Chapter 3

Damon’s POV

I was going to burn the forest down.

It was the only logical reaction because I had woken up on the cold ground… and she was gone like I had only imagined her.

My mate had vanished and I had tracked her scent to the river, and then—nothing. It washed away. Gone just like that. What the actual fuck?

Who runs from their mate? Especially after... that?

The memory of the night before crashed into me. Her skin, her heat and the way she had screamed my name. Wait, no, she hadn't screamed my name at first.

Kade. She had called me Kade.

I slammed my fist onto the mahogany desk in my office and the wood splintered.

Why had she called me Kade? Was she confused? Delirious from the heat? Or was she someone who knew Kade?

I had spent the morning tearing through the patrol logs, taking my time to personally interrogate the border guards.

No one had seen a woman leaving the territory which meant that she was still here… she had to be.

"Alpha?"

I looked up and Thorne, my Beta, was standing in the doorway. He looked tired. "You have a new archivist starting today… for the history logs."

"I don't care," I snarled. "Send her away."

"You requested this three months ago, Damon," Thorne responded patiently. "The files are a mess and she is qualified. Top of her class."

I rubbed my temples. "Fine, send her in, but make it quick."

Thorne nodded and stepped aside. "Come in."

A small figure walked into the office. She was clutching a bag to her chest like a shield.

My heart gave a stupid, painful thud. Aria Vale.

Kade’s girlfriend or ex. I couldn't keep up with their drama. I don’t care if I’m being honest.

She looked... dim. That was the only word for it. Usually, Aria had a glow, but today, she looked pale. She was wearing a thick turtleneck sweater, which was odd for the weather, and she smelled like an industrial cleaning closet… again.

"Aria?" I asked.

She jumped. "Damon... uh, Alpha Damon. I didn't know... I didn't know you were the direct supervisor."

"I oversee all pack operations," I said and stood up.

Why did I stand up? I sat back down.

"Right," she was staring at the floor. "I’m here for the archive job."

"Thorne said you were qualified.” My voice sounded too harsh. I tried to soften it. "Are you okay? You look sick."

"I'm fine," she said quickly. "Just a cold. That's why the... the smell. Vapor rub."

"It smells like bleach," I noted.

She flinched. "It's a strong brand."

I watched her. There was something off. My wolf was pacing in my head, sniffing at the air, agitated. He liked Aria, he had always liked Aria. She was kind, she was quiet and she deserved better than Kade.

But today, my wolf was pulling toward her in a way that made me uncomfortable. It wasn't just 'like,’ it was 'want.’

I pushed the feeling down. Disgusting, I told myself. She’s your brother’s girl. And you have a mate out there somewhere.

"The files are in the back room," I gestured to the oak door behind me. "It's dusty. You might want a mask."

"I'm fine," she repeated.

She walked past my desk and as she passed, a tiny draft of air moved with her.

For a split second, underneath the chemical stench, I caught it… a faint, ghostly scent.

Rain.

I froze. "Stop."

Aria froze. Her back was to me and her shoulders were rigid.

"Come here,"

She turned around slowly. Her eyes, those strange, amber eyes with the silver flecks were wide with terror. "Yes?"

I stood up and walked around the desk and stopped just inches away from her.

She was so small, the top of her head barely reaching my chest.

I leaned down as I watched her tremble visibly even if she tried to hide it.

"Did you go into the woods yesterday?" I asked.

"No," she answered but her heart was beating so fast I could hear it. Thump-thump-thump.

"You're lying," I whispered. "Your heart is racing."

"Y-you… make me nervous," she stammered. "You're... intimidating."

I stared at her. Was it her? No. It couldn't be. Aria was with Kade. She loved Kade and she wouldn't have slept with a stranger in the woods. Plus she definitely wouldn't hide it from me, Aria was terrible at lying.

And yet... the rain.

"Does Kade know you're working here?" I asked.

"No," she shook her head . "And I don't want him to. We... we aren't together right now."

"Good," I said. The word slipped out before I could stop it.

She blinked. "Good?"

"He doesn't deserve you," I said bluntly. "He's a boy. You need a man."

Her breath hitched and pupils dilated.

I wanted to reach out and touch her. I wanted to rip that ugly sweater off her and I wanted to see her neck.

Why did I want to see her neck? Get a hold of yourself Damon.

"I should get to work," she squeaked.

She practically ran into the archive room and slammed the door.

I stood there, staring at the wood grain. My hands were shaking.

I walked back to my desk and sat down, putting my head in my hands.

I had marked a mystery woman last night.

I was also obsessed with finding her and yet, five minutes in a room with my brother's ex-girlfriend, and I wanted to throw her onto my desk and claim her.

What is wrong with me?

I growled low in my throat.

"Find her," I commanded my wolf. "Find our mate before I do something unforgivable."

But my wolf didn't answer because he was too busy fussing over my brother’s girl.

I picked up a file and tried to read, but the words swam. All I could think about was the fear in Aria's eyes and the faint, impossible scent of rain.