Unlikely Mates

18

**Chapter Eighteen: A Tense Reunion**

The room felt smaller the moment Richard Uppercrust stepped inside, his presence overwhelming the space with an air of superiority that made Max’s skin crawl. Max watched as Bradley’s father casually surveyed the room, his sharp eyes missing nothing. Richard’s posture was relaxed, but there was an unmistakable undercurrent of tension in the way he carried himself. He was here for a reason, and Max doubted it was just to talk.

Bradley stood frozen, his body stiff with tension. His eyes met Max’s for a brief moment, and in that look, Max saw a mixture of emotions: anger, fear, and something else—something softer. It was a silent plea for strength, for support, and Max knew then that no matter how much pressure Richard tried to apply, Bradley wasn’t going to face this alone.

Max closed the door with a soft click, the sound unnervingly final. Bradley hadn’t said a word since his father arrived, but the energy in the room was charged, like a storm waiting to break.

“So, this is where you’ve been hiding out,” Richard commented, his voice cool and detached as he glanced around the modest dorm room. “I must say, Bradley, I expected more from you. Lowering yourself to… this.”

Max’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. The condescension in Richard’s voice was unmistakable, and it took everything in him to keep his mouth shut. He knew this wasn’t his battle to fight—at least, not yet. Bradley needed to take the lead.

Bradley crossed his arms over his chest, his voice flat. “What do you want, Dad?”

Richard’s gaze shifted to his son, his eyes narrowing slightly as if assessing him. “I came here to talk some sense into you, Bradley. It’s become painfully clear to me that you’ve lost sight of what’s important. This little… rebellion of yours needs to end.”

Max watched as Bradley’s jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists. But Bradley held his ground, his voice steady as he replied, “I haven’t lost sight of anything. What I’m doing is my choice, not yours.”

Richard’s lips curved into a thin smile, though there was no warmth in it. “Ah, yes. Choice. A wonderful concept when you’re not being weighed down by the responsibilities of a legacy. But unfortunately for you, Bradley, choice is a luxury you don’t have.”

Max felt the tension in the room spike. Richard’s words dripped with manipulation, each one a reminder of the stranglehold he had on Bradley’s life. Max’s chest tightened with anger, but he stayed silent, his eyes darting between father and son.

Bradley took a deep breath, his voice calm but firm. “I’m not a puppet, Dad. I’m not going to live my life the way you want just because you think it reflects on the family name.”

Richard’s smile faded, and for the first time since he entered the room, a flicker of genuine anger crossed his face. “You don’t understand what’s at stake here, Bradley. This isn’t just about you. It’s about our family, our reputation, our legacy. You’ve been given everything, and yet you insist on throwing it all away.”

Bradley’s eyes flashed with frustration. “Everything? You mean the money, the expectations, the pressure? I didn’t ask for any of that, Dad. You’re the one who decided that my life should revolve around the Uppercrust name, not me.”

Max could see the tension building in Bradley’s frame, and he knew that if this conversation continued down this path, things would only escalate further. He stepped forward, positioning himself beside Bradley, his presence a silent show of support.

Richard’s gaze flicked to Max, his expression hardening. “Ah, yes. The omega. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that you’ve fallen under his influence. Omegas are good at that, aren’t they? They play on your emotions, make you think you’re making your own choices when in reality, they’re pulling the strings.”

Max’s blood boiled at the insinuation, but before he could respond, Bradley’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “Don’t you dare talk about Max like that.”

Richard’s eyebrows rose slightly, a look of mock surprise on his face. “So defensive. It’s almost as if you care for him.”

Bradley’s jaw clenched. “I do care about him. More than I’ve ever cared about anything you’ve tried to force on me.”

Max’s heart skipped a beat at Bradley’s words. He hadn’t expected Bradley to be so direct, so open about his feelings, especially in front of his father. It was a clear declaration, one that left no room for doubt about where Bradley’s loyalties lay.

For a moment, Richard seemed genuinely taken aback, his expression hardening as he stared at his son. The tension in the room grew thicker, the air almost suffocating with the weight of unspoken emotions.

“You’re making a mistake, Bradley,” Richard said quietly, his voice dangerously calm. “This omega is a distraction. A phase. And if you continue down this path, you’ll destroy everything we’ve worked for. You’ll ruin the family name, and you’ll ruin your future.”

Bradley met his father’s gaze head-on, his voice steady. “If being with Max means losing everything, then so be it. I’m done living my life for you.”

Max’s breath caught in his throat at the raw conviction in Bradley’s words. He had known Bradley was strong, but hearing him say that—hearing him choose Max over the expectations of his family—left Max feeling both vulnerable and incredibly valued.

Richard’s eyes darkened, his voice laced with venom. “You’re a fool, Bradley. And fools pay for their mistakes.”

Bradley stood his ground, his posture unyielding. “If that’s the price for my freedom, then I’ll pay it.”

For a moment, there was nothing but silence, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a knife. Max could feel the weight of Richard’s gaze on him, as if the older alpha was trying to size him up, to figure out what it was about him that had turned Bradley against everything he’d been raised to value.

Then, without another word, Richard turned and strode toward the door. He paused just before leaving, glancing back at Bradley with a cold, calculating look.

“You’ll regret this,” Richard said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “I promise you that.”

And with that, he was gone, the door closing behind him with a finality that left the room feeling strangely empty in his absence.

Max let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, his heart still pounding in his chest. He turned to Bradley, who was standing there, his expression hard but his shoulders tense with the weight of what had just happened.

“Bradley…” Max began, unsure of what to say. He had seen a side of Bradley tonight that he hadn’t seen before—a side that was willing to stand up to the man who had controlled his life for so long. And yet, Max knew that this was far from over.

Bradley let out a long breath, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe he actually came here.”

Max stepped closer, placing a hand on Bradley’s arm. “You were amazing. I don’t know if I could’ve stood up to him like that.”

Bradley’s lips quirked into a small, humorless smile. “It wasn’t easy. But… I’ve spent my whole life being afraid of him. I’m tired of living like that.”

Max nodded, his heart swelling with admiration for Bradley’s strength. “You don’t have to do this alone, you know. We’ll figure it out together.”

Bradley’s gaze softened as he looked at Max, and for a moment, the tension between them melted away, replaced by something warmer, something more intimate. Max could see the vulnerability in Bradley’s eyes—the fear of what lay ahead, the uncertainty of the future. But beneath it all was a quiet determination, a resolve that Max knew would carry them through whatever came next.

“I know,” Bradley said quietly, his hand reaching up to brush a strand of hair from Max’s face. “I’m lucky to have you.”

Max felt a warmth spread through his chest at Bradley’s words, and for the first time since Richard had arrived, he allowed himself to relax. They were in this together, no matter what Richard Uppercrust threw at them. And somehow, that made everything feel just a little less daunting.

Whatever storm was coming, they would weather it.

Together.