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I knew where this headed. “He may ask to examine you. If he does, I would like you to allow him.” As expected, Grace stiffened at those words. “Do not worry, love. It will not be sexual. You only have to stand in front of him while he looks at you. If he touches you at all, it might be your stomach. However, I suspect he will only inhale your scent, to confirm you are indeed with child and that it belongs to his bloodline.”
She exhaled a shuddering breath, but said, “Okay.”
When Clan Leader Krygor Aldriss, walked into the penthouse, the room seemed to shrink to half its size. I instinctively lowered my head and dropped my shoulders, feeling like an eight-year-old boy again. My father was an impressive specimen of strength, power and lethal poise. He was only slightly smaller than the Magnar. His facial features, so like mine, were more pronounced. The thickness of his prominent brow gave his fearsome face a more intimidating edge. His pitch-black eyes rested on me as I bowed my head in respect.
“Clan Leader Aldriss, Elder Baras, welcome to my home.”
“Anton,” my father said, with a slight nod.
Elder Baras nodded and I waved them into the living area. My father strolled in with his usual measured gait and sat down on the three-seat couch. I couldn’t help the sense of pride every time I laid eyes upon my sire. He embodied everything I always aspired to be: strong, determined, and invincible. At fifty-one, he looked more like my older brother than my father. Baras took a seat next to him. The elder councilman was a few years older than my father, and one of the more moderate in the clan. He never approved of my father letting me live and made no secret of it. However, unlike many others, he never mistreated me. His clan leader spoke and he followed.
I placed three glasses on the coffee table in front of them and filled them with the finest Braxian brandy. We saluted each other and drank. My father refilled our glasses and I sat across from them.
Formalities out of the way, in a show of respect for his seniority, I waited for my father to initiate the conversation. Originally, I requested to talk to him, but he informed me that the clan had an announcement to make. As they would be coming to the Hive to discuss it, I could say my piece then. I wondered if he suspected what it was.
“Recent events have caused quite the stir on Braxia,” my father said, his expression unreadable.
“I merely responded to an attack against me and mine.”
“I wasn’t chastising you,” he deadpanned.
My face heated. Damn if he couldn’t systematically make me feel like a petulant boy.
“You took the proper actions and Gerwin got the retribution he deserved.”
I nodded. “Thank you, Clan Leader, for standing in my stead and carrying out the sentence on my behalf.”
“Do not thank me, Anton. The pleasure was all mine.”
His feral grin made me shudder. Even Elder Baras gave him an uneasy look. From all accounts, my father took a sadistic pleasure at skinning Gerwin alive. I wanted to believe his viciousness had been revenge for the years I suffered on Braxia, but I would never know.
“You are always full of surprises, aren’t you?” my father asked. “Friend of the Empire? I didn’t realize you were so well acquainted with the Magnar.”
My face heated again, this time with pleasure.
“Magnar Ravik and I have indeed become friends.”
“So, the rumors that he comes to visit you are true?” Elder Baras asked, incredulous.
I couldn’t resist the urge to gloat. “The Magnar shares my table at least once every month.”
Baras’ eyes widened before sliding over to my father, spying his reaction.
My father leaned back on the couch. The subtle smile on his lips was hard to define, but the pride in his eyes was undeniable. My chest constricted at the unspoken approval.
“And now, like both my pureblood sons, you, my firstborn, are a proven Berserker, duly blooded before witnesses, and unequivocally victorious.”
My lips parted in shock. Baras frowned but didn’t say a word. I had two younger half-brothers; Dheran and Gorav. As the firstborn, I should have become my father’s heir. But mutts didn’t qualify. Therefore, as firstborn pureblood, Dheran would become his heir. It was the first time, as far as I could recall, that my father referred to my brothers and myself on an equal footing.
“Between this, your elevated status with the Magnar, and your lifelong accomplishments that have benefitted the clan as a whole,” my father said, gesturing at the luxurious interior of the penthouse, “the Council of Elders has convened to discuss your status within our clan.”
My brain froze. This couldn’t be headed where I was thinking. I examined my father’s face. The earlier pride faded, replaced by a strange and intense look I had never seen before. He seemed… tense.
“It was the unanimous council’s conclusion that, in spite of being a half-breed, you will be granted full clansman status. From this day forth, you will be known as Anton Aldriss.”
My breath caught in my throat. It was like two tons of unrefined duralium dropped on my chest. I shot out of my seat and paced back and forth, my thoughts firing in a million different directions.
I paused and looked, bewildered, at my father’s impassive face.
