Chapter 85

5 years later - 

On a windy balcony, a lone figure stood, the breeze tugging at his clothes and hair. 

His face was solemn, eyes dark and dead without any emotion. 

"Lia?" The door to the balcony opened and Dexter entered. He looked at his stubborn young master and sighed. "How many times do I have to tell you to wear warm clothes? And why do you keep coming out here in the wind? Anyway, the car is ready." 

Lia turned slowly to look at him. Dexter was dressed in a black suit. Black gloves covered his hands. His face was emotionless and appeared as if he had just attended a funeral. 

Lia nodded silently and walked past Dexter without a word. Dexter watched him go and shook his head. 

"Lia," he called out, hoping to reach him, but Lia was already gone. Dexter sighed deeply and followed after him. 

They arrived at the cemetery, a place where memories lay buried alongside those who had departed. 

Lia approached Eve's grave with a bouquet of white lilies. He knelt and placed the flowers gently on the grave. 

A small, sad smile played on his lips as he gazed at a peacefully sleeping Eve. 

"Hey buddy. It's been a while, hasn't it? Five years...Feels like a lifetime." His smile fading slightly as he looked at the name carved into the stone. "I miss you, Eve." 

"Every single day. It's funny, you know? How time moves on, but some wounds never heal. I've tried to be strong, like you always said I was, but...some days, it's just so h-hard. I remember all the times you'd come to me with that big smile…" 

Eyes suddenly filling with tears it got hard to speak. He took a shaky breath, his smile returning, albeit faintly. "I try to live my life in a way that would make you proud. But sometimes, I feel so lost without you. Like a part of me is missing, and no matter what I do, I can't get it back."

A single tear rolled down his cheek. "I wish I could turn back time, change what happened...But I know I can't. All I can do is carry you in my heart and hope that, wherever you are, you're at peace."

He wiped the tear away. "I'll keep coming to see you. As long as I'm here, you'll never be alone."

"I love you, buddy. Always will."

With one last sad look, he turned and walked back towards the car, leaving a piece of his heart behind with the brother he had lost. 

Dexter watched Lia from a distance, his own heart was heavy with grief. He knew that no matter how much time passed, the pain of losing Eve would never truly fade. 

As Lia began to leave the cemetery, Dexter hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Won't you say anything to Alpha? Since Alpha was also...on this day..."

"No!" Lia shot him a glare so fierce that Dexter stopped talking immediately. Lia's eyes that were filled with pain just now turned bloody dark. It made Dexter take a step back. 

"I don't have anything to say to him because Will is still alive."

Dexter's face hardened at Lia's words. He knew the truth, or at least what Alpha had asked him to tell Lia. The lie that the lab guards had broken into the house that day and killed Alpha before his eyes. But despite Dexter's insistence, Lia refused to believe that story. 

"Lia, I—" 

"Don't," Lia snapped. "I've heard it all before. You told me you somehow saved me that day and that Alpha didn't make it. But I don't believe your fake made up story one bit. Will is still out there and I will find him soon."

Dexter sighed deeply but kept his head down in shame and guilt. 

For days Lia went back to that house, hoping Will would return. He blamed Dexter for taking him away and not letting him search for Alpha. He would cry and throw fits but Dexter was really stubborn because he didn't let him out for a long time. When he was sure that Lia was safe, did he let Lia out. 

Dexter's expression softened. "I did what I thought was best for you, Lia. I was just trying to protect you."

Lia's eyes filled with angry unshed tears, but he didn't let them fall. "You didn't protect me from shit! You're just selfish and I feel like a fucking fool for realizing it too late. You treated both of us brothers like toys. You lost Eve so you moved on to me. But you forgot that Eve needed your protection but I don't. If anything I just wished to go away from you."

There was a heavy silence between them after that. Lia turned away while huffing. Dexter watched him go, feeling a helplessness that gnawed at his soul.

Lia walked to the car. As soon as he reached the door, he paused for a moment, looking back at Eve's grave one last time. 

Dexter shook his head and followed him. He knew that Alpha was a wound Lia might never heal from. But he also knew that Lia needed to move forward even if it meant carrying the pain with him.

As the car sped down the road, leaving the cemetery behind, Lia's mind was already drifting back to the past, to the memories of Eve and Alpha. 

And despite everything, despite the lies and the pain, he couldn't help but hold on to the hope that somewhere, somehow, he might find his Will. The only reason he's alive till now. 

To find his psycho back. 

As soon as Lia returned home, he stripped off his suit. The moment his formal attire hit the floor, he reached for his worn jeans and a hoodie, the uniform of his ongoing mission. 

"Today," he whispered to himself, a mantra he'd repeated every morning for five long years. "Today might be the day I find you." 

Lia hadn't missed a single day. Every dawn, he would left his home with the same burning hope that today would be different, that today he would find Will. Each morning, as he stood on his balcony and watched the first light of day break over the city, he felt that spark of hope rekindle within him.

He was just about to leave when his eyes landed on a jar filled with little stars. 

A sad smile spread across his lips as he felt a sharp pain shoot through his chest. He picked up the jar and sat on his bed, gazing at it and reading the name "Will" written on it in his own handwriting. 

He remembered teaching Alpha how to make those stars, the joy in Alpha's eyes as he learned while sitting in Lia's lap, but he never taught Alpha to write those apologies inside these little stars. His heart broke when he found this jar in that house. 

He held the jar close to his chest, his fingers trembling as he remembered Alpha's smile, the innocence in his eyes, and the love that always shone through them. 

"Hey, love," Lia whispered, squeezing his eyes tightly. "I miss you so much. Every day, I wake up hoping to find you, to see your smile, to hear your voice. I miss those innocent eyes that always looked at me with so much love. I miss the way you would hold me."

His tears began to fall through his closed eyes. "Death changes nothing, you know? I can still hear your voice and still hear your heartbeat. I can still feel your touches as if you're right here with me. When I close my eyes, you're here. You haven't gone anywhere. And that's why I'm at peace, Will. That's w-why I can sleep, that's why I can breathe. I don't want to open my eyes and face the reality because if I did...if I open my eyes, I know you won't be there. And I'll realize that...that I had lost you."

He clutched the jar tighter, his tears falling onto the glass. "I'm s-so sorry, Will. I never meant any of the things I said. I was angry and hurt, and I took it out on you. Please, f-forgive me. I can't bear this…pain anymore. W-Where are…you? Is this punishment n-not enough? Why don't you…come back to me…?"

His sobs grew louder and his chest heaved. "I…miss you every single day. I miss your laugh…your love. I need you, Will. P-Please I need you so much. Please…come back. I promise I'll never let you go again. I'll protect you, love you and cherish you. Just come back to me."

"I'm b-begging you, baby. I can't even breathe without you. I can't...I can't go on like this…"

Crying for another hour while holding the only memory left by his lifeline, he put the jar carefully on the shelf and wiped his tears before standing up for his mission. 

He exited his room and headed to the living room, when the sound of Dexter's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"I know, he still doesn't believe me," Dexter was saying quietly into the phone. "But I'm on my way now."

This wasn't the first time Dexter had acted strangely. It was as if he was hiding something. Deciding to get to the bottom of it, Lia decided to follow Dexter this time, slipping out of the house and into his car, trailing behind Dexter. 

After a long drive, Dexter stopped his car and got out. Lia stopped at a distance and looked around the remote road. Nothing could be seen on the road. 

After a few minutes, another car stopped. And to Lia's surprise, Scout got out. Lia's eyes widened and he clenched his teeth. 

Meanwhile, on the other side Scout let Dexter know. "Another mission was a success. We saved another batch of kids and destroyed another lab. The organisation is crumbling, thanks to your and my team's efforts. Wagnar won't be able to recover from this."

Dexter nodded in agreement. "It feels good knowing I was able to help. After Eve passed, I had no purpose left. But then I met you and heard about those kids. I couldn't help but see Eve in them. It gave me a reason to keep going. Saving them makes me feel like I saved Eve." 

Scout nodded, but then his face turned serious. "How's Lia doing?" 

"He's still out there searching for Alpha," Dexter sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. 

"Why don't you just tell him the truth? He deserves to know."

Dexter shook his head firmly. "I lost Eve. I can't lose Lia too. Alpha made me promise never to tell him. But...I don't know anymore. Lia's still out there every day madly searching for Alpha. My efforts have all been in vain."

Scout was about to reply when he suddenly froze, his eyes locking on something behind Dexter.

"I think-" Dexter frowned at his reaction and slowly turned around. 

Standing there, with a calm but frighteningly cold expression was Lia.

Lia's gaze was enough to make both men flinch. "Where is Will?" he asked, his heart pounding in his chest even though his face remained dark. 

Dexter and Scout exchanged nervous glances, unsure of how to respond. Scout hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Dexter, maybe we should tell him—"

"No!" Dexter cut Scout off sharply. 

But before he could say more, Lia stepped forward, grabbing Dexter by the collar. 

"Where is Will?" he demanded, ready to commit a murder if he has to. "Dexter, open your mouth before I do something I feel ashamed of but not regretful. I swear I'll kill you-" 

"Alpha is alive." 

Lia stood there, stunned and speechless. Scout's words hit him like a punch to the gut, leaving him gasping for air. 

Five years. 

Everything he had clung to in the last five years, had been ripped away in an instant.

For a moment, he thought he was dreaming. He waited so long, cried so many nights, screamed into the void for an answer, and now, here it was—but it wasn't the answer he had expected. 

Scout sighed. "Yes, Alpha is alive. And yes, we lied to you. But it was what Alpha wanted. You know why better than anyone. He didn't want you to find him. He wanted you to believe he was gone."

Lia's heart twisted painfully. His initial joy at knowing Alpha was alive was quickly overshadowed by guilt. The memories of the harsh words he had spoken to Alpha came rushing back. 

He felt like a complete fool who didn't know whether he should cry or laugh. Feel guilt or celebrate first. But first of all, he just wanted to reunite with his boy. 

"Where is he now?! Tell me—!" 

"He's in an academy," Scout replied, cutting him off. 

Lia frowned. "Academy?" 

"Yes, Sanford Academy. It's not a normal school—it's a training centre disguised as one. The government doesn't suspect them, but it's where Wagnar's people are rebuilding their operations. I work there undercover as the principal."

Lia blinked, trying to piece it all together. 

Scout continued. "When you set their labs on fire five years ago, Wagnar's empire was caught in the aftermath, but Wagnar himself managed to escape. Over the last few years, we've been taking down his labs, one by one. But recently, we discovered this school. At first, it seemed like a legitimate place, but after deeper investigation, we realised it was far from normal. It's a front—an illusion to cover up their real operations. They even accept normal kids so no one suspects them. But no child there is safe."

Lia's breath hitched. "Alpha is in that school? So what's the problem? I can go in and take him out, like I did last time."

Scout's face darkened with worry. He pursed his lips and exchanged a look with Dexter before dropping the real bomb on Lia.

"Alpha...has forgotten everything. They've removed his memories. Alpha isn't who you remember him to be. He's…changed now. He's not the silly and dangerous criminal you used to know. He has his own thoughts and conscience now. He has even become the king of that Academy which he rules." 

Lia's face contorted in disbelief. His brows furrowed and he chuckled without humor, though his chest tightened painfully. "What the hell do you mean, Scout? What do you mean he won't remember me?"

Scout shifted uncomfortably but didn't avert his gaze. "To them you're considered a curse—a jinx. They believe you're the reason Wagnar's empire fell. They built the whole Sanford Academy because of you, because you destroyed their labs. And even after Alpha was returned to them, he couldn't forget you. He was wild and out of control. They couldn't manage him."

Lia's heart shattered hearing that. His beautiful, innocent Alpha—his Will—doesn't remember him. What kind of cruel joke is this? 

His eyes burned and he clenched his fists, trying to swallow down the lump in his throat.

Scout continued. "They had to merge his two personalities together. And when that even didn't work, they erased his memories completely. They've made him believe he's Wagnar's own blood—his grandchild—and now they're grooming him to take over the empire. Alpha...he's not the same person you knew. If you meet him now he won't recognize you."

Lia felt like the world was spinning. His head pounded, and his legs threatened to give out from under him. "So...he just...went away and forgot about me. How…how is that possible?"

Scout nodded pitifully. "Sadly, yes. Now, he's someone else entirely. Now he's a leader in Wagnar's empire. But Lia you should calm down and-

"Ha ha!" Lia's sudden laugh stopped Scout. 

"So," Lia's lips curled into a wild grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. He tilted his head. "My baby is a real psycho now?"

Scout uncomfortably glanced at Dexter, who looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

"It's fine," Lia's grin widened, his tone betraying his excitement. "All it mattered that now I know where he is. I've tamed him before. And I won't mind doing it again."

"You're insane," Scout muttered under his breath. 

"Lia," Dexter started cautiously. "You know how he is now. He's not the same Alpha you—"

Lia cut him off with a sharp laugh as he loomed over them. "Oh, I know exactly how he is now. And that's what makes it so much more thrilling. Don't you get it? The more broken, the more fun it is to pull the pieces back together."

Scout stared at him, visibly unnerved. Dexter sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his face. Why am I even surprised?

Lia smirked, ignoring them entirely. "I can't wait to meet him again. It'll be fun. Fun to tame my psycho all over again."

"After all...I'm the only one who can tame him."

Lia's jaw clenched with determination as he looked Scout in the eye. "I will participate in this mission. If he's forgotten me, then I'll remind him. And this time, the mission will be successful."

Scout nodded hesitantly. "I've gathered a lot of proof in the Academy. We've rescued enough victims to put Wagnar behind bars for good. But we can't rush in blindly. If we act too soon, the lives of the students at Sunford will be in danger."

"But how will we sneak him into Sunford?" Dexter inquired. 

"Leave it to me," Scout reassured him. "We'll give you a fake identity, one that will help you infiltrate Sunford as a normal student. But for that to work, we need to create a believable backstory. A past that can hold up under scrutiny. There are two types of students there. First, the lab subjects and second, the rich brats who are tossed by their parents because of the crimes they have committed." 

"The students are divided by the batches to keep a track on them. Red batches are given to the subjects while yellow batches are given to the normal students. You'll be given a black batch to make you Alpha's roommate." 

"No, I want to enter as a subject and I want my identity to be Eve," Lia said quietly. "My brother. Even if it's just for a short time, I want him to live through me. I want Eve to feel the pain of the person who killed him…so that he can forgive Will. To make Eve alive again for a while…Lia has to disappear. Lia has to die. Because a person who couldn't even keep his lover safe doesn't deserve to live."

Scout stared at Lia, taken aback by his words, but he saw the determination.

He nodded slowly. "Alright, I'll arrange for you to enter as a subject. We'll create a fabricated case—one where you've killed your brother and taken his memories and identity. And I'll also provide you some drugs and injections which will help Alpha, hopefully recover his memories."

"You'll disappear as Lia, and you'll enter Sunford as Eve."

"Let's do it then."

________________

Flashback ends here.

So, that's how Lia died for a while and reborn as Eve to enter Sunford.

Lia hated the fact that he couldn't protect Alpha. So everytime Alpha told him that he loves Lia. Lia disguised Eve would feel sad. Lia felt as if he doesn't deserve Alpha's loyalty even after forgetting his memories.

Anyways, thoughts on the chapter?

Next chapter will be in present. And we will meet our babies again.

I'll see in the next chapter.

Rain ~