Ryan’s pov(The past)
It had been exactly one month since my father’s death. One month of chaos, of watching my home crumble under the weight of betrayal and war. Shadowhaven was falling apart.
Some of our people had fled into the human world, hoping to escape the madness, only to be hunted down by the witches. Others had come to me, seeking protection, their eyes filled with fear, their bodies trembling from the horrors they had witnessed.
Rhys was out of control. No longer the brother I had grown up with. No longer the man I once trusted.
He was something else entirely.
And if I didn’t stop him soon, Shadowhaven would be nothing but ashes.
I sat with Asher and Caleb, going over the plan one last time.
“How are we going to breach him?” Asher asked, his brows furrowed.
“You guys know I can take him on my own,” I told them, my voice calm but firm.
“We’re always with you,” Caleb said. “Tell us how the plan goes.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I repeated, but before I could say more, Karen’s voice cut through the room.
“Just listen to them, Ryan,” she insisted. “Rhys has witches on his side. They can cast spells in seconds. If you go alone, you’ll be walking into a trap.”
Her concern was real, and I hated to admit she was right.
“Just listen to them and stop being stubborn,” Draven, my wolf, growled in my mind.
I exhaled sharply. “Fine. Here’s how it goes…”
I laid out every detail, making sure they understood exactly what needed to happen. Everything had to be perfect. I needed to end this madness before we buried my father. He deserved peace.
“This is a good plan,” Asher said. “Rhys won’t see it coming.”
Caleb nodded. “So, at exactly midnight, we move.”
“Yes. Get some rest while you can. We need to be sharp in case things go south.”
They nodded, and we dispersed for the time being.
*****
I sat in my bedroom, staring out the window at the darkened sky. My mind was restless, my thoughts running wild.
Rhys had done all of this because of love. For a witch.
Would I do the same? Would I burn everything down for someone I love?
No.
I would never kill my father for love.
I clenched my fists. My emotions were raging inside me like an untamed storm. I needed to cool off.
Stripping off my clothes, I stepped into the shower, letting the cold water wash over me, trying to silence the turmoil in my head.
****
When I was done, I felt slightly better, but the tension in my chest still lingered.
I dressed in all black, preparing for what was to come.
I had time. Three hours.
Lying down on the bed, I tried to calm myself, but exhaustion crept in, and before I knew it, I drifted off.
It was a light sleep, one where I could still sense everything around me.
When my eyes fluttered open, I turned to the clock.
11:55 PM.
The time was almost here.
I sat up, stretched, and rolled my shoulders before heading out.
The mansion was very quiet as I made my way to the meeting point.
When I arrived, Asher, Caleb, and Karen were already waiting.
I frowned. “What are you doing here?” I asked Karen. “You’re not coming with us.”
She met my gaze with a small smile. “I know. I just came to see you guys off.”
She moved closer to Asher, taking his hand. Her love for him was clear in her eyes.
I glanced at the clock above us.
12:00. Midnight.
“It’s time,” I said.
Asher and Caleb nodded.
Karen turned to Asher, her expression softening. “Be careful. Come back soon.”
“I will, my love. I promise.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you more,” Asher murmured, brushing his lips against hers. “Now go back inside and get some rest.”
She turned to me. “Please take care of him.”
I nodded. “I will.”
With one last look at Asher, she walked away, leaving the three of us in the darkness.
“Ready?” I asked, my voice steady.
“Ready,” they both responded.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the night settle over us.
We moved through the mansion in silence, our steps light, our senses heightened. The air was thick with tension, the weight of what we were about to do pressing against my chest. I didn’t hesitate when I reached Rhys’s door, I pushed it open without a second thought.
To my surprise, it wasn’t locked. Either he had grown too confident or too reckless.
Inside, the dim light from a single candle flickered against the walls. Rhys lay sprawled on the bed, his arm draped over Jazmine. But even in sleep, he wasn’t vulnerable. The moment I stepped into the room, his eyes snapped open.
His lips curled into a smirk. “This would be the last time, Ryan. Work on your manners.”
I ignored the jab, my gaze sweeping the room. It was just the two of them. No guards, no witches lurking in the shadows. This would be easier than I thought.
Rhys sat up, running a hand through his messy hair. Jazmine stirred beside him, her eyes still heavy with sleep, but she didn’t move. She was listening.
“And to what do I owe this pleasure at such an ungodly hour?” Rhys asked, his tone laced with amusement.
“Surrender,” I said coldly. “Tell the witches to leave, and we’ll both be at peace.”
His amusement vanished in an instant. His jaw tensed, his golden eyes darkening. “Never.”
I clenched my fists. “Then you leave me no choice.”
Before he could react, I lunged.
Rhys was fast, I knew that…but so was I. Our bodies collided, the room erupting into chaos as we threw punches, claws slashing, teeth bared. Jazmine cried out, trying to wedge herself between us, but I shoved her aside, sending her tumbling onto the floor.
The second she hit the ground, Rhys roared. His fury was unmatched, his strength fueled by pure rage. He swung at me, his claws barely missing my face. I ducked, driving my fist into his ribs, but he barely flinched.
We crashed through the door, our fight spilling into the hallway.
“Get her,” I barked at Caleb and Asher. This was the opening they needed.
They rushed into the room, grabbing Jazmine.
“You dare touch her?” Rhys bellowed, his voice echoing through the mansion.
His fury made him reckless. I took advantage of it, forcing him further away from her. We fought viciously, neither of us holding back. Blood splattered across the floor, but neither of us faltered.
I glanced toward Caleb and Asher. They had Jazmine, but two witches appeared from the shadows, their hands glowing with magic.
Before they could cast a spell, Caleb and Asher struck, swift, brutal. The witches fell lifeless to the ground.
Rhys was weakening. I could feel it. His movements were slower, his breaths ragged. Still, he wouldn’t surrender.
I pinned him down, my hand gripping his throat. “Give up, Rhys. Call them off. Send the witches back to where they belong.”
His bloodied lips twisted into a bitter smile. “End me, or watch your back forever.” His voice was a rasp, but the venom in his words was clear. “Because I will hunt you down… just like I did Father.”
That was it. That was the moment that changed everything.
I hadn’t planned on killing him. But my body moved before my mind could stop it. My claws sank into his chest.
Rhys choked, his eyes wide with shock, with pain… with betrayal.
His body went limp beneath me.
“No!” Jazmine’s scream ripped through the hall.
Before Caleb could react, she shoved him aside with a sudden burst of strength. Her hands flickered with magic, and before Asher could tighten his grip, she cast a spell.
Asher cried out, his body convulsing before he collapsed onto the floor.
I turned on her, grabbing her wrist before she could cast another spell. “What did you do to Asher?” I roared.
She met my gaze, her expression eerily calm despite the storm raging in her eyes. “A life for a life, Ryan, you took something from me…and I will take something far worse from you.”
I tightened my grip on her, but She didn’t fight me, instead, she smiled.
“You can’t cast a spell on an alpha, you know that,” I reminded her.
Her smile widened. “No, I can’t. But I can curse you,”
Her voice was steady, laced with venom.
“A dark force will cling to you for the rest of your life….. because you ended Rhys’s life.”
Before I could stop her, before I could even process what was happening, she took my claws that were still stained with Rhys blood, and slashed her own throat.