Chapter 166: No Turning Back

Chapter 166: No Turning Back
Zade’s Mother POV

“Did you hear a single word I just said?” I asked my husband sharply, my voice echoing through the sitting room.

“I’m not deaf,” he replied without looking up, his attention fixed on the magazine resting lazily in his hands.

“If you’re not deaf like you claim,” I snapped, “then why are you acting like nothing is wrong?”

“Because I have nothing to say,” he answered simply.

I clenched my fists, anger and fear boiling tightly inside my chest.

“You know that boy is not meant to be outside,” I said, pacing the room. “Zade needs to stay in his room, reflect on the evil he has done, and change his ways.”

“Evil?” My husband finally dropped the magazine and stood up abruptly. “Did you just say evil?”

His sudden outburst made me tremble, but I refused to show it. I straightened my back and met his glare.

“What evil has Zade committed?” he continued angrily. “Trying to fight for equality? Trying to take what belongs to him?”

“Exactly,” I shot back. “Evil.”

I placed my hands on my hips. “What Zade did, are we, as his parents, supposed to applaud him for that?”

“Woman,” he shouted grabbing his magazines, “don’t stress me about Zade not being in his room. If you think he’s missing or doesn’t belong outside, then go look for him yourself.”

With that, he stormed upstairs.

I watch him climb upstairs as I sat down on the couch, exhaustion washing over me.

I truly didn’t know where Zade could be, or whose place he might have gone to. Fear crept into my heart, fear that I couldn’t voice.

“I just hope you don’t get yourself into another mess, my son,” I whispered to myself.

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Zade’s POV

“Boss.”

One of my men stepped forward cautiously. “The guy we kidnapped has been here for days now. You haven’t given any instructions yet. What’s the plan?” He said looking at me instinctively.

I said nothing.

The truth was, I didn’t even know why I kidnapped Damian.

I just didn’t want to see him. Didn’t want to hear his name praised by students at Archlight Academy. Everywhere I turned, it was Damian this, Damian that, like he was some kind of hero.

Did that mean I wanted him dead?

No.

I wasn’t a murderer.

“Boss?” the man pressed. “If you want us to kill him, just give the order. That’s our job.”

“Enough,” I snapped sharply. “I’m still thinking.”

I wasn’t about to let anyone poison my thoughts further.

“Go and give him food,” I added, waving my hand dismissively.

“Yes, Boss,” he bowed slightly and walked away.

I exhaled deeply once I was alone.

If I killed Damian, what would I gain??

Would it stop the students from praising him??

Would it erase his destiny as an Alpha?

Would it give me peace??

Nothing.

“Nothing,” my wolf’s voice echoed quietly inside my head.

I was shocked.

Did my wolf just speak?

For so long, he had been silent and had distant himself, almost like he had abandoned me. Hearing him now stirred something strange inside of me. I felt so relief and happy. Even though I didn’t like his answer, just knowing he was still there made me smile.

Suddenly, my phone rang in my pocket, shattering the moment.

I pulled it out.

Dad.

I hesitated for a second before answering.

“Zade, where are you?” my father demanded the moment the call connected.

“I took your advice, Dad,” I said, a grin spreading across my face.

“My advice?” His voice grew tense. “What exactly do you mean by that?”

“I decided I wouldn’t give up easily,” I replied calmly. “If Damian is living the life meant for me, just like you said, then the only way to stop him is to take his life.”

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end.

“What are you saying, Zade?” my father asked, panic creeping into his tone.

“I kidnapped Damian,” I said coldly. “And I’m going to kill him.”

“What?” His voice trembled. “You can’t do that, Zade.”

“Why not?” I asked, genuinely surprised. “Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted?”

“Not anymore, son,” he pleaded. “Please, just free him. Let him go now, before it’s too late.”

I smiled darkly.

“It’s already too late, Dad.”

I ended the call.

My phone buzzed again.

And again.

I ignored every single one.

“This time,” I muttered to myself, “no one will stop me. Not even my father.”

I clenched my fist, my wolf stirring uneasily inside me.

“In your next life, Damian,” I smirked, “you’ll avoid my path.”

The decision had been made.

And there was no turning back.

I will take you down or you will take me down. But trust me Damian, I’m not giving up this time.

Just then, one of my boys walked in.

“Boss,” he said.

I raised my head to look at him.

“The boy isn’t eating.”

“So?” I snapped. “Do you want me to feed him myself? If he refuses to eat, that’s even better. It’ll only make our job of killing him easier.”

The moment the word kill left my lips, I saw it, the spark of joy in his eyes.

“So you’ve finally decided what to do,” he said eagerly.

I said nothing.

I simply turned and walked away.

I didn’t have the time to waste on idle chatter with mere boys I had hired for Damian’s kidnapping.

When I reached where Damian was, he was still sitting on the floor, only this time his head was buried between his knees.

“Stepbrother,” I mocked, “I heard you’re refusing to eat your food.”

“Zade,” he said slowly, his voice calm. “You know, you still have the chance to change. To become a better person. This isn’t who you are, Zade.”

“Shut up,” I snapped.

“I’ve told you countless times,” I continued, my voice rising, “that you don’t get to dictate how I live my life. I’ll do whatever I want, and nothing, I repeat nothing will stop me.”

“And to what end?” Damian asked, his voice weak but steady.

“Do you think killing me will make you feel fulfilled?” he pressed.

“Maybe,” I muttered.

“Maybe?” Damian’s asked calmly. “That means you’re not even sure. So why go through with something you’re unsure of?”

“Just shut up!” I screamed, pressing my hands over my ears.

“You see? My words hurt, don’t they?” Damian asked softly.

“But trust me, that’s the truth.”

I looked at Damian but I decided to hold myself, I know those words of his hurt deeply than I would want to even admit, but I was certain Damian is right.

But I already made my decision that nothing can and will stop me.

Is either I die or Damian dies...

But one person must surely go down.