Chapter 61 Chapter 60

Chapter 61 Chapter 60
Katrina’s POV
The gunshot echoed through the night, freezing me in place. My breath caught in my throat as I watched Damien crumple to the ground, blood pooling around him, his own gun slipping from his hand.
“Did he… shoot himself instead?” I whispered at myself, my hand clasping in my mouth as I looked at the scene unfolding before my eyes. 
Immediately, I got out of my car and ran straight towards Archer.
My knees nearly gave out, but then I saw Archer—staggering, clutching his side.
“Archer!” I screamed, rushing to his side. His hand was pressed against his ribs, and crimson stained his shirt. My heart thundered in my chest.
“It’s… just a graze,” he muttered, his voice strained, but his eyes betrayed the pain he was trying to hide.
I didn’t care what he said. He was hurt, and I had to get him out of here. 

The ride back to our mansion felt like a ticking bomb.
I had managed to haul Archer into the back seat, my hands trembling as I gripped the wheel. Every bump on the road seemed to jar him, and every wince on his face felt like a knife to my chest.
Once we arrived, I called for help. “Bring the medical kit to my room. Now!” I commanded one of the handmaidens, my voice sharp with urgency.
By the time I had Archer on the bed, my hands were covered in his blood. The sight made my stomach churn, but I didn’t falter.
“You didn’t have to bring me here,” Archer murmured, his voice weak but tinged with defiance. “I’ve dealt with worse.”
“Shut up,” I snapped, grabbing the medical kit the handmaiden brought. “You’re not dying in my house, Archer.”
He smirked faintly, despite the pain. “Wouldn’t want to ruin your carpets.”
I ignored him, focusing on cleaning the wound. His body flinched under my touch, and I fought to keep my hands steady. “You’re lucky it’s just a graze,” I muttered. “Another inch, and…”
“Another inch, and Damien would’ve hit his target,” Archer finished for me. His voice was bitter, his jaw clenched.
I paused, meeting his gaze. “Why do you have to throw yourself into the fire every time?” I asked, my voice trembling. “You’re always so ready to fight, to bleed… like you don’t care if you live or die.”
He didn’t answer immediately. His eyes shifted, looking past me as if he couldn’t bear to meet my gaze. 
“Maybe I don’t,” he said finally, his voice low.
My chest tightened, anger and sorrow mixing inside me. “Well, I care,” I whispered, forcing him to look at me. “So stop acting like you’re disposable. You’re not.”
For a moment, there was silence between us, the only sound the rustling of bandages and the soft hum of the night outside.
Finally, Archer broke the silence. “What happens now?” he asked, his voice raw.
I sighed, sitting back on the edge of the bed. “I’ve already filed a case against the Smiths,” I said, my voice steadying. “They’ll be here soon—once they’ve checked on Damien at the hospital. The evidence is strong, Archer. It’s enough to take them down.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “You’re putting yourself in their crosshairs.”
“I don’t care,” I said firmly. “They’ve destroyed too many lives. My fucking life, including yours. It’s time someone stood up to them.”
He stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he reached out, his hand brushing against mine. “Thank you,” he murmured.
I shook my head, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Don’t thank me yet,” I said softly. “This fight is far from over.”
“What do you mean?” Archer’s voice was a whisper, raw and filled with apprehension.
I tightened the bandage around his arm, pausing to meet his gaze. “The case I filed against the Smiths,” I said, my voice steady but tinged with unease. 
“It’s been approved. They’re coming here—soon. But they’ve stopped at the hospital to check on Damien first.”
His eyes darkened, a mix of anger and resignation flashing in them. “So it’s finally happening.”
“Yes,” I said, my chest tightening. “We have enough evidence to expose them for what they’ve done, Archer. Damien’s crimes, the cover-ups, everything. It’s all out in the open now.”
Before he could respond, a soft knock interrupted us. The door creaked open, and my mother, Felicia, stepped inside.
 Her gaze darted from me to Archer, her lips pressed into a thin line.
The tension in the room was palpable. I stood, unsure of what to expect. “Mother,” I said cautiously.
Her eyes lingered on Archer’s battered form, then flicked back to me. “Katrina,” she said, her tone reserved. “May I speak with you?”
I glanced at Archer, who gave me a faint nod. Taking a deep breath, I followed her to the far side of the room.
“What is he doing here again?” she asked, her voice low but firm.
“He’s here because he needs help,” I replied, my tone just as firm. “Because he’s not just some outsider to me, Mother. He’s… he’s important.”
Her expression softened, but only slightly. “Important how?”
I hesitated, then squared my shoulders. “He’s my mate. And if that’s not enough, he’s also the man I’ve chosen to be with.”
Her brows lifted, surprise flickering in her eyes. “He’s your… mate?”
“Yes,” I said convincingly and hold her hands. “This is a blessing from the Moon Goddess. Would you dare to go against it?”
For a moment, I thought she’d argue, but then she sighed. 
“I’m telling you. Your father won’t like this,” she said, shaking her head. “But… if he’s what you want, you have my blessing. Just be careful, Katrina.”
Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. Heavy footsteps and the sound of raised voices echoed from the hall.

The Smiths had arrived.
The air in the room turned suffocating as Damien’s father, Alpha Steven Smith, strode in, his presence commanding and menacing. His eyes landed on Archer, then darted to me and my parents.
“You think you can drag my family’s name through the mud?” Steven bellowed, his fury palpable. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
“Enough, Steven!” my father, Leonardo, stepped forward, his voice steady but firm. “The evidence is clear. Your family’s actions have consequences.”
Steven sneered. “Consequences?” He laughed bitterly. “You forget, Leonardo, I’m still the Alpha of this pack. You can’t touch me.” He turned his icy glare on Archer. “Get up. You’re coming with me.”
“No,” I said, stepping in front of Archer. “You can’t just—”
Steven’s eyes glowed dangerously, his Alpha aura pressing down on the room. My parents flinched, their positions as leaders momentarily frozen under his command.
I clenched my fists, rage boiling inside me. “You’re abusing your power!”
“And what are you going to do about it?” Steven taunted. “I’m taking my son, and none of you can stop me.”
We all gasped when he said that. “S-Son?” my mother asked in a shocked voice. 
“The one you put in prison… is your own bloodline?!” my mother shouted and slapped him immediately. 
Steven was about to hurt her, but my father immediately stepped forward and said, “Dare to lay a finger on my wife, and we’re going into war.”
Archer slowly rose to his feet, his movements deliberate. His gaze locked on Steven, calm yet unyielding.
“Leave the Brown family alone,” he said, his voice steady and resolute. “I’ll go with you.”
My eyes went wide in shocked.
“Archer, no!” I cried, grabbing his arm.
He turned to me, a faint smile on his bruised face. “It’s okay, Katrina. Thank you for saving me from prison. But this… this is something I have to face.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “No, Archer! He’s using his Alpha command on you! Don’t you see that? Don’t let him control you like this!”
“I’ll go,” Archer repeated, his voice firm, “but only on one condition.”
Steven raised a brow. “And what’s that?”
“You don’t hurt or interfere with the Browns anymore. Leave them out of this.”
Steven smirked, his victory evident. “Fine. You have my word.”
“Archer, please,” I begged, my voice breaking. “You don’t have to do this.”
He turned back to me, his eyes filled with pain and resolve. “I do,” he said softly. “For you.”
And with that, he stepped past me, following Steven outside our house.