The wolf stood before him with a calculated stare, back straightened, hawking over Lilian’s short stature. His Beta was holding on to herself, clearly not amused with Talon’s domineering stance.

Nathaniel breathed heavily only to regret when Katie’s scent entered his nostrils. He grimaced, treading the space between them. His eyes narrowed to where Katie’s smell was coming from, Talon’s neck. It also didn’t help that the wolf was wearing a v-neck shirt, showing too much of his neck and Katie’s mark.

Now, Katie was officially not his problem.

Was he a bad person to feeling happy for that?

Throwing his thoughts aside, he took Lilian’s side and face the Alpha and his entourage.

“Praise be, Alpha Talon.” He greets.

Lilian scoffs.

“Yes, praise my clit, Alpha Highcliff.” Lilian spat, crossing her arms over her chest.

Nathaniel’s brows meet together. He wasn’t surprised nor was he disappointed but maybe her invitation or threat was crossing the line. Lilian was a loose cannon and even he was afraid to tell her no sometimes. His last Beta surrendered and cried himself to sleep after Lilian threatened the poor soul.

Talon showed no reaction and ignored Lilian’s greeting. He moves towards him, stretching his hand forward. Formalities were the only option and despite Nathaniel’s memories jumping back to the moment his nose was broken by the wolf in front of him, he took his hand and shook it firmly.

“Forgive my Beta,” he glances at Lilian, her vexed expression caused him to immediately look away.

“If you allow me, Alpha Morris. I don’t wish to entertain the mouths of a child oblivious of decorum.” Talon spoke plainly.

“You are all huff, coming here, pretending that nothing is wrong.” She growled. “A wolf such as yourself does not have the right to step a foot on our pack.”

Before anything else was said and done, Nathaniel rests his hand on her shoulder.

“The wolf in our storeroom, Beta. Prepare him and inform the wolves guarding our guest to tell him to ready himself as well. That will be all, thank you.”

She kisses her teeth, sending Talon a barrage of glacier-like daggers through her eyes before she turns to her Alpha.

“Your will be done, Alpha Morris.”

She stomps her foot past Talon, her tenacity and unabashed hate for the other Alpha showing through with every loud step of her foot. Nathaniel stares at her retreating form, unable to deny the feeling that Lilian might have had other reasons to be upset with Talon. Whatever it is, he had no plan to question it and he certainly had no desire to doubt his Beta.

He turns his attention to the wolf in front of him. Talon’s stubborn, rueful glance was the same as Selena's. Even if one of his eyes were out of commission and all remained was a scar, the resemblance was uncanny.

“Lilly is still quite colorful with her use of the English vocabulary I see,” Talon says, shrugging his shoulders.

He raises a brow. No one calls his Beta that name except if they wanted a jab in their guts.

“She’s a hardworking wolf but goes on her way to display her devotion.”

“I can see that,” Talon nods. “Before anything is spoken, I am thankful you have held my cousin. I hope you see our shaking hands as a truce.”

“Yes,” he says. He was more than willing to finish everything swiftly. He had planned on drilling Francis after his conversation with the wolf and whatever happens after, he needed to act acutely. “Follow me to the upstairs parlor, please. There’s much to discuss and to do it in an open space is dangerous. Wolves have ears.”

Nathaniel placed civility forward, ignoring the stares of his wolves that were disapproving of Talon’s presence. He was on the edge too despite knowing this eventuality. But this route of his was necessary.

He shook his tardiness and strode to his office with Talon following him while rationalizing the next few steps of his action. Right now, his main focus was to remain cordial enough against the uncertainly he had with Talon exuding a murderous aura, causing his wolf to be on high alert.

Though the parlor offered less privacy than his office, he wasn’t about to accept a guest to a room with a disastrous-looking desk. He admits that before coming to personally aid pack Highcliff from the organized attack by the Remmingtons, he hadn’t even thought about him existing but after a nose-breaking punch, his opinion of the Alpha had since changed. An office that looked like a hurricane whizzed through it probably wouldn’t do well with his already sour temperament.

Thankfully the parlor was kept immaculately clean.

“Please take a seat, Lilian will bring in Francis shortly. In the meantime, may I interest you with tea?” He stood near the pull bell, waiting for Talon to speak.

The wolf shook his head, politely declining with the palm of his hand in front of him.

“Nathaniel, let’s cut the tension,” he says. He falls back into his seat, taking in a deep breath. “I want to see my sister.”

He draws his lips in for a moment as he sat in front of the wolf.

“Selena is gone. She left yesterday morning.”

Talon’s expression fell deeper into a frown. He scrunches his nose, closing his eye shut. The dread in his body permeated all around the room, affecting Nathaniel.

With what he could gather simply by looking, Katie would now be Luna Highcliff and after all that has happened, things might have gone ballistic or worse. Is that how Selena ended up deep in the forest?

Nathaniel beat himself in the head remembering her terrified face.

“I’ve seen what you and your men left back home, I need to know that both of my sister and cousin are unharmed.” Talon leaned forward.

“Selena was hurt.” He says. He stopped himself from divulging more, sparing the gory details but from Talon’s face, it seemed like he had gotten the picture all on his own. He was shaking, holding himself together.

“Thank you for your honesty and for welcoming me despite our differences. Is there some way I can contact her?”

Nathaniel shook his head. She wouldn’t want to talk with anyone, he figured that much already.

“As you know, she and I weren’t on the same waters. But she is safe with my sister-in-law.”

Talon straightened himself, putting on a relaxed composure.

“My sister, she says things and always makes them true. She lies through her teeth and pretends she’s okay when she’s not. I don’t think my sister is aware but she is the wolf I lived for, so please, if there’s any way you can tell her, tell her that I need to speak to her.”

He nods.

“I can’t promise anything.”

Talon flattened his lips, disappointed by the answer he heard.

While inside Nathaniel was screeching, pummeling himself for not helping, he knew now that playing the role of a good helper needed to be timed. And the last thing he wanted now was seeing Selena disappointed at him again.

As they sat, wolves enter the parlor. It was the Beta, her sister, and then Francis who was still cuffed. The wolf was beaten badly, his face was darkened by shame as he walked across the room. Talon took his cousin, patting his shoulders until relenting into an embrace. There was an awkward silence that proceeded and both of the wolves were left having a silent confirmation with their gazes. Talon places a firm kiss on top of his cousin’s head, a gesture that Nathaniel often did to Jacob. The act alone was enough to solidify their bond, now he didn’t know where their brotherly connection stood.

~•°•~

Are these butterflies? The question that plagued Francis’ head. These weren’t stomach bugs that suddenly formed because of the happiness brought by his cousin’s arrival. No, it was a different kind of feeling. He felt like a proud puppy about to show Talon an achievement or something he finally found. Though he was extremely joyful to have Talon come, he also was drunk on bliss because of another reason.

If only the timing was less regrettable.

He attempted to smile at his cousin and then looked over his shoulder to where the Grinch that was robbed all of her joy stood, glaring at him. But Francis didn’t mind nor can he blame her. He knew why Lilian was acting that way, Talon too.

His cousin might be slick as a fox, but Francis had an eye for the peculiar and when Talon started to act differently, he knew exactly what was going on in his life despite him trying to hide it.

Beside the Grinch, there was an angel and the reason why he felt hopelessly elated.

“Cousin, you look horrible.” He says mockingly.

Talon locks his jaw, glaring at Lilian. Talon grabs his shoulder and spun him around, raising his shirt to expose his back. He felt like a child but didn’t do anything because to him, Talon was his father.

His back was littered with bloody marks, whipped by a silver-tipped flog. Blood stained his shirt, puss had formed on his wounds, and some of it hadn’t stopped bleeding despite Selena’s efforts to clean them yesterday before she left.

“Morris, what is the meaning of this?” Talon thundered, ruefully scowling at Nathaniel.

“No, cousin. This is my punishment for attempting to hurt Alpha Morris.” He says.

It would be interesting to see Talon and Nathaniel brawl it out but he knew when to take responsibility for his actions. Plus, he taunted her to strike him repeatedly only to annoy her more. The sight of her angrily thrashing the flog made his otherwise boring day worth it.

“Your skin kissed silver, Francis. It’s going to leave a scar!” Talon argues.

“Oh, please. Flogging was the kindest punishment I could give him for shooting my Alpha’s back, prancing around town, grilling our wolves for information he could use.”

It was the Grinch. Her livid demeanor is now fully revealed.

“Calm down everyone,” Nathaniel spoke. “I am not thoroughly aware of what is truly going on but this is not the time for bickering. Please, there’s a matter that is greatly more important. One that is in dire need of attention.”

Talon sighs.

“You are right, Alpha Morris. Forgive me of my brashness, in your home of all places.” He shook his head.

Francis looked at Grace, unsure whether he should share the news. Again, he was saddened how and when it came, all that mattered to him was Talon’s approval. But before he could truly say anything, the wolf stood by his side, held his hand, and smiled.

“Alpha Highcliff, my name is Grace. I’m your cousin’s mate.” She professed, gripping his shoulder tightly. He could feel how nervous she was and it made him wonder why. He should be the nervous one. His surname was the reason for his uncertainty, but this beautiful person took charge and even kissed him first after he had told her about Sebastian.

Talon stared at them both, his plain surprised face phased through horror first, then to happiness. The nodding approval Talon gave him made him breathe easier.

“I’m happy for the both of you. I would very much celebrate but the timing is rather less than agreeable.” He grimaces.

“Grace, a Remmington? They are the lowest of the lows, disgusting vile creatures. Wolves incapable of feeling love and affection. As your sister, listen to me and spare your heart from ache.” Lilian barked loudly.

Francis denied wanting to give two winks at her direction, fully aware of the other reason, the same reason why Talon was shorty mortified and why she was starting to lit a fire. He held his mate’s hand, afraid to do something to discourage her.

He wanted to laugh at himself. He was never the kind of wolf that concerned himself about the opinion of others, except of course Talon and Sebastian. The thought of a mate was impossible to him now that he finally found his, he was afraid of how she would react to see his ugly side.

“Beta,” Nathaniel sighs. “I apologize for whatever is causing the weird tension in the air but let’s compose ourselves. The smell of that old wolf is going through the walls. Better we address it now before that stench sticks to our drapes.”

He was right. That smell was haunting him ever since he arrived in pack Morris. That was another thing that constantly barked in his mind.

“It’s time, Beta Lilian.” Nathaniel urged, giving her a stern stare. Much to her chagrin, she lowered her shoulder, turning on her heels, and walked off. There was a stomp to her movements and it echoed down the hall. “Grace, Alpha Highcliff, and I will be outside.”

“Not a chance.” Talon huffed. “I know this wolf and I will not subject my cousin to such torture.”

He looked at the two Alphas before him, both adamant about their stances. He would be able to handle himself alone facing that wolf but Talon’s presence would be helpful too. Though he didn’t want to rely on him too much, especially if he drove all this way from home. His cousin looked tired, restless but was holding himself together.

“Don’t worry, cousin. I promise to handle it myself. If I’m going to need you, I’ll call for you.”

Reluctance carpeted his stare until he relents. “I trust you.”

It was the only permission that he needed. Talon removed his coat and hung it over Francis’s shoulders. He hugs him one more time, tapping his cheek before turning for the door while Grace smiles at him and followed Talon.

With Nathaniel remaining, he composes himself for the Alpha even if they didn’t see each other eye to eye. He remembered spending a whole day locating what hospital and which room Nathaniel was. The shot was clear and clean.

Nathaniel moves to the bookshelves on the furthest side of the room. His arm reaching the highest shelf, grabbing a thick leather-bound book. His fingers run on the edges of the paper, opening it to reveal its contents to be hollow. In the middle of the book sat a recorder, its green blinking light signified it was recording.

“Conceal it somewhere on your body. We have five more recorders hidden somewhere around the room as a precaution.”

He takes the recorder, looking up to the Alpha with both brows raised.

“This recorder isn’t going to do good.” He says. He felt the switch on the recorder, gently flicking it off.

“I trust you to make the correct decisions, Francis. My pack as well as yours is greatly at risk by the wolf who sired you.” The Alpha grunted.

“Morris, I think you should know that my pack is my family and I don’t intend to make mistakes when it comes to it.”

“Good.” He replies, thinning his lips as he strode out the room.

With how everyone was acting, it almost seemed like he was about to die and the wolves around him were saying their pieces or farewell like they weren’t going to see each other alive again. Though he too wasn’t sure what the outcome will be and maybe they had every right to be afraid. But somehow he wasn’t. For so long he dreamed of this moment. To find peace from what keeps him up at night.

He slips into Talon’s coat, stuffing the recorder into his breast pocket. A grin forms on his face as it dawned upon him now why his cousin had left him his coat. A butterfly blade tucked in its pocket for him to use in case things get sticky.

He thanked Talon under his breath and stood in the middle of the parlor, assuming his stoned stance. That smell, so familiar, and yet he would do anything to forget about it.

There was always a certain dread that remained pinned in his chest whenever he took in that scent. But it wasn’t all like that before. It only changed when he first tasted a silver prong be shoved down his throat for speaking back. Since then, the longing for pride and safety in the presence of that smell was no more.

Heavy footsteps thundered through the corridor closer and closer until a quiet mist of solitude burst out of nowhere. So cold, the air around him was. It froze him momentarily when that face, a wolf with blue eyes, hair that was once raven-dark had grayed over the years took his line of sight. The warmth of his anger snapped him out of his shocked state.

“My son,” the wolfs greets. “You look good.”

He smiled a kind smile, doing his best to mask his lethal intent.

“Frank, you look good too.”

The wolf was tall, toppling over Francis by inches. He gazed at his father’s sunny disposition, clearly mocking him. Perhaps he was just smug, abusing the common laws of every wolf to gain safety. He was more than sure something stupid was afoot when it was his father that had come and showed up, out of nowhere it seems. But Francis knew better than to think that. No. His father was smart, sometimes incalculable. Under that fatherly pride, there was something indecipherable and sinister.

“So I’m Frank now to you, huh?” He chuckled.

Francis gazed at the wolf beside his father.

“You managed to smuggle that brat here too?” He groans. The wolf slams the door behind him, causing the wolves outside to erupt in a ruckus, banging on the door to be let in. He stood behind Frank, pulling his hair back slowly. Francis watches the wolf remove his hair and composed himself until he revealed himself as a she. “Hope.”

She wore a plain face, just staring at him with wide eyes and irritation. He hadn’t seen her since he escaped from pack Remmington. He tried to bring her along but she refused, afraid to part from her parents.

“What a splendid reunion.” Their father rejoiced. “My two children, both beautiful and strong.”

Frank was always a dramatic showman, disguising his plans with ploys of stories, and poisonous cupcakes topped with rainbow frosting. Anyone gullible enough to take a bite, like he was, would just be a part of one big scheme. While Hope was a meek little girl when he left her and it seemed as if nothing ever changed. She hid behind Frank’s shadow like a tail. If only she didn’t rat him out while he was escaping with Sebastian, he would feel a semblance of happiness to look at his little sister. Now, all he felt was salt.

Salt and betrayal.

Frank steps closer to him, spreading his arms to capture him in a tight squeeze. He lets him, just to understand or feel something within him. But nothing was there except the urge to push his father in disgust.

“Where’s mum?” He asks as Frank smiles down at him.

“She is busy, you know, training Mirabella as Luna. Though she did tell me to hug you for her.”

The only wolf whom he had the urge to see was his mom. Even she was a shit person to him but she was the only one who apologized for what he had gone through.

“Ugh, she’s still Luna?” He groans. “And what of your poster boy? Alpha Remmington.”

A grin formed on Frank’s face.

“Francis, come and sit down.” His father gestures to the sofas. His long legs strode across the room and took a seat, making himself comfortable. “Hope, would you kindly?”

“Yes, father.” She answers.

Her feet shuffled towards Francis, touching his chest. Before she could do anything, his arms shoot to her wrist, gripping her harshly to stop her from frisking him further. He stared her down, waiting for her reaction. Roughly, she pulls her arm away with one tug.

Frank chuckles. “Daughter, that’s not how you do it. Leave your brother be and look somewhere else.”

She obliged, going through the bookshelves book by book, opening each one of them and throwing them into the floor. She found what she was looking for, another recorder. Then another, and another. Though she wasn’t finished as she continued to her mission, taking apart the parlor. Cushions were rearranged, stools pushed over, and the potted plants were victims to her intensive searching. In total, there were thirteen recorders. Almost thrice the amount Nathaniel told him.

The recorders were lined on the table in front of their father, all of them now turned off. The blatant smugness of Frank’s reaction to his daughter successfully doing her job was burnt into Francis’ brain.

“Good girl.” His father smiles. “Now, let’s talk Francis.”

He resisted the urge to vehemently roll his eyes, withholding his emotions. He took the seat furthest from his grinning father, composing himself to be as relaxed as possible.

Could it be that his old man was dying? He reveled at the notion, hoping it was soon rather than later. Sadly, his wolf was up and running. He entertained the idea of pack Remmington dissolving from its roots and all his family members were somehow throwing themselves off a cliff.

“Harrick sends you his regards. The boy wishes you well, son.”

“I’m surprised.” He scoffed. “I didn’t know he would still be concerned about my whereabouts. How is his penis, by the way? I regret I lost the chance to completely hack it off.”

“My son, how gauche you’ve become. Thankfully his parts are still functioning, intact too.”

He grinned madly. “Oh, well that’s disappointing.”

“Tsk, tsk, son. You are brash. I love that about you.”

“What you love about me is I have a cock that stands every morning and a working pair of balls,” Francis speaks plainly, leaning against the armrest and perching his chin on his knuckles.

The awkward silence that ensued felt like a small victory. He knew how to play his father’s game to a small extent. His patience was never great but to watch the crease on his father’s face was a cheery delight. Holding on to himself felt much more rewarding with that.

As expected of Frank, he shrugs Francis’ comment, unfazed.

“Let’s not talk about that, let’s talk about you. How are you feeling? It’s been years, son. Has pack Highcliff been kind to you?” The look of concern that plagued his father’s face was believably sickening.

It irked him so knowing this was going to be a painful and long conversation.

“Better than pack Remmington ever did.”

“I guess the sing-songs are true.” Frank sighs. “My wolves, they inform me that you and Talon have formed a bond. You are his second Beta, in secret of course. The news of nepotism on Talon’s part would be detrimental, and to a Remmington too.”

Everyone had eyes everywhere. Even he had spies working for him and hearing Frank keeping tabs on him was not much of surprising news.

“He took the risk of employing me despite his council’s disapproval. Cousin took me in unconditionally.”

The moment he stepped into pack Highcliff’s border, he was confronted by wolves that threatened to end his life just for being a Remmington by birth. He just stood there with his feet covered in blisters, starving while in his hand was a six-month-old infant, begging for food with its loud wales. When Talon finally came, he collapsed. The next thing he knew was complete safety. He woke up in Talon’s bed while Talon was on the other side of the room, sitting on a couch and holding a bottle of milk for the baby. It was at that point that Francis realized how much of a debt he had incurred and he had simply no way of paying it.

“And I thank him for that. Robin’s inclination to help the family has apparently transferred to his son.”

His brows narrowed.

“Please refrain from mentioning my uncle’s name. You’ve lost the right after you’ve stabbed him in the back.”

“You don’t know things that I do. Better keep your tongue folded before you regret it.” Frank murmurs sullenly.

The nonchalance of his speech caused his skin to prickle with disdain. Sometimes, his father lied too good. Everything that came out of his mouth needed to be contemplated. His tongue ran on the inside of his mouth, searching for any sign of a bluff on his father’s expression.

“Why are you here father? Life in off-grid Alaska not faring too well, I presume.”

The change of subject brought a shine in Frank’s demeanor.

“Constant presence of snow has become enjoyable, I guess. It provides great cover for our wolves.”

He shrugs.

“Hmm. I imagine the temperature is still quite freezing. Frost has bitten me more than I could ever count.”

Franks shakes his head.

“Come now, Francis. That was years ago. A father should always correct his son.”

“Like how you corrected him? You know, father. Alpha Remmington and his brother meant more to you than I ever did. I am well aware of that fact.”

Though his father was indeed doting, spoiling him of things that he never need or want, there were many moments where everything that came out of his father’s mouth was all praise and glory, noting how efficient and ruthless killers his nephews were. It was also through his father’s grapevine that he discovered Alpha Remmington rejecting his mate, only to take her back a year later at everyone’s request.

It all happened before and then after the Remmingtons attacked a gathering intended for the Alphas and Lunas of the five most powerful packs in the country.

“Ah yes, though he only failed one task I gave him. He is now a free wolf. He even asked fatherly advice on how to court and woo a wolf he has been pining for weeks. Other than that, he’s an impeccable man.”

“I don’t blame him for leaving his mate.” Francis scoffs. “His mate’s head is an airship, full of air.”

Francis wasn’t well acquainted with Mirabella but what he had gathered from his informants, Luna Remmington had her head up her tuchus.

A chuckle thundered from Frank.

“That’s funny, though you shouldn’t tell her that. The woman is quite spiteful. I know because she despises me. Let’s talk about you again, son. How is your education?”

He licks his teeth in contempt. What kind of mind game was his father playing? The angle of his questions was skewed. It was as if a lurking danger was waiting to snatch him up. Sadly, the only way he could find out is to go along with his father’s cues.

“Talon has set me up with a private tutor. My lessons are for the eleventh-grade.” He answered truthfully.

“He fathers you then, huh? If you have only taken my offer years ago, you would be off to college somewhere. But alas, you chose to disobey me.”

A prickle in Francis’ heart caused him to boil.

“That’s right, Talon is my father. Sometimes, I think about asking him permission to legally change my name. Because what cousin did to me, giving me a chance on life. He believes in what I can do and what I am, not like you, Frank. He made me feel like I am worthy of something. While you on the other hand is a piece of shit father, throwing me into that cell with little to no food. You let me be abused, beaten, and be branded like cattle.”

After multiple failed escape attempts, finally, his leg was chained in silver. All of it was his father’s request to ‘toughen’ him up. The offer his father made him, the offer that still sickened him to this day was the main reason why his father let down his gavel and judged him as a weak and deceitful wolf for not standing up for the Remmingtons and for saying no.

Frank kisses his teeth.

“You are stronger than him and you know that. You are a pure-blooded Alpha. Your mother and I were sired by wolves born for the title while Talon is only half of what you are.”

He groans.

“That’s where you and I differ. Power and strength are not what I seek. All I need in life is security. And I am nowhere as strong as Talon. It takes a good strong wolf to do what he has done. As far as you should be concerned, you, mother, and you, Hope are all strangers to me.”

He had already built the world he wanted to live all in his head. It was a perfect paradise that Sebastian could be in happily. His son didn’t need to worry about what he was, from what pasture he came from. He needed to shield Sebastian from the truth and selfishly, if it meant lying to him, it was for the greater good.

“Hope, would you kindly slap some sense into your brother’s head?” Frank commands, sighing heavily as he looks somewhere else.

“Yes, father.” She says.

In a flash, Hope had her brass knuckles on. She was a robot, that look in her eyes, similar to every wolf in her pack was dauntingly plain. It was painful to look at. All of the smiles his sister used to play were drained out of her, the result of what it meant to hold his last name.

As she approached, Francis stood, waiting for her to strike first. His arms slacked beside him. His eyes drifted to their father who only smiled.

The sound of her footstep closing in caused him to glare at her, she freezes for just a tiny bit moment and regains her grace by taunting him, flashing her weapon at him. He contemplated attacking as he knew that he was able to wipe her out with one fell swoop. Though he didn’t want to underestimate her capabilities. He would be stupid to do so as he was witness to the horrible ways wolves were stripped of their humanity, all done to remove any inhibitions.

She throws out her hand, to which he reacted with a swift dodge, grabbing her arm and kneeing her elbow. It was as he expected. A quick defeat caused her to fall flat on her chest. The loud snapping sound of her bones was fuel for his wolf to howl, wanting more. But to him, he felt disgusted for even hurting his kid-sister. Though a broken bone wasn’t something she couldn’t heal from. He knelt on her back, keeping her from raising herself. Her attempts to squirm were met with his weight pinning her down.

“You’re not playing fair, Francis.” Their father warns.

“Quiet, old man. Did you think I didn’t plan on attacking back?” He spat. “And you, Hope. You fucking dog water, letting Frank boss you around like a damn monkey. You are aware that I can kill you now, right? You will be insignificant. I mean, I’m pretty sure Talon has forgotten about you and Selena, she was your best friend, right? Well, I don’t believe I remember her bringing up your name. You are forgotten and you will be erased if you fight back further.”

Frank shakes his head.

“Oh, you’re going to kill your sister. Just like you killed Frederick’s mother. What was her name again?” Frank pauses for what it seems to be a minute, goading him to answer while grinning ear to ear. He knew the answer to his questions but he enjoyed the dramatization of his words and the power it came with it. “Ah, I remember now. It was Rosemary.”

There was that again. The name that he pushed so far away to forget. She was always beautiful, he remembered that clearly. Long ginger hair pulled back, an innocent smile that seemingly grew every time she laughed. It was shocking how kind she was when he first met her. Being one of Harrick’s wives, it surprised him how Rosemary was the wallflower that was happy to be just included in whatever happened. But the quiet ones, the ones who stayed by the side were the ones easily controlled. The whole time she was touching him, he could tell that she was being forced to do so.

Francis had no proof of anything but after months of it, tied spread eagle on his cell’s floor while completely naked, he grew to get used to it and thought what was happening was okay, normal. Like a punishment for not following what he was told. It wasn’t until she was pregnant with Sebastian that he realized he needed to leave.

“I don’t wish to remember her again and for the love of the Moon, do not call my son that name.” He scowls.

“You’re so determined to kill, especially when she was only following orders. Forced under desperation.”

“Doesn’t matter if she was forced or not. You don’t know the things I thought needed to happen just to fool myself that the way she was touching me was all okay.”

For the first time in years, a crack on Frank’s facade shocked Francis. It wasn’t because of worry or pity, it was because he knew that Francis wasn’t going to step down from the stone he perched himself upon.

“What happened to you was for our future, Francis. To secure the title of Alpha, one must fall for the others to rise.”

“Hmm,” a humorless chuckle escapes his mouth, cackling in disbelief at the words his father uttered. “Are you serious, dad? You want my son to be Alpha Remmington?”

“Frederick wouldn’t be the Alpha if you took the role yourself when I offered… No, handed it to you. But you chose to be a pissant child. Harrick and his brother are bastards, illegitimate heirs, born out of wedlock.”

“Sebastian, my son, was born out of wedlock too.”

“He was born when Rosemary was married to Harrick. A few scrubbing of the details of his conception won't hurt as it looks like Harrick nor his brother doesn’t want to be Alpha Remmington.” Francis felt his wolf claw at his insides. It was hard to not just scream and lunge at his father. “And yet here you are, squandering your birthright because you just won't do what you are told. By turning down the title and hiding Frederick from us, you too are denying him a life that is made for him. He is made of greatness, an Alpha child.”

“How do you expect me to accept the title when I was shipped to an unknown place after knowing you had a hand in killing Alpha Robin and Luna Larrissa? They were close wolves to me. My aunt and uncle.”

“They had it coming to them, those gullible fools. You don’t even know the real story of how they died and how convenient it was that the Alphas and their Lunas were gathered there. It's suspicious, isn’t it?”

The pause that followed after was immobilizing.

“No, no. You’re lying.” Francis shook his head.

The thoughts in his head were surging like a powerful tidal wave, gushing into his veins. A moment later, he felt himself drowning in confusion at the numerous things he had concocted in his mind.

Frank knits his fingers together and cocks his head.

“You think all of this is just because of Frederick? His retrieval is just a part of the plan. Soon after, you will realize what lengths I am willing to go through to make our pack the strongest.” Frank’s relaxed tone of voice only made everything that he was saying more terrifying. He was a master at what he was doing. Delivering his speech in a dauntingly calm demeanor. “I killed those wolves, the three of them. Didn’t even try to fight, instead, they just begged. I know everything I need to know, Francis. Something big is coming and I doubt Stormwind himself is prepared for it.”

Francis had always hope that somehow his family would revert to the life it was once. Before he discovered the deluded fantasies in his father’s head. The schemes ended up hurting all the people that mattered in his life.

But he had already come into terms with the fact that Frank was no longer salvageable. He was high on the notion of power and control. The sickening feeling of being superior has gotten to his head, maybe it already has even before all the shit his father had done. But the power of holding the title of Alpha was ephemeral, sooner or later, an Alpha needed to step down to be replaced by his heirs.

Francis was an heir and so was Sebastian. But as his father’s son, Francis was the most fitting to inherit the role. But to lead a pack was a task not only he was overwhelmingly unprepared for but also, leading the pack responsible for reaping the perfect, happy family life he had was a despicable thing to do.

“You probably shouldn’t speak anymore.” He mutters.

He shows him the recorder tucked in his coat. With a sleight of hands, he managed to turn the recorder on moments ago and everything that was spoken was caught in audio.

Frank looked proud, not even worried that the damming evidence in Francis’ hand was an ultimate ground for execution. But he was undeterred, looking like he expected this to happen.

“I don’t expect less from my son but since everything is said and done, let me tell you the only thing Alpha Remmington failed to do. If he had succeeded to kill Talon, then who else is going to take up the mantles of Alpha and Luna Highcliff but me and your mother.”

He was callous obviously, not backing down despite it already clear he was about to lose. The portcullis of his castle was standing strong and Francis had no evidence of it breaking away. The true evil of his father’s intentions was now blatantly displayed, adorned with a grin on Frank’s face.

“You deserve to rot in hell.”

Francis stood, stepping away from Hope. Once he was far away, he watches as Hope gasps for air, not being able to breathe after her ribs had caved in, crushing her lungs. He felt no mercy, instead, he wanted to do more than just, and it which scared him. He knew well enough that a few hours alone she would go back to being normal, or so he hoped.

“I only want you to know how serious I am and what I am capable of doing.”

He feared doing something drastic and so before he exploded, Francis marched out of the parlor and pushed the door open, breathing in deeply as he convulsed. It was like having a severe fever, suffering from spasm after spasm, his muscles contracting from the shock shrouding his body.

His eyes frantically look for his frightened cousin, then to his mate. The wolves around him look worried, waiting for him to speak.

How could he look at Talon’s eye now? There was so much doubt in his heart. His father successfully planted doubt in his mind. Not for Talon, but for himself. There was no way that Talon didn’t hear the conversation inside the parlor. He had his wolf back. That made it easier to listen to conversations through walls.

But what happened wasn’t what he expected. Talon yet again accepted him with open arms. There was that sudden gush of joy in his veins. He was so afraid to disappoint Talon to the point that on some rare occasion that he made a fluke, he couldn’t sleep for days. He valued everything that came out of Talon’s mouth as if they were absolute, the law even as he never looked up at a wolf quite like Talon.

He was thrust into another warm hug, this time he let himself feel weakened.

“I care for you cousin, if you look up to me as a father I’m honored but you have always been my young brother and I am always proud of you, Francis Highcliff.”

He smiled tightly. “Thank you, cousin.”

Talon blinked away the wetness in his eye. “Sebastian is with Alpha Joseph and his wife, Amber. Rest assured that he is away someplace safe.”

They had spoken about anything like this happening. There were plans set already on and Talon was quick to act on it the moment he heard Francis was taken away.

Now a bit more composed, Francis glances to Grace. She was standing beside Talon, looking like she too was about to erupt in tears. Right then, Francis thought of his future with her. Before he approached her, he turns to Nathaniel. He fishes the recorder from his pocket and shoves it to the Alpha’s chest.

“You better not sleep today, Morris.” He says, turning to Grace, taking her hand.

With a smile, he kisses her lips and stood by her side.

He had already said his peace and all he needed to do now was be where he needed to be. Close to the wolves that he values.

~•°•~

Hello, everybody! The update is here and tadah! I know a lot of people already speculated who Sebastian’s mother was, I hope that solves the case and then some other things...

Also, a friend of mine told me that the names I use for my characters are all odd. Maybe... Yes, haha. In my defense, I watch too much Anime and movies from the West. I freaking learned English first because of it.

If you enjoyed the chapter, please consider leaving a comment or vote. <3

Love,

Jino