The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 63: Chapter 63

Marcus’ POV:
My head throbbed with another wave of pain.
The Kezrach Larva was getting stronger, its tendrils digging deeper into my mind, whispering lies and making my dark thoughts worse.
“Get…out…”
I growled, clenching my teeth, sweat dripping down my face. For a second, I was clear-headed.
“I…won’t let you…win…”
Using all the willpower I had left, I pushed back against the evil inside me, trying to stay sane.
I had to be clear, even for a little bit. There was something I had to do…
Rowan. My son.
The thought of him burned in my mind, a light in the darkness. I couldn’t let him get this curse, not when he was so close to finding a cure.
“J-Jarett…” I called out, my voice raspy.
“Need…to speak…with Jarett…”
I hoped my brother, my closest friend, would come quickly.
Before the Kezrach took over my mind again.
The door burst open, and Jarett rushed in, his face full of worry.
“Marcus? Are you…yourself again?”
I nodded weakly, motioning for him to come closer. “For now. But it…it won’t last long.”
Jarett’s eyes narrowed as he saw the sweat on my face and the way my body was shaking.
“Talk to me, brother. What do you need?”
Taking a deep breath, I met his gaze. “Rowan. He…he might have found a way to break the curse.”
My beta’s eyes widened a bit. “Really? With those…Drakhor?”
“Yes.” I winced as another pain shot through my head.
“I…I went to see him at the Mondragon pack.”
Jarett’s eyebrows shot up. “You did? I thought they were still angry at him.”
Guilt washed over me. I had been so consumed by the Kezrach’s influence, I’d done something truly awful.
To mess with Rowan’s head, I’d spun this lie to him and Catrina, about Henri being Vivian’s twin.
The entire Magnus pack knew it was a fabrication, a twisted manipulation to throw them off balance, but Rowan… he’d believed it.
And seeing his hurt, the way he’d closed off his heart to me, had eaten away at my soul.
“I…I did a terrible thing, Jarett,” I whispered, my voice rough.
“I said that Henri…that he was Vivian’s twin. I was trying to hurt Rowan, make him doubt his mate. I was blind…”
Jarett’s expression softened, a flicker of sadness in his eyes.
He knew how much I loved Rowan, how much my own actions had hurt him. He understood the grip the Kezrach had on me.
“I know, brother,” he said gently. “You’re not yourself when you’re under its influence. But what about now? What do you need me to do?”
"He needs…our help. My help." I said, my voice raw. “He needs us to stand with him.”
Jarett leaned closer, his forehead creased with concern.
“Tell me what you need me to do. You know I’d do anything for you, Marcus.”
A tired smile touched my lips. “I know, Brother. That’s why…that’s why I have to ask you to do something unthinkable.”
Jarett seemed to understand what I meant.
“You’re going to defy the elders. You’re going to openly support Rowan’s quest.”
“I have to,” I said, my voice strained but strong.
“It’s the only way. And if the elders won’t listen…then I’ll do whatever it takes to help my son.”
Jarett was quiet for a moment, thinking about how serious my decision was. Finally, he nodded.
“You know I’ll follow you, Alpha. If we need to stand with Rowan against the council, then that’s what we’ll do.”
Relief washed over me, but quickly turned to guilt.
“Jarett, this won’t be easy. The elders will see this as a betrayal. You could lose everything by supporting me.”
My beta’s eyes were determined.
“I swore to serve this pack, this family, until I die. If that means going against those who are too blind to see the truth, then I’ll do it willingly.”
I felt proud of my most loyal wolf. Jarett had been by my side for so long, through everything.
It was almost fitting that he would stand with me for this biggest challenge of all.
“Thank you, brother,” I murmured, putting my hand on his shoulder.
“When the time comes…you’ll know what to do.”
Jarett squeezed my hand. “We’ll get through this, Marcus. No matter what.”
Even as he said those reassuring words, I felt the Kezrach’s influence returning.
A familiar heat spread through me, fanning the flames of anger and paranoia that the evil entity used to control me.
“Jarett…” I said through gritted teeth, my vision turning reddish.
“It’s happening again…you need to leave, now…”
My beta knew what was happening. He backed away quickly.
“I’m going, Alpha. Just…stay strong. Don’t let it take you again.”
But the evil was already taking hold, twisting my thoughts.
I growled, feeling a surge of hostility towards Jarett. Even though I knew it wasn’t real, I felt myself getting angry.
“Don’t…don’t make me hurt you…” I snarled, standing up, my fists clenched.
“Get…OUT!”
Jarett took a few more steps back, his face sad but determined.
“I’ll be right outside, Marcus. Fight it…come back to us.”
I roared with rage and threw the nearest thing—a heavy glass paperweight—at his head.
He ducked just in time, the paperweight shattering against the wall behind him.
“GO!”
I shouted, every muscle in my body tense as the Kezrach took complete control.
Jarett hesitated for a second, looking at me with sadness and determination.
Then he spun around and ran out of the room, slamming the door shut.
Clutching my head, I howled in pain and frustration. The Kezrach was in charge, and I felt helpless.
How many more times would I lose myself? How many more moments of clarity would I get, only to lose them again?
This awful curse had taken everything from me—my dignity, my control…my identity.
And if Rowan didn't succeed where I had failed, it would keep tearing me apart until I was nothing.
But somewhere, in the midst of the pain, a tiny bit of hope remained.
If I couldn’t control myself, if I couldn’t overcome the Kezrach… then I would have to trust my son.
Rowan had to find a way to break this curse. No matter the cost. If not… then there would be no saving me or anyone else.
And so, as the whispers in my head became a deafening roar, I gave in to the Larva once again.
But this time, I held onto the image of my son’s face, using it to anchor myself, to stop myself from being pulled completely into the darkness…