The moment Darien, Morgan, and Grayson step into the living room, the air changes. Their father stands rigidly in the center, suit impeccably tailored, dark eyes fixed hardly. Daphne lingers at his side, arms crossed, lips tight, the faint curl at the corner of her mouth shows the smug satisfaction of someone who's already set the stage.
Darien's stomach knots instantly. He knows that look—his father is not just angry. He's calculating, dangerous, and every muscle in his body is primed for confrontation. Daphne already ratted the whole situation to him.
"She probably didn't even let him properly come in." Kairos tsks in Darien's head.
The three brothers straighten instantly, shoulders rigid, hearts starting to beat fast. Even Morgan, the usually brazen, eye-roll-inducing, irrepressible Morgan, goes stiff. Grayson looks ready to bolt, but Darien notices the way his younger brother's wolf has him rooted to the spot.
