Chapter 7.

Damian's POV.

“That’s her,” I say, turning to my mother who is still lounging on the sofa, sipping wine like she doesn’t have a care in the world. But at my words, she sets her glass down and gives me a pointed look.

“Let them in,” she says smoothly. Then, through our mind-link, her voice cuts sharper. ‘ Remember, don’t reject her. Think of another way to keep her close to you instead.’

I clench my jaw. I already know exactly what I want to do.

Julian gestures to the guard. “Go ahead. Let them in.”

The guard nods and steps away. Moments later, the door opens, and my mate walks in looking dirty and disorganized like before. But the world still fades away as the bond tugs at me, pulling me toward her like a moth to a flame. I admit that she is a beautiful petite omega... but all I can see is her weakness in the way she lowers her eyes, and the uncertainty in her steps.

I grit my teeth, disgusted with myself for feeling anything toward her. Fate must be playing a sick joke.

I glance at Julian, who’s watching me closely, waiting for me to speak. But I don't say anything immediately. I just cross my arms and glare at the two women standing before me.

The older one — a sharp-faced woman with too much cheap perfume clinging to her like a cloud — steps forward with a wide, forced smile.

“Luna Cassandra, prince Damian, and you sir?!” she acknowledges me and my mother sweetly, but fails to recognize Julian. “Thank you for agreeing to see us. I’m Vivienne Everhart and I’ve brought you your mate. Kira Everhart.”

I shift my gaze to Kira — the weak little omega who’s supposed to be my mate. She’s standing there awkwardly, wringing her hands, barely daring to look at me... So pathetic if you ask me. I scoff loudly without care.

“Who’s she to you?” I ask coldly, ignoring Vivienne’s earlier statement.

Vivienne answers before Kira can even open her mouth. “I’m her mother. Kira’s not much of a talker,” she says with a fake laugh, as if that somehow excuses her weakness.

My irritation flares because I can scent that they are not related by blood. I turn to Kira directly and ask again. “ Who is she?”

Kira flinches slightly but still doesn’t speak. Instead, she looks nervously at Julian who is avoiding her gaze.

Julian? Why is she looking at him like that? Does she know him? A little jealous courses through me for a moment before I regain my composure.

“Ahem,” I fake cough to get her attention which works. “ Do you even do anything useful in your pack?” I snap, stepping closer. “Any skills or special abilities?”

Kira’s gaze flicks back to me, and for a second, she opens her mouth — but again, Vivienne cuts in.

“She works at the pack hospital,” Vivienne says smugly. “Very hardworking and responsible.” she adds, dusting invisible dirt from kira's shoulder.

I bark out a sharp laugh before I can stop myself. “Of course she does,” I mutter under my breath.

Kira’s face flushes red, her eyes dropping to the floor. Weak and completely spineless.

“Well, today is your lucky day Kira." I sigh, "I’m not going to reject you but neither will I accept you as a mate,” I announce. Vivienne’s face lights up like she’s just won the lottery, and Kira’s head snaps up in shock.

“You’ll come to Crimson Crown,” I continue. “You’ll work in my palace — cleaning, or whatever else I tell you to do.”

Vivienne gasps, her eyes practically glowing with greed. “That’s... that's wonderful! But what about—”

“I’ll pay you her salary,” I cut her off. “That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

“That will do just fine!” Vivienne chirps, all too eager.

I shift my attention to Kira, who still stands frozen with her eyes on the ground, unsure of what’s next and then she finally speaks up, her voice soft and hesitant. “But... what about our mate bond?"

I let out a bitter laugh, the sound cold and cruel. “Mate bond?” I scoff, the words dripping with disdain. “Like I said, I won’t reject you, but I won’t accept you either. Don’t fool yourself. This isn’t some fairytale you get to live a happily ever after.”

Her face falls, but she still doesn’t argue or show anger. She just... accepts my command.

“We leave for Crimson crown tomorrow morning at ten. You may go home and pack your bags,” I say coldly. “And don’t be late.”

Kira nods stiffly, her disappointment plain to see. Yet she doesn’t say a word — not one complaint, not one challenge. Just like that, she turns and follows Vivienne out the door.

I watch her leave, every step fueling my frustration. How can this pathetic excuse of a wolf be my Luna?

“She’s not what you expected,” Julian says quietly behind me.

“That’s an understatement.”

“But you didn’t have to humiliate her like that,” he mutters.

“She humiliated me by existing,” I snap back.

"And yet... you're still taking her back home with you," Julian says, his voice laced with smug amusement as he wheels toward the door. He pauses just long enough to glance over his shoulder, a knowing smile tugging at his lips.

"I can't wait to see how that works out."

With that, he rolls out, leaving his words hanging in the air — a sharp reminder that no matter how much I despise this bond... I'm still dragging her back to Crimson Crown.

And worse? Julian knows exactly how much that infuriates me.