Fatherly duties

Elara POV

It’s a new day.

I step out of my room, closing the door quietly behind me as I adjust the strap of my bag on my shoulder. The hallway feels the same, looks the same… but something about it doesn’t sit right anymore.

Maybe it’s me.

Maybe it’s the fact that nothing in this house feels like just mine anymore.

The only good thing about today is that I don’t have a full schedule. Just an afternoon class. No rush, no pressure. I should feel relaxed.

I don’t.

Since returning from the fortress, I’ve barely left my room. Just small, necessary movements. To the kitchen. Back to my room. Over and over again.

Avoiding.

That’s what it is.

Avoiding them.

Because every time I pass by my mother’s door, there’s always something.

A laugh.

A soft murmur.

The kind of quiet intimacy that reminds me they are… together.

How do I feel about it?

Good.

At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

I take a breath and walk toward the living room, already expecting it to be empty at this hour. My plan was simple. Leave quietly. No encounters. No awkwardness.

But the moment I step in—

I stop.

They’re there.

On the couch.

Close.

Too close.

My mother is practically curled into him, relaxed, comfortable. Ryder sits with an ease that makes everything around him feel smaller, like the room belongs to him without him even trying.

For a second, I just stand there.

Frozen.

Watching.

I don’t even realize how long until my mother notices me. She shifts slightly, then looks up—and her face lights up instantly.

“Elara,” she says warmly, sitting up a bit straighter. “You’re up already.”

Already?

I force a small smile, even though it feels tight. “Yeah. Hours ago.”

Of course she wouldn’t know.

She’s been… busy.

I don’t let my gaze drift toward him. I keep it on her as I start moving again, heading toward the door.

“Darling,” she calls, stopping me.

I pause.

Turn back.

And that’s when I see it clearly—her moving off his lap.

Something in my chest twists.

“Well,” she continues, smoothing her clothes casually like nothing just happened, “Joe won’t be dropping you off today.”

I blink once, processing.

Then I nod slowly. “Oh… is he sick or something?”

I didn’t mean to sound so quick. Or so tense.

But my foot is already tapping lightly against the floor, betraying me.

“No,” she says simply.

And then—

“I’ll be dropping you off.”

His voice.

Calm.

Controlled.

Too close.

My head turns before I can stop it.

Ryder is already standing now, his attention fully on me.

And for a second, I forget how to react.

My jaw drops slightly before I catch myself and snap it shut.

My mother raises a brow at me.

I clear my throat. “Wait… why?”

Ryder shrugs lightly, like it’s nothing. Like this isn’t about to ruin my entire morning.

“Consider it fatherly duties.”

Fatherly.

The word feels wrong.

Completely wrong.

There’s the faintest hint of a smile on his lips as he steps closer, and before I can react—

His hand lifts.

And taps lightly against my head.

Soft.

Casual.

Like it’s normal.

Like we are normal.

The contact is brief, but it sends something sharp through me. Heat. Shock. Something I refuse to name.

Then just like that, he moves past me.

“I’ll be waiting outside,” he adds, already walking toward the door.

And then he’s gone.

Out of sight.

I stand there for a second longer than I should.

Then I slowly turn to my mother, giving her a look that says everything I’m not saying out loud.

She meets it.

And smiles.

Actually smiles.

Then she leans closer, lowering her voice like she’s sharing a secret.

“He’s hot, isn’t he?” she giggles.

I stare at her.

“Mom,” I say flatly. “Please. Not that.”

She laughs, clearly amused by my reaction.

“Does he have to?” I press, frustration slipping into my tone now. “I can go on my own.”

“Well,” she says, straightening slightly, her expression soft but firm, “he’s about to be your father, Elara. You should try bonding with him.”

Bonding.

I almost laugh.

“Spend time with him,” she continues gently. “Get to know him. He even adjusted his schedule for this.”

Of course he did.

“Be a good girl, alright?” she adds, placing her hands on my shoulders.

Before I can respond—before I can even think of something to say—

She nudges me forward.

Straight toward the door.

“Mom—”

“Go,” she insists lightly, smiling as she pushes me out. “And don’t be late.”

The door shuts behind me.

And just like that—

I’m outside.

Left to deal with him.

Alone.

There he was.

Leaning against the car like he owned not just it, but the entire space around it.

And of course… it wasn’t Joe’s usual car.

No. That would have been too normal.

This one was different. Sleek. Dark. Expensive in the kind of way that didn’t need announcing. A Rolls‑Royce Cullinan, if I wasn’t mistaken. Polished to perfection, quiet power sitting beneath the surface.

Just like him.

God… how can a man look like that this early in the morning?

The sunlight hit him just right, catching on the sharp lines of his face, the dark fall of his hair, the relaxed confidence in the way he stood. One hand rested casually in his pocket, the other loosely holding his keys.

Effortless.

Dangerously effortless.

Snap out of it, Elara.

This is your stepfather.

I forced myself to walk forward, each step measured, controlled, like my heart wasn’t doing something completely embarrassing inside my chest.

“Uhm… you know, I can actually—”

“Shh.”

He didn’t even let me finish.

That single sound cut through my sentence like it didn’t matter.

“Get in the car, princess.”

Princess.

God.

The way he said it—low, smooth, like it wasn’t meant to do anything to me.

But it did.

I blinked slowly, my body going still for half a second before I moved again.

He had already walked around, opening the door for me.

And then he just stood there.

Waiting.

Patient.

Like he knew I would get in.

Like there was no other option.

And somehow…

There wasn’t.

I slid into the seat without another word.

The door closed gently behind me, and a second later, he was already in the driver’s seat.

The engine came alive almost silently.

Of course it did.

For a moment, I just sat there, adjusting my skirt slightly, trying to ignore the way the air inside the car felt different.

Warmer.

Closer.

“You don’t know my school, do you?” I asked, keeping my gaze forward.

My leg started tapping again.

I hated that.

“You underestimate me?” he replied calmly. “Of course I know your school.”

And just like that, he drove off.

The mansion faded behind us.

The drive was quiet at first.

Not awkward.

Not exactly.

Just… heavy.

He drove with one hand on the wheel, relaxed, controlled, like nothing about this required effort. His focus stayed on the road, his posture straight, composed in a way that made it hard not to look.

And I did.

I stole glances.

Quick ones at first.

Then slower.

Longer.

The way his jaw shifted slightly when he focused. The way his fingers flexed lightly against the steering wheel. The faint shadow of stubble along his jawline.

And his scent.

God.

It filled the car slowly, something deep and clean with a darker edge underneath. Not overwhelming. Just enough to linger.

It wrapped around me without asking permission.

And I hated the way I noticed.

Hated the way I didn’t want the ride to end too quickly.

Then he spoke.

Breaking the silence like he had been aware of it the entire time.

“Should I introduce myself?” he asked casually. “Or have you already formed an opinion?”

I let out a soft laugh, turning my head slightly toward the window.

“I think I know enough about you already.”

He made a quiet sound, almost like amusement.

“Interesting,” he said. “I hope you’ve heard good things.”

I glanced at him briefly, a small, sarcastic smile pulling at my lips.

“Depends on what you consider ‘good.’”

That earned me a faint smile.

Not wide.

Not obvious.

But it was there.

Then his tone shifted, just slightly softer now.

“Your mother mentioned you’re sharp,” he said. “I can see that.”

I didn’t respond.

“I’ll try not to disappoint,” he added. “I intend to be a good man… and a good father to you.”

Father.

There it was again.

That word.

I turned my head slowly, looking at him properly this time.

Really looking.

He looked calm.

Certain.

Like he meant every word he said.

And something in my stomach twisted in a way I didn’t understand.

How do I tell this man…

That I don’t want him to be my father?

That I don’t see him that way?

That I can’t?

The words sat at the back of my throat.

And stayed there.

I didn’t say anything.

I just gave a small smile.

Polite.

Careful.

And looked away.

The car slowed not long after.

We had arrived.

Of course we had.

The moment we pulled up, I could already feel it.

The stares.

More than usual this time.

Probably the car.

Definitely the car.

I rolled my eyes slightly, reaching for the door.

“Thanks… Ryder,” I said, his name feeling strange on my tongue.

He didn’t stop me.

Didn’t correct me.

“Let me know when to pick you up,” he said.

And then,

His phone appeared beside me.

An Apple iPhone.

The screen lit up, a soft vibration following as something transferred.

I blinked, glancing down.

Our contacts.

Already exchanged.

Just like that.

I looked at him.

He didn’t look back.

Just focused on the road ahead, like it was nothing.

Like he hadn’t just inserted himself into my day that easily.

I nodded slowly. “Okay.”

Then I stepped out.

The door closed behind me, and the air outside felt… different.

Louder.

Colder.

I adjusted my bag and walked forward, ignoring the looks, the whispers, the curiosity.

Same school.

Same people.

Same routine.

Only now…

Everything felt slightly off.

I exhaled quietly.

“Just get through the day,” I muttered to myself.

No distractions.

No overthinking.

Just classes.

Then home.

Then sleep.

Simple.

At least… that’s what I told myself.

                                                  ~~~

A few days passed.

And how have I been feeling?

Somewhere between numb… and trying too hard not to be.

I sank deeper into the bathtub, warm water curling around my body as I lazily twirled a lollipop between my fingers. My phone rested in my other hand, my thumb scrolling through I*******m without really seeing anything.

Faces. Posts. Adventures. Smiles.

None of it stuck.

I thought training would help.

That throwing myself back into something physical, something familiar, would quiet my mind.

It didn’t.

Not even a little.

If anything, it made things worse. Because no matter how tired my body got, my thoughts didn’t slow down.

They always circled back.

To him.

Kael had noticed.

Of course he did.

He always did.

He asked again yesterday, what was wrong, what had changed. I brushed it off the same way I always had.

Because what was I supposed to say?

That I was losing my mind over a man I wasn’t supposed to even think about?

That the line between right and wrong had already blurred in my head?

It was forbidden.

A taboo.

The kind of thing people don’t listen to… because they don’t want to believe it exists.

I exhaled softly, letting my head rest back against the tub.

Then—

Buzz.

My phone vibrated in my hand.

I glanced down.

A notification.

A group chat.

One of the Silvercrest circles. Pack members around my age and a little more.

I sat up slightly, curiosity pulling me in as I tapped it open.

Messages were already pouring in.

“Tonight at the villa.”

“Don’t even think of missing it.”

“It’s Mira’s birthday, and she’s going all out.”

I blinked, scrolling further.

The villa.

Of course.

One of the private properties owned by one of the elite pack families. Hidden far enough from the main territory to allow chaos without consequences. Massive space, open grounds, music that never stayed quiet, and people who didn’t care what time it was.

“Drinks, music, pool, everything.”

“Who’s in?”

Replies came almost instantly.

“I’m there.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Already getting dressed.”

“Let’s goooo.”

I stared at the screen for a moment longer than necessary.

Then I sighed.

Should I go?

I glanced at the time.

Past 10.

The house was quiet.

Too quiet.

My mom wasn’t home.

And Ryder…

I didn’t even know where he was.

Which, somehow, made it worse.

I leaned my head back slightly, staring at the ceiling.

Instead of sitting here alone, overthinking everything…

Why not go?

It was just a party.

Nothing serious.

Just noise. People. Distraction.

Exactly what I needed.

Before I could change my mind, I typed quickly.

“I’ll be there.”

Almost immediately—

Kael: “Say less. I’m coming too.”

A small smile tugged at my lips.

Then the final message popped up.

“It’s party time.”

I locked my phone and set it aside, the faintest excitement stirring in my chest.

Maybe this would help.

Maybe I could forget.

Even if it was just for a few hours.

I stood up, stepping out of the tub, water dripping down my skin as I reached for a towel.

Tonight wasn’t for thinking.

It was for feeling something else.

Anything else.

I wrapped the towel around myself and walked toward my closet, already pulling my phone back up.

Me: “Joe, get ready. We’re going out tonight.”

I sent the address right after.

A second later—

Joe: “Yes, ma’am.”

Perfect.

I dropped the phone onto the bed and turned to my closet, scanning through my options.

If I was going out…

I wasn’t going quietly.

My fingers stopped on a dress.

Bodycon. Sleek. Expensive in a way that hugged the body like it was made for it. My body shape, very visible.

I pulled it out.

Yeah.

This would do.

By the time I was done, my hair fell perfectly around my shoulders, my makeup soft but intentional. Glossed lips, subtle glow, just enough to catch attention without trying too hard.

When I looked at myself in the mirror, I almost didn’t recognize the girl staring back.

Confident.

Alive.

Like nothing was weighing her down.

I smiled.

Then grabbed my bag, put on my shoes and headed out.

I was halfway to the door—already reaching for the handle—

“Elara.”

I froze.

My entire body stilled at the sound of his voice.

Not my mom.

Him.

Slowly, I turned.

Ryder stood a few steps behind me, like he had been there long enough to watch.

His eyes moved over me.

Not rushed.

Not obvious.

But thorough.

And I felt it.

Everywhere.

I swallowed.

“Where are you going?” he asked, his voice calm, unreadable.

A small, breathless laugh slipped out of me before I could stop it.

Of course.

“How could I not check if he was around?” I muttered beneath my breath

“You say something?” he asked, his gaze sharpening slightly.

I shook my head quickly, forcing a smile.

“No. I said I’m going to a party.”

His brow lifted slightly.

“A party,” he repeated.

His eyes dropped briefly to my dress.

Then back to my face.

“Dressed like that?”

I followed his gaze down at myself, then shrugged lightly.

“What’s wrong with it?”

Silence stretched for half a second.

Then I tilted my head slightly, a hint of defiance slipping in.

“Why are you even awake?” I added. “Don’t you have a wedding to prepare for?”

That landed.

I saw it.

Just a flicker.

“But don’t worry,” I continued, turning back toward the door. “My dad wouldn’t stop me.”

The word hung there.

Intentional.

Sharp.

I didn’t wait for his response.

I opened the door and walked out.

The night air hit me instantly, cool against my skin as I made my way down to where Joe was already waiting.

He stepped out, opening the door for me.

“Good evening, Miss Elara.”

“Evening,” I replied, sliding into the back seat.

The door closed.

The car pulled away.

And just like that—

I left him behind.

Or at least…

That’s what I told myself.

One thing I am ready for tonight is to go all out.

                                    Ryder POV

The house feels different the moment she leaves.

Quieter… but not in a way that settles anything.

I stay where I am for a second longer than necessary, my eyes fixed on the door she just walked through. Like something in me expects it to open again.

It doesn’t.

Of course it doesn’t.

I exhale slowly and turn away, walking back into the living room. Everything is exactly how it was. Nothing out of place. Nothing changed.

Except the air.

I reach for the glass of liquor on the table and pick it up, rolling it slightly in my hand before taking a slow sip. The burn is familiar. Controlled. It grounds me, even if only for a second.

Then she slips back in.

Uninvited.

Elara.

The image of her standing there just minutes ago comes back too easily. Too clearly. Like my mind refuses to let it go.

The dress.

The way it fit her body like it had no business doing. The way her legs looked stepping out of the house, confident without even trying.

My jaw tightens slightly.

Where exactly is she going dressed like that?

Sexy..

I mean, she is my daughter to be, I know how these boys can be.

The thought comes sharper than I expect.

And I don’t like it.

I take another sip, longer this time, letting the liquid settle before I lower the glass again.

This is unnecessary.

I’ve dealt with far more complicated things than this.

Far more dangerous.

And yet….

My mind drifts again.

Her face this time.

That look she gave me. Half defiant. Half something else I couldn’t quite place.

And then her voice…

“My dad wouldn’t stop me.”

A quiet scoff leaves me.

She knew exactly what she was doing with that.

I tilt my head slightly, running my thumb along the rim of the glass as I think.

She shouldn’t be out this late.

Not like that.

Not where people can—

I cut the thought off immediately.

This isn’t your concern.

It shouldn’t be.

But the irritation doesn’t leave.

If anything, it settles deeper.

I finish the rest of the drink in one go, setting the glass down with a soft clink. For a moment, I just stand there, staring at nothing in particular.

Then I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone.

I don’t hesitate.

I dial.

The line rings once.

Twice.

Then,

“Sir.”

Good.

I bring the phone to my ear, my tone already shifting into something colder. Sharper. The version of me that doesn’t question.

“I need you to find something for me,” I say.

A pause.

Then, “What exactly, sir?”

My gaze drifts briefly toward the door again before I answer.

Another pause.

Short.

Understood.

“Yes, sir.”

The line goes quiet for half a second, then..

“It’ll be done.”

“Get back to me ASAP”  I say, and end the call.

I lower the phone slowly, slipping it back into my pocket.

Silence returns.

But this time…

It feels different.

Because now,

I’ll know.