The weight of my father's ultimatum pressed down on me like a physical burden. I didn't want to believe it, didn't want to accept the inevitability of what he demanded. But the cold certainty in his eyes, the implicit threat to Krista and everyone she held dear, was a crushing reality. I needed to tell Christian and Ethan. They, along with Marcus and Jeremy, were more than just clan members; they were the closest I had to brothers, bound by secrets and shared purpose.
I found them later that evening, away from the main gathering, in a secluded annex typically used for strategic planning. The moment I entered, their expressions shifted from casual conversation to immediate concern. They knew something was wrong. My usual composure had fractured.
"My father summoned me," I began, my voice hoarse, the words tasting like ash. "He knows about Krista. About our involvement with the orphanage. About Amelia."
Christian's jaw tightened. Ethan exchanged a grim look with Marcus. Jeremy, for once, was silent.
"He threatened them," I continued, the words coming out in a rush, a bitter confession. "If we don't sever all ties, immediately upon our return... he promised consequences. Not just for us, but for Krista. Her family. Philip. Anita. Everyone involved."
Silence descended, heavy and suffocating. I saw the shock, then the anger, flicker across their faces.
"He can't do that," Ethan finally managed, his voice low, incredulous. "He wouldn't."
"He will," I countered, my voice flat. "He means it. He mentioned the 'purity of our influence,' the 'preservation of our order.' He sees them as liabilities, threats to the delicate balance we maintain with the humans. And he won't hesitate to eliminate threats, no matter what it takes."
Christian stepped forward, his eyes narrowed in thought. "He has the resources. The connections. It's not an idle threat."
"So, what do we do?" Jeremy asked, his usual boundless energy replaced by a nervous tension. "We just... abandon them? After everything?"
The question hung in the air, a cruel echo of my own tormented thoughts. "We have no choice," I forced out, the admission tearing at me. "If we defy him, we sign their death warrants. He's that ruthless. He showed me. He knows what I... what we feel for them." The last part was a whisper, a vulnerability I rarely allowed myself.
Marcus, who usually kept to himself, spoke then, his voice quiet but firm. "It's a bitter pill, Kai. But if what you say is true, protecting them means keeping our distance. It's the only way to shield them from the full wrath of the Council, or your father directly."
"The mission," Ethan reminded us, ever practical. "What about Amelia? The orphanage?"
"We continue it," I said, a flicker of defiance igniting within me. "But we do it alone. Or, rather, just us. No human involvement. We can't risk leading him to more connections, more reasons to act."
Christian nodded. "We'll have to be careful. More careful than ever. He'll be watching."
"And the break with them?" Jeremy asked, his gaze fixed on me. "How do we do it? Just... disappear?"
"No," I decided, the plan forming, cold and sharp in my mind. "It has to be clear. Undeniable. We return, and we ignore them. Cut them off completely. No words, no explanations. Make it seem like we want nothing more to do with them. It will hurt them, I know, but it has to be convincing. For their own sake."
The silence returned, heavier this time, filled with the unspoken sorrow of the decision. Each of us understood the immense personal cost. It was a strategic retreat, a necessary sacrifice to protect the people we had come to care for, even if it meant breaking their hearts, and our own. We were purebloods, bound by ancient laws and dangerous loyalties, and sometimes, the only way to save someone was to become their enemy.