Chapter 286 Kane remained still, his gaze fixed on Alpha Malcolm.
Oreon #fa The older man looked utterly defeatedâlike a father who had already lost too much and had nothing left but the desperate plea to protect what remained.
âIâve already lost one child,â Malcolm said, his voice heavy with grief. âI canât lose another.â
Kaneâs grip tightened around the doorknob. A cold sensation spread through his chest, numbing him from the inside out.
The flicker of emotion in his eyes darkened, swallowed by the abyss of his own turmoil. Then, with a slow nod, he made his decision.
âIâll grant your request.â
With those final words, Kane turned and walked out of the study, Alpha Malcolm stood frozen, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. Had he really succeeded? Had he actually convinced Alpha Kane to stay away from his daughterâs life?
He hurried after Kane, watching the manâs rigid posture as he moved. Over the years, Malcolm had heard countless stories about Kane. As the former head of the pack, he had even maintained a good relationship with Kaneâs father, Alpha Garrett. But everything changed the day Selene was taken- stolen away while they were supposed to be visiting this very pack. They had searched everywhere for her, but she had vanished. From that moment on, Malcolm had severed all ties with Kaneâs pack.
As they entered the living room, Selene immediately rose from the couch and rushed toward her father.
Kaneâs steps faltered as he turned his head, catching sight of her. His fingers curled slightly, recalling the photograph he had found in the study. He hadnât returned it to her father. Instead, he had slipped it into his pocket, holding onto it like a silent reminder of everything he had done to her.
âDad, is everything okay?â Selene asked, concern lacing her voice.
Kane didnât answer. He could see the worry etched on her face, but he forced himself to look away and continued walking toward the entrance.
Just as he reached the door, Evelyn Hawthorne spoke up from behind him.
âAlpha.â
Kane stopped but didnât turn around immediately. When he finally faced her, his expression remained unreadable.
Evelyn cleared her throat before speaking again, her voice softer this time.
âI set the table for lunch. Itâs already that time, and we canât let you leave without eating something.â
Kaneâs gaze flickered to Selene, who silently shook her head at her mother, subtly pleading for him not to stay.
He let out a slow breath before offering Evelyn a small, polite smile.
âThank you for the offer,â he said evenly, âbut Iâm not hungry.â
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= Menu By the time he reached his car, his expression had shiftedâhis face void of emotion, his eyes distant. His driver wordlessly opened the back door for him, and Kane slid inside, leaning back against the seat.
His body felt hollow.
He had arrived carrying a burden of pain, but now he was leaving with something far worseâan ache that could never be mended.
âAlpha, where to?â the driver asked, glancing at him through the rearview mirror.
Kane blinked slowly, his eyes drifting toward the window as he muttered, âSomewhere no one can find me.â
The driver hesitated, momentarily stunned. âAlpha...â
Kane turned to look at him, his expression unreadable.
âTake me home.â
The driver nodded immediately, though confusion flickered across his face. Kane hadnât referred to any place as âhomeâ in yearsâso why now?
As the car pulled away, Kane sat in silence, watching the pack members outside. Under his rule, they lived in peace, thriving within the security he provided.
Yet, despite everything, he felt no peace at all.
Closing his eyes, he let his thoughts consume him.
Even if I wanted to, I could never have you.
The pain I inflicted is beyond repair.
Why did I fall for you when fate was always against me?
What kind of love is thisâone I can never even express to you?