Chapter 165: Forgiveness at a Price

Chapter 165: Forgiveness at a Price
Marcus’s POV

I loved the look on Dana’s face when I told her I knew Damian’s whereabouts.
All of it spread across her face in seconds even without she noticing it, and I hated myself for enjoying it, even though it was just a little bit of it. Still, I couldn’t deny it that I was happy that I finally had something they desperately needed. And whether they liked it or not, I was going to use it to my advantage.
A slow smile escaped from my lips as I pondered the situation.
“Hey....” Dana snapped, waving her fingers in front of my face. “What are you smiling about?”
Before I could respond, Kyle stepped forward, his face filled with anger. “You heard her. You should be taking us to where Zade kept Damian, not standing there grinning like an idiot.”
I smiled as i stare over their faces. Dana’s fiery glare, Kyle’s clenched fists, Alex’s cautious stare. Then, calmly, I folded my arms across my chest.
“If you want me to take you to Damian,” I said slowly, smirking, “then I have just one request.”
“One request?” Alex asked angrily, raising an eyebrow.
I nodded, my smile widening.
That was when Dana got so furious.
“Marcus, you must be very stupid!!!” she shouted. “After joining Zade as an accomplice to do something this terrible, you still have the nerve to make a request?”
Her words didn't hide any anger she had developed towards me.
“Dana, please.....” I started, but she cut me off completely.
“You betrayed us,” she continued angrily. “You betrayed me. And now you think you can bargain with us?”
My countenance changed, and the load of guilt pressed heavily across my face.
“I know I followed Zade once, that's because I thought we were doing the right thing.” I said quietly. “But that doesn’t mean I’m with him in this. Not anymore, I'm completely innocent.”
She laughed, turning her face away.
“If I were working with him,” I continued, my voice breaking despite my effort to stay strong, “would I have told you anything concerning this at all? Would I be exposing his hideout to you guys without being threatened or forced?”
The bitterness in my throat made it hard to continue.
Kyle stepped toward Dana and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. “He’s right Dana,” he murmured. “If Marcus were truly Zade’s accomplice, he wouldn’t even be standing here with us, let alone risking his life to help.”
Alex nodded in agreement. “I hate to admit it, but Kyle’s right on this one. So, Marcus,” he said, turning to me, “what’s your request?”
I smiled faintly, but Dana’s face remained stiff, her eyes burning with resentment, but I didn't care. I was already granted the go ahead.
“I know I messed up,” I said honestly. “I messed up really badly. And I won’t pretend otherwise. But I’m sorry, I'm deeply sorry. I promise I’m trying to do better.”
“Can you just cut the drama?” Dana snapped putting her hands on her hips. “Let’s hear your request.”
I inhaled deeply.
“My request,” I said, my voice softer now, “Is for Dana to forgive me, and not just forgive me, but also accept me back as her friend.”
Silence filled the whole place at first.
Then Dana let out a dry laugh. “And what makes you think I’d ever agree to that?”
“Because,” I replied quietly, meeting her eyes, “you wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to Damian.”
Her face hardened.
“Oh, I see now,” she said coldly. “So you’re blackmailing me using Damian’s kidnapping, right? Knowing fully well I can't resist it.”
“That’s not....”
“It’s fine,” she cut in. “We’ll find Damian ourselves, we don't need your help any longer.”
She turned to the others. “Guys, let’s go.”
To my surprise, no one moved.
Dana stopped and turned around. “Why are you all just standing there?” She asked angrily.
Alex sighed. “Find Damian where, Dana? We already know who took him and where he’s being held. Do you expect us to go just like that?.”
“So you want me to accept a request from a traitor?” she shouted. “From someone who betrayed us? One who joined Zade in kidnapping the whole school?”
Her pain was really heavy, and I felt it deep within me.
I understood her. Truly, I did.
When you trust someone with your heart, and they shatter that trust, it leaves scars that refuse to fade easily.
“Dana,” Alex said gently, rubbing her palm, “we don’t have a choice. Damian’s life is at stake. Even if it’s just for his sake, please just accept his request, is not that deep as you think.”
Her face lightened slightly as she loosen a little bit, and I could see the fight draining out of her.
“Fine,” she said at last. “I’ll try. But know this, I’m only agreeing to this request because of Damian.”
I felt relief as I smiled.
“Thank you,” I said sincerely, a smile breaking through.
“Save it,” she snapped. “Just take us to where Zade kept Damian. We don’t have all day watching you act drama.”
I nodded. “Right behind me.”
We started walking, the atmosphere was so tense, everyone kept serious faces as we kept walking.
“I don’t know why Damian was kidnapped,” I said after a while, trying to break the silence. “But I know Zade is behind it.”
No one responded.
The silence stared back at me, and frustration settled in my bones.
When we reached a busy path, Kyle finally spoke. “How does Zade manage to pull off all this evil?” he muttered, scanning the surroundings.
“He has help,” I replied. “A father who supports and sponsors him. Someone powerful enough to clean up his messes.”
Dana shot me a sharp look. “Don’t act like a saint, Marcus. You’re not any better, you and Zade are the same.”
I smiled bitterly.
She was right.
I wasn’t innocent.
But I was trying to be, for friendship sake.
And as we walked deeper into the shadows, my wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin, warning me that what lay ahead wasn’t just danger, it was part of destiny. And that destiny might be fulfilled.
"I'm sorry you guys have to walk this long," I said trying to lighten up their mood..
"Can you just stop talking and let's move?" Dana shot at me angrily.
I sigh as I continued.
I might not be able to win her over now, but I won't give up easily.