THE PAST (Author's POV) The atmosphere in the conference room was tense as the elders stared at Benjamin with wide eyes. "What?" Rudolph asked. "What do you mean by that, Alpha?" "Exactly what I said," Benjamin shrugged. "You said you would die for me not long ago, didn't you?" "That was in the context of war, Alpha," Rudolph clarified. "You can't just kill us to quell your suspicions." "But your very existence is a threat to my life," Benjamin said calmly as he sat back down. "You see, I'm about to be a father. I don't want to die before I even see my child. You have all been fathers, haven't you? You have enjoyed fatherhood. Can't you do this for your Alpha's sake?" "Stop acting like a child, Alpha!" Cedric hissed as he stood up defiantly. "You aren't asking us to get you candy fr