Chapter 6 Intrigue

• While their parents engaged in the weighty discussion in Alpha Sebastian's office, the younger generation, left to their own devices, gravitated towards the now-empty grand hall.
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• ‎The remnants of the celebration still lingered – scattered confetti, draped garlands, and the faint scent of cake. Killian, Jacob, Mason, Liam, Nathan, and even a slightly hesitant Alex found themselves drawn to the open space.
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• ‎Soon, a playful energy filled the hall. Killian and Jacob resumed their usual boisterous wrestling, Liam and Nathan engaged in a quieter conversation near the windows, and Alex chased after stray streamers.
• ‎Mason, however, felt a familiar, subtle prickling sensation at the back of his neck. It was that feeling of being watched, a ghost of the earlier party. He stopped his half-hearted attempt to join Killian's roughhousing and turned slowly, his hazel eyes scanning the vast room.
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• ‎Near the shadowed archway leading to the gardens, he spotted them. Lillian and Rosaline stood silently, their stark white hair luminous in the fading light filtering through the high windows. Their striking blue eyes were fixed on him, filled with an unreadable curiosity.
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• ‎A wave of teenage awkwardness and a touch of lingering defensiveness from his earlier squabble with Killian washed over Mason. "What are you two staring at?" he blurted out, his tone ruder than intended.
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• ‎Killian, hearing Mason's sharp tone directed at his sisters, instantly bristled. He abandoned his wrestling match with Jacob and stalked towards Mason, his silver eyes narrowing. "Watch your mouth, Peterson. You got a problem with my sisters?"
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• ‎"Yeah, I got a problem with them lurking around like ghosts," Mason retorted, his own temper flaring.
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• ‎"They weren't lurking," Nathan interjected calmly, stepping between Killian and Mason. "They were just… curious."
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• ‎But the words did little to diffuse the escalating tension. Killian shoved past Nathan, his hand reaching for Mason's shoulder. "You think you're so tough, huh?"
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• ‎Mason shoved back, and in an instant, the two boys were locked in a physical struggle, their youthful aggression filling the once-joyful hall with angry grunts and the scuffing of shoes on the polished floor. Jacob quickly joined Killian, ganging up on Mason.
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• ‎As the fight intensified, a surge of protectiveness welled up within Lillian and Rosaline. Despite Mason's initial rudeness, the sight of their brother and his friend attacking him triggered a primal instinct to defend the boy who had, unknowingly, calmed their near magical outburst earlier. A faint shimmer of power began to emanate from them, their blue eyes hardening.
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• ‎Before their nascent magic could escalate the situation further, Nathan, with a surprising display of strength and agility, managed to pull Killian and Jacob away from Mason.
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• ‎"Enough!" he commanded, his voice firm. "This is ridiculous!" He held his brothers back, his brown eyes stern.
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• ‎ The near-silent observers, Lillian and Rosaline, watched with a complex mix of emotions – a lingering curiosity about Mason, a fierce protectiveness towards him, and a simmering resentment towards their own brothers.
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• ‎Liam, seeing the fight escalating and Mason outnumbered, quickly intervened, grabbing his friend by the arm and pulling him away from the struggling Greys.
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• ‎"Mason, that's enough!" he urged, his green eyes pleading. "It's not worth it."
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• ‎Jacob, his chest heaving, positioned himself protectively in front of Killian, his young wolfish instincts on high alert. He glared at Mason, daring him to make another move. "You start something in our hall, Peterson, you'll regret it."
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• ‎Nathan stood between the two factions, his brow furrowed in frustration as Killian and Mason continued to exchange heated words, even separated by Liam and Jacob.
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• ‎"Just stay away from them," Killian snarled, his silver eyes still blazing with anger.
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• ‎"Why? You going to sic your weird little magic tricks on me?" Mason shot back, his own temper still simmering.
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• ‎Lillian and Rosaline, still near the archway, felt a fresh wave of resentment at Mason's crude words. The earlier flicker of protectiveness waned, replaced by a cold annoyance. Liam tightened his grip on Mason's arm, trying to physically steer him away from the volatile situation, while Jacob remained a staunch guard before a still-fuming Killian.
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• ‎Nathan sighed, the youthful camaraderie of the hall replaced by a palpable tension, a stark reminder of the underlying friction between their packs.
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• ‎"I can't wait to wipe the floor with you at Alpha training camp, Peterson," Killian spat, his silver eyes narrowed with intense animosity.
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• ‎Mason, despite Liam's restraining grip, leaned forward, his hazel eyes burning with equal fury. "Oh, you think you're so tough, Grey? I can't wait to beat your ass either, asshole."
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• ‎Before the situation could escalate further, Nathan, standing between them, intervened, his voice firm. "Enough, you two! Save your insults for the training camp. And watch your language in front of Alex."
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• ‎The sudden reprimand from his older brother caught Mason off guard. He glanced at the small, wide-eyed Alex, who had stopped playing with his toys and was now staring at the scene with a mixture of fear and confusion. Mason felt a pang of guilt. He had forgotten about Alex's presence.
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• ‎Killian, still riled up, turned to Nathan with a defiant glare. "I'll say whatever I want. He's just a kid."
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• ‎Nathan, despite his own anger, remained calm. "But he's a kid who shouldn't be exposed to that language. And your behavior is setting a bad example."
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• ‎Mason, seeing the growing tension, took a step back. "Fine, I'll watch my mouth. But I still can't wait to kick your ass at training camp."
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• ‎Killian smirked. "I'll be waiting."
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• ‎The confrontation ended, but the tension lingered in the air. Mason and Killian had exchanged heated words, and while the physical fight had been averted, the underlying animosity was clear. The once-joyful atmosphere of the hall was now marred by the specter of their rivalry.
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• ‎From their vantage point by the arched window, Lillian and Rosaline had witnessed the entire exchange.
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• ‎ Rosaline, ever the more outspoken, watched Mason's retreating back with a scowl. "Well," she muttered under her breath, her striking blue eyes narrowed, "he's definitely an asshole."
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• ‎Lillian, usually more reserved, nodded in agreement, her own brow furrowed. "He was rather rude. Especially after… well, you know."
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• ‎They fell into a brief silence, the tension in the hall palpable even from their distance.
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• ‎Then, Lillian spoke softly, her gaze drifting back to where Mason had stood. "Do you remember… during the birthday celebration? When we first saw him?"
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• ‎Rosaline's expression softened slightly, a hint of a wistful smile touching her lips. "Yes. I remember that… pull. That strange warmth. It was… unexpected."
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• ‎"And he looked… handsome," Lillian added, a faint blush gracing her cheeks. "Even, despite being just a boy."
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• ‎"He did," Rosaline agreed, her gaze distant. "There was something… intriguing about him. A kind of defiance in his eyes."
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• ‎They were quiet for a moment longer, the memory of that initial, inexplicable connection contrasting sharply with Mason's current abrasive behavior. The complexities of their feelings, the unexpected pull of fate colliding with teenage antagonism, swirled within them.
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• ‎Suddenly, a familiar mental voice cut through their thoughts. Lillian. Rosaline. Your father requests your presence in the meeting room. Now. It was Alpha Sebastian, his tone carrying a note of parental authority that brooked no argument.
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• ‎The twins exchanged a knowing glance. The private conversation their parents were having was clearly over, and now it was their turn to be part of the discussion with all the Alphas and Lunas present.
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• ‎ With a shared sigh, they turned away from the window and the lingering image of the infuriatingly handsome, undeniably rude Mason, and headed towards their father's summons.
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