Unlikely Mates

15

**Chapter Fifteen: Facing the Alpha**

Max had never felt more awake. His nerves were on high alert, his mind racing, as he watched Bradley leave his dorm room. The conversation they had just shared left a knot in his chest, one born out of concern for Bradley, and a growing, undeniable sense of protectiveness. Bradley was trapped in a world that Max could barely comprehend-a world of wealth, privilege, and crushing expectations. Max was used to fighting for everything he had, but Bradley's struggle was a different kind of battle, one that felt colder and more suffocating.

Max paced around his dorm, trying to think of their next move. The plan they had come up with was solid enough in theory-figure out a way to show Bradley's father that the arranged marriage wouldn't work, that Bradley was strong enough to resist. But Max knew that they were playing against someone far more experienced, ruthless, and powerful. Bradley's father wasn't just any alpha; he was a titan, a man who didn't lose.

Max exhaled sharply and pulled out his phone. Maybe if they could gather more information, they could build some kind of case. As he was about to text Bradley with a few more ideas, his phone buzzed, displaying an unknown number. His brows furrowed as he debated whether to answer. Something in his gut told him this wasn't just some random caller.

Max swiped to answer. "Hello?"

The voice on the other end of the line was chillingly familiar. "Max Goof, I presume?"

Max froze. Richard Uppercrust's voice was as smooth as polished glass, but there was an unmistakable edge to it-one that sent a shiver down Max's spine. "Yes. Who's asking?"

A low, humorless chuckle echoed through the line. "I believe you already know who I am. I think it's time we had a conversation. In person."

Max's hand tightened around his phone, his pulse racing. "What do you want?"

"I want to make something very clear to you," Richard said, his voice dropping an octave, laced with cold authority. "This little charade between you and my son ends tonight."

Max's stomach twisted. He had expected this moment to come eventually, but he hadn't imagined it would happen so soon-or under such calculated circumstances. "Bradley's not some pawn for you to control."

There was a pause, and when Richard spoke again, his tone was sharp. "You don't understand, Max. My son is bound by the legacy of our family. His future has already been decided. You, on the other hand, are an inconvenience."

Anger flared in Max's chest. He wasn't about to let Bradley's father steamroll over their relationship, no matter how powerful the man thought he was. "I'm not going anywhere," Max said firmly, his voice low but steady. "Bradley deserves to make his own choices, and he doesn't need you deciding his life for him."

"I think you'll reconsider," Richard replied. "Meet me tonight. Alone. We can discuss your role in all of this."

The line went dead before Max could respond, leaving him standing there in stunned silence. His heart hammered in his chest as he lowered the phone, staring at it like it might offer some kind of answer to what had just happened.

He couldn't tell Bradley-not yet. The last thing Bradley needed was more stress, and this confrontation had to happen whether he wanted it to or not. Max knew that this was Richard's way of trying to intimidate him, of trying to scare him off. But if Richard thought Max was the type to back down, he was sorely mistaken.

---

Later that evening, Max found himself standing outside an upscale restaurant, the kind of place he had only ever seen in movies. He couldn't imagine the type of people who would eat here every night, let alone the kind of conversations that happened within its walls. But now, he was about to have one of the most important-and intimidating-conversations of his life.

Max straightened his jacket and took a deep breath before stepping inside. The interior was every bit as luxurious as he had imagined, with soft lighting, crystal chandeliers, and waiters in pristine uniforms gliding between tables. He immediately felt out of place, but he couldn't let that show. Not tonight.

Richard Uppercrust sat at a private table near the back of the restaurant, his posture regal, his eyes sharp as he watched Max approach. The older alpha exuded confidence, his presence commanding attention even in a room filled with wealthy patrons. Max forced himself to meet Richard's gaze head-on, refusing to be intimidated by the man's status or power.

"Max," Richard said smoothly, gesturing for him to sit. "I'm glad you could make it."

Max slid into the seat across from Richard, trying to ignore the way his heart was hammering in his chest. "I didn't exactly have a choice."

Richard smirked, clearly amused by Max's defiance. "No, I suppose you didn't. But I respect that you came."

Max didn't respond, his jaw clenched as he waited for Richard to speak. The silence between them was tense, and Max could feel the weight of Richard's authority pressing down on him, like an invisible force trying to crush his resolve.

"You're quite bold, aren't you?" Richard finally said, his voice smooth but with an underlying edge. "I admire that in a way. But boldness without intelligence is nothing more than recklessness."

"I'm not here to play games," Max said, his voice steady despite the tension coursing through his veins. "If you want me to back off, just say it. But I'm telling you right now, that's not going to happen."

Richard's smile didn't reach his eyes. "You seem to think that this is about feelings. About some juvenile sense of rebellion or romance. Let me make this very clear, Max. This is about power. About legacy. My son's life is not his own. It's been shaped, molded, and destined for something far greater than you could ever understand."

Max's temper flared. "You're wrong. Bradley isn't a puppet for you to control. He's a person. He deserves to make his own decisions."

Richard's gaze darkened, and for the first time, Max saw a flash of genuine anger beneath the man's calm facade. "You're naïve. Bradley has obligations, responsibilities, that far outweigh any fleeting desires he might have for you. His future has already been planned, and you are nothing but a distraction."

Max leaned forward, his voice low and firm. "Bradley's not some pawn in your game. He's not a legacy. He's not just an Uppercrust. He's his own person, and he deserves to choose his own path."

Richard's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. "I could destroy you, Max. I could end your future with a single word. You'll never find a job, never find a place in society. And Bradley... he'll be forced to leave you behind, just like all the others."

Max's breath hitched, but he forced himself to stay calm. He had expected this. He had expected Richard to play dirty, to use every tool in his arsenal to try and intimidate him. But Max wasn't going to back down. Not now. Not ever.

"You can try," Max said, his voice unwavering. "But you won't win. Bradley's stronger than you think, and so am I. We're not going to let you control us."

Richard's smile was cold, devoid of any warmth. "You're a fool if you think you can stand against me. But I'll give you one last chance. Walk away. Leave Bradley, and I won't ruin you."

Max met Richard's gaze, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the weight of the decision bearing down on him, the threat of everything he had worked for being torn away. But when he thought of Bradley-of the way Bradley had opened up to him, of the way he had fought so hard to break free from his father's grip-Max knew there was no turning back.

"I'm not leaving him," Max said quietly, but with fierce determination. "We'll figure it out. Together."

For a long moment, Richard didn't respond. His eyes were cold, calculating, and Max could feel the man sizing him up, evaluating his worth. Finally, Richard leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable.

"You're making a grave mistake, Max. But I suppose you'll learn that soon enough."

Max stood, his hands trembling slightly as the weight of the conversation settled in his chest. "We'll see."

Without another word, Max turned and walked out of the restaurant, his heart still racing. He had stood up to Richard Uppercrust, one of the most powerful alphas in the city, and he had survived. But even as he left the opulent building behind, Max couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of the fight.

The stakes had never been higher.