CHALLENGES

Damien paced back and forth in the dimly lit study, his jaw clenched as he prepared himself for the conversation with his mother. The tension in the air was palpable, thick with the weight of the news he had to share. His mind raced with thoughts of the looming threat, his unease deepening with each passing day. The arrival of the emissary from the Dawn Falls Pack, led by the notorious Alpha Alaric, was not something he could take lightly especially not with Elena involved.

Mrs. Lauren sat in her favorite armchair, knitting silently. Her sharp eyes followed Damien as he moved, sensing the storm brewing within him. She had noticed the shift in his demeanor ever since the rumors began to swirl and the whispers about Elena’s lineage had reached their ears. Though she had tried to keep herself busy, the concern for her son and his family gnawed at her.

"Damien," she finally spoke, her voice soft but firm, "you've been restless for days. What’s troubling you?"

Damien stopped, ran a hand th