Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 174: Gaining another ally

Chapter 174: Gaining another ally

The meeting ended when a servant knocked in and informed them that the dinner would be served soon.

After that, Azrael excused himself to see Knox. He asked Steve where the omega might be, and then he was led by a male beta servant to the indoor garden.

As they passed the large windows in the hallways, Azrael peeked through at the night sky. The stars were still hidden, but the rain had stopped already. Although the breeze was still cold, the warm feeling seeping into the alpha’s heart was immense.

One step at a time, he said to himself, sporting a small smile on his face. He managed to convince one of the biggest hindrances in his relationship, now what’s left is his father.

"This way, sir," the male beta servant gestured to the glass doors.

Azrael pushed the door open and he was greeted by Shawn. The omega’s face showed relief, one that made Azrael wonder. Before he could ask, Shawn pointed in a direction hidden from them, and spoke, "Young master Knox fell asleep. I tried to wake him up since a servant came and said dinner would be served soon, but the little guy didn’t let us. He kept saying that his Papa was tired and needed rest, so I was about to get you to carry him inside."

"I see," Azrael answered and went to where Knox was. He found him lying over the blanket, surrounded by a big Samoyed white dog and Knoa on both sides, as though keeping him warm from the chilly breeze coming from the slightly opened glass windows.

His presence was soon discovered when Althea, who was seated on the single-seater sofa in a round set, lifted her head from the book she was reading.

"You’re here. Did Dad and Athan go to the dining hall already?" Althea asked, closing the book in her hand.

Knoa sprung up and shouted, "Daddy!" but he immediately covered his mouth after realizing how loud his voice was.

Azrael approached them and he answered the female alpha, "Yes." He ruffled the kid’s head and asked gently, "How long has your Papa been asleep?"

Knoa didn’t know. He couldn’t tell the time because he didn’t have a clock, and there was no sun in the sky so he couldn’t point how far the shadow moved. In the end, he answered in his own way, "When he came here until now."

So, it’s been more than an hour. I can’t believe I talked that long with his father and brother. I really must have been desperate to get on their good sides, Azrael thought as he gathered Knox in his arms.

He gently pressed his lips on his forehead, checking if his fever might have returned after pushing with that meeting. Thankfully, his temperature seemed normal. He looked at Shawn and asked, "Can you take Knoa with you?"

"Daddy...where are you going?" Knoa asked, dejected. He had just seen his father and now he was leaving again.

Azrael patted the kid’s head before he stood, "I have to bring your Papa to his room. Go with Uncle Shawn, I’ll follow you soon." He gave his son a reassuring smile.

"Don’t worry about dinner. I will ask a servant to deliver your meals in your room. You can take Knoa with you, I’ll tell my father," Althea spoke as she walked closer. Stopping before the kid, she bent and carried Knoa up.

Shawn was startled. He immediately came around the female alpha and insisted on carrying the little kid, but Althea dismissed him, saying, "Go to the dining hall. Your uncle must have been waiting, also, tell them I’ll be coming later."

The female alpha’s voice left no room for Shawn to complain. He grumbled inwardly, knowing that the chairman’s wife would be there, he didn’t want to show his face and was already thinking of an excuse to not attend the dinner, but it seemed that Althea found out his attempt to avoid it.

Shawn reluctantly followed and left the place.

Althea said, "Follow me. I’ll take you to Knox’s room."

Knoa waved at the white dog tended by the servant already. He then looked up at his aunt and asked innocently, "Aunt Thea, why can’t we eat with you and Grampa?"

Althea momentarily paused. She pursed her lips and felt the piercing gaze of his younger brother’s boyfriend behind him. She could tell what he was thinking, and she felt ashamed that he might be right.

Althea sighed and forced a casual smile to the kid, "Do you want to eat with us? Or with your parents?"

Knoa didn’t hesitate to answer, "With Papa and Daddy!"

"So it is," Althea replied, sighing in relief. Once they reached the room and Azrael put the sleeping Knox on the bed, Althea put the kid beside him and gave Azrael a meaningful look.

The two went out of the room for a moment. They stood at the entrance and talked for a short time.

Althea then explained, "I’m sorry about this, but...before, Knox doesn’t really like bringing Knoa in the same room with my mother. He was just being cautious and protective with the kid since...you already met her, so you should know already. Sometimes, she just speaks her mind inconsiderately. I don’t think Knoa will like it if I take Knoa with me, so..."

"I understand, Ms. Horace," Azrael responded with a friendly smile. "And thank you for what you said back there. It might not be much, but you made them realize what Knox really hoped for. Thank you."

Althea’s gaze went passed Azrael’s shoulders and landed on Knox’s sleeping face, beside him was his son sitting silently, playing with the white stuffed toy he always carried. She nodded her head in acknowledgment and gave Azrael a subtle smile.

"Those two were my constant support when I was experiencing the darkest turns of my life. Knoa brightened my day, and his Papa would always check on me, no matter how I secluded myself from them. I just...want them to be happy. Ha...and if they’re happy with you, then there’s nothing I can do. I just hope you’re sincere and faithful..."

Azrael smiled, not a fake one, but a genuine one that reached his eyes. Althea was taken aback seeing the sincerest smile she might have seen on his face. Azrael answered, honesty dripping on every word he spoke, "You can shoot me down if I ever hurt him. I can’t say those cheesy lines like I’ll never make him cry, but I can promise you, if those pretty green eyes weep, it isn’t because I hurt him, but because I moved him or made him too happy, he cries."

Azrael chuckled. His cheeks turned slightly red, a rare occasion that he let someone witness his embarrassment and let himself completely open to someone other than his closest people. He added, "Sounds cheesy, but I’m madly, irrevocably, and deeply in love with Knox, so you don’t have to worry, Ms. Horace. I will never hurt him."

Althea blushed at that intense declaration. A satisfied smile tugged on her lips, and her eyes glinted with happiness for his younger brother. Before she turned her back to Azrael, Althea stated, "You can drop the ’miss’. Just call me by my name. I’ll do the same."

Azrael’s smile grew wider. He punched the air after Althea disappeared, celebrating the progress in his relationship with his future sister-in-law.