Chapter 29 Play Dirty

Chapter 29 Play Dirty
William's POV

My vision burned red. My mouth felt full as fangs struggled to push through. The electrical whining and every other sound dulled as I roared and shot to my feet, upturning the wooden chair. Conner remained still, unfazed, not even bothering to look at me. This infuriated me even more and I lunged for him, grabbing the collar of his shirt.

“You don't know anything about me! About what I had to go through!" I yelled in his face, lifting him up by his collar easily.
He didn't react or reply. He simply stared at me unblinking.

We stayed that way for a moment. Face to face,my hands clamped around his shirt, my teeth bared, eyes blazing.
Then he smiled, " Times up sucker.”
" What?”

The door in the corner opened and Dad walked in. His face held an expression I struggled to place. Lips tight, eyes heavy. Had he heard everything that was being said?
" That's an hour gone. William, let go of your brother.” He sounded weary.

I let go of Conner’s shirt and he made a show of straightening his collar with that infuriating smirk still on his face. A knot formed in my stomach as I began to realize what just happened.
Dad came to stand before us. He looked from one son to the other and sighed.

“How many red balls were released in the past one hour?"
Shit. Motherfucking Conner. There was a triumphant smile on his face. The fight had been deliberate. I should've seen it coming from his statement about Dad cheating and calling it playing smart. Was this playing smart or playing dirty.
My last count was twenty four. I tried to account for the time we had just spent arguing. The balls were let down at least one every minute but the probability of a red one was so random.
" Er…30.” I answered. I knew it was the wrong answer immediately the words left my mouth.
Dad's expression didn't change, he looked to Conner.

“ 27" He answered smugly.

Dad nodded, " 27 red balls were released in the past one hour.” He looked at me, his expression turning both sad and disappointed, " You should learn to pay better attention, William. Never lose your focus.”

My fists curled into fists at my side. I turned to Conner with a look of hate on my face. He looked at me and shrugged,
“You heard the man. Never loose your focus William" He chuckled and cracked his knuckles casually. “This was fun. Gotta go, Dad. I've got a game with the guys later."

He started to walk towards the door.
“Come back here, Conner. We aren't done."
“We aren't?"
“I never said I had just one test for you both did I? Camille will show you boys to your temporary rooms. Another test will be held three hours from now.” Dad turned around and left without another word.

“Another fucking test? It's Saturday for fucks sake. I had plans." Conner grumbled.
I didn't want to speak to him. I couldn't. His words still replayed themselves in my head. He had meant it all as a distraction. Him remaining calm all through should have registered as suspicious to me. He riled me up while he kept calm and counted.
Still, the knowledge didn't take away the sting of his words. They were a distraction but I knew he meant it. I knew that was how he really felt.

I started towards the door.
“Aww come on, don't tell me you're still mad about that." Conner snorted. “It was all a game. Don't be such a sensitive ninny."
I turned back to him, rage burning in my gaze, “You're right. It's a game. You've set the rules, I promise to play by them. See you during the next test, brother.”

I walked out to him laughing mockingly.

The room Camille showed me to looked similar to my room back in London. The sheets, the wallpaper, the furniture. Very intentionally done. Maybe it was meant to make me feel at home but after the encounter with Conner, it only made me feel worse.

Aunt Melia had been a constant reminder of the mother I lost. That was never a good thing. They got to move on quicker than I did. I had to learn to love Aunt Melia as her own person and not as an extension of my dead mother. That took time and a lot of effort.
It was something Conner would never understand. But I didn't blame him for that. Not really. From his perspective, having a substitute was better than living with a father who was too weighed down by his grief to take care of the only child left in his care.

Camille brought me breakfast. A hearty serving of steak and steamed vegetables with a side of greasy fries .That wouldn't count as breakfast anywhere else but a werewolf pack.

At exactly 12pm,a servant arrived to summon me to my father's study for the next test.
This time, I let him lead me there.

Dad stood looking out the window. Conner was yet to arrive.

Two white chairs were placed backs against each other in the middle of the room. Each chair had a desk in front of it.
“William. Choose a seat." Dad motioned to the chairs.
I took the one facing the door. Sitting this way meant our backs would be to each other. Were we about to take an exam or something? From the stack of papers and pencils on the big table by the window where Dad stood, it seemed like it.

" Did you have a good rest?” He asked and I grunted a reply.
"Conner didn't play fair but..he wasn't against the rules either.” Dad tried to sound soothing.
" I don't want to talk about it.”

Conner walked in wearing different clothes from earlier. He now wore black shorts and a blue shirt. He looked around the room with scorn but gave no argument this time. He took the other chair.
Dad placed three papers in front of us. I was right. An exam. 100 multiple choice questions and 20 essay like ones. Theory.

" An actual test. Really?” Conner groaned.
" Yes." Dad nodded, “An alpha must have extensive knowledge on history and werewolf traditions. You have ninety minutes. No cheating this time. Good luck.” He walked away before Conner had the chance to protest again.

" History? We get to answer these questions in school don't we?” Conner scoffed.
I ignored him. A quick scan of the questions revealed these were not random high school history questions. They were much more heavyweight. Questions on war, trade rules, hierarchy, forgotten traditions and ceremonies. The essay like ones were about historically well known Alphas and their great works.
The ninety minutes passed by slowly. I didn't know half of the answers and could only confidently write two of the theoretical ones. From the amount of grumbling coming from behind me, Conner was having a harder time.

When the ninety minutes were up, Dad came back to collect our answer sheets. He instructed us to stay put while he stepped out to grade them.
" Counting balls and grading work sheets. You'd think he'd have other important Alpha businesses to attend to.” Conner grumbled as soon as he was out of earshot.

The results came back. I had managed to score a little over 55%. Conner hd done much worse.

" William wins this round. But not by much so do not rejoice over it. It's a weak victory. These are things you two are expected to know as my heirs. I even tried to make them simple enough.”

These were simple? I wasn't sure I wanted to know what the hard ones looked like.
" Go back to your rooms and rest up. We meet later this evening.”

" We still aren't allowed to leave?” I asked grumpily. I wasn't looking forward to spending the next couple of hours in my look alike bedroom.
" Not until tomorrow morning. Male yourselves comfortable. It's your house after all.”

" Like hell it is.” Conner said under his breath.
Dad speared him with a stern glance and walked out.

" Got any plans for the afternoon?” Conner asked sarcastically.
" Do not talk to me.” I got up and stormed out.