156
Matt
"She's okay," Tony replied, evenly.
My stomach felt a mess, but I couldn’t let it show.
Our father seemed satisfied with the answer and turned his attention back to eating. He didn't seem to be aware of the fact that Quillan was in the building, and I wondered if Tony would tell him or if he was still planning to hide it.
As the evening went on, our father's presence remained a source of unease for the pack. His feral nature was unsettling, and it was obvious that maybe he’d gotten worse while in jail.
What are we going to do? I asked.
Survive.
As the night wore on, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for the Blue Moon pack. With our father back, would they want him back in the alpha position?
“I’m going to bed,” our father announced standing and leaving the room.
Seconds later, Tony was up and turning on Cline who stood completely still though he didn’t look sorry.
“Weeks,” Tony growled.
Cline lifted his chin. “The alpha wanted it to be a surprise.”
Tony growled, lunging for him. I leaped over the table to catch and restrain him.
“Tony,” I growled, holding him back. “We promise, didn’t we?”
Tony trembled in my arms, still glaring at Cline. We promised not to be like our father.
“Where is he staying?”
“In the alpha rooms, of course.”
I set my jaw and pulled Tony out of the room. He tried to fight me at every step, but he let me bring him to my office. It had once been an old parlor. I had no doubt that our father had probably repossessed the alpha’s office. I forced him to sit down and locked the door. I pulled out a bottle of wolfsbane alcohol.
“Is now really the time?” Tony growled. I poured the drink and shoved it in his hand.
Drink it and sit the fuck down.
Tony growled, but he didn’t drop the glass. I set the bottle between us and took a seat. I didn’t want a drink, which was weird. I couldn’t. Not knowing that our father could lose his mind and try to kill us both. Tony was practically defenseless due to the curse.
He tossed the alcohol into his mouth and drank.
"I can't believe this shit," Tony said, his voice tense with frustration. "After all these years…”
“You said this was going to be a possibility.”
“Yeah, I didn’t want to fucking believe it between him and he rest of the fucking pack…” He growled and poured himself another glass.
We’re going to have to be careful. He glanced up at me. We’re not in a position to fight him.
His jaw twitched before he nodded and drank some more. My mind was racing with thoughts of the chaos that was looming in our future.
What do you want to do about Ginevra and Quillan?
Tony's jaw tightened and I could see the fear and helpless anger in his eyes.
He’s not my son.
I shook my head. That’s hardly the problem right now.
She’s not my mate.
Tony, focus. If he’s been put up in the alpha’s room, who do you think ordered that?
He blinked as a knock sounded on the door. I got up, went to the door, and looked down at our nanny. I clenched my jaw, but I stepped aside. It was obvious that Tony hadn’t figured out what was going on just yet.
It wasn’t just Cline, but our nanny too. Had anyone ever been loyal to us, or had they all just been biding their time until our father was out of prison?
I locked the door behind her as she took a seat beside Tony and gave him a thin smile.
“I’m sure it was a bit of a surprise,” she said. “But isn’t it good that he’s back?”
“How?” Tony asked.
“Well, he knows a lot more about the laws between packs,” she said. “You were so young when you took over. Now, you’ll have the chance to relax a little, and focus on what you should be.”
She squeezed his hand. “That’s why I came.”
“What do you mean?”
I sat down and crossed my arms, listening to her.
“I think you should try to turn that woman.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Turning Ginevra into a werewolf?
“What—She could die!” Matt yelled.
“Maybe, but then, you wouldn’t have to answer any questions. You could pass Quillan off as you and Lucy’s child until you get her back and get her under control.”
The idea was insane, but before I said anything, I looked at Tony. The look on his face made me sick.
“Tony.”
"That's... That's a lot to consider," Tony finally managed to say, his voice tense with unease.
“It’s really your only option,” she said.
“Tony,” I said again, starting at him. He said nothing.
“She’s just one human, and if the Council is going to insist that half-breed is your son, then they knew what they were doing bringing her here.” She shook her head. “You father would just as soon kill her.”
Tony! He jerked and whipped his head to look at me. You cannot be considering this. Are you really going to risk killing your son’s mother?
Tony tore his gaze away.
Our nanny looked at us with a mixture of concern and determination. "I understand your reservations, but with your father back, it’s perhaps your best chance to make sure that he won’t turn on you… What is her life when you consider what you stand to lose?”
“There’s no guarantee that it won’t work,” Tony said. “Then, what?”
“Then, you have a she-wolf,” our nanny said pleasantly. “A breeder. Your father had breeders.”
My stomach turned as I looked at her.
“She’d be better received than a half breed, though she’s not fit to be a luna, of course.” She lifted her head. “She’ll be useful in rebuilding the pack’s numbers…”
I couldn’t even speak. I felt sick.
“You’re right.” My stomach lurched at Tony’s words. Something in me broke, and I didn’t think it would ever be fixed. A rush of cold went through me. I felt Tony’s mind drift away from mine. A door shut between us.
“It would be what’s best for the pack,” Tony said. “And ultimately better. It’s a better choice than letting him kill her. At least there’s a chance she’ll survive.”
I opened my mouth to tell them both exactly what the hell I thought of this fucked up plan, but another knock sounded on the door. I swallowed hard but our nanny stood with a smile. Then, she opened the door. She didn’t seem surprised at all that our father was on the other side.
My whole body went cold as I heard a child’s laughter and saw Quillan in his arms. His whole face was bright as Oren bounced him in his arms, completely enamored with Quillan. He cooed and smiled as he held him. It was unsettling to see him act so loving and gentle, considering the menacing and controlling figure he had always been in our lives.
“You know, I was hopeful, but this is so much better,” he said, walking past our nanny before she slipped out of the room. I tried not to glare as she left the room. “He’s adorable. Strong too. You did well, Tony.”
Tony’s eyes widened as Oren rumbled at Quillan. He turned his face into Oren’s neck with a contented sigh as he fell asleep. Oren sank into the seat on the other side of the room, rubbing Quillan’s back.
“I thought it best not to start a scene at dinner,” he chuckled. “It was nice to sit with my boys and eat my fill for the first time in a long time, but it’s about time to get to heart of the matter, I think.”
I held my tongue, looking at him, scanning him. He wasn’t looking at me at all, but at Tony. His eyes glinted with a madness that made my blood grow cold. It was like watching a rabid dog try to decide whether or not to attack.
“Don’t worry about Lucy,” Oren said and glanced at me. “Though it is interesting that Matt is the one who realized it first and not you…”
Tony frowned. “What… do you mean?”
“That she’s not your mate?” Oren chuckled. “That much was obvious from the second I came in.”
Tony went pale, like his words had struck him.
“That’s just how White Moon women are,” he laughed. “They have to be claimed properly if you want to keep a firm hold on them. Not your fault. There’s still time for that.”
A deep sinking feeling settled in me. I felt like this was going exactly the way I didn’t want it to go.
“So, when do you plan on turning Quillan’s mother?” Oren asked. “And where is she anyway?”
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