“There was nothing you could do, Dad, and you know it. He would have killed you if you tried to take me back.”
“I tried, Xias. You have to believe that.”
Something in his father’s voice warned him there was more to the story. “What happened, Dad?”
“That’s not important, Xias. You just need to know that I didn’t simply let Osamu take you from me and your mother. I tried to fight to get you back after he took you. I just wasn’t strong enough.” Xias heard a shaky breath through the phone. “I hope your mate is strong enough.”
Xias sniffled, then wiped at a stray tear streaking down his cheek. “He is.”
He prayed he’d told the truth. He knew he had built Osamu up into some sort of bogeyman, but he truly felt the man was evil down to the bone. He wasn’t sure if an entire army of alphas could beat him.
“Just you wait and see, Dad. Zhuang and the council will take care of Osamu, and then you can move to the clan with me. You and Mom can spend your days playing with the cubs.”
“And maybe teach you how to be the mate of an alpha.”
Xias gasped. “I think I forgot about that part.”
Yao chuckled. “My son, the alpha’s mate.”
“Bet you never thought you’d say that.”
“I couldn’t be prouder of you, Xias. You’ve fulfilled every dream I ever had for you.”
Xias swallowed tightly as a ball of emotion welled up in his throat. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Your mom will be excited to learn I talked to you when she gets back from the grocery store. She’s going to be so upset she missed you.”
“I can call back and talk to Mom.” Xias glanced toward the door. He thought Zhuang would be back by now. “I’m going to go find out what’s keeping Zhuang. I’ll call you back just as soon as I know something. In the meantime, if you need to get in touch with me, you can call this number. It’s Zhuang’s private cell phone.”
“Do you really need to go, son?”
“Yes, I do.” Xias chuckled. “It’s getting close to feeding time, and your grandkids are not very patient cubs.”
“Okay. Well, call me when you can.”
“I will, Dad.” Xias hated to hang up. This had been the first time in ages he had actually been able to speak to his father. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you, too, son.”
“Bye.” Tears flooded Xias’s eyes as he slid his finger across the screen, ending the phone call. He pressed the edge of the phone to his lips, gripping it tightly in his hand as he tried to fight off his need to cry. As much as he enjoyed talking to his father on the phone, he desperately wanted to see him in person, both of his parents.
Xias glanced up when a shadow passed by the window. The curtains were closed, but he knew he had seen something, a shadowy form, walk right past the window. When the hairs on the back of his neck rose, he stood and walked over to the window. He nudged the edge of the cream-colored curtain aside and glanced outside.
He quickly jumped back and let the curtain fall back into place. His heart raced with fear, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t just Osamu he saw outside his window, but an army of shifters. They were under attack and even with all the council guards, Xias wasn’t sure they’d get out alive.
“Zhuang!”Xias screamed through their link as he ran out of the room. “We’re under attack.”
“What?”Zhuang asked. “What are you talking about? Attack from who? Where?”
At least he didn’t dismiss Xias’s words.
“Osamu and his enforcers. I saw them outside my window.”
“Get to my father’s office. Now!”
“Already on my way.”Just as fast as his feet would carry him. “Please tell Tao to be on guard. If anything happens to the cubs…”
“Already done, mate.”
