Chapter 106 Walk away
DARIAN
I step fully into the living room, eyes scanning the cold space where my father waits with a stoic expression like he was carved in stone. The scent of burning wood still lingers like I remember it, but there’s no warmth here, only a quiet expectation.
Father doesn’t rise. His gaze pins me where I stand, like a wolf marking its territory. “Darian.” His voice is low, clipped, deliberate. “You’re back.”
“Yeah,” I say, swallowing the tension tight in my throat. “Back.”
He waves a hand, dismissive. “Good. But don’t mistake this for a welcome home. This is strictly business.”
“Isn’t that all I’ve ever been to you, father?” I ask with a humorless laugh.
“You were my son, soon to be Lycan king, but you threw it away for some human girl?” He lifts his brow, tauntingly.
“Well then, if this is business, what do I stand to gain from it?” I step forward, really hoping I can negotiate for Iris’ life, but his harsh laugh stops me in my tracks.
“You’ve really got some nerves thinking you can negotiate with me after everything you’ve done.”
The words hit harder than I expected. I open my mouth to reply, but before I can, a shadow steps out beside him.
Zeus.
He storms into the room, frustration written all over his face. His eyes blaze with anger, but there’s a twitch of something else, uncertainty, lurking beneath his fury. He throws me a smirk that’s all challenge and venom.
“Back from wherever,” he snaps, voice thick with disdain. “And already stepping on toes.”
I tilt my head, amusement flickering in my eyes. “Seems you’ve been busy too. Or at least trying to.” My voice is calm, but the edge is unmistakable.
His jaw tightens, but I press on. “Three screw-ups this week alone. That’s a hell of a track record for the so-called heir.”
His smirk falters, replaced by a flash of something raw. “I’m handling things just fine.”
I laugh, sharp and cold. “Handling? Leaving me to clean your messes isn’t handling things, Zeus. It’s incompetence. Maybe you should admit you don’t have the skills to take my place.”
The words hit like a slap, and I see the flicker of rage ignite in his eyes. Before I can react, his hand shoots out and grabs the collar of my jacket with a rough grip, yanking me forward. The impact slams me against the stone wall, cold and unyielding.
Pain explodes in my ribs, but I don’t flinch. Instead, I meet his eyes, steady and unbroken.
“Careful, little brother,” I warn, voice low and dangerous. My hand shoots up, grabbing his wrist and twisting it sharply until he releases me.
I see my father walk away, waving us off like he’d be anywhere than cause in our little fight.
Zeus stumbles back, but the fire in his eyes only grows. Like a beast cornered, he lunges forward again, hands grabbing my collar, fingers digging in with desperation.
“This isn’t over,” he growls, his breath hot in my face, filled with spite. “Not by a long shot.”
I clamp my hands around his collar, squeezing hard, pulling him closer, our faces inches apart. “Back off.”
The tension between us crackles like electricity, neither willing to yield.
The room feels smaller, breath tighter.
Suddenly, a sharp hand clamps on my shoulder, yanking me back.
“Enough.” Adira’s voice is silk, but there’s steel hidden underneath. She stands between us, eyes flashing with something like triumph.
Zeus backs off reluctantly, but his glare never leaves me.
Adira steps closer, her voice dropping to a soft, almost hypnotic whisper. “Darian.” Her fingers reach out slowly, brushing lightly against my jaw, warm, deliberate, like she’s claiming a piece of me. “You’re really back? I missed you.”
I freeze, every muscle taut. There’s an intimacy in her touch that twists in my gut, a closeness I don’t want, something extremely uncomfortable. Her hand slides down my neck, fingers lingering just a moment too long, crossing a line I thought was clear.
“Don’t.” My voice is rough, low, the warning sharp and unyielding.
She pouts, but her hand doesn’t retreat. Instead, her fingers trail lower, curling around my collarbone, teasing with a boldness that feels like a challenge.
Heat floods through me, anger, disgust, and something bitter, tangled deep inside. Without thinking, I shove her hard.
She stumbles backward, crashing onto the cold floor with a harsh cry that echoes through the quiet room.
“Darian!” Her voice cracks with shock and outrage, sharp and raw.
I don’t hesitate. I turn sharply and walk away, my heart hammering wildly, caught between fury, resentment, disgust, maybe even regret.
Her scream follows me, desperate and urgent.
“Darian! Don’t walk away!”
But I keep moving. The door feels heavy in my hands as I close it behind me with a final, resolute click.
The fight, the confrontation, the unwanted touch, they all burn beneath my skin like a brand I can’t erase.
Ohh, I have it over here.