Claimed by the Wrong Alphas Chapter 5: The bastard of Duskveil

Charis

I managed to pull myself together, and though it was unnecessary at this point since I was standing on the stage, I still raised my hand.

"I’m...Eamon Riggs," I murmured.

The hall rippled with gasps. I could feel all the eyes in the hall on , but Slater’s gaze burned the hottest, searing into my chest like a brand. Has he finally recognised ? Was that fury in his eyes, or rely suspicion?

He didn’t speak. Didn’t blink. Just stared at until I could no longer stare back. I forced my eyes down and looked away.

The admission specialist ca to where I was perched on the edge of the stage, seized my hand, and dragged to the middle.

"Why didn’t you co out sooner?" he snapped. "Are you deaf?"

"I...I’m sorry," I mumbled, unsure if the words reached him and hoping my voice sounded appropriately masculine. "I didn’t... I wasn’t sure if..."

The specialist cut off with an impatient wave. "Which is your na?" he demanded, consulting the piece of paper in his hand. "Eamon Riggs or Eamon Reeves? You have two surnas scattered all over your admission form."

"What?"

The specialist continued without giving a chance to explain.

"The pack checks out, thankfully. "The Beta Pri is also from Duskveil and the Alpha’s son." He gestured to Slater, who hadn’t taken his eyes off . "You stated ’Alpha’s son’ on your application, but the Alpha’s son is already here – his only son as far as the records go."

My mouth went dry. In my haste and panic while filling out the forms, I must have made a mistake.

I’d panicked. At first, I wrote "Slater Riggs" – then crossed it out. It was too obvious. I had settled on "Eamon Riggs." Sa bloodline, different first na.

I’d wanted to use a na no one would connect to , but in my anxiety, I’d slipped and put down the na of the one person I couldn’t forget.

Duskveil pack was located far north of every other pack in our world. They weren’t small by any ans, but they existed in a little kingdom of their own, isolated and sowhat mysterious.

Not everyone knew much about Duskveil, nor had they seen the Alpha’s son. I had gambled on that, and now my luck had run out.

"Are you really deaf?" the admission specialist sighed. Every line on his face was pinched with exasperation. "Which is it? Are you Riggs or Reeves?"

"R-Riggs," I muttered, lowering my gaze. "I am a Riggs."

"Okay," the specialist nodded. "From which Riggs family? Do you even know Duskveil’s crest? Or is there any pack Alpha who goes by the na Riggs?"

I swallowed. "I... I’m from Duskveil, North Ridge. I just..."

"Don’t give that. Who are you truly? Are you the Alpha’s son?" the specialist cut in again, his voice had gone an octave higher. "Are you aware that only Alpha heirs and sons of Alphas are allowed admission into this Academy?"

I nodded quickly. "Yes, I’m aware.

"So, I ask you again—are you an Alpha’s son?"

I couldn’t say no now. It would an imdiate expulsion, being thrown back into the world with nowhere to go but ho. And ho ant Darian Blackmoor.

"Yes," I nodded.

The admission specialist scoffed. "You’re a liar," he said coldly. "The Alpha of Duskveil has only one son who is also his heir. There is no record of him ever having more than one son. It’s in the Nation’s registry books. We even sent soone to confirm this when the Beta Pri here first arrived." He gestured to Slater again. "Who are you truly?"

I couldn’t speak. Nothing was coming to my mind – no clever lies, no forced explanations, no escape routes. I was trapped, caught in my web of deception.

I opened my mouth. Nothing ca. Not a word. Not a thought. Just the pounding of my pulse and the sinking dread I couldn’t outrun.

Maybe if I told them my sob story, they would pity ?

The admission specialist shook his head in disgust. "Turns out you’re a fraud after all." He turned to the Sentinel behind Ramsey.

"Escort this impostor out."

I couldn’t breathe anymore. This was it. I would be exposed, thrown out, and hunted down by my father...

Then, Slater ca forward, offering the admission specialist a mild, almost amused smile. He exuded the confidence of soone who knew exactly how valuable he was to the academy.

"Actually," he said smoothly. "The thing is, he’s right," he nodded toward . "He is from Duskveil, and he is a Riggs, but he is..." he paused, his eyes flitting to mine for a second. "He’s my father’s bastard son."

Another episode of murmur rippled through the hall. I had to lower my gaze quickly to hide the surprise on my face. The admission specialist blinked, clearly taken aback.

"Bastard son?" he echoed. "There’s no record of this in any of our docuntation. You–you never ntioned..."

"It’s a sensitive subject," Slater said calmly. "And not mine to tell. Besides, do you truly think my father would advertise his indiscretions? The Alpha of Duskveil has a reputation to protect."

"Why didn’t you say so from the beginning?" the principal, who had been quiet the entire exchange, suddenly asked.

"I only just recognised him," Slater replied with a casual shrug, still maintaining his sullen expression. "We’ve t just once. We have different mothers, different lives." He turned to with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Isn’t that right, brother?"

I knew what he ant. I understood that this wasn’t rcy. This was a bargain. One I hadn’t agreed to and whose terms I couldn’t decide.

I nodded mutely, afraid to speak lest my voice betray .

The admission specialist looked between us; I could tell he was still sceptical but unwilling to challenge Slater directly.

"Well," he said finally, "this irregularity will need to be noted. And verified." He brought down the clipboard from his chest, where he’d held it like armour. "For now, you have passed the initial verification, but consider yourself on probation. If your story doesn’t check out, both of you will be expelled."

"There is no reason for to lie," Slater said confidently. "Call Duskveil again. My father won’t deny it. He’ll pretend he doesn’t rember."

The Headmistress gave a slow nod. "We’ll look into it. Return to your seat, Eamon. Beta Pri, you may go back to your duties. Thank you for bringing this to our notice."

I nodded, bowing stiffly to her. Just as I was about to turn and leave, Slater leaned in and whispered in my ear.

"Wait for outside the hall, at the end of the assembly", he said, his breath was warm against my skin. "Don’t try to be funny, or else I’ll reveal everything... Charis."