CHAPTER 31: A CRACK IN THE BOND

"...I just don’t understand why you keep giving into their nonsense," Ellie muttered, his voice low and edged with irritation as he trudged toward the door. Each step was heavy with restrained annoyance. "This better be worth all the noise."

When he opened it, he was met with Eberhard’s sharp glare. If eyes could kill, Ellie would have dropped dead. Without a word, the man shoved past him, his shoulder colliding with Ellie’s as he strode inside like he owned the place. Nikki followed close behind, head held high like she just won a trophy.

Ellie blinked, unimpressed, then exhaled through his nose as he shut the door behind them with a dull thud. "Sure, make yourselves at home," he muttered dryly.

"Alpha," Eberhard started immediately, his voice carrying that mix of urgency and righteous indignation, "you need to follow me right now. Your mate is committing an abominable act."

Before Ares could respond, Nikki was already at his side, lowering herself onto the cushion beside him. "Alpha, how are you feeling now?" she asked sweetly, leaning close enough to make Ellie roll his eyes.

"I’m fine," Ares murmured, voice low, "no need to worry."

Ellie moved to a nearby chair, settling into it with deliberate calm."It seems your daughter’s got more manners than you, Eberhard." he said casually, crossing one leg over the other. "At least she knows to ask how the Alpha’s doing Instead of charging in here to nag."

Eberhard turned sharply, glare hard enough to scorch.

"Careful," Ellie said dryly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Keep glaring like that and your eyes might pop right out of your skull."

Eberhard’s nostrils flared. "I know the Alpha is stronger than he looks," he said, ignoring Ellie’s jab. "But this matter can’t wait. It needs to be treated urgently before the culprits escape the scene."

"There he goes again," Ellie muttered, rubbing his temple.

Ares shifted, wincing as he sat forward. "What is it, Eberhard? What has Rhea done this time that couldn’t wait?"

Eberhard straightened, righteous fury etched into every line of his face. "She was caught entering Roff’s room."

Ellie’s head snapped up. "Roff’s room?" His tone sharp and suspicious. "Are you sure this isn’t another one of your petty attempts to frame her after she put you in your place earlier?"

Ares turned his gaze on Eberhard, silent but expectant.

Eberhard’s jaw clenched, his expression souring. "It’s nothing like that," he bit out, fury burning in his gut. The memory of that wench humiliating him burned hot beneath his skin. That damned omega had made him a fool before the Alpha, he’d make her regret it, and Ellie too, for rubbing salt in the wound. "Just come and see for yourself if you don’t believe me."

Ares’s brows furrowed. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," Eberhard replied instantly. "Everyone knows what Roff is like around omegas. He can’t control himself. And that traitor going into his room just hours after accepting your rejection? It’s suspicious."

Ares’s expression darkened, a deep frown pulling at his mouth. The mention of the rejection twisted in his chest. His head still pounded, his ribs ached like he’d been crushed from the inside. His heartbeat felt like it was dragging against bone. He didn’t know rejection could hurt this much. How was she able to handle it?

Was this her way of making him feel what she had felt? Was she trying to pull his pity, his attention, anything — from him again? And now there’s a talk of her being in that lecherous sub-alpha’s room? Is she doing all this for me to notice her?

"We don’t have much time," Eberhard’s voice broke through his thoughts. "We need to go now before she leaves the scene."

Ellie scoffed quietly. "What the Alpha needs is rest. You can see he’s barely holding himself upright."

"The Alpha is not weak!" Eberhard snapped, voice booming through the room.

"I didn’t say he’s weak," Ellie began, "I said he is... "

"Enough you two," Ares cut in with a weary sigh, dragging a hand down his face. "I’m fine. Let’s go."

He pushed himself off the couch, but his legs faltered, and he staggered slightly. Nikki sprang up, slipping her arm around him to steady his weight.

"You don’t look fine to me," Ellie said, flatly.

"Let’s just go," Ares muttered, brushing Nikki’s hand off. He turned his gaze on Ellie, jaw tight. "Don’t you want to know if they’re accusing her wrongly?"

Ellie’s lips pressed into a thin line. "I seriously don’t know why you’d bother yourself with such things, you two have already rejected each other."

"That doesn’t give her the right to fool around In my pack!" Ares snapped. The words came out harsher than he intended, and something inside him recoiled at the sound. For some reason, that word — rejected, set his blood boiling. He shouldn’t care. He should be glad the traitor’s daughter was no longer tied to him. So why does it hurts? "

Nikki and her father exchanged a fleeting look of satisfaction. The Alpha snapping at his beta — finally, a crack in their iron bond.

Perfect, Eberhard thought. Maybe this goddess-sent chaos can finally tip things in my favor, he might succeed in turning the alpha against his precious Beta.

"Fine," Ellie said after a long exhale, his tone clipped. "Do whatever you want, Alpha." He only ever used Ares title when he was angry, or teasing him.

Ares felt a sting of guilt twisted in his chest immediately. He hadn’t meant to talk to Ellie that way, but the frustration and confusion clawing at his chest refused to settle. He’d make it right later — he had to. For now, he needed answers. He needed to understand what Rhea was thinking.

"Let’s go," he said again, taking a step forward. His balance wavered once more, Nikki reached for him instinctively, trying to support him again — but Ares brushed her off.

"It’s fine. he said, his tone low, forcing steadiness into his steps. "I can walk by myself."