My Best Friend's Dad is My Alpha

Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Unwanted Truths

The private dining room of The Grand Monarch Hotel overlooked the city skyline.

It had been Sean and Killian's favorite place for business lunches for nearly twenty years.

Today...

Neither man touched the food.

Sean noticed immediately.

"You've been staring at that steak for five minutes."

Killian forced a faint smile.

"I've had a lot on my mind."

Sean leaned back in his chair.

"Care to share?"

Killian's grip tightened around his fork.

If only you knew.

"I've just been busy."

Sean chuckled.

"You've used that excuse since we were thirty."

Killian managed a quiet laugh.

"I suppose I have."

Sean studied him carefully.

"You've changed."

Killian looked up.

"What do you mean?"

"You look... distracted."

Sean frowned.

"I've never seen you lose focus."

Killian glanced toward the window.

"People change."

Sean nodded slowly.

"I guess they do."

---

Across town...

Emilia and Camila wandered through one of the city's largest shopping malls.

Camila held up a pair of oversized sunglasses.

"What do you think?"

"They're huge."

"They're fashionable."

"They're ridiculous."

Camila gasped dramatically.

"You have no taste."

Emilia laughed.

"And yet you're still my best friend."

"Obviously."

The girls burst into laughter, drawing amused glances from nearby shoppers.

For a moment...

Everything felt normal.

No strange sensations.

No mysterious whispers.

No confusing emotions.

Just two best friends enjoying the afternoon.

---

"So..." Camila said, nudging Emilia with her shoulder.

"When are you finally going to tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"The truth."

Emilia blinked innocently.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Camila narrowed her eyes.

"You're lying."

"I'm not."

"You've had a crush."

"I have not."

"You absolutely have."

Emilia sighed dramatically.

"Camila..."

"You blush every time someone mentions him."

"Him?"

"Don't play dumb."

Camila folded her arms.

"So..."

"Who is he?"

Emilia's stomach tightened.

Please don't ask me that.

"There's no one."

"Liar."

"I'm serious."

Camila grinned mischievously.

"Fine."

"I'll figure it out eventually."

Emilia forced a smile.

Please don't.

---

At the hotel...

Lunch had come to an end.

Sean stood as he buttoned his suit jacket.

"I should get back to the office."

Killian nodded.

"So should I."

Sean smiled warmly.

"Thanks for always looking out for Emilia."

Killian froze.

Sean continued without noticing.

"After Sophia died..."

"I wasn't the father she needed."

"You and Lillian gave her a home."

Killian looked away.

"I only did what any friend would."

Sean shook his head.

"No."

"You loved that little girl like family."

The words struck Killian harder than any punch.

Family.

Yes.

That's exactly what Emilia had always been.

So why...

Why couldn't his wolf accept it?

Sean placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I trust you with her."

Killian's chest tightened painfully.

"You always will."

Sean smiled before walking away.

Killian remained where he was.

Unable to move.

The weight of his best friend's trust settled heavily on his shoulders.

"I can't do this..."

he whispered.

---

Outside the shopping mall...

Emilia and Camila stepped into the afternoon sunshine.

"Ice cream?" Camila asked hopefully.

"You always want ice cream."

"Because it solves everything."

"It definitely doesn't."

"It solves most things."

Emilia laughed.

"Fine."

They crossed toward a small café.

Neither noticed the sleek black SUV parked across the street.

Inside...

Roman Volkov watched them through the tinted window.

"So that's Camila Hawthorne."

His Beta nodded.

"Killian's daughter."

Roman observed quietly as Camila linked arms with Emilia.

"They're close."

"Like sisters."

Roman smiled thoughtfully.

"Good."

His Beta frowned.

"Good?"

"The closer they are..."

"The more painful it'll be when they turn against each other."

His Beta understood immediately.

"You already have a plan."

Roman's smile widened.

"I never approach a battlefield without one."

His crimson eyes settled on Emilia.

She laughed at something Camila had said.

Her smile was bright.

Carefree.

Completely unaware that someone was already plotting to destroy her life.

Roman's wolf stirred.

Take her.

"Not yet," Roman murmured.

"First..."

"We isolate her."

---

That evening...

Killian returned home later than usual.

The mansion was quiet.

As he climbed the stairs toward his study, he heard footsteps behind him.

"Dad?"

He turned.

Camila stood at the bottom of the staircase, still carrying shopping bags.

"Can we talk?"

"Of course."

She walked up the stairs.

"You've been acting weird since Emilia's birthday."

Killian's heartbeat faltered.

"Weird?"

"You keep staring into space."

"You barely smiled yesterday."

"And today you look like you haven't slept."

Killian forced a calm expression.

"I've had a lot of work."

Camila wasn't convinced.

"You know..."

She smiled softly.

"You can talk to me."

He looked at his daughter.

She had her mother's kindness.

Her warmth.

Her unwavering faith in him.

The guilt twisted deeper inside his chest.

"I know."

Camila hugged him unexpectedly.

"Whatever it is..."

"You'll figure it out."

Killian slowly wrapped an arm around her.

"I hope so."

As Camila walked away, Killian remained standing in the hallway.

He closed his eyes.

For the first time since the bond awakened...

He prayed.

Not for strength.

Not for answers.

But for a way to protect the two people he loved most—

His daughter...

And the woman fate had chosen for him.

Without destroying them both.