Chapter 5

Thorn's POV.

The weight of grief was unbearable. My chest felt hollow, a deep ache settling in where my heart used to be. How could Alaric stand there and speak of accidents? How could he possibly expect me to believe that the death of my son,the only thing in this life that truly mattered,was an accident?

No. My boy was gone, and someone had to pay.

I paced the floor of my quarters, my mind racing, a thousand thoughts crashing into each other. The echo of my son’s laughter, his voice, his small victories in the training yard,they haunted me now. Alaric had tried to play the role of mediator, to keep the peace, but his words had only fueled the fire inside me. It wasn’t just the boy’s death that burned in my veins. It was everything. Years of being sidelined, of watching Alaric rule over this pack like some invincible king, while I stood in the shadows, always the loyal warrior. But loyalty had its limits, and Alaric had just crossed mine.

He could claim it was an accident all he wanted, but that girl,no, that murderer,she had taken my son from me. And if Alaric wouldn’t deliver justice, then I would. One way or another.

I leaned against the window, staring out into the dark forest that surrounded the pack lands. The moon hung low, casting long shadows over the treetops. My hands trembled, not with fear, but with the fury that I’d been holding back for far too long. For years, I’d watched Alaric make decisions,some wise, some foolish,and I’d followed every command, every order, without question. That was the way of the pack. The Alpha leads, and the others follow. But now... now everything is different. Now, my son was dead, and Alaric wanted me to accept it as just another loss. Just another casualty in this unforgiving world we lived in.

But this wasn't just another loss. This was ‘my’ loss.

I felt Elara’s presence behind me before I heard her soft footsteps. Her grief mirrored mine, though she wore it differently, like a shroud that weighed her down. She had always been the gentler one, the voice of reason. But even her calming presence couldn’t douse the rage that had taken root inside me.

“Thorne,” she whispered, her voice a gentle plea. I didn’t turn to face her. I couldn’t. Not when the only thing that filled my vision was my son’s lifeless face.

“I can’t just let this go,” I muttered, more to myself than to her. “She killed him. She’s the reason he’s gone.”

Elara stepped closer, her hand reaching for mine. I pulled away, unable to bear the softness of her touch. Softness had no place in me now. Not anymore. “Thorne, revenge won’t bring him back. You know that.”

“I don’t care!” The words tore from my throat, raw and unfiltered. I turned to her, finally meeting her eyes, but all I saw was her weakness. How could she be so calm? How could she just stand there and try to soothe me when our son was dead? “I don’t care about justice or peace or any of that nonsense. I want her to suffer like we’re suffering. I want Alaric to see what it feels like to lose someone. Maybe then he’ll understand.”

Her eyes softened, and that only made the anger worse. “You’re not thinking clearly,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Clearly?” I laughed bitterly. “No, I’m finally thinking clearly for the first time in years, Elara. This pack... this pack has been running on Alaric’s rules for too long. We follow his every word, his every command, like we’re nothing but sheep. But I’m not a sheep. I’m a warrior. And my son deserved better.”

Elara’s shoulders sagged, and I knew she was losing hope. She had always been the steady one, the calm to my storm. But even her strength had limits. I turned away from her again, staring out at the forest. The silence between us was heavy, but my thoughts were louder than ever.

Alaric thought he was untouchable. That much was clear. He thought that just because he wore the title of Alpha, he could make decisions for all of us. But there was a way to bring him down. To take what was rightfully mine. I wasn’t just a head warrior. I was a leader. I had earned my place here, and now it was time to take it.

A plan began to form in my mind. Slowly, piece by piece, I could see it coming together. It would take time. It would require patience,something I hadn’t always been good at. But for this... for my son... I could wait. And when the time came, I would bring Alaric to his knees.

The girl, too. She wouldn’t escape her fate. Not for long. She might be Alaric’s mate, but even mates weren’t above pack law. And if I had to tear down everything Alaric had built to get to her, so be it.

I clenched my fists, the anger pulsing through me like a living thing. I would need allies. Others who had seen Alaric’s weaknesses, others who had been wronged by his decisions. There were always those in a pack who questioned the Alpha’s choices, who resented the power he wielded. I would find them. I would rally them. And together, we would take back what was ours.

“Elara,” I said, my voice calmer now, more controlled.

“Yes?” she asked, her tone cautious.

“You need to trust me on this. I know what needs to be done. Alaric isn’t fit to lead us anymore. He’s too soft. He’s lost touch with what it means to be Alpha.”

Her brow furrowed, confusion flashing in her eyes. “What are you talking about, Thorne?”

I turned to face her fully, the resolve solidifying in my chest. “We can’t just let this go. Alaric’s judgment is clouded. He’s letting his emotions dictate his actions. That girl... she’s his mate. And that’s why he’s protecting her.”

Elara’s eyes widened, shock flickering across her face. “His... mate?”

“Yes. And that’s why he’s blinded by her. He won’t punish her the way she deserves to be punished. He won’t give us the justice we need.”

Elara looked down at her hands, the weight of the revelation sinking in. “What are you going to do?”

I took a deep breath, my plan settling into place. “I’m going to do what Alaric is too weak to do. I’m going to take control of this pack. And when I do, we’ll have justice.”

Elara didn’t respond, but I didn’t need her to. I could see the doubt in her eyes, the worry that I was going too far. But it didn’t matter. I had already made up my mind. I would tear down the Alpha, brick by brick if I had to. And when the dust settled, I would stand at the top, the rightful leader of this pack.

It wouldn’t happen overnight. I would need to be careful, strategic. But I knew how to bide my time. I knew how to wait. And when the moment came, I would strike.

For my son.