Chapter 8

• 【Jason POV】
• My old home, the shabby yard with stone walls and fences patched up with mud, has long vanished.
• Now the Constance family’s residence is a villa styled like a mansion, seated in the beautiful east district of Nuremberg near Thousand Island Lake.
• Steel railings guard the estate, meant to show both security and the family’s rising status.
• I stopped in front of the enormous iron gate and watched dozens of servants rushing around the wide garden. They laid out red carpets, arranged fresh flowers, and built a stone altar for the Moon Goddess’s blessing.
• Everything shouted celebration.
• At least, that is how an outsider would see it.
• From inside, all of this was built on my blood and tears.
• And they—my family, especially my brother—were enjoying everything funded by my years of suffering, while breaking their promises and hurting the girl I love.
• “Hey, omega. Are you a helper sent by Alpha Horn?”
• A guard, also an omega, shouted from behind the gate. “No one taught you the rules? If you want to get into this noble estate, you use the side door!”
• It seemed my family had not bothered to mention me to the newer servants. Most likely they assumed, or hoped, that I would rot in that hellish prison on Devil’s Island forever.
• “My name is Jason Constance.”
• The instant the words left my mouth, both guards’ expressions shifted dramatically.
• “Oh—Mr. Jason, we’re terribly sorry. Please come in.”
• The gate opened at once. I walked inside and soon spotted my brother Mark standing before the villa, giving orders to the servants.
• He wore an extravagant suit and moved with the self-importance of a lord. Everything about him was polished and smug.
• Maybe he sensed my stare, because he immediately turned and saw me.
• “Jason?”
• His eyes widened, then tightened with annoyance. “Why the hell are you back so soon?”
• “Not exactly the warm welcome of a grateful brother,” I said, gesturing at the busy estate. “Look around. You’re enjoying everything built from my freedom and humiliation. Yet you can’t even show the family’s greatest contributor a little respect?”
• “Hero? You?”
• Mark let out a mocking laugh, as if he had erased my sacrifices from his memory. With his chest puffed out, he said, “The family succeeded because of me. You contributed nothing. You’re back now, so stay out of trouble and don’t drag us down.”
• He spoke as if he truly believed it.
• “You’re unbelievable, Mark.”
• I looked him straight in the eye. “How did you keep your promise? You said you would protect Lucia and make her happy. Instead, you intercepted her letters and supplies, blocked her from seeing me, and even forced her to marry you.”
• Mark clicked his tongue. “I kept my word. She’s safe with me, and being my mate means she’s secure. What good would waiting for you have done her?”
• He let out a low laugh. “Who knew when you’d ever return? And even if you did, you’re a disgraced, penniless omega. Do you really think someone like Lucia belongs to you?”
• His contempt ran deeper than ever, worse than when we were children.
• “What can you give her? You cannot protect her. You cannot give her stability.”
• He stepped closer. “Admit it, Jason. You are a failure. Accept your place. I can even support you if you behave and show gratitude. If not, I can put you back in prison easily.”
• I moved forward. A silent force pressed down on Mark like a heavy weight crushing him.
• His face drained of color as he instinctively staggered back. For the first time, I saw a hint of fear in his eyes.
• “Come on, brother. Show me how arrogant you really are.”
• My voice was cold and steady.
• “Jason, are you courting death?” Mark growled. “I’m your brother, the chief beta of the Iron Fang pack and soon its alpha. I’m not some defect you can push around. Apologize or—”
• The front doors opened. My parents stepped out.
• “Jason, you’re back?”
• “Why are you fighting with your brother right after arriving?”
• From my mother’s face, I sensed a moment of surprised joy, but my father’s eyes carried only reproach.
• This was the only reason I had returned instead of crushing Mark at once—because of my mother.
• Although Master X said my parents weren’t my biological ones, my mother raised me. Before I went to prison, she personally gave me Lucia’s letter.
• I had to consider her feelings. I was not heartless like Mark.
• “Did either of you think of visiting me even once in the past five years?” I asked quietly.
• My father looked away. My mother’s eyes revealed helplessness as she glanced at Mark, as if caught between guilt and obligation.
• “Jason, you sacrificed for the family. Now the family will not treat you unfairly. You can enjoy everything prepared for you on one condition: you must respect your brother.”
• My father’s tone hardened. “After what you went through, learn to accept reality. Let Lucia go. Admit that Mark is better suited for the family and for her. He brought us honor. He is the one she should be with.”
• He paused then added. “If you truly love her, then—”
• “Dad, you don’t get to talk about love.”
• My voice cut through his sentence. Cold and sharp.
• He had used the same argument five years ago. Hearing it again made my stomach turn.
• Love—something so pure—twisted into a tool for guilt and pressure.
• “Jason! That is disrespectful!”
• My father’s voice rose. “Prison has made you rebellious. You no longer respect rules.”
• “Rules?”
• I gave a short laugh. “Let me explain my rules.”
• My voice was calm, not loud, but it reached every part of the garden. The servants stopped working to listen.
• I stared directly at Mark.
• “Tomorrow, you will do three things. Step down. Confess. Repent. And you will do it before Lucia, before me, and before Alpha Horn. You will kneel and beg like a stray dog.”
• “If you earn forgiveness, you may still be part of this family in name. I will spare your life. If not…”
• My gaze moved over my stunned mother, my furious father, and Mark, whose cold eyes held murderous intent.
• “You will become my enemy. One I must erase.”
• “Your future will be hell. You will suffer every day for what you have done.”
• “This is your final warning.”