Chapter 92 - Why Are They Looking at Me?
Athena didn't realize she was backing up until her shoulders brushed the inner gate.
The battle still raged beyond the stone archway, but something had shifted.
Wolves moved differently now.
More coordinated.
More focused.
Like they had locked onto a single purpose.
She didn't understand why.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she searched for Silas through the smoke.
She found him being helped to his feet by Rowan and Kael.
He was hurt, but standing.
Her breath left her in a shaky rush of relief.
But then she noticed something strange.
Wolves passing her glanced at her.
Not in panic.
Not for instructions.
They looked at her like she had done something important.
Something... bigger than she understood.
Kael caught her gaze as he helped Silas walk toward the inner gate.
And the look in his eyes made her stomach twist.
It wasn't relief.
It wasn't gratitude.
It was something close to reverence.
Athena frowned.
"Why are they looking at me like that?" she asked, her voice barely above the noise.
Silas reached her a moment later.
His hand found her arm automatically, steadying himself and grounding her at the same time.
She looked up at him, confused.
"I didn't do anything," she said.
Silas's eyes softened in a way she hadn't seen before.
"Yes, you did."
She shook her head faintly.
"I just told them to help you."
Silas's voice was low.
Steady.
"They heard you."
Athena's brow furrowed.
"They always hear me."
Silas held her gaze.
"No," he said quietly.
"They don't."