Lucian
I sat across from him, the Alpha, watching as he casually sipped his wine, the image of control. But I knew better. Underneath that veneer of calm, he was waiting for me to break. Waiting for the son he once controlled to fall back in line.
"Your brother," he started, shaking his head as he placed his glass down, "seems more determined to catch the culprit than you." His tone was casual, but there was an edge to it, like he was testing me, pushing for a reaction. I gave him none.
“I’m proud of my brother, Alpha—”
His eyes flashed as he cut me off. “Are you being insolent?” His voice dropped, and I could see his jaw clench. He leaned forward slightly, the muscles in his forearms tensing. "I didn’t raise you to act this way, Lucian."
I took a slow breath, willing myself to stay c
