Chapter Ninety Nine
ALEXANDER POV
**PRESENT**
“Thanks for coming.” I said to Sebastian who had his arms wrapped around Kate’s waist.
They hadn’t been hard to find–maybe because they wanted to be found.
“It is my pleasure; I am glad you reconsidered.” Sebastian responded.
“I am glad to see you once again, Ethan.” Kate said. She didn’t seem to notice her slip; she had called me by the very name I abhorred.
Acting had never been difficult for me; in fact, it had become second nature. But for some reason, around these two, keeping my emotions in check felt like a struggle. Still, I had made a promise to get through this, and I intended to keep it.
“Welcome to the Nightshade pack.” I said, forcing on a smile that didn’t feel at all welcoming.
I led them into the pack house and straight to the meeting room.
“An apartment will be assigned to you–stay as long as you need,” I said. Just as long as you keep out of my way and I don’t have to see you.
“Son…” Sebastian began, but he must have seen something in my eyes because he quickly corrected himself. ” Alexander. I know you hate us. You have every right to.”
I waited, expecting him to go on and tell me why he couldn’t visit, but he said nothing else, and I wouldn’t ask either.
“The last time you visited, you said you had something to tell me?”
That is the only reason you are here, so let’s skip to the point.
“Yes, I did. I have something to tell you, and I mentioned it also has to do with…”
“My ability to wield fire.”
“Yes. There is a little family history you need to know about. You had a brother–a half brother–and he was a demon.”
“I know all about Daemon and his sick, twisted love for his own mother–my mother.”
Riley hadn’t kept that a secret; she had told me everything about him and also how he gave his life for hers in the end. I didn’t think that was salvation enough for him, but he was dead, and so I couldn’t bring myself to bother.
“I’m glad she told you that. The last I knew about him was that he had been sent back to the Underground world… in other words, killed. But I don’t think he’s still down there.”
“What?”
“I had a vision, and in it, he had overpowered the Demon Overlord and taken his place.”
“And I guess you also found out about my ability via this vision?” I asked; I couldn’t hide the mockery from my voice. The incident in the Gray Moon Pack would have given anyone that looked deeper a clue.
“Demons don’t escape the underground world; that is their final destination.”
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+25 BONUS
Chapter Ninety Nine
“But the Overlord had done that once; all he needed was a sorcerer and a demon to complete the ritual.”
My head throbbed. I was never the superstitious type, and for a bleak moment, I wondered if this information had been worth knowing.
“So did your vision reveal to you where exactly he is?” I asked.
“No. But I believe he is very close. He could be a few packs away, or even in this very pack, carrying the face of an unfamiliar person.”
“If he had indeed changed at the last moment of his first death, then perhaps he is not a threat.”
“I would say the same, but then… if he is here, he wants something. Riley is no more; she is the only one that truly knew and understood him.”
I didn’t think he deserved to say her name. Did he really love her? If she was their only child, I would have expected her grandchild to be at the top of their list.
“So, I’m guessing that my stepbrother being the Demon Overlord somehow provoked the tiny demon side of me, making it even more evident?”
“Exactly! You are partially related to him, and with him being the Overlord, your demon side might grow more and more powerful.”
I always knew I had demon blood in me, but I thought the dominant Alpha blood suppressed it–until now. I couldn’t help but imagine becoming like her–my mother, unable to control my demon side.
It will never get to that; she was a full demon, and I was less than half a demon.
“I am sure you want to know why we never visited.” Kate said and I noticed Sebastian gaze locked on her as if to stop her from saying more, but she spoke on anyway. “I wish I could tell you there was a reason. I wish I could say something was holding us back, but that would be a lie.”
“So you just… stayed away?”
“Yes.” She answered, and I nodded, not willing to hear anymore. I had kept up with my plan, but I think I’ve heard enough. “Thank you for your time; the maids will assist you with anything you need.” I said rising to my feet and walking to the door.
“She was all I had,” Kate’s voice called, stopping me. I could hear the pain in her voice–her anger, her fury, and also… her guilt. “I loved her, but I was never there for her, not when she suffered in pain, not when she was forced to become a monster; I was never there for her. I failed her as a mother and a friend. You know, she kept so many things from me… I always tell myself she did it to keep me safe, but perhaps it wasn’t that; perhaps she stopped trusting me. I was far away when I heard the news that she and Thane were gone.” Kate broke down in tears. “It broke me; it haunted me, day and night. I didn’t come to you because I was afraid had already failed… How much worse could it get?” she whispered.
“I don’t hate you, Kate. I don’t feel… anything towards you
