Chapter 63: What Mattered More
Kaiser:
It was hard to tell what pissed me more - them trying to overlook Charlotte’s crimes, or their absolute faith in their belief that Rosalie would eventually return after a while.
During the two weeks she was gone, both Alastor and Darien had lost their minds and they were searching for her all over the place. But ever since she returned two days ago for the bracelet and then escaped, that worry and panic from earlier had shifted into something I could only describe as surety.
For some unknown reason, both Alastor and Darien believed Rosalie was just throwing a tantrum and would return to us. And every time I asked about the reason with their surety, I got to hear the same things again and again.
The bracelet was just an excuse. She came back to confirm we still care about her.
She has nowhere to go. She only has us. She will come back once she remembers she has no one but us.
She loves us. She will come back to us.
Listening to their reasoning had started becoming harder with each passing day. But what really shocked me the most was Alastor’s decision for not sending our warriors to find Rosalie. And when I asked him why he did that, he told me it’s so Rosalie would learn her rebellion wasn’t leading anywhere. He told me that sending men after her would make her think her threats were working. But if we sent no one, she would soon get tired and return on her own.
I had stood there in his study while staring at him for several long minutes, completely lost for words.
And a very similar feeling had once again returned as I listened to Darien speak. I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly.
I wasn’t sure why they still hadn’t realized how wrong they were about Rosalie. Had they always seen her as someone this weak and dependent? The answer was probably yes. But even if she was weak and dependent, did it give us the right to hurt her and dismiss her words completely?
I opened my eyes and looked at both of them, suddenly feeling tired. And I wondered if this was what Rose felt while talking to us two days ago.
I was silent for a few more seconds before I finally said the words I should have said long ago. "My biggest mistake in life..." my voice came out quieter than expected. "...was letting myself get persuaded by your nonsense."
They both froze.
I looked at Alastor first, then at Darien as I continued, "My mistake was putting the pack before the person I loved most. And now because of that, I might end up losing her."
They both stayed silent at first but then Darien spoke again. And he didn’t held back at all.
"What do you even know about putting the pack first, Kaiser?"
I looked at him, not missing the bitterness in his eyes as he stared at me.
"I have tried my best to protect you from the pack and its politics our entire lives. I told you again and again that you didn’t need to worry about the pack and live a carefree life. But..." He stepped away from Charlotte, completely abandoning her. "...you told me you wanted to shoulder the responsibilities with me. So now when you have to sacrifice your happiness for the pack and put your responsibilities first, why are you here playing the blame game?"
I didn’t answer immediately. Because the worst part was, Darien wasn’t entirely wrong.
I was the one who stepped forward all those years ago and told him I didn’t want to be protected from pack matters anymore. I was the one who insisted I wasn’t a child. I was the one who demanded to stand beside him and shoulder the responsibilities instead of living comfortably while he carried everything.
I remembered those conversations clearly now. I remembered being angry every time he tried to shield me from political meetings or negotiations. I remembered wanting to prove myself. Wanting to become someone worthy of leading. Wanting to stop being treated as the younger brother who only enjoyed privileges without carrying burdens.
And when Charlotte appeared and everything started falling apart, I couldn’t deny that I did agree. Not willingly at first. Not immediately. But eventually I did.
I stood there and listened while Alastor and Darien spoke about alliances, stability, futures, heirs, politics, and responsibilities. I listened while they explained how personal feelings couldn’t outweigh the survival of thousands. I listened while they asked me whether I was willing to destroy both packs for one woman. And in the end... I nodded. I accepted the bond. I agreed to make Charlotte Luna. I agreed to sacrifice Rosalie. So no matter how much I hated it now, part of the blame sat on my shoulders too.
I looked at Darien quietly for several moments before finally speaking, "You are right."
His expression shifted slightly.
I nodded once. "I wanted responsibilities." I looked at him directly. "And I accepted Charlotte."
Neither of them interrupted.
So I continued, "But don’t act like that decision happened in a vacuum." My voice remained calm. Too calm. I looked between both of them.
Darien’s jaw tightened immediately. But I ignored it.
"When I refused Charlotte, you told me I was avoiding my responsibilities. When I refused making her Luna, you told me I was being selfish. When I refused letting her use Rosalie’s birthday celebration-"
My voice paused just for a second, because even now thinking about that day made something twist inside me. I swallowed.
"... the birthday where I planned to propose to Rosalie in front of both packs... you both once again reminded me of those said responsibilities."
I looked directly at Darien and then at Alastor.
"And now?" My eyes hardened. "Now I’m standing here trying to call a criminal exactly what she is." I glanced once toward Charlotte before returning my gaze to my brothers. "And suddenly again I’m avoiding my duties once again."
A heavy and uncomfortable silence fell over the room.
I took one step back and then asked quietly, "What about my responsibilities toward the woman I love? And what about the promises I made her?"
Neither answered.
Darien’s eyes shifted as he looked away and then finally spoke, "You don’t understand the priorities of an Alpha."
I stared at him and smiled, a small and bitter smile. Not because he insulted me. But because once I would have believed him. Once I would have felt ashamed. Once I would have thought I was immature, selfish, and weak. But not anymore.
So I nodded once and answered softly, "You are right. I don’t understand."
Darien looked up at me. My gaze moved from him to Alastor. Then I added, "And I don’t plan to anymore."
Silence.
I looked at both of them. At my brothers. At the people I trusted most, the people I followed, the people I thought always knew better. Then quietly finished, "Because I have already decided what matters more."
Neither of them stopped me. Neither asked. And neither said my name. So I turned around and walked out of the room.
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