Chapter 32 Shattered Duty
Calix Pov
The pack house was cold on Silverfallday even though there were fires burning in every fireplace. It was silent except for the sound of silverware scraping against plates. Nobody was talking. Nobody was laughing. It felt more like a funeral than a celebration.
I sat at the long table in the great hall with my father at the head like always. Simone sat next to me even though I didn't want her there. She kept trying to hold my hand under the table but I pulled away every time.
The beta and his wife sat across from us. A few other high ranking pack members filled the rest of the seats. Everyone was dressed in formal clothes like this was some kind of business meeting instead of Silverfalldinner.
My father cleared his throat and everyone stopped eating. They all looked at him and waited for whatever lecture was coming.
"I want to talk about duty," my father said and his voice echoed in the quiet room. "About what it means to be part of this pack. About the responsibilities we all carry."
Here we go. I stabbed at the food on my plate but didn't eat any of it. Just moved it around to look busy.
"Our pack has survived for generations because we understand duty," my father continued. "We understand that personal desires come second to the needs of the pack. We understand sacrifice."
Simone reached for my hand again. This time I let her take it just so my father would keep talking and get this over with.
"Marriage is one of the most important duties we have," my father said and he looked directly at me. "Marriage creates alliances. Marriage strengthens bonds between families. Marriage ensures the pack's future."
I stared at my plate. Felt everyone's eyes on me.
"Calix understands this," my father said. "He understands that his marriage to Simone is not just about him. It's about all of us. It's about the pack."
"Yes Alpha," I said in a flat voice because that's what he wanted to hear.
"The wedding will take place in six months as planned," my father continued. "After graduation. It will be a celebration for the entire pack."
Simone squeezed my hand. I wanted to pull away but didn't. Just sat there and let it happen.
"Pack comes first," my father said and looked around the table at everyone. "Always. Before love. Before happiness. Before everything else. Pack first."
"Pack first," everyone echoed back including Simone.
I didn't say anything. Just stared at my untouched food.
"Calix," my father said sharply. "I didn't hear you."
"Pack first," I said without any emotion in my voice.
"Good," my father said and went back to eating. "Now let's enjoy this meal together."
But nobody was enjoying anything. We all just sat there and ate in silence. The food tasted like nothing. Everything tasted like nothing lately.
After dinner my father pulled me aside into his office. Closed the door behind us. Gestured for me to sit but I stayed standing.
"You embarrassed me at that dinner," my father said and his voice was cold. "You sat there like a corpse. You didn't smile. You didn't engage. You made it very clear you don't want this marriage."
"I don't want it," I said. "I've never wanted it."
"What you want is irrelevant," my father said. "You will marry Simone. You will produce heirs. You will take over this pack when I step down. That is your duty."
"And if I refuse?" I asked even though I knew the answer.
"Then that girl you care about so much will suffer," my father said simply. "I'll make sure of it. I'll make her disappear. I'll make it look like an accident. Nobody will ever know what happened to her."
Rage flooded through me hot and fast. My wolf surged forward. My hands clenched into fists. "You wouldn't."
"Try me," my father said and smiled this cold smile. "Refuse the marriage and find out."
"You can't force me to love someone I don't love," I said desperately. "You can't force me to give up my mate."
"I can and I will," my father said. "You're weak Calix. You always have been. Too soft. Too emotional. Too controlled by that curse of yours."
"I didn't ask for the curse," I said. "I didn't ask for any of this."
"None of us ask for our burdens," my father said. "But we carry them anyway because that's what leaders do. That's what Alphas do. Now get out of my office. Go spend time with your future wife."
I left before I did something stupid like punch him. Walked down the hallway past the formal portraits of past Alphas. All of them looked stern and cold and unhappy.
Just like me. Just like what I was becoming.
There was a large mirror hanging on the wall near the staircase. I stopped in front of it. Looked at my reflection. Saw my father's eyes staring back at me. Saw the same cold expression. Saw what I was turning into.
I hated it. Hated him. Hated this life. Hated everything about this prison I was trapped in.
My fist pulled back on its own. I didn't think about it. Didn't decide to do it. Just swung.
My fist smashed through the mirror. The glass shattered. Pieces exploded outward. Some fell to the floor. Some stayed stuck in the frame. My hand was bleeding. I could see cuts across my knuckles. Could see blood dripping onto the expensive carpet.
But I felt nothing. No pain. No regret. No anything.
Footsteps came running. Simone appeared with my father right behind her.
"What the hell are you doing?" my father shouted.
I pulled my hand back. Glass fell from my knuckles. More blood dripped. "I'm being the dutiful son you wanted," I said and my voice was empty. "I'm breaking things instead of people. You should be proud."
"You're insane," Simone said and grabbed my arm. "Let me see your hand."
I yanked my arm away from her. "Don't touch me."
"Calix you're bleeding everywhere," she said. "You need to bandage that."
"I don't care," I said. I looked down at my hand. The cuts were deep. The blood was flowing steadily. My wolf was already working on healing it but it would take time.
"Clean this up," my father ordered one of the servants who had appeared. "And get him bandages."
"I don't need bandages," I said. "I'm leaving."
I walked past him. Past Simone. Past everyone who was staring. Went up the stairs to my childhood bedroom. Slammed the door behind me.