Chapter Forty-Five: Playing Both Sides

Sophie's POV

The morning after Victoria left, breakfast felt like a funeral. The massive dining room table stretched between us like a minefield, Marcus at one end radiating icy silence while Adam picked at his food with unusual focus. I stared at Victoria's empty chair, my throat tight. Less than twenty-four hours ago, she'd been right there, rolling her eyes at Adam's latest drama while sneaking me extra pastries.

Now she was gone. Because of me.

The blank note tormented me all night. It sat in my pocket now, each tiny rustle a reminder of impossible choices. Goddess, what a fucking mess. If Marcus caught me passing secret messages to my father... but if my father really needed whatever Victoria was trying to tell him... Shit.

"More coffee, miss?" A maid's whisper made me jump. I shook my head, watching Marcus from the corner of my eye. His expression hadn't changed since we sat down, carved from granite and about as approachable. The bruises on his knuckles told their own story about exactly how thoroughly he'd "questioned" Victoria.

Adam cleared his throat. "So, about the pack meeting today-"

"Not now." Marcus's voice could have frozen hell.

Right back to suffocating silence. Awesome.

I pushed my eggs around, trying to look anywhere but Victoria's empty seat. What the fuck was I supposed to do with it? Victoria had to know Marcus would be watching me like a hawk after she escaped.

"Alpha?" A guard appeared in the doorway, breaking the silence. "There's... someone here to see you."

Marcus's head snapped up, eyes narrowing. "Who?"

The guard shifted uncomfortably. "It's... her father, Alpha."

Oh fuck. Oh fuck fuck fuck.

Marcus's chair scraped back with painful slowness. Without a word, he stalked out of the dining room, leaving Adam and me in shocked silence.

"Well," Adam muttered into his coffee. "This should be fun."

Five minutes of agonizing uncertainty later, Marcus returned. His face was unreadable as he looked at me. "Come with me."

My legs felt like lead as I followed him to his study. The morning sun streaming through those massive windows did nothing to warm the ice in my veins. Marcus closed the door with deliberate care.

"Your father is here." His voice was flat as a blade. "Do you want to see him?"

The question caught me off guard. Since when did Marcus give me choices? "I... do I have a choice?"

"Always." His eyes fixed on mine. "But choose carefully."

Right. Because everything in this fucking place was a test.

"I'll see him." The words came out steadier than I felt.

Marcus studied me for a long moment before nodding. "Remember who you belong to now."

The words sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. Before I could analyze that particular minefield of feelings, he was already leading me toward the formal sitting room.

My father stood as we entered, and holy shit - he actually looked worried. His usual perfectly pressed suit was slightly rumpled, like he'd slept in it. Dark circles under his eyes matched the tension in his shoulders.

"Sophie."He stepped forward, actually reaching for me before catching himself. "Are you alright? The house was in lockdown when I heard about the attack. So I couldn't- "

"For security reasons," Marcus cut in smoothly. "Standard protocol after an assassination."

My father's eyes flashed. "An assassination that shouldn't have happened. My sources say Thomas Kane orchestrated it."

"Kane." The name rolled off Marcus' tongue like poison.

"Yes. Apparently he still holds quite the grudge against you." My father's gaze swept between us. "Though whether my daughter was the target or just collateral in his vendetta against you remains unclear."

"She was protected." Marcus's hand settled on my lower back, the gesture somehow both possessive and protective. "I personally made sure of that."

"Protected?" My father's laugh held no humor. "By dragging her through the woods while shift?"

I felt Marcus tense beside me. "Would you have preferred I left her to them?"

"I would have preferred proper security at a formal pack gathering!" My father's careful facade cracked. "This never would have happened in my territory."

"Your territory." Marcus's dark laugh made my skin prickle. "You mean the territory you couldn't even protect her mother in?"

The temperature dropped about twenty degrees. My father's face went dangerously still.

"I'll give you privacy to discuss things." Marcus's tone remained cold as he squeezed my shoulder - a warning? A reminder? Before leaving, the door closing with deliberate softness behind him.

My father waited until Marcus's footsteps faded. "Pack your things. You're coming home with me."

"What? No!" The words exploded out before I could stop them.

His eyebrows shot up. "No?"

Fuck. Think fast, Sophie. "I mean... I want to stay. Here. With my fiancé."

Silence stretched between us as his eyes dissected me. "Your fiancé." Each word dripped skepticism. "And how exactly are things with young Adam? This... arrangement. Are you truly happy?"

Double fuck. The lie felt like glass in my throat. "Of course! We're very... it's going well."

"Going well." He repeated slowly, testing each word. "So well that he couldn't be bothered to join this meeting?"

Triple fuck with a cherry on top.

I swallowed hard. "He has pack duties this morning."

"Hmm." His eyes never left my face. "You know, if you're having second thoughts... there are other options. Several promising young warriors have expressed interest. Men who would appreciate your... unique qualities."

"I'm perfectly happy with Adam." I forced the words out, trying not to choke on them.

My father studied me with uncomfortable intensity, like he was trying to read something written beneath my skin. Then his voice dropped lower, softer. "Sophie... if there's anything you need to tell me. Now would be the time."

My heart slammed against my ribs. The paper in my pocket felt like a ticking bomb against my leg. Did he know? Had Victoria told him to expect something? Was this another test?

"No." I met his eyes steadily, praying I wasn't signing my own death warrant. "Nothing at all right now."

I braced myself for an explosion, maybe rage, disappointment, but he merely nodded, rising with fluid grace.

"Very well." He straightened his already perfect tie. "We'll speak again soon, daughter."

The door closed behind him with a soft click that somehow felt more final than a slam.