Chapter 158

+5 158 -Alex’s POV-

The decision was made, , calculated choice that gnawed me. Protecting Amaya meant removing her from the equation, for now. With a heart, I pulled on my and stepped out into the living room. Christian waiting, his expression a mixture of concern and determination.

Everything asked, my steady.

He nodded, his gaze on me Amaya?”

“She’ll forgive me when this ” I replied, my voice firm. “We need to get going. I’ll get Damon from the facility first.”

Christian hesitated, his eyes scanning my . “Are you sure about this?

he asked, his voice laced with doubt.

I met his gaze my resolve unwavering. “I am,” I said, my voice low. “I’m going to win this. He’s a little boy trapped in a man’s body, refusing to up to let of the . This time, it’ll be different.”

Christian let out a long sigh. “Then we had better get going. The sooner this ends, the sooner I can get a good night’s . I already have a mafia lord to deal with,” he joked, a wry smile playing on his lips. It welcome distraction, a brief moment of normalcy in the midst of the chaos.

I nodded, my mind already racing. The drive to the facility a blur. Every passing second was tick of the clock,counting down to the inevitable confrontation. I tried to focus on the road, but my thoughts kept drifting to Amaya. I hated leaving her, but it was the only way to protect her. We arrived at the hospital in record time. There was no time for formalities. I marched into the building, my presence sending a ripple of fear through the staff. The usual procedures were an inconvenience I couldn’t afford. I needed to get to my father, and I needed to do it .

As I made my way down the sterile corridor, a thought occurred to me. I stopped in my tracks, turning to face the nearest nurse.

Get me a wheelchair and bring it to his room,” I ordered, my tone leaving no room for argument.

The nurse’s eyes widened in fear, but she nodded quickly and disappeared down the hall. I continued my journey, my steps echoing in the quiet corridor.

When I reached my father’s room, the sight that greeted me was a stark reminder of the man he had become. He lay in bed, his skin pale and translucent, the machines that had once kept him alive now silent. Yet, there was a flicker of life in his eyes, a spark of defiance that surprised me.

“Father.

His head turned slowly, his eyes meeting mine. “My time has come,” he said, his voice weak but resolute.

I moved closer to the bed, my gaze scanning his . The man lying here was a shadow of the powerful figure I remembered. The years had taken their toll, leaving him frail and vulnerable.

“I know you’re of what’s been happening,” I began, my voice steady. “The horrible things you did in the past have seeped into my life disrupting everything. You could have stopped it. You could have let us be.

single rolled down his cheek, the only acknowledgment of my words.

“He wants us suffer the same pain he did when he watched his parents die,”

continued, my voice cold and hard. “He wants me to bring you and my him.”

My father’s widened in shock. “You have son?” he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

I nodded, a smile spreading across my Twins, actually. And I almost lost my family because of what you did. But I’m tired of going around in circles. I’ve let and now I need to bring you with me so I can end this once and for all.”

My father nodded , his a mixture of and resignation. Just the nurse returned with the wheelchair. I turned to her, my voice firm. “Inform them I’m taking my father out of the for a while. It’s not up for debate, do you understand?”

The nurse nodded quickly. As she helped me transfer my father to the wheelchair, I felt a strange of detachment. This my father, the man who shaped life, yet I nothing but cold indifference It felt strange almost surreal. The man I touching was a ghost of the shadow the figure I had once feared.

“His condition has , but he shouldn’t for long nurse , “

avoid further complications Mr. Thorne.”

I nodded at her then took wheeling my out of We both silent until we to the where Christisn was waiting and he came down to assist me, bringing him into stared down at my and I knew he saw was a dying old man but I knew the father up with and Thorne was from .

The ride silent and I still shut all the thoughts in my head until we the location Ivan in the like building that seemed to loom Men in black suits stood , their impassive, but no one a move as I took my father out, 1/2 him on the wheelchair ahead as his hands on mine, and he whispered, “I truly am everything, Alex.”

I sighed. “

No one said anything for a moment, then he finally turned to us. And I saw it. The darkness he had been trying to shield. That I knew there. That had made Miranda shake with at the hospital parking lot.

His curled up in smile, “Well, look who decided to join the party. One member is missing though.”

You must be completely insane if you thought I’d bring my son here.”

Your son?” he mocked, a cruel smile spreading across his “Last time I checked, I their father legally. But I guess that’s something would look into after this over.”

I almost laughed. He really thought he coming out of this alive.

His finally settled on my father, and every ounce of amusement left his “I have never met myself see you before. Look the monster that what am eye to eye because I wanted everything to lead up here but I have to tell you, I truly am disappointed.”

Damon wheezed, his voice weak and raspy. “

this. I caused your pain” he croaked, his eyes filled with remorse. “Leave Alex out of it. “If done with the hopeless conversation,” I began, my voice steady, “why don’t you tell me why we’re here so we can end this once and for all.” Ivan’s smile returned, wider and more sinister this time. “I will never understand why Amaya so keen on you,” he snarled, his voice dripping with venom.

And then I heard it. Jealousy. The monster had been consumed by jealousy. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. This was it, what specifically driving him more. He had crossed the threshold between his btw for my father and the fact that she picked me. I had figured he was obsessed with Amaya, but to hear him admit it out loud was victory of sorts.

I mocked his words, my voice dripping with contempt. “If that’s what hurt your feelings, then I’m truly sorry. But perhaps it’s time to grow up and deal with it.”

Ivan’s patience snapped. His voice a thunderous roar, echoed through the cavernous room. “Enough!” he bellowed, his contorted in “I’m going to let you watch your father die, then I’ll take you to Amaya. After that, I’ll kill everyone else starting with Amaya, then that bratty little Ivy. I’ll make sure Nate watches, so your family will finally know my pain.”

His words were a dagger to the heart, a vile promise that ignited a primal fury within me. The control shattered, replaced by a raw, animalistic . I felt the power of my wolf surging within me, demanding release.

My vision blurred as the transformation began. My muscles rippled and expanded, my bones cracking and shifting. My skin burned dark fur erupted, covering my body in a thick, impenetrable coat. When the transformation was complete, I stood tall and proud, my muscles rippling with . My fur was as black as night, and my eyes glowed with an otherworldly light and I felt the shadows like auras of emanating from my skin.

I heard Damon beside me and Ivan’s eyes widened with surprise for a moment but he quickly masked it and with a that caused the entire room to shake lunged at him just his own transformation took and we both clashed.

SEND