it to.
She watched the little group with something aching behind her ribs.
"I always thought I would have them," she admitted quietly.
Silas glanced at her.
"But we never did."
She didn't say James's name.
She didn't have to.
"He didn't want them," she continued. "Said they would ruin our freedom. Our time. Our money."
Her voice didn't sound angry.
Just... sad.
"I went on birth control right after we got married," she said. "He insisted."
Silas's jaw tightened slightly.
Athena didn't notice.
"He was never... affectionate unless he was drunk or in a bad mood," she added. "So I guess it didn't matter anyway."
Silas's chest burned with something dark and possessive at the casual way she said it.
Like she had accepted it as normal.
They resumed walking.
A woman passed by holding a baby on her hip. The infant's tiny fingers curled into the fabric of her shirt as she cooed softly.
Athena's gaze followed them until they disappeared inside.
Something deep inside her twisted painfully.
"I always felt like something was missing," she whispered.
Silas didn't answer.
Because he understood exactly what that something was.
A small blur darted past them suddenly.
A little girl, no older than five, skidded to a stop directly in front of Athena.
She stared up at her with wide, curious eyes.
Athena blinked in surprise.
"Hi," she said gently.
The girl tilted her head.
Then sniffed the air.
Athena froze.
The child stepped closer, studying her face carefully.
Then she said, very matter-of-factly,
"She smells like us."
Athena's heart skipped.
Silas went very still beside her.
"What?" Athena asked softly.
But the girl had already run off, chasing after the others again like nothing had happened.
Athena looked up at Silas, confused.
"What did she mean by that?"