Page 41 of Red River

"And I’ll name mine Spidey!" Aiden exclaimed, jumping closer to the table.

Van rolled his eyes. "Those are silly names! Mine will be called Exploding Death Star!"

"That’s a scary name for a chicken," Lake muttered, making a face.

Suddenly, he fell silent, his head turning to the side.

And there Igor stood on the stairs, looking at the happy group with a gloomy expression.

It was like someone had sucked all the air out of the room; the atmosphere changed instantly. His brothers immediately focused on their presents.

Igor, with clenched lips, walked down the stairs and approached River, completely ignoring Oliver’s cheerful greeting.

"I’d really like to know if you went to Archer’s room last night." His tone was cold, but there was simmering anger underneath.

River seemed shocked that Igor would ask so directly in front of everyone. He stared at his son, clearly unsure how to respond. But his silence probably only confirmed Igor’s suspicions.

Slowly, I stood up and walked over to them. "If you want to ask me something, Igor, ask me directly."

"Okay, alpha. Did you fuck my dad?"

All eyes turned to Igor, each expressing different emotions, but mostly shock at his choice of words. Only Oliver quickly looked away and returned to preparing breakfast.

"I suggest we continue this discussion outside, Igor. Let your brothers eat breakfast in peace."

"Answer me first!" His voice rose, and his jaw tightened.

"On the patio." And I walked calmly toward the exit.

Seeing me leave, Igor finally gave in, following me with a scowl. River hurried after him, making sure to close the door behind us, so the others couldn’t hear.

Igor shot River a disdainful glance.

"I saw you last night, coming out of his room in just a T-shirt, your hair down. There’s no point in lying; I know what scent I smelled. It’s only been a month since my father died!"

River’s face turned red, clearly feeling shame, but I also saw anger building in him.

"Igor, whatever is between me and Archer is none of your business."

"It is!" Igor shouted. "You forgot about my father so quickly! How could you?! Jumping into bed with another alpha so soon… it’s just whorish!"

I stepped toward him, speaking firmly. "Don’t raise your voice at your dad, and show him respect. If you have complaints, direct them at me."

"Oh, I have complaints, you bastard! How dare you? We just got here, and on the first day, you’re fucking my dad? Some hospitality!"

I opened my mouth to respond, but River suddenly stepped forward, his lips trembling, his eyes wet.

"You know what? I already betrayed your father once, Igor. I kissed Archer when he was your age."

I blinked in astonishment, somewhat shocked that River actually said that. Why? To make Igor even angrier or to distract him from what happened last night?

Unfortunately, the effect was unexpected. Igor let out a sound that was a mix of a growl and a groan, then lunged at me, trying to punch me in the face.

River whimpered, but my years of training kicked in. I blocked his punch with my forearm, then another, and another as he tried to rain blows on me, but they were clumsy and lacked real force.

"If you want to throw a strong punch, you need to learn the basics of technique—" I started.

"Shut up!" he yelled, trying to hit me again, even kicking with his foot, but I stopped it with my shin.

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