Stolen Fate: Bound to Seven Alphas

KOL

"Lord Callahan, a meeting needs to be called. They’re here again for the girl—"

Headmaster Alaric stopped the moment he noticed me. His expression froze.

His eyes moved from me to Lord Callahan beside me, then back again.

"Ah, Kol," he said after a pause. A small smile touched his lips. "You’re here."

I gave a short bow before straightening. Silence followed. I already knew I wasn’t meant to stay for whatever conversation came next.

"I didn’t realize you were occupied," Headmaster Alaric said, turning toward Lord Callahan. "Forgive the intrusion, sir. I’ll return once you’ve finished."

He turned to leave.

"Stay." Lord Callahan’s voice stopped him at once. His gaze shifted toward me. "I’m done speaking with him."

The meaning behind the words was obvious. I was dismissed.

"I’ll take my leave," I muttered, heading for the door without waiting to be told twice.

I understood how these things worked. The tension in the room already said enough.

Lord Callahan’s eyes had darkened the second Headmaster Alaric entered. And the panic on Headmaster Alaric’s face?

That unsettled me more than anything.

This was the first time I had ever seen him look shaken. Headmaster Alaric had once been Aurelian’s top student before choosing to remain at the academy after graduation.

Since arriving here, I had watched him handle everything without losing composure. Student deaths. Monster attacks. Even the time someone targeted him directly.

Nothing rattled him. He dealt with every disaster himself without involving outsiders.

But now? He stood in front of a Council member looking close to nervous.

I shut the door behind me and stayed near it. For a moment, I considered listening in.

A meeting about some mysterious girl and people coming for her. Whatever had Headmaster Alaric rattled enough to run to Lord Callahan made my curiosity burned.

But before I could decide whether to eavesdrop or walk away, a voice broke through the hallway.

"What are you doing here?"

I whipped my head to the side. Eric.

He slowed as he approached, a frown pulling at his mouth while his eyes stayed fixed on me. "I asked you a question."

"None of your damned business," I mumbled and started walking past him.

He was the last person I wanted to deal with right now. Our fight earlier had already reached my father. Not surprising.

He gave the usual lecture about self-control and restraint after provocation. No punishment. No extra drills. No suspension.

Part of me expected worse. Another part already knew disappointment was all I would get from him.

Still, my anger wasn’t directed at my father. It was directed at myself. Lance was still lying in the infirmary because of that fight.

And now the entire academy believed we tore each other apart over the school slut.

I didn’t care what people called her. I only wanted one thing understood. She had one mate. One. That was me.

A sudden gust brushed past me. Before I could react, Eric appeared in front of me and blocked my path.

His eyes darkened. "So you’re Lord Callahan’s favorite son now?"

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Get out of my face."

"And if I don’t?" he asked.

Every time I tried stepping around him, he moved too.

"Going to run to Lord Callahan so he can insult me again?"

I stopped walking and looked at him properly.

"You need to grow up, bro," I said. "Whatever issues you have with your father have nothing to do with me."

"Really?" Sarcasm dripped from his voice.

"All those late-night meetings," Eric continued. "The secret conversations. Running errands for him like some loyal dog."

He listed every single time he had seen me around Lord Callahan. I pressed my lips together. Annoyance crept into my face before I could hide it.

"Good to know you’re that jobless," I snapped. "Now move."

"Make me, Asher," he growled and stepped closer.

I tipped my head back and stared at the ceiling for a second.

For the goddess’s sake!

Patience. Kol. Patience.

I looked at him again. The challenge still burned in his eyes. Fucking idiot.

He had barely returned from the Hollow Vault and already wanted another fight bad enough to send himself back there.

Part of me wondered what would happen if I told him the truth. That I was the one who pushed for his release.

That his father had personally ordered them to throw him into the Hollow Vault instead of the regular holding cells students usually got sent to.

But telling Eric about Lord Callahan’s role wouldn’t change anything. He already hated the man.

And if I told him I helped? He’d probably get me pissed, and make me regret my decision.

"I don’t want to fight with you, Eric," I said at last.

"Coward," he spat. "Always running around with your tail tucked between your legs."

I stayed quiet.

"Say something!" He shoved me.

I didn’t react.

"I’m talking to you, Asher!" Another shove.

This one forced me back two steps. Still, I said nothing.

If this academy didn’t have consequences, and if my father’s reputation wasn’t tied to mine, I would’ve already hit him. Hard enough for him to lose at least four teeth.

"Asher!" His voice cracked through my thoughts.

I looked at him with a glare. "The annual competition is close," I said. "If you’re that desperate for a fight, wait until then."

I spun the second I finished speaking. I made it one step away from him.

Eric grabbed my wrist and yanked hard. My back slammed against the wall. Pain shot down my spine. My jaw tightened.

Eric’s eyes flashed gold. "Tell me what’s going on between you and my father." Authority rolled through his voice.

Heat burned behind my eyes at once.

"Not now," I hissed.

My wolf snarled inside my head. "How dare he use that tone on us?"

Rage slammed against my skull.

"How dare he command an Alpha?" My wolf clawed harder at the edge of control.

"Let me out," he roared. "I’ll rip the bastard apart myself!"

"No," I growled back.

"What did he promise you?" Eric demanded. "Money? Land? One of the Callahan estates?"

He tilted his head like he was seriously considering it. Then his eyes locked onto mine again.

"I know," Eric mocked. "Must be nice having a father who actually shows up."

Something snapped inside me. Aegor surged forward before I could stop him. I grabbed Eric by the shoulder, spun him around, and slammed him against the wall.

A harsh gasp tore from him.

"Bastard," I snarled.

My elbow pressed harder into his throat. Eric choked, clawing at my arm, but I didn’t move.

He could insult me all he wanted. I didn’t care. But the second he dragged my parents into it?

That was where I drew the line. A grin spread across Eric’s face despite the lack of air.

"I hit a nerve," he rasped.

"Last warning," I said. My voice came out low and rough. "I don’t care how long we’ve known each other. I’ll deal with you the same way I deal with everyone else."

Eric wheezed. His face had gone pale.bSomething dark inside me wanted to push harder.

Wanted to watch him struggle. Wanted to hear him beg. But I knew Eric. The idiot would die before begging anyone.

I released him. Aegor barked in frustration.

"Why stop?" he ranted. "Show him why we’re the strongest wolf in this academy!"

I ignored him. Eric bent forward, coughing hard while clutching his throat. Then he straightened.

"You’re still weak," he said hoarsely.

"I am," I replied while fixing the crease in my blazer. "At least I’m not the insecure one trying to earn his father’s approval with every breath."

Eric’s eyes turned bloodshot. He lunged. I caught his fist before it reached my face. Then I slammed him against the wall again.

My fist tightened. I drew it back—

"What is going on here?"

My fist stopped an inch from Eric’s face. I turned at once. Headmaster Alaric stood at the end of the hallway. Beside him was Lord Callahan.

Eric grabbed the front of my blazer and shoved my hand away from him.

"Nothing," he said.

"Nothing?" Lord Callahan repeated. His eyes narrowed.

Eric stayed silent. Then he swivelled and walked away without another word. I watched him leave before my gaze shifted back to Lord Callahan.

His expression remained unreadable. Still, I already knew what he was thinking.

You should never have let him out.

"I’m sorry," I muttered.

Lord Callahan dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "This is not your fault," he said. "It’s mine for failing to discipline my son properly."

Headmaster Alaric stepped forward. "I can speak to him if—"

"He’s my son." Lord Callahan’s voice cut him off coldly.

Headmaster Alaric straightened. "Yes, sir."

Silence settled after that. Just one sentence. That was all Lord Callahan said. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

But something about it unsettled me. I couldn’t stop wondering what he planned to do to Eric afterward.

Yeah, Eric had acted like a complete prick. Still, a part of me felt uneasy for him.