Chapter 202: Chapter 202: The Confession (part 1)
RAMON’S POV
I paced back and forth in my room, my eyes going to the message Liam had sent across to me over and over again.
Ferins was pushing harder for a marriage between him and Sonia.
He was doing his best to reject it, but the elders of his pack were getting weary. Their voices carried the weight of old fears, the kind that made even strong alphas hesitate when the threat was Ferins.
Everyone knew about Ferins. They knew he was notorious for getting his way.
They also knew that many years ago, I had been taken away from my burning pack to their pack, to be hidden from Ferins. The memory of those early days still lingered, the smoke and screams that had shaped me into who I was.
He had strategically scouted Liam for his sick plans, and they knew if they refused his request, they would have to face his wrath. The thought of Liam being pulled into this mess because of me made my jaw clench, the anger simmering low in my gut.
My phone rang, bringing me out of my head. The sharp sound cut through the silence, making me stop mid-step.
I grabbed it, and answered when I saw it was from Liam.
"Did you get my message?" He asked immediately I answered the phone, his voice tight with frustration.
"I did. I just got it. What am I supposed to do with this?" I asked, feigning unconcern even as my free hand clenched into a fist at my side.
"Don’t do that, Ramon. We need to meet, and talk. I’m not going to entertain Ferins madness no matter how much the elders push. But I need you too. I need us to destroy Ferins once and for all. He’s not just messing with you alone, Ramon. You know how much I hate to be messed with."
He sounded really annoyed, which made me much relieved. The familiar fire in his voice reminded me that I wasn’t facing this alone, even if it felt that way most days.
I already knew he wasn’t going to give in to Ferins demands. I just didn’t know how long he could withstand the pressure from his pack. The elders were powerful, their influence deep-rooted in tradition and fear.
"Fine. I’ll go talk to Hazel. See how much I can make out of this crap."
"Wait, you’ve really not spoken to him in the last month?" He asked, his surprise clear even through the phone.
"I didn’t think I’d be able to control myself the second I set eyes on him. Besides, nothing was confirmed, yeah? It’s still just Moon’s words against everyone else at this point."
"Ramon," he called with a tiredness in his voice that made my face crease. "I can’t believe you still believe Moon was lying. Could you just give him the benefit of doubt for a few seconds?"
"No, because I have no reason to. It’s his word against Lorena’s, and Lorena is carrying my child. I need to go now. Let’s talk some other time."
"Wait I sen—"
I ended the call before he could complete whatever he was about to say. The silence that followed felt heavier than before, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on me.
Taking a deep breath, I turned towards my door.
I opened it, and as I stepped out, almost clashed against someone small, but strong.
I moved back the second I sensed her.
"What are you doing here?"
"Shut up, and tell me what we’re going to do about Ferins," Daisy said, her arms crossed over her chest as she blocked my path.
"Liam sent you, didn’t he?"
"No one sends me, Ramon. But I’ve been holding myself back from coming over, and giving you a good kick on your behind. Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with you?"
Frowning, I wondered what the hell she was talking about.
Everyone seemed to have a problem with me, even when I had made certain to mind my business in the last month. The constant judgment from all sides was wearing on me, chipping away at what little patience I had left.
"Don’t even think about shutting me out. Seriously, what is wrong with you?"
"Move," I said, and when she refused to move, I walked around her, my shoulder brushing past hers.
"Really? You’re going to be difficult? You’ve not seen your dearest friend in months, and yet you’re acting all tough?" She called, following after me, her footsteps quick and determined.
I ignored her, because she wasn’t worth the stress right now.
I was already concerned about facing Hazel.
Despite the fact everyone else thought he was an accomplice to my enemies, I was still willing to give him the benefit of doubt. The boy I had raised from nothing couldn’t have turned on me so completely. Or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself.
Daniel was at the cell gate when I arrived. His posture was alert, his eyes scanning the area with the focus of someone who took his duty seriously.
Somehow, he had made it one of his missions to watch the cell.
According to his logic, and that of Blane, one of the spy’s could try to contact Hazel.
When that happened, they wanted to be prepared to accost them. The dedication was admirable, even if I found their theories exhausting.
I hadn’t even realized my subconscious registered all the nonsense they usually blabbed when they forced their way into my proximity.
"Alpha." He bowed on seeing me, his voice respectful.
"Get out of my way, Daniel," I said, my tone sharper than I intended.
He quickly ducked to the side, but as soon as I walked past him, I heard his footsteps behind me.
Using smell, I traced Hazel down to his cell. The familiar scent of the boy I had raised hit me like a wave, mixed with the damp, musty air of the cells.
I couldn’t recognize him when I saw him. He had his head up to the ceiling, and it looked like he had aged ten years more. His shoulders were slumped, his frame thinner than I remembered, the light in his eyes dimmed.
This couldn’t be the same child I had raised with my two hands.
How could he have turned out this way? How could he have thought of betraying me? The questions burned in my mind, each one sharper than the last.
"Hey," I called out to him, my voice low but firm.
He didn’t respond immediately, but I knew he had sensed my presence. His body tensed slightly, the subtle shift betraying him.
What game was he playing? If he was trying to appeal to my conscience, silence was not the way to do it.
I was in a mood I was very certain he didn’t want to further stoke. The anger from the past month simmered just beneath the surface, ready to spill over.
"Hazel!" I growled, and his gaze instantly went to me. His eyes met mine, filled with a mix of resignation and something I couldn’t quite read.
"That was so hot!"
I turned my head behind, and saw Daisy watching us, her arms still crossed as she leaned against the wall.
"Seriously?" I lifted my brow her way, irritation flashing through me.
"What? I’m not leaving you with this betrayer. He’s not going to manipulate you. Not on my watch."
I sighed, as I closed my eyes and counted in my mind.
Patience was key, but I was fast running out of it.
Everyone had an opinion. A way to go about things.
The voices were getting loud again. I was able to drown them when I decided to keep to myself for a month. But they were back, pressing in from all sides.
Taking one very deep breath, I brought my hand to the cell’s lock, and yanked it out with more force than necessary. The metal groaned in protest before giving way.
I pushed the door open, and walked into the room.
As if Daniel had read my mind, he came into the room, and placed a chair for me to sit. The simple gesture grounded me for a moment, a small reminder of loyalty amid the chaos.
"Thank you," I muttered, as I sat, and faced Hazel whose gaze had not wavered. His eyes held mine steadily, no longer avoiding me.
"I think it’s time we talked, don’t you?"
"I did it. Everything I’ve been accused of, I did it," he said, completely silencing me from the shock at his swift admittance. The words hung in the air, heavy and final, leaving me staring at the boy I thought I knew.
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