b Chapter 164

164 Alex’s POV-

N F wid The days stretched out like an endless desert. Time, once a steady companion, had become a relentless tormentor. I’d gone from being the king of my world to a prisoner of it. Over these past months, the world had shrunk to the size of this cell. I’d learned that even with power at your fingertips, life could still knock you down.

Ivan had played his cards close to his chest. I’d underestimated him, thinking I’d ended the game when I ended his life. But his plans carefully laid, were like a time bomb I hadn’t defused. Adrian, that backstabbing leech, had seized the opportunity to take over my company. It was a bitter pill to swallow.

Hours turned into days, days into weeks. I stopped counting. There was no point. All that mattered were the moments I’d spend with Amaya and the kids. It was a long road to get here. Ivy, my little firecracker, had slowly warmed up to me. I think it was my beard. She’d giggle and tug at it, saying I looked like a beast from her stories. It was the first time she’d touched me without fear. Being called a beast didn’t matter in that moment.

Nate was different. Quiet, watchful, like a young hawk. His eyes always seemed to be asking questions without making a sound. But I think he found his answers in just watching.

And Amaya. Every time I saw her, she was like a sunrise, a new kind of beauty. It was hard to believe she was the same woman I’d left behind but she was a master of deception. She’d put on a brave face for the kids, smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. I could see the worry gnawing at her, hidden beneath the surface. Every visit ended with the same promise: she was getting closer, she’d get me out. I wished she’d stop. She was burning herself out. With my resources, I couldn’t escape this place, what chance did she have? I’d accepted my fate, but at least I had them to . I’d done a lot of bad things. Maybe this was karma, paying my dues like my father. Thinking about him brought back the day of the battle. For once, he’d like a real father. His death hurt a wound that wouldn’t heal. Damon Thorne, the architect of my misery, was dead. I hadn’t forgiven him, but maybe one day would. As a final act of closure, I’d asked for his body to be found and buried next to my mother. Maybe their would sync and he would finally apologize for all that he had done, all the misery he put her thought and maybe together, they could find peace.

Amaya had also asked for a proper burial for Miranda. She was a victim, a broken soul caught in the crossfire. That is what she had said and she hoped she’d found wherever she was.

All of that?

It all led to this moment. Standing before the judge, I felt a strange sense of peace. A word with only five letters, but it held the weight of the world. I’d lost my freedom, but in the chaos, I’d found myself. I could break out of this prison, my mind had raced with the idea for months. An idea fueled by my wolf who had been relentless to break free. But for the first time in my life, I wanted to do the right thing. I wasn’t responsible for the mass murders, but I was responsible for deaths.

Maybe this was my penance.

hadn’t given up. She here again, fighting for me But I knew the outcome. Guilty. The room would fall silent and I’d my fate.

But then he said, “Not guilty.”

words hung in the a fog in my . The slam of his gavel brought me reality. Not guilty. I was .

stood , unable to process it. Then tiny bodies into me and Nate. Amaya came up behind them, tears streaming down her “We did it whispered.

No she did it. I held my children tight the first I was .

turned her head towards the door filled with a mix anticipation and happiness You have to walk out that said softly. I took a deep breath, the of the moment in. I to be with my family, with them. All on me. I steadied the twins in my arms and took the first step.

With each step, I felt a sense of vindication.

world outside was blur camera flashes and reporters shouting questions couldn’t comprehend. All I wanted to go home with my family. And then I them – Christian, Riley, Natalia, Nathan, and Sarah. Sarah and Natalia were cheering, their joy infectious. Riley trying to calin them down, Nathan looking amused. For the time in what felt like forever the loneliness that had haunted me for gone. I had my family, these crazy people Amaya had brought into my life, and Christian, my true friend not just an someone who worked for me.

hand found mine as we navigated through the crowd of reporters. When we finally reached them, Christian’s smile the biggest I’d ever seen. “The beard is suiting he said hint of teasing in his voice.

I looked at him and a laugh burst out of me unexpectedly. He returned laugh, his eyes filled with genuine relief.

I’m really glad you’re out Alex. His voice thick with emotion. He turned Amaya, his gaze softening. Tm glad she didn’t give up His tone shifted to seriousness Now, enough mushy stuff We’ve got a company to reclaim 1/2 I looked down at Amaya who simply nodded, her determination clear so I let them take the lead. She, Christian, and I stepped into one car while the others followed in the other vehicles. The drive to the company was a whirlwind of emotions. Every familiar sight was a stark reminder of the life I’d left behind. When we arrived, heads turned as we entered the building. I felt like a ghost, a relic of a past era. Amaya, however, moved through the crowd with the confidence of વે queen.

We reached the top floor, my office. Or, rather, Adrian’s. A sleek, modern woman, presumably his PA, stood in front of the door. Her expression was cold and dismissive You can’t go in there,” she stated flatly.

Amaya’s demeanor shifted. Her eyes flashed dangerously, and for a brief moment, she seemed to be someone else entirely. “I believe there’s been a misunderstanding,” she said, her voice low and menacing. “Step aside.” The PA hesitated, her grip tightening on the door.

said, step aside,” Amaya repeated, her voice rising. There was an unspoken threat in her tone that made the PA take a step back. With a swift movement, Amaya pushed past her, and I followed. Christian stayed behind to handle the PA.

entered, my eyes landed on Adrian, perched arrogantly on my chair. Anger flared within me, but I knew I had to let Amaya handle this because she looked like she had a plan and I would only escalate things and have myself thrown straight in jail again. He stood up, his mouth opening to speak, but Amaya cut him off.

“I don’t want to waste any more time than necessary,” she started, her voice cold and calculated. “You and I were at the start of this. The fake pictures of broke Alex and me apart. I understood your anger, your need for revenge. But you crossed the line when you started working with him.” She produced a file of documents “I have proof of every life you helped him take. You might have gotten away with it once, but not this time.” She stepped closer, her voice dripping with contempt. “You’re going away for a very long time.”

surge of pride washed over me. This was a different Amaya, stronger, more fearless. The police sirens blared through the office. Adrian caught off guard barely having time to react his bravado crumbling. As they handcuffed him, he hurled insults my way. I watched in silence they started to him away knowing that I deserved his words. I let out a sigh, “Can I have a moment with him?

Thec policemen turned to Amaya like they were asking for her permission and she nodded, turning to me and giving me smile.

“I’m sorry for what I did to you ” I began my voice sincere. “I let my trust issues control me, and I’ll never forgive myself. I truly am sorry. But revenge blinded you. You went too I have paid my due time for you to pay the consequences your actions.”

He away after that, still shouting curses I turned to Amaya, my mind racing. “I don’t even know where to begin,” I pulled her towards my voice filled with .

She smiled, her green eyes sparkling.

You can thank me later.”

Can home now?

, my filled with relief.

The determined glint returned to yet. We one more stop and it is a one long . We need to another old friend a .”

é±¼ 0