Chapter Eighty - This Isn't Over - Damian's POV

I don't flinch or let the words settle, even though they dig in like claws beneath my skin. He says it so easily, like my death is nothing more than an inconvenience to be resolved. As if it's already been decided. Behind him, wolves come into view and stay behind him. Their silence is more threatening than any growl I may hear. They are waiting for my response, waiting for an order. Maya is still behind me. I can feel her fingers curling in the back of my t-shirt, I should have made her stay behind because this could go wrong fast, but it's too late now. And now he has seen her. What's worse is Simon knew this was coming and yet he didn't say a thing. He gave me that vague warning, then walked out. I exhale slowly. 'So, is that it? Kill me, and you think this all ends? You think a prophecy will disappear just because you wish for it to and change the rules? It's about mates, not brothers." His smirk deepens. 'It's more than a wish, Damian. It's a necessity. If we don't, then we will all be ashes. You, of all people, should understand that sacrifices must be made for the good of the pack." I let out a bitter laugh. 'The good of the pack? You mean to kill me and then you all die because you misinterpreted the prophecy." His eyes darken. 'You and your brother are bound by blood and fate. You're the one that fate is tied to and just like the twin alphas before us, one must die." The casual way he speaks about my death, about how I need to die, twists something inside of me. I've always known what kind of man he is, but hearing this again, only reinforces what I've known. I should have killed him and my brother before it got to this. There is no way we can make peace. No reasoning. And there never will be. I glance at the wolves behind him, remembering some of them being friends with me. Others are strangers I don't even recognize, which means he probably has added to the pack. We could easily be out numbered. I meet my father's gaze, and for the first time in years, I see it. Under all the arrogance is fear. He's afraid of me and what might happen if he's wrong. That means I still have the power here. I tighten my fists, my nails biting into my palm. 'I'm not dying today or any day until it's my time to go." His smirk falters, but only for a second. 'Your brother will be sad to hear that. The darkness is going to consume you both soon." I scoff, rolling my shoulders to ease the tension creeping along my spine. 'Then let it try. I found a way to save us all and I'm not backing down." His words are meant to unnerve me, provoke me to attack first, but it won't work. He wants to use fear as a weapon, twisting it until it strangles me from the inside. I won't allow it. I've spent my whole life resisting him and how he thinks. That isn't going to change now. His smirk returns, but there's something off about it. 'Still stubborn, I see. But you were always the defiant one who refused to believe they interpreted wrong from the start. It started with twin alphas and one dying, so that is how it ends." I don't look away. 'Funny. I was just about to say something about how not changing a centuries old prophecy would be a good start for you." A flicker of irritation crosses his face. 'You think you have a choice, Damian, but fate always finds a way to correct itself. If you refuse to end this the easy way, then it's going to come to you in a different way. I had hoped you'd be reasonable and want to save your pack from death." Reasonable. Right. Because murder is always the rational choice. I glance at Maya out of the corner of my eye. She hasn't spoken, but I can still feel her fingers in my shirt. She's waiting for me to choose what happens next. And I already know. I take a slow step forward, shoulders squaring. 'I don't believe in fate the same way you do," I say. 'And even if I did, I sure as heck wouldn't let you dictate mine." His smirk fades entirely now. The game is over. The lines have been drawn. 'Then you've chosen war," he says. I bare my teeth at him. 'No. You did the moment you came here and asked me to die. This could easily be resolved if you'd just back off and let me break the prophecy the way the elders intended." His eyes narrow. The wolves behind him shift, muscles coiling, ready to strike. 'This isn't over, son." 'This was over the moment you let my brother try to kill me," I say coldly. 'And I'll stand my ground until we are all free of this blasted prophecy." His jaw tightens, his eyes searching mine for something. He's probably looking for a weakness he can exploit, but he won't find one. Behind him, the wolves stay still, waiting for his command. Instead of starting the war I know is coming, he exhales through his nose and shakes his head. 'You always did have a way of making things difficult." I don't say anything because there is nothing left to say. After a moment, he lifts his hand, signaling to the others he brought with him. 'We're leaving, but this isn't the last you've seen of us." The wolves hesitate, like they expected to fight today. Some glance at each other, unsure if they heard him right. But they eventually follow orders, like they always do. I look across at them, searching for my brother, and realize he isn't here, which is probably why they didn't fight today. As the wolves disappear into the shadows of the trees, my father turns to look at me one last time. 'Lorcan will come and when he does, I hope you are ready to meet your fate." Then he's gone with the rest of them.