Chapter 3

• Alex’s POV
• "Call Uncle Stefan here," I commanded. Moments later, Uncle Stefan arrived, his clothes stained with my dad's blood. I handed him my gun. "That's the guy who killed your brother. Avenge his death while I go after the other traitor."
• "Who ordered the hit?" he asked.
• "Lord Z, with help from Patrick Walker."
• Uncle Stefan's face darkened with rage. "That traitorous son of a bitch!"
• The killer begged, "You promised to spare my life!"
• I leaned in. "I promised I wouldn't kill you. Someone else will. Did you think you could kill the head of the Snow clan and get away with it? Save a seat in hell for Patrick; he's next."
• As I walked away, I heard five gunshots behind me.
• Back at the house, chaos reigned. The ambulance was gone, taking my father's body. My mother wept on the ground, comforted by my sister April. Jacob and Lucas approached, their faces filled with anger.
• "Who did it?" Jacob asked tightly.
• "Lord Z and Patrick Walker."
• They stared in disbelief. "Gather all our men and meet me in the town square," I ordered.
• I approached Melanie, standing in her wedding dress, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry for your loss," she cried, touching my hands.
• "I'm sorry too, Mel. I have to settle this, but I'll come back for you."
• "You're not going to kill him yourself, are you?" Mia asked, horrified.
• I looked at her coldly. "The shooter is dead. Now I’m dealing with the traitor."
• At the town square, I saw Patrick's men, armed and ready. I addressed them with Uncle Stefan by my side. "We're not here to fight. Patrick betrayed us, sneaking a killer into town. Hand him over."
• "I never betrayed this town!" Patrick shouted, stepping forward. "This is a setup to divide us!"
• "Why weren't you at the wedding? Why gather your men if you had nothing to do with it?" I retorted.
• Patrick hesitated. "I warned your father, but I had nothing to do with his death."
• I aimed my gun at him. "You might not have pulled the trigger, but you loaded the gun. That’s just like committing the crime yourself."
• "Don't do it, Alex!" shouted Sheriff Charlie Dawson as SPD patrol cars arrived. "Everyone put your guns down! There's only one way out alive—lower your guns and leave."
• The sheriff whispered to me, "Your father wouldn't want this. Patrick is at fault, but the rest will die for nothing."
• I considered his words, then ordered, "Everyone, get back in your cars and retreat." I glared at Patrick. "An eye for an eye, a life for a life. This isn't over, Patrick Walker."
• The past three days have been the darkest of my life. A single bullet turned our world upside down, leaving us grappling with grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
• Each of us is in a different stage of mourning. My mother is in denial, locked away in their room, convinced my father is still alive. My sister is engulfed in depression, moving through the house like a ghost. Our clan is bargaining, blaming themselves and eager to avenge our leader. My brothers, uncle, and I are consumed by anger, especially since his killer remains hidden, surrounded by his men.
• The funeral is underway, and though everyone wants revenge, I've insisted we wait until after the service. I plan to kill Patrick Walker publicly, making an example of him for betraying the Snows, but I need a plan that minimizes casualties.
• Melanie, my fiancée, has been devastated by the events of our wedding day. I’ve spoken to her briefly, urging her to stay away for her safety. I worry she might not want me after all this, but I hope our love will endure.
• As the funeral concludes, our clan’s attorney, Erik Snow, asks me to gather the family to read my father’s will. Erik, a distant relative and my father's godson, has been loyal to our family since his father’s sacrifice.
• I find my mother, finally outside her room, accepting condolences. “Erik wants to read Dad’s will. Stay here while I gather everyone,” I tell her, kissing her forehead.
• In the living room, with Uncle Stefan, Erik, and the rest of the family, Erik begins reading the will, detailing the distribution of assets. My father’s belongings are divided among us, while his inheritance goes to Uncle Stefan.
• Then Erik reads an unexpected letter from my father. Its final words stop my heart.
• To my loved ones:
• I'm deeply sorry for leaving you like this. My heart breaks imagining you all gathered to hear this. Please, grieve no more, as it will only break my heart further. Wherever I end up after my death, know that I will be with you, even if you cannot sense me. I want you to stand strong and believe that I am always with you—in your hearts and souls.
• I write this not only to my family but to the new leader of the Snow clan. It is my duty to appoint a successor in case of my unexpected death. I know the role can be overwhelming, but you will gain confidence with time. I trust you completely; you are the perfect man for the job because I raised you well.
• I hereby appoint my son, Alex Snow, as the new leader of the Snow clan. May your leadership be prosperous and just until you are ready to appoint the next leader.
• Lastly, I love you all and will continue to love you from wherever I may be.
• —Isaac Snow
• A deafening silence fills the room. Confusion grips us—why did my father choose me over Uncle Stefan, who had seniority? I look at my mother, who doesn’t seem surprised. She must have known.
• Uncle Stefan stares at the fireplace, anger evident on his face. David, his son, looks fearful. I feel unprepared for this responsibility.
• Lucas breaks the silence, standing to approach me. He hugs me tightly, offering acceptance. Jacob, April, Erik, and my mother follow suit, each showing their support.
• Finally, Uncle Stefan approaches, placing his hands on my shoulders. “Congratulations, Alex. Your father made the right choice. I will be here for you.” His support means a lot; I feared he would challenge me for the position.
• “Thank you, Uncle Stefan. I didn’t know about my father’s wish,” I reply.
• “Your father made his choice. We should respect it. He didn’t decide lightly,” he assures me.
• I nod, but I wish I knew why he chose me over Stefan.
• “Mom, April, can you give us some privacy?” I ask gently. They leave, and now it's time for action. We can finally seek justice for our former leader.
• “Patrick Walker will not live to see dawn. He dies tonight, right in the middle of town. He’ll serve as an example of what happens when someone betrays us,” I declare.
• Lucas, eager for action, suggests going in guns blazing, but I want to minimize casualties. “We need a plan. We can’t let our emotions dictate our actions.”
• Soon I made a plan and told everyone about it.
• “Jacob and David will stay here to protect April and Mom. We can’t leave them unguarded,” I explain, knowing Jacob isn’t pleased with this decision, but he nods in agreement.
• “What time do we strike?” Uncle Stefan asks.
• “An hour before dawn. We’ll gather our men and ensure our plan runs smoothly,” I reply.
• Afterward, I call Melanie to inform her of my new leadership role. She’s shocked. “I thought your uncle was taking over!”
• “That’s what I thought too. But my dad’s will made me the leader,” I say firmly.
• “And you accepted it?” she replies incredulously.
• “There’s nothing to accept or decline. It’s done,” I insist.
• “I can’t believe you’re saying this! You didn’t even consult me! You’re putting yourself in danger!”
• “Mel, you knew my life from the start. This doesn’t change anything,” I say, feeling the pressure.
• “Was going to war with your own people part of the life I fell in love with?”
• “That’s not how we handle things in this town,” I retort.
• A painful silence stretches between us. I sense her change of heart. “I need space, Alex,” she finally says before hanging up.
• Frustration washes over me. An hour before our operation begins, I seek out my mother and April. I find them staring at the fireplace. I kiss them both on the forehead, aware this may be the last time I see them.
• “Be careful, Alex,” April says, hugging me tightly.
• “Jacob and David will protect you,” I reassure them.
• But then April says, “Jacob isn’t here.”
• My stomach drops. “What do you mean he’s not here?”
• “I saw him leave the house about three hours ago, he hasn’t returned yet. I thought you sent him somewhere” she answered in a small voice.
• I run my hands through my hair irritably as I say with gritted teeth “I didn’t send him anywhere. I explicitly told him to stay here until we came back. Where the hell is he?”
• “I’m right here” said Jacob as he came into the living room with a gun in his right hand, and attached to the gun, was a silencer.
• My eyes widen at the sight of him.
• His face and brown leather jacket had little tiny splashes of blood on them.
• “What the fuck did you do?” I asked in a low menacing voice.
• He drops the gun on the ground and answers in a tight voice.
• “You don’t have to go anywhere anymore brother. Patrick Walker is dead… I killed him”
• Just then, more than a dozen gunshot sounds were heard in the far distance.
• Signaling the start of freaking war.