Chapter 145 I WAS NEVER HERE
RAGNAR'S POV
“There is nothing you can do through the law to remove him,”
My chest tightens at my birth father's statement.
“That’s it?” I ask. “You’re just going to accept that and expect me to do the same?”
“I did tell you to end this Ragnar,” he says with sarcasm in his calm voice.
I go still as I know what that tone means.
He's warning me.
“I warned you,” he continues. “Right from the beginning too before it all got so messy.”
My jaw tightens.
“And what's with what I'm hearing about him already having a mate?”
My expression says nothing even though my mind is screaming.
Why of all the time is he in the pack this period?
Why couldn't this have happened when he was on tour?
“I’m not ending it.” I tell him even though his expression doesn’t change a bit.
“That is your choice Ragnar, I couldn't care less. But just know that everything I warned you about him will come whether you like it or not and it will happen to him.”
“Fine,” I agree without hesitation but I still can't believe he's just abandoning me to it all.
I know one thing for certain, I’m not letting him go, not when u finally resolved everything.
My father exhales slowly, leaning back in his chair.
“He is not suited for this world, you know this Ragna, don't try to deceive yourself,” he says.
The words are quiet.
But I replied to him still unsettled, “You don’t even know him.”
“Oh trust me pup, I know enough about him. Even more than I'd like to.” he replies.
That sparks something sharp and defensive in me.
“You don’t approve of me with him even though I've explained?” I say flatly.
“No,” he says just as flatly. “I don’t.”
At least he’s honest.
“Why?” I ask.
He tilts his head slightly, considering where he should start from.
“He’s weak, he has no strength and cannot command power and the main reason is that he will break in this world of ours,” he says simply.
The words hit harder than they should.
“He’s stronger than you think,” I counter.
“Strength is not the issue,” he replies. “This world is not kind to those who feel too much and as an Omega, that already gives him a weakness.”
My chest tightens because I know what he means. Growing up and being forced to mature quickly to become the Alpha of this pack makes me understand what he's saying.
And I hate that part of me agrees.
“He doesn’t belong in the middle of Alpha politics, dominance challenges, and power struggles,” he continues. “And yet for a reason, that is exactly where he is.”
“He didn’t choose that.”
“No,” my father agrees. “You did for him. You chose it for him the moment you decide to be entangled with him.”
That–
That lands hard.
“You know of the consequences of such actions and yet you decided to go through with it.
For a moment, I don’t respond, I don't know how to.
Because there’s truth in that and nothing I'll say will be enough reason especially for the truth I don’t want to acknowledge.
I don't even want to know what'll happen if I tell him that Sebastian is actually my mate.
“I’m not asking for your approval,” I say finally.
“Oh I know,” he replies.
“I’m just asking for help, father.”
Silence as he studies me for longer this time and then sighs.
“As much as I would want to, my hands are tied this time. There is nothing I can do.”
The words are final just like the council’s and our so called laws
“I told you to end it,” he repeats. “You chose not to.”
“I’m still choosing not to.”
“Then you accept the consequences Ragnar. An Omega's blood will be on your hands.”
My hands clench at my sides.
“I’m trying to prevent them.”
“You can’t.”
The certainty in his voice is suffocating and true.
“You can only prepare for them.”
I stare at him in anger, frustration and helplessness.
All of it twists together inside me into one bitter mix.
“So that’s it?” I ask. “You’re just going to stand by and watch this happen?”
“I am going to let you face the result of your own decisions, Alpha Ragnar,” he corrects.
My jaw tightens.
“That’s not helping me.”
“No,” he agrees. “It’s not.”
Silence falls heavy and for the first time since this started, I feel it.
Fear.
Because for all my power and control, there is nothing I can do to pull him out of this without triggering a war from rival packs.
Nothing.
That terrifies me more than anything.
.
.
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UNKNOWN'S POV
Peter is exactly where Lila expects him to be at the time of day.
He's near the training grounds, with envy in his eyes at the warriors currently mutilating themselves all in the name of the “challenge”.
Lila could never understand how wolves that have gone through evolution and mutation to have a human side are still holding and partaking in barbaric customs.
Lila reasoned that if they were all going to honor age long traditions, then they may just as well piss all around their houses and pant like dogs.
Lila approaches Peter quickly, wanting to tell him before they lose Sebastians's trail.
“Peter,” she calls.
He turns, irritation flashing briefly before it fades into curiosity.
“What is it?”
“I saw him.”
His expression goes confused before it sharpens instantly when she gives him a wink.
“Who?”
“Sebastian.”
That’s all it takes for the air around him to shift into a much darker one.
“And where did you see him?” he asks.
“He was moving deep in the forest. Alone.”
A slow unkind smile spreads across his face as he gives a cold chuckle.
“Of course he is,” Peter mutters.
Lila hesitates for a bit before she decides to tell him anyway.
“There’s something off about him too,” she adds. “I mean he looked… different.”
Peter lets out a quiet laugh and shrugs off her concern.
“He looked desperate, you mean.”
Her silence is answer enough but she is also not too sure.
His smile widens because the piece of news from her is perfect.
Sebastian.
Alone.
In the forest and right before a challenge he knows he has no hope of even surviving.
His disappearance will only bring mockery and scoffing but there will surely be no concern from the wolves.
The Alpha would also be too preoccupied by the challenge happening that he wouldn't even notice.
Perfect.
He could finally get rid of that mutt.
Peter straightens slightly, already turning toward the direction Lila came from.
“Keep this to yourself Lila,” he warns.
Lila nods quickly before giving a sly smile. “What do you mean? I never said or told you anything.”
She winks and walks off with a smile.
Perfect. She doesn't even have to get her hands dirty.
And just like that, Peter’s gone and he's heading straight into the forest.
He’s moving with a lot of speed towards the one person he’s been waiting for a chance to get rid of.