Chapter nine

As Alpha Damon reflects upon his actions in his chamber, jealousy etches on his face, overtaking his usual composed demeanor. The memory of Princess Lana's fervent pleas to spare Hunter’s life ignites a simmering anger within him.

In just three weeks since her arrival, she seems to have fallen head over heels for his Beta. Recalling her shamelessness when she asks why he can't spare Hunter only intensifies his anger and frustration.

“His worst crime is coveting you. What is mine can't be coveted by others. Even if I don't want you, I won't let any other man dream of having you.”

He winces as he recalls his unintended outburst, and the sting of remorse tugs at his conscience. Before he can delve too deeply into his regret, sudden, sharp knocks on the door interrupt his thoughts, jerking him out of his envious thoughts.

“Come in or leave,” he snarls, and the door creaks open, revealing his uncle, Elder Devon, and his cousin, Declan.

Devon Blackthorne, the only brother of the previous Alpha, Damien Blackthorne, has been the First Elder of the Black Pack for more than three decades.

Damon raises a lazy brow at his two relatives. “What’s with the sudden visit?” He asks coldly, and Declan is about to answer when his uncle slowly speaks.

“Exiling the chief guard Beta, surely has made you the talk of the Pack. Your decision echoes through every corner. What could Hunter have possibly done, Alpha?”

“Oh, so this is about Hunter?” He grumbles with irritation, but Elder Devon ignores his tone and continues.

“Yes, it is. Can you forgive his unruliness and pardon him for his family's sake? I heard his mother almost fainted when she heard he was demoted and exiled.”

Alpha Damon's eyes narrow, his amusement turning colder. “We both know forgiveness isn't a luxury I indulge in easily. Hunter is aware his actions will bear consequences, and I won't make exceptions.”

Elder Devon and his son share a gaze before his voice softens as he pleads, “Alpha, Hunter has been a loyal servant for years. One misstep shouldn't define him. Consider the years of his family’s dedication and contributions to the Black Pack. He has a family to support. Please, for the sake of mercy.”

Alpha Damon leans back, studying his uncle with a calculating gaze. “My mercy is earned, not begged for.”

Elder Devon persists, “I would like to know what Hunter did that made you take this drastic step against him. Everyone in this Pack knows his loyalty to you is unwavering. A lesser man would have abandoned his duties long ago.”

Damon remains silent for a moment, the weight of his decision hangs in the air.

“I won't revert my decision. If his family has a problem with it, they can take it up with the council, and we will meet in court.” He responds firmly, his resolve unyielding.

“Can we at least know what he did? I heard that he.. uhm..attempted to sleep with your second—” He cut in abruptly before Elder Devon could finish his words.

“She’s not my second mate. I will never recognize her as my mate.” The edge in his voice speaks volumes about the unspoken tension between him and the Red Pack’s Princess.

Elder Devon exchanges a glance with his son, uncertainty lingering in the air. He sighs deeply and attempts to rephrase his next question, because he can already see that Alpha Damon is close to anger.

“If you exiled Hunter, what would you do about the Red Pack’s Princess?”

“It’s up to me to dispose of her,” Damon responds coldly, his words cutting through the air with an icy resolve. Despite the nagging feeling in his chest, he steels himself against any hint of empathy towards Princess Lana.

He has perceived the potent mate scent on her numerous times. Each whiff provokes a deep, and unsettling sensation inside him. His chest cramps with irritation as he recalls the sensual position he caught her in with Hunter.

“So, where exactly is she?” Declan asks, speaking for the first time since their arrival.

Alpha Damon's eyes narrow at Declan, he throws a cold glare in his direction.

“She’s in the dungeon.”

“What!” The shock in the voices of father and son is palpable as their eyes widen in disbelief.

“You can’t keep her in the dungeon. She’s the Red Pack Princess. What if this causes a huge conflict between the Packs?” Elder Devon exclaims, unable to fathom his nephew’s callous actions.

Alpha Damon leans back on the three-seater sofa and wears a cold smirk on his lips. “How? Isn't she paying for her brother's sins?” He questions with a calculated tone.

“But, Alpha, we don't even have enough evidence to convict the Red Pack Alpha for his crimes. Even if he is guilty, we are supposed to charge this to the Alpha court. He is one of the members of the Alpha Council, treating his sister this way can escalate to a much larger issue,” Declan interjects, his concern etched on his face.

Damon scoffs. “Let it escalate. He willingly brought her here to appease my anger, so he probably doesn't care what happens to her. She's staying in the dungeon until I decide what to do with her.”

Elder Devon's frustration is evident as he returns. “Alpha, with all due respect, you're jeopardizing the stability of the Black Pack with his decision. The seven indigenous Packs don't dare to fight us because they are suffering from inner conflicts, and they are aware of our strength. Even though the Red Pack Alpha plotted the sneak attack on you, and brought his sister here to pay for his crimes, he still wouldn't want her to be a prisoner in our Pack. She may be your second mate after all. Think about the consequences.”

Alpha Damon's penetrating cold eyes narrow as he leans forward, his tone cold and decisive. “I don't need advice from you.. She's my prisoner, and I'll decide her fate.”

Devon Blackthorne's eyes widened with shock at his conclusion. “Alpha, you're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. If she is your second chance mate, mistreating her will only lead to more problems.”

Alpha Damon leans back, his expression unyielding. “I don't believe in mates after what happened with Sera. The connection is a weakness, and I won't let it control me.”

Declan, sensing the tension, cautiously adds, “But what if the Red Pack Princess truly is your second chance mate? You can't deny the mate bond.”

Damon's jaw tightens, and he dismisses them with a wave of his hand. “Enough. I've made my decision. She stays in the dungeon until further notice.”

Elder Devon and Declan trade disappointed glances, realizing their stubborn Alpha won't yield or see reason with them. However, their concern for potential conflicts within the werewolf land and the repercussions of mistreating a potential mate weighs gravely in their heart.

As they leave their Alpha’s chamber, Declan turns to his father. “Do you think he'll ever accept the possibility of a second chance mate? He was so obsessed with his first mate.”

Elder Devon sighs. “Time will tell, my son. For now, we need to monitor the situation and ensure the Red Pack Princess's safety.”

Alpha Damon seethes with anger as Elder Devon and his son, Declan, leave. Their departing words linger in the air, intensifying his infuriation.

A sudden knock interrupts his thoughts, and he snaps, unwilling to tolerate any intrusion. However, his irritation softens as a familiar, soothing voice reaches his ears.

He grumbles softly as Serafina, his first mate, appears, “what is it now?”

Sera strolls into the chamber with a seductive smile on her lips. “Aren't you thrilled to have my company now that you've got a potential second chance mate?” she taunts, a flicker of jealousy flickering in her eyes before she conceals it from Damon's view.

Alpha Damon heaves a sigh, wearied by the relentless focus on the Red Pack's Princess. Each conversation about her chips away at his resolve to be as ruthless as he intended.

“Please, not another discussion about the Red Pack's Princess.”

“Relax, I come bearing good news,” Serafina quips as she joins Alpha Damon on his long sofa.

As she approaches, Damon notices the underlying jealousy in her eyes. Though it is skillfully hidden behind a façade of indifference, he sees the same jealousy he is also trying to hide in her gaze and it makes me feel extremely guilty.

“So, what's the good news?” he asks, trying to mask his guilt, but their closeness only intensifies his remorse as his mind involuntarily recalls the potent mate scent emanating from the Red Pack Princess whenever he's near her.

The same scent used to be present with Serafina, but now it's conspicuously absent, irritating him to no end.

“The wizard says there's a way to recover our bond without your second chance mate’s blood.”

“Oh, when did he say this?” Alpha Damon inquires, but the good news unexpectedly doesn't make him as thrilled as he feels it should.

A bright smile appears on Serafina’s lips as she traces a sensual pattern on his chest. “This morning, he told me that his friend who observes the Moon and celestial patterns reveals that we will be having a Blue Moon for the next Full Moon.”

“The Blue Moon that makes marked she-wolves go into Heat?” He asks in surprise and Serafina nods eagerly.

“Yes, the good news is, it also rekindles the bond of werewolves with their existing mates if they mark each other under the moonlight. So, if you mark me under the Blue Moon, our previous bond may return.” Serafina replies gleefully, her gaze fixated on him to gauge his reaction.

Alpha Damon remains silent after her revelation. He is astonished about this new approach, but marking her under a possibility brews a conflict within him.

“Why don't we just send the Red Pack Princess back to her brother?” Serafina suggests when Damon continues his silence, and her pale eyes search his penetrating ones for a reply.

The Black Pack Alpha shakes his head, a surge of discomfort coursing through him at the mere idea of sending the Red Pack’s Princess back to her Pack.

“No, she stays. Since she's already here, we should use her blood to rekindle our connection.” he insists firmly.

“If her blood rekindles our bond, it will confirm that she's your second chance mate. What will you do about her then? Will you abandon her to be with me?”