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I tried to suppress a bitter smile.

Julian wouldn't come back. Not without a good reason.

“That bastard won't!” Dimitrio spat out aggressively. Now his eyes were glowing, too.

I had learned early on to switch off this instinct, and I still wondered why Emely, who was better than me at everything, didn't manage to do it as often as I did. I was sure it had something to do with her strong nature. It would take her longer to gain absolute control over her inner Senseque.

For me, hiding things was easy. It was the only way to lead a double life as the son of the Alpha.

But how long could I hide from my father that I wasn't who he wanted me to be? How much time did I have left?

“What did you just say?”

Alarik took another step toward Dimitrio.

“That's enough!” Father jumped up and smoothed his vest over his stomach. “Please leave my study!” He glared angrily at Alarik. “I'll have some of my men look for him. And then there will be consequences. That's the only compromise I can offer, Alarik!”

The Russian Alpha smiled triumphantly.

“I'd be interested to hear your offspring's opinion on this,” he growled to Father, his intense stare on me.

I felt the urge to push the small paperback deeper into my waistband to make sure it didn't show through my pale, blue shirt, but I had to wait until the oppressive attention was no longer on me.

The Russian scrutinized me as he always did with his son, and everything in me tensed.

I looked at Father, because I wouldn't speak without his permission.

Father just nodded.

But what should I say? Of course, what the two Alphas wanted to hear from me.

Emy would express her honest opinion on important decisions. Always. She would summon the courage to say something the Russian Alpha didn't like, without intending to, of course.

But I wasn't my diplomatic sister. That was the problem.

“Julian is a traitor.” As I spoke, I tried to look Alarik in the eyes. I needed his stunned gaze, had to look at him that way to make it seem realistic. “If he doesn't come back on his own, we should leave him to the wild packs instead of getting our hands dirty.”

My father nodded, and Dimitrio stared at me with regret.

I confused him because I never spoke out against his plans, but neither did I speak out in favor of them. If it were up to him, Father would have to behead Julian according to the old traditions.

Alarik, on the other hand, who now studied me, seemed to have seen through my act, which didn't sit well with me. He shouldn't know that I was on his side. Or that I tried to reach Julian every day to talk some sense into him.

“Nickolas,” growled the Russian. “If one of my men finds him, they won’t just let him get away. You’ll have to punish him.”

Father nodded.

I swallowed, hoping no one noticed.

The mere thought of having to make such a decision as an Alpha made nervousness corrupt my lungs, followed by fear that, after all this training, all the things I'd had to put aside, I wouldn't be able to live up to the role. I knew I wasn't suited for it. But Father couldn't care less.

Eventually, he would learn the truth about me, and then it would all be over anyway.

“Good. Let's put this uncomfortable topic aside.” Father turned to Alarik. “I wanted to talk to you about that Quatura who has made herself comfortable at Vanderwood, anyway.”

I tried not to smirk, which resulted in a quiet snort.

This Quatura, also known as Rebecca Harlow or the wannabe director, was driving him crazy, and as much as I wanted her to disappear, I enjoyed seeing her show Alarik that even he had limits.