Chapter 4

Phoenix

I go to the club for a drink. Most of the werewolves there are from my training camp; we run several companies together. That's how I've built my own wealth, money that has nothing to do with my father.

He's such a selfish piece-of-shit. I knew he had an agenda. He didn't welcome me back because he missed his son or anything. He just saw me as a pawn in his wicked game.

Just like my little wolf and her mother.

I should have never came back, never trusted a single word he said.

I now wonder if maybe she was just a slave to the mate bond. She hated the way he treated both her and me, yet she stayed. Perhaps she had no way out. But I refuse to get trapped here like she was. Tonight, I'll head to the palace and ask for a place in my uncle's guard.

"Another," I tell the bartender, a seductive smile playing on her lips as she quickly mixes another old-fashioned with practiced ease. The clink of ice against glass and the rich aroma of bourbon fill the air, momentarily distracting me from my thoughts. Uncle Luke and I would always sneak off for a drink when Dad was acting like a giant dick. Those secret outings probably saved me from ending up in jail for beating my father into a bloody pulp.

"Nix, I thought I'd find you here," my Uncle's voice resounds behind me, as if I've summoned him with my thoughts.

"Hey Unc," I greet, taking a measured sip of my drink. "Yeah, kinda own this bar. Thought I should take advantage of the free drinks. What are you doing here?"

His eyes sweep over me, taking me in. "I'm guessing the chat with your father didn't go well?"

My jaw clenches. "Of course not. He only wanted me to return so he can use me to gain support to replace the King," I reply bitterly.

A dark expression clouds his face. "Fuck," he mutters under his breath. I open my mouth to ask what's wrong, but he speaks again. "Nix, meet me in my office in thirty minutes. I need to speak with you privately, away from prying ears," he insists, a strange edge to his voice.

By the look on his face, it's something serious. Something about my father only he knows.

I nod. "Will do."

He nods and walks out of the bar like he's in a rush.

Fuck. It has to be something bad. That's the only reason he would react like that.

I step outside to get some fresh air, preparing myself for the meeting with Uncle Luke. The cool night hits me, a welcome contrast to the warm, crowded interior of the bar. I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head.

Right now would be a good time to get my dick sucked; that would at least release some of my stress after this shitty-ass day.

I immediately imagine by stepsister, on her knees, gargling and choking on my cock. She looks so innocent, with those deer-like eyes and those pouty lips that are just begging for my cock between them. She might be a good girl for now, but by the time I'm done with her, she won't even be able to recognize herself. My cock strains in my pants, and I groan softly, leaning against the wall to steady myself since it seems all of my blood is flowing to my massive erection.

"Need me to take care of that?" a familiar feminine voice says, and my head snaps in her direction. Faith. I should've known one of my fuckbuddies would be here tonight looking for me.

"Is that all for me?" she asks, licking her lips as she steps closer and grabs my dick. She's wearing a shirt with a v-line, exposing her breasts and a short skirt I can easily lift. It immediately reminds me of Selene.

I grin, grabbing her hips and grinding my erection against her. "It can be," I whisper in her ear.

She shudders, letting out a soft moan. "Fuck me," she demands. "Right in the bushes."

I squeeze one of her firm ass cheeks. "I'm the only one allowed to make demands," I growl, picking her up so she can wrap her legs around my waist. I step into the bushes, and push her against the wall of the building, grinding harder against her. I can smell her arousal...she wants me as always.

As she kisses my neck, I bristle, all of my lust diminishing in an instant. Even my dick softens.

What the fuck? This has never happened before.

Faith immediately notices by reaction, or lack thereof. "Is something wrong?" she asks with a nervous laugh. "Seems your dick fell asleep on me."

The only reason I can think of is that she isn't my stepsister.

But I've never lost a hard-on just because I couldn't fuck one chick. It doesn't make sense.

I lower faith to the ground. "Sorry, I have a meeting," I mumble before turning around and walking off without stealing a second glance at her.

---

I walk into Uncle Luke's office and close the door behind me. The dim lighting in the room casts long shadows across the room, highlighting the worry lines deeply etched in his face. He's sitting at his desk, surrounded by a large stack of paper and his glowing computer screen.

"What's going on, Unc? You seem...worried," I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.

He nods slowly, tension evident in his shoulders. "I am. There's some suspicious shit going on that has your father's name all over it," he says through gritted teeth.

I sit down. "Like?" I ask, leaning closer. My heart thunders in my chest as a million different scenarios race through my mind.

Clearing his throat, he turns his full attention to me. "The Alpha King has been suspected of illegal trading. He will be deposed by the Council immediately," he informs me, his voice low and serious.

Before I can even begin to process that bombshell, he continues. "I looked into it and I found a large transfer from Alpha King Derek's laundering account stopped in your father's account for two minutes until it was moved again."

My brows pinch together. "Y-You think he was involved?"

"Very much so," he answers confidently.

That makes sense for him to have a hand in some shady shit.

"How can we prove that to the Council?" I ask, determination pumping through my veins. The thought of exposing my father for what he really is gives me a mental hard-on.

"Before you get ahead of yourself...one more thing," he adds, stroking his beard. The account numbers belong to Penny's offshore accounts. It appears as if she's been moving large funds for the past eighteen years."

This news catches me off guard. My mind reels as I struggle to understand the implications.

Holy fuck.

Is my mom still...alive?