Chapter 28

Damien

I jogged down the stairs two at a time, feeling more alive than I could remember ever feeling. Her scent was filling the penthouse, covering the stink of the human lands, and— “she is perfect,” Sargon filled with contentment.

Rolf looked at me with a lopsided grin and said, “Who is this goofy fuck that just waltzed in to a meeting late?”

“”Is it that obvious?” I smoothed my suit and adjusted my grin to be suitable for an Alpha.

“You’re radiating,” he said, “No amount of pressing your mouth into a grim line will fix the fated mate glow.” With him mentioning her, all I wanted was to be back in her presence. Part of me felt missing without her by my side. I made a mental note of that for future meetings.

“So, it’s true then? She’s been found… and she’s your mate?” Rolf asked. “What are the chances of that?”

“Rolf, this is important and I need you to listen. She knows nothing. She knows nothing about the realms beyond the South and her memories and her pack’s memories have been bound about our history and the prophecy.”

“But clearly she must know something, I mean, my wolf wants to be around her. He’s never been stronger here.” I eyed him, a threatening look, reminding him that he was talking about my mate.

“Damien, not like that. It’s just, it must be her. There’s this pull that I can’t explain. A power,” and it dawned on me for the first time that I may be drawn to her not because she was my mate, but because of her destiny, thinking about what my mother had said yesterday. I brushed off the thought with Sargon’s help.

“Not. A. Word.” I pressed my finger to my lips. “She’ll know soon enough, but I don’t want it to come from a rumor.”

“How, then?” He asked.

“Goddess if I know,” I said running my hand through my hair, wondering how to let her know the truth.

I sat at the large modern desk and clicked on my camera and microphone. “Alpha Erik, greetings under the crescent moon. How is Evergreen?”

“Alpha Damien, greetings. Evergreen is flourishing thanks to our partnership. It really has proven most advantageous, and I cannot thank you enough for proposing it. And you, are the rumors true?”

“What might those rumors be? Anything is possible,” I chuckled.

“The rumors in the South are that you were betrothed to Alpha Lucian’s daughter moments before both were slain by his bastard step-son who has now claimed Iceclaw as Alpha.” Wolves loved gossip, and despite his seclusion, Erik was often more informed than most.

“And if it were true?” I asked.

“I would say it is a pity. He kept his daughter close at events because there was many an Alpha was drawn to her.” Sargon bristled thinking about any other Alpha claiming Katla. “Even me with my… proclivities…couldn’t help but admiring her form.”

“Your…proclivities…being that you fuck your Beta instead of your Luna?”

“You always know how to put a fine point on things, Alpha Damien. So tell me, is it true then? Were you there? Has the bastard step-son taken the pack?”

“It does seem that is the case at hand. I don’t know his game, but I sense that it could be…problematic… for alliances.”

“Indeed. Rogues have gone to neighboring packs threatening Alphas throughout the night, saying if they do not bend the knee to young Viti and sever ties with the Northern packs, a hell the which of never has been seen will be unleashed.”

“He has worked fast in the past 12 hours,” I said aloud, “and to think, I thought their party would last all night.”

“Ah, so you were there. And is it true that Katla Iceclaw perished with her father?” I wasn’t sure why that was also rumor, but decided to keep what I knew close. Alliances were shifting.

“If she is not there, where else could she be?”