The Forbidden Heiress At The All Male Alpha Academy-Chapter 222: A Lie Well Worn

"Father," Liam said.

The cell smelled of cold stone and old magic, and Ashbourne was sitting exactly where Liam had left him the first time they had walked into this cell.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

"You took your time," Ashbourne said at last, his eyes still closed.

Liam exhaled through his nose and stepped further into the cell, "Had to make sure I wasn’t followed. Cain’s dogs are getting better at sniffing out what doesn’t belong to them,"

A corner of Ashbourne’s mouth twitched in response, "And yet they still haven’t found me,"

"That’s the point," Liam replied quietly.

Ashbourne opened his eyes then. They were darker and Sharper than Liam remembered, and they flicked over him in a single, devastating sweep. Ashbourne’s grey eyes went from his son’s face to his posture, to the subtle stiffness in his gait, to the gloved left hand he kept too still at his side.

"You’re worse," Ashbourne said.

Liam stiffened instantly, "I’m fine."

Ashbourne snorted, not the least impressed, "You were ’fine’ months ago. You’re deteriorating now,"

Liam moved closer, leaning against the opposite wall, trying to be deliberately casual, "We’ve discussed this,"

"Yes," Ashbourne said coolly, "You lie. I notice. We repeat,"

Silence stretched again, thick with things neither of them wanted to say.

To the rest of the world, Ashbourne of the Dark Horse was missing. He had vanished in the chaos following the downfall of Gravemont and the West alliance to the East. The other territories whispered about it. Some said he was dead. Others said he’d fled. Others said he was afraid his secret of performing dark rituals was out and he had committed murder because the west had secretly gathered so many ruins, which was at the end, just to build this dungeon in the first place.

With all the flying rumors about them, the West had hoped it was enough for Cain to believe them.

Only Liam knew the truth.

Ashbourne was exactly where he was supposed to be as per the plan. He would remain hidden and untouched till the right time came.

And from the looks of things, it wouldn’t be as long as they think.

"You played your part well," Ashbourne said, "Cain believes you’re unravelling,"

"He thinks the West is his already," Liam’s lips curved faintly, "He thinks I’m his,"

Ashbourne studied him, "And does it cost you anything to let him believe that?"

Liam didn’t answer immediately, but his unreadable facade broke a bit, and his jaw tightened, just slightly.

"Theodora," Ashbourne stated, his eyes sharpening.

The name hit Liam like a blow to the ribs, and pain crossed his eyes for a moment. Then, he let out a humourless small laugh, "Father, you always were annoyingly perceptive,"

"You love her," Ashbourne said simply.

Liam looked away, "That was never part of the plan," Liam said quietly.

"No," Ashbourne agreed, "But neither were you sacrificing parts of yourself to fracture fate,"

Liam’s gloved hand curled.

Ashbourne leaned forward now, the chains at his wrists shifting with a muted clink, "Show me," He demanded

"No,"

"That wasn’t a request, son,"

Liam hesitated, then slowly pulled off the glove.

The rot was impossible to hide up close. Dark veins crawled up his forearm like living things, the flesh beneath discoloured, and decaying yet still stubbornly intact. The corruption pulsed faintly, responding to his heartbeat.

Ashbourne’s expression hardened into something dangerous, "How much?" he asked.

"Don’t worry," Liam said quickly, tugging the glove back on, "It’s contained,"

"For now," Ashbourne snapped, "And then what? You think Cain won’t notice when one of his prized weapons starts falling apart?"

"I won’t let it get that far. You said you trusted me to handle things while you’re locked in here. I need you to keep doing that,"

Ashbourne let out a bitter laugh, his eyes now filled with contempt. He was unsure whether to keep leaving matters in his son’s hands or take matters into his own hands.

"I don’t regret it," Liam said at last.

"Whatever sacrifice you made that has cost you your health, son...I hope it was worth it. For I will not forgive anything else!" Ashbourne’s voice was louder now. He was agitated and losing his temper.

Liam didn’t answer immediately

"Tell me it was worth it!!"

"I don’t know!" Liam gritted his teeth, his muscles tightly clenched, "I don’t... think it did,"

"It’s her again, isn’t it?" Ashbourne asked, "You did it for her. No one would make a sacrifice that big...for just anyone! And it didn’t even work. And she would never know..."

"I did what I could—"

"—You betrayed her!" Ashbourne cut in.

Liam’s breath hitched.

"You let her believe you were under Cain’s thumb," Ashbourne continued, "And now your sacrifice has gone to dust, and you’re also turning into dust!"

Liam swallowed, his eyes falling, "I hate it," he admitted, "Every second of it,"

Ashbourne looked at his son, and his gaze softened, just barely, "I know."

They sat with that truth, heavy and unspoken.

"When the time comes," Ashbourne said, "I’ll walk out of this cell myself. Not a moment sooner,"

"I know."

"You keep playing the obedient heir."

"I will."

"You let Cain think the West bends."

Liam nodded.

"And when he overreaches," Ashbourne finished, eyes glinting, "We break his territory,"

A sharp pressure slammed into Liam’s skull as the telepathic link between Liam and the Pack’s beta cracked through with the beta’s voice.

His voice sounded raw and urgent - An emergency

*We’ve received confirmation,* Jack, the beta said.

The world tilted as Liam listened to everything Jack had to say, and from the way his expression changed to that of astonishment, Ashbourne was instantly on his feet

Liam stared at the stone floor, blood roaring in his ears, "That’s not possible. How did..."

Liam lifted his head slowly, disbelief giving way to something sharper, "He’s alive," Liam whispered to his father, "Simon is Alive, Father. They found him just now, here, in West Territory,"