Elena’s POV
"That’s because I refuse to have you address as Alpha."
His words hung in the air between us, firm and decisive.
"It’s the proper protocol. I called Marcus Alpha right up until I walked away from that pack." The mory left a bitter taste in my mouth.
"I’m nothing like Marcus. I don’t want that formal distance between us. Understood?" His green eyes searched mine, waiting for my response.
"Alright." The word ca easier than I expected.
Gage shifted in his seat, breaking the mont. "Any updates from the old territory?"
Damien’s jaw tightened. "Last intelligence suggests he plans to officially declare Elena deceased."
My stomach dropped, but I forced myself to stay composed. "It’s bait. He’s testing to see if I’ll surface. I suspect he discovered my mother’s phone. She likely confessed that I left it behind for her."
"So he might have access to it?" Damien leaned forward, concern etching his features.
"Most likely. Now I have no way to reach her." The helplessness in my voice surprised .
"I’ll handle that situation." His promise carried the weight of absolute certainty.
"I can’t bear the thought of her believing I’m actually gone." The words escaped before I could stop them, revealing more vulnerability than I intended.
When the staff finally served dinner, we settled into conversation about ordinary things. They were genuinely interested in my college experience, and honestly, it exceeded every expectation. The freedom to learn, to be just another student rather than a pack mber under constant scrutiny—it was intoxicating.
The peaceful atmosphere shattered when the back door slamd shut. Footsteps echoed through the hallway before Xander and Martha appeared in the dining room doorway.
"What brings you here?" Damien’s voice carried an edge that could cut glass as he leaned back in his chair.
"Can’t parents share a al with their sons?" Xander’s attempt at casual warmth fell flat.
"There isn’t enough food prepared." Gage’s response was blunt, unwelcoming.
"We called ahead. The kitchen staff kept two portions warm for us." Martha’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.
Damien’s gaze found mine across the table, his displeasure obvious. I could feel the shift in energy, the way tension crept into every corner of the room.
Martha claid the seat beside Gage while Xander settled directly next to , far too close for comfort. Damien remained at the head of the table, but I could sense his watchfulness.
They attacked their food with surprising intensity, as if they hadn’t eaten in days. Though I knew that couldn’t be true—whatever Xander’s faults, he was still forr Alpha, and Damien wouldn’t allow them to starve, no matter how strained their relationship.
"So, what have we missed in your lives?" Martha’s question sounded forced, artificial.
"Considering this is our first family dinner in over a year, you’ve missed quite a bit." Gage’s sarcasm was sharp enough to draw blood, earning an exasperated look from his mother.
"Elena, you look lovely tonight. My sons are clearly taking excellent care of you." Martha’s appraisal felt calculating as her eyes swept over .
"They’ve been... attentive." I chose my words carefully.
Xander’s next question hit like a physical blow. "So which one are you sharing a bed with?"
The audacity stole my breath for a mont before I recovered. "How many won are currently in your bed?"
"He’s mated," Martha interjected quickly, defensive.
"Then where’s your claiming mark?" I challenged, watching Martha’s hand fly to her neck, desperately trying to hide it with her hair.
"Why isn’t she marked?" Damien’s voice carried a dangerous undertone as he addressed his father.
"Because she hasn’t earned that privilege yet. When she proves herself worthy, I’ll consider remarking her." Xander’s arrogance was breathtaking in its cruelty.
"Unbelievable. What a complete bastard." I couldn’t keep the disgust from my voice as I focused on my plate.
"Who do you think you are, walking into this house and making judgnts about my relationship?" Xander’s voice exploded beside , fury radiating from every word.
The sound that erupted from Damien made everyone freeze—a growl so primal, so threatening, it seed to vibrate through the floorboards. When I looked at him, his eyes had transford from warm green to pitch black. His wolf was pushing against the surface, demanding control.
"Don’t you dare speak to her with that tone under my roof. In case your mory needs refreshing, she belongs here. You don’t." Each word was delivered with lethal precision.
"What’s your real purpose for being here?" Gage demanded, cutting through the tension.
"We wanted to reconnect with our sons. Is that so unreasonable?" Martha’s plea sounded hollow.
"Yes, it is. Cut through the pretense and tell us what you actually want." Damien’s patience had evaporated completely.
Martha’s facade crumbled. "We need assistance. We’ve found ourselves in serious trouble, owing a substantial debt to a particularly dangerous Alpha. We require help extracting ourselves from this situation."
"Which Alpha?" The question ca out like a whip crack.
"Marcus Sterling." Xander’s admission hit the room like a bomb.
My blood turned to ice in my veins. I fought to control my breathing, to keep my expression neutral, but I could feel Damien’s eyes on , reading every micro-expression, understanding that I was fighting not to panic.
The na hung in the air between us, heavy with implications and the weight of everything I’d tried to escape.
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