Chapter 7 : shadow of the past

Shadows of the past

I stood frozen, my wrists bound by cold metal ropes. The warriors on either side of me dragged me through the forest. The air was damp and smelled of moss and pine. My jaw was clenched, my mind racing.

Damien. Just his name made my blood boil. I was so angry when I heard it. Now, I was being dragged back to him like a prisoner.

We came out of the forest and into the pack's territory. The massive gates loomed ahead, shining in the moonlight. My stomach twisted, but I kept my head high. I wouldn't show weakness. Not in front of him.

The pack's homes and buildings were neat and well-kept. Warriors stood in lines, watching me. Some looked curious, others admiring. A few seemed wary, but none spoke.

I was pulled to a stop in front of them. They bowed, like I was an important guest. Damien stood at the top of the steps, watching me.

"You brought me here," I said sharply. "Get to the point."

Damien's eyes flickered with amusement. He gestured, and the warriors released me. I rubbed my sore wrists.

"Your mother is alive," he muttered and my breath stopped.

The word tilts, my chest tightening in a way I can’t control. No. No, this is a trick. I whispered.

I felt like I'd been punched. "That's a lie."

Damien's face didn't change. "I have no reason to lie."

I glared at him, my heart beating. This couldn't be true. My mother had died. I'd spent years grieving, cursing the gods for taking her from me.

But what if….. what if he’s telling the truth?, I thought to myself.

I shook the thought away. “And that’s why you captured me?” My voice was sharp, cutting. “To reunite me with the mother I thought was dead?”

Damien's eyes locked on mine without a response. Then, he spoke again.

"I lost my Luna, Brielle."

I didn't care. That wasn't why I was here.

"I need an heir," he said, his voice firm. "I need a breeder." “I have tried to produce an heir for years. None have succeeded.” He took a step forward, his tone unwavering.

I laughed, a bitter sound. "You must be out of your mind."

Damien's jaw tightened. But his expression remains unreadable. "You're strong, Olivia. Stronger than I knew."

“Spare me. You never thought I was worthy of anything.” I scoffed.

“I made a mistake.” He exhaled slowly.

I stepped closer, my voice trembled with fury. “A mistake?” I laugh bitterly. “You made me stab a man in the woods, Damien. The same man who picked me up from the ruin you left me in. The same man who saved me!”

Damien's face hardened. "You didn't believe me. You didn't listen to me." You wanted me gone, you threw me away like I was nothing. Of course, I am not back then. Not anymore,” I took a step closer. 

Damien's body went rigid. His eyes darkened.

"You were supposed to be my mate," I whispered. "But you destroyed everything." “You told me to kill our baby.” I finally muttered. 

A grave silence took place between us, only the heavy breath of the people watching that echoed from far away.

He swallowed hard. His fists clenched. "I'm still your mate."

"No," Damien. "You killed that bond with your hands." I shook my head.

Damien stepped closer, but I stepped back. "This is your pack, Olivia" he said, his voice low.

"No," I said firmly. "I don't belong here anymore."

Damien's voice softened. "We have been under attack. I need a strong Luna by my side."

"You had a Luna," I said coldly. "You lost her." letting out a humorless laugh.

Damien's eyes burned with seriousness, but I didn’t care. 

“I fought to prove my innocence. I begged you to believe me, and you turned your back on me.” I said, my voice rising.

I shook my head. "There's nothing left to fix."

Damien's jaw tightened. "You still love me."

I laughed, a cold, hard sound. "You're the last person I'd ever love."

Damien reached for me, his fingers brushing my wrist. I pulled away. "No."

His eyes darkened. "Olivia—"

"I reject you," I said firmly. "You're not my mate."

Damien's face twisted with rage and pain. But he brushed it off quickly.

"I'll take you to your mother," he said finally.

I folded my arms. "Now."

He watched me for a moment. Then, his expression turns unreadable. “On one condition.” He said with a cold voice.

I raised an eyebrow. "What condition?"

"You return to this pack," he said. "As my breeder."

I felt a chill run down my spine. I met his gaze, my heart pounding. Then I smiled, a bitter smile.

"If I survived thinking my mother was dead," I said quietly, "I can survive without seeing her."

Damien's face twisted in surprise. He took a deep breath, his body rigid.

"What have you become?" he whispered.

"A beast," I said, smiling.

The air was thick with tension. We stood there, locked in a silent battle. I felt the pack's gaze on us, but I didn't care. I wouldn't back down.

Finally, Damien spoke, his voice low and menacing. "We'll see about that."

I raised an eyebrow, a spark of defiance in my chest. “I was shaking with fear.”

Damien’s eyes filled with anger, but he turned and walked away. I watched him, my heart pounding with anticipation.

This isn’t over yet,” I said.

————————

I was furious, my anger boiling over as I paced back and forth in the small room they'd locked me in. My hands were clenched into fists, my nails digging into my palms. I couldn't believe I was being locked in there because of that fool, Damien. I should have killed him, that’s only if I’d had the chance.

 I thought back to the man who'd helped me, the one I'd stabbed with my own two hands. I felt a pang of guilt and regret. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I wondered if he was still alive. If anything, I needed to know if he was still alive. Was he fighting for his life? Was he already dead? My stomach twisted violently at the thought, but I forced myself to stay focused. I stormed toward the exit, my bare feet silent against the cold floor. Two guards stood outside, their hands resting on their weapons tied across their waist.

“You’re not allowed to leave,” one of them said firmly, immediately his gaze landed on me.

I glared at them. "Move," I said, my voice low and even. But they didn’t even flinch at my words. My eyes flicked downward, spotting the sword strapped to one of their waists. In a flash, I moved. Before the guard could react, my fingers curled around the hilt, yanking it free. I spun, pressing the blade against his throat. His breath hitched. The other guard took a cautious step forward.

"Give me the key," I demanded, my heart racing.

The guard under my blade swallowed hard. “We… we can’t.” His voice skipped.

“Try again.” I pressed the sword deeper. “Give me the key.” My teeth were pressed together.

His hands shook. But still, he didn’t move.

“The Alpha will kill us if we let you go,” the second guard said.

“Not my problem to deal with.” I scoffed. “Will you rather die now or spare your life for a brief second?” I raised an eyebrow.

The guard wanted to say something, but I heard a slow clap behind me. I turned to see Damien standing in the doorway, a maid stood beside him, her hands trembled as she carried a tray of food.

"Leave," I growled, tightening my grip on the sword.

Damien didn’t. Instead, he took a slow step forward, his eyes glinting with amusement.

“This is your pack, Olivia.”

“Like hell it is.” I let out a humorless laugh, letting go of the guard while my sword stood at point.

Damien took another step closer, his eyes locked on mine.

"Then kill me," he whispered, his voice low and husky.

I felt a surge of anger, but I didn't give in. Instead, I stepped back, my sword still raised.

"Killing you would be too easy," I spat.

Damien's smile grew wider.

"Then why don't you?" he taunted.

I narrowed my eyes, my heart pounding in my chest.

"You don't deserve anything from me," I said, my voice cold.

His smirk returned. “And yet, you’re still here.”

“You caused it.”

“Then let’s make it official.” His eyes glimmered.

I frowned.

He leaned closer.

“Kill me in front of the entire pack. Let them witness my execution so no one questions your freedom.”

I narrowed my eyes. He was playing mind games. Or was he trying to Gaslight me?

Just then, a guard burst in, his face pale.

"Alpha, the pack is under attack!" he exclaimed.

I felt a surge of fear, my heart racing. I pushed past Damien, running outside to see what was happening. Chaos erupted around me, warriors clashing and snarling. I searched frantically for my son, my heart pounding in my chest. And then I saw him, standing beside Killian, his eyes wide with fear. I wasted no minutes pushing past people running towards him.

Immediately I got to his side, I went on my knees, my hand rubbing his dark curly hair. Panic gripped me.

“Why did you bring him?!” I shouted at Killian, who quickly bowed his head.

“Mommy! I wanted to see you!” He pulled me into a tight hug.

But before I could even process what was happening, Damien's voice cut through the noise.

"You didn't abort the pregnancy, did you?" he said, his voice cold and menacing.

His gaze was locked onto my son. And I saw it, the realization sinking into his eyes.

I turned toward him, my breath catching.

“What kind of question is that?" I was forced out.

Damien's eyes locked onto mine as he stepped forward, his ...gaze piercing. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, Olivia," he said, his voice low and even. "You were pregnant with my child. Don't play dumb. We don't need an oracle to tell us the truth." His voice dropped to a deadly tone. "He's my son, isn't he?"

I felt a surge of fear and anger, my heart beating. I knew I had to protect my son, no matter what. I blocked my son with my body. "Stay back."

Damien's jaw clenched. He looked at me, then at the little boy, his hands curling into fists. My son looked up at me, his eyes widened with fear.

"Mommy, what's going on?" he asked, his small voice trembling.

Tears burned my eyes. "Why does he think I'm his son?" Damien took another step forward.

"Where is Daddy?"