Chapter 45 Chapter 45

Chapter 45 Chapter 45
  Zachary’s POV
  “Gather everyone!” I roared, fury lacing every word as I stood in the center of my pack. My fists were clenched so tightly my knuckles cracked, fangs bared in the moonlight. “This fight isn’t like the others we’ve faced. This one… this is for my honor. My dignity.” My voice trembled with restrained rage. “I’ve been silent for too long. Letting a man take what belongs to me—mocking me. No more.”
  A low growl rumbled from my chest. “We will fight. And we will win!”
  A unified cheer erupted, echoing through the trees like thunder.
  Asher, I thought coldly. You have no idea what you’ve done. No idea the storm you’ve unleashed. You took Isabella from me… and you think I’ll just let that go? I’ll ruin you. You’ll beg for mercy that won’t come.
  The meeting dispersed. I returned to my house, storming into my room. I sat heavily on the edge of the bed, foot tapping aggressively against the floor. My thoughts spun out of control, faster than I could grasp them, leaving a hollow ache in my chest.
  Then—a knock.
  I exhaled sharply, dragging myself up to open the door. My eyes rolled instinctively.
  Of course—it was her.
  “What do you want?” I asked, voice sharp with irritation.
  She frowned. “Are you serious, Zachary? You really think you can fight this battle alone? Without your mother’s help?” Her tone held disbelief, as if the idea offended her.
  “I can handle it,” I said, jaw tight. “I don’t need you.”
  She sighed, her voice softening. “Are you really going to stay mad at me forever? Can’t you forgive me just this once?”
  I stared at her, unmoved. She could dress it in sorrow all she wanted—I wasn’t buying it.
  “Fine,” she snapped, tone shifting to ice. “I’ll help anyway. Whether you like it or not—we’re fighting the same enemy.”
  I scoffed. “Why fight Asher? Isn’t he your perfect son?” The sarcasm rolled off my tongue, bitter and amused.
  “Don’t talk rubbish,” she hissed. “He’s not my perfect anything. He doesn’t even see me as his mother.”
  I tilted my head, studying her. “You know, I  to wonder why Asher hated you so much. But I think I understand now.” My voice lowered, firm and cold.
  Her eyes widened—but only for a moment.used Then she composed herself.
  “No, Zach. You can’t hate me. I know I was selfish—I cared more about myself in that moment. But I wasn’t going to let you fall so easily. I—”
  “That’s enough,” I cut in. My voice rose, sharp and raw. “I was humiliated, Mom. In front of the entire pack. They watched me get handcuffed like some criminal. Do you even know what that felt like? How deeply ashamed I was?”
  I stepped back, shaking my head slowly.
  “I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again. I don’t trust you. And I never will.”
  “Fine,” she said quietly, a faint smile playing on her lips. “I’ll prove to you that you can trust me again. I’ll show you that I’ve always been your mother—and I’ve only ever wanted what’s best for you.”
  I didn’t respond. I simply stared at her, my glare sharp enough to pierce through her false sincerity. She held my gaze for a moment longer, then turned and walked out, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
  I pulled out my phone and began typing a few urgent messages. Plans had to be set in motion.
  “You better get ready, Asher,” I muttered under my breath, clenching my fists until my knuckles turned white.
 
  “Alpha… do you really think this is a good idea?” Zaheer’s voice trembled slightly. “Using the influence of humans—it goes against our oath.”
  I didn’t hesitate. My hand shot out, grabbing him by the collar and dragging him closer.
  “Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?” My voice was low, simmering with fury.
  “I-I’m sorry, Alpha. That’s not what I meant—I’m just concerned,” he stammered, clearly rattled.
  I released him, shoving him back.
  “I brought you here because I need capable hands. You’re strong—reliable—but this,” I gestured around the dimly lit underground cave, “never leaves this place. If word gets out, if anyone hears of this…” I leaned in closer, voice now a whisper laced with venom, “you’ll watch your entire family die. Slowly.”
  His face paled. That was the reaction I wanted.
  “I promise, Alpha. This stays between us,” he said quickly, the fear in his voice satisfying.
  We waited in the shadows of the underground cave—one of the secret passages my mother uses to smuggle supplies from the humans. The only useful thing she’s ever given me.
  The metal door groaned as it opened, and two men stepped through, covered head to toe in gear, as if afraid they’d be attacked. Their mechanical voices buzzed through their suits.
  “Who are you? Where’s Maris?” one asked, his tone flat and robotic.
  “I’m her son,” I replied coolly. “She sent me to collect it.”
  They exchanged glances, clearly suspicious. I reached to take the bag, but the taller one jerked it away quickly. My temper flared, but before I could react, Zaheer stepped in front of me.
  “Alpha—please, we shouldn’t attack,” he urged gently.
  I shoved him aside with a snarl, but didn’t strike.
  A second later, the other man spoke, seemingly after receiving a message. “It’s clear. They can have it.”
  He handed me the bag, and I tore it open, a twisted grin forming on my lips as I looked inside.
  “You need to be careful,” one of them warned. “That stuff is highly toxic to your kind.”
  Still smiling, I zipped the bag shut.
  “This is exactly what I need,” I said.
  “Your mother has been a great help to us,” one of the men said before turning away. “And because of that, we’ll always be there for her. But I’ll warn you again—that substance is extremely dangerous. Mishandling it could wipe out your entire clan.”
  With that, both men turned and disappeared through the passageway, the heavy door clanking shut and locking behind them.
  I couldn’t help but smile.
  Perfect.
  Zaheer shifted beside me, the hesitation in his voice more obvious now. “Alpha… are you sure about this? What if innocent people get hurt?”
  My patience snapped.
  “Would you like to be my test subject?” I asked sharply, irritation leaking into every word.
  He stepped back instantly, the fear plain in his eyes.
  “Thought so,” I muttered.
  I turned my attention back to the bag, my fingers tightening around the straps. “This is it. My revenge. My moment. Alpha Asher won’t even see it coming.”
  A cruel laugh tore from my throat, echoing through the underground chamber like a war drum.
  “This is the beginning of a new era,” I declared, throwing my head back, laughter ringing out again. “And I will be the ruler.”
  The sound of my voice bounced off the stone walls, feeding my hunger for power.
  Asher will die. And nothing will stop me.