Chapter 4 Out of Control

I hated how everyone looked at me with pity, as if I were some sort of poor thing. How everyone worried too much about whether I would be okay or not. Heavens.

I filled a plate with as much food as I could, swallowing some grapes and strawberries along the way. I had always heard that after the complete transformation - at least for the first week - my appetite would multiply, but I never imagined it would be to this extent.

Everything looked so delicious, and I was alone in the cafeteria - at least when it came to nearby people - so I felt even more comfortable taking out my frustrations as well.

I ate calmly while browsing and replying to some messages on my phone. Kyle was the first. He apologized and said Lindsay had spent the entire night crying and eating chocolate. My heart ached a bit realizing the damage I had caused her.

I wished I had been more careful, but we were so in love, and I couldn't be a hypocrite and say all the passion had vanished. It hadn't. But it wasn't as strong anymore, and there was something else taking over.

Staying with Lindy would be like hitting a brick wall. I would hurt myself, Lindy, and eventually, an adult Emy, who would find out that I knew about the bond all along and still spent years with someone else.

"Damn it," I muttered, staring at my empty plate.

Hades was quiet in my head, lost in his own world, and we hadn't talked today. In fact, he only stayed around when Emy was there and then left. He seemed to want to avoid everyone - especially me, as I was the first to oppose the bond given to us by the goddess.

I might be some kind of idiot, but that's it! She wasn't old enough to be my mate, and I wasn't willing to wait and see how life would unfold. That's why I firmly believe I was cursed - and now, I even believe in past lives. Certainly, I was a son of a bitch, and now I'm paying for all my sins.

I got up from the large, empty table and sent a message to Kyle, who replied a while later, explaining that he was waiting for me in the garden. He just forgot to mention he was with others, because when I arrived, he was tickling Emy, who was laughing and falling backward, happy.

She didn't notice that I had arrived. Actually, we were never necessarily close. I thought she was cute, but I always lived in my own world with Kyle and my girlfriend - who now, was no longer my girlfriend.

I sat on the blanket next to my mom - between Kyle and my dad. They were talking about something else, and I couldn't focus. Not with her joyful laughter filling the air. I wanted to lock her in a tower to keep her from getting hurt anymore.

"Stop, stop," Lucia muttered, looking at Kyle.

One of the conditions set by those present during the small morning gathering was that I couldn't tell Kyle about our bond. Only they could know, meaning I had to keep all this crap to myself to ensure there was no risk of Emily finding out.

It might seem silly, but she needs to discover the bond on her own, and that's what I'm going to do. Let her discover the bond by herself.

"Go play with Toby," she said, waving her hand at Emy.

I breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to participate in a conversation without worries. But, always staying alert to everything, all the time.

"Well, I'm glad you all are making such good progress," I smiled at my father.

"I would love for you to take Derek's place for a while," my dad said, looking at me carefully. "I wanted to bring this up earlier, but you're the one I trust the most after Derek. You were trained by both of us. I think you could..."

"I don't... I don't know!" I cleared my throat. "I don't know if I want to be away from home. But if it's an order from the Alpha, I wouldn't think twice about going."

"Of course not, Ezra. Your mother and I agree that you can make your own decision about this. You're still young, just starting your adult life, and you'll need time to adjust." He smiled calmly. "But know that the offer stands. If you go, you won't just be Ezra. You'll be Alpha Ezra, and everyone will respect you."

"Can I think about it?" I asked.

"Of course, my son-"

My father was cut off by a loud scream from Emy that made my ears hurt. I was the first to get up and look for her on the ground. She was holding her knee while Toby stared at her wide-eyed.

"S-sorry," he apologized.

"You pushed me," Emy shouted.

And I lost control of myself. It wasn't me anymore; it was Hades. He grabbed Toby by the shirt and lifted him high, bringing his face close.

"How dare you hurt a child?" I asked, and Toby looked at me with tear-filled eyes. "Answer me."

"I-I... it w-was an a-accident, Alpha, I-I..." he stammered, then burst into loud, frightened sobs. His pants got wet as he seemed to beg for mercy.

The shouts from my dad, mom, Aunt Lucia, and everyone else irritated me even more, but then Emy was staring at me, scared, and I put him down. He gasped and swallowed hard, taking stumbling steps backward before running away.

Mom and Aunt Lucia ran after him, and I let my shoulders slump in frustration. Hades had taken control. Yes! I was weak and let him do that. I sighed, clearing my throat now.

"Kyle, take Emy to clean her wound," Paul said, and Kyle nodded, looking at me with wide eyes.

"Dad, I think I really do need to go away..." I said in a breath, before he could start speaking.