Legacy

Dimitri

I started to leave the room, but before I could fully close the door, Angel's voice cut through the silence, making me stop. "Dimitri, wait," she said, her voice laden with an urgency I couldn't ignore. "Are you here for Lowrence, or because your guilt finally caught up with you?"

"I'm not just making promises," I said, stepping toward her, overwhelmed by the need to explain, to make her understand. "I'm here to change, to be the father that Lowrence needs, the one he deserves. And that means taking him with me, to my pack, where he can grow up safely and learn about his true legacy."

Angel's eyes widened, clearly shocked by my declaration. "You can't just decide to take our son like this," she protested, her voice trembling with the intensity of her emotions. "Lowrence isn't just your son, Dimitri. He's our son, and you don't have the right to snatch him away from me."

"It's not about snatching him from you," I insisted, feeling my own resolve strengthen. "It's about giving him the life he deserves, the life I can only provide in my pack. He has a right to his heritage, to his future as part of my pack." With a heavy sigh, I stepped away from the door and walked back to my car.

Angel

"Alpha Luke, don't you dare suggest what I think you're suggesting," I said, cutting off my brother who avoided my eyes. He had just arrived at the hotel, and Lowrence had just woken up. He looked down, knowing he had touched a sensitive spot, and I shook my head in disapproval. "I will not let them take my son. Not ever..."

"Angel, you know the rules and our traditions. If Dimitri demands that your son return to the pack with him and you refuse, that's something they can punish you for. And..."

"He's my son, and I will not allow another woman, especially not Haizel, to take care of him. Don't try to convince me otherwise, or I will end..."

"Angel, I haven't talked to him about it yet, but if he asks, I will be forced to comply with what he wants. If that happens..."

"Then don't let it happen. I would rather die than be away from my son. The man chose to divorce, he chose to be with her."

"He didn't know about the child, sister," he interrupted, his eyes meeting mine, and I had to force myself to calm down when I realized that my own brother might side with the man who broke my heart.

"I was loyal to him. I kept the house together, I did my best not to tire him, and instead of standing by your sister, you chose him?" I asked, and he looked away as he took a deep breath. "How can you even think that I would consider accepting this? The man is a stranger to my son, I will not send him off to someone he doesn't know."

"Then go with him. That way, you'll be by your son's side, and you won't be in such conflict. He's already spoken to you, and no matter what happens, you're not a rogue. He knows that well, and he knows that if he talks to me, then you're part of his pack, at least your son is," he said, and I shook my head as I massaged my temples. "Angel..."

"Please leave," I said, cutting him off. The anger I felt was something I never expected to experience, not with my brother, and the fact that he knew it hurt me more than anything. He hesitated, not saying a word for a few seconds before standing up.

"I know you didn't expect to hear this from me. But this is for the best for you, Angel," he said, looking down at me as I sat on the couch, looking down at my feet, shaking my legs as I did. "Let it come from you; you're going to save your son and yourself a lot. If he comes and talks to me, then I won't wait for a response from you."

"Then you can go to hell with him," I said, looking up at my brother. His eyes met mine, and he let out a warning growl. I returned the growl before standing up. "No mother should be put in this position."

He took a step toward me, his body looming over mine for a few seconds before shaking his head at me. "Do you really believe that anything in our world is fair, Angel?"

"You're my brother."

"I'm your Alpha," he said, shaking his head. "And there's a thin line between us, sister, that you chose to cross. Now, if you don't want to find me against you, I suggest you take my advice and follow it. Otherwise, I'm not responsible for the outcome that will come, and believe me, I will not hesitate for a second to stand between you and the Alpha, and you will be on the losing side. And I think you know that I don't stand on the losing side."

"Get out," I said, pointing to the door. "I don't want to see your face..."

"I'm already leaving. You have a few hours to think rationally before things escalate. And if you think of trying to take Lowrence and run, I've already guarded the airport and city borders. You're not going anywhere without me knowing," he said, winking at me. "And I suggest you keep that advice in mind when you decide your next move."

"And if I don't?" I asked, challenging the wrong man, but I was irritated at the moment. He slammed the door shut, leaving the threat hanging in the air.