Chapter 15

Damien

As we approached the garden, I felt the purple card in my pocket, and said, “Actually, I need to use the restroom. I can show myself there. I’m sure you have somewhere else you need to be than babysitting me.”

“Viti has asked me to make sure you aren’t alone,” the guard replied, “And I am happy to make sure you aren’t lost on the grounds.”

Sargon laughed at that, thinking of the size of our Alpha manor back home. “Who the hell is Viti?” I asked.

The guard looked at me, shocked, “The Alpha’s son?”

“I wasn’t aware the Alpha had a son, only a daughter,” I said, confused as to why his daughter would be Alpha if he had a son to lead.

“Miss Katla is the Alpha’s only biological child, but Viti is the Luna’s son from her…er… first… relationship,” it seemed more like a question than a statement.

“So, if Viti is of no… biological… relation to the Alpha, then why take orders from him? Surely, as an Alpha requesting privacy, that should be honored, no?” I asked the guard.

His jaw tensed as if he was weighing something, likely using the mindlink his pack shared to communicate with this Viti character. “Very well, the bathroom is down this corridor and to the left. I will leave you, but if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to let a member of the Pack know. See you later.” He winked at me and strode off.

“What was that about?” Sargon wondered. “No idea, but very odd,” I agreed.

I didn’t actually need to use the bathroom, but instead wanted to find a quiet space so I could write “from my heart.” How was I supposed to write from my heart when I didn’t even know the first thing about Katla, the woman I was going to be engaged to in a few hours, other than this pull she had over me. What could I possibly say to her that would be meaningful in any way? I ran my hand through my hair while I wandered aimlessly through the hall, and saw light streaming through an open door.

I looked in, and the giant windows brought in a cascade of sunlight in a tastefully and comfortably decorated solarium. I found a table and comfortable chair tucked around a corner next to the window, and pulled out the envelope and a fountain pen. I began to write.

Dear Katla of Iceclaw,

On this, the day of our engagement, I know you must have so many questions. Please know I will answer all of your questions in time. Your father told me you do not know about the importance and symbolism of our ancient alliance, but I hope that in time, you will trust me as your partner and equal.

As I wrote, the words felt clumsy, but how was I supposed to really tell her what I wanted to say, that she was stunning and my wolf was calling to hers, hoping that she would accept me as her fated mate. I was Alpha fucking Damien of Silverburn, and this woman had, in mere passing moments weakened and changed me.

I was pulled from my thoughts as quiet voices came into the room. They didn’t see me sitting in the plush, wingback chair tucked around the corner, but I knew the woman’s voice immediately, a warm knife slicing through butter. The Iceclaw Luna.

“I can’t believe the little bitch rejected you,” she spat.

“Mother, it’s fine. Vargur has seen to it that everything is still going according to plan. The blues have been distributed, and I’m going to his home now.” This must be the mystery Viti that wanted me babysat earlier by the guard. I continued listening.

“There is too much on the line, Viti. Are you sure that he can be trusted?”

“Vargur is a good man and he can be trusted, and if not trusted, bought. He is just better at hiding his vices now,” he chuckled darkly. “People don’t change, they just adapt. At our core, we’re all still the same as we ever were. Funny you should ask if he can be trusted when you were just fucking him the other day.”

Smack. The Luna slapped her son and spat, “How dare you –”

“It’s fine, mother. I don’t care. It’s not like you were ever marked anyway,” he said smoothly.

“Interesting,” Sargon thought, “An unmarked Luna.” I had never heard of an unmarked Luna, and it was becoming increasingly obvious that I needed to know a lot more about Iceclaw. Something was off here.

“Viti, you better be right, and you better fix this before–”

“Ma’am, please excuse the intrusion,” a man’s voice cut in, “the guests would like to see the village.”

The three voices left the room, and a moment later, a man with wavy blond hair quickly walked with his head down across the grounds. I watched him from the window. He turned to look back at the Packhouse, and I couldn’t help but notice that his eyes were an inky black.

I quickly finished my letter:

As a token of my devotion and sincerity, I hope you accept these gifts that represent their joining of our packs. I know your pack has its traditions, and I respect those. But, you took my breath away in our passing earlier, and without a moon in the sky this evening, I thought none should be more radiant than you, my future bride.

Your Betrothed,

Damien of Silverburn

Of the very few things I knew about Iceclaw, I knew that when engagements were announced, the she-wolves wore white. My mother had told me it was to show purity and as a reminder of their history, but for a she-wolf that would be Alpha – “More than Alpha,” Sargon reminded – she deserved to forge her own path if she chose to.

I put the card in the envelope, walked out to the cars, grabbed the boxes, then followed her scent back up the stairs, past the office, around corners and to her door. I inhaled and listened, making sure the room was empty. I quietly opened the door, and slid in. Lavender, Eucalyptus, and Snow poured into my senses, overwhelming me. I felt the familiar bulge in between my legs begin to stiffen wanting to claim all of her. As I continued to inhale, I caught another scent, a man’s scent, the same man who had just been speaking with his mother.

“What the fuck was he doing in here?!” I asked Sargon, who had come just below my skin, wanting to pounce on the man who had been in here.

“The Luna said he was rejected. Did he try to mark our mate?”

“His step-sister? Why would he want to mark his step-sister?”

“Power?” Sargon questioned. “Maybe he suspects that she will be Alpha?”

“Something is not right here. We need to keep close watch,” I said back.

I heard someone in the hall, and then the door opened. Fuck.