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“I would have used my second stomach for dessert.”

“That’s poor resource allocation.”

Sloane nodded with false solemnity. “There he is.”

“Who?”

“The future alpha. Prioritizing efficiency even in carbohydrate selection.”

I smiled, but something in the comment stayed with me after we stepped off the bridge.

Future alpha.

The title had followed me for most of my life. People rarely used it directly, especially around Mom, but everyone knew what came next. Someday she would retire, and I would become responsible for more than property repairs and lost coolers. Every mistake would extend beyond me.

I reached into the bag for a fry.

“Can I ask you something?” Sloane asked after several beats of silence.

The change in her manner made me look over. She had tucked her hands into the pockets of her jeans and was watching the path rather than me.

“Of course.”

“You can tell me it’s none of my business.” She paused. “I’m trying to be polite before being intrusive.”

“I appreciate the preparation.”

She drew in a breath. “What’s the story with your dad? You’ve never talked about him.”

The question didn’t surprise me as much as it might have from someone else. Sloane noticed gaps. She studied people without making them feel examined, then held her questions until she believed they mattered.

Still, my first response was caution. “What made you ask?”

“You’re a Blackwell, but your brothers are Stathem-Blackwells. I know Julie isn’t your biological mother, and Hilary is. Everyone talks about your mom and Julie, but nobody ever mentions your father.” She hesitated and looked at me. “I hope you don’t mind me asking. You don’t have to answer.”

“I don’t mind.”

That was mostly true. I didn’t enjoy talking about him, but that was different from wishing she hadn’t asked.

We kept walking. The path climbed gradually toward the ridge, and the sounds from the hall disappeared behind us.

“My father’s name is Dean Blackwell,” I said. “Mom met him in high school. He was her boyfriend, then her mate, then her beta.”

Sloane’s brow drew together. “He was her second-in-command?”

“Eventually. They grew up together, so everyone thought it made sense. She was the alpha’s daughter. My father was strong, capable, and good with people when he wanted to be. Their families were close, and they’d already been together for years by the time they got married.”

“What happened?”

“He had an affair shortly after I was born.”

Sloane stopped for half a step before catching up. “Oh.”

“Mom found out. Dean wasn’t particularly talented at secrecy, which may be the only useful quality he ever displayed.”

“I’m sorry.”

I shrugged. “She divorced him immediately and removed him as beta. He left the pack not long after.”