The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Derek POV:
Things were rough at the Magnus pack headquarters.
Weeks after Rowan escaped, the pack was a mess. Everyone was mad at Father for kicking Rowan out his alpha position and locking him up.
They thought it was super unfair, like stealing the rightful leader's crown.
I sat in the main hall with Marcus and his older brother, Uncle Jarett.
Uncle Jarett is the Pack’s Beta, and he'd just arrived yesterday to try and calm everyone down with his usual good sense.
But things were way too tense.
"Locking up your own son? Keeping him away from his pregnant mate? This is going to tear us apart!" Uncle Jarett argued with Marcus.
Marcus slammed his fist on the table, making me flinch.
"That ungrateful pup disobeyed me! He picked some weak omega as his mate, going against everything we stand for! I had to put him in his place before things got worse!"
Uncle Jarett held up a hand, trying to calm things down.
"I get that you're worried about tradition, but violence wasn't the answer. Now everyone's mad at you, Marcus."
"Who cares about them!" Marcus roared.
"I'm the Alpha! They do what I say, or they're out, just like that traitor I call a son!"
"Rowan is your own flesh and blood," Uncle Jarett argued.
"Doesn't that mean anything anymore? He's a good guy deep down. Can't you see his love for his mate is real?"
Marcus's eyes glowed like angry embers.
"That omega whore filled Rowan's head with nothing but bad ideas and weakness! I should've gotten rid of her sooner, before this whole mess started!"
I squirmed in my seat. I loved my adoptive dad, but I totally disagreed with how he was treating Catrina.
She seemed sweet and really loved Rowan. What was the big deal?
Uncle Jarett noticed me and turned. "Derek, what do you think about all this? You and Rowan were close."
I gulped. "I think Rowan loves Catrina. And he wants to be a good Alpha. He just wants to do things differently."
Marcus spun around, fuming. "Are you challenging me too? After everything I've done for you?"
"N-No, Alpha," I stammered, shrinking back. "I'm just being honest."
"Your opinion doesn't matter!" Marcus roared. "You're just a young pup who doesn't know anything!"
Uncle Jarett stepped between us. "Enough, Marcus! Don't yell at him. He's just speaking his mind."
Marcus snarled, showing his fangs a bit. "Get out of my way! I'll put that disrespectful pup in his place!"
"Calm down!" Uncle Jarett stood firm. "More fighting will only make things worse! We need to find a peaceful solution for the pack."
They glared at each other, all tense and angry. It felt like they might actually fight! Then, Marcus backed down with a growl.
"Fine," he spat. "But this isn’t over. I'm going to figure out who’s behind this rebellion and end it."
Marcus stormed off. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
"Thanks, Uncle," I whispered. "I thought he was gonna hit me."
Uncle Jarett sighed, sitting next to me. He put a hand on my shoulder. "Marcus has a bad temper, but he loves you like his own. Don’t take his words to heart."
I shrugged. "Maybe. But sometimes it's hard not to..."
We sat in silence for a bit. The whole situation was messed up.
"This whole thing with Rowan has gotten out of control," Uncle Jarett finally said. "I hoped I could calm things down, but I think it might get worse before it gets better."
I frowned. "You mean...like everyone turning against Marcus? Choosing Rowan as the Alpha instead?"
Uncle Jarett nodded. "It’s possible. A lot of people don't think Marcus should be Alpha anymore after how he's acted."
He looked at me seriously. "That's why you might have to choose a side, Derek."
My stomach twisted. Choose between my dad and my brother? I didn't know if I could.
"I...I don't know if I can do that, Uncle Jarett," I mumbled. "Family is everything to me."
Uncle Jarett squeezed my hand. "I know. And you don't have to decide now. Just be ready to do what's right for our pack when the time comes. We're werewolves - we have to stick together as a family."
I nodded slowly, but I felt even more scared.
Over the next few days, things at the hotel got worse. Marcus was paranoid and mean, seeing enemies everywhere.
He doubled the guards, wouldn't let anyone leave, and hid in his office all the time, probably scheming.
Uncle Jarett tried to keep the peace, but everyone was stressed. You could feel it in the air like a storm about to break. People whispered about whether Marcus should even be Alpha anymore.
I tried to stay out of it all, keeping my head down. But the feeling of something bad about to happen hung heavy in the air, like a thick fog.
All I could hope for was that Rowan found Catrina and figured out a way to fix everything before it was too late.
One night, I couldn't take it anymore. I was restless, pacing the dark hallways of the Magnus pack headquarters.
Dad had shut down everything, scared of outsiders, and the whole place felt like a deserted town.
I ended up back in the big hall, and sure enough, there was someone already there, sitting alone at the long table.
“Hey, Uncle," I said, sitting beside him.
“Can’t sleep either?” He gave a tired smile.
I shook my head. We sat in silence for a bit.
"Have you...heard from Rowan? Is he okay?" I finally asked.
Uncle Jarett shook his head, worry etched on his face. “I’m afraid not. He’s laying low for now. If Marcus knew how to contact him...”
We both knew Marcus would go ballistic if he could talk to Rowan.
“Rowan loves Catrina very much," I said softly. "He just wants to be with her and their pup."
Uncle Jarett nodded. "That’s just Rowan. He's always been kind and caring."
There weren't any workers or visitors around, not a single person. Dad had sealed the place up tight, like a military base on high alert. Everything was quiet.
Uncle Jarett studied me. "You really care about him, don't you?"
I met his eyes. "He’s my little brother. We weren’t always close because Marcus favored him, but of course, I care."
We fell silent again. I could practically hear Uncle Jarett's thoughts.
Finally, he spoke in a low voice. "Derek, what I’m about to tell you...you can’t repeat it to anyone. Do you promise?"
I sat up straight. "I promise, Uncle. I won't tell a soul."
Uncle Jarett took a deep breath. "Okay. The truth is…I have been in contact with Rowan. But he…”