Adam's words did not surprise me.
Back when I drifted unseen through the Hale territory, I once overheard him advising Juilan on how to secure the pack's business and protect the family name. He spoke like a strategist, calm and careful. But in the end, Juilan disappointed Jeffrey and willingly handed leadership back to Lewis.
From the outside, the Hales looked united during crisis. Inside, it was different. Lewis had become Adam's rival the moment he stepped back into the territory.
The only thing people used against Lewis was his birth status. An "illegitimate" son, they called him. Yet everyone knew the truth. If not for his injured leg years ago, Jeffrey would have marked him as heir long before.
That was the bitterness eating at Adam.
He wasn't foolish. He knew Vicky's fall was her own doing. Everyone in the room understood it. But he still tried to use it as a weapon against us. In his eyes, Lewis and I were the threat.
