Pride Goes Before A Downfall
Theo and Matt were still discussing Lambert’s punishment—voices low, tension thick, when a guard knocked sharply on the door.
“Enter,” Theo said.
The guard stepped inside, bowed, and presented a sealed letter before quietly withdrawing.
Theo didn’t think much of it—until he saw the seal.
Damian’s seal.
His heart lurched painfully, beating so hard his vision blurred. His fingers trembled as he broke the wax. Even Matt leaned forward, sensing the shift in the room.
Theo read the first line. His breath caught.
By the time he reached the end, all color had drained from his face. His hands fell limply to his sides, and the letter slipped from his grip, fluttering onto the desk.
“Alpha?” Matt asked cautiously. “What’s wrong?”
Theo shut his eyes for a long moment, forcing himself to inhale.
When he finally spoke, his voice was hollow.
“Damian… has commanded that I bring Lambert and Mina with me tomorrow,” he said slowly. “He says Lambert should begin forming a closer bond with Damon.”
Matt blinked. “Well… that doesn’t sound so terrible. Honestly, maybe it’s good for Lambert. Training with Alpha Damon might discipline him.”
Theo let out a bitter laugh with no humor in it.
“You don’t understand, Matt.” He rubbed his forehead, defeated. “Lambert will not survive with his current behavior. If he embarrasses us there—if he provokes anyone… Damian will not overlook it.” His throat tightened. “And after all the lies I’ve told him about Lambert’s progress… this may be the moment everything collapses.”
Matt’s expression shifted to concern.
“But we cannot disobey,” Theo continued, eyes closing briefly. “So make preparations. We leave at dawn. Ensure the carriages are ready—and the reports as well beforei leavetomorrow.”
“Yes, Alpha,” Matt replied and left to handle preparations.
The room fell into silence. Theo remained still for several seconds. He could hear his pulse pounding in his ears.
Damian has never calls for Mina, or get involves in his family affairs. Why now…?
Swallowing hard, Theo stood up. With stiff, heavy steps, he headed straight toward Lambert’s chamber.
He pushed the door open. Empty.
The room was tidy — too tidy for someone in confinement. His jaw twitched; disappointment curled hot in his chest.
“Of course,” he muttered. He didn’t waste time. With anger rising, he walked briskly toward Mina’s chambers.
He didn’t need to knock. He pushed the door open. There they were. Just as he expected.
Lambert lounged lazily on one of Mina’s couches like a pampered prince, a plate of fruits beside him. Mina sat near the mirror while Sabina attended to her hair.
The moment Theo entered, Mina’s eyes narrowed into a glare sharp enough to cut stone and Lambert jerked upright immediately, eyes wide and startled—like a child caught doing exactly what he was forbidden to do.
Theo stepped inside fully, his expression unreadable but his presence ice cold.
Lambert swallowed hard. “F–Father… I—”
Theo didn’t allow him to finish. His glare was enough to make Lambert shrink in place, Sabina hurried out of the room.
“I instructed you,” Theo said quietly. "To quietly remain in your chamber. So why,” he continued, voice tightening, “do I find you here… lounging. As if you own the world?”
Lambert’s throat bobbed nervously. “I—I just… Mother said— I mean— I wasn’t—”
He stuttered so badly his words tripped over themselves, and he stopped altogether, tense and trembling.
As always, Mina swooped to shield him.
Mina tilted her chin defiantly. “What is the meaning of this?” she snapped. “Why do you barge in like a warrior chasing a rogue? We were busy.”
"Busy? Oh! Yes, I can definitely see that about you and your spoiled son. Just keepon encouraging him uhh.. he will meet his waterloo soon" Theo said coldly
Mina stepped forward sharply, eyes blazing. “Enough, Theo! Stop speaking to him like that. He is your son. Our future Alpha! Why must you always be so harsh with him? He did nothing wrong.”
Theo’s eyes slid toward her. No anger, or shouting. Just a long, quiet stare—one that made Mina shift uncomfortably despite herself.
He finally exhaled a heavy, tired sigh. “You are still enabling him,” Theo murmured. “Even now.”
Mina scoffed loudly. “I am protecting my only child from your unreasonable expectations.”
Theo didn’t bother arguing. He’d done that a thousand times and gotten nowhere. Instead, he straightened and delivered the news plainly. His eyes slid briefly to Lambert—who couldn’t even meet his gaze—before returning to Mina.
“We need to talk,” he said, voice dangerously calm.
Mina folded her arms, irritation flashing across her features. “Then talk.”
Theo didn’t make ay attempt to sit down. He looked at them both with the same weariness but so deep it made Mina hesitate for the first time.
Finally, he spoke.
“Pack your things,” he said flatly. “Both of you. “We are traveling tomorrow morning,” he said, his tone back to cold neutrality. “Alpha Damian has summoned us to attend the competition ceremony."
Lambert’s mouth fell open."Why, father?"
Mina’s glare vanished instantly. “Alpha Damian?” she repeated, stunned. “Why would he summon us all? I thought you were only invited?”
Theo stepped closer, his tone sharp as steel. “That,” he said, “is what I would very much like to know for you. But as for your rotten son, he want to get closer with the young Alpha Damon” Then he turned to grin at Lambert "That’s if he has the abilities to survive being close to Damon. I am sure you must of have heard about his extraordinary abilities as a well trained Alpha?" Theo smirked while Lambert kept quiet.
"My son is well trained too, and not a weakly" Mina said with a pat on Lambert’s hair.
"Yeah, father! I am not a weakly" Lambert said, suddenly full of confidence.
"Really?" Theo scoff loudly, "If anything goes wrong over there, I will skin you alive!".
"Well, enough of your ill fated words" Mina scoff back at him. Then suddenly—her eyes lit up, bright with unrestrained joy. Her mood flipped instantly. “Finally! I will get the chance to meet the Lunas from the surrounding packs.” She laughed breathlessly and clasped her hands. “Sabina! Come here!”
Sabina rushed over immediately.
“Start preparing my outfits,” Mina ordered, practically glowing. “Pack the gold-embroidered gown—the one with ruby lining—and my traveling jewelry set. And—oh!—have my hair oils arranged properly.”
Sabina nodded and hurried to obey, and Mina turned to Lambert, brushing his hair with her hand.
“We must show them all how dignified our pack is,” she chimed, beaming with excitement. “Lambert, you will look magnificent. They should know you are a future Alphaas well .”
Lambert straightened, trying to look confident, though fear lingered in his eyes.
Theo, watching the excited pair, felt a wave of disappointment crash over him. This wasn’t pride or preparation.
This was blindness.
And he was the one who allowed it to grow this far.
He shook his head quietly, unseen by them, then turned toward the door.
“I will ensure the carriages are prepared,” he said stiffly. “Be ready by dawn.”
Neither Mina nor Lambert acknowledged him.
They were too wrapped up in their excitement—too unaware of the storm waiting for them in ShadowFang.
Theo closed the door behind him, walking away with a heavy heart.