Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)

"What do you think you are doing?" Alexandra said, clenching her fists, trying to calm herself. "We want to help and you are attacking us!"

"Well, my dear sister, none of you are here to really help me, but to interrogate me." Gabriel made a large movement with his right hand to them, ephasing his words. He raised the same hand when his father opened his mouth to speak. 

"Let me ask you something. If you can answer it, then I will believe that you care about me. If you not, please leave."

Alexandra's face flushed with anger, but she bit her tongue, her sharp retort swallowed by the weight of Gabriel's words. Theodore raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. Lucius, seated with his hands clasped, exchanged a brief glance with Charles. The father leaned forward slightly, his movements slow and deliberate, as though measuring his son's intentions.

"Go on," Lucius said, his voice calm but firm. "Ask your question."

Gabriel let out a drychuckle, shaking his head. "Of course you'd say that. Fine. Here it is." He moved closer, the tension in the air increasing with each step. His dark eyes scanned their faces, daring them to look away.

"Did you find out about Peter?" The name dropped between them like a bomb. Nobody expected to hear about him. They expected Gabriel to ask them where they were when the battle in the palace started. What were they doing when he called for help? Those questions were easier to answer than this. 

Lucius shifted his pose on the chair into a more comfortable one and, with an elegant movement of his right hand, removed his glasses and threw them on to the glass table.

Theo approached Gabriel, making sure that the man wouldn't run away. Alexandra and Charles were confused about what was asked and their brother and father's reaction. 

"Yes. The only ones who know are me and Theo." He fiddled with the sapphire cufflinks on his sleeve, munching his word before speaking. 

"We know what Peter did to you. And the fact that you were a decoy for Prince Olivier's sick games." 

"By Peter, do you talk about grandpa?" Alexandra interrupted, Viscount Peter Blackwater was their grandfather from the maternal side. She had never seen her father act this way. 

"Yes. As everyone knows, because of our work in the south of the country, Peter had to take care of Gabriel while he was 3 years old. Well, we found out that he tested a drug on Gabriel until he reached 15 years old. He and Prince Olivier were hiding this as simple check-ups or screenings mandatory to enter the palace." Lucius paused, allowing Alexandra and Charles to absorb the shocking revelation. There was more to the story, but he held back, reluctant to relive what he had uncovered.

Gabriel's expression remained neutral, but his fingers curled into tight fists at his sides. He had expected deflection, maybe denial, but not this stark admission.

"Of course you knew," he said softly, his voice laced with bitterness. "How long? How long have you known?"

"We uncovered some of the information you've sent to us; there were just parts of sentences; it took us long enough. There seemed to be magic interference. We then started an investigation into the family and all the connections we had. None of them knew or were involved. Peter worked only with the fallen imperial family." 

Theo decided to take his father's burden and to continue with what they found. 

"We gathered some information from the lab, but it was the first thing to be destroyed. There were no other victims. So, we assumed that it was something that would force our family to support them. Yesterday we found out that Gabriel..." He paused, sighing. "Gabriel was alpha at birth. They changed that."

"How the fuck is that possible? And why didn't you tell us?" Charles was fuming. He couldn't believe that they hid it from them. He could understand Gabriel's decision, but not his brother and father. 

Gabriel approached the armchair in front of him and sat down, his arms crossed, a faint smirk on his lips. "I'll admit, I'm impressed. You've managed to gather more than I expected, especially with all the magical interference clouding things. Guess I underestimated you."

Theo gave a weary smile. "Don't get too impressed. It's been a nightmare. Every lead we follow either twists into something unrecognizable or vanishes completely. It is like trying to put together a puzzle when half of the pieces are enchanted to move by themselves."

Gabriel chuckled, shaking his head. "You're describing the palace's specialty. They've always been good at burying truth under layers of misdirection and magic. It's part of why I had to make my own arrangements after I left."

Lucius's eyes sharpened at that. "Arrangements?"

Gabriel tilted his head, his expression turning serious. "Yeah, with Claymore. I figured you'd stumble across that sooner or later."

Alexandra leaned forward, frowning. "George Claymore? What does he have to do with this?"

"I have an understanding with him," Gabriel simply stated. "We've been working on some... projects related to magical exploitation. Specifically, how magic's been used and manipulated by the old dynasty. Claymore's resources and connections have been invaluable. We've also been looking into how to break the contract that Prince Olivier slapped on me."

Theo's brows furrowed. "You're working with Claymore on breaking the contract?"

Gabriel nodded. "Of course. You think I'd sit around twiddling my thumbs while that thing keeps me chained? Claymore's team is one of the few with the expertise to even take a crack at it. It hasn't been easy, though. Olivier knew what he was doing. The contract's tied to some deep magic, and we haven't been able to locate its source yet. That's part of why I've been staying out of the capital. Between the contract and the palace politics, I wouldn't be able to do much of anything without setting off a chain reaction."

Alexandra's eyes widened slightly. "Why didn't you tell us? We could've helped."

Gabriel looked at her sister; she had been sheltered her entire life, and all of this information had clearly taken its toll on her. "You think I didn't consider that? The contract doesn't just bind me from talking. If I'd brought you into this without knowing the terms, I could've put you in danger. Besides, Claymore and I had it under control. Or at least, as under control as it could be."

Lucius rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "And have you made any progress with Claymore?"

Gabriel shrugged. "Some. We've identified a few weak points in the contract, but it's like unraveling a tapestry—you pull one thread, and five others tighten. We may have a lead." Gabriel grabbed a porcelain cup and poured himself some coffee and milk before continuing. "They believe we should start with my mark. I do not remember being marked, but overwriting it by a dominant alpha could help loose some of the control the contract has over me." 

Theo exchanged a glance with Lucius, then sighed. "I don't like this. "Who were they thinking of?"

"Maximilian Thornwell." 

The alphas in the room tensed. They were not pleased with the option they gave Gabriel. The Von Jaunez family was one of five noble families who were aware of Maximilian's relationship with the new ruling family.

Teo leaned his back on the window frame, crossing his arms on his large chest. He knew Maximilian. He was a good man with a questionable reputation, but something irked about him.

"Is there another way?" Teo asked, staring at his little brother's grotesque mark. It had to be excruciatingly painful. He had an omega mate, Julian, and even though he was gentle during the bonding process, his beloved was in pain. 

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "I don't know. I'm not sure about this either. If you have another option, I'm open to it."

"Why would they gain from that? An alliance with our family? I bet they knew your relationship with us." Charles was clenching his nails on the armchair rest, leaving marks in the soft wood. 

Gabriel sighed and weighted for a moment the words he should say. "George didn't tell me, and I didn't ask, but I am guessing it has to do with his family legacy. He dislikes his son, Elliot, and I can only speculate, but I believe they want Maximilian to inherit the duke title and the army that goes with it."

Lucius reached his glasses and played with them, his blue gaze following the light shining into the gold frame of them. "Probably you should know about this before considering accepting his help. Maximilian is a Hadeon de Lyon bastard and more than this, he has a good relationship with the current Emperor, his brother." 

"Now things are more interesting than I thought. I worked in the past with him. He seems an honorable man." Gabriel took a sip of his coffee and he realized how hungry he was.

"He is. Most likely, George wants to pass his title down to someone who will help the young Emperor. Elliot is a sympathizer of Hadeon." Alexandra said while lying back on the couch. She knew the social world of the Agaron Empire better than anyone else.

"There are rumors that the emperor will reinstate a social season, which, to be fair, it's time, and it will begin with a coming-of-age ball for all the young adults of the Empire." She paused processing her thoughts before speaking again. 

"Gabriel, I think you should stall the marriage until then."