Accused of Stealing

“Do either of you want to be betrothed? If there is any young damsel you desire, speak now, and I will arrange an engagement to ensure no one else claims her while you are away for these five years,” Alpha Richardson said, offering the same suggestion his father had given him when he went for his own training.

“No one, Father,” Damon replied without hesitation.

There was no other lady he desired apart from the one he had already rejected—Amara.

Alpha Richardson furrowed his brow and glanced at Damon, wondering why his son declined so quickly.

“Why, son?” Alpha Richardson asked, his gaze curious.

Damon sighed and ran a hand through his hair before meeting his father’s eyes. “Because I want to marry my mate. I believe she’s out there,” he lied smoothly.

His wolf growled in protest, but Damon ignored it.

Alpha Richardson nodded. “That is a wise choice,” he muttered, turning to his other son, Darius, who had been quiet and lost in thought—his mind consumed with Amara.

“Are you okay, Darius?” Alpha Richardson asked, calling him by his name softly.

Darius nodded, trying to compose himself. Alpha Richardson lowered his gaze, fixing a suspicious look on his son. “It seems you have someone in mind. Tell me, who is she?” he urged.

A lump formed in Darius’s throat as he contemplated speaking. He wanted to ask his father to betroth him to Amara, but he worried about how she would feel.

He knew she loved Damon and saw him only as a brother. If the Alpha asked, Amara would respectfully agree, but it wouldn’t come from her heart—it would be forced. And that was something Darius could never allow.

“Come on, brother, tell Father,” Damon urged, already aware of what was on his brother’s mind.

Darius swallowed nervously and looked away, unable to speak.

“Tell me, son. Who is she? You don’t have to worry about her status. Even if she’s an omega, as long as you love each other, I will support your bond,” Alpha Richardson assured warmly.

He thought the lady Darius loved was of low rank, which was why he hesitated to speak. But that wasn’t the case. Darius didn’t want to force Amara into something she clearly didn’t want.

“Forget it, Father,” Darius finally said quietly.

Alpha Richardson narrowed his gaze, staring at him with suspicion. He knew something was going on but couldn’t place what it was.

“Are you sure, son? I might be an Alpha, but you two are my sons—my life—and I would do anything for you,” Alpha Richardson said sincerely. His sons meant the world to him, and he would do anything to make them happy.

His gaze moved from Darius to Damon, trying to read their expressions. He knew them well enough to sense when something was wrong, but he decided to let it go for now.

“Very well,” he finally said, sighing. “But remember, the offer stands. Whenever you find someone worthy of your heart, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

Damon nodded, his face calm and composed, but inside, he was relieved. The less his father probed into their private affairs, the better.

Darius, on the other hand, still looked troubled, his mind clearly elsewhere.

Alpha Richardson clapped his hands together, dismissing the previous tension. “Now, let’s focus on your training. You leave in a few days, and I want both of you prepared for what’s to come.”

Both brothers nodded, their minds shifting to the rigorous training that awaited them.

The Alpha’s Academy was known throughout the continent for its intensity—five years away from home, away from their pack and everything they knew. Five years to become stronger, more formidable, and worthy of their father’s legacy.

As they sat there, Alpha Richardson’s gaze softened. “I am proud of both of you,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “You are the future of this pack—my legacy. And I know you will make me proud.”

Damon smiled with his usual confident smirk. “We will, Father. We promise.”

Darius, still lost in thought, managed a small smile. But his mind was elsewhere—on Amara.

He couldn’t help but wonder if he had made the right decision by staying silent. Then again, he knew Amara’s heart belonged to another. Forcing her into anything would only drive her further away, and that was the last thing he wanted.

“Good,” Alpha Richardson said with a satisfied grin. “Now go and make your preparations. We have much to do before you depart.”

With a respectful nod, both brothers turned to leave.

As they walked out of their father’s chambers, Damon leaned closer to Darius, his voice low and teasing. “You should’ve just told him about Amara. Who knows, maybe Father could’ve convinced her.”

Darius’s jaw tightened, and he shot his brother a glare. “It’s not that simple, Damon. Amara loves you, not me. Forcing her would only make her hate me.”

Damon shrugged, acting indifferent. “Then she had better kill any feelings for me, because I will never want her.”

He spelled out each word coldly, putting on his best act. “You’d better do something. You still have time.”

Darius shook his head, pushing open the door to their quarters. “Time is the one thing I don’t have. And even if I did, I wouldn’t use it to force someone into loving me.”

Damon’s smirk faded, and he gave his brother a serious look. “I’m just saying—don’t give up too easily. You never know how things might turn out.”

With those words, he turned and began heading to his room—but suddenly heard voices coming from the sitting room, making his brow furrow in curiosity.

“What’s happening?” he murmured to his wolf and took the path toward the sound.

When he arrived, he froze.

His mother, Luna Anita, was seated on the couch, Amara standing before her—while Antonia sat beside Luna with a self-satisfied smirk.

“What’s going on?” Damon asked, his sharp gaze sweeping the room before settling on Amara, who looked pale and anxious.

Luna Anita glanced up, her expression softening briefly when she saw her son, before hardening again as her eyes fixed on Amara.

“Amara has been accused of stealing, Damon,” she announced, her voice steady but laced with disappointment.

Damon blinked. “Stealing?” he repeated, taken aback. His gaze darted to Amara. “Amara, is this true?”

Amara shook her head immediately. “I didn’t—” she began to say, but Antonia’s cold voice cut through the air.