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“Vologodski Pjatak.”

Mikhail looked abruptly at his father, as if confused. The latter clenched his hands into fists, glared at me, before facing Nickolas.

“If you'll excuse me.”

Mikhail wanted to get up, but his father pushed him back into his chair by the shoulder.

“Don't worry. I've got everything under control.”

With these words, he rushed out of the dining room.

Discovery

Christopher Tyng

The meal had been strangely quiet, and at some point, our Alpha had asked about my father's and Maverick's private investment deals.

Mikhail had listened, barely participating in the conversation, asking no questions. He had seemed preoccupied, and I was sure it was due to his father's shady business dealings.

At some point, I had gotten up and excused myself, with the excuse that I had to do some work for university, but I just wanted to go home and check if Azara was really asleep.

She had been waking up a lot at night lately because the candles in her room would start burning on their own. And they would light up whenever she had nightmares.

I had wanted to ban them from the house, but Azara loved candles, and I hated depriving her of things or taking them away without first finding a suitable substitute to distract her.

All this unnecessary dinner bullshit was only making me more nervous.

Clenching my fists, I strode down the hallway.

“Kieran.”

I paused and turned to Nash, whose deep blue eyes were filled with concern.

I forced myself to unclench my fists.

“You know I wouldn't mind if you married Emely.”

I sighed, which he obviously misinterpreted.

“You know each other.” He came closer, his expression intense. “You're practically family. And we can sort out everything else once the Rolanows are gone.”

Hunter appeared behind him.

“The Rolanows won't be thrilled,” he murmured, looking around suspiciously.

“I don't give a damn about the Rolanows,” I muttered, and Hunter took a deep breath. “I don't trust those people one bit.”

“Neither do I,” Nash grumbled, darkness creeping across his face.

He did his best to hide his frustration and despair. Emely was important to him, and since the two were like siblings to me, the next words came easily to my lips.

“I'll see what I can do. No promises.”

Hunter exhaled in exhaustion, then walked past us, out through the open double doors onto the stone terrace and into the night.

“I owe you one,” Nash said in a low voice, looking at me one last time as if he were afraid I would back out, but finally turning away from me to follow Hunter, who had already taken off his T-shirt on the terrace.

The idea of going for a run to release all my frustration was tempting, but transforming in the midst of nature was not an option for me.