Chapter 163 When a son defies his Alpha

Chapter 163 When a son defies his Alpha
Chapter 163

DARIUS

Hell was already let loose when I reached home.

From the gate, I could hear my father's thundering voice echoing through the house, sharp and furious, carrying the kind of rage that made the walls feel thinner.

I turned into the shed at the side of the house and grabbed a cloth from the closet. My mother had made it for me years ago.

There were always fresh clothes here in case I returned in my wolf form and needed something to put on before entering the house.

I pulled on the trousers and shirt quickly, then turned back toward the gate and made my way inside.

Marcus was outside, pacing back and forth near the entrance. His face lit up the moment he saw me, and he rushed toward me immediately.

"What is going on?" I asked, though I already had a fair idea.

"Your father woke up this morning," Marcus said, his voice tight. "And he has been in a rage ever since. Destroying things in his office. Breaking furniture. Shouting at anyone who comes near him."

I exhaled slowly. "What about my mother?"

"She is in the sitting room. She has been trying to calm him down, but all her efforts have been useless."

I nodded. "Did he mention my name?"

Marcus winced. "You are in deep shit."

I laughed bitterly. "Of course I am."

I turned to head inside, but Marcus grabbed my arm before I could move.

"Go back to school," he said urgently. "It is not safe for you to go in there right now."

I looked at him. "I am not going to run away from my father like a coward."

"Darius—"

"Besides," I interrupted, keeping my voice steady, "I did not do anything to him. I have no reason to run. And I need to see my mother. I also have some research to do in the library."

Marcus sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was trying to avoid Richard entirely. But if you are going in, then I am going with you."

I smiled faintly. "Thank you."



We opened the door together.

A vase flew directly at us.

We both ducked, and it shattered against the wall behind us, pieces scattering across the floor.

Richard looked up from where he was standing in the middle of the room, his eyes wild and blazing with fury. His shirt was wrinkled, his hair dishevelled, his entire posture screaming barely controlled violence.

"What are you doing here?" he snarled.

I straightened. "This is my home. I came back."

"You have no right to refer to this place as home!" Richard yelled, his voice echoing through the hall. "Not after you betrayed us!"

I frowned. "I never betrayed you."

"Shut up!" He stepped forward, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "Get out of this house. You are not my son."

I shrugged. "And you are not my father. Not anymore. I came here to see my mother. Not you."

Richard's glare intensified, his jaw tight, his breathing harsh.

I ignored the look and turned slightly toward Marcus before turning back at him. "Can I use the library? I need to research something."

Richard clapped slowly, the sound sharp and mocking. "You are bold coming here in the first place, standing in front of me and even requesting for my assistance."

He stepped closer, his voice dropping lower, more dangerous. "If you had this boldness last night, Daniel and his family could have been gone by now."

I met his gaze without flinching. "What makes you think we could have easily killed them and gone scot-free? They were surrounded by his men."

Richard stopped.

"While you were on the floor ordering me to take Daniel out," I continued, my voice steady, "you did not notice that the school security had been replaced. Daniel's men infiltrated the school without us knowing. They were everywhere. If I had shot Daniel, a lot of lives would have been lost. So what would that make me? Different from Ravenna, who did not put people's lives into consideration before starting a war?"

Richard stared at me, his expression darkening.

"All problems are meant to be dealt with strategically," I said firmly. "Not rashly. You can go after Daniel if you want. But I have no reason to kill him for you."

I paused, letting the words sit between us.

"If you are man enough," I added quietly, "you should do it yourself. After all, both of you are Alphas. Let the best man win and come out of the fight."

Richard's eyes widened in shock.

Marcus stiffened slightly behind me.

"How dare you talk to me like that!" Richard roared, his voice shaking the walls.

I did not flinch. "Stop raging here and throwing things around. Daniel said he is coming after you. So you should gather your elders and Marcus and find a way to end this issue before it gets worse. I'll advise a peace treaty."

I turned and walked away, calling out for my mother as I went.

Behind me, I heard Richard's voice, stunned and disbelieving. "Marcus, did Darius just speak to me like that?"

Of course I just did.



I found my mother in the garden.

She was sitting on a stone bench near the rose bushes, her hands folded neatly in her lap, her expression calm despite everything happening inside the house.

The moment she saw me, she stood and crossed the space between us quickly.

I hugged her tightly.

She kissed my forehead and pulled back slightly, studying my face. "Is it true?"

I nodded. "Yes."

I broke down then, the weight of everything crashing over me all at once. "I was so happy claiming her in front of everyone. And then it was revealed that she has been responsible for everything. The war. The leaked video. Caleb's sex tape. All of it."

My voice cracked. "I can never forgive her for what she did."

My mother hugged me again, holding me close. "I knew something was fishy with how intent Richard was on eliminating her. It did not make sense to me."

She pulled back slightly, her hands on my shoulders. "She did what she had to do because of what you and your father did to her. If I was in Ravenna's shoes, I would have done much worse."

I stared at her. "How can you say that?"

"Because it is the truth." Her voice was gentle but firm. "She was a human girl who came into this academy and was treated like trash by you and your father. She fought back the only way she knew how."

"But people died," I whispered. "Wolves from both sides. Mom, this were real people and it was because of what she did. Because of the war she started."

My mother took my hand and led me deeper into the garden, away from the house, where we could sit without being overheard.

"All things happen for a reason," she said quietly, sitting beside me on another bench. "This is your love trial period. Do not make rash decisions. Think deeply about what you want."

I looked at her, my chest tight.

"I trust you," she continued, her voice steady. "I trust that you are going to make the right decision."

I nodded slowly, not sure what else to say.

"Is she alright?" my mother asked gently.

"She is sick," I said. "From her wolf awakening. She is with her father now."

My mother smiled faintly and kissed my cheek. "She will be fine. And so will you. Bonds like yours are not easily broken."

She paused, her gaze steady and knowing.

"I believe the moon goddess did not make a mistake bonding you two together. Even after knowing something like this would happen, she still chose you for each other."

I swallowed hard.

"Now," my mother said softly, "do not think about what I will say. Do not think about what your father will say. Think about yourself. Ask yourself if you still want Ravenna from the bottom of your heart."

She squeezed my hand gently.

"Your response will guide you into making your decision."

Atlas stirred in my chest, his voice low and certain. "Do not even ask me. I still want her. And I will not interfere with your thinking."