VANESSA
The sun beat down mercilessly as I shifted uncomfortably in my lounge chair. Beside the infinity pool, Fabian splashed happily, oblivious to the danger I sensed lurking beneath Vaughn's polished veneer.
"Your boy shows remarkable coordination for his age," Vaughn commented, his eyes tracking my son's movements with unsettling intensity. "Strong genes. He'll make an excellent heir someday."
My fingers tightened around my phone hidden under my towel. The word "heir" sent warning bells clanging through my mind.
"He's just a child," I replied, forcing lightness into my voice. "Right now, I'm more concerned with him having fun than future pack politics."
Vaughn chuckled, the sound hollow and practiced. "Of course, of course. But the greatest Alphas show their potential early. You can see it in his confidence, his bearing. Pure Alpha bloodline."