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Josef's coughs turned to laughter. "You don't make that decision, Omega. You're bonded to me. You understand? I have command over your body." He grinned. "You can walk out that door but until I break the bond you'll be crawling back from withdrawals for my cock."

Without saying another word, Bryan hurried downstairs, Josef following after him. "Your family will receivenothing, Bryan! You'll rot. And don't think you'll be finding yourself work. Your reputation will be squashed to the dirt. I'll make sure of it." As Bryan left the house, the Minister shouted at him from the doorway. "You'll be back. You'll be begging for it!"

Bryan couldn't help but smile. Even though Josef would do everything he'd said, he was wrong about one thing. He had no control over Bryan. There was no mate bond tying them together; that connection had been severed by Munok. He wouldn't be back, and he relished the thought of that old man realizing the truth as his absence stretched on.

For once,hewas in control. But now he was faced with the issue of his family, and he had very few options.

He made his way across town, not stopping until he reached his parents’ home. His mind raced, trying to come up with some solution, some plan. He didn't know what he'd tell his parents. How would he explain that they would not be receiving the money that was promised? That he was incapable of bearing children?

The house was quiet, the kitchen empty. "Father?" he called. "Mother?" There was no answer. He peeked into his old bedroom and found it empty, the bed made. He went to his parents’ room and paused at the sight of his father slumped in his chair by the window, his eyes closed.

"Father?" he murmured, walking slowly.

The man was even more diminished than the last time he'd seen him, like he was on the verge of blinking out of existence altogether. Bryan approached carefully, fearful of what he would find. For a moment he was convinced that he wouldn't be able to rouse him, but as he got closer he saw his father's chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.

"Father," he said, shaking his shoulder.

He grunted and opened his eyes. "Eh? Bryan. What are you doing here?"

"Are you home alone? Where's Mother and Lukas?"

His father blinked groggily. "Must've fallen asleep," he muttered. "Your mother took Lukas to school. What are you doing here?"

"I'm..." The words caught in his throat. He just couldn't find a way to tell his father. "I wanted to come say hello. How are you doing?"

"Fine, fine. Nothing to worry about." He coughed and hacked into his palm. "Did, ah, Mr. Zamgarg mention when we'll start receiving payment?"

Bryan's heart pounded. "Father, you know we weren't to receive anything until I got pregnant."

"Oh, right." He wheeled his chair away from the window and went to the kitchen. Bryan followed after him. Looking at the emaciated old man, Bryan thought about his father’s participation in fighting the Uridimm. He would've been too young to have been a part of those very first aggressions, when the Xyletians had destroyed the original village, so Bryan believed his father had been ignorant of the full truth. He'd acted under orders, thinking he was defending the town's wellbeing. But after the things he'd seen in Gan's memories, Bryan couldn't help but wonder if his father was now being punished for it all.

The old Alpha struggled to reach for a cup of water from the kitchen table, nearly knocking it to the floor. Bryan quickly helped him. "Can you wheel me back into the room, Bryan?" he asked, clutching the glass with his bony fingers. "Your brother will be happy to see you. How long will you be staying?"

"I'm not sure, Father," Bryan said, pushing the wheelchair.

"I hope everything is going well with the Minister. I've never been one to trust a priest. They never seem to have much good news."

Bryan said nothing. He felt some distress at the way his father seemed to be repeating things—he'd asked something very similar the last time he'd visited. How much time did he have left?

A wild thought occurred to him: could Gan, Munok and Nugai do something for him? Could they ask Uri, or do some kind of ritual to bring his father's health back?

He immediately kicked down the idea, telling himself it was ridiculous. Why would they help a man who'd participated in doing such terrible things to their people?

From the bedroom window, Bryan could see the trees of the forest swaying gently in the wind. "Father," he said in a quiet voice. "I need to tell you something about the contract. Something's happened, and—"

His father's droning snore interrupted him. Bryan stood and stared at him, wondering if he should wake him again, but he decided against it and left him snoozing in the room. He went to Lukas's bedroom and picked up the old toys scattered around the floor, toys that were once his own. He examined a figurine of a wolf with faded black paint and red dots for eyes, smiling as he remembered how he used to play with it.

He'd failed his brother. Walking out on Josef had guaranteed it. How could he expect to support Lukas with the most powerful man in New Pixia threatening to sabotage him? No one would hire him. No Alpha would take him. He was out of options.

Bryan went outside and stared out at the forest. He could hear the echoing whine of saw blades as the loggers continued their daily operation. He felt the magnetic force of his Alphas calling him to come to them, and he wanted nothing more than to go. If he left now without the cover of darkness, he would be spotted and there would be no way to explain himself.

"What bridge?" he muttered to himself. "What fate?"

He was stuck between the two worlds. He had to remain in one while he so desired to leave for the other, and it would be like that forever—or at least until Lukas came of age. But Bryan knew he couldn't last that long. He was already unraveling. Each visit to the forest spread his energy a little thinner as he sacrificed another hour of sleep to be with them. And now he would need to find some way to earn an income against all opposition. He'd travel to New Lykia or beyond and sell his body if that was what it took. But he knew that eventually he would have nothing left. He'd become like his father—a depleted husk.

The thought of asking the Alphas to break their bond didn't even cross Bryan's mind. Nor did the thought of stopping his nightly visits. The option wasn't even possible for him to consider—the mate bond was strong. The only thing that mattered more to Bryan was Lukas.

"Bryan?" his mother's voice called. He turned around and saw her coming down the path towards the house. "What a pleasant surprise."