Chapter 59: Clearing the air
The balcony overlooked the downtown core proper, but also showed off how the city flowed out, like petals of a blooming flower. It was a spectacular view, especially for the conversation Andrew planned to have. The balcony was huge, flowing along the whole wall before ending at the edge of the building.
Several lounge chairs peppered the space, with a small elaborate ashtray tucked near where Maxwell’s brother was standing. He wasn’t quite next to the railing, but was close enough. Andrew wondered if this was going to go over well, or if it was going to sound like an excuse. Gods, he hoped it went well.
"I am sure since you’ve been in this world a lot longer than I have that you can probably guess that my Father is a true alpha, and not a great man." Andrew began, glancing at Maxwell’s older brother, Ben, as he inhaled from the cigarette, and exhaled slowly. He didn’t look at him, and kept his gaze on the city skyline below.
When he didn’t say anything, Andrew continued. "Maxwell is aware that I don’t like to talk about him, hell, I’ve been in denial that I’m his son for most of my life. So this sudden manifestation has really thrown a wrench into everything. I..." Andrew sighed, running his hand through his hair before looking away. This was going to a bombshell no matter how he told this. "I’m sure Max would tell you at some point, but I think it’s better if you understood it now. My ex kidnapped me and experimented on me with drugs she’d made to force me into becoming an alpha. And it worked."
The cigarette fell to the floor.
"What?" The words sounded choked and disbelieving coming out of his mouth, and Andrew gave a bitter laugh.
"It explains a bit more, doesn’t it? I was never supposed to be an alpha, let alone a true alpha. Your Father knows, but I don’t think your Mother or other brother do. I want to believe that Max didn’t tell you because he was worried about what his older brother’s would say about a guy like me, but I also think he was worried that you would try to chase me away. He seems to think that you don’t really care about him all that deeply." Andrew shook his head, laughing. "It’s obviously not true, given how you have treated me so far." Maxwell’s brother appeared to still be reeling from Andrew’s earlier words.
"They...what? Have you filed against them yet?" Andrew shook his head.
"No, and I’m not sure if I want to." Ben bent, picking up his cigarette before taking a deep inhale, the smoke billowing around him as he processed the words Andrew had spoken.
"Fuck. Why wouldn’t you? And I know Maxwell is a little...hesitant to disclose things to us. We haven’t exactly done a lot of things to inspire confidence in us on his part. It’s almost a miracle he told Father, given what he’s done in the past. But you shouldn’t worry about our relationship." Andrew’s chest stung, since his words felt like he was trying to put Andrew in his place. Andrew shoved his hands into his pockets, chuckling, rocking on his heels.
"It’s hard for me not to shove my nose where it doesn’t belong. I grew up with a single Mom, and a Dad who would show up to throw money at us like we were a problem he wanted to get rid of. It broke my Mom’s heart, but what could she do? He’d forced her to bond with him, and up until recently, I thought all alphas could bond with multiple omegas." When Ben looked at Andrew’s profile, and the calm way he spoke about his childhood, a look of horror crossed his expression before he smoothed it out. Andrew was glad to find that he was a good businessman in that regard.