Not anymore

~Damon~

How could this be?

How could she be the one?

The same girl I saved two years ago was the woman chosen to be my wife. A woman chosen to tie me down and cage me!

And the worst part, she was my mate. The moon goddess bound her to me! 

My wolf growled in my head, expressing his shock too.

Two days ago, as I saw her standing on the ceremonial circle, I couldn't believe my fate and my luck. 

In a different circumstance, I would have been more than glad to meet her again. I would have been more than happy to mark and claim her. Happy to make her my Luna…

But not anymore.

Now I hate her. Now I feel nothing but hatred for her because she's the arrow used to keep me locked.

I refilled my glass cup with another whiskey, ready to drown myself in alcohol. 

I couldn't concentrate so I had to order the driver to turn the car around and miss my Alpha classes for the day. 

How could Lily be the very dagger pointing at me?

“Lily…why did it have to be you?”

Saying her name made my insides burn. I was in pain. I was in agony.

Two years ago, I met her at Silver Pack where I had gone to visit my maternal family. I saved her from some bunch of stupid slave traders. The day was turning out to be the happiest day of my life.

But my happiness was cut short. 

Because on that night of the same day, my parents died in a ghastly accident on their way to Silver Pack to pick me up. Leaving me an orphan and with a burden of leading my Pack. At just seventeen years. 

My teeth clasped as I downed another glass of whiskey. The cold and burning sensation sending my teeth clenching but wanting more. 

“My Alpha.”

I heard a voice and my Alpha senses quickly heightened. I hissed, recalling vividly I clearly warned that I didn’t want to be disturbed. 

But sensing it was a familiar person, I relaxed. 

“Elder Wraith is in the meeting hall,” Logan, my best friend and Beta, announced walking in. 

I heard his legs pause and I could feel his eyes scan me. Most definitely checking out my mood.

“But—then, you don't have to see him now. I could tell him you are training or something,” he muttered quietly, taking the seat beside me on the counter.

Elder wraith, my maternal uncle and the only family I had left after my parents death. He was from my maternal pack. The same silver pack that cost my parents life. 

After the death of my parents, I hated anything with silver in it. But then, Uncle Wraith was my only family left and by our laws which I sometimes thought was stupid, I couldn't take over the pack until I turned twenty. 

It was either I hand over the Alphaship to another family or allow him to guide me while I lead. 

My teeth grounded as the memories of how it had been ever since then with him flashed. 

I took the last gulp of my drink and stood up. Shifting a meeting with my uncle only pushed the conversation further. And I could never avoid it even if I wanted. 

I strode into the meeting hall some minutes after. 

My uncle had already made himself comfortable in his special seat. The seat beside where the Alpha sat. 

Each time he sat there when it was just us talking, it was an indication he wanted to talk about important matters. Put precisely, his ruthless approach to lead the pack. 

“Uncle, you sent for–”

He cut me off immediately. 

“Why did you stop the seer from carrying out the wedding?”

So this was it… the reason he sent for me? 

My jaw tensed but I refused to give away my emotions. 

“She cannot be trusted yet.”

His eyes narrowed. “I selected her for you. You think I didn't check that first?”

“She could be here to take revenge for the death of her father. I have to find out her true intentions first,” I replied immediately, forcing my voice to remain plain and clear. 

He looked at me and grunted, his long, white and well carved beards moving slightly. Like he was considering my excuse worthy or not.

“We will be having some guests from Harrow Wood pack. As soon as they arrive, treat them well and finally, have Logan kill them once they cross the boundary.”

My jaw dropped. “Uncle–” I looked at him, anger roared in my stomach. 

“I'll send some men,” I said, barely holding myself back, barely keeping my wolf in his cage. When all I wanted was to howl, growl and smash something. 

What more does he want from me?

He said a true man was not to be tied to one woman and must be ready to forge alliances with as many women as possible, I took concubines. 

He said I needed a Luna to be taken seriously, I took one in. 

Now he wanted me to openly push my best friend to commit murder, in extension, pushing him to his death. He knew there would be consequences if Logan murdered our guests. It was either Harrow Wood pack come for war or the head of the perpetrator is demanded. 

Yet he wanted me to send him. 

“Please…I will send some men,” I repeated, almost as if I was begging my head to stay in character. 

“Logan should do it. A man operating alone is far superior to having a lot of men on one task. He must be discreet.”

I was going to remain in character but then something in me snapped–the knot holding my restraint. “Is it necessary?”

He squinted at me, half shocked, almost as if he didn't expect I'd challenge his orders. 

He leaned up in his seat, his everly piercing gaze locking me. “Damon, you must ascertain your power. I'm doing all this for you, for your reputation and for this Pack. One day you will see all I've done for you and you'll thank me for it.”

He stood up and faced the door. As he walked towards it, he spoke again. “And finally, I've selected a new date with the seer. Your wedding will be held in a fortnight.”

“Uncle Wraith!” I growled, my sense of restraints completely forgone. 

He stopped, and tilted his head until his gaze was locked hard on me. As if challenging me to say another word, to try and defy his orders.

But I couldn't. 

My lips trembled. My body could only shake.

I could not defy my uncle. I had a lot to lose and he knew it. I'd lose the pack my parents suffered so much to build, their name and legacy taken away. But soon all of this would end. Very soon.

Without another word, he turned around and walked out. 

That was when I realized I'd been clenching my fists for far too long. And my knuckles were now pale and numb. 

“It’s for the good of the pack?! For my own good and reputation?!” 

My bones cracked as his flimsy excuse for his horrible demands rang in my head.

It was his usual line each time he wanted to manipulate and control me. 

Damnit!

I swung my arms and my fist landed on the wall. Blood splattered all over my knuckles. 

I'd do everything else but wedding Aria Samuel is what I'd never do. Wedding her completely leaves me at my uncle's mercy and control. 

And I'd never do it. I must stop this wedding at all costs.