Postponed

Chapter Five

Damon’s POV

I sat in my office, my fingers gripping the edge of my desk as I stared blankly at the documents in front of me. Reports from my patrol teams, records of supplies, updates on training schedules—important matters that required my attention.

But I couldn’t focus.

My mind was somewhere else. Or rather, with someone else.

Ravina.

The name itself sent a sharp ache through my chest. It had been weeks since I rejected her, and yet, I felt her absence like a wound that refused to heal.

When I made that choice, I thought I was doing the right thing. Amira had convinced me that Ravina was too weak to be my Luna. She had whispered in my ear that our pack needed someone stronger, someone with ambition and authority, someone like her.

And like a fool, I had believed her.

Now, the truth stood in front of me like an ugly reflection in the mirror.

Amira wasn’t the Luna the pack needed. She wasn’t even the Luna I wanted.

Since moving into the packhouse, all she had done was host elaborate gatherings, inviting nobles and high-ranking pack members from neighboring territories. She flaunted her new position, giving outsiders tours of the packhouse as if it were some trophy she had won.

She had no sense of responsibility.

No connection to the people.

No desire to lead—only to rule.

Meanwhile, my pack was suffering. The warriors had lost morale. The patrol teams were stretched thin because Amira kept ordering them to escort her on personal errands. Even the elders, who had been supportive of my decision at first, had begun voicing their concerns.

And the worst part?

Ravina was gone.

She had left the pack entirely, seeking refuge elsewhere. And it was all because of me.

I dragged a hand down my face, frustration burning in my chest. I should have stopped her. I should have fought for her. But I had let her walk away, thinking it was for the best.

Now, I was drowning in the consequences of my mistake.

A sharp knock at my door broke me from my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called, straightening in my chair.

The door swung open, and my Beta, Thomas, stepped inside. His expression was tense, his eyes clouded with concern.

“The elders have called for a meeting,” he said. “They need to speak with you immediately.”

I clenched my jaw. I already knew what this was about.

Without another word, I pushed back my chair and stood. “Let’s go.”

The council chamber was filled with tension when I arrived. The elders sat around the long table, their faces solemn. Amira was also there, perched on the seat beside mine, her arms crossed in irritation.

I took my place at the head of the table. “What is this about?”

Elder Magnus, the oldest and most respected among them, leaned forward. His piercing eyes locked onto mine. “Alpha, it is time for you to take a mate.”

I stiffened.

Liora, another elder, nodded in agreement. “The pack is in turmoil, Damon. They need stability. A Luna by your side will provide that.”

I could feel Amira straightening beside me, a smug smile creeping onto her lips. She thought they were reaffirming her position. But I could already tell this wasn’t about supporting her.

My suspicion was confirmed when Magnus continued, “We have listened to the people. The warriors. The omegas. The healers. They are… dissatisfied.” His gaze flickered toward Amira. “They do not accept your chosen mate.”

Amira let out a sharp laugh. “Excuse me?”

Liora sighed, folding her hands on the table. “With all due respect, Alpha, the woman sitting beside you does not care for the pack.”

Amira’s smugness disappeared. “How dare you!” she snapped. “I have done nothing but—”

“But? But what? But Throw parties?” Elder Magnus cut her off. “Invite outsiders into the packhouse? Use warriors as your personal escorts while rogues threaten our borders?”

Silence.

Amira’s face turned red with fury. “Damon chose me,” she hissed. “I am his mate! And since when does the members of the pack needs to agree to who the Alpha would marry? Are they the one to live with them?@

But her voice wavered. She could feel it too. The shift in the air. The undeniable truth pressing down on the room.

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly. “What are you suggesting Elders?”

Liora didn’t hesitate. “That you postpone the mating ceremony. That you take time to reconsider. We can’t choose your mate for you but we care about you and don’t want you to make a mistake”

Amira’s head snapped toward me. “Damon, you’re not actually considering this, are you?”

I looked at her then, really looked at her. She had everything she wanted—her place at my side, the respect that came with the title. But she had done nothing to earn it.

Unlike Ravina.

Ravina had never cared about power. She had never needed to prove herself through manipulation or empty words. She had been a warrior, a protector, a leader in her own right.

And I had thrown her away for this.

My hands clenched into fists under the table.

I was a fool.

I turned back to the elders. “The mating ceremony is postponed.”

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Amira sprang up from her chair. "You can't do this!" She was shrill, frantic. "Do you know how this is going to make me look?"

"I don't care," I said flatly.

She drew back as if I'd struck her.

"Damon—"

"This isn't about you, Amira," I cut in, my voice now hard. "It's about the pack. And if they don't look at you like you're theirs, then I have no choice but to re-evaluate."

Her lips quivered and I finally saw something in her eyes besides pride.

Fear.

She attempted to try to reason with the elders, turning towards them as if seeking some sort of assurance, but their eyes just avoided her.

Finally, she turned to face me. "This is about her, isn't it?" she gasped. "Ravina."

The sound of the name shot a fresh stab of pain across my chest.

I didn't say anything.

Because we both knew the truth.

And I could no longer pretend otherwise.