Seduction attempt

“Damn, being Alpha of the pack is more stressful than I ever imagined,” Lucian complained, looking drained as he leaned back against the armrest.

“Yeah, it’s stressful,” Damien admitted, his voice low, “but I’m not bothered by that now. What’s on my mind is that I haven’t seen our mate for almost a month.” His tone carried a somber weight that silenced the room for a moment.

Kael didn’t offer any suggestions; instead, he simply watched his brothers complain, his face unreadable.

“I think we should check other packs to see if our mate is there,” Lucian suggested, his tone firm. It was a good idea, but he didn’t realize he needed to think outside the box.

“Yeah, that makes sense. But if we’re going to do that, we need to do it secretly,” Damien added. “We have to make Father believe we’ve forgotten about her.”

“What do you think, Kael?” Lucian turned to his brother.

If only they knew, Kael thought, but he didn’t voice it aloud.

“Yeah, it’s a great plan,” he said instead, a fake smile curving his lips…one that looked convincing enough.

“That means we’ll have to work harder to convince Father we’ve let her go,” Damien spoke with determination.

Kael scoffed inwardly. His brothers thought that it was clever, but to him, they were still thinking too small.

“Kael, what’s with that calculating gaze? Do you have doubts, or are you thinking of something else?” Lucian asked, concern flashing across his features. He had no idea Kael’s mind wasn’t even in the same place as theirs.

“Nothing much. I was just reasoning something,” Kael replied lightly, letting out a small laugh to ease the tension.

“If you say so,” Lucian said, shrugging his shoulders.

While Lucian and Damien continued their back-and-forth, Kael remained mostly silent, speaking only when necessary. The conversation paused when Cassidy stepped in, balancing a tray of orange juice in her hands.

“Good day, Alphas. It’s so nice to see you,” she greeted with a bright, sugary smile.

‘Ugh, won’t she ever quit this fake act of hers?’ Lucian thought, fighting the urge to roll his eyes.

“Yeah, thanks,” he replied curtly, even though he didn’t want to. His brothers weren’t even going to look at her, so the duty fell to him.

“I brought you some orange juice. It’s refreshing,” Cassidy said, her smile never faltering.

“Thanks, but we’re fine. There’s no need for that,” Lucian answered calmly, mindful of the relationship their father had with hers.

“Okay, then. There’s this document I wanted you all to see,” Cassidy said politely.

‘Why does this bitch have to be so annoying?’ Kael thought, keeping his expression neutral.

“Where is it?” Lucian asked, raising a brow.

“It’s in my room. Let me go get it,” Cassidy replied before turning and leaving.

Kael watched her walk away, suspicion blazing in his eyes. He knew she was up to no good.

“Why did you act so friendly with her?” Damien asked, narrowing his gaze at Lucian.

“You know our father and hers are close. We can’t just treat her carelessly,” Lucian reasoned.

“I don’t care. She’s scheming, and I want nothing to do with her,” Damien growled through clenched teeth.

“Let’s go inside. This isn’t something to discuss out here,” Kael suggested, opening the door to the room he’d been leaning against.

“Yeah, that makes sense. Let’s get in,” Lucian agreed, walking through first.

“We don’t want anyone overhearing us,” Damien added, following inside. Kael entered last, closing the door behind them.

Lucian sank onto the sofa, Damien joining him. Kael stayed standing, arms crossed over his chest.

“Come sit here, Kael,” Lucian said, patting the cushion beside him.

“I’m fine here,” Kael rejected, his voice flat.

“It’s not like you’ll stand forever,” Lucian teased, rolling his eyes.

Kael didn’t answer this time, simply holding his ground.

“As I was saying, we have to be polite with Cassidy since her father and ours are close,” Lucian continued.

“I’m not doing that, Lucian, so stop bringing it up,” Damien snapped.

“You know her father is a loyal Beta to ours,” Lucian reminded him.

Kael scoffed inwardly. “If only he knew. It's a pity my brother is still naïve.

“How sure are you that the Beta’s even loyal?” Damien asked, tapping his fingers on his thigh.

“I’m sure. Haven’t you seen how he follows everything Father tells him?” Lucian tilted his head at Damien.

Kael couldn’t help scoffing out loud this time.

Both brothers turned to him.

“Why did you scoff?” Lucian asked, surprised.

“No reason,” Kael said with a shrug.

“Don’t lie, Kay,” Lucian pushed, smirking.

“I’m not lying. And don’t call me Kay… that’s not my name,” Kael snapped, his nostrils flaring and fists tightening.

“But it suits you, Kay,” Lucian teased, the smirk never leaving his face.

“Don’t call me that,” Kael warned.

“Damn, you’re so short-tempered,” Lucian muttered, rolling his eyes dramatically.

“Ding dong”

The chime of the doorbell echoed through the room.

“I wonder who the heck that is,” Lucian said.

“Probably Cassidy,” Damien guessed.

“You won’t know until you check,” Lucian replied.

“I’ll go,” Kael volunteered, moving towards the door.

He peeked through the keyhole, and of course, it was Cassidy. With a sigh, he opened the door.

“Hi, I brought the documents,” she said with a practiced smile.

Kael’s eyes swept over her, narrowing when he noticed the robe.

“Why are you wearing that?” he asked bluntly, pointing at it.

“My clothes got wet, so I changed into this. It’s comfortable,” Cassidy lied smoothly.

“How did you get wet?” Kael pressed, already knowing she’d invent another excuse.

“A maid spilled water on me,” she answered quickly.

Lucian looked over. “Come, take a seat,” he said politely, gesturing to the chair across from them.

“Thanks,” Cassidy beamed, striding over. She placed the documents on the table before sitting down.

Damien reached for the folder, flipping through its contents.

“It’s hot in here,” Cassidy complained, shifting.

“Should I turn on the air conditioner?” Lucian asked.

“No need,” she replied, and in one swift motion, she stood and let the robe slip off her shoulders, revealing herself in nothing but a lacy bra and panties.

‘Damn, this girl really has guts’, Kael thought, leaning against the doorframe.

Damien glanced up from the document, only to be met with the sight of Cassidy’s near-naked body.

“This document doesn’t concern us,” Damien said flatly, tossing it back onto the table. “It only shows Father’s decision to reject an alliance with another pack.”

“Yeah, but I wanted you to know,” Cassidy replied, batting her lashes.

Lucian’s face hardened. He was no longer shocked, but furious.

“Leave,” he snapped.

“Okay,” Cassidy said lightly, reaching for her robe.

“Now!” Lucian roared.

“Okay,” she repeated, grabbing the documents before hurrying out.

“I knew she was up to no good,” Kael muttered, finally moving toward the couch.

“Yeah, I guess,” Lucian admitted, his tone flat.

“She’s not going to stop until she gets what she wants,” Kael said, settling onto the sofa with elegance.

“Yeah,” Damien agreed.

“I guess we’ll just have to avoid her,” Lucian said, but what none of them realized was that their father already had a scheme brewing.