ARTEMIS' POV
I'm sure as hell that he's hellbent on making me look bad in front of my father, because there's no possible way everything in the folder in front of him is part of his report.
"Lucian, why don't you go first since you're the only one here that seems to understand the importance of these meetings?"
There's an obvious shade in the statement and a sting that comes from it, but I remain silent.
I've had years to grow accustomed to it, after all. Since I was twelve years old, Father introduced the blonde-haired, silver-eyed boy to take my place. Years of being treated as nothing more than a means to an end, not a son.
Just like that, everything I never received from my father was handed to Lucian without him even needing to ask for it. Things I never got, even when I begged for them.
And of course, although he didn't make it so obvious that he preferred the son of a dead man over me, I felt it. With every subtle comparison and critic that came from him, I felt it and learned that it was all I was ever going to get from our relationship.
And maybe, finally, I'm tired of being hopeful for anything otherwise - for the day he'd look at me and not see such a big disappointment and a thorn to his side.
"You're making good progress in the trade between smaller packs, Lucian. You will make a very fitting Beta that would be able to advise my son in future. I made the right choice investing in you." He smiles.
Seeing the crack on his lips is a rare occasion for me, but not for Lucian obviously.
He beams with the praise Father easily gives him, like a guy on crack, bowing to him even while he sits.
"I remain grateful for your support and thoughtful care, your majesty."
Father nods his head now, accepting the thanks before his eyes finally fall on me.
The smile drops back into a poker face, lacking any emotions as always. There's suddenly so much weight on my shoulders from the pressure.
I'm rarely ever nervous, or felt the need to impress anyone until now.
"Uh... well, I'm in charge of monitoring rogue activities around pack borders, and I can say that it's pretty safe these days." I offer a smile and a thumbs up to prove my point, and it's followed by a long stretch of silence.
"Am I supposed to take your word for it, or is there some kind of report you're hiding beneath the table that you plan on pulling out any moment now?" He asks.
"In my defense, I didn't know we were having the meeting today. I prepared everything a while back."
"I passed the date to your Beta to inform you. Lucian, did you not inform him of the meeting two weeks prior?"
"Actually, I couldn't reach him, and so I passed it to one of his close companions; Jasper."
I groan the moment he mentions the name. It all makes sense now, doesn't it?
Father groans, rubbing his temples with his fingers. It's usually at this point where he loses his temper and starts yelling through the screen until he's tired and cuts - but surprisingly, he doesn't.
With a big sigh, he looks at me more seriously again.
"What have I said about the irresponsible friends you have following you around? Maybe they're the reason for your recent behaviors and defiance.' He begins, pinning everything on Jasper and Ace while subtly referring to the mate thing again.
It annoys me when he does it. My own blood begins to boil.
"They're the ones filling your head with nonsense, aren't they? Encouraging you to not take you mate commitment with Kamila serious but rather, share yourself around with everything else. Are you not tired of embarrassing yourself further with those clowns?"
"Enough!" I yell loud enough for the entire room, and it grows silent.
Clearly, he hasn't learned since our last talk over the phone. He hasn't realize just how fed up I am, trying to reach his unreasonable expectations.
"I may not blink so much, having you belittle me like some stupid little boy unable to tell his left from his right, but I will not have you insult my friends. The only other people that give a fuck about what I do and what I want with my life."
"I will not have you swearing in my presence, Artemis! You will have respect for your father and your King."
"Then don't fucking push me further." I warn him just as fiercely.
We are locked into a staring match. His eyes warn me to back down, and maybe months ago, I would have done so - let him have his win in hopes for something from him.
But the me from months ago isn't here now though, he's gotten tired and hurt and offended for way too long to take all this bullshit anymore.
The look in his eyes lets me know he wasn't expecting my response, not for the second time at least, and maybe it's good that he's shocked - the faster he realizes that I'm a man now, the better.
"That will be all for today." He says finally, fully and well pissed.
The screen turns off in the next second, and he's gone just like that.
I let out a sigh now, clutching onto my chest.
In the midst of it, I didn't realize just how hard my heart was racing, or how sweaty my trembling palms are.
No matter how much I think I've grown and gotten used to all of this, to his treatment, or how well I've accustomed myself to his coldness, I guess a part of me will always silently cry out for more from him.
I shake off the residual feels, standing up straight again, making a move to leave this fucking place and just be somewhere else.
"Artemis." Lucian gets up from his seat before I can walk out the door, and I stop in my tracks.
I'm already heavily irked, and the sound of his voice is only making things worse.
"Your father has a point, and I'm sure that to an extent, you know it as well. You need to get your life in order to be able to become an Alpha worthy enough to take up your father's mantel." He points out like an over righteous asshole that he is.
I chuckle bitterly, tuning to look at him, the person that thinks he's good enough to offer unsolicited advice.
"Well, isn't that in your favor? All the more chance for you to suck up to him, isn't it?"
He grinds his teeth now, pissed his little advice doesn't hit home as intended.
"You have a father who cares about you, a mate who's willing to stand with you despite your flaws, and a whole legacy waiting for you to uphold. All those privileges, offered to you without even having to lift a finger, and yet you squander it all on just a fucking whim? I wonder just what kind of asshole you have to be to do that without a conscience."
Now, I'm pissed - no, livid.
I'd pin him up against the wall if father's assistant wasn't still standing there, waiting for the both of us to leave the room, and plus it would only be a waste of strength.
Still. How dare he stand there and lecture me about appreciating what I have?
"If you want it so much then, why don't you fucking take it all? You've already succeeded in taking my father's favor and all his praise as his perfect son. Why don't you take the rest and add them to the list of things you've stolen from me?"
Now, Lucian laughs. It's a brief chuckle that mocks me further, trying to play me for a fool.
"Again, with the accusations. When are you going to find someone else to blame for your own inadequacies, Artemis? You haven't been able to let this go since that happened years ago in the forest..."
"It made me realize just who you really are, and I've been able to see right through your bullshit since then. You might be able to fool everyone, but you don't fool me."
Lucian remains silent, saying nothing more than glaring in my face because that's all he can do when facing against me. The only power he has is my father, and since that has no effect on me again, he's powerless.
I turn to leave again, this time sure that I can walk past that door until he stops me once more in a low whisper.
"What about Seraphina? Is she up for grabs as well?"
I freeze in place just like that, slowly tuning to him with wide eyes. My patience at this point hangs on a thin line, and not even my father's presence right now will stop me from beating him to a pulp.
"What did you say?" I ask in a calm threatening breath, yet he dares to continue speaking.
"You said I could take it all, didn't you? I asked if she was up for grabs as well."
I rush at him in the next second, grabbing him by his flimsy neck that I can easily snap in a second. Worst case scenario, Father will never speak to me again.
From where I stand, it isn't so bad of a price to pay.
"What? Did I hit a nerve?" He taunts with a smile even while being choked. "I see how you look at her, protect her like she's your property even with the whole slave stunt."
"Shut up." I growl at him, warning him not to push me. I really will kill him.
"You wouldn't mind letting me have her since you don't give a fuck anymore."
"Don't fucking touch her. She's not something you can toy with as you see fit, just to satiate you sick desire to have everything I have."
He frowns now, offended by my words.
"Of course, she's not - it's her I'm worried about. Being tied to an asshole like you that cares only for himself and nothing else, there's no way she won't eventually get hurt while getting mixed in your sick games when you're eventually tired of her. I'm not going to let you hurt another innocent person."
He finally manages to push me off, him dusting off his now rumpled collar like it's now stained with filth.
"Well, aren't you a saint? Trying to take her from me under the guise of protection, isn't it? Too bad she wouldn't even look twice your way."
"That doesn't matter. Somehow, I'll make sure she sees it the same way I do - see just how dangerous you are to her. One way or another, I will save her from you." He says finally.
Lucian passes me one last glance before walking off.