Chapter 12 Close Calls
~Keith~
My father's eyes swept through my room, taking in the rumpled sheets, the bowl of water on the nightstand, and me lying there with damp hair sticking to my forehead.
He didn't seem convinced by what he was looking at, as if he had something in mind when he barged in.
"Father," I croaked, making my voice rough. "What brings you here at this hour?"
He stepped closer, nostrils flaring. I knew what he was searching for. It was Sage's scent. It had been too overwhelming and because she had also been on heat, the andro-attractant made it even more noticeable.
Thank the goddess that I'd thought to spray that cologne Matt bought me last winter. The one that smelled like leather. It was strong enough to mask most scents.
"Your beta claimed you were ill." His voice was flat, and dangerous.
"Food poisoning, I think." I pressed a hand to my stomach, grimacing. "That venison at dinner tasted off."
He still didn't look convinced. "Strange. I had the same meal."
"Maybe I'm just weak." I met his gaze steadily. "Not everyone can have your iron constitution."
Something flickered in his eyes. Suspicion? Amusement? With him, it was impossible to tell.
"Your bed seems rather... disturbed for someone who's been resting." He said,eating my bed critically as if he was expecting to see a pair of panties or something.
"Fever dreams." I grabbed the cloth from the bowl, pressing it to my face. "I've been tossing around for hours."
He moved to the window, running his finger along the sill. Looking for evidence. Always looking for something to use against me.
"The council meeting seemed to upset you," he said finally.
"Did it?"
"Don't play games with me, boy." He turned, and for a second I thought I saw his eyes flash gold. "Your reaction to my announcement was... telling me everything."
"I was surprised,” I said, lying through my teeth. “You've never decided to make any of your numerous brides before."
"No. But then, I decided to mark her because she may be more valuable when I need her to be."
The way he said ‘valuable’ made my skin crawl. Like Sage was property. A possession to be used.
"She looks quite young," I ventured carefully. “Too old for you, maybe.”
"I think she's old enough." He smiled, and it was all teeth. "Young enough to be molded. Old enough to warm my bed at night."
My wolf snarled inside me, but I kept my face neutral. Behind the large wall hanging, I could feel Sage's presence through the hidden door. She was close enough to hear every word. Good. She needed to understand exactly what kind of monster my father was.
"The marking celebration is coming soon," he continued, moving toward my desk. "You'll stand with me when I mark her, won't you?"
I nodded halfheartedly,"Of course."
"And you'll watch." His hand touched the decanter of whiskey. Two glasses sat beside it. Two. Shit. "Every second of it. The bite. The bonding. The claiming."
"Father—"
"It's tradition, Keith. The heir witnesses the Alpha's mating. Ensures the bloodline remains strong." He lifted one glass, examining it. "This has been used recently."
"I had a drink. For the nausea."
"Both glasses?"
My mind raced. "Matt joined me. Before you arrived."
"Hmm." He set the glass down, then moved toward the bed. Toward me. "You know, your mother tried to lie to me once."
Every muscle in my body tensed. "Oh?"
"She thought she could hide her little... indiscretions. Meeting with that pathetic warrior behind my back." He sat on the edge of my bed, close enough that I could smell the wine on his breath. "Do you know how I found out?"
I stayed silent.
"Her scent changed. Just slightly. The way a woman's scent changes when she's been... touched by another man." His hand moved to my throat, fingers pressing against my pulse. "Your pulse is racing."
"Fever."
"Or lies." His grip tightened. "Tell me, son. Have you touched my bride?"
The truth burned in my throat. Yes, I'd touched her. Kissed her. Ground her against my body until we were both desperate with need. But more than that – she was mine. My mate. My everything.
"No," I rasped.
He held my gaze for a long moment. Then his hand dropped.
"Good. Because if you had, I'd have to kill you." He stood, smoothing his shirt. "Family or not. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
"Do you?" He walked toward the door, then paused. "Oh, one more thing. Sage seems to have disappeared from her room."
I almost slipped, but I caught myself before I could. My breath became a little louder. It took everything in me to avoid glancing where Sage was hiding.
"The guards can't find her anywhere." He glanced back at me, and his smile was accusing. "You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"
"How would I? I've been here all night."
"Of course." He opened the door, where Matt stood rigid in the hallway. "Beta. Walk with me."
Matt shot me a quick glance before following. The door closed behind them, and I stayed frozen for thirty seconds. Forty. Fifty.
Finally, I rolled out of bed and yanked the huge wall painting aside. Sage tumbled out of the hidden passage, gasping.
"That was too close," she whispered.
"You need to get back to your room. Now."
"How? He just said the guards are looking for me."
I ran my hands through my hair, thinking fast. "There's another passage. It leads directly to the guest wing. But Sage..." I caught her shoulders. "You can't disappear again. He's suspicious enough."
"I didn't mean to come here. I just... woke up burning and my feet just started moving. Like something was pulling me."
"The bond," I murmured. "It's getting stronger."
She looked up at me, and I couldn't help but notice how she looked ethereal. Beautiful. Mine.
"Keith, what he said about your mother..."
"Was true." The words came out bitter. "He killed her because she found her true mate. Because she dared to want something beyond his control."
"If he knew what you are to me..." I pulled her close, pressing my forehead to hers. "He would kill you, then kill me. We would both die."