Chapter Hundred fourty-five

Darius’s POV

I stormed back to my chambers, frustration brewing within me. The audacity—I had been yelling at Alpha Orion, challenging him as if he weren’t still the Alpha, as if he weren’t still my elder brother. And yet, despite my rebellion, one look from Anita had me backtracking, softening in a way I despised. Her mere presence unraveled the anger I had so painstakingly cultivated, leaving me feeling exposed and powerless.

Once I reached my room, my mother’s calls echoed from the hall behind me. I ignored her at first, but her voice grew louder, more insistent, until I couldn’t tune it out anymore. She was determined, almost desperate, as she caught up to me and grabbed my arm, her face etched with frustration.

"Darius, stop! We need to talk,” she demanded. “You had everything in your grasp today, everything! Why did you let it go? Why did you falter when you were so close?”

I spun around, unable to contain my anger. “You don’t understand! I did exactly what you wanted. Exactly