The Clash of wills

**Angel**

The tension in the mansion was unbearable. With each passing day, I felt the weight of the circumstances suffocating my spirit. My heart was torn between my loyalty to Dimitri and the pack that had now become part of my life, and the urgent need to see my own family—my mother and my brother, who was the Alpha of our old pack. The connection with them was something I couldn't ignore, especially now, with so many uncertainties hanging in the air.

That morning, after a sleepless night, I made the decision that I needed to go to my old pack. I needed to see my mother, to feel the comfort that only she could give. And I also knew that my brother might have important information that could help us face the threat of Lucian.

With that determination, I went to Dimitri's office. He was, as usual, engrossed in his responsibilities as Alpha, mapping out plans and discussing strategies with Leonardo. When I entered, he looked up and gave me a faint smile, but there was a constant worry in his eyes.

"Angel," he began, his voice somewhat soft but with an underlying firmness. "You seem to have something on your mind."

I nodded, trying to keep my voice calm and controlled. "I need to go to my old pack, Dimitri. I need to see my mother and talk to my brother. They might have information that can help us face Lucian."

Dimitri's expression hardened immediately. He straightened in his chair, and his posture became more rigid. "Angel, I don't think that's a good idea right now. The situation is tense, and your safety is my biggest concern."

"But Dimitri, I feel it's necessary," I insisted, trying to make him understand the urgency I felt. "My mother and brother are part of my life. I can't just ignore what might be happening to them."

"I understand that, but the timing is critical," he said, crossing his arms. "I can't allow you to leave here now, not with Lucian nearby. It's too dangerous."

I felt the frustration growing inside me. I understood Dimitri's concern, but I couldn't accept him preventing me from seeing my own family. "I know how to take care of myself, Dimitri. I'm not asking for permission, I'm telling you I'm going."

His gaze narrowed, and I could see the determination in his eyes. "Angel, as Alpha, it's my duty to protect everyone under my care, and that includes you. I can't risk your life."

"I'm not a prisoner here!" The words escaped before I could hold them back, my voice louder than I intended. "I have the right to see my family, to do what I think is necessary."

Dimitri stood up, his imposing presence making me feel small for a moment. "You're not a prisoner, but you're not alone either. Every decision we make affects everyone. If you leave now, you're putting more than just your own life at risk."

There was a moment of silence, where we both stared at each other, neither of us willing to back down. I knew he was trying to protect me, but the idea of being prevented from doing what I needed to do, from seeing my family, was unbearable.

"Dimitri, please," my voice softened, trying to appeal to his understanding. "My mother... I need to know if she's okay. And my brother might have valuable information that could help us."

He sighed, rubbing his hand over his face, clearly torn between his concern and his role as Alpha. "Angel, if I could guarantee your safety, I would let you go. But I can't. Lucian is lurking, waiting for any weakness on our part. If anything happens to you, I would never forgive myself."

The pain in his words struck me, and for a moment, all my anger dissipated. I could see how much he cared, how much he was worried not only about the pack but also about me. But that didn't change the fact that I needed to see my family.

"Dimitri," I began, once again trying to find a middle ground. "What if I took some of the wolves with me? A strong enough escort to ensure my safety. I'm not asking to go alone."

He shook his head, still resolute. "I can't allow that, Angel. Any movement outside of here is a risk we can't afford. You need to understand that."

Silence fell between us again, and I knew the conversation was over. Dimitri had made his decision, and nothing I said would change it.

With a knot in my throat, I nodded, trying to hide the disappointment that consumed me. "I understand your position," I finally replied, my voice low. "But I hope you understand my need."

He stepped forward, trying to soften the blow. "I do understand, Angel. And I know this is hard for you. But we are in difficult times, and we need to make decisions that aren't easy."

But instead of softening, Dimitri added in a harsher tone, "But you need to stop being impulsive and selfish. Don't you realize your actions could put us all in danger? This is not the time to think only of yourself."

Those words cut like a blade. He was right, to some extent, but the way he spoke, the way he diminished me, turned my frustration into something closer to anger.

I held back the tears, not wanting to show how much those words hurt me. "You always think you know what's best, don't you, Dimitri? But maybe you don't know everything."

He just stared at me, without responding, as if he had already decided that anything I said was irrelevant. I left the office with a heavy heart, feeling a mix of sadness and frustration. I knew Dimitri was just trying to protect me, but that didn't make the situation any less painful.