The Conflict Within

Turning around, I saw the lampstand, which was usually placed on a side stool on, and the chair lit up. A figure sat on the couch, legs crossed. I couldn’t see his face clearly, but I knew it was him.

Walking toward the light switch, I flicked it on. The whole house lit up—and there he was, sitting comfortably on the couch, staring at me like a hawk.

“So now you’re stalking me?” I said. “Can’t I have a little privacy? You know, just because you’re Alpha doesn’t mean you can do as you please. What makes you think you can sneak into my father’s house whenever you want and sit here like you own it?”

He stared at me, then chuckled. Standing up from the seat, he brushed the edges of his suit.

“Is that what you plan on wearing for the mating ceremony?” he asked, walking toward me.

I fidgeted with my gown. “No, I… I was—”

“I never asked what you were doing, Elodie,” he said calmly, smirking. “I only asked if that was what you planned on wearing to the mating ceremony.”

“No,” I replied. “I didn’t even plan on coming. Like you said earlier, I was planning on leaving—running far away from this nightmare you’ve caused. I won’t be your Luna. I won’t spend another night of this cursed life with you, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

I glared at him and turned to walk out the door, but before I could, he grabbed my wrist and spun me around, pulling me close.

I fell against him, my hands pressed to his broad chest. His arms wrapped around my waist as he looked me in the eyes.

I wanted to push him away, to slap him—he disgusted me. But my heart raced at his touch.

I swallowed hard, staring into his Hazel eyes as they bore into mine. There was something in them I couldn’t name.

After Tyler died, I hadn’t felt my wolf for a very long time—but in this moment, I could feel her. Her warmth spread through my chest like fire consuming everything in it's path.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he said, leaning closer, his face mere inches from mine. I could feel his breath warm against my skin.

For some reason, I was starting to get too comfortable in his grasp—but just then, I pushed him away and slapped him hard across the face.

I froze, shocked at what I had just done. Never in a million years did I think I’d raise my hand to Damon Duskbane.

His head turned with the force of the slap. He brushed his cheek, then turned to stare at me.

For a moment, I thought he would retaliate—hit me back, or maybe bundle me up and drag me away. But he didn’t.

He chuckled instead. “Feisty, aren’t you? I can see why Tyler took an interest in you. You were just too good to go unnoticed.”

“I told you never to mention his name,” I hissed, clenching my fists.

He ignored me and walked back to the couch.

For a moment, I felt like strangling him, but I couldn’t waste my precious time on someone like him.

As I turned to leave, his voice cut through the air. “Don’t bother trying to walk out that door. My men are outside, and I’ve given them strict instructions—if they see you leave without me beside you, they’re to bring you back.”

I spun around. “What do you even want from me? First you kill Tyler, and now you want to marry his mate? Don’t you have any shame?. He was your best friend or have you forgotten, It’s not like you love me—so why ruin my life?”

He smirked. “I love you. I’ve always loved you, Elodie. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here. Plus, the bond you shared with Tyler is long broken. You know that’s true. Once a mate dies, the bond is gone. You can’t possibly share a bond with a dead man, Elodie—you can only forge a new one.”

Picking up a bag from the couch, he handed it to me with a smile.

“I figured you wouldn’t have a dress for the ceremony, so I bought you one. There are perfumes and shoes too. Take it.”

“I won’t,” I said flatly, through gritted teeths.

“You don’t have a choice. You might make us late, and I’m Damon Duskbane—I never show up late to a party. So here are your options: take this and put it on, or I take you to my house and have my maids dress you by force.”

My eyes glistened as I snatched the bag from his grip, anger evident on my face.

Without another word, I stormed into my room and slammed the door shut.

Everything sucked, and I hated it. Not only was I being sold off, but I couldn’t even run.

I heaved a heavy sigh, throwing the bag to the ground along with my backpack. I walked to my vanity, picked up my cosmetics—my powder, an artifact my mother had given me for my first night with my mate—and threw them all to the floor.

I was losing it, I could feel my mind fracturing with each passing second.

If I couldn’t use the door, I’d use the window, I thought as I stared at it. I walked towards it and pulled it open, but as I looked outside, I saw a black vehicle parked there. The house was surrounded.

I slumped to the ground, tears burning my eyes.

I was trapped and there was no way out.

Staring at the clothes and shoes scattered on the floor, I knew I had only one choice left—I had to follow him to his home. I had to attend the mating ceremony tonight. And worst of all… I had to stand there and watch him introduce me to the whole pack as his mate.

**************

Damon’s POV

It had been over thirty minutes, and she still hadn’t come out of her room. I sat there, turning my head every five minutes, but there was no sign of her.

If she was planning to run, she was being foolish. There was no way she could escape me. I’d expected her to try the moment I mentioned the mating ceremony when we discussed in the afternoon and I was right.

She hates me—but I don’t care. I'm not doing it for her, I'm doing it for the man who gave his life for his pack, I’ll keep my promise to a friend. I’ll protect her.

After Tyler died, I’d kept watch over her, day and night. When I heard she was being handed over to Jaxon Blaze, Alpha of the Nightshade Pack, I knew making her my mate was the only way to protect her.

Jaxon was cursed—every one of his mates had died and everyone knew about it. I was shocked her father was willing to hand her over to him despite knowing this.

If marrying you, Elodie, is the only way to keep you safe, then I will. For the sake of the promise I made.

It was almost an hour now and there was still no sign of her walking through that door, I didn't have all the time in the world—I stood and walked to her room.

I knocked once but I got no response. I knocked again but still no one spoke, I couldn't even hear a sound coming from the room, it was as if no one was in there. I knocked a third time—but everywhere was quiet

I sighed heavily. Should I go in? The thought of walking in on her in an awkward moment made me hesitate. But the possibility that she had escaped gnawed at me.

She wasn’t weak, she was the daughter of a carpenter and she had suffered from a very young age, as a matter of fact—she wasn’t useless. Maybe she’d found a way out, maybe she managed to escape without getting caught by one of my men.

Well, if she thought she could outsmart me, she was wrong, I—Damon wasn't a man that could be easily double crossed or tricked. If she thought she'd succeed in running away then she was wrong—i would find her—even if it meant going to the ends of the earth I would bring her back.

If she ran away there was no way she would survive out there in the woods, with all the rogues and beast, she would barely die of hunger, and if I didn't marry her she would get married to the worst man on earth.

Whether she liked it or not I would bring her back and she.....she would be my Luna.