The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 79: Chapter 79

Derek's POV:
The air was thick with tension as I stood in the grand entrance of the Magnus Hotel.
My eyes were fixed on the huge double doors leading to Father’s study.
I knew he was in there, his grip on power slipping more every day.
I glanced at Uncle Jarrett. He looked grim, but determined.
We had gathered a group of pack members who were tired of Father’s cruel rule.
They were ready for a change.
“You sure about this, Derek?” Uncle Jarrett asked quietly.
“Once we go in there, there’s no going back.”
I squared my shoulders, my jaw set.
“I’m sure, Uncle. This has gone on long enough. It’s time to stop him.”
He nodded, a small smile on his lips.
“That’s my nephew. Alright, let’s do it.”
He turned to the pack members, who were watching us with a mix of excitement and fear.
“Listen up,” Jarrett said, his voice strong and clear.
“We’re going to confront Marcus. Be ready to act when I give the signal, understand?”
They nodded, their faces serious. I saw the same determination in Jarrett’s eyes that I felt in my own heart.
We were in this together.
“Okay, then,” Jarrett said, his voice full of authority.
“Let’s go. We’ve got to take down Marcus and this Kezrach curse once and for all.”
I took a deep breath and turned towards those massive doors, Uncle Jarrett at my side.
This was it—the moment of truth.
I pushed the doors open and walked in, my eyes instantly locking onto Father.
He was sitting behind his huge desk, looking powerful and intimidating.
“Derek,” he drawled, his voice full of scorn. “What a surprise. And you’ve brought the whole pack with you, I see.”
I clenched my jaw, refusing to let his words get to me. “Cut the act, Marcus. We both know why we’re here.”
He chuckled, but it sent chills down my spine. “Oh, do you now? And what exactly do you think you know, boy?”
I took a step forward, my eyes narrowing. “We know about the Kezrach Larva, Marcus. We know what you’ve been doing to our pack, to our family.”
His face darkened, and I saw a flicker of panic in his eyes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he growled.
Uncle Jarrett stepped forward, his gaze never wavering.
“Don’t play dumb, Marcus. We know the truth. We’re here to stop you, once and for all.”
Father leaned back in his chair, a cruel smile twisting his lips.
“Is that so? Well, you’re too late. The Kezrach has already taken hold, and you can’t stop it.”
His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I saw fear in the eyes of the pack members behind me.
He can’t be right… Can he?
“What are you talking about?” I asked, my voice rising. “What have you done?”
He chuckled again, a sound that made my skin crawl.
“Oh, I haven’t done anything, son. But I’ve figured out how to… use the Larva’s power. To make sure that I stay the Alpha, no matter what.”
My heart raced, my mind struggling to understand what he meant.
“You can’t be serious,” I whispered, barely able to speak.
His gaze hardened, and I saw the true darkness within him.
The Kezrach had twisted him, corrupted him. He wasn’t the father I used to know.
“Oh, but I am, Derek,” he said coldly.
“And if any of you even think about challenging me, I’ll make sure the Larva consumes you all.”
The pack stirred behind me, fear and uncertainty rippling through them.
The air felt thick and heavy, like a storm about to break.
“You can’t do this, Marcus,” Uncle Jarrett growled, his claws starting to extend.
“We won’t let you!”
Father’s smile widened.
“Oh, but I can. And I will. Unless, of course, you’re willing to… cooperate.”
My stomach twisted.
What did he want? I couldn’t betray the pack, my family. But the thought of the Kezrach consuming us all…
Uncle Jarrett must have seen the fear in my eyes. He stepped forward, his face hard.
“We’ll never do what you want, Marcus. The pack will never be loyal to a tyrant like you.”
Father’s smile became even crueler.
“Oh, but I think you will, Jarrett. After all, how can you save the pack if you don’t even know how to stop the Larva?”
Despair washed over me. He was right. We were fighting a battle we didn’t understand.
But we have to do something. My wolf snarled, his defiance burning strong.
We can’t let him win. We can’t let him destroy our pack.
“What do you want, Father?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Father leaned forward, his eyes full of malice.
“Simple, son. I want your loyalty. And the loyalty of the entire pack. In exchange, I’ll protect you from the Larva.”
I felt the weight of his demand crushing me.
I couldn’t betray the pack. But the thought of everyone being consumed by the Kezrach…
There has to be another way. I thought desperately. We can’t give in to him. But what choice do we have?
“You see, I’ve learned the secret to controlling the Kezrach. And I’ve learned how to use it to bend others to my will. Starting with your precious nephew… Rowan.” he said looking at Jarrett.
Father leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning the worried faces of our pack.
"Unless," he said, his voice smooth and dangerous, "you're willing to let me share what I know. In exchange for your loyalty, of course.”
My breath caught in my throat.
If he really knew how to stop the Kezrach… we couldn’t say no.
But the thought of serving under his rule, of watching him twist our pack into something dark and cruel…
Uncle Jarrett must’ve seen the struggle on my face. He put a hand on my shoulder, his eyes understanding.
“Derek, you don’t have to do this. There’s another way.”
I met his gaze, doubt clouding my own eyes.
“But what if there isn’t, Uncle Jarrett? What if this is the only way to save everyone?” His forehead creased with worry.
“I… I don’t know, Derek. But I do know we can’t give in to Marcus. It would destroy everything we’ve fought for.”
The weight of the decision pressed down on me. The whole pack’s future rested on my shoulders.
I knew that agreeing to Father’s demands would be a betrayal. But if we refused, the Kezrach could destroy us all.
“Time’s running out, Derek,” Father drawled, his voice mocking.
“What’ll it be? Loyalty or destruction?”
He’s playing with us. I thought, my wolf snarling in anger. He’s enjoying this, seeing us squirm.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and made my choice.
I knew it was wrong, but it was the only way to save everyone.
“Alright,” I said quietly.
“You win. The pack… we’ll be loyal to you.”
The words tasted like poison in my mouth. Shame and guilt flooded me.
I opened my eyes and saw the betrayed looks on the faces of my packmates.
But deep down, I knew it was the right choice.
It’s the only way to save them. To save us all.
Father smiled, a cruel, chilling smile.
“Excellent, my son. I knew you’d see reason.”
He turned to the pack, his eyes sweeping over them like a predator surveying its prey.
“From now on, the Magnus pack is mine. Anyone who defies me will face the full power of the Kezrach.”
The pack murmured, fear and defeat hanging in the air.
I felt a pang of guilt, knowing I’d let them down.
But when I met Uncle Jarrett’s gaze, I saw the same determination in his eyes.
He was disappointed, but he understood.
We had to play along, buy ourselves time to find a way to really beat the Kezrach and Father’s tyranny.
“Very good,” Father purred, his eyes settling on me.
“Now, Derek, I have a special job for you. Something that will prove your loyalty to me… and to the pack.”
My heart started to race. “What is it?”
His smile widened, and I knew I’d just made a deal with the devil.
“I need you to find your brother, Rowan,” he said, his voice dripping with malice.
“And bring him to me. Alive.”
My blood ran cold. He wants to use me to capture Rowan? He wants to use me to hurt my own brother?
Rage and fear rise inside me.
“But… why?” I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. “What are you going to do to him?”
He chuckled, enjoying my fear.
“That’s for me to know, son. Just do as you’re told. Bring Rowan to me. Or face the consequences.”