The Alpha's sons

Bloodline #2

“No matter what happens,” she said carefully, “no matter what anyone does or says—you can’t let yourself get angry.”Liam blinked up at her, confused. “Why?” “Because,” she said, ruffling his hair playfully, “when you get mad, your nose gets bigger” He giggled. “No, it doesn't" “Are you sure?” She tickled his ribs, making him squirm. “Because I'm pretty sure I've noticed them.” His laughter faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. He frowned slightly, looking down at his hands.“I had a weird dream last night,” he admitted. “I was…running. "And my hands felt funny.” She quickly cut him off. “It was just a dream, baby.”Liam nodded, but she could tell he wasn’t convinced. She kissed the top of his head and stood. “Come on, let’s go. Don’t want to be late for school.” He jumped off the bed and grabbed his backpack. As they walked out of the backroom and into the restaurant’s main space, Violet cast one last glance at the claw marks. This was just the beginning. And she had no idea how much time they had left.

Violet gripped the steering wheel as she drove Liam to school, her thoughts tangled in a storm of anxiety. She kept glancing at him through the rearview mirror, watching the way he absentmindedly traced patterns on the car window with his finger. He seemed calm, but she wasn’t. She knew what he was. What his father was. What lurked in the shadows of this city. Everyone knew. The beings who ruled from behind the scenes—powerful, untouchable, and feared. Humans lived their lives pretending they weren’t there, but Violet had no such luxury. She had tried to give Liam a normal life. Tried to ignore the blood running through his veins. Children like him weren’t supposed to attend regular schools. They were meant to be raised in their world, trained for whatever role they were meant to play in that hierarchy of monsters. But Violet refused. She just wanted him to be a kid. She parked in front of the school, her hands tightening around the wheel for a moment before she exhaled and turned to him.“Okay, buddy,” she said, forcing a smile. “Remember what we talked about?”Liam nodded. “No getting angry.”“Good.” She ruffled his hair, but her stomach was in knots.“Mom?” He tilted his head.“Yeah?”“Will you be okay?” Her heart clenched at the question.

“Of course, baby. I’m always okay.”Liam studied her for a second before nodding. “Okay. Bye, Mom.” He hopped out of the car, slinging his backpack over his shoulder before walking toward the school gates. Violet stayed parked, watching him disappear into the crowd of children. And then she drove away, hoping nothing would happen to him today.

The restaurant was packed when Violet arrived. The scent of grilled meats and simmering sauces filled the air, and the hum of conversation and clinking dishes made the space feel alive. She barely had time to take off her jacket before Marco, her head chef and most trusted employee, approached her.“Boss,” he said, his usual playful smirk absent. “We’ve got a situation.” She frowned. “What kind of situation?”

He inclined his head toward the entrance. “Men in black suits. They asked for you.” Violet’s pulse quickened. “Cops?”“No. They said they wanted Jacob’s favorite dish.” Everything inside her went still. That name. Jacob. Her blood ran cold. She hated that name. Hated the man who owned it. Hated what he had done to her. She forced herself to breathe. “Who are they?” Marco shrugged. “Didn’t say. "Just wanted to see the boss.” Violet swallowed hard and wiped her hands on her apron. She couldn’t let them see her shaken. She stepped out of the kitchen and into the dining area. Four men stood near the entrance. Black suits, black gloves, and not a single bead of sweat despite the California heat. They didn’t look around, didn’t acknowledge the other customers.

They were waiting for her. One of them, a man with slicked-back blond hair and sharp, predatory eyes, smiled when he saw her. “Ah. There she was.” Violet crossed her arms. “Who are you?” “We’re just here for a meal.” His smile widened. Her fingers twitched.“I don’t serve whatever it is you're looking for.” “Pity,” another man said, adjusting his cuff-links. “He’ll be disappointed.” Violet’s breath hitched. Jacob was alive. She had always thought something had happened since he never came back, but hearing it confirmed made her stomach turn. She forced her voice to stay even. “How do you know Jacob?” The blond man chuckled. “Let’s not make this complicated. "We went for a meal, not a conversation.” Her eyes darted towards Marco, who stood by the counter, watching. Then the blond man tilted his head. “By the way, why did you leave your house in such a hurry last night?” Violet froze.

Her hands went slack, and the notepad she had been holding slipped from her fingers, landing on the floor with a dull thud. The claw marks. It was them. They had been at her house. The blond man smiled, slow and satisfied, as if he enjoyed watching the color drain from her face. Marco stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. “You’ve got ten seconds to leave.” The men turned their attention to him. Marco smirked. “Or I’m calling the cops.” For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, the blond man let out a low chuckle. “Well. "That’s unfortunate.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small card, sliding it onto the counter. “In case you change your mind, Miss Violet.” Then, without another word, they turned and walked out. Violet didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. Marco picked up the card and scowled. “Who the hell was that?” Violet slowly exhaled, rubbing her hands together to stop them from shaking.“He's alive,” she whispered.

Marco frowned. “Who?” Violet stared at the door, the memory of claw marks on her wall flashing through her mind. And then, softly, she said the name.