Chapter 14

DAMIAN

Sitting alone in my chambers, I poured another glass of whiskey, the amber liquid shimmering under the dim light. I’d lost count of how many drinks I’d had tonight, but the bitterness in my chest wouldn’t go away, no matter how much I tried to drown it. Everything had fallen apart, and I couldn’t figure out where it all went wrong.

Evelyn had left a few days ago, saying she was taking a trip with some friends, and I hadn’t heard from her since. Her absence gnawed at me, leaving a hollow space that only made me more suspicious. I needed answers. Why had my plans with the witch been exposed? Who had leaked the secret of my attempt to bring Aurora back? And was Evelyn involved? There could barely be a reason why she had left immediately after we had gotten in touch with the witch.

A sharp knock on the door broke through my thoughts, and I looked up, bleary-eyed and irritated. “Come in,” I called out, setting the glass aside and trying to shake off the fog of alcohol.

A guard entered, his expression tense. “Alpha Damian, the elders and lords have requested your presence. They are waiting for you in the pack court.”

The words sent a cold jolt through me. I had known this was coming. The whispers, and the sidelong glances I’d been getting around the pack during the meetings from the council had been warning enough. The council was ready to make a move, and they wouldn’t be kind. With my Luna gone, they were now going to deem me as incompetent to lead the pack, which does not even make any sense. They needed me to make an heir, so I could wait for my second chance mate.

It might take a while but as an alpha, I knew it was going to happen to me eventually.

“Very well,” I replied, standing up and adjusting my coat, attempting to pull myself together. I needed to look strong, and in control. This was my pack, and no matter what the council thought, I wouldn’t be undermined.

I strode to the court, forcing myself to ignore the pounding in my head. When I arrived, I was greeted by the council members seated in a semicircle, their expressions impatient. Among them, I saw my two half-brothers. Levi and Maddox. They were leaning back in their chairs, identical smirks plastered across their faces. They lived for moments like these, ready to exploit any weakness I showed so they are quick to swoop in and take control of the pack.

Levi and Maddox were an unpleasant reminder of my father’s indiscretions, having been married to two women at the same time. The twins were born to another woman during the same week as me. They’d been raised as warriors, training relentlessly before being brought back to the pack when their caretaker passed. A DNA test had confirmed what we’d all feared. They were legitimate heirs, just like me. And from the day they set foot back in the pack, they’d been angling to seize control, waiting for any slip-up to prove I was unfit to lead.

I took my place before the council, keeping my expression neutral as the five elders and three lords watched me intently. Four of the council members were women, their gazes sharp. They were even more fierce than the men in the council. As the alpha, they were my sole advisors. Without them, I would be driving the pack to doom.

One of the elders, a woman named Marla, leaned forward, her fingers laced together. “Damian,” she said, her tone icy, “how are you faring in your attempt to bring your wife back to the pack?”

I clenched my fists as I forced myself to respond evenly without showing them that I was drunk. “I am handling it,” I replied. “I’m doing everything I can.”

One of the female lords scoffed, a look of disrespect crossing her face. “An alpha without a Luna is hardly an alpha at all.”

A low growl escaped my throat before I could stop it, and I glared at her. “Careful with your words, or I’ll make sure you pay for that disrespect.”

Levi leaned forward, his smirk widening as he watched me with mock amusement. “Oh, threatening the council now, are we? You’re only making our job easier, brother.”

I glared at him, my blood boiling. He and Maddox had always enjoyed watching me squirm. They were like vultures, circling, waiting for any moment of weakness. And no matter how hard I tried, I could not just take them out of the pack. They were the best warriors we have. They were also great with strategy, given the way they were raised. Since they came to the pack and our father had given them seats on the council of the family business and palace, we had seen an increase in our pack income.

Maddox chuckled, crossing his arms. “If you can’t get your Luna back, Damian, maybe it’s time you set aside your whore and start a real family. Restore balance to the pack.” His smirk deepened. “Or we’ll take matters into our own hands.”

Anger surged through me, barely containing the urge to wipe those smug smiles off their faces. But I knew that would be exactly what they wanted. Proof that I was out of control, and unfit to lead.

I drew a slow breath, forcing myself to stay composed. “My personal life is not your concern. I am the Alpha, and I will handle it.”

Levi raised an eyebrow, his tone taunting. “And yet, here we are, questioning your leadership. It seems your choices have consequences, brother.”

Before I could respond, the council members shifted in their seats, clearly eager to end the meeting. I had to watch as they each exchanged smug glances, satisfied that they’d rattled me. Finally, the elders and lords gave each other looks, signifying the end of the meeting was near.

“We did not come here to hear bickering, we are here to tell you that you need to toughen up and bring back your luna to the pack. We have people that could very easily take your seats and give the pack an heir before the end of the year.” Uncle Jacob, the oldest living member of the council said. He was my father’s cousin.

After that, they all stood up and left, leaving me behind. Levi and Maddox lingered a moment longer, enjoying their victory before they, too, left, chuckling as they walked away. I clenched my fists, a surge of fury coursing through me as their laughter echoed in the empty room.

As the door closed behind them, I found myself seething. Traitors. All of them.

But my anger wasn’t just directed at the council or my brothers. I felt a gnawing suspicion building within me. If the plans with the witch had not been sabotaged, then Aurora would be back here with me and I would have gotten control over this situation. The only person who knew the details of my plans had been Evelyn. She helped me through all of it and left just a day later. That sounds awfully convenient.

I stormed out of the pack court, my mind racing. Evelyn had always been ambitious, but I’d trusted her. I’d believed she was on my side. Now I was not so sure anymore. I headed toward Evelyn’s quarters. If she had betrayed me, if she had exposed my plans to Aurora then there would be consequences. When I reached her door, I found it locked, the room empty. My patience wore thin, and I turned on my heel, storming back toward my chambers. I would wait until she returned, and then I would confront her. She couldn’t hide from me forever.

Once inside my room, I poured another drink, the alcohol burning as it slid down my throat. I set the glass down, staring at the amber liquid as my anger simmered. Evelyn had been my closest ally, the one person I’d trusted with my plans. But now I wasn’t sure if I could trust anyone.

I paced the room, replaying every conversation, and every plan we’d made. I had been willing to go to any lengths to bring Aurora back, to make her pay for leaving. And now, thanks to Evelyn or whoever had betrayed me, everything had been thrown into chaos. The council would be watching my every move now, just waiting for me to stumble. Levi and Maddox would keep circling, eager to take the pack from me.

But I wouldn’t let them win. This was my pack. My power. And I would do whatever it took to keep it. As I sat in the dim light, the alcohol did little to dull the throbbing anger in me. I promised myself that I would get to the bottom of this. I would find out who had betrayed me, and they would regret ever crossing me. And as for Evelyn, if she was the one behind this, she would soon learn that betrayal came with a price.