Jason let out a slow breath, as if it took everything not to erupt.
Susan turned to Cael. "Still, we need to verify paternity. It's standard, heartbeat doesn't prove the father."
"I'm not waiting for a test," Cael said, his voice low but resolute. Mary narrowed her gaze at her son in confusion. "You are making a very dangerous choice."
He shrugged, his face blank. "It's my decision to make."
"They're playing you," Jason snapped. "And you're letting them.."
"I won't risk it," Cael said. "If it's mine, then I need to do right by it."
Susan interjected gently. "Cael, doing right by a child doesn't mean sacrificing your judgment."
Mary let out a sigh, from the look on her son's face, she knew anything they said now would just be them wasting their energy. Cael's eyes were shuttered, his walls were up. He had closed himself off.
She turned to the rest and gave them a calming smile. "I think we should all calm down and go with the directive of our alpha."
