Adrian’s POV

Harold asked me for some time to retrieve the information.

I was in a terrible mood. I had no idea Lynda had suffered such severe consequences for helping me escape. I already felt burdened by her help, but learning that those men had beaten her weighed even heavier on my heart.

“Adrian.”

My father’s voice. I looked at him.

“Come with me.”

He walked toward the staircase. I glanced at Lynda, her head bowed. Then I looked at my mother; she seemed distraught.

I sighed and followed my father. He went upstairs and into his bedroom. I followed him inside.

“Close the door,” he said.

I closed the door. He gestured toward the couch near the bed.

“Sit.”

I sat, wondering why he’d called me.

He walked to the closet, retrieved a bottle of wine, and returned to the couch. He sat opposite me, picked up two glasses from the nearby tea table, and poured the wine. I had no idea what he was doing. He slid a glass toward me.

“Let’s have a drink.”

I frowned. It was the first time he’d ever offered me a drink; we’d never shared such a moment.

I picked up the glass. The red wine looked like blood—an old wine; my father had a collection of them.

I swirled the wine. My father watched me.

When I didn’t drink, he said, “You’re quite a mysterious man.”

My hand paused. I looked up, meeting his gaze.

“What do you mean, Dad?”

“When you were younger, I never imagined you’d become such a powerful Alpha. You always had the aura to command any environment. You used to be so…” He trailed off.

My eyes drifted to the wine. He’d said I was calm. Was I? Did he know how his actions had devastated my life? First, he’d forced me to marry Natalia; then he’d broken their pack bond, turning her into a rogue. He should have opposed the divorce. Even though I signed the papers, I wouldn’t have let her leave the pack then.

“I’ve never asked you what’s on your mind, Adrian. I know I’ve wronged you. Today, I want to ask you something. Will you answer honestly?”

I looked at him, unsure of his question. Then I heard it, and it puzzled me.

“When you married Natalia, you didn’t care about her. Now that you’re divorced but have children, do you feel any remorse for losing her?”