Chapter 12

Damien’s POV

The night air hit my skin, sending goosebumps through my body. I shivered slightly, walking towards the stable where I had kept my horse. The sounds of music and laughter from the hall was loud, echoing through the night. I huffed in annoyance as I approached my horse that was tied together with others. 

The stable boy ran up to meet me just to confirm I was not taking a horse that didn't belong to me and on recognizing me he bowed and scurried away. 

My mind had already begun to work out several plans that I could use to get to Simeon. It was going to be tough— no doubt, especially since even though his pack was weak, he was one of the strongest out of the weak ones. I racked my brain, trying to remember if Alpha Simeon had any enemy pack I could pay off to attack them and then come in as a knight in shining armor to help them, but of course— a daunting condition will be attached and he, out of desperation would have no choice than to accept. 

I smiled to myself as I led my horse from the stables and then climbed on.

Who said he had to have an enemy pack that he would need help against when I could simply get him an enemy pack? I would get one of the stronger Alpha's to attack. An alpha who was greedy enough to do that for money or maybe access to a trading route without paying the fees for a year. 

My pack— blood moon had a good number of routes; alpha's had to pay a heavy sum to allow trades between other packs. I was at a centered point and it was easy for me to ruin packs by restricting them access. 

I would get just one alpha who would launch an attack on them and threaten to cut off trading routes if they don't, then approach Simeon. 

I could have decided to cut off access to black Thorne so they won't be able to use our trading routes, but I needed to get closer to Olivia so I could not afford to come off as harsh to him. I needed to look harmless to Simeon so that he would trust me. 

Taking in a deep breath, I tugged on my horse and pulled the reigns so it could leave the vicinity. I could have gone back into the hall to find an alpha to discuss with but not now. Not after that drama, I could not go back. 

I would return to my pack and wait a day before visiting any pack I knew would adhere to my instructions. Moreover, I needed to consult Austin on it first. 

The wind bit my skin harshly and roared in my ears as I rode. I wondered how Olivia had been able to escape with the level of security that was in my pack. Something was telling me Brielle had to do with it but I didn't have proof of that yet. However, the moment I had proof of that, I would punish her even more. 

She had the audacity to come back with the intention of betraying me. I shook my head and gave a light hearted laugh. How foolish of her to think that she had the upper hand. How foolish of her to think that I was desperate enough not to deny her as Luna in that banquet. And she just had to play the card of being pregnant like I wanted a child from her. 

I'd rather die than allow my off spring to share her tainted blood. 

I arrived at my own pack a few hours later. The palace gates were opened swiftly for me and as I approached the royal stables, I slowed my horse to a trot. I jumped down, handing the reins to the stable boy who bowed to me. He took the horse sway, whistling as he walked. 

Sighing, I ran my hand through my hair in frustration and then walked to the entrance of the palace. The guards greeted as I walked by but my mind was a haven of chaos so I paid them no mind. 

"You're back soon," Austin said, running up to meet me as soon as he saw me. "Where is... She?" He asked, like her name was a plague or a curse he could not mention.

"Oh? Brielle?" I chuckled shaking my head. "The bitch," I cursed in an icy cold voice. 

"I take it the banquet did not go well? Am I right?" He questioned as we approached the grand staircase. "Because I do not see her beside you."

I let out a breathy laugh, my eyes hardening as I assessed him. "Guess what?" I asked.

"I'm not ready to play the guessing game now," Austin grinned. "All I can guess is that things did not go as planned."

"Brielle was only here to betray me," I said, annoyance coursing through my veins as we reached the landing. "Stupid little bitch. She thinks she's smart."

"Betray you, how?"

"I saw her in a corner with alpha Axel, it was all a plan against me."

"Oh?" Austin questioned, looking surprised. "You're being vague."

"The story is long so it does not matter, I did humiliate her in turn."

"Did you now?"

"Of course," I grinned, leaning on the banister. "You don't humiliate me and go scot free."

"Uh, oh... What did you do?"

"Introduced her as my mistress... She brought out papers claiming she was pregnant. Of course I told her to abort," I laughed. "You should have seen her face."

I pushed myself off the banister and strode to the other end of the large expanse of room, towards one of the floor to ceiling windows, looking at the ground beneath where soldiers and servants walked idly about.

"Well... That's one hell of a humiliation," he commented, his lips curving downwards into a smirk. "What will you do about... The Lumia pack? Alpha Knox gave you an ultimatum to present a Luna tonight."

"I'll talk to him... If he can give me two weeks to a month," I shrugged. "I'll definitely have a Luna by then. I should even have an heir since he's so focused on stability."

"How?" Austin asked, laughing— his eyes crinkling up at the corners. "What do you want me to do now? Get a list of noble spinsters? Arrange for you to meet each and everyone of them and you take your pick as Luna?" He questioned, still laughing. 

"Should I also check if their hips are large enough for child bearing?" He continued, a teasing smile playing on his lips. 

"None of that is necessary." I turned to face him squarely, taking my gaze away from the activity going on outside the window. "Olivia will be my Luna."

Austin snorted and burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter, pointing at me as he did so. "By the moon goddess! How hilarious are you Damien?"

I folded my arms across my chest, scowling at him. "It's not a joke."

"She's the Luna of blackthorne pack Damien," Austin said slowly, as if talking to a child who could not comprehend basic knowledge of something. "She is not going to become your Luna. She can't. Look at you, you trapped her here how many days ago and she was able to leave of her own accord. She doesn't even want to be with you Damien. The best you can do is focus on finding someone else.'"

"I don't share a mate bond with someone else. I shared one with her."

"And you rejected her, whose fault is that?" 

Only the moon goddess knew how much I hated Austin for being blunt. "I know I rejected her. But now I am accepting her back."

"Things don't work that way," he patted me on the back. 

"Oh, I won't give her much of a choice," I said firmly. I began walking to another flight of stairs so I could go to my study, I needed to plan critically in order for me to strategize in the best way possible. I was Alpha Damien and I always got what I want— nothing had ever stopped me, and nothing was going to stop from having Olivia, and of course— my son, Jeremy. 

"And how exactly do you plan on doing that?" He asked, lifting his brows in a questioning manner as he followed me. "Last I checked, you don't even have access to her. She's probably back in the arms of her husband."

"I don't have access to her, but trust me, soon enough I will. And I will take her, and claim what belongs to me," I said with a smile. We reached the top of the second landing and I strode to the door of my study, pushing the door open. The air smelled slightly musty with old books but also had the scent of rose and cinnamon. It was refreshing. "Simeon... He'll have no choice."

"You already have a plan in mind don't you?" Asked Austin with a grin.