132 Father And Sons
Lucian
“We’ve moved out, Father,” I said plainly. “And we’re not coming back.”
My father blinked. His surprise was immediate–and deep. I didn’t give him time to recover before continuing.
“I bought the house we’re living in. I want to raise my family away from this place–away from the tension, the politics… and especially from Martha. Mara deserves a peaceful life. Our child deserves it too.”
He opened his mouth. “How could-”
“I’ll tell you how,” I cut in. “I’d bet good coin the constant tension in this house was part of why Mara didn’t conceive during her last heat. I’m not risking another mistake like that. I won’t keep her in a space that could harm her or the baby.”
My father looked stunned–less from the words, more from the defiance behind them.
“Martha told me you moved out,” he muttered. “I didn’t believe her. I told her you would’ve said something if
that were true.”
I met his gaze without flinching. “You didn’t think it was true because you still expect loyalty from people you
don’t offer it to. You made this house unlivable. The forced family breakfasts. Your blind devotion to a
manipulative woman. You think Darian’s going to stay here when things with Tiffany settle down? This place
doesn’t feel like home, Father. It feels like duty. And that’s not how I want to live.”
Anger flashed in his eyes. “You’ll be the first Nighthorn to abandon this mansion. This is your heritage, Lucian. As Alpha of Mooncrest, you should live here. You should use this office.”
“No,” I said simply. “I want peace. I want it for me, for Mara, and for our children.“,
He leaned back, jaw tightening. “And what about Tina? You dumped her, and now she’s our responsibility?”
I gave him a measured look. “Technically, I still am caring for her. I pay for this house, its staff, her meals, her doctor’s visits. If you want her gone, you’re free to act. I’m not stopping you.”
“She’s seeing someone else, Father,” I added. “Has been for a while–even while we were together.”
Darian’s eyes widened. “Wait… so the baby might not even be yours?”
I shook my head. “Oh, it’s mine. I’d bet anything on it. Tina’s a lot of things, but she’s not dumb. If that baby wasn’t mine, she’d be gone by now–probably living off Joey. He’s stable. He’s not broke. But she knows where the power is. She knows I love Mara. She knows she can’t have me, so she’s playing the long game.”
Darian looked genuinely sorry for me, but I didn’t need pity. I needed clarity.
“What happens when she gives birth?” he asked. “That’s two months from now.”
“I’ve talked about it with Mara. If Father still wants to claim the child and raise it here, fine Put Mara is willing to help care for the child as her own.”
Darian’s expression twisted with concern. “Don’t do that to her, Lucian. Not Mara. Tina’s poison, and you know it. She got pregnant to secure your money, not your love. If you let Mara get dragged into Tina’s drama while she’s carrying your child, it’ll destroy her peace. You know what Tina’s capable of.”
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My father cleared his throat, but I didn’t take my eyes off Darian.
“I do know,” I said. “That’s why I’m handling it. Mara won’t suffer for my past.”
“Martha and I are willing to care for the child,” my father said, cutting in. “We’re just waiting for her to give birth so we can take the baby and kick her out. If you threaten to cut her off the mark, she’ll walk quietly.”
Typical. His way was always to force compliance instead of earning trust.
“No, Father,” I said calmly, but firmly. “I don’t need to threaten Tina. All I have to do is offer the bare minimum for the child or hint that I’ll abandon the baby altogether. She’ll fold. The only reason she’s holding on is because she thinks the baby’s a paycheck.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but I didn’t let him. “I have access to her email, Father. She’s already told Joey she’ll give up the child and return to him once it’s born. That’s how I know it’s mine–because if it weren’t,
she’d be long gone.”
My father exhaled deeply, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Enough about Tina. I’m just glad our Luna is carrying. Mara’s child will be your heir. That much is clear.”
He didn’t need to say it, but I nodded anyway. Mara’s baby was everything. That child was wanted, loved, planned. Tina’s? A miscalculation I would undo if I could.
Then I shifted the conversation.
“I need to talk to you about Alpha Chase.”
His shoulders stiffened as I laid everything out–the interrogation, the suicides, the threats, the revelation about my mother. Darian sat frozen.
“When were you going to tell me,” I said, voice low and controlled, “that my mother was Natasha Redlock? The Alpha of Driftwake?”
Darian’s eyes snapped to me. “The Redlocks? As in-”
“Yes,” I cut in. “That Redlock family.”
My father’s silence said more than any words.
“She had an Alpha mark, Father. Just like you. The Redlocks owned Driftwake. Not the Nighthorns. That means even if you’d handed Mooncrest to Darian, Driftwake was mine by blood. But you didn’t tell me. Instead, you tried to hand both packs to Darian.”
He looked like I’d punched him. I didn’t stop.
“What did you take from those people, Father? Because whoever Alpha Chase is, he isn’t bluffing. His people are fanatics. Loyal to the death. You may think this is between you and him, but I promise you, if it comes to war, it won’t stop with you. Mara and 1–we won’t be spared. Our child won’t be spared.”
I stepped forward, anger sharp in my throat. “Start talking.”
His face crumpled, and for a moment, I saw real confusion behind his eyes.
“I never stole from anyone, Lucian,” he said, voice hoarse. “Yes, your mother was the Alpha of Driftwake. I should’ve handed it over when you came of age. I admit that. I didn’t. But I didn’t take anything. I swear on her grave. I don’t know who this Alpha Chase is. I don’t know what he wants.”
1 studied him carefully. He looked lost–searching his memories like he’d missed something huge and had no
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132 Father And Sons
idea how
“You better figure it out,” I said quietly. “Because I don’t think this man is finished. And if Mara or our child gets caught in the crossfire, I won’t forgive you. Not this time.”
He bowed his head, silent.
I wanted to believe him. I needed to. But too many lies had already come from this house. He’d turned a blind eye for too long–especially where Martha was involved.
And now his ghosts were coming back to burn everything down.
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