Chapter 289: Unfair

Xavier’s smile instantly faltered, his brow furrowing in deep irritation. "That list was intended for Killian," he said coldly.

Kieran chimed in smoothly from the side, his voice dripping with cool indifference. "We are triplets," Kieran explained, leaning back against the sofa. "Despite Killian being born minutes earlier, none of us have been officially designated as the sole heir over the others. Which means any one of the three of us holds the equal right to accept it on behalf of the family."

Xavier opened his mouth to argue, but closed it just as quickly. He knew the ancient pack laws—unless one of the triplets found their true fated mate and claimed the Alpha throne directly, their authority was entirely shared.

Killian let out a quiet sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose, opting not to contest Kaden’s sudden interference.

Kaden slowly opened the envelope, his golden wolf eyes sweeping over the dark ink lines detailing land titles, rare jewels, and—most importantly—the exclusive mining rights to the magic stone deposits nestled deep within the Velmore territory. That single clause was the entire reason Alexander had agreed to this political match in the first place.

’ You must really love her to give away your family’s primary mine,’ Kaden’s voice echoed directly into Xavier’s mind via a private mindlink, laced with a mocking edge.

Xavier’s lips curled into a subtle, confident smirk as he linked back. ’It is merely one of mine, Kaden. My family still controls three others.’

A low, dry laugh escaped Kaden’s throat as he folded the list with a deliberate, slow motion "I suppose I can’t bring myself to reject an offering given with such incredible intention," Kaden said aloud, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he handed the document off.

Xavier smiled tightly, inclining his head. "Thank you."

Aevia stepped forward immediately, waving her hand to instruct the family steward. "Take the gifts up to the main holding room, please," she ordered efficiently.

Yuki glanced between Xavier and Kaden, her brow furrowed in utter confusion. She had a thousand questions burning in her throat about what had just transpired in that silent exchange, but before she could speak, Alexander’s stern voice cut off all conversation.

"I will leave the rest of you to discuss the party details," Alexander announced loudly, his cold eyes sweeping over his three sons. "Killian. Kieran. Kaden. Come with me. Now."

He turned on his heel and strode out of the drawing room without waiting for a reply.

Kaden let out a low laugh, bumping his shoulder against Kieran’s as they moved toward the door. "Looks like you’re about to be thoroughly chewed out by the old man, Doc," he teased wickedly.

"Shut up, Kaden," Kieran muttered irritably, adjusting his collar as he walked out.

Killian gave Kaden a heavy, knowing look—a silent warning to keep his mouth shut—before following Kieran down the corridor.

Kaden was the last to leave. Before stepping through the doorway, he paused, casting one final, lingering look back into the brightly lit drawing room. Mrs Velmore was excitedly sliding a heavy gold bracelet onto Yuki’s slender wrist, while Aevia gestured animatedly over a list of engagement events.

It looked so peaceful, so warm, so perfectly harmonious—in a cruel, twisted way that made Kaden’s blood run cold.

A bitter, humourless smile touched his lips, and he turned away, pulling the heavy double doors shut behind him. His hands balled into tight, white-knuckled fists inside his pockets.

Why the hell is life so unfair? he thought savagely, his chest burning with raw resentment.

Aevia had built a new, luxurious family with Alexander, acquiring boundless wealth, status, and power, and now she looked so utterly fulfilled doing the exact same thing for Yuki. But every single piece of their paradise had been constructed on the ruined foundation of his own mother’s life. His mother’s marriage had been destroyed, their rightful claim to the pack throne gambled away when they rejected their own fated mates—because accepting those bonds would have meant betraying everything they stood for.

It was sickeningly, brutally unfair.

Kaden made his way down the quiet, carpeted hallway toward Alexander’s private bar. He pushed the heavy mahogany door open, stepping into the dimly lit room. Killian and Kieran were already seated in the high-backed leather armchairs, while Alexander stood behind the polished marble counter, pouring himself a generous glass of aged amber scotch.

Kaden couldn’t help the snicker that escaped his lips. "Isn’t it a bit early in the morning to be hitting the bottle, old man?" he mocked softly, dropping into an empty chair.

Alexander scoffed, swirling the dark liquid in his glass before lifting his gaze. "I wouldn’t need to drink at 7:00 AM if you three weren’t constantly causing me endless headaches," he replied dryly, his voice gravelly. "The military command and the pack council are breathing down my neck because of Kieran’s absurd stunt at the hospital. A highly trained warrior went rabid rogue, and Yuki was scratched in the chaos."

Kaden let out a low, mocking laugh, leaning back and crossing his legs. "Well, maybe if you hadn’t decided to pursue a wild, second-chance romance late in life, none of us would be stuck in this pathetic situation to begin with."

Alexander froze, his jaw clenching as he downed the entire glass of scotch in a single gulp, the harsh alcohol burning down his throat. He set the heavy glass down onto the marble counter with a sharp, echoing clack. Knowing better than to get dragged into a pointless verbal spat with Kaden’s volatile temper, Alexander simply clicked his tongue and turned away.

Killian spoke up, his voice smooth, cold, and instantly commanding. "That is enough, Kaden. This isn’t the time." He then turned his blue eyes onto Alexander, giving his father a sharp, judgmental look. "Though you really should listen to him, Father. It is far too early to be drinking."

There was always something so naturally authoritative about Killian’s posture and gaze—a cold, unyielding power that Alexander had found subtly unnerving ever since Killian was a young boy.

Alexander let go of the empty crystal glass and let out a dry snicker. "You know, Kaden," Alexander said, leaning against the counter, "you could stand to learn a bit of restraint from your older brother."

Kaden immediately shot back, his tone dripping with disdain. "No thank you. I’d rather die than walk around with a permanent poker face like his."

A short, involuntary laugh escaped Kieran’s lips before he could stop himself.