Matias’ POV:

Knocking at my door pulls me out of my half asleep state, and I sit up abruptly. The tension leaves my body seconds later when I recognize the scent of my younger sister, Sofia. It's accompanied by a different scent that I don't fully recognize, but it's mixed with hers so I have my guesses and I don't feel threatened.

"Come in," I call, and the door opens to reveal my little sister.

She looks very different than me; where I have pitch black hair and dark brown eyes, Sofia has caramel hair and light brown eyes that make her seem even softer and more gentle. She's an Omega, as is my brother, but that description doesn't fool me.

Both of my siblings, despite their sensitivity and soft appearances, have trained themselves in private to be extremely intelligent when it comes to technology and the company. Either one of them could take over when my father retires. That's what happens when strict parents try to lock them away and keep them useless and malleable.

"Matias," she says, a sweet smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It's been so long!"

"Running away and being brought back against your will does that," I deadpan and Sofia's face falls.

She sits down at my desk chair, the Alpha accompanying her putting his hands on her shoulders for comfort.

"I heard what happened. Mother and father tried to keep it from us, but it was not difficult to infiltrate their files and question Anthony. I'm so sorry, Matias. If I could have been there to comfort you, I would have."

I nod. "I know, Sofia, I'm not upset with you. Now, who is this pup who's been following you everywhere?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at the Alpha behind my sister.

He has olive skin and seems shyer than other Alphas I've met. Well, than most other Alphas I've met.

"Your reputation still stands strong here," Sofia says, scowling at the Alpha behind her. "Despite the fact that I've told Antonio that you're harmless unless someone deserves your wrath."

I hear a chuckle beside me and Everest sits up. "Your wrath?" he asks, patting my chest. "Damn, who'd you bribe to get people to believe that?"

I roll my eyes. "Sofia, Antonio, this is Everest."

"Is he your new mate?" Sofia asks, peeking beside me to get a look at Everest. "Mother and father mentioned something about you getting a new mate."

"No, he's not my mate." I stand up and approach Antonio and speak to him in Italian so that he can fully understand me. "So, you are my sister's mate?"

"By the will of the moon goddess!" he exclaims nervously as Sofia approaches Everest to translate for him. "I have not tried to seduce her or done anything to wrong her, I swear!"

Everest stares at us as Sofia translates. "Wait, he's actually afraid of you?!" he asks in shock, hopping up from the bed and poking my back. "What'd you do to scare a guy who's way more muscly than you?"

"Yes, I had a reputation when I lived here," I say, reclaiming my spot on my bed. I make eye contact with Antonio. "And my reputation will be upheld, especially when it comes to my siblings."

"Oh, be nice!" Sofia snaps, grabbing her mate's hand. "He has been nothing but sweet to me and he's nice to Mattie."

I smile at that prospect; my little brother, the youngest of the three of us, has always had problems with people teasing and bullying him. Especially in our prep school, as no one believed that one of the sons of one of the most influential men in the country could father such a sensitive Omega.

That's why I had to create a reputation and send a few of those brats to the hospital. They figured out pretty quick that anyone who bothered my little brother would end up hospitalized and no one would do shit to me because of my father's influence.

Even if my parents were less than pleased with me, they didn't try to interfere. It wasn't worth their time.

"Where is Matteo?" I ask, not using the nickname that Sofia gifted him, as he despises it.

"Father wanted to show him off, since I've already found my mate," Sofia says bitterly. "He's not even taking Matteo's desire to find his mate into account."

I growl. "Of course he isn't." I grab one of the many pressed suits out of my closet and order Sofia to go get something for Everest to wear. "Where is the event?"

"At Lorenzo and Bianca Marino's house," Sofia says, biting her bottom lip nervously. "Anthony has orders to keep you here. You understand that, yes?"

"He won't deny me wanting to attend an event with my new mate," I say, rolling my eyes.

Everest re-enters the room in one of the smaller suits that Sofia found. He looks beautiful, and I feel as though the world stops for a second as I stare at him.

"Don't strain your eyes," Everest says, pushing his hair out of his face.

I take his hand in mine, whispering to him to play along, which he does. I'm pretty sure he'll do anything right now to get out of the mansion for a bit. Besides, I doubt he's been to any event like this before.

"Anthony!" I shout, and he exits the kitchen. "Drive us to the event my parents are at."

Anthony raises an eyebrow. "Why?"

"You're not paid to ask me questions."

"You don't pay me, boy."

I glare at him. "You work for my family, which I am very much still apparently a part of."

"Come on, then," Anthony says, guiding us toward the garage. "Your parents will be pleased to see you, but I will warn you against causing a scene."

"When have I ever caused a scene?"

Anthony opens the car door for us, and a guard gets in on either side of myself and Everest so we still have very little chance of running.

"You have in the past when it comes to Matteo," Anthony says, starting the car. "But I will leave your parents to deal with you."

Everest leans against me. "I dislike that guy a little bit more every time he speaks. He's ruining sexy Italian accents for me."

"You think Italian accents are hot?" I ask, a bit jealous before I mentally scold myself for it.

"Not anymore," Everest says, lacing our fingers together and getting a strange look from me. He drops his voice to a whisper. "I'm just playing the game."

Why do I feel so attracted to him? He deserves better than me and I can't pull him into my life. Especially not with my parents involved.

The car ride is short, and when we arrive, Anthony leads us to the front door. The group of people is mostly made up of familiar faces, and I see my younger brother being spoken to by an Alpha who looks older than me, and I'm six years older than Matteo.

"Fucker," I murmur, since that Alpha keeps leaning forward and touching Matteo's cheek, ignoring the obvious signs that my brother is uncomfortable.

"What's your brother's name? Matteo?" Everest asks me, his eyes on the situation.

I nod, and before I can stop him, Everest leaves me in the doorway and approaches the pair.

"Matteo! It's been years!" he exclaims, grabbing my brother's hand and smiling at the Alpha, batting his eyelashes. "Could you excuse us for a bit? I haven't seen Matteo here in years, and I seem to remember that I promised you a drink the last time we hung out!"

The Alpha seems taken aback. "I don't recognize you."

"Well, I go to a lot of these things around the world. Obviously I haven't gotten a chance to introduce myself to everyone."

"Who's your mate?"

Everest glances at me before his smirk comes back to his face. "Henry Thompson."

"Really?!" the Alpha exclaims. "I haven't seen him in a while! Is he here?"

"No, I am accompanying him," I cut in, grabbing Everest's arm in one hand and Matteo's in the other. "Henry couldn't make it to this event. It has been quite some time since Everest have visited us, so he is quite excited to see Matteo."

Matteo nods. "It was lovely talking to you, Claude," he says softly, dragging Everest away from me. "I'll see you in a bit, Matias."

I wave my brother off, and Everest winks at me.

"I was not under the impression that Henry had a mate. Last I heard, he lost his goddess given mate and was unable to find another."

"Really?" I ask, sounding way too surprised. "I have only known him to be with Everest."

Claude hums. "Well, Henry is not very close with the Italian companies, so it makes sense that we would not be up to date. Now, your little brother-"

"He's not interested," I growl. "He wants to find his goddess given mate."

"Ah, come on, it would be great for business, would it not?" he asks, handing me a glass of champagne from a passing waiter's tray.

I take a sip of my drink, but my eyes stay on him and I ensure I keep a menacing expression. "I value my brother's happiness much more than the company, Claude. You tried with Sofia, but you will not succeed with Matteo unless you are his goddess given mate."

"I'm beginning to think that I enjoyed it more when you were out of the country." Claude sips from his drink, still eye-fucking my little brother. "Did you only return to accompany Henry's mate?"

"Yes, and there was a bit of pressure from my parents," I respond, glancing over at Everest chatting my brother up, acting as if they were actually old friends and hadn't just met.

Claude scowls. "He doesn't dislike me."

"You clearly cannot read body language." I finish my champagne. "I must be going now, Everest has had quite the journey and I'm tired as well."

Claude holds out his hand, and I reluctantly shake it, knowing that neither of us are enjoying this.

"Oh, Matias?" Claude calls before I can escape.

"Yes?"

"I never did extend my condolences on the loss of your mate. We were all quite sad to hear he succumbed to his illness. He really was something special."

I bite my inner cheek to keep from bursting out in anger. Of course my parents would lie and say that Cody was sick; even if someone suspected something underhanded, no one would question my parents and accuse them.

"Thank you," I mutter, not making eye contact as I reach my brother and Everest. "Let's go."

Matteo seems eager to leave. "I can go with you?"

"Well, I certainly didn't come here for fun. I came here to pick you up," I say, grabbing both of their arms.

"And where do you think you're going?" a familiar voice that has chills running down my spine calls.

I turn and meet the eyes of my father, my mother standing beside him and giving me a look of deep judgment.

"I'm taking my brother home," I say, gently pushing Matteo and Everest so they're both behind me. "He's tired and does not need to be around all of these vultures."

"It's good for business," mother says, heavy annoyance in her tone. "I heard you found a new mate. Is that him?"

I shake my head. "I don't have another mate. Asking Anthony to hold him at gunpoint was not appropriate," I scold, not caring who overhears.

My father scowls. "Take them both and get out. I do not need people here overhearing your lies, Matias."

"Lies?" I ask, but before I can protest, I catch my father's eye and know it will be dangerous for Everest and possibly for Matteo if I decide to say anything. "My apologies. Matteo, Everest, let's go."

Claude has been listening and glares at me. "That brat is your new mate?" he asks, glaring at Everest. "You lied to me, Omega?"

"Technically, Henry Thompson was my mate, before he rejected me. That's not really a lie," Everest says plainly, grabbing a glass of champagne and drinking it way too quickly. "That was kind of nasty. Uh, anyway, I lied to you to keep Matteo away from you because I can read body language and he did not look too comfortable."

I stop Claude before he can respond. "We can continue this conversation another time, but I need to get these two home."

"You lied to me as well, Matias."

"Yeah, it's a common trend for him," Everest says. "I guess I have a thing for liars."

Claude looks between us skeptically. "So he is your new mate?"

"Obviously," Everest deadpans, grabbing the back of my neck and kissing me deeply. "I'd say it was nice meeting you, but one of us has to be honest. Bye."

I'm kind of stunned from the kiss, but I don't say anything as Everest grabs my hand and pulls me to the front door. He calls for Anthony, obviously enjoying the fact that Anthony has to listen to him since he works for my family and Anthony will not make a scene.

"Drive us home," I say, not commenting on the fact that Everest never lets go of my hand.