LORD CALLAHAN’s POV

Eric breezed into the room, humming a light, happy tune.

Lord Callahan stood in the center, watching his son. The sight of him like this caught him off guard.

He had never seen Eric act this way before—carefree, barely acknowledging him, completely oblivious to everything else.

For another two minutes, Lord Callahan watched as Eric opened the walk-in closet near the tiny bathroom, stared inside, then closed it again. He repeated the motion, opening and closing the door like he’d forgotten what he was looking for.

Lord Callahan had seen enough.

"Son."

Eric startled, spinning sharply toward him. "You’re here."

Lord Callahan frowned. He was the one who had called him here. Eric had even messaged to say he was on his way. And now his son looked genuinely surprised to see him?

"I didn’t see you," Eric added.

"Really?" Lord Callahan murmured, the insult sliding over him like oil.

No one ever failed to notice his presence. His aura hit a room first—commanding, overwhelming. It was nearly impossible for other alphas, let alone his own son, to miss him.

Yet he had.

He moved away from the closet, still riding that strange happy energy that was beginning to turn Lord Callahan’s stomach.

"Why are you so happy?" he asked.

Eric stopped again, staring at him in surprise. "Me?" He pointed to himself, peering into the mirror in front of him. "Happy?"

"Did you drink?" Lord Callahan asked, eyes running over his son’s outfit. No rumples. Perfectly composed.

Eric had always managed to look put-together, even when drunk. But right now, Lord Callahan doubted alcohol had anything to do with this uplifted mood.

"No," Eric said, shaking his head.

"Where did you go?"

"Kol’s," he answered without hesitation. He glanced briefly at his father. "We were training."

Lord Callahan nodded in approval. Kol was one of the few people he actually wanted his son around. Still, the answer didn’t satisfy him. Eric still looked far too joyful.

"Your Nana wants to see you," he said.

"Why?" Eric asked, barely sparing him a glance as he sat on the edge of the bed and started pulling off his shoes. "I thought she made it clear last time that she didn’t want to see me."

"She wanted to see you become an Alpha," Lord Callahan corrected.

"Same thing." Eric gave a slight shrug and looked up. "Am I actually becoming an Alpha someday?"

Their gazes locked for a few seconds. Then Eric snorted. "No. Of course not. A beta or an errand boy for the Alpha, most likely."

Lord Callahan grunted but said nothing.

Silence settled over the room for another beat, yet he didn’t look away from his son.

Eric pulled out his phone and started typing, laughing quietly to himself. That persistent excitement gnawed at Lord Callahan.

Eric shouldn’t be this happy. He preferred his son worked up, frustrated, even angry. That version of him got things done. This... this wasn’t productive.

"My son, Kain, sends his regards," Lord Callahan finally said, breaking the silence.

Eric’s fingers froze on the screen. A frown etched across his face, and slowly, he lifted his head.

Finally, Lord Callahan thought as he watched annoyance swirl into those crimson eyes.

"He wanted to come with me, but he’s been busy with his pack," he continued, carefully studying the way Eric’s face darkened. "You know, a new Alpha needs to take a Luna. We’ve already started preparations..."

"What the hell does that have to do with me?" Eric cut in, glaring.

Lord Callahan shrugged. "Everything. He’s a perfect example of someone you should emulate. Learn how not to keep failing by watching him."

Eric’s jaw tightened. "Did you come here just to talk to me about Kain?"

"No," Lord Callahan replied smoothly. "Of course not."

"Then what?" Eric grunted.

"Can’t I visit my own son anymore?" Lord Callahan asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Besides..." His gaze swept the room, lips twisting in clear distaste as they landed on the walls covered in posters of half-naked women.

"The council is considering moving the alphas to another building in the academy—closer to the dormitories, of course," he said, looking back at Eric. "For emergency purposes."

"We can’t have you all running across campus every time something goes wrong."

"I don’t see the need for that," Eric said, rising to his feet. He grabbed his shoes, crossed the room, and shoved them onto the top shelf of the rack. "Our rooms in the dorms are still vacant. We can move back there." His voice dropped. "And maybe this unwarranted visit would end along with it."

Lord Callahan chuckled.

"Not funny," Eric snapped, spinning to face him. His voice rose. "I hate seeing your face. Go give all that attention to your precious son. I don’t care."

"I’ll take that into consideration next time," Lord Callahan replied. "At least he isn’t as useless as you are. He’d actually appreciate my advice."

Eric’s face twisted with anger, sending a sharp thrill down Lord Callahan’s spine. Just the look he longed for. He opened his mouth to speak, but the shrill ring of his phone cut him off.

Eric stalked over to the bed and stared at the screen. Just like that, the anger melted away, replaced by a huge, genuine smile.

Nausea swirled in Lord Callahan’s gut again.

"Help yourself out when you’re done," Eric muttered, flopping onto the bed.

He couldn’t force the conversation if his son didn’t want to talk.

Lord Callahan watched as Eric giggled quietly at whatever was on his phone, face lit up like an idiot. When he couldn’t stomach it any longer, he turned and walked out of the room.

Outside, he faced the two bodyguards waiting in the hallway. "What did you find?" he asked, eyes drifting toward the swaying pine trees surrounding the area.

"Um..."

Lord Callahan turned to the tallest one. The man flushed bright pink before extending a tablet toward him.

He raised a brow and took it, barely glancing at first. The guard shifted uncomfortably.

"We followed the young master like you instructed," he started, staring at the floor. "Everything we found is documented in there."

Lord Callahan swiped through the notes until he reached a picture. His eyes narrowed. He zoomed in, then out again.

Eric. His son. Kissing her. Steven’s daughter. Elyse Maddox. That slut.

His fingers clenched around the tablet until a sharp crack split the screen.

"That’s why he’s been so fucking happy?" The words scraped out low and ugly. He glared at the guard. "What else did you find?"

"T-that’s all, sir," the man stuttered.

Lord Callahan stared at the door he’d just exited. A dark impulse surged through him to march back in, grab Eric by the collar, and crush this pathetic little fling before it went any further. Before it weakened him.

But he forced the urge down.

He turned back to the guards, voice flat. "Deal with my son."

"Yes, sir!" they answered in unison.

As for that whore... he would deal with her himself.