Page 121 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate

Chapter 24 - Athena

The Organization’s main operations base stood like a massive fortress. Inside, the building was just as impressive—part ancient, part modern. Its steel walls were laced with glowing runes, but the operational activities buzzed with advanced technology surveillance.

Athena adjusted the cloak around her shoulders, the magical glamor clouding her features as a disguise. Her usually blonde hair shimmered now in a veil of silver, and her eyes glowed violet beneath her hood.

Marcus walked behind her as they approached the lift. He was about to reach for the button when a guard approached them.

“Apologies, sir,” the guard said curtly. The lift is under construction. You’ll need to take the stairs or wait if you’re not in a hurry.”

Athena glanced at the guard, observing him intensely.

Marcus exhaled and nodded toward the guard.

“Let’s go.” He faced Athena as he led her toward the stairwell.

As if sensing her wariness, Marcus spoke from beside her, “Any suspicion?” he questioned in a hush tone.

“No,” she answered.

She didn’t sense any unusual energy from him, and besides, she doubted the infiltrator would be a common guard. The person was definitely a high-up in the council to pull such strings.

“Main guards are usually very uptight,” Marcus explained, and she gave him a reassuring nod that she was good.

After several steps, they finally reached the fifth floor, where the Council sitting was being held.

Marcus gave a short nod toward the left hallway. “That way,” he murmured, and they moved quickly, their boots echoing against polished floors.

But Athena stopped short the moment they turned onto the corner.

A man stood in the middle of the corridor, slowly dragging a mop across the floor. He looked to be middle-aged, dressed in green utility pullovers and white gloves.

As they approached, the man stood up straight. His eyes met Athena’s—and lingered. Too long.

“Oh! I’m sorry,” he said smoothly, stepping aside with a deep bow of his head. “Please, go on ahead, Sire… and Madam.”

Something in his tone, in his stare, made Athena’s skin crawl.

“Why are you cleaning at this hour?” Marcus questioned her from behind.

“The lift is down. We are expecting more stair traffic, so I was instructed to clean the passageways so they remain clean, sir.”

“Please,” the man moving away from the road, gesturing for them to proceed.

Marcus walked ahead.

And Athena followed. Just when she was close to the man, she intentionally stumbled on her own foot and acted like she was about to fall as she gripped his shoulders for support.

Immediately, she felt a shock shoot through her veins as she pulled her hand away from him swiftly, confirming her suspicion.

She had trained for weeks for this moment. And she had never been more sure of anything.

This was no cleaner.

He was a freaking demon.

The man suddenly bolted away with speed, sensing that he had been discovered before Athena could hurl her magic at him. His mop hit the ground with a clatter as he sprinted toward the stairwell.

“He’s getting away!” Athena yelled, her voice slicing through the hallway.