Bonds

+5 

Chapter 158 

-Alex’s POV- 

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

“Everything set?” I asked, my voice steady. 

He nodded, his gaze fixed on me. “Amaya?” 

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

Christian hesitated, his eyes scanning my face. “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 grow up, to let go of the past. 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 sleep. I already have a mafia lord to deal with,” he joked, a wry smile playing on his lips. It was a welcome distraction, a brief moment of normalcy in the midst of the chaos. 

I nodded, my mind already racing. The drive to the facility was a blur. Every passing second was a 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 fast. 

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 face. 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 aware 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.” 

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

“He wants us to suffer the same pain he did when he watched his parents die,” I continued, my voice cold and hard. “He wants me to bring you and my son to him.” 

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

I nodded, a bittersweet smile spreading across my face. “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 go, and now I need to bring you with me so I can end this once and for all.” 

My father nodded slowly, his expression a mixture of fear and resignation. Just then, the nurse returned with the wheelchair. I turned to her, my voice firm. “Inform them that I’m taking my father out of the facility 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 sense of detachment. This was my father, the man who had shaped my life, yet I felt nothing but a cold indifference. It felt strange, almost surreal. The man I was touching was a ghost of the past, a shadow of the powerful figure I had once feared. 

“His condition has improved, but he shouldn’t stay away for long,” the nurse said, her voice shaky. “To avoid further complications, Mr. Thorne.” 

I nodded at her then took over wheeling my father out of there. We both stayed silent until we got to the car where Christisn was waiting and he came down to assist me, bringing him into the car. He stared down at my father and I knew what he saw was a dying old man but I knew the father I grew up with and Damon Thorne was a far cry from it. 

The car ride was silent, and I still shut out all the thoughts in my head until we reached the location where Ivan had sent in the message, a fortress- like building that seemed to loom over us. Men in black suits stood guard, their faces impassive, but no one made a move as I took my father out, 

1/2 Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Chapter 158 

placing him back on the wheelchair. I stared ahead, just as his hands clasped on mine, and he whispered, “I truly am sorry for everything, Alex.” 

I sighed. “I wish it wasn’t too late, father. I just wish.” And then I started wheeling him towards the massive building. The men parted the way for us as we passed. I kept my guard up, my wolf ready to pounce. Ever since he came back, I felt how strong he was. I knew Ivan had the backing of two packs, but I had my plan and wolves ready alongside every single resource I had acquired since I became a billionaire. I was ready for it. We finally got to a point where two men stood guarding a door, and then without a word, they opened it. I wheeled my father inside, and I finally saw him. He had his back turned to us, and I realized that ever since he revealed what he truly was, it was the first time I would be seeing him in person. 

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

His lips curled up in a 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 face. “Last time I checked, I was their father legally. But I guess that’s something I would look into after this is over.” 

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

His eyes finally settled on my father, and every ounce of amusement left his face, “I have never met myself see you before. Look the monster that created what I 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. “I caused this. I caused your pain” he croaked, his eyes filled with remorse. “Leave Alex out of it. “If we’re 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 was 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 was 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 a 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 face contorted in rage. “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 facade of control shattered, replaced by a raw, animalistic rage. 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 as 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 power. My fur was as black as night, and my eyes glowed with an otherworldly light and I felt the shadows like auras of power emanating from my 

skin. 

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

2/2 

SEND GIFT