Chapter 27

Lucas

I take a sharp breath, dragging myself inside Beta John’s suite. My father’s face appears on the TV screen, his gaze hard and unforgiving. He’s in his study, dressed in a sharp gray suit, papers cluttered across his desk…probably some fucking business deal he’s handling.

John waves me over like this is some casual family meeting and not an ambush. I drop onto the couch, glaring at the screen. The old man doesn’t even say hi.

“So, you’ve been ignoring my mind-links. What’s the meaning of this, Lucas? Have you lost your damn mind?”

I roll my eyes so hard I’m surprised they don’t fall out. “I was busy. Practicing.”

“Practicing?” He scoffs, leaning closer to the screen. “Or messing around with that… that pack runt?”

That’s it. My anger flares up like gasoline on a bonfire. “Dad, she’s my fucking mate!”

“Watch your mouth, Lucas. I’m your father and your Alpha.”

“You started it!” I snap. “You talk about her like she’s nothing…li