Defy The Alpha(s) novel Chapter 765

Chapter 765: Let Fate Decide

Unfortunately—or perhaps inevitably—not just Patrick was undergoing a life-altering reckoning.

Vera stormed into the bunker with force. The place which was meant to house their people—the workers, the doctors, the trained fighters who had sworn loyalty to their cause — was empty.

Joseph was right behind her, having been the one to inform her of the situation at hand. He slowed down as soon as she stopped short.

Rows of narrow bunker beds lined the walls, metal frames bare except for rumpled sheets. Lockers, footlockers, bags —everything that was supposed to make the place feel occupied had vanished.

For a long moment, Vera didn’t move. Her eyes swept the room intensely as if she expected the people to materialize if she stared hard enough.

"They left," she said finally, her voice flat with disbelief. "They all left."

Joseph said with bitter amusement. "What were you expecting them to do? You killed our mother, Vera. You murdered Patrick. What did you think would happen?" His voice cracked with anger. "They were terrified knowing they knew they’d be next."

Vera turned on him, eyes blazing. "They were supposed to be loyal! They needed to understand the bigger picture. Sacrifices are necessary."

Joseph gestured around the empty bunker. "Well, congratulations. They understood perfectly."

Something in Vera finally broke and she let out a raw, furious scream, and lunged for the nearest bed. She flipped it onto its side, the frame crashing loudly against the floor.

Then she grabbed a loose mattress and hurled it across the room. Sheets, pillows, anything within reach was ripped away and thrown.

Joseph stood frozen, watching as she lost her mind.

"Cowards!" she shouted. "Every single one of them!"

When the destruction wasn’t enough, she turned on him.

She shoved him hard in the chest. Joseph staggered back a step, catching himself.

"Are you leaving too?" she screamed, hysterical now. "Is that it? One by one, you all abandon me?"

"Vera!" Joseph shouted, grabbing her wrists.

She froze at his touch.

For a heartbeat, she stared at him, and then laughed. Her shoulders shook as the sound spilled out of her, wild and broken. Then, just as abruptly, the laughter collapsed into sobs.

Tears streamed down her face as she clutched him, her hands framing his jaw even as he tried to pull away.

"You can’t leave me," she whispered desperately. "Please. You’re all I have left now. Don’t go too, Joseph. Please."

Joseph stood stiffly in her grip, discomfort written plainly across his face. He didn’t return the embrace, but after a long, strained pause, he nodded.

"I’m not going anywhere," he said.

Her eyes searched his. "You’re sure?"

He nodded again, slower this time. "I’m sure."

Vera sniffed hard, wiped her face with the back of her palm, and straightened. The tears vanished as quickly as they had come. Her spine squared while her expression smoothed into cold composure, as if the breakdown had never happened at all.

"Good," she said briskly.

Joseph stared at her, unsettled by the speed of the shift in her emotion. He had always suspected Vera was a little out of her mind.

"Gather the ones who are still left," Vera ordered. "Bring them to the hall. I need to speak to them."

There was something in her commanding tone that made his stomach turn.

Joseph hesitated. For a moment, he looked as though he might argue, or refuse. Instead, the moment passed and his shoulders slumped.

"As you wish." He turned and left without another word.

Moments later, the remaining members of Vera’s faction were gathered in the central hall.

The sight almost made her laugh.

Where there had once been dozens of her fighters, tacticians, men and women who believed in the cause, there were now barely a handful.

It was just ordinary workers. No soldiers, nor loyalists with teeth. Just frightened people packed together, clutching their coats and staring at her like she was the devil come to life.

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