CHAPTER 132: 132 - CHANGE

132

~Damon’s POV

I lay down on my bed after Belinda left my room. I chuckled softly. "I couldn’t care less about my brothers right now... Lisa is worth it."

I was just about to close my eyes when I heard the door creak open. My chest tightened, and I sat up quickly.

Rowan and Kael walked in. Their faces were hard, their steps heavy. The peace I had felt a moment ago shattered like glass.

I frowned, anger already rising inside me. "What do you two want?" I asked sharply.

Rowan’s jaw tightened. "So this is it? You’re really going to separate yourself from us now? Living in your own room while we stay together?"

Kael stepped forward, his eyes burning into me. "You think you can just walk away from us? From everything we built together as brothers?"

I clenched my fists. "I’m not separating myself from anyone. I just needed space. That’s all."

Rowan scoffed. "Space? Don’t lie to yourself, Damon. You’re running. You’re running because of Lisa. You’re obsessed with her."

Hearing her name from Rowan’s lips lit a fire in me. "Don’t bring Lisa into this. She has nothing to do with my decision to stay here."

Kael’s voice was sharp, almost trembling with anger. "She has everything to do with it! We can see it. You’re blinded. Every move you make now is about her. And we’re done watching you lose yourself."

I stood up from the bed, my blood boiling. "I’ve done everything for you both. I’ve led this pack with you. I’ve fought side by side with you. And now, because I finally do something for myself, you want to strip me of everything?"

Rowan’s eyes darkened. "If you want to keep chasing after Lisa, then you cannot keep being Alpha. You’ll have to choose, Lisa, or the pack."

My heart thudded against my ribs. Their words stung, but at the same time, I felt this wave of disbelief. They were actually serious. They wanted me to step down.

I let out a bitter laugh and shook my head. "You two... You just keep getting on my nerves. Over and over again. And you know what? I’ve learned to keep my temper. I’ve learned to walk away. I’ve given you space to do whatever you like. But listen to me carefully..." I stepped closer, my voice low, trembling with restrained anger, "Don’t ever tamper with my Alpha position. Ever."

Rowan clenched his fists. "You think we’re scared of you?"

Kael hissed, "We’re not children anymore, Damon. You can’t control us with threats."

I glared at both of them, my chest heaving. "This is not about fear. It’s about respect. And if you can’t see that, then maybe you’re the ones walking away from me, not the other way around."

For a moment, silence filled the room. The three of us stared at each other, years of brotherhood suddenly feeling like nothing but smoke in the air.

Inside, my heart ached. These were my brothers. My blood. But right now, they felt like strangers.

I lowered my voice. "I didn’t ask for this Alpha position, you know. I didn’t beg for it. But I earned it. And I’ll keep it. Don’t think for a second that you can take it away just because you’re jealous of where my heart is."

Rowan’s lips curled in anger. "Jealous? You think this is about jealousy? No, Damon. This is about loyalty. And right now, you’re failing at it."

Kael’s eyes narrowed, his tone sharp. "You’ve changed. And not in a good way."

The words hit me like sharp claws to the chest, tearing deeper than I wanted to admit. Loyalty. Changed. Failing. They were supposed to be my brothers, the ones who stood by me through every storm, yet tonight their voices sounded like the accusations of strangers. I clenched my fists at my side, nails digging into my palm, trying to hold myself together.

They thought they knew me, every corner of my soul, every shadow and light I carried. But as I looked into their eyes, filled with anger and judgment, I realized maybe they had never really seen me at all.

I swallowed hard, forcing the lump in my throat down, and let my voice slip out, low and rough. "Then maybe," I whispered, every word heavy with pain I refused to show, "you two never really knew me at all."

Rowan stepped closer, anger in his eyes. "Don’t play dumb with us. You think we don’t see it? We know you even more than you, and you changed because of that bitch. It’s because of her. Because of Lisa."

Kael’s voice was sharper. "If you can’t let go of that obsession, Damon, then you have to step down just like we said earlier. Leave the alpha position. Go run off and be Lisa’s shadow while we lead this pack the right way."

Rowan growled. "This isn’t a game! If you don’t want to be one with us, then you can’t stay Alpha. That’s the rule."

I stood up, staring at them both. "Don’t talk to me about rules," I snapped. "Because if rules actually mattered to you, Lisa would have been rejected already. Belinda would be crowned the right way after we did what was required. But no, you both want to twist everything just to fit what you want."

Kael narrowed his eyes. "We are not rejecting Lisa."

I tilted my head and smirked. "And why not? Isn’t that the rule? Or does it only apply when it benefits you?"

Rowan stepped forward before Kael could speak. His voice shook with emotion. "Because she’s our mate. You think we can just reject her? Throw her away because she’s nothing? We’re not ready to let her go, Damon. You know that she helps with our curse. So she will be with us until we are fully healed."

I paused, watching the sincerity in his eyes. For a second, I almost softened, but then I reminded myself of how much they’d already twisted everything to suit themselves. I scoffed. "So there it is. That’s the truth, isn’t it? You want to keep Lisa, yet still crown Belinda. You want to have it all without giving anything up."

Neither of them spoke. The silence said everything.

I gave them a long look and shook my head. "Do what you want. I don’t care anymore. Keep Lisa. Crown Belinda. Break every rule this pack has ever stood by. But hear me clearly, never threaten me with the alpha position again."

Rowan’s lips parted like he wanted to argue, but the glare in my eyes made him stop. Kael looked away, his jaw tight.

"I’ve learned to keep my temper," I said quietly but firmly. "I’ve given you both the freedom to do what you like. But I won’t let you take this pack from me. Not while I’m breathing."