บท 9: Evil Son
Analyn Ashbourne, the Luna of Jasper Alpha Ashbourne had always known that something was wrong with their son Ronan from a young age. There was a darkness in him, similar to the one that had once plagued Jasper in the past, yet somehow different.
She had wanted to rid him of it before it was too late, before he had a chance to harm Matthew or Valentina. But when she had broached the subject with Jasper, she was met with resistance.
"NO! Don't you dare try," Jasper had exclaimed, his voice firm.
Analyn had looked at him in shock. "What are you saying, Jasper? I have to cure him, just like I did with you, now that I know how. Why are you stopping me?"
"Sweetheart, this isn't the same as with me. The darkness is a part of Ronan now, in a way that can't be separated. It's intertwined with his very nature. It can be tamed, but it cannot be destroyed," he had explained.
Analyn's voice had trembled as she asked, "What are you saying? Will he be evil forever?"
Jasper had shaken his head. "He's not evil, Analyn. He's just more in touch with his inner beast than his humanity right now. It will take time for him to learn the difference between right and wrong, but he can be tamed. The darkness inside him isn't fully formed yet. You just have to keep a close watch on him. If you try to remove it now, it could kill him. But when he's older, you can attempt what you did with me."
Now that Ronan was older, Analyn knew it was time to prepare herself to confront the darkness within him, especially as she watched him, consumed with rage.
She and Jasper had gone out together, enjoying the nice weather. Jasper grumbled as she dragged him along on errands, but he never refused her.
"Stop acting like it's such a terrible thing to spend some fun time with your wife," Analyn teased, laughing at his grumpy expression.
"I don't consider you blowing my money on new shoes and clothes at the mall fun time," Jasper had barked in response.
"Oh, whatever. It's not like we can't afford it. It's not about what we do together; it's about being together. Don't you agree?" she cooed.
"Yes, dear Luna. You are always right," Jasper had remarked sarcastically, but hearing him say she was right always pleased her.
Their playful banter quickly turned serious as they came upon their children arguing in the middle of the street. Both Ronan and Matthew bore bruises and cuts, evidence of a recent fight. Valentina's eyes were red and watery, while Minerva and Callan looked on with distress.
"No one tells our parents anything, or I will be out to destroy you, no matter who you are," Ronan growled.
"What are you not telling us?" Jasper's voice boomed as he approached, causing everyone to turn towards him.
"Daddy! I mean, Alpha. I'm glad you're here. Ronan and Matthew have something to tell you," Valentina said, her voice trembling.
"Val! Don't you dare," Ronan roared at his sister.
"What is going on here? What are you trying to hide, Ronan?" Analyn demanded, her tone leaving no room for defiance. She had raised him, and he would answer her.
"There's no point in hiding it now, Ronan. Tell them and take responsibility," Matthew urged, his voice firm.
"What have you done, Ronan?" Jasper asked, a note of exasperation in his voice.
"Why do you always assume it was me who did something? Maybe it was your precious boy Matthew this time," Ronan snapped bitterly.
"Well, was it?" Analyn narrowed her eyes at him, her patience wearing thin.
"For fuck's sake, Ronan. Stop trying to cover it up—Mom, Dad, Ronan kidnapped Sophia, Alpha Jeremiah's daughter," Matthew barked out, his voice edged with frustration.
Analyn's heart sank. Oh dear God.
"Ronan, what were you thinking? We already settled things with them when we defeated them on the battleground. They promised to leave us alone. Why are you trying to start another war with the Bloodmoon pack?" Jasper scolded.
"There won't be any war because I destroyed their neighborhood and killed half their pack. Their cowardly Alpha ran off somewhere, leaving his daughter at my mercy," Ronan chuckled, a twisted smile on his face.
"How can you say that so lightly? Where is the poor girl? You release her right now!" Analyn ordered, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and anger.
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Mother," Ronan replied, his green eyes flickering with that sickening red light that always signaled he was about to lose control.
"Listen to your mother, son. Go back and get the girl so we can return her to her family," Jasper commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Ronan turned to face him. "She has no family. I'm all she has now. Matthew forgot to mention, but she's my mate, so I get to keep her and do whatever I want with her."
Jasper's brow furrowed in disbelief. "Is that so?"
"I'm afraid she's my mate too, Alpha. But Ronan will only mistreat her, so I need your permission to set her free and let her choose one of us," Matthew added, his voice pleading.
Analyn's head spun. What is happening? Both of my sons have one mate? I knew twins were supposed to be close, but I didn't think they would be this close!
"Bring the girl over here. I want to speak to her," Jasper ordered.
Ronan grunted but obeyed. He waved his hand, creating a portal, and stepped inside.
"Where is he going?" Valentina asked, peering curiously at the portal.
Matthew sighed heavily. "That asshole made some kind of private prison for her. You can't let him get away with it!" he grumbled.
"LET GO OF ME!" A young girl's voice screamed from inside the portal. Moments later, Ronan dragged someone out, yanking her by the arm and throwing her to the ground at Analyn's feet.
"Ronan! This is no way to treat another person!" Analyn raged, her protective instincts flaring up.
Ronan scoffed, turning away dismissively. "She's an enemy. I didn't think it was necessary to treat her like a princess."
"See what I mean? This is how he treats Sophia. He doesn't deserve to be her mate," Matthew growled.
Analyn knelt down, her heart aching as she took in the girl's sweet, round face. "You poor thing. What did my bratty son do to you?"
"I…I want to go home," Sophia said meekly, her voice trembling.
Analyn gently took her hands, trying to offer some comfort. "I will make sure you get home safely. You can trust me," she promised.
Sophia nodded, still shaking, her eyes darting nervously toward Ronan, who hadn't taken his eyes off her since bringing her out.
"Is it true that my sons are your mates? Did you feel the bond, sweetheart?" Analyn asked softly.
Sophia nodded again. "Yes, it's true, but I still want to go home. Please, can I go? I want to make sure my sister is okay."
"Of course, sweetheart. I'll have Matthew take you back," Analyn assured her, glancing at Jasper for his approval.
"Yes, take her back to her pack," Jasper agreed.
"There's no point. I destroyed her house and killed everyone already," Ronan remarked, bursting into laughter. The realization that he wasn't joking sent a shiver down Analyn's spine.
Analyn shot Ronan a warning glance, her anger barely contained.
"I'll take you there, Sophia. Maybe we can find clues to your sister's whereabouts," Matthew offered, holding out his hand to Sophia. She took it, clearly trusting him, and Analyn felt a small measure of relief that at least one of her sons was treating the girl with kindness.
"Don't touch her!" Ronan snarled, stepping forward to grab Sophia's hand, causing her to recoil in fear.
"Ronan! That's enough of your madness. Stand down, son, and let Matthew take the girl back. It's an order," Jasper barked.
"But Father, she is my…" Ronan started to argue but fell silent under Jasper's fiery glare.
"Do not argue with me on this. You know damn well what I am capable of. Do you want to force me to banish you from the pack? Is that what you're after?" Jasper roared, his voice filled with authority.
Analyn shivered, knowing Jasper wouldn't hesitate to outcast his own son if he disobeyed. Ronan knew it too, and it was this knowledge that had kept him in line all these years.
But for how long would he care about the pack before he no longer did?
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