Chapter 7

DAMON.

I am lost in thought as I Walk to my study. That is where I am going to spend the night.

My mind just kept racing through the interaction I had just had.

The fear she had exhibited when she found out that I was the Alpha was... disturbing.

She was terrified.

The trembling, the constant apologies... the fact that she was found half dead and almost drowned in a lake.

She was tortured.

My mate was tortured.

I can't stop the vicious growl that rips through me at that realization.

Who would dare?

I can feel my control slipping from my wolf as even my thoughts start to sound in his voice.

I drop the load in my hand right in front of the food and throw myself out the window.

I am already in my wolf form before I touch the floor.

I race through the woods, tearing up tufts of grass as I move at a vicious speed.

My mate was tortured.

My mate.

"I will kill them," my wolf growls.

"We will have to find out who they are first," I reply.

"Then ask her," he growls.

"I don't think it will be that easy."

"Why not?"

"You saw her. She is terrified of us."

"No, she is not. She is terrified of Alpha's. Most definitely the one who hurt her."

Huh, that makes sense.

"She said she had a mate," my wolf continued.

"And that she was rejected," I add. "Could it be the same Alpha?"

But then why would he try to have her killed?

It doesn't matter anyway. I am going to find him and kill him.

And I will enjoy it.

"I will as well."

Eventually, I wear out my wolf and head back to the mansion.

It is dead quiet.

Everyone is asleep.

I walk up to my room and try opening the door to check in on her but it is bolted shut.

It is fine. At least I can hear her low breathing from the other side.

She is safe now. With me. And that is all that matters.

I walk back to my study and as I enter I see that my clothes and other essentials are arranged on the long sofa that has been pulled out.

Mother's handwork most likely.

Without further ado, I head into the adjoining bath for a quick shower before changing into sweatpants and heading to bed.

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

"Aaaahhh."

The terror-stricken wail tears through the serenity of the night, startling me awake and alert.

It is a desperate and frightened cry that echoes throughout the house.

Without a second thought, I race out of the study and take the stairs two at a time, I head to my room where thanks to my heightened senses, I can hear Catherine's desperate and heartbreaking whimpers.

I slam into the door, breaking the locks and hinges in the process and I rush into the room.

"Catherine," I pant. "What's wrong?" I ask as I look around the room searching for an intruder.

Beneath my skin, I can feel my wolf being edgy and angsty, growling in my mind, looking for who to rip into pieces.

Behind me, I can hear several people rushing over, wondering what is causing all the racket.

My search turns up nothing and I turn to look at Catherine who just covers away from my gaze.

"Catherine," I call out as I move to her only for her to scoot back and whimper in pain.

"Cat-"

"Damon."

I look back to see my mother entering the room.

"Mother," I greet.

She nods at me before turning to Catherine, watching her and cataloging her every twitch.

She turns back to me, coming to my front to cut my view of Catherine.

"Why don't you leave me with her for a few minutes," she says.

"Mother," I growl.

"I understand you are worried," she says, her voice low in a whisper. "But imagine how this looks to her.

She is in a strange place, with unfamiliar people. She has just clearly had a nightmare and you broke into her room. Yes for good intentions but still. It is a lot. So why don't you take the rest of the gawkers out while I calm her down."

I look back to see that indeed there are a lot of people standing at the door.

I turn back to her and give her a curt nod.

"Very well, but don't take too long. I am barely hanging on to my control and my wolf is not helping matters."

She nods at me with a smile and I turn to leave.

"There is nothing to see here," I say. " Everyone, leave," I ordered.

They all rush to obey. As far as they are concerned, no amount of curiosity or news is worth my anger.

I walk slowly at their backs, making sure that there are no dissidents who would like to test me tonight.

Finally, I reach the end of the stairs and I am at a loss for what to do.

I don't want to go for a run. I doubt it would help anything.

What I want is to hold her and remove that terrified look in her eyes whenever she sees me.

To assure her that I will never hurt her or let anyone harm come near her.

"Just who is the bastard that hurt her?" I growl out.

I received no answer.

So I wait and wait. I intentionally block the sounds in the room from coming to my attention.

As much as I want to hear what they are saying, I choose to respect her privacy.

It is still hard though.

Finally, after what seems like hours, I hear footsteps descending the stairs.

I stand up quickly and look up to see my mother coming down with a dour look.

"What's wrong? Is she okay? What happened?" I rushed out.

She walks to me and raises her hand to my face.

"You should be gentle with her. She seems like she has been through a lot," she tells me.

"I figured as much. But what happened now? Why did she scream?"

"A nightmare."

"Night-. What? What kind of nightmare would make her scream like that?"

"A terrible one. You should go talk to her, but remember to be gentle. Calm. Okay?"

"Okay."

I hurt up the stairs, only coming to a measured and calm stride at the entrance of the door.

"Hey," I say to her figure.

She looks up at me in surprise before giving me a wane smile.

"Hi."