Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Layco

"He's still there. That kiddo doesn't wanna leave no matter how much we scare him," Warren reported. It had already been a week since that dumbass' sister sacrificed herself just so he could return safely to Bersant yet here he was, refusing to leave.

Some people just didn't really have enough parts of their brain properly working. 

My fingers caressed the tip of the glass while I stared at Warren as he continued. "He's soaking wet, shivering like a wet pup. We thought he left already everytime he disappears but he'll return with some snack and start camping under the rain again." He sighed heavily. "This is why I don't wanna have a child."

Jao snorted. "Because you're scared your kids will remind you of how stubborn you are?"

Warren raised a brow before he showed Jao his middle finger. "Shut the fuck up or I'll snap your neck."

"Last time I checked, you passed out during our match," Jao answered, trying to trap his laugh.

The door swung open and my Beta stormed inside. My jaw clenched as Savanah's scent lingered in my nose. Damn this fool. I told him not to keep that woman's scent all over him whenever he's going to see me. Didn't I make myself clear?

"Enough, love birds." Grant patted Warren's shoulder. "Get the fuck outta here and get married. End of problems."

"Oh, yeah? Why don't you--" Warren suddenly stopped when I looked at him. His face turned sour as he looked away. "Almost forgot. I got to do some rounds at the quarters."

I jerked my head, giving him permission to leave. Jao followed him, and when the door shut, I shot Grant with a deadly gaze. "What part of keep your distance to the girl can't you understand, Beta?"

His head bowed to show respect. "My apologies, Alpha. I just had no choice. She refuses to eat unless it's me who brings her food."

His words made my blood boil that I didn't notice my grip on my glass already tightened until it broke in my palm. I looked at the mess I made and clenched my jaw, totally confused of what the hell was happening to me. It was never hard to control the beast inside me. My father had turned me into a cage for a monster nobody could ever stop once it comes to the surface.

Years and years of deadly trainings, yet here I was, acting like a mad man for god-knows what.

Taking a deep, shallow breath, I shut my eyes to pull myself together before I spoke. "Her brother doesn't wanna leave."

Grant straightened his back and met my now colder eyes. "Would you like me to deal with him instead?"

I cracked my knuckles and looked outside. Rain was heavier and thunder roared louder with a hint of lightning. It would be dangerous for that boy to stay on the border. He knew that yet he chose to stay.

I hate him for that. I hate that he refused to leave despite his sister's sacrifice... because I remembered the time I needed Chleo the most I ended up destroying her heart.

I only thought about myself, and now my sister couldn't even look at herself the same way anymore...

I killed the old Chleo. I couldn't let that boy do the same thing to his sister.

Lightning lit my view and as I stared at the broken glasses scattered on the floor, I realized maybe Chleo was just trying to still hold on to life because of me, but no matter how strong she projects herself, there's just some things that could never be fixed again once broken.

I raked my fingers onto my hair. "I'll talk to him myself."

Surpised, Grant's eyes widened a little. "But, Alpha..."

My eyes met his. "What?"

Letting out a sigh, Grant's expression soften as he looked at the broken glasses. "Take it easy on him. Looks like she's everything he got."

I felt a tug in my chest when I remembered Chleo. She was everything I got, too... yet I chose to break her heart the way no one else did.

The way I swore to never do...

Thoughts about Chleo bugged me as I made my way towards Savanah's brother. I found him on the side of the road, hunching as he shivered. There were empty plastics next to him as if he had eaten there. When he felt my presence, his head lifted and I realized he was crying.

Lightning struck the dark sky, and for a moment, I saw the young Layco in him. Those bitter memories twisted my stomach and crushed my heart but I kept my defense. I must never show anyone where exactly to hit me or my people would surely suffer.

I walked towards him and didn't hesitate to grab him by his arm. The boy didn't fight my grip but he managed to look into my eyes as he sobbed. "Please, Sir. Take me, too. Just... just take me, too."

My eyes turned dark and my teeth gritted in fury. "Your sister didn't risk her life just so you could get yourself into more trouble. Why can't you fucking value her sacrifice and just move on with your life?"

I didn't expect him to flash a broken smile, and when he did, pain struck my heart like a lightning bolt I didn't see coming. 

"She didn't have to sacrifice herself. It doesn't have to be her all the time. When my mother left me in my sister's care, she conquered her own fears so I won't deal with mine on my own. Her heart is so soft but she's brave. She is... very brave. But..." His tears rolled down his cheeks and his lips trembled when he sobbed.  It's not everyday that she's strong. It's not everyday that she needs no one. If one day she can no longer get back on her feet and be tough, who's going to do it for her? What kind of brother would that make me if I'll just let her suffer?"

I wasn't able to move a muscle. Markus' words dug deep into my soul that I almost held my breath because I was too focused on the pain that's clawing my heart. I just stared at him, wondering why he reminded me of myself, as if heaven wanted me to remember who I used to be and what mistakes had I done.

Before I could even utter a word or get back to my senses, I felt a familiar woman reaching my hand that was holding Markus' arm. I realized Chleo was already crying, and when he took my hand off of Markus, I knew she'd made up her mind.

She removed her trench coat and put it on Markus' shoulders. "Come on. Let me take you to your sister," Chleo said with a raspy voice.

I sighed. "You can't do that. Don't go against my decision--"

"Try me." Her eyes turned gold, and underneath her fury, I had a glimpse of her pain. The pain that was killing her everyday...

She breathed in deeply and smiled at Markus, totally ignoring my warning. "Let's go, dear. You're shivering. You know, I think my brother's old clothes might fit on you."

"Chleo--"

"Don't you dare stop me." She shot me again with her bloodshot eyes. "Siblings stick together... right? No..." She swallowed hard when her voice cracked. "No matter how hard things are already, siblings... siblings stick together, Layco." She wiped her cheek and turned her back on me. "Don't give me reasons to break my promise. We only have each other, and between you and me, you know who would have a harder time to take it once I leave this place."

Chleo walked away with Markus. I was left there, watching my sister while trying to ease the pain her words had caused me. When I knew I was about to lose my control, I started running towards the opposite direction. My body shifted into a big black wolf as I went deeper into the woods, leading to the side of Remorse I barely set foot on for months.

I didn't mean to get there. It's just that, whenever things get too heavy, I couldn't help myself but still ask the Supreme leader the same questions.

Why? Why did he shut the doors of the Vourden Castle? Why did he turn his back on us when he promised that whatever happens, he would always be by our side? My side?

Anger, fear, and pain clawed my heart all at the same time. A howl escaped my mouth as I stood right by the gates. I knew he was listening. He didn't need to show himself. I just... I just wanted to hear him howl back.

I just wanted to know he didn't really abandon the District...

But just like before when the news about him closing the castle had spread all over the Inner District, he didn't answer my howls... and it truly broke my heart.