Chapter 127
Alexander's POV
I stood in the dimly lit hallway outside the treatment room, my eyes fixed on the half-open door. Erin was awake, making small talk with Chris. Her voice was weak, but she was alive. My wolf nearly howled, urging me to rush in, but my feet remained rooted to the floor.
Damn it, I can't face her. This is all my fault.
My nails had unconsciously transformed into claws, leaving shallow marks on the wall. If only I'd noticed Marcus's suspicious behavior sooner. If I hadn't argued with Erin. If I'd just FUCKING protected her... she would never have been strapped to that operating table. The image of her suffering was seared into my mind, impossible to shake.
Through the doorway, I watched her smile at Chris. Even in her weakened state, she was beautiful enough to make my throat tighten. My wolf paced restlessly inside me, desperate to be near her, but I forced myself to step back.
I don't deserve to touch her. I almost got her killed.
The phone in my pocket vibrated, interrupting my self-flagellation. Noah's name flashed on the screen.
"What is it?" I answered quietly, moving deeper into the hallway.
"He's awake," Noah's voice was tense, deliberately low. "Marcus is demanding to see you. Says he'll only talk to you."
I gritted my teeth. "Why the hell should we give him that privilege?"
"He's been calling your name like a madman," Noah paused. "I think you should hear what he has to say."
I glared at my phone, then glanced back at Erin's door. My wolf tore at me from within, reluctant to leave her. "Fuck. Fine. I'll be there in ten minutes."
---
The detention room was freezing, the air thick with the smell of blood and the sour stench of fear. Marcus was bound to a metal chair in the center by silver chains, his face severely swollen with one eye completely shut. Dried blood traced a path from his nose to his chin.
When he saw me enter, his good eye flickered with cunning, and his mouth twisted into an ugly smile.
"Look who finally graced us with his presence," he rasped, "the great heir has arrived."
I stood by the door with folded arms, my nose wrinkling at the scent of defeat and hatred emanating from him. "Make it quick. Two minutes. Then I'm handing you over to the Guardian Alliance."
"Cold as ever, Alexander," he chuckled, wincing as it pulled at his wounds. "Everything I did was for the pack, for father, for our collective safety."
"Safety?" I almost laughed, stepping forward. "Kidnapping innocent werewolves, using them as lab rats, nearly killing Erin—this is what you call safety?"
Marcus leaned forward, chains rattling. "This world only respects power! The Moon Herb extract could make us unprecedentedly strong. No one would dare challenge the Black Stone Pack!"
"Bullshit!" A growl rolled from my throat. "You weren't protecting anyone. You were building your own private arsenal."
"What the fuck do YOU know?" Marcus suddenly thrashed against his restraints, the chains cutting into his flesh. "You privileged pureblooded bastard! Always perfect Alexander, father's favorite, the pack's pride! Do you have ANY idea how hard it is to survive in my world?"
I slowly approached, towering over him. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, eager to tear out the traitor's throat, but I suppressed the urge. "You betrayed the family, violated every pack rule, and gambled with innocent lives."
"Family?" Marcus let out a shrill laugh. "What family? When was I EVER treated like family? I'm just a mongrel, the Black Stone Pack's stain!"
His features contorted, eyes filled with resentment. I stared at him, suddenly realizing this bitterness had been fermenting for years.
"So all this is because you're jealous?"
"Jealous?" He snorted. "Call it whatever you want! But tell me, dear brother, why YOU? Just because your fucking bloodline is pure?" His voice cracked, eyes flashing with madness. "I worked harder, pushed myself further, yet was ALWAYS—ALWAYS!—treated as second-rate!"
"So you harm innocent people? You hurt Erin?" My voice rose, anger making me tremble. "Because of your damn insecurities?"
"Don't act so noble!" He screamed, struggling wildly, the chair scraping harshly against the floor. "Do you know how powerful that formula is? With it, I could prove bloodlines mean NOTHING! I could become an Alpha stronger than any pureblood!"
I looked at my brother, bloody-faced and wild-eyed, feeling both disgust and sorrow. He had crossed the line completely.
"You're right about one thing," I finally said, calming myself. "This isn't about bloodlines. It's about character, responsibility, about protecting rather than harming." I shook my head. "Today you've proven beyond doubt how unfit you are to lead."
His face twisted into a purple knot, saliva dripping from the corner of his mouth. "You self-righteous hypocrite! Think father actually loves you? He just uses us as pawns! Especially you, his perfect tool!"
I turned away, unable to look at him anymore. "You're permanently exiled from the Black Stone Pack. Both you and Mike will face the Guardian Alliance for judgment."
"Alexander!" He howled like a beast, thrashing violently, the chair dragging noisily across the floor. "DON'T YOU DARE WALK AWAY! LISTEN TO ME! ALEXANDER!"
I closed the door, shutting out his hysterical screams, and rested my forehead against the cold wall, suddenly feeling an unprecedented exhaustion. Noah waited in the hallway, his expression grave.
"Take him away," I ordered hoarsely. "I never want to see him again."
---
After Noah left with Marcus, the room became terribly quiet. I collapsed onto a couch in the corner, draping my arm over my eyes, feeling completely drained.
Just then, almost silent footsteps approached from the other end of the room. Even without looking up, I knew who it was.
"Son," my father's voice was calm and authoritative, "I've heard about Marcus."
I lowered my arm, my gaze weary. "How long have you been here?"
"Long enough to hear you banish your own brother," his tone was frighteningly even. "Despite being a half-breed, he had talent."
"Talent?" I couldn't help but laugh coldly. "He nearly killed a dozen innocent werewolves! Is that all you care about? His 'talent'?"
Father narrowed his eyes. "In this cruel world, power is everything. His methods may have been extreme, but pursuing strength isn't wrong."
I shot to my feet, unable to contain my anger any longer. "So for you, the end justifies the means? Is that the 'leadership' you've taught me?"
"Don't challenge me with your naive idealism, boy," he said coldly. "I've built and protected this pack for longer than you've been alive. Sometimes, protecting family requires difficult decisions."
"There's a difference between difficult decisions and cruel actions," I said through clenched teeth, my fists clenching and unclenching at my sides. "I'll handle this, ensure the pack stays untainted. But I will NEVER lead like Marcus."
Father silently studied me for a long time, his gaze sharp. His presence filled the room, almost suffocating, but I stood defiant, refusing to yield.
Finally, he gave a slight nod and walked toward the door. At the threshold, he paused, his back to me.
"When you've cleaned up this mess, prepare to take over. Don't say I didn't warn you—being Alpha isn't as simple as you think."