Chapter 5 The Wolf Lord's Claim

I froze as Adam's eyes landed on mine.

"Avaline?"

My hand clenched around Leo's but I didn't back down or hide. Not anymore. Adam's eyes flickered with something as he looked at both of us. For a moment, I thought it was guilt but I knew better.

Adam never felt sorry.

Jacob's voice rang catching Adam's attention. "Daddy! That's him! He pushed me!"

Adams's eyes darted to him before meeting mine again.

"Who is he?" Adam asked, his face unreadable. "Is he your son?"

My wolf growled at his accusation. Everyone's eyes were on us, including Leo's. My lips parted as I wanted to deny it but then someone's voice stopped me.

"Babe, what's taking you so long? Where's Jacob?"

My stomach twisted painfully. That voice, I could never mistake it.

Olivia.

She walked in gracefully, her perfume flooding the room. Her long blond hair shimmering under the light as she wrapped her hand around Adam's. Her eyes widened as she saw me.

"Avaline," she whispered, her face pale as she stared at me. Then her face twisted.

Jacob's cry got louder.

Olivia hugged her son, trying to find out what happened. Jacob's hand darted out pointing to Leo. Her expression hardened as she stood up. Her eyes darted to Leo.

"This is unacceptable," she said coldly. "Your son attacked mine. Just look at his body. It's obvious that he is more animal than human. I mean, look at our son, Adam."

Leo shrank back, his small hand clutching mine tighter. His wolf energy stirred faintly beneath his skin, frightened, not defiant.

I clenched my hands angrily as my wolf growled.

I let out a bitter laugh. "You two must know a thing or two about acting like animals," I said, my voice sharp and steady. Then I turned to their son, Jacob. "Leo isn't violent. So why don't you tell the truth? What did you do to provoke him?"

"I can't believe this. Are you saying my son started the fight?" Olivia asked stunned.

"The truth," I said slowly, meeting her eyes, "is that your son might not be as innocent as you think."

A few gasps rippled through the room. Olivia's lips parted slightly looking around. Most of the parents were finally turning against her as they murmured. Her mouth closed, her face twisting in anger.

Adam stepped forward, his gaze flicking to Leo like he was something filthy. "Avaline, whatever you're trying to say, it doesn't change the fact that he attacked first. This is a highly prestigious Academy. No matter what, violence is never the answer."

I swallowed the rising anger in my throat. How dare he talk as if he was a saint when he was the devil himself?

Leo hid behind me, his body still tensed. Reaching for him, I carried him up in my arms.

"It's okay," I whispered, brushing his hair back gently. "You did nothing wrong."

Olivia scoffed, "Like mother like son. It's not surprising that you would support your Omega son. Today, if the principal doesn't kick this boy out, she will have to deal with us. My husband is now the Alpha of Duskpaw pack."

My colleagues exchanged uneasy glances. One of them, a woman with kind eyes, spoke softly. "Mr and Mrs. Rhineheart, perhaps we should let the principal handle this-"

"Yes, I agree. Let the principal handle this." A voice said making me turn.

Orion walked into the room, his wolf's dominance washing over everyone like a wave. Everyone's eyes turned to him. Adams's face became pale immediately as everyone fell to their knees.

"Greetings Wolf Lord," they greeted.

Orion walked over to me and Leo.

"I want to see if the principal will actually expel my son from the Academy." Orion said.

The color drained from Adam's face. "Your... your son?" he stammered, glancing between Orion and Leo like he couldn't process it. "Did you just say he's-"

"I expected better from you, Alpha Rhineheart," he said, his tone deceptively calm. "You judge without knowing the truth, threaten a child qnd allow your mate to disrespect my blood. Have you forgotten your place?"

Olivia swallowed trying to regain her composure, but the faint tremor in Adam's hand betrayed them "Lord Orion," she began carefully, her voice soft "there's been a misunderstanding. The boy, your son attacked mine. We were only discussing-"

"Discussing expulsion? You were ready to brand my son violent without hearing the facts." Orion said, his eyes darting to Adams.

Olivia' swallowed. Reaching down at her son, she shook him "Jacob, stop crying," she hissed. "You must be faking it. Why lie about your classmate? Apologize. Now."

My wolf growled at her act. It was a performance to protect Adam.

But why hadn't Orion noticed their forbidden bond yet?

Jacob's voice was small. "I'm sorry," he muttered as he ran over and took Leo's hand. Then for a second, he squeezed Leo's hand before Leo pushed him away.

I shook my head. He was indeed his mother's son. Both of them good at pretending

"Since he's apologized, I won't press this further," Orion said, sliding his hand into mine. "But you will apologize to Avaline as well. You insulted her."

A chill ran through me as the others gasped.

Olivia's jaw clenched. Her eyes bored into mine. My wolf growled at the victory.

"I smell magic," my wolf whispered.

My muscles coiled. Magic? Had she used a spell to hide her human scent?

"I'm sorry," she said.

"Louder," Orion ordered.

Olivia's lips trembled. She glanced at Adam, then met my eyes. "I said I'm sorry," she repeated, her voice breaking.

"Next time, think twice before speaking against my family," Orion said, his eyes hard as he stared both of them down.

The word family echoed in my mind, tangling with confusion and a strange heat that rushed through my chest. Family. He'd said it so easily as if it was true.

"Let's go," Orion commanded, looping his arm around my shoulders as he led me out.

I looked back at Adam and Olivia.

Good. I'd won this round. Now I had to reveal them and their bond. I would make them pay for what they did five years ago.

*****************************************

The house was hauntingly silent as I stepped out of Leo's room, softly shutting the door behind me. The hallway stretched long and bright, every step echoing against the silence.

I started toward the stairs when a deep guttural growl rolled through the air, freezing me in place. My gaze snapped toward the end of the corridor, Orion's private quarters. His last rule echoed in my head. No trespassing.

I almost turned away. Almost. But something in that sound, raw and pained, made my wolf stir uneasily inside me. Against every instinct, I walked to the door, turned the knob, and stepped in.

The room was swallowed in shadows, the only light coming from the moon spilling through the window. Then I saw him. Orion lay on the bed, his arms and legs chained to the wall, his skin glistening with sweat. My breath caught in my throat.

"Orion!" I rushed forward, grabbing at the chains, only to hiss in pain as a sharp burn shot through my fingers. Silver. My skin reddened where it touched.

Why would he tie himself with silver?

Before I could think, his eyes snapped open. Icy blue. Wild. His growl filled the room, low and animalistic. My heart slammed against my ribs as he rose, the air thick with his scent.

"Your scent..." His voice was rough, unsteady. He leaned closer until his breath brushed my neck. "Mate."

Then his fangs sank into my shoulder.

I gasped as fire tore through my veins. Pain and shock tangled inside me. With a desperate shove, I pushed him away, watching him collapse back onto the bed, panting, his wolf retreating beneath the surface.

My trembling hand rose to my neck, my fingers brushing the punctured skin.

Orion marked me.