Your Not My Father
1174 Words
Aven
“Good morning, Alpha King Aven,” a maid had greeted while staring at the floor.
I nodded once, at her not stopping. As my boots made scrunching noises on the marble floors of Ashmount Palace, echoing in the empty halls. I didn’t need to look up to know the air around was already thick with tension. As I passed, the other servants pressed themselves against the walls, heads bowed so low their chins touched their chests. They squirmed, unable to hold eye contact, terrified of catching even a stray glance from the man rumored to be a beast. It was efficient. Very necessary. Fear was the only language that kept wolves at bay.
I stepped into the dining hall. The scent of freshly made bread, scrambled eggs and other morning varieties hit my nose. The table had been set for four. Me, My brothers. And probably the rogue king. But only, Eryx sat at the head, picking at a piece of toast with disinterest. Cassian was across from him, scrolling through a tablet, his face a mask of icy indifference.
I looked around, hoping or seeing if I could find that omega, but another maid was present at the door instead.
Strange, I thought.
I took my seat. The silence was heavy, a lot of things needed to be said. But no one was speaking.
“You’re late,” Eryx said, not looking up. His voice was flat as usual, devoid of the warmth one might expect from a brother.
“I was reviewing the security protocols for the partnership transition,” I replied, pouring coffee. The liquid was black, bitter. Just how I liked it. “We cannot afford mistakes when we integrate with Victor’s pack.”
Cassian snorted, a sharp, derisive sound. “Protocols. You mean your obsession with control.”
I ignored him, focusing on the plate before me. But the tension wasn’t just about timing. It was about the girl Eryx had decided to elevate. The decision had been made last night, but the reality of it sat heavy in my gut this morning.
“Is she still going?” I asked, in a low voice, cutting through the clatter of silverware. I looked at Eryx. “To Cromwell?”
Eryx finally looked up. His eyes were identical to mine, yet darker, colder. That was what I hated. I couldn't read him. “I will prepare her for the entrance trials, when we return to Red Moon pack, she comes with us.”
My fork clattered against the plate. The sound was violent in the quiet room.
“Are you insane?” Disbelief warring with rising anger. “Red Moon? You can't actually be serious. Enrolling her in a slaughterhouse designed to break Alphas is one thing. But taking her to our pack?”
“So what am I supposed to do?” Eryx’s tone was defensive. “Leave her here? Do you expect me to go and come back for her? She’s under my protection now, whether you approve of it or not. I am the one paying her fees, not you.”
“The law states that only nobles with active wolves are allowed in Cromwell,” I snapped, leaning forward. “You are breaking protocol. You are exposing her to danger for what? A whim?”
“It’s not a whim,” Eryx countered, his jaw tightening. “I have my reasons. I am giving other less capable wolves a chance.”
“That’s a death clause,” I corrected him, my voice rising. “You are digging her grave. You are our brother, Eryx. You are supposed to protect lesser creatures, not send her to the wolves.”
Cassian slammed his tablet down. The sudden noise made the maids in the corner flinch. This is absurd. Stop acting like you’re the only one who cares, Aven. You’ve been playing father since we were born. We are triplets. Equals in everything. And adults, not little kids. You've no right to dictate our lives anymore.”
“I dictate because someone has to!” I shouted, standing up. The chair screeched against the floor, a harsh protest. “Look at us. We are partnering with a man we're supposed to call stepfather, playing house in a kingdom we haven't fully assessed. We need stability. We need strength. Sending a vulnerable girl into a den of predators is not strength. It is stupidity.”
Eryx stood, matching my height, my intensity. “Alpha Kings don’t act on fear, Aven. You need to start seeing the world as it is, not as it was. She's not her.
She never was, and never will be. She is part of this family now. And I, Eryx Nael Draven, is old enough to make decisions for myself. Even for her."
“You are being reckless,” I spat. “And Cassian, when did you start judging my words? We agreed. We make decisions together. Then we announce them.”
Cassian’s eyes narrowed, cold and calculating. If it's Eryx's decision, then so be it. Let him play God. if she dies, her blood is on his hands, not yours.”
I couldn't control it. My aura spilled out, pressing down on the room. The maids froze, sweat beading on their foreheads. The air crackled with unresolved violence. I looked at Eryx, seeing the defiance in his eyes. He wasn’t just disagreeing; he was challenging my authority. And my role.
“Aven,” Eryx said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “I get it. You’re our older brother. But by minutes. You are not my father. I am an Alpha King. I know what I am doing.”
I opened my mouth to retort, to crush his insolence with logic, with power. “I am not—”
My voice trailed off as Eryx kicked his chair back. It screeched, a jagging sound. He leaned in, his face inches from mine.
“No one should question my decision again. Not even you, Aven Glenn Draven.”
Aven Glenn Draven. He just used my whole name on me. Meaning he meant business.
The words hit as if I was struck on the chest. I staggered back a little, breath knocked out of me. I looked at Cassian, expecting support. Expecting him to see the madness in Eryx’s eyes. But Cassian just watched, his expression unreadable. Almost amused.
They weren’t listening. They never listened. They saw my protection as oppression. My caution as weakness.
I straightened my shirt, forcing my heart to slow, forcing the rage into a cold, hard knot in my stomach.
“Fine,” I said, my voice eerily calm.
I turned to leave, my back rigid. But Cassian's words stopped me mid-step.
“You aren't this paranoid, Aven. It's always Mom's job to go against our decisions. If you wanted the girl for yourself so badly, you could've just said so. All this buzzing and hassle is bad for your image.”
Wait. He thinks I want the girl?
- Writer
