Page 62 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate

“No.” She took a shaky step back. “Not after—”

Her legs buckled as she tried to keep her balance. Marcus lunged forward, catching her just as she twirled. Riley shifted in his sleep, clinging to her neck as Marcus hauled them both up.

Athena struggled weakly. “Let go—”

“Enough.” His voice cracked like a whip.

“You’re burning up. You’re sick. You can hate me all you want, but I’m not letting you kill yourself trying to run off into the night.”

She stilled.

“And you’re not risking my son’s life either.”

Her eyes snapped up.

“He’s still my son,” Marcus said. The words were quieter, but his assertion was unwavering. “I have a responsibility. To him. To you.”

Athena’s breath came in shallow gasps. She looked down at Riley, who was still asleep, unaware of the war unfolding around him.

Marcus’s voice was dangerously calm. “You can barely walk, and you thought you’d run?”

Athena’s chin lifted. “I’ve survived worse.”

“With a child in your arms?” he shot back.

“He’s safer with me than with you,” Athena deadpanned.

The words struck him like a physical blow, and she saw him inhale sharply.

His voice dropped. “Athena. Come inside. Please.”

For a long moment, she didn’t move.

Then she finally agreed.

He was right. She couldn’t make it far in this state.

Marcus sighed in relief. He didn’t say another word to her. He only took her hand and guided her back into the living quarters.

Once inside, she laid Riley gently on the bed in the side room. The boy curled up in his bed, peacefully.

Marcus leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed as he said nothing.

They stepped out when Athena was done, as she shut the door behind her.

She went toward the room where she had laid him down, and she didn’t turn to face him.

Marcus grabbed her arm from behind and turned her to face him. “Athena, don’t do this.”

She laughed bitterly. “Don’t do what?”

He broke the silence.

Then, quieter: “Athena, don’t do this.”

She laughed bitterly. “Don’t what?”

She swallowed. “What else did you expect me to do? Sit around and wait while you and Kieran plan to seduce another witch like some twisted mission objective?” Her words came out sharper than she intended, the anger seeping through her voice.