Amias's chest contracts painfully as the Alpha's eyes narrow, sweeping over the scene with disapproval already etched into his brow. "What the hell is going on here?"
Before anyone can answer, Darien steps forward.
"It was nothing, Father," he says, smoothing his shirt like it wasn't nearly torn. "I-It's just a misunderstanding. We were just talking."
"You call that talking?" Grayson scoffs.
"It's true. I said something I shouldn't have. Amias was reacting. It's over now." Darien insists.
Inés's eyes trail toward her son. It's subtle, but unmistakably proud and Amias sees it. Fucking Inés is proud of her son. And that's when Amias loses it, because of course, Darien would protect him. Would "be the bigger man." Would hand him a way out and look like a saint doing it. The same way he's always been. Always smooth. Always righteous.
