Chapter 64: Chapter 63
Archer’s POV
The hospital reeked of antiseptic and bad memories. I hated every second I spent inside those walls, but I had to be here because Alpha Steven told me to.
Damien had woken up.
Not that I was relieved. No, far from it. I was angry—angrier than I’d ever been in my life. Angry at him, at the mess he’d created, and at the responsibility he’d dumped in my lap.
I shoved the door to his room open harder than necessary, the sound making him flinch. Good. He deserved to feel on edge.
He deserved to feel worse than that, but for now, I’d settle for making sure he knew exactly where we stood.
Damien looked up at me from the hospital bed, his face pale and drawn. The smugness he usually wore was gone, replaced with something close to shame. I wasn’t buying it.
“Archer,” he croaked, his voice weak.
I stepped inside and closed the door behind me, the quiet click ringing like a gunshot in the tense air. “So, you’re awake.”
He nodded, avoiding my gaze. “Yeah, thanks man for putting me here in the hospital. You’re a fucker!”
“Good. Then you can hear this loud and clear.” My voice was cold, sharp enough to cut. “You’re done, Damien. I’m taking the Alpha position.”
His head snapped up, his eyes widening. “Archer, I—”
“You don’t get to argue,” I snarled, stepping closer to his bed. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? You didn’t just ruin your life—you destroyed my fucking life. A woman and her child, Damien. Dead. Because of you.”
His hands clenched the thin hospital blanket, his shoulders trembling. “I didn’t mean—”
“That woman is my mother and my baby sister,” I cut him off.
“W-What?!” he said, his eyes going wide. “I didn’t k-know—-”
“Save it,” I snapped. “Intent doesn’t matter. Results do. You killed them, Damien, and you’re going to prison for it. No running. No hiding. You’ll face this head-on, just like you should’ve done in the first place.”
Tears streamed down his face as he broke under my words. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I’m so sorry, Archer. For everything—for putting this on you, for messing up, for—”
“I don’t care about your apologies,” I cut him off, my voice sharp and unforgiving. “You don’t get to apologize your way out of this. You’re going to face the consequences, and that’s final.”
He nodded, his sobs choking his words. “I’ll do it. I’ll serve my sentence. I deserve it.”
“Damn right, you do,” I muttered, turning on my heel and storming out of the room before I said something I’d regret.
The hallway felt suffocating, even with my bodyguards trailing behind me. They flanked me as we headed for the exit, their presence a constant reminder of what my life had become.
But just as I approached the doors, a figure caught my attention. Someone stood off to the side, leaning against the wall. They wore a black shirt and a cap pulled low over their face, but I could feel their eyes on me.
I stopped in my tracks, narrowing my eyes. “Who the hell are you?”
The figure didn’t respond. Instead, they tilted their head slightly, as if amused, then turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows beyond the hospital’s automatic doors.
I stood there for a moment, my fists clenched at my sides.
Two Weeks Later…
The flash of cameras and the swarm of reporters outside the hospital were relentless. Questions were shouted from every direction, but I ignored them, sliding into the backseat of the car without a word.
The door shut, muffling the chaos outside.
The drive to the Smiths arena was silent except for the hum of the engine. My fingers drummed against my thigh, the weight of the upcoming inauguration pressing heavily on my chest.
This wasn’t how I wanted to take the title, but I didn’t have a choice. Damien’s actions left no room for anyone else to lead.
When we arrived, the arena was packed, filled with pack members and dignitaries. The air was electric with anticipation.
I scanned the crowd from the side of the stage, my eyes darting over the faces, searching for one in particular.
Katrina. My chest loosened slightly when I didn’t see her or the group of friends she often surrounded herself with.
Good. The last thing I needed was her presence complicating an already volatile day.
Mr. Smith, my father, took the stage first.
His voice was steady, commanding the attention of everyone in the arena. “Today marks a new chapter for our pack. A chapter of strength, resilience, and unity. My lost son…” He paused, his voice thick with emotion.
“We thought he was dead, fooled by hospitals into believing he didn’t survive. But fate had other plans. Archer Smith is alive, strong, and ready to lead.”
The crowd murmured in surprise and approval as he turned to me. “As Alpha of the pack, I hereby relinquish my title to Archer Smith…”
He never finished.
A loud crack split the air, and my father’s body jerked backward.
Blood bloomed on his chest, staining his pristine suit.
He collapsed to the stage floor as the crowd erupted into chaos.
“Sniper!” someone screamed, panic spreading like wildfire.
I froze for half a second before my instincts kicked in.
“Get him help! Now!” I barked, my voice cutting through the commotion. Someone was already kneeling beside my father, performing CPR.
Moments later, a pack’s healer rushed onto the stage. He leaned over my father, checking for a pulse.
Then, he stood and turned to the crowd, his face pale. “The Alpha… is dead.”
The arena exploded into noise—screams, sobs, shouts of fear and anger. I turned to my mother, who was trembling beside me.
“Mother, listen to me,” I said firmly, gripping her shoulders. “Let’s calm down. Follow me.”
“Brother…” Damien’s voice was shaky as he stumbled toward us, his face pale with shock.
I didn’t have time to process his reaction. “Come with me. Both of you.” I ushered them through the chaos, my bodyguards forming a tight perimeter around us. Gunfire rang out in the distance, and I knew the sniper wasn’t done. Reports came in through the mind-link—ten of our guards were down.
As we reached a secure room, I mind-linked Lupus.
Lupus, did you find and secure Katrina?
His response was hesitant, almost panicked. Boss… she tricked me. I—I think she’s heading to the arena. I couldn’t stop her.
My chest tightened, anger and worry twisting together into a knot. “Shit!” I hissed aloud, pacing the small room as the weight of my actions sank in.
If Katrina was coming here, she’d be walking straight into a war zone. And I wasn’t sure if I could save her in time.