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“Kazu-sensei,” I tried again. “I really don’t understand what your problem is. I did everything you told me to do —“
Without warning, he whipped around and stood directly in front of me. I was so surprised, I almost ran into his chest. Luckily, his hands clasped my shoulders, preventing me from doing so. It was like he wanted to keep me at an arm’s length from him, like he was disgusted with me potentially touching him even though he could clearly touch me.
“Remind me when I told you to knock back a couple of shots and offer yourself to a group of other drunks like some kind of idiot virgin sacrifice,” he growled, leaning closer to my face, probably so no passersby would overhear our conversation.
Not that there were any stragglers. It was close to midnight, and I was pretty sure everyone was where they intended to be for the majority of the night, especially with rumors of a Vrykolakas loose in the woods.
“Um…” Trying to think of a witty response was not going anywhere for me, especially considering my head was still filled with bubbles. Kazu-sensei was a master at popping them, however, so I was starting to come down from my high.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he demanded to know.
He clenched his teeth together so tightly, I thought for sure he was going to combust. I took a step back, and he must not have realized it, but I managed to pull my hand away from his unforgiving fingers.
“I’m finding someone to take my virginity,” I snapped back. “As you suggested.”
Kazu flinched at my words but at least he didn’t argue with them.
“What areyoudoing?” I demanded to know, leaning forward. I was under no illusion that I could intimidate him, but something inside of me didn’t want him to think I was going to back down so easily either.
“I’m stopping you from making yourself more of a fool than you already are,” he said.
Before I could respond, the door to the tavern opened and a group of people spilled out.
Kazu sighed, and his face went slack. He was…exhausted.
“Let’s go,” he said in that same rigid voice.
“Where are we —“
“Shut up,” he repeated, grabbing my hand again. “Just shut up. We’ll talk when we get there.”
Matthyw
“And what is that supposed to mean?” Matthyw asked the second the heavy door closed and Adrya couldn’t overhear the conversation he was about to have. “Will you sell her off to the highest bidder like your heir, the future leader of this pack, is nothing more than a broodmare?”
Viktor narrowed his eyes before glancing down at his drink. He tilted it to the side, almost as though he was stirring it without using any sort of utensil. “What do you care?” he asked.
“I care greatly for this family,” Matthyw said. The fact that his father had to question it at all infuriated Matthyw, though he shouldn’t have to prove himself. If anything, Viktor should know the lengths he would go to for this pack, even if he didn’t understand the lengths he would go forher. “She is your heir, Father. She is set to inherit the greatest pack in the history of Aerafall, and yet, the way you speak to her, you’re ready to ship her off in favor of some minor alliance with some peasant pack that will never deserve her.”
“What do you want?” Viktor demanded through a growl. “You said you had to speak, so speak plainly. My daughter has left. You have the time you seek. Shall you ignore it in favor of lecturing your own Alpha, your ownfather?”
“So, now I’m your son?” Matthyw asked. “Just before, you said I had no right to call myself family because our blood wasn’t the same.”
“Matthyw.”
Viktor glanced back down at the drink. For a minute, Matthyw wasn’t sure if Viktor intended to throw it at him or drink it. On top of that, there was still this burning desire inside of him to defend Adrya. None of what Viktor said mentioned anything about the mark on her face, and that infuriated Matthyw. He knew Viktor had never raised a hand to his own daughter, and yet, that seemed to have changed since announcing his engagement to the impure bitch. Was she the one responsible for Viktor’s change in mood? Matthyw wouldn’t be surprised. Those with less would do anything at all to elevate their status. He would know more than anyone.
“The Marriage Law,” Matthyw said, deciding to let his frustrations go for the time being. “I’ve heard things. Adrya is going to be part of the first lottery as some sort of example.”
Viktor arched a brow as he deposited two more ice cubes into his glass. “Did your spy of whores inform you of this?” he asked.
“Does it matter who told me anything if it’s true?” Matthyw asked. He stepped further into the room, a hand grabbing the back of a chair. Squaring his shoulders, he looked at Viktor.
“If you know this is true, why confirm it with me?” This time, Viktor did drink from his glass, taking a generous gulp.
Matthyw wrinkled his brow as he watched his father consume the alcohol; Viktor had never been one for indulgence or losing control. Like most wolves, he enjoyed a strong glass of liquor, but it was more a social habit than something to soothe him.
“I want to know what you intend to do about it,” Matthyw said. His voice tightened with each word, annoyed he had to explain himself since the answer should be obvious in the first place. “How do you intend to get her from marrying a fucking human?”
