My Best Friend's Dad is My Alpha

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Shadows Between Friends

Monday mornings at Westbridge University were always chaotic.

Students hurried across campus with coffee cups in hand, professors rushed between lecture halls, and the sound of laughter echoed through the tree-lined walkways.

Emilia adjusted the strap of her bag as she walked beside Camila.

"I still think eight o'clock lectures should be illegal."

Camila yawned dramatically.

"I agree. Whoever invented mornings deserves prison time."

Emilia laughed.

"You were the one who stayed up until two watching a crime documentary."

"It was getting to the good part."

"It was six episodes."

"I have commitment."

"You have no self-control."

The two dissolved into laughter, attracting curious glances from passing students.

---

Unknown to them...

They weren't the only ones watching.

From the second floor of the Business Building, a pair of crimson eyes followed Emilia's every movement.

Roman stood beside the window, dressed in a tailored navy suit that made him look more like a visiting executive than the Alpha of one of the most feared packs.

Adrian stepped beside him.

"You enrolled."

Roman didn't look away from Emilia.

"Only as a guest lecturer."

"And the university believed that?"

"My company donated a new research center."

Adrian smirked.

"So now you have unrestricted access."

Roman's lips curved slightly.

"People rarely question generosity."

---

Meanwhile...

Inside Hawthorne Global Headquarters...

Killian wasn't listening.

Another executive was halfway through presenting quarterly projections, but the words sounded distant.

"...and if we proceed with the merger—"

"Reschedule."

The room fell silent.

The executive blinked.

"Sir?"

"I said reschedule."

Without another word, Killian stood and walked out.

Lucian, who had been attending the meeting virtually, ended the call and hurried after him.

He caught up in the hallway.

"That's the third meeting you've abandoned this week."

Killian kept walking.

"I'm aware."

"No."

Lucian stepped in front of him.

"Something is wrong."

Killian's expression remained unreadable.

"I have it under control."

"You don't."

For a long moment, neither spoke.

Finally, Lucian sighed.

"I've known you my whole life."

"Whatever you're carrying..."

"You don't have to carry it alone."

Killian looked at his younger brother before quietly replying,

"If I tell you..."

"You'll never look at me the same way."

Lucian frowned.

"What could possibly be that bad?"

Killian simply walked away.

---

Back at the university...

Emilia entered her Architecture lecture.

She chose her usual seat near the window.

Moments later, someone slid into the seat beside her.

"Mind if I sit here?"

She looked up.

A young man with sandy-blond hair smiled warmly.

"I don't own the chair."

He chuckled.

"I'm Ethan."

"Emilia."

"I know."

She raised an eyebrow.

"You do?"

"You answered three questions before class started."

"I figured I should introduce myself."

She laughed softly.

"That's slightly less creepy."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Across the room, Camila watched with an amused smile.

"Finally," she thought.

"Maybe she'll start noticing guys her own age."

---

At that exact moment...

Killian's phone buzzed.

Damien's name flashed across the screen.

He answered immediately.

"What is it?"

"I've confirmed it."

Killian's expression hardened.

"Confirmed what?"

"There was another Alpha in the city during Emilia's birthday."

Silence.

Damien continued,

"We don't know his identity yet."

"But whoever he is..."

"He was watching the estate."

Killian's grip tightened around the phone.

"Increase security."

"It's already done."

"I want guards near Emilia without her noticing."

"Understood."

"And Damien..."

"Yes, Alpha?"

"If anyone gets close to her..."

"They answer to me."

---

Later that afternoon...

Emilia and Camila left class together.

"So..." Camila began.

"Ethan."

Emilia sighed.

"I knew this was coming."

"He's cute."

"I met him today."

"And?"

"And nothing."

Camila bumped her shoulder playfully.

"Give him a chance."

Emilia smiled politely.

"I don't think I'm ready."

Camila's teasing expression softened.

"Because of... him?"

Emilia froze.

"Him?"

Camila shrugged.

"Your mystery crush."

Emilia quickly looked away.

"There isn't one."

"You know you're a terrible liar."

Before Emilia could respond...

A sleek black car rolled slowly past the university gates.

Inside...

Roman watched as Ethan laughed at something Emilia had said before walking toward the parking lot.

His wolf snarled.

Another male.

Roman's eyes narrowed.

"He likes her."

Adrian glanced toward Ethan.

"Should we deal with him?"

Roman considered it.

Then slowly shook his head.

"No."

"Not yet."

"He may prove useful."

A cold smile spread across his face.

"Sometimes..."

"The easiest way to break someone's heart..."

"...is to let them believe they have a chance."

As the car pulled away, Emilia instinctively turned toward the road.

For the briefest second...

She felt as though someone had been watching her.

But when she looked...

The black car was already gone.

A strange chill ran down her spine.

She couldn't explain it.

She only knew one thing.

The peaceful life she'd always known was beginning to slip through her fingers.