Chapter 9
Alpha Derick’s eyes were filled with intense longing, waiting for me to relent. In the past, I might have caved for the sake of the family, the pack, and our son. But now, it all seemed absurd.
“Alpha Derick, don’t you find it ridiculous to say these things now? Hadley is dead. Do you still think this is a family? Or a complete pack? What’s left here that I can’t easily walk away from?”
Every word I uttered cut into him like a knife.
I wanted him to realize it was his actions that destroyed this family.
But Alpha Derick wasn’t ready to give up. His eyes reddened as he continued to plead.
“Eileen, please stay with me. Hadley is gone. I can’t bear to lose you too.”
“I know Hadley loved being with you more than anything. I can’t undo the wrongs done to him, but I want to make amends for what I’ve done to you.”
“We’ve spent most of our lives together. Please, take everything I have as compensation–let me do that much, so I can find some peace. Can you?”
Hearing his words, I could barely contain my anger. I let out a cold laugh, disdain dripping from my voice. “Alpha Derick, you’re utterly delusional.
“Do you really think you deserve my consideration now?
“Why should I care about making things easier for you, the man who killed Hadley?
“You’ve failed as a father, you’ve failed as an alpha, and you’re certainly not worthy of being a husband to anyone!”
“You should spend the rest of your life consumed by guilt and pain!”
“Accept it—accept my rejection.”
My words left him no room to argue.
With that, I walked past Alpha Derick without a second glance and left him behind.
I had spent so many years living under Alpha Derick’s shadow.
Every move he made, every emotion he felt, had a profound impact on me.
To keep him happy, I swallowed my pride and endured countless injustices.
I was willing to make any sacrifice to please him, to ease his sorrows.
But now, to me, he’s nothing more than the man who took Hadley’s life.
How could someone like him deserve a comfortable life?
“Eileen…”
My words wounded Alpha Derick deeply, but I no longer cared.
He watched me leave, but didn’t dare to try and stop me.