05

Damien's POV

She finally said yes.

This is what I’ve been trying to do so far, and she has been stubborn. I watched her terrified expression as she agreed to my demands. She has no idea what she has just done, and no idea what I have planned for her. But it doesn’t matter. What matters is that she belongs to me now.

She’s mine. My mate, Amelia Sanders.

Of course, she doesn’t know that yet, and I have no intention of telling her—at least not now. Not when I know it’s very amusing to watch her struggle and try to get away from me. Besides, she doesn’t have a wolf for her to find out, and I have my suspicions as to why. But I won’t know for sure unless she stays with me.

She doesn’t even realize what makes her different, why she’s so special. But I do. That’s why I’m not letting her go. She looked at me like I was some kind of monster. I don’t really mind. I’ve been called worse. Besides, everyone has their own impressions and ideas of me. I don’t really have time to start explaining or justifying what others think of me.

She wrapped the sheet slightly around her, her body trembling, but I could see the fire in her eyes. She’s stubborn—that much is clear. She’s someone who hates being powerless, and that just makes the whole thing more entertaining for me. It’s fun to see her in a position she doesn’t ever want to be in.

“You got what you wanted,” she said coldly. “Now let me leave.”

I leaned back against the headboard, watching her.

“I never said you couldn’t leave. But I’ll be picking you up again in the evening, so don’t get too comfortable back home—or even think of running away.”

She turned sharply.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” she snapped.

I smirked.

“I like you, Amelia. And I always get what I want.”

Her hands clenched into fists.

“You don’t own me, Damien. Stop acting like a jerk, you annoying bastard!”

I love that she’s always feisty and angry. I knew she wasn’t going to get obedient easily—until I find a way to talk to her. The moment I stepped into that party, I already smelled her from a mile away. She was my mate. And I saw very different things. But of course, last night was not my first time meeting her. It’s just her first time meeting me. She won’t know that until another day, because it’s a very long story.

I was looking for the perfect opportunity to get close to her, but it’s a good thing she has useless friends that pushed her to me—and I made sure I warned them yesterday.

“Judging from the way you all are looking at me, you know who I am. Then I don’t need to hide it from you anymore. Amelia doesn’t know who I am, and she doesn’t need to know yet. She is my mate, and that’s the truth. If you dare mock my mate or laugh at her again, I’m going to come for you. Most importantly, if you dare tell her anything about me… let’s be good, and nothing will happen to you. Understand?”

They were all obedient enough to not tell her anything even though I could see that they were trying to say something to her. But they wouldn't dare to tell her anyway. Back to Amelia, she looked really angry.

I tilted my head, amused.

“I don’t? Then why are you still here arguing with me? I thought you wanted to go home.”

She let out an angry cough and turned toward the closet, grabbing the clothes I had set out for her. I watched her storm into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her.

How adorable. The sound only made me chuckle.

I stretched out lazily and called my beta, Lucas, through the mind link.

—Come into my room. You’ll be taking Amelia back to her pack.—

Lucas was silent for a moment before he responded.

—Understood, Alpha—

By the time Amelia came out, fully dressed in a simple black dress, her long hair still damp, Lucas was already waiting outside the door. She shot me one last glare, her lips pressed together in a tight line.

“You’re still standing here?” she hissed. “If I ever see you again, it will be too soon.”

I grinned, standing up slowly.

“Oh, you’ll see me again. Tonight.”

Her whole body stiffened and she looked at me like she wanted to gouge out my eyes.

“I’m not coming back here. In your dreams.”

I took a step closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

“Do you really want to test me, Amelia?”

For a second, she looked unsure, like she was debating whether or not she could fight back. Then she scoffed.

“Go to hell.”

I just smirked and watched her leave. Of course, she’s going to be back here.

After saying that, she turned on her heel and stormed out angrily, pushing past Lucas. Lucas glanced at me, waiting for my order.

“Make sure she gets home safely,” I instructed.

He hesitated for a moment before asking,

“Why didn’t you just tell her?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Tell her what?”

“That she’s your mate?” he responded.

I smirked.

“Where’s the fun in that?”

Lucas sighed, shaking his head.

“This game is kind of dangerous, Alpha. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“I always do,” I replied smoothly.

I walked to the window, watching as Amelia got into the car, still fuming. It only made me chuckle. She was going to hate me even more when she realized she can’t escape me.

That thought alone made me look forward to tonight.

.......

I arrived at the meeting hall later that afternoon.

As usual, the other alphas were already gathered around the long table, their expressions tense. They all hated me. Feared me. Yet, they still invited me to these stupid meetings.

Alpha Garret, the one who always thought he had some sort of authority over me, was the first to speak. "You’re late."

I took my seat at the head of the table, completely ignoring him. "Let’s get this over with."

"The border issues are getting worse," another alpha, Matthias, spoke up. "Your pack is too aggressive. They keep attacking our patrols."

I shrugged. "Then keep your men off my land."

Garret slammed his fist on the table. "You can’t just do whatever you want!"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Can’t I?"

His face turned red with anger, but he didn’t say anything else. He wouldn’t. None of them would.

They hated me, but they were too afraid to challenge me.

The meeting continued, filled with their pointless complaints and weak threats. I barely listened. None of it mattered to me. None of them mattered.

After an hour of useless talk, I stood up. "This meeting is over."

Garret scowled. "We’re not done—"

I cut him off with a single glare. "I am."

Without another word, I walked out of the room, ignoring their furious whispers.

I had more important things to do. Like seeing Amelia again. It's going to be time for us to meet soon so I'll pick her up my myself this time.