|Weak Hero| Of Fangs and Claws

Chapter 6

Donald held Gray as the smaller boy sobbed. Donald gently rubbed his brother's back and ran a hand through his hair while trying to soothe him. "You don't need her, Gray. You've survived hell without her,"

"I can't believe that bitch would just abandon her son so easily like that!" Mom Go cursed.

"No...home?" Gray whispered. 

"Gray, I'm not going to kick you out," Mom Go gently told him. "Why would you think I'd do that?"

"My own mom...she hates me..." Gray said through hiccups. "Why would you...want me to stay?"

"If cub leaves, I'm leaving," Donald protectively hugged Gray tighter.

"Neither of you are leaving," Mom Go said. "Both of you are still staying here,"

"We don't have to leave?" Gray stared at her with teary eyes.

"Of course not," Mom Go gently placed a hand on Gray's shoulder. "You two are just children. Children shouldn't be forced to fend for themselves. If the two of you would like, you can permanently stay here,"

It was at that moment that Alex Go realized that his mother had adopted Donald and Gray as her sons. It wasn't official yet, but Alex saw how determined his mother was to ensure that the two had a safe place.

Alex didn't mind having Gray as a brother. It was Donald that Alex was reluctant to accept. He sympathized with Donald after learning of what horrific trauma he and Gray went through. But he had thought that Gray would move back in with his mother and Donald would follow. He had thought Donald's stay here would be temporary.

XXX

It was late at night when Donald left the house a week later. He had ensured that Gray was safe and asleep before he left and met with Kingsley a couple blocks down the road. "Donald...are you sure you're ready to return to managing the Union in-person?"

"Yeah," Donald nodded. "I need the income so that my brother and I can move out of Alex's house,"

"But didn't Alex's mom say you can stay permanently?" Kingsley asked.

"She did, but I don't want to constantly rely on her," Donald said. "I hate relying on others. I prefer to be able to support myself and my brother. Besides, I am the strongest person in the Union. I need to show people that I'm still alive so that we can get rid of any challengers who are a threat to the Union,"

They arrived at the Han River. Kingsley had called them all to gather for an assembly. Everyone thought that Kingsley would be the only one there giving announcements and orders, but they were all shocked to see Donald at the top of the stairs beside him.

"I'm sure that you're all aware that I was gone for a while," Donald's voice echoed throughout the Han River, just as powerful as it had been last time. "But I am now back. Kingsley has been managing the Union in my absence, but there are some changes to make in order to improve the Union,"

He went on to announce the changes that would be made to businesses and the system. He then addressed the Union's enemy. "I know that we've had conflict with Eunjang in the past. Yoosun attacked Eunjang after taking an individual commission and they lost. Hyeongshin was sent to deal with Eunjang but they lost too. However, Eunjang will be off limits from now on,"

The Union members started to murmur amongst themselves, wondering why since things with Eunjang hadn't been settled. It had been a year since the conflict, so they thought maybe Donald didn't want to deal with them and focused on dealing with current problems.

"Kingsley has told me that Manwol, now run by Myles Joo, has been causing problems for the Union during my absence," Donald said. "It seems that Myles still decided to go against Union. I've broken his leg last time so maybe I should make him permanently wheelchair bound so that he won't ever go against the Union ever again. Kingsley will inform you guys the time and location,"

"Also," Donald glared at everyone. "If any of you are doubting my strength and capabilities due to my prolonged absence, come and fight me now. I'll prove that I am still the ruler of Yeongdeungpo,"

No one dared to challenge him. Wolf thought about fighting him, but he felt that there was something a bit off about Donald. Although Donald hid it well, Wolf could tell that Donald was on higher alert than usual, as if he were on edge.

After a few minutes of tense silence, Donald dismissed everyone. Kingsley followed Donald back to Alex's house where Donald allowed himself to shift into his hybrid form. His instincts had been telling him that he was near dangerous people, even if the Union members were nowhere near as dangerous as Mad Dog Arena had been.

"It's okay now," Kingsley hugged Donald tightly. "You're safe. No one will ever hurt you again," He wished he had the strength and power to be able to destroy Mad Dog Arena to avenge Donald, but he knew he could do nothing if even the government couldn't stop them.

XXX

"You made a public return," Alex confronted Donald after having seen the numerous Shuttle Patch posts. "Isn't that dangerous and risky?" It wasn't that Alex cared about Donald, but he was ultimately concerned about Mad Dog Arena also finding out Gray's location and kidnapping him again. Alright, he was slightly worried about Donald's safety too but he wasn't going to admit it out loud.

"The Union is my only source of income," Donald told him. "And I don't intend to remain in the shadows forever. The Union has weakened significantly since my disappearance so I'm going to build it back up. I intend for my brother and I to eventually move out of your house,"

"The posts mentioned that you said Eunjang was off limits,"

"If cub does eventually return to school, I don't want him to get caught in the crossfire of Union conflicts," Donald said. "And...since you guys have helped so much, I'd rather the Union not bother you and your friends,"

Myles is going to regret becoming the new leader of Manwol.