The next morning, Rain came downstairs with the baby, who just wouldn't stop crying. Rain felt like crying too—he couldn't handle this anymore.
He hadn't slept the whole night because of the baby and was completely irritable.
Downstairs, he found River in a wrecked living room, passed out on the couch while clutching something tightly. Rocking the baby, Rain walked closer.
The younger alpha was surprised River hadn't woken up with all the crying. He looked helplessly at his brother.
Rain carefully took the letter from River's hand and read it.
His eyes widened in shock. He couldn't believe it—his father had left them in the hands of a stranger.
His hands shook as he clenched the paper in anger.
Just then, View came downstairs. Rain glared at him, but the beta only stretched and yawned.
"Morning, Young Master!" View greeted cheerfully, acting like nothing was wrong. Then he glanced at the baby, still wailing, and sighed.
"Hand him over," View said, walking closer.
Rain stepped back instantly, clutching the baby tighter. "Stay away from us!"
"Master Rain, don't be childish. The baby's uncomfortable. Let me check him."
"I said no!" Rain shouted.
But the baby's cries only grew louder—so loud that River shot up in panic. He spotted View near Rain and growled.
"What the hell did you do now?!"
"God! Are all alphas this dumb, or are you two special cases?" View snapped. "Can't you see the baby's in pain? Give him to me!"
Both brothers froze, stunned by the beta's outburst.
Rain hesitated, but finally handed the baby over. View huffed, then gently cradled the child in his arms.
"See? He's still crying! You're no better than us!" Rain said, almost smug, but View ignored him and turned to River.
"When was the last time you fed him?"
River blinked, confused. "I… I don't know. Maybe yesterday evening?"
View's eyes widened. He wanted to scream at them but held it in. First, he had to feed the baby.
---
An hour later, the baby had finished the formula View prepared and was now sleeping peacefully.
They all sat in the living room. Rain stared at the baby in shock. "That's the quietest I've seen him since he was born."
"Well, I'm not surprised," View hissed. "You idiots don't even remember to feed him on time."
Both brothers looked offended, but too embarrassed to argue.
"It's not our fault! We aren't baby experts!" River muttered, frustrated. Rain nodded quickly, backing him up.
"You're both useless," View scolded.
Rain shot up angrily, but River stopped him with a hand before things exploded again.
After a pause, View looked at River seriously. "So? What did you decide? Because after seeing how you're raising this baby, I'm not leaving him in your care."
"You're not taking him away!" River snapped.
View sighed. "I don't want to either, Alpha. But if you're not willing…" His eyes shifted between River and Rain.
River rubbed his face in frustration. Rain looked at him nervously—he knew the letter gave the beta real power to take them away.
"Who else knows about this?" River finally asked.
"Other than Mr. Adkin's lawyer and us? No one," View said, playing with the baby's tiny hand.
"Fine then," River growled.
"We'll get a certificate. But listen—no fucking ceremony, no one outside of us three will know about this. I'll take you as my mate… but only for my brothers' sake."
View grinned and gave him a thumbs up.
Rain frowned. "I don't get it. Why? Can't you just find a partner like a normal person? Why marry my brother?"
Even River stared at View, waiting for an answer. But View stayed silent, only focusing on the baby.
Rain suddenly laughed, shaking his head. "I get it now! You tricked our father, got all the property—but you know you can't handle it! You're helpless! Without my brother, people would crush you. That's why you want him—to protect you! You're wicked!"
"Whatever makes you feel better, Young Master," View said calmly.
River's jaw tightened. Deep down, he also wondered if Rain was right. His glare toward View only grew sharper.
"Of course," River said coldly, "A ring alone doesn't give you real power."
"True," View said, rolling his eyes. He lifted his hand, showing the ring glinting on his finger. "But at the end of the day… the ring's still mine. So I'll take this as an engagement ring."