Chapter Four: Enemies and Rivals

Elena didn't stop at the kitchen. She continued running until she was in the parking lot next to her car. Suddenly, he was there in front of her. She never saw or heard him move, another downside to not having her own wolf.

"Why did you run?" he asked quietly. She could feel the restrained power behind his words. He was one of the most powerful wolves she had ever met. 

"W-who are y-you?" she stammered.

"Well, I should think it would be clear that I'm your fated mate. Unless you really are stupid like they all say, which I highly doubt."

"N-not what I m-meant," she sniffled.

"My name is Damien, but I would have thought you'd have remembered me. I know it's been 11 years, but I'm not that unforgettable."

"Damien? But no one has seen you since that day."

He gazed into her eyes. "I came back because another attempt was made on my father's life. All signs point to one of his Alphas. He's getting older and can't lead the search on his own. I'll be taking over his position soon, so it's time we finally get rid of these traitors."

"What were you doing outside my house last night?" she asked.

"That was just a coincidence. We were hunting and came across a mountain lion tracking something. Little did we know it was tracking you. You do know there are rogues around here, right? If we had been anyone else, you could have been in a lot of trouble. We need to talk about this mate situation."

Elena stood quietly as a tear slipped down her cheek. For a second, she had thought everything was going to be wonderful. This was her childhood friend. Surely, he wouldn't abandon her, too? But naturally, like everything else in her life, this would turn out badly.

"You don't have a wolf? I can't smell her," Damien said.

"No, I don't."

"Listen. You must not tell a single soul that we are mates. As far as the world is concerned, Ramona will be my Luna. That's just how it has to be. She is strong and can protect herself and the pack."

"I understand," Elena whispered before turning back to the restaurant. She went to the bathroom to clean her face, only to run straight into Mona and her three friends. They were clearly there for one reason—to torment Elena some more.

"Oh, there's the slut! You think you can talk to my fiancé?!" screamed Mona.

"I was just trying to take your order," Elena responded.

CRACK!

Ramona slapped Elena across the face. "You little bitch! You listen to me. You stay away from my man, or I'll beat your wolfless ass."

Elena sank to the floor, crying, as the four women laughed and sashayed their way back to their table. After a few minutes, she stood up and washed her face. She couldn't do anything about the glaring red mark Mona's hand left on her cheek.

She straightened her back, put a smile on her face, and went back to the group's table to finish taking their order. The entire time she was there, Damien kept staring at the red mark on her cheek with concern in his eyes.

Eventually, the group left, but not without one more smouldering look from Damien. He didn't want her to be his mate in public, but his eyes held a heat that said he couldn't deny their connection.

The rest of the night was uneventful and ended with an equally boring drive home. This time, instead of being surprised by a mountain lion and wolf pack, she was greeted by Gail at the door. 

"I think it's time we talked," Gail said. "I know who that was at the restaurant tonight."

"Oh? What does that have to do with me?"

"A lot more than you could imagine," Gail responded. She handed Elena a cold glass of Coke and invited her to the sitting room. When they were both comfortable, she began with the events of that birthday party.

"So, you weren't there just because your dad was friends with the Alpha King. You were there because your father was his Beta."

"What?" Elena gasped.

"Alpha King Roland didn't trust James like he trusted your father, so he selected another Beta. It was always expected that Damien would choose you as his Beta when you were both older. There was even hope that you might be his fated Luna. Unfortunately, you haven't received your wolf yet."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I know why Damien is here. There's been talk of another assassination attempt on the Alpha King. He's searching for the killer. I just want to prepare you because I'm afraid of what this will turn up. Your parents were good people who loved and supported the Alpha King. That's enough to have had them murdered," said Gail.

"Murdered? You mean the accident?" asked Elena.

"I've always thought that car accident was suspicious. Your father was meticulous about caring for his vehicles. The brakes shouldn't have failed. But if someone was behind it, they covered their tracks well."

Elena sat in silence, mulling over everything Gail had just said. Her father wasn't just a high-ranking wolf. He had been the Beta to the actual Alpha King. And someone may have killed him and her mother. Any other time this information would have made her cry, but today, she'd had enough.

Her blood boiled. The little hairs on her arm were standing on end with the energy coursing through her body. She was angry, and she was ready to take back what was hers.

"Elena! Your eyes!" Gail yelled.

Elena looked in the mirror over the fireplace to see her eyes shining a cold, hard silver. And just like that, it was gone. She looked at her aunt for a brief second before darkness overtook her, and she passed out in the chair.