Daniel’s father is about to tell him the likelihood of him becoming a submissive. Surely if it’s too high then his father won’t want him to do it, right?

“Eight percent,” Daniel’s father says, looking at him sternly across his large mahogany desk. Daniel hates this desk. He’s been whipped with a branch over this fucking desk more times than he can count.

That’s terrible, he thinks about saying. It isn’t worth the risk. I don’t want to do it.

His father turns his gaze to Daniel’s brother Logan. “Twelve percent.”

Ah, hell.

Daniel can see Logan grip the chair tightly, knuckles white against the carved wood. “What do you think I should do, Sir?” Logan asks, leaving it up to their father.

Daniel wants to punch him.

“Our family has been in the military for five generations. We have always fought with integrity and bravery. We do not run from our duty. No boys of mine would turn down this opportunity to become the best of the best, no matter the odds. Your grandfather’s odds on D-Day certainly weren’t above fifty percent chance of survival. That’s how heroes are made. Real men take the risk.”

Logan nods in agreement. “Yes, Sir.”

Daniel wants to howl in protest. He wants to get up and run from the room, but how can he when he only has an eight percent chance of becoming a submissive while Logan is at twelve percent?

“That is the right decision,” their father says. And then he turns to Daniel.

“I want to make you proud,” Daniel tells him, voice wavering. He has to clear his throat—it’s so terrifying to argue with his father. But he’s an adult. He needs to do better than this.

“This is a good start,” their father says, and stands up.

“But I can’t do it,” Daniel forces himself to say. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to risk it.” Bile fills his mouth. He might throw up all over his father’s desk.

“It’s a matter of will, Daniel. If you are steadfast in who you are, if you have no moral failings, then you have nothing to worry about. Do you have the will to become a Dominant?”

Daniel is almost positive “will” doesn’t have anything to do with it. “I do believe in myself, but it’s a… risk. All sorts of good men come out wrong, I mean submissive⁠—”

“Not my sons,” his father retorts, voice a low hiss of rage.

He can feel Logan looking at him, shocked at his display of disobedience.

“Your brother Aaron will be the head of this family. You two are meant for the military. I will not be shamed by you, Daniel. If you don’t have the courage to do your duty⁠—”

“He does. Of course he does,” Logan cuts in, getting to his feet.