Chapter 99 - Retreat
Victor didn't argue.
He didn't shout.
He didn't try another spell.
He simply stared at Athena for a long, unreadable moment.
Then he lifted his hand.
This time, not to attack.
To signal.
But before the mages could begin to fall back-
James stepped forward.
"Athena!"
His voice cracked across the battlefield, raw in a way she had never heard before.
Everything paused.
Wolves.
Mages.
Even the wind seemed to still.
James took another step toward the boundary stones, eyes locked on her.
"Come home," he said.
Not commanding.
Pleading.
Athena turned to face him fully.
She didn't feel fear.
She didn't feel guilt.
She didn't feel anything except clarity.
Silas stood beside her, silent, steady, his presence warm at her side.
Athena met James's eyes.
And for the first time in her life...
She spoke to him without shrinking.
"I already am."
The words landed softly.
But they shattered something in him.
James's expression faltered.
His shoulders dropped slightly like the weight of realization had finally settled in.
He wasn't looking at the woman he married.
He was looking at someone he had never truly known.
Victor's hand clamped onto James's shoulder.
"Enough," he said sharply.
James didn't look away from Athena.
But he stepped back.
Victor turned and began walking toward the tree line.
The mages followed.
James hesitated one last second before turning with them.
Silas tensed beside Athena, ready to order pursuit.
Rowan looked to him for it.
Kael waited.
Silas didn't move.
"Hold," he commanded quietly.
The wolves obeyed instantly, reforming the line instead of charging forward.
Athena watched James disappear into the trees.
Watched Victor leave without looking back.
And as the battlefield slowly quieted, smoke drifting into the evening air, she felt something settle deep inside her chest.
"He's leaving," she said softly.
Silas nodded.
"Yes."
Athena swallowed.
A strange stillness filled her.
"He's not running from you," she realized.
Silas glanced at her.
She watched the last glimpse of Victor vanish into the forest.
"He's running from me."