Shadows of Destiny

Chapter 335

Unwavering

~Liam~

The words I uttered left my parent in a state of shock, evident from the look in their eyes. My father stood before me, rendered speechless, and I couldn’t bring myself to meet my mother’s gaze.

Though my actions were impulsive, I stood by them wholeheartedly. I had carefully considered everything, engaging in discussions with my sister and cousins during our journey home. When I heard Sophia’s distressed voice on the phone, I realised I couldn’t remain passive, waiting for someone else to come to her rescue. I had to take action. While everyone else sought retribution, I was the only one determined to uncover the truth. I yearned to understand why Mike had committed such acts, and I was resolute in my mission to save Sophia.

“No, absolutely not,” my mother’s voice cut through the air, and I turned to face her.

“Liam, are you out of your mind? You’ve just returned home. You graduated yesterday, and now you want to throw your life away in haste. We know nothing about Alpha Thompson’s involvement or the gravity of the situation in Grizlo that led to the conflict with Mike. We are unaware of the extent of the troubles that plague Grizlo. Why do you think we asked your grandparents to come here instead of staying there? Grizlo is their home. We wanted to protect them, and now you want us to send you there? Why, Liam? Let it go. Christian will handle it and determine if Mike is innocent or if there are other factors at play. It’s his predicament, not ours,” she pleaded, and I silently acknowledged her concerns.

“That’s precisely my point. You shouldn’t perceive it solely as Alpha Christian’s problem. If the issue proves to be larger than Grizlo itself and he fails to contain it, it will affect us as well. Besides, Head Alpha Christian isn’t searching for them to resolve the problem or shield them; he’s pursuing them to exact justice. He’s hunting down the Maguires so that Mike pays the full price for his crimes. It’s not a fair chance,” I asserted, and she shook her head in disbelief.

“I will make sure your father speaks to Christian; I won’t allow you to go there. The position of the alpha of Grizlo is precarious at the moment. Choose something else, perhaps a role in Lucland, anything for your first assignment, but not Grizlo. I’m begging you, Liam,” she pleaded, her eyes glistening with tears.

“You have no idea how terrified I was when they were searching for you, knowing that Mike had committed murder and there was a chance you had gone to his house. Have some compassion for me. Your father and I are too young to bear this level of stress, Liam. And you, you’re too young for all of this too. Let her go,” she implored, her voice filled with desperation. I shook my head and turned to my father. His expression showed his disapproval, evident in his eyes.

“No,” he stated firmly, and I remained standing my ground.

“If you don’t allow me to go there officially, then I’ll go to Grizlo on my own and investigate. I can do it,” I declared, causing my mother to gasp in shock.

“Liam, you need to calm down,” Harper interjected, reaching out to me, but I couldn’t. Every passing second was critical, and six hours had already slipped away since the phone call. The number Sophia used to contact me remained unreachable. Anything could have happened. Every second counted.

I gazed at my mother, her eyes still teary. I rarely witnessed her cry, so my request must have deeply frightened her.

“Please, Mom, try to understand. I can’t just sit idly and do nothing. Sophia’s life is in danger. She told me she was being held captive along with her mother by some men. That was six hours ago, and I haven’t been able to reach her since then. I’m desperate,” I pleaded, and she wiped away her tears, contemplating my words.

“I will personally contact Alpha Christian and plead with him to make an exception if they find Sophia and her mother. But I can’t let you go, Liam. Mike can’t recklessly gamble with his life and his family’s only for me to lose my son in the process. I can’t bear that,” she expressed, and I shook my head in frustration.

“What if Alpha Christian doesn’t find them, Mother? What if it’s already too late?” I countered, desperation tinging my voice. My father interjected, his tone calm yet resolute.

“If Alpha Christian can’t locate her, then neither can you. And if time is of the essence, then it’s already beyond our reach. If those who have taken her and her mother want them dead, there’s nothing we can do. Sending you to Grizlo won’t change the outcome, Liam. I understand your emotions all too well, but if they are in the wrong hands, finding her again becomes nearly impossible. It’s no longer solely in the hands of her parents,” my father explained, his voice filled with wisdom.

“I know how you’re feeling, son. I’ve been in your position before, though not under such dire circumstances. It was significant to me at the time. From my experience, I can tell you this: fate has its own way of unfolding events, Liam. I urge you to follow the natural course of your life and let go. Sophia is a gentle soul, and I wish she had better options, but right now, there’s little you can do. None of us can,” he advised his words resonating deeply within me. However, I couldn’t bring myself to give up. I glanced at my mother, then at Harper, battling to hold back my tears.

“Last night was meant to be wonderful,” I confessed, my voice trembling with a mix of sorrow and determination.

“I had finally completed my studies, and the future seemed within my grasp. I had meticulously planned it all, my entire life laid out before me. I was going to confess my feelings to her. I asked them to wait up until I came and saw her. If only I had known this would happen, I would have rushed there immediately. I never had the chance to express how I truly felt. I never got that opportunity. And when she called me, it was to say goodbye, as even she had lost hope of surviving this ordeal. I implore both of you to grant me a chance. Allow me to try. Even if it’s just for a few months, let me search for her. Please. I understand you can’t directly intervene, but as the Alpha of Grizlo, I can involve myself, and you can assist me. I’ve never asked for anything before, always fulfilling expectations without complaint or asking for too much. This is the first time I’m making a request. Please don’t turn me down,” I pleaded, directing my gaze at my mother, for she was the one my father would listen to. She stared at me for a moment.

“We will think about it, Liam,” she replied, and I knew that was the best response I would get.

“In the meantime, I will discuss the matter with Alpha Christian and explore what assistance he can provide,” my father declared, and somehow, I sensed that was the most favourable answer I would receive.

“May I be present when you speak with him?” I asked my father, glancing at my mother. I locked eyes with her, and she nodded.

“Alright,” my father consented, and although I didn’t feel instant relief, I understood that was the best outcome I could expect. I just had to keep my fingers crossed, hoping for a favourable resolution.

Harper and I made our way back to the bungalow, the atmosphere heavy with silence. I could sense that Harper felt uneasy about the situation, and her silence indicated her uncertainty about what to say or how to avoid causing offence. Throughout our discussion with our cousins regarding our next course of action, she seemed the most uncomfortable with our proposed plan.

As we reached the entrance of the bungalow, I halted and turned to face her. Breaking the silence, I finally asked her,

“So, what do you think?”

She reached for the doorknob and opened it, and we both entered the house. However, the usual sense of comfort that accompanied being home eluded me this time. I was overwhelmed by negative emotions, which overshadowed any positive sentiments.

“I don’t know what to say, Liam,” Harper began, her tone filled with concern.

“Asking to be sent to Grizlo is a lot, considering we were specifically asked to return here for our safety. Don’t you think you’re taking too great a risk? Mom and Dad will be entangling themselves in a dangerous situation by requesting favours from Alpha Christian. They’re doing it out of fear that you might take matters into your own hands and go to Grizlo.

I understand how you feel, but you must realise that you are more important to them than unravelling the truth behind Maguire’s mess in this particular situation. You need to take their feelings into consideration. What if this situation proves to be more than we can handle, and we all end up losing our lives? Do you think they will ever forgive themselves or that things will remain the same in the estate?” Harper continued, her words filled with a mix of reason and concern.

“I can understand your love for Sophia, but let’s not jeopardise the love and peace within our home for it. There is a possibility that you may meet someone in the future, someone destined for you. What good will it do if we get caught up in this mess and lose our lives? You have to approach this rationally,” she urged, her voice filled with a blend of caution and care.

“Allow Mom and Dad to call Alpha Christian. We can handle the situation from here, where we are safe. They are already making significant sacrifices by reaching out for his assistance, as it will be a favour rather than a duty. Liam, you need to take it easy,” Harper concluded, her words surprising me. For the first time, it seemed that she didn’t fully support me in this endeavour. I couldn’t help but wonder what had changed her perspective.

Without responding, I made my way to my room, and Harper followed behind me. She spoke up, apologising for her words, but I wasn’t angry with her. She had simply spoken the truth, no matter how painful it might have been.

“What do you suggest I do, Harper?” I asked, frustration evident in my voice as I sat down on my bed. I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling overwhelmed. I looked at my sister, waiting for her response.

“The last time we spoke, Sophia was afraid and saying goodbye. She was in a dangerous situation, trapped in the cargo section of a boat with strangers,” I explained, expressing the part that hurt the most. Harper came to sit beside me, offering her support.

“Hopefully, Alpha Christian will be willing to help and take the necessary action. I like her too, and you two would be great together. Having her as part of our family would be wonderful. She’s fun to be around and down-to-earth. But I won’t let you risk your life for her. You love her, Li, and I respect that, but you’re my twin. I can’t bear the thought of losing you,” Harper confessed, her voice filled with emotion, the last word barely escaping her lips, as if she were holding back tears. At that moment, I held Harper close, offering her reassurance.

“You won’t lose me,” I promised, providing her with the comfort she needed. Just then, Keith and Joseph entered the room, rushing towards us. I learned that they were going to the academy on Monday. I was grateful that I would be there to see them off. I couldn’t help but wish that Mike had never committed that murder, as it would have prevented all of this from happening.