Chapter 61: The Birthday Gala: The Calders 2
Kayden
I followed the Calder family toward the center of the hall where a long table draped in gold-threaded silk stood like an altar.
As we approached, Richard Calder turned his back to face me and didn’t even wait for us to sit before his voice cut through the orchestral hum of the room.
"Why is this boy joining us, Father?" Richard asked, his blue eyes flicking toward me with blatant coldness. "This is a family table. I am sure the boy would be more comfortable with the other players."
Rami chuckled as he settled into the head of the table with the grace of a king, resting his silver-trimmed cane against the cloth. "Nonsense, Richard. I want to learn more about the boy who is probably going to grow higher and lead the Avalanche to victory this season. If he is to be our star, he needs to be more acquainted with the family. Especially with Raymond once Rhys retires. The family legacy must live on."
Family legacy? They were telling Rhys they were replacing him right in front of him with no remorse.
Rami wasn’t just being hospitable; he was sizing me up, seeing how I fit into the rivalry between the two brothers.
Once we were seated, the atmosphere became even more suffocating. I was sitting within arm’s reach of the woman who had given birth to me and then erased me from her memory.
"So, tell me Kayden," Rami said, leaning forward as the first course was served. "Who are your parents? A boy with your level of skill doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. There must be a legacy there, even if it isn’t a hockey one."
My heart hammered hard against my ribs and I looked over at Linda. She was delicately smoothing her napkin, her expression neutral. She had no idea she was part of the very legacy Rami was looking for.
I flicked my gaze towards Rhys and he was already looking at me, his brow furrowed in a deep, protective scowl as if he could see the panic rising behind my eyes.
He cleared his throat and looked at Rami. "Why are you asking about his parents, Grandfather?" Rhys asked, his voice coming out low as if he was sending warning signals to his grandfather. "You invited him here because of his performance on the ice. His family history is irrelevant."
Rami chuckled, wiping his mouth clean with the napkin. "Everything is relevant, Rhys. I just like to know the soil a player has grown in. It tells me if they have the roots to survive a storm."
"My parents were ordinary people, sir," I forced the words out, my voice sounding hollow in my own ears. "My father died when I was fifteen," I lied, clenching my fists under the table.
My father was still very much alive, locked up somewhere and suffering for his own sins... it was how I was able to escape from his abuse.
"My mother..." I continued, looking at Linda again. "She is dead. At least, that’s what my father told me."
Linda gasped, placing a hand on her chest. "How unfortunate," she murmured. "To grow up without a mother’s guidance. It explains why you seem so... guarded."
When she said that, commenting on my lack of guidance with that hollow, honeyed pity voice, a frown formed on my face before I could stop it.
What an audacity, I thought. Especially for a woman who left her child alone.
"That is unfortunate," Rami said, leaning against the chair again. "I was hoping to meet them. I always find that a man’s creator tells me more about his future than his words do."he said and didn’t say anything else after then and jumped on another topic.
"I am looking forward to seeing you play again, Kayden," Rami said, his voice dropping into a more serious, business-like tone. "And most importantly, I am looking forward to seeing you assist Rhys. As much as I admire your individual style, Rhys is the heart of the Northern Avalanche. He has to be the main focus to keep the team where it belongs."
Rami looked toward Rhys, a rare flash of genuine pride crossing his aged face. "My father, Roman built this team into a powerhouse years ago. The Avalanche isn’t just a club, it’s our family history and it’s been our legacy for generations."
I clenched my fists tightly again, wondering why they were letting me in on their family history. I didn’t care; I just wanted to play hockey, but I already knew why they were like that. It was to tell me my place, to let me know I shouldn’t rise higher than Rhys.
"Avalanche is playing the Southern Stallions next week," Rami continued, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made me visibly gulp. "They are an aggressive team, but I expect so much from you, Kayden. I expect you to be the shield that ensures Rhys shines."
Why? I wanted to ask. Because Rhys and I were different people who had different styles of playing on the ice. Why were they imposing their power on me?
"Do you understand, Kayden?" Rami’s voice sounded, bringing me out of my thoughts.
I nodded yet again, clenching my fists tightly under the table. "I understand, sir. I’ll do whatever it takes for the team."
I looked at Rhys and noticed that he had the same expression, and he was clenching the fork in his hand. If he was angry, why wouldn’t he say anything or even stand up for himself?
"Good," Rami said as the first of the guests began to approach the table. "Because in this family, we don’t just play for the win. We play to remind everyone else why they are beneath us."
Beneath us? That was the least of the words I expected him to use.
I forced a smile on my face when he beckoned to the plate in front of me. "Do eat your meal," Rami said, but his words came out like an order.
I lowered my head as I picked up the fork, but I didn’t even feel like eating. I was already regretting why I had come along with Rhys. While regretting my existence right there, some guests began to come to the table and Rami stood to greet them, introducing Rhys and Raymond, and me as the new Avalanche member.
I just stood there, trapped in a cycle of handshakes and hollow compliments, while Richard beamed beside his father and Rhys looked like he wanted to murder someone.
The suffocating tension of the table was interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps on the marble floor close to us.
I watched as a distinguished old man approached, accompanied by a strikingly pretty lady and a boy who looked almost too beautiful to be real. He had a delicate, ethereal quality to him, with fine features and skin that looked like porcelain under the blue-tinted chandeliers.
"Sir Federico!" Rami boomed as he stood, gesturing for the man to join them. There were still three empty chairs. "What a pleasant surprise! I never imagined you would be here."
Sir Federico laughed and hugged Rami. "I would never miss your birthday," he said, and then turned towards Richard. "Hello, son."
Richard greeted him politely with a handshake. "Hello, sir, it’s been a while."
Federico laughed, his eyes roaming through the table until they landed on Rhys. "And this must be Rhys, right?"
Before Rhys could respond, Rami answered on his behalf. "Yes, that’s Rhys. Rhys," he called. "I am sure you remember Sir Federico? He was the legendary center back of the Avalanche back in our day. He is the man who truly understood what it meant to defend the Calder name."
Rhys stood slowly and lowered his head. "Of course," he said. "It’s an honor to see you again, sir," he added, but I could sense the hostility in his tone and knew that no, he surely didn’t remember the man.
"And these are his grandchildren," Rami continued, his gaze drifting to the boy. "Rhys, you remember Elian, don’t you? Your Omega betrothed."
Omega? I must have heard wrong. The words hit me like a physical blow to the chest and I forgot how to maintain my Alpha facade.
I scanned the room again because I had been sure there was no Omega in here, but here he was.
Elian. Rhys’s betrothed. He was an Omega, yet he was standing here, welcomed and celebrated, while I had to hide behind chemicals and sandalwood just to survive the night.
"It’s been a long time, Rhys," Elian said as he stepped closer to Rhys and lowered his head in a submissive bow. "Grandfather speaks of your progress on the ice constantly. I have been looking forward to this reunion."
I expected Rhys to look disgusted that an Omega was touching him, but he didn’t. Instead, he smiled back at Elian.
"Pleasure meeting you again, Elian."