Page 43 of Red River

River pulled his collar, showing us pale, smooth glands—no markings. After seven years, they had faded completely from the surface.

Igor stared at this, speechless.

River continued, "Your father left me without help, even during my heats. You’re old enough to understand how vulnerable omegas are then. I suffered, so I eventually started taking heat blockers, which made me feel terrible and depressed for months!"

River pressed his hands to his eyes and muttered, "God, I can’t believe I’m even discussing this with you!"

Then he looked at Igor again, his eyes red.

"But because you came up with this whole ‘alpha coup’ nonsense, now we’re in this mess. It ends here, Igor! We’re not discussing it again. Your father is dead, and I’m still mourning him—but not as a lover."

I was surprised by how decisive River sounded, given that he was usually meek and non-confrontational. Had he finally had enough, too? Seven years of dealing with it all alone had obviously built up a lot of frustration in him.

"You took heat blockers?" I had to ask. "I’ve heard they have serious side effects."

River blinked and lowered his head, a painful grimace appearing on his face.

"It’s better than the alternative. Yes, I was miserable, nauseous, my head was killing me, but I had to fight through it alone. Even before Lake was born, Thomas weighed six hundred pounds, had mobility problems, and was in constant joint pain.By the time he died, he weighed almost a thousand pounds. Every effort was torture for him."

I knew Thomas was morbidly obese, but I didn’t know the exact number. Even though alphas had very thick bones and the strength of gorillas, that weight would still be debilitating. How did they travel with him, get him to the hospital, or take him to doctor’s appointments? How did he run his company? It was hard to imagine.

Looking at River, I realized what his life must have been like—doing most things himself, worrying every day. I admired him for managing to get through the situation while working and raising children at the same time.

"You’re very strong, River. Not many people could manage all that," I said quietly.

Igor was silent, his head bowed.

River's eyes locked with mine, and there was something in them—this strange vulnerability of his, this need to experience change, a relief. I wanted to give it to him… so much. But I knew it would take a bit more time.

It was a good moment to release Igor. I removed my arms from around his neck, and he quickly stepped forward, turning toward me and glaring with bitterness.

"Igor, I’m your guardian now. You’re living in my house, and I’d like us to try to get along. If you want to fight me, go ahead, but you can also try working out with me. And if you want, I can teach you how to do it the right and safe way."

Igor stayed silent, just looking at me with narrowed eyes.

"One more thing. I won't hurt your dad, that’s a promise. He’s suffered enough, and I won’t add to it. I just want what’s best for your family."

"So I should pretend like nothing happened? My father died, and from one day to the next, I should smile, say please and thank you, and act like everything’s fine?"

"No. But I also don’t want you to deepen it—the misery. At some point, you have to start healing from this pain."

His eyes swept over my face. "For the rest of my family, it’s already happening. They’re happy with the chickens, the mugs, the pool. And Dad is all over a new guy—less than a month after Father died. But I’m the strange one here?"

Now, he turned toward River, his expression growing even more spiteful.

"Tell me, Dad! Is it me? Am I the horrible kid ruining everything? How shocking that a month after my father's death, I still can't be happy about a new room!" His voice was full of grief and despair.

River shook his head slightly, his eyes growing wetter.

"Igor, I don’t expect you to jump for joy, but I do expect one thing. Respect Archer, because he gave us a helping hand, and you didn’t even say ‘hello’ to him. That’s not how your father raised you!"

"Maybe not. So I’m saying it now: hello! But if I have to show respect, you need to respect me—"

River winced. "Respect? You didn’t exactly respect me as your parent, Igor. Would your father be proud that you took my phone and locked me in a room? And still—not a single word of apology from you!"

Igor clenched his jaw. "You don’t understand. I was just trying to take care of this family."

"And who will take care of you?"

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