Chapter 2

Caspian:

“What do you mean, ‘she’s here’?” I asked, my voice laced with a growl as I glared at my beta, Mateo. One thing that I did not want to be dealing with is the fact that she would be here, that I would be possibly seeing her. Even the idea of her presence was one that annoyed me.

“She was seen with her brother earlier. He called her to come. You know how their traditions work. And do you know that she has to be by his side when he is to be announced as alpha?” Mateo said, his eyes darting nervously to the floor. “With Alpha Dominic gone, Elias is taking his place. He wanted her by his side. And despite being an exile, she is still her sister. He might want her back.”

I clenched my jaw, the mere mention of her name stirring a storm I didn’t want to face. “Keep her away from Valerie during the ceremony. I don’t care if it’s her brother’s night. The last thing we need is a scene between the two of them.”

“With all due respect, Caspian,” Mateo began cautiously, “Valerie knows how to hold her tongue. She won’t cause…”

A warning growl rumbled in my chest, cutting him off. He flinched but recovered quickly, nodding his understanding. “Understood, Alpha. I will be sure to do my very best.”

When the divorce happened, when she agreed to it, the one thing that I did not expect was for her to be coming back, especially when I heard that she was now in exile.

I turned toward the window, where Eva, my wife, stood in the garden. Her laughter floated through the air as she watched Daniel, our son, run toward her. She scooped him up into her arms, spinning him around before holding him close. The scene should have been comforting, but instead, it left me hollow. Just as everything that she did made me feel.

“You handle your part and make sure there’s no trouble,” I ordered Mateo, my tone sharp. “I’ll take care of things on my end.”

Mateo gave a curt nod and left the office, leaving me alone with my thoughts. My heart raced, my chest heavy with an ache I couldn’t name. I tapped the desk twice, the sound echoing in the silence.

This would be more than just another night of playing politics. Nothing was ever simple when it came to the Belmonts, not anymore.

Footsteps sounded in the hall, light and measured, a signal I knew all too well. Eva and Daniel were heading this way. I rose from my chair and crossed the room, opening the door before they could knock.

Eva’s blue eyes widened slightly at the sight of me. She recovered quickly, her lips curving into a polite smile, though I caught the flicker of irritation beneath it.

“Come on, Daniel,” she said, smoothing his hair. “Let’s see your father, and then we’ll freshen up before supper.”

“But Mama, you promised we’d play in the garden first!” He protested, his small voice earnest.

Her smile tightened, and though her tone remained calm, I could hear her racing heartbeat and the shallow hitch of her breath.

I knelt down, cupping Daniel’s cheeks and forcing a soft smile. “You can play in the garden, piccolo lupo. But you have to promise me that you’ll finish your studies before bed. We can’t have your grades slipping, can we?”

His face lit up, and he nodded eagerly. “I promise, Papa! I’ll do all my work!”

I looked over his shoulder at the maid standing three steps behind them, ever the silent shadow. She nodded as I handed Daniel over to her care.

“Don’t let him stay out too long,” Eva said, her voice clipped.

The maid inclined her head, taking Daniel’s hand and leading him away. I straightened, holding the door open for Eva in a silent invitation. She hesitated for a moment before stepping inside, her heels clicking against the floor.

“Must you always undermine me when it comes to my son?” She asked, her tone sharp as the door closed behind her.

“He is our son,” I corrected, pouring myself a glass of scotch. “And if you’re going to promise him something, you should at least follow through.”

“I don’t lie to him,” she snapped, crossing her arms.

“Breaking promises is lying, Eva,” I said, my patience wearing thin. “And Daniel doesn’t lie about what you tell him. If you didn’t want him playing in the garden, you shouldn’t have promised it.”

“He has schoolwork, Caspian! I know what’s best for him,” she argued, her voice rising.

“Then act like it,” I said coldly. “Stop making promises you can’t keep.”

I turned away, dismissing the subject. “We have the Alpha ceremony tonight. Elias Belmont will be officially taking his father’s place. As their allies, we’re expected to attend.”

Her body tensed, her expression faltering. I didn’t have to guess why; she hated hearing that name. Elias Belmont. A reminder of everything she could never be, the shadow of the woman who came before her. The woman that she can never stand against.

“It’s not the first time we’ve attended as husband and wife,” she said, her voice forced and brittle. “I doubt it’ll be an issue now.”

“Valerie will be there,” I said, cutting through her delusion.

The color drained from her face. “Caspian…”

“I expect no problems,” I said firmly, my tone leaving no room for argument. “Do you understand me?”

Her lips parted as if to respond, but she thought better of it. I didn’t wait for her answer.

“Don’t wait for me for lunch,” I added, dismissing her with a glance. “I have things to take care of.”

She stiffened, then turned on her heel and left the office, her heels clicking angrily down the hall.

I leaned back against my desk, the glass of scotch untouched in my hand. My gaze drifted to the darkening horizon outside the window. Tonight would be a test, for all of us.