It was almost like listening to someone from a different planet speak. For someone to be representing our people, he sure didn't have a good impression of them.
"A council member doesn't need that kind of bullshit." His dad took in a deep breath and took another sip of his coffee.
Has he always been like this? It was hard to believe that someone like this man had such caring and loving children.
Oh, wait. It gets better. Liam snickered in our bond.
"We are important to not just one person but to everyone." He lifted his head high and straightened his shoulders. "It's our duty to reject our fated mate because all they can do is make us lose our focus or worse."
Should we tell him who I am? Maybe if he knew I was the overseer, he'd stop giving us a hard time about being together.
Hell, no! Liam's fingertips brushed my arm. We can't tell a single soul, not until the time is right.
So when is that going to be? I kind of wanted to know what he considered as the appropriate time.
When we find out what happened to your father or we're strong enough to not bend to the council's will. We can't risk telling them and putting you in danger.
But he's your dad. I figured he would have jumped at the opportunity. It might make his dad lay off him.
Exactly. He scooted closer to me, our legs brushing. But for the first time, something doesn't feel right with him. I can't risk you just to make my life easier.
"You said, the last time we met here with Bree, that I had a strong wolf." I had to use his own words against him. "So now you aren't okay with that?"
"I meant at a city or district alpha level." He pointed to his son. "Not to this level. You weren't even raised to see how things are supposed to be done. This is something you're born into. You can't just fall into it."
"Well, she has." Liam dropped his arm and stood. "And it's final. She's not going anywhere."
"I could easily pull her scholarship." He grinned as he threatened me.
"And I could easily go to another college." Liam took my hand and tugged me toward him. "If you want to play with fire, I can do it too. I understand that you don't agree with my decision, but frankly, I don't give a flying fuck. Where she goes is where I'll be."
We had to put an end to this argument now. "And there's no amount of money that will make me leave him. I'm not with him for power or whatever the hell you might think it is. I love him. If he chooses to walk away from it all, I'll be right there beside him."
Mr. Hale's body was so tense I doubted he could breathe. His eyes were full of anger, and he knew he had been backed into a corner. He needed Liam or everything would go to hell for the council.
"I hope you two know what you're doing." He stood and threw a fifty dollar bill on the table and placed his checkbook in his suit pocket. "Both of you are playing a very dangerous game. One for which you obviously don't understand the ramifications."
"Are you threatening us?" Liam's eyes darkened.
"No, of course not, but I don't think either of you is thinking everything through." He shook his head as he clenched his jaw.
"It's a done deal." Liam tugged my hand as we took the first step away. "Instead of trying to figure out a way to get us to break apart, why don't you try being supportive and find a way to make it easier for us to be together? There is absolutely nothing left for us to discuss."
The two of us headed to the door, and I turned around to see Mr. Hale's hate-filled eyes locked straight on me.
He made us play our hand, and Liam stole the control from him. I'd hoped the conversation could've gone smoother, but there was no reasoning with his father, at least for now. I only hoped we could at some point soon.
Chapter Four
When we made it back to the dorm, Liam pulled me into his arms. "I'm so damn sorry."
"What's wrong?" Bree popped her head out of the kitchen, which only had a small wall separating it from the den.
"Dad tried to buy her off." Liam's voice was low, filled with anger.
"What do you mean buy her off?" She entered the den and glanced at me.
"He placed a checkbook on the table and asked me what it would take to get me to leave." I still couldn't get over that. What kind of parent did that?
"Oh my God." Her eyes widened. "He's been acting strange here lately, but I didn't expect that."
"Not only that, but I entered the restaurant to find him trying to use his alpha will to make her leave." He kissed my forehead and took a deep breath. "Thank God you're stronger than that."
"Wait." Bree's brows furrowed. "How the hell is that possible?"
We need to tell her. I hated keeping the secret from her. She was my best friend and my ally even after how the whole Kai thing had gone down. She deserves to know.
Fine. Liam stepped back, giving me the opportunity. But only her.
I turned to face her, almost afraid of her reaction.
If I thought she'd be angry, I'd tell you. Liam took my hand and turned to face his sister as well. The longer you wait, the more upset she'll be.
"Tell me what's wrong instead of mind speaking to one another." Bree's voice was a little louder than normal, and her heart was picking up speed.
"So... other than Liam and me completing our bond this weekend and Max getting hurt, there was something else that happened." I was making it sound so ominous, and in a way, it kind of was.
"Okay..." She bit her bottom lip and bounced on her feet.
"I found out that my father isn't my biological father." I took a deep breath as Liam squeezed my hand. "My blood father was named Brent Forrest."
"What?" Bree's mouth dropped open, and she stumbled a step back. "As in the overseer who died? But Dad and the other members said he didn't have an heir." Her eyes went straight to Liam.
"Because my mom had just found out she was pregnant before he left to meet with the council." Maybe it wasn't a good idea to tell her. Her face was a shade paler, and she was blinking repeatedly like she didn't quite comprehend what she'd heard. "And he told her if he didn't make it back, then she was to run and hide … to protect me."
"Wait..." She lifted a hand in the air and took a deep breath. "Are you insinuating the council had something to do with this?"
"Yes, I am." If I was going to tell her that my dad was the overseer, might as well include the whole truth. "He was going to expose them for something, and they made sure it didn't happen."
"Do you hear what she's saying?" Bree focused on her brother again. "I mean, Dad is no saint, but he wouldn't be up for hurting his best friend. Her mom must have lied."
"I was there. She was telling the truth." Liam took a step in front of me. "I didn't like hearing it either. Honestly, I wasn't super thrilled with us telling you this, but Mia wanted to. This isn't about you, so pull your head out of your ass."
There was a moment of silence before Bree burst out laughing.
Uh... is she okay? She went from hurt and upset to laughter within seconds.