w
Chapter 78
Darius‘ POV
I couldn’t help but wonder if that was the reason why Abelardo didn’t show up. Did he have an inkling that we were about to uncover the truth? Was he somehow evading
capture?
“We need to track down Abelardo and apprehend him. He’s got a lot of explaining to do,” I declared, reaching out to Marcel and Raphael for assistance. They assured me they were already on the case.
“Abelardo deserves to be arrested,” Pamela chimed in, and I noticed Vino’s stunned silence.
Turning to Larry, who seemed equally taken aback, I couldn’t fathom his reaction. They might have conspired. He could have been the mastermind behind it all, plotting with my brother to make him the scapegoat. I gazed into his eyes, holding his gaze.
“I had no involvement in this, Lord Hand,” he claimed, and a smile crept onto my face.
“That decision isn’t yours to make,” I asserted, causing his eyes to widen.
1/7
Chapter
288 Vouchers
Brian William and his men swiftly moved to apprehend Larry, making their way towards him.
“You’re presumed guilty until proven innocent. Everything Abelardo does reflects on you,” I declared, asserting my position. Many of the council members opposed my stance, but their disagreement didn’t bother me. After all, I held the title of lord, and it was high time they understood who truly held the power.
Having addressed that matter, I took the opportunity to emphasize the autonomy of the eastern region. “Let it be known that the east is an independent territory, and we shall not impose taxes upon their leader, the alpha. Although I may bear the title of Dark Lord Alpha, the alpha of the East governs the east, just as the alpha of the South governs the south. As long as they don’t provoke hostilities, I have no intention of launching an attack. I am not willing to sacrifice lives, tear apart families, or devastate communities. War may grant our council wealth, influence, and an expansion of our territories, but it also inflicts suffering, obliterates homes, and brings about immense pain and grief for countless individuals.”
In the days of old, my father was a controversial figure, stirring up trouble and making enemies left and right, not just for himself but also for our family name. Unfortunately, his actions eventually led to his untimely demise and left behind a trail of grudges that extended far and wide. But I, unlike my father, have no desire to follow in his footsteps. I have a different vision for my time here – one that revolves around healing, peace, and prosperity.
2/7
Chapter 78
288 Vouchers
Addressing the room filled with people who had gathered, I spoke firmly, “None of you should attempt to manipulate me into taking sides against anyone, be it in secret or out in the open. Such actions will not be taken lightly, as I consider them acts of treason.” The weight of my words hung heavy in the air, leaving them all speechless and contemplative.
Having expressed my stance, I felt it was time to bring the discussion to a close. With a decisive nod, I signaled the end of the conversation. There was an air of tension as we all dispersed, seeking solace in our thoughts.
As Vino and I left the room together, I couldn’t help but notice the uneasiness that had settled upon Zora, who sat silently in the passenger seat of our Jeep. It was evident that something was troubling her, and I decided it would be best to wait until we arrived home to delve into her concerns.
But amidst all the seriousness and turmoil, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge Zora’s bravery and the unwavering support she had shown me. She truly was an exceptional person, and I wanted to express my gratitude in a meaningful way. Her presence by my side brought me comfort and
reassurance.
Each passing day brought forth a battle within myself, as I struggled not to defy tradition and claim her as my own. Two months still remained until we could officially be together, but it felt like an eternity. My heart longed to be united with hers, to share every moment in an unbreakable bond.
3/7
Chapter 78
288 Vouchers
Feeling a surge of affection, I reached out and gently touched Zora’s lap, causing her to look at me with a radiant smile.
“I’m so glad that went well,” she said with a smile, and I nodded in agreement.
“Thanks to you, darling. You really deserve a reward for it,” I replied, running my hand up her thigh. Her legs opened willingly, and the scent of her arousal filled the air. Cremin growled in my mind, causing me to lose my balance for a
moment.
“Stay focused,” she teased, and I reluctantly tore my gaze away from the car in front of us, contemplating whether I should park and have some fun with her. Ultimately, I decided against it at the last minute and overtook Raphael and Marcel’s Jeep. We needed to hurry home.
We pulled up at the entrance of our estate, and I urged Zora to quickly exit the Jeep so we could rush inside. I maintained my silence as we made our way through, which seemed to amuse her.
As soon as we entered our bedroom, I crashed my lips against hers, ready to delve into passionate intimacy. However, our passionate moment was abruptly interrupted by loud banging on the door.
“Darius, how could you!” I heard my mother’s voice; and I instantly knew the reason behind her anger.
4/7
Chapter 78
288 Vouchers
I grumbled in annoyance, lowering Zora to the ground and hastily zipping up my fly. She giggled, sharing my annoyance at my mother’s disruptive intrusion.
Without hesitation, I opened the door, allowing my mother to storm into the bedroom and slap me across the face.
Silence filled the room as the shock settled in.
While I could tolerate her outburst to some extent, I had warned her before not to lay a hand on me. She attempted to strike me again, but I grabbed her hand and let out a fierce roar. Zora, sensing the tension, held onto me from behind, trying to calm me down. Tears streamed down my mother’s face as she stood there, overwhelmed by her emotions.
“Why did you have your brother arrested? I did as Zora instructed and prevented him from attending the hearing. Why would you lock him up?” she sobbed, her words piercing through the room.
I turned to Zora, surprised to discover that she had
orchestrated the whole ordeal without informing me. Her eyes pleaded with me, silently begging for understanding and forgiveness.
“Zora,” I began, my voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and frustration, “did you tell my mother to prevent Abelardo from attending?” I awaited her response, and her nod confirmed my suspicion.
5/7
Chapter 78
288 Vouchers
“I did it for you,” she explained, her eyes reflecting a genuine concern. “I knew you were anxious about him and Larry plotting against you. Abelardo was the only one who posed a real challenge, so I asked your mother to intervene.”
Despite the misguided nature of her actions, I could sense her good intentions shining through. It was evident in her eyes, which held a glimmer of sincerity.
Although I was raging inside, infuriated by the implications of what Zora had done, I knew I couldn’t reprimand her in front of everyone. I turned my attention back to my weeping mother, trying to find the right words to comfort her.
“Zora,” my mother sobbed, her vo
ice choked with tears, “you threatened my son. That’s why I held him back. But why did it come to this? The soldiers came and dragged him away, treating him like a common criminal.”
I was at a loss for words, unable to offer any immediate
comfort. I gla
I at Zora, who remained silent–a clear indication that some sort of conversation had taken place.
“He forged my signature and seal,” I interjected, desperation lacing my voice, “and then he sent Bryce to threaten Alpha Caseynardo.”
However, my mother shook her head, refusing to entertain my explanation. She was too deeply hurt to comprehend the gravity of what I had just revealed. Instead, her tears
continued to flow, painting a picture of her anguish.
6/7 Chapter
