Chapter 111
If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again
When Risa's car quietly left the estate, Patrick went to Brian's room to report the situation. The walls in the room were painted in dark-violet color, and all things were arranged almost with geometric precision. Even the chairs at the small desk in the corner, where Brian sat, were at absolutely equal distance from each other. Everything in this room seemed perfect, just like the look of the owner himself. And only a huge ridiculous wooden rocker chair with a crumpled rug on it did not fit into the overall picture at all.
Patrick paid attention to this interior detail every time. Knowing the peculiarity of the young master, the butler, at first, was waiting for Brian to burn this thing, which Risa brought here. But year after year, the chair seemed to have grown into the interior and even began to give it some kind of comfortable feeling.
"Brian," - called Patrick, tearing the young man's attention off the laptop. Brian raised his head and carefully looked at the newcomer. - "I checked that none of the guards noticed anything suspicious. I just asked the girls to bring them tea with cakes from the chief, so everything should be okay. Mr. Winterbourne is still in his office. He seems to have a meeting with several members of the Council on the video chat. But it must end soon."
Brian frowned, considering his next steps.
"Try to follow and let me know when the meeting is over. I also need you to keep this woman as far as possible from the father, as long as you can. But so that it does not cause her any suspicion."
Patrick nodded again. Of course, he immediately understood who Brian was talking about. Miss Sybil Fisher appeared in their pack a long time ago and almost instantly became the confidant of the Alpha, his only assistant, who poked her nose even in the affairs of the family.
Previously, Brian did not really pay attention to her. She was sweet, polite, efficient and reasonably quiet. But since Risa became his Mate, everything has changed. More and more, this woman's role in the father's plans was beginning to seems questionable. And today he planned to find out this question too.
Letting Patrick go, Brian again concentrated on the files that he was able to intercept from various sources regarding the case of the murder of two werewolves. First of all, it was suspicious that, in spite of the time when the body was found, the real investigation of the matter had not yet begun. Brian knew the Council hounds well. Unfortunately, he already had to face them more than once and didn't want to do it ever again.
Usually, these hounds would have followed the trail within an hour after the discovery of the murdered person, turning the city upside down, but find the one who could be involved in it. And now, about a week has passed, but no one has begun any investigation ...
Immersed in work, Brian did not even notice how time passed, and the door opened again. A young guy appeared on the threshold. Brian recognized Patrick's son right away.
"Father asked me to convey that the meeting seems to be over. Mr. Winterbourne ordered coffee and asked him to find Miss Fisher." - He said quietly, constantly turning around. Brian barely restrained a grin. The guy obviously had no skills to be a spy, since he did not even think to rely on his hearing and was so nervous.
"Alright, Ellie. Tell Patrick, to proceed as I said earlier."
The boy nodded and spun back toward the door, forcing the man at the table to shake his head again.
Well, apparently it was time to start the show!
***
The door to his father's office, as always, was tightly closed. Brian did not bother to knock, and pressing the handle, opened it. The father sat at his wide mahogany table, which was located right in the middle of the room as if by chance indicating who was in charge here. A man with long white hair tucked into a neat ponytail only looked up from his papers for a second. But realizing that this is just Brian, he returned to his business again.
"You have five minutes," - he said coldly, shifting some documents in his hands.
"So nice of you," - Brian blurted out barely restraining his anger, in a waxed tone, with clearly snarling notes in it. - "We have not seen each other for several months, and you not even all that interested in how your own son is doing?"
Ian finally looked up from the papers and glanced at Brian.
"I thought you were a big enough boy and you don't need my pat on the back for every little thing," - he snapped, lifting one brow in question.
The sudden burst of laughter made Ian blink in puzzlement.
" Pat on the back? Are you delusional? Well, I already don't care anyway. But what about Ruslana? Do you want to know how she is doing?"
"I know enough! - the man cut him off, again dropping his eyes to the papers. - "I do not have time to wipe your snots as you and your sister expect me to do."
As soon as Brian heard these words, he barely restrained himself and not to crash the damn table on this man's head.
"Snots, you say? That how you are calling the fact that you sold your own daughter to that filthy bastard, who for thirteen years beat her and humiliated her - all this is just snots?" - hissed Brian clenching his fists.
Ian took a deep breath and lifted a darkened eyes at his son.
" Yes, Bri, imagine this, this is just snots. If your sister were not so weak, she could easily turn everything in her favor. We didn't rise both of you like wimpy fools, who would lay down without a fight and allow every passer-by to spit on you. I thought she was Alpha, and she would be at the head of the Benne pack, but she was just a big disappointment! And so now you come here to accuse me? When are you going to throw off your softness and stupidity? And look at your own weakness openly? Is it so lovely to push the blame on everyone else, closing your eyes on your own misdeeds?"
Brian started to shake, barely controlling himself. He already felt his eyes transforming, and his nails began to turn into claws.
"Father, have you ever considered us as your children? Do you even know what that means !?" - Brian roared through his fangs.
In response to this, the icy face of his father was distorted by a sick smile.
" We spoiled you two in childhood too much." - He pronounced, looking his son straight in the eyes. - "You grow up as spineless lazy idiots. You think in childhood someone approached me and wiped my snot? Ran to my aid, should I just cry? No, Brian! Do you know why? Because I did not cry, as soon as someone mistreats me. I got right back up, punching that person in the face. And not once did I look back for help. Because behind me were people who needed my help and support. So you can blame me for your misfortune with your sister all you want. I did enough so that you could stand up on your own feet, and the fact that you were too weak to size the chance is not my fault!"
Suddenly all the anger in Brian subsided like a wave falling back. Previously, he could not understand, but now as if the image of his father had suddenly changed completely and stood so openly in front of him. Or rather, this man in front of him had never been their father. There was no family. He was always just Alpha, and they were a little insignificant part of his pack. The weakest chess pieces in his plan. In the eyes of this man, there was no feeling. Even if he and his sister were to die before his eyes suddenly, he would not care. Just the total number of pack's members would decrease by a couple of units, that's all ...
And he treated the pack as a corporation. People are just numbers. He didn't even know his kins faces. And all this talk about protection and support were mere cheap slogans. He did not cover his men with his back. He stood on their shoulders and tried so hard not to look down.
Ian was apparently still waiting for new accusations from his son, but Brian did not feel any desire to continue this conversation.
"Mr. Winterbourne," - Brian finally spoke, forcing Ian to raise his eyebrows in surprise at such an address. - "I apologize for interrupting your very important business. I think the news of your grandchildren would hardly interest you too. So I better go. Good day."
When Vicky and Nicky were mentioned, something like a doubt appeared on Ian's face, but it disappeared almost instantly. Yet Brian still managed to notice it and smirked in response.
"Lana and the kids are happy now. There are problems, of course, but they'll manage, and they have their family to help with this. I do not know why I am telling you this, because you are unlikely to ever meet with them. Why would you? They are just a part of your big disappointment."
Brian threw over his shoulder and left the office without looking back, leaving his father alone. And only when his steps subsided in the corridor. The sound of broken glass filled the silent room. Fragments covered the tabletop and the floor. But Ian didn't move, staring in front of him at the bloody hand, with which he crushed the mug, thoughtfully watching as drops of ruby liquid covered documents that seemed so important a few minutes ago.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
When Risa's car quietly left the estate, Patrick went to Brian's room to report the situation. The walls in the room were painted in dark-violet color, and all things were arranged almost with geometric precision. Even the chairs at the small desk in the corner, where Brian sat, were at absolutely equal distance from each other. Everything in this room seemed perfect, just like the look of the owner himself. And only a huge ridiculous wooden rocker chair with a crumpled rug on it did not fit into the overall picture at all.
Patrick paid attention to this interior detail every time. Knowing the peculiarity of the young master, the butler, at first, was waiting for Brian to burn this thing, which Risa brought here. But year after year, the chair seemed to have grown into the interior and even began to give it some kind of comfortable feeling.
"Brian," - called Patrick, tearing the young man's attention off the laptop. Brian raised his head and carefully looked at the newcomer. - "I checked that none of the guards noticed anything suspicious. I just asked the girls to bring them tea with cakes from the chief, so everything should be okay. Mr. Winterbourne is still in his office. He seems to have a meeting with several members of the Council on the video chat. But it must end soon."
Brian frowned, considering his next steps.
"Try to follow and let me know when the meeting is over. I also need you to keep this woman as far as possible from the father, as long as you can. But so that it does not cause her any suspicion."
Patrick nodded again. Of course, he immediately understood who Brian was talking about. Miss Sybil Fisher appeared in their pack a long time ago and almost instantly became the confidant of the Alpha, his only assistant, who poked her nose even in the affairs of the family.
Previously, Brian did not really pay attention to her. She was sweet, polite, efficient and reasonably quiet. But since Risa became his Mate, everything has changed. More and more, this woman's role in the father's plans was beginning to seems questionable. And today he planned to find out this question too.
Letting Patrick go, Brian again concentrated on the files that he was able to intercept from various sources regarding the case of the murder of two werewolves. First of all, it was suspicious that, in spite of the time when the body was found, the real investigation of the matter had not yet begun. Brian knew the Council hounds well. Unfortunately, he already had to face them more than once and didn't want to do it ever again.
Usually, these hounds would have followed the trail within an hour after the discovery of the murdered person, turning the city upside down, but find the one who could be involved in it. And now, about a week has passed, but no one has begun any investigation ...
Immersed in work, Brian did not even notice how time passed, and the door opened again. A young guy appeared on the threshold. Brian recognized Patrick's son right away.
"Father asked me to convey that the meeting seems to be over. Mr. Winterbourne ordered coffee and asked him to find Miss Fisher." - He said quietly, constantly turning around. Brian barely restrained a grin. The guy obviously had no skills to be a spy, since he did not even think to rely on his hearing and was so nervous.
"Alright, Ellie. Tell Patrick, to proceed as I said earlier."
The boy nodded and spun back toward the door, forcing the man at the table to shake his head again.
Well, apparently it was time to start the show!
***
The door to his father's office, as always, was tightly closed. Brian did not bother to knock, and pressing the handle, opened it. The father sat at his wide mahogany table, which was located right in the middle of the room as if by chance indicating who was in charge here. A man with long white hair tucked into a neat ponytail only looked up from his papers for a second. But realizing that this is just Brian, he returned to his business again.
"You have five minutes," - he said coldly, shifting some documents in his hands.
"So nice of you," - Brian blurted out barely restraining his anger, in a waxed tone, with clearly snarling notes in it. - "We have not seen each other for several months, and you not even all that interested in how your own son is doing?"
Ian finally looked up from the papers and glanced at Brian.
"I thought you were a big enough boy and you don't need my pat on the back for every little thing," - he snapped, lifting one brow in question.
The sudden burst of laughter made Ian blink in puzzlement.
" Pat on the back? Are you delusional? Well, I already don't care anyway. But what about Ruslana? Do you want to know how she is doing?"
"I know enough! - the man cut him off, again dropping his eyes to the papers. - "I do not have time to wipe your snots as you and your sister expect me to do."
As soon as Brian heard these words, he barely restrained himself and not to crash the damn table on this man's head.
"Snots, you say? That how you are calling the fact that you sold your own daughter to that filthy bastard, who for thirteen years beat her and humiliated her - all this is just snots?" - hissed Brian clenching his fists.
Ian took a deep breath and lifted a darkened eyes at his son.
" Yes, Bri, imagine this, this is just snots. If your sister were not so weak, she could easily turn everything in her favor. We didn't rise both of you like wimpy fools, who would lay down without a fight and allow every passer-by to spit on you. I thought she was Alpha, and she would be at the head of the Benne pack, but she was just a big disappointment! And so now you come here to accuse me? When are you going to throw off your softness and stupidity? And look at your own weakness openly? Is it so lovely to push the blame on everyone else, closing your eyes on your own misdeeds?"
Brian started to shake, barely controlling himself. He already felt his eyes transforming, and his nails began to turn into claws.
"Father, have you ever considered us as your children? Do you even know what that means !?" - Brian roared through his fangs.
In response to this, the icy face of his father was distorted by a sick smile.
" We spoiled you two in childhood too much." - He pronounced, looking his son straight in the eyes. - "You grow up as spineless lazy idiots. You think in childhood someone approached me and wiped my snot? Ran to my aid, should I just cry? No, Brian! Do you know why? Because I did not cry, as soon as someone mistreats me. I got right back up, punching that person in the face. And not once did I look back for help. Because behind me were people who needed my help and support. So you can blame me for your misfortune with your sister all you want. I did enough so that you could stand up on your own feet, and the fact that you were too weak to size the chance is not my fault!"
Suddenly all the anger in Brian subsided like a wave falling back. Previously, he could not understand, but now as if the image of his father had suddenly changed completely and stood so openly in front of him. Or rather, this man in front of him had never been their father. There was no family. He was always just Alpha, and they were a little insignificant part of his pack. The weakest chess pieces in his plan. In the eyes of this man, there was no feeling. Even if he and his sister were to die before his eyes suddenly, he would not care. Just the total number of pack's members would decrease by a couple of units, that's all ...
And he treated the pack as a corporation. People are just numbers. He didn't even know his kins faces. And all this talk about protection and support were mere cheap slogans. He did not cover his men with his back. He stood on their shoulders and tried so hard not to look down.
Ian was apparently still waiting for new accusations from his son, but Brian did not feel any desire to continue this conversation.
"Mr. Winterbourne," - Brian finally spoke, forcing Ian to raise his eyebrows in surprise at such an address. - "I apologize for interrupting your very important business. I think the news of your grandchildren would hardly interest you too. So I better go. Good day."
When Vicky and Nicky were mentioned, something like a doubt appeared on Ian's face, but it disappeared almost instantly. Yet Brian still managed to notice it and smirked in response.
"Lana and the kids are happy now. There are problems, of course, but they'll manage, and they have their family to help with this. I do not know why I am telling you this, because you are unlikely to ever meet with them. Why would you? They are just a part of your big disappointment."
Brian threw over his shoulder and left the office without looking back, leaving his father alone. And only when his steps subsided in the corridor. The sound of broken glass filled the silent room. Fragments covered the tabletop and the floor. But Ian didn't move, staring in front of him at the bloody hand, with which he crushed the mug, thoughtfully watching as drops of ruby liquid covered documents that seemed so important a few minutes ago.
When Risa's car quietly left the estate, Patrick went to Brian's room to report the situation. The walls in the room were painted in dark-violet color, and all things were arranged almost with geometric precision. Even the chairs at the small desk in the corner, where Brian sat, were at absolutely equal distance from each other. Everything in this room seemed perfect, just like the look of the owner himself. And only a huge ridiculous wooden rocker chair with a crumpled rug on it did not fit into the overall picture at all. Patrick paid attention to this interior detail every time. Knowing the peculiarity of the young master, the butler, at first, was waiting for Brian to burn this thing, which Risa brought here. But year after year, the chair seemed to have grown into the interior and even began to give it some kind of comfortable feeling."Brian," - called Patrick, tearing the young man's attention off the laptop. Brian raised his head and carefully looked at the newcomer. - "I checked that none of the guards noticed anything suspicious. I just asked the girls to bring them tea with cakes from the chief, so everything should be okay. Mr. Winterbourne is still in his office. He seems to have a meeting with several members of the Council on the video chat. But it must end soon." Brian frowned, considering his next steps. "Try to follow and let me know when the meeting is over. I also need you to keep this woman as far as possible from the father, as long as you can. But so that it does not cause her any suspicion." Patrick nodded again. Of course, he immediately understood who Brian was talking about. Miss Sybil Fisher appeared in their pack a long time ago and almost instantly became the confidant of the Alpha, his only assistant, who poked her nose even in the affairs of the family. Previously, Brian did not really pay attention to her. She was sweet, polite, efficient and reasonably quiet. But since Risa became his Mate, everything has changed. More and more, this woman's role in the father's plans was beginning to seems questionable. And today he planned to find out this question too. Letting Patrick go, Brian again concentrated on the files that he was able to intercept from various sources regarding the case of the murder of two werewolves. First of all, it was suspicious that, in spite of the time when the body was found, the real investigation of the matter had not yet begun. Brian knew the Council hounds well. Unfortunately, he already had to face them more than once and didn't want to do it ever again. Usually, these hounds would have followed the trail within an hour after the discovery of the murdered person, turning the city upside down, but find the one who could be involved in it. And now, about a week has passed, but no one has begun any investigation ...Immersed in work, Brian did not even notice how time passed, and the door opened again. A young guy appeared on the threshold. Brian recognized Patrick's son right away."Father asked me to convey that the meeting seems to be over. Mr. Winterbourne ordered coffee and asked him to find Miss Fisher." - He said quietly, constantly turning around. Brian barely restrained a grin. The guy obviously had no skills to be a spy, since he did not even think to rely on his hearing and was so nervous."Alright, Ellie. Tell Patrick, to proceed as I said earlier."The boy nodded and spun back toward the door, forcing the man at the table to shake his head again.Well, apparently it was time to start the show!***The door to his father's office, as always, was tightly closed. Brian did not bother to knock, and pressing the handle, opened it. The father sat at his wide mahogany table, which was located right in the middle of the room as if by chance indicating who was in charge here. A man with long white hair tucked into a neat ponytail only looked up from his papers for a second. But realizing that this is just Brian, he returned to his business again."You have five minutes," - he said coldly, shifting some documents in his hands."So nice of you," - Brian blurted out barely restraining his anger, in a waxed tone, with clearly snarling notes in it. - "We have not seen each other for several months, and you not even all that interested in how your own son is doing?"Ian finally looked up from the papers and glanced at Brian."I thought you were a big enough boy and you don't need my pat on the back for every little thing," - he snapped, lifting one brow in question.The sudden burst of laughter made Ian blink in puzzlement." Pat on the back? Are you delusional? Well, I already don't care anyway. But what about Ruslana? Do you want to know how she is doing?""I know enough! - the man cut him off, again dropping his eyes to the papers. - "I do not have time to wipe your snots as you and your sister expect me to do."As soon as Brian heard these words, he barely restrained himself and not to crash the damn table on this man's head."Snots, you say? That how you are calling the fact that you sold your own daughter to that filthy bastard, who for thirteen years beat her and humiliated her - all this is just snots?" - hissed Brian clenching his fists. Ian took a deep breath and lifted a darkened eyes at his son." Yes, Bri, imagine this, this is just snots. If your sister were not so weak, she could easily turn everything in her favor. We didn't rise both of you like wimpy fools, who would lay down without a fight and allow every passer-by to spit on you. I thought she was Alpha, and she would be at the head of the Benne pack, but she was just a big disappointment! And so now you come here to accuse me? When are you going to throw off your softness and stupidity? And look at your own weakness openly? Is it so lovely to push the blame on everyone else, closing your eyes on your own misdeeds?"Brian started to shake, barely controlling himself. He already felt his eyes transforming, and his nails began to turn into claws. "Father, have you ever considered us as your children? Do you even know what that means !?" - Brian roared through his fangs.In response to this, the icy face of his father was distorted by a sick smile." We spoiled you two in childhood too much." - He pronounced, looking his son straight in the eyes. - "You grow up as spineless lazy idiots. You think in childhood someone approached me and wiped my snot? Ran to my aid, should I just cry? No, Brian! Do you know why? Because I did not cry, as soon as someone mistreats me. I got right back up, punching that person in the face. And not once did I look back for help. Because behind me were people who needed my help and support. So you can blame me for your misfortune with your sister all you want. I did enough so that you could stand up on your own feet, and the fact that you were too weak to size the chance is not my fault!"Suddenly all the anger in Brian subsided like a wave falling back. Previously, he could not understand, but now as if the image of his father had suddenly changed completely and stood so openly in front of him. Or rather, this man in front of him had never been their father. There was no family. He was always just Alpha, and they were a little insignificant part of his pack. The weakest chess pieces in his plan. In the eyes of this man, there was no feeling. Even if he and his sister were to die before his eyes suddenly, he would not care. Just the total number of pack's members would decrease by a couple of units, that's all ...And he treated the pack as a corporation. People are just numbers. He didn't even know his kins faces. And all this talk about protection and support were mere cheap slogans. He did not cover his men with his back. He stood on their shoulders and tried so hard not to look down.Ian was apparently still waiting for new accusations from his son, but Brian did not feel any desire to continue this conversation. "Mr. Winterbourne," - Brian finally spoke, forcing Ian to raise his eyebrows in surprise at such an address. - "I apologize for interrupting your very important business. I think the news of your grandchildren would hardly interest you too. So I better go. Good day."When Vicky and Nicky were mentioned, something like a doubt appeared on Ian's face, but it disappeared almost instantly. Yet Brian still managed to notice it and smirked in response."Lana and the kids are happy now. There are problems, of course, but they'll manage, and they have their family to help with this. I do not know why I am telling you this, because you are unlikely to ever meet with them. Why would you? They are just a part of your big disappointment."Brian threw over his shoulder and left the office without looking back, leaving his father alone. And only when his steps subsided in the corridor. The sound of broken glass filled the silent room. Fragments covered the tabletop and the floor. But Ian didn't move, staring in front of him at the bloody hand, with which he crushed the mug, thoughtfully watching as drops of ruby liquid covered documents that seemed so important a few minutes ago.
