CHAPTER 003

DAMON:

This can't be happening.

The mate bond clicks into place between us and I feel it settle in my chest, like it's been waiting all this time to form. But it doesn't belong there because this is wrong, so completely wrong that I can barely think straight.

Odessa stares at me with horror written all over her face, and I probably look the same way because I feel like someone just punched me in the gut.

The elders are watching us with confusion; obviously, they sensed something happened but did not understand what, and I need to get her away from them before they figure it out.

"We need to talk," I say, keeping my voice level even though my heart is racing. "Now."

"I have nothing to say to you," Odessa snaps back, but her voice shakes slightly.

"It wasn't a request." I grab her arm and start pulling her toward the pack house, ignoring the surprised looks from the elders.

"Let go of me!" She tries to yank her arm free, but I hold on tighter, not enough to hurt her, but enough that she can't escape.

Elder Thomas calls after us. "Alpha, is everything…?"

"Everything's fine," I say over my shoulder. "The Luna and I just need to have a private discussion about pack matters."

I don't wait for a response, just keep dragging Odessa into the house and up the stairs.

She fights me the entire way, cursing and trying to dig her heels in, but I'm stronger and I don't stop until we're in what I assume is her bedroom based on the fact that Kade's scent is everywhere in here.

The reminder of my brother makes my chest tighten painfully.

As soon as we're inside, I release her arm and close the door behind us, making sure to lock it. Odessa immediately puts distance between us, backing up until she's pressed against the far wall with her arms crossed defensively over her chest.

"What the hell was that?" she demands.

"You felt it too," It's not a question because I know she did.

"I don't know what you're talking about." But she's lying, and we both know it.

"The mate bond, Odessa. Don't pretend you didn't feel it form between us."

She flinches at the words like they physically hurt her. "That's impossible. I was mated to Kade. You can't have a second mate, that's not how it works."

"I know that's not how it's supposed to work," I say, running my hand through my hair in frustration. "But it happened anyway."

"No." She shakes her head violently. "No, this is just some kind of mistake. Maybe it's just residual bond energy from Kade or something, maybe because you're his brother the Goddess got confused—"

"The Goddess doesn't make mistakes," I interrupt her.

"Then what is this?" Her voice cracks and I can see tears forming in her eyes. "Why would she do this to me? Kade just died three days ago and now I'm supposed to what, mate with his brother? That's sick."

"I know." And I do know because the thought of it makes me feel sick too, not because I don't want her but because I do, and that's the problem.

"We can't tell anyone about this," I say firmly. "Nobody can know that a mate bond formed between us."

"Obviously," she scoffs. "Like I would ever tell anyone about this. Why would I want anyone to know that I'm apparently mated to my dead husband's brother."

The way she says it stings more than it should.

"It's probably just a fluke," I continue, trying to convince myself as much as her. "The full moon was at its peak tonight, and emotions were running high at the funeral. Sometimes bonds can form temporarily under extreme circumstances, especially between pack members with strong bloodline connections. It'll probably fade in a few days once things settle down."

I have no idea if that's true but it sounds believable enough and I need her to believe it.

Odessa looks at me skeptically. "Is that actually a thing?"

"It's rare but it happens," I lie smoothly. "My point is, we just need to keep this quiet until it goes away on its own. Can you do that?"

"Can I keep quiet about the fact that I apparently have a mate bond with you?" She laughs bitterly. "Trust me, that's the last thing I would ever want anyone to know. I would rather die than betray Kade's memory like that."

Her words hit harder than they should and I have to remind myself that she's grieving, and she doesn't mean to be cruel, that this situation is just as awful for her as it is for me.

"Good," I say, keeping my voice cold and detached. "Then we're in agreement. We ignore the bond, we stay away from each other as much as possible, and we definitely don't act on it in any way."

"I wouldn't act on it even if you were the last man on earth," she spits out.

"Perfect. Glad we understand each other."

She glares at me for another long moment before pushing past me and opening the door. "Get out of my room."

"It's my pack house now, technically—"

"Get. Out.”

I leave before she can say anything else, closing the door behind me, maybe a bit harder than necessary.

I stand in the hallway for a moment, pressing my palm against my chest where the mate bond sits under my skin, constant and undeniable and completely unwanted.

This is a disaster.

This bond has to fade. It has to be temporary, like I told her, because if it's permanent, then I don't know what I'm going to do.

I can't mate with Odessa, not now, maybe not ever. I'll find another woman as soon as possible. It shouldn't be that hard, there are plenty of unmated females in the pack and in neighboring territories who would be happy to be with an alpha. The bond will fade and I'll move on and everything will go back to normal.

It has to.