Page 54 of Fathom

“If you came back now, publicly, the prodigal heir returned? That would be a turning point. For all of us.” His gaze drifted over to me. "Any other problem can be solved."

I kept nibbling my way through the salad, crunching softly like it was popcorn, and I was watching a drama unfold onscreen. From what I could piece together, Eun walking away had been good forhim, and maybe not so great for his family’s reputation. Now they wanted him back, like a glossy ribbon to tie around their rebranded image.

“Image doesn’t matter,” Eun said. “People matter. My wife matters to me.”

“Yourfamilymatters,” his father shot back. “What kind of change are you going to make working in that lizard’s restaurant? Come back and make real change. I’m running for office this year. With you standing by the family, showing your allegiance, it would shift everything.”

I finished the last bite of my salad and set the little glass cup down. The servant from before reached around me again, swift and silent, whisking it away before I could catch her eye and thank her. She moved like a shadow, gone before I could do more than inhale to speak.

Eun leaned forward, voice calm but firm. “Give me control of Wolf Enterprises.”

"That is a third of the family's income," his mother said.

His father laughed, short and incredulous. “You think you can run a business?”

Wolf Enterpriseswas the phrase I substituted in for the unfamiliar words once I knew it was a business.

“I think you’ll need to focus on your campaign,” Eun said evenly, folding his hands on the table.

I guessed that last word, campaign, based on the tone and the context. His father had mentioned running for an important position.

His mother narrowed her eyes. “Do you really believe you can run Wolf Enterprises with prey by your side? What even is she?”

“I’m a human,” I said, sitting up a little straighter.

All heads turned toward me as if they had only just remembered I existed, except for Eun, who looked at me with that same gentle pride I was starting to crave. His smile warmed my skin like sunlight.

“My point stands,” his mother said crisply. “You can’t expect the board, the investors, the public, to support any of this with awifewho’s prey.”

She turned to look at the staff lined neatly along the walls, her lips curling in command. “Leave us.”

Without a sound, the serving staff withdrew, vanishing like mist, leaving behind a quiet that was heavy with anticipation.

Her gaze slid to the two younger siblings. They stood without a word and left the room. Barathice remained seated, her eyes sharp and eager, her tongue snaking out to lick her lips.

Then a new figure entered.

A woman unlike any of the previous staff, taller, angular,with four arms and steel in her posture. She looked like one of the hyena species. Her claws were polished to points, and her movements had the sharp efficiency of someone trained for more than service. The metal cart she pushed rattled faintly with each step, the sound echoing in the suddenly too-silent room. A domed lid covered whatever was on top, and the faint scent of something rich and metallic drifted ahead of her like a warning.

“We won’t stay here for this,” Eun growled, standing abruptly. His chair scraped back with a sharp screech, loud in the heavy silence of the room.

“Sit down, son,” his father snapped, his voice edged with warning.

Eun's hair lifted out to the sides again, as if it could reach out and grab them all. His claws flexed against the table’s edge.

“You think a marriage contract will save her?” his mother said with a casual laugh. “The only reason she’s still alive is because you made the sensible decision to come home for dinner. Now, sit down.”

My heart pounded in my ears, the threat against my life clear and crisp.

Slowly, like a beast resisting a chain, Eun lowered himself back into his chair. His hands curled into tight fists against his thighs, and the look he leveled at his parents could have scorched the earth.

The new staff member didn’t flinch. She stepped forward and placed a plate in front of him, thick, red-centered meat, seared just enough to leave the scent of heat and iron in the air.

My mouth watered against my will.

I hadn’t eaten red meat since arriving on this planet. Everything Eun brought home had been vegetarian. The food in the restaurant was all vegetarian. Even when we cooked together,he always made vegan meals for me, bright, tender shoots and colorful roots, keeping the eggs and fish for himself unless I reached for them and took them from his plate. When I did, he’d watch me with that quiet, amused expression, like I was doing something endearing without realizing it.

The rich, savory scent curled into my nose and coiled in my belly. I shifted in my seat as hunger clawed through me, hot and unexpected.