Chapter 17

As the door closed behind Isabella, leaving the room empty save for Eric and Leo, a heavy silence settled between them. Leo remained standing, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes fixed on the floor as he waited for his father to speak. He could feel the weight of his father's gaze on him, assessing, probing, as if trying to read the thoughts hidden behind Leo's actions.

Finally, Leo looked up, his curiosity getting the better of him. “What is it you wanted to discuss, father? Why did you send Isabella away?” His voice was steady but there was an undercurrent of tension, as if he already suspected that this conversation would be far from easy.

Eric did not answer immediately, instead, he leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied his son. The silence stretches on, thick with unspoken words and at that moment, Leo felt a flicker of unease. He tilted his head, his mind a maze of thoughts. What was his father thinking? Why was he delaying what he had to say?

The longer the silence persisted, the more Leo's curiosity morphed into something akin to anxiety. He was not used to seeing his father hesitate, and the unusual behavior was enough to unsettle him. Leo shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his mind racing with veiled scenes of what could happen. What could be so important that his father was struggling to find words?

Just as Leo was about to speak again, to urge his father to get to the point, Eric finally broke the silence.

“Leo,” he began, his voice calm but edged with something that Leo couldn't quite identify, “why did you defend that maid just now? The one you told to leave.”

Leo blinked, surprised by the question. Of all the things he had expected his father to bring up, this was not one of them. He had thought it might be about pack business or some strategic decision, or rather, about the misunderstanding that happened between him and Isabelo!95 about a lowly maid. For a moment, he was at a loss for words, u sure how to respond.

“You knew what Isabella wanted, yet you stepped in to stop her. Why?” Eric's eyes remained locked in Leo, watching intently for any sign of reaction. 

Leo mused over the question, his mind churning as he tried to make sense of his father's sudden interest in Lucy. Why was this so important to him? Why did he care? Leo felt a pickle of irritation at the thought. Lucy was just a maid, someone who he had something for but was forced to renounce because of her status. Why would he ask him such a question? The way his father was asking made it seem like there was still something more to it– something he wasn't seeing, like his father could be thinking that his actions were judged by his feelings for Lucy.

Finally, Leo decided to play it carefully. He kept his expression neutral, his voice measured. “I intervened because it was the right thing to do, Father. Isabella was being unreasonable, and Lucy didn't deserve the punishment she was about to receive.”

Eric raised an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with that answer, he moved on to ask,”what is her name, again?”

Leo's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected that question, and it caught him off guard. He felt a surge of panic, but he quickly masked it, forcing himself to stay calm. He knew his father well enough to know that he wouldn't ask something like that without a reason.

“Her name?” Leo repeated, stalling for time as he tried to gauge his father's intentions. “Why does it matter, Father?”

“You know her name, Leo. I saw it in your eyes as she walked out of the door . So why don't you just say it?” Erich leaned forward slightly, his gaze never wavering.

Leo's mind raced as he tried to figure out the best course of action. Should he tell his father the truth? Or should he continue to deflect? He could sense that this conversation was leading somewhere dangerous and he needed to be careful.

After a few moments of silence, Eric spoke again, his voice low and thoughtful. “Is it because you still want her as your mate?”

Leo stiffened, his breath catching in his throat. He didn't see that coming, unexpecting his father to make suggestions and it hit him like a punch to the gut. 

“What?” he managed to say, his voice betraying his shock 

Eric's eyes narrowed as he watched his son's reaction. “You heard me, Leo. I've known you since you were born, Leo. You've never interfered in the judgment I passed to people, right or wrong. Though you've sometimes made suggestions to be done in a different way but this is something different. Yes, I'm right.” He nodded and continued. “You couldn't bear to see her punished because you still want her as your mate, don't you?”

Leo's mind was reeling, a thousand thoughts racing through his head. How could gua father have known? He had been so careful to keep whatever he had for Lucy hidden, to make sure that no one ever suspected. But here was his father, laying it all out in the open as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

For a moment, Leo considered denying it, brushing off his father's suspicions as nonsense. But he knew that wouldn't work. His father was too perspective, too shrewd to be fooled by simple denials. And besides, there was a part of Leo that was tired of hiding, tired of pretending that he didn't care.

But he couldn't possibly let his father think that Lucy meant more to him than she did. He couldn't afford to let his emotions cloud his judgment, especially not now when so much was at stake. Leo took a deep breath, forcing himself to regain control. He straightened his shoulders, his expression hardening as he met his father's gaze.

“No, Father,” he said firmly, his voice steady and unyielding. “Lucy is not my mate and I have no intention of making her one,” He grinned and pressed on with his gaze on his father. “Maybe you don't know me that well as you thought you knew me. I'm only preparing myself for the kind of Alpha I'll love to be,” He paused and slightly bowed his head.

Eric studied his son for a long moment, as ur searching for any sign that he was lying. But Leo's expression remained resolute and finally, his father seemed to accept the answer. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze softening slightly, though the tension in the room did not entirely dissipate.

“Very well,” Eric said, though there was still a hunt of doubt in his voice. “But understand this, Leo: your actions have consequences. You cannot let your emotions guide your decisions, especially not when it comes to matters of the pack… you can't be seen with a maid, not in my reign. Do you understand?”

Leo nodded, though his mind was still spinning. “I understand, Father. It won't happen.”

Eric stood up and walked up to Leo. He regarded his son for a moment longer before finally nodding in return. “Good. Now let's put this behind us and focus on the tasks at hand. We have more important things to deal with.”

“I remember, Father. The full moon is just in nine days and the day of the celebration. We have to prepare.” Leo agreed, his mind remained troubled. 

Eric threw a friendly slap across his back and patted him. He smiled at him and Leo bowed slightly before him before turning to take his leave. He could sense his Father gaze on him as he walked up to the door. Without a waste of time, he opened and locked the door behind him and there she was, standing right at his front. He was startled.