Chapter 16

DAMIAN

The next morning, I found myself pacing in the gazebo, running my hands through my hair as I tried to calm the restless energy that had been building since yesterday. My thoughts were consumed by Aurora. I could not believe her defiance, the way she’d walked out without looking back, and the feeling of her slipping further from my grasp. She was out there, away from me, living in Ethan’s pack, and it was driving me mad.

I had thought the feeling was going to reduce but for the last few days, it had only gotten worse. I wanted her so badly here with me. If she wanted me to, I would turn the whole world over if it meant she would be with me. I poured myself another glass of wine, hoping it might numb the frustration gnawing at me. But as I took a sip, the taste only served to sharpen my focus. I need her back. That was all that mattered now.

I did not even know if it had to do with the pack anymore. The rejection had hurt more than anything had and all I wanted now was her back to me where she belonged. My beta, Wyatt, joined me shortly after, his usual smirk in place as he approached. He sat across from me, pouring himself a glass without asking, his gaze awkward as he watched me.

“You look like hell,” he commented, not bothering to hide his amusement. “So, what’s your next move? Because right now, it looks like you don’t have one.”

I sighed, leaning back in my seat and glaring at the trees surrounding us. “I don’t know, Wyatt. I have to find a way to bring her back, but nothing I’ve tried is working.”

Wyatt took a leisurely sip, his gaze never leaving mine. “You sent her that letter, right? Why didn’t you just text her? Or, I don’t know, call her?”

I clenched my jaw. “A letter felt more personal. Romantic, even.”

Wyatt let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. “Romantic? Are you out of your mind, Damian?” He set his glass down with a clink, his tone turning serious. “You don’t get to play the romantic card. Not after you spent years pushing her around, making her feel trapped. You think a letter’s going to make her forget that?”

His words stung, but I forced myself to hold his gaze. “I know I made mistakes. I just… I don’t know what else to do. She needs to know that Ethan is not a good person. He is fucking manipulating her and she is not going to realise that. At least not anytime soon.”

“Maybe start by facing reality,” Wyatt said bluntly, leaning forward. “She’s with Ethan now. She chose to go with him so she obviously saw something she liked. You think she’s going to leave just because you wrote her a few poetic lines?”

A surge of anger flared within me, but I swallowed it down, trying to keep my voice steady. “It’s not that simple, Wyatt. I can’t concentrate, can’t think, knowing she’s there with him. I need her here. I don’t even care about anyone else.” I glanced away, feeling a pang of guilt as I thought of Evelyn. But the truth was clear. She no longer mattered. Only Aurora did.

Wyatt’s lips twisted into a wry smile. “You’re done for. Completely, hopelessly cooked.”

Before I could respond, a familiar voice drifted toward us, and I looked up to see Evelyn strolling in, her arms occupied with shopping bags, her face glowing from her recent trip. She caught my eye, her smile widening as she approached, blissfully unaware of what I was going through. I cringed, already anticipating how bad her hands were going to feel while touching me.

Wyatt shot me a knowing look, his eyes gleaming with barely concealed humor as he stood. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone,” he said, his tone mocking.

I shot him a glare as he walked away, his laughter fading into the distance. Turning back to Evelyn, I watched as she set her bags down, her face flushed with excitement. “Damian. You have no idea how much I missed you. Look, I got you something.”

She dug through one of the bags, pulling out a sleek new watch, holding it out with a hopeful smile.

I took it reluctantly, forcing a small smile. “Thank you, Evelyn. It’s nice.”

She beamed, clearly pleased with herself as she settled into the seat Wyatt had vacated. “So, what did I miss while I was gone? Did anything exciting happen?”

Her casual question grated on my nerves, and I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “Actually, yes. Something did happen.” I leaned forward, my gaze hard. “Aurora found out about my plans with the witch. Care to explain?”

The smile vanished from her face, replaced by a look of genuine confusion. “What are you talking about, Damian? I didn’t tell anyone.”

“Really?” I raised an eyebrow, watching her reaction carefully. “Because, conveniently, the Aurora knew exactly what I was planning, and the only person that knows about it from Wyatt who I trusted with my whole life is you. Did you tell her because you wanted to officially cement her decision of never coming back to me?”

Evelyn’s voice trembled slightly. “I swear, Damian, I didn’t say anything. Why would I sabotage you like that? I’ve been with you every step of the way.”

I narrowed my eyes, searching her face for any hint of deceit. But all I saw was a glimmer of hurt, her eyes glistening as she blinked back tears.

“Do you have any idea what it feels like to be accused like this?” she whispered, her voice thick. “I’ve stood by you. Helped you through all of this and crossed the line I never thought I would cross. And this is what I get in return?”

A pang of guilt twisted in my chest, but I pushed it down. If he did not do it, then I needed to shift back my attention to who did, and majorly on how to bring her back. “Very well then. I need to focus on getting Aurora back, so you can leave.”

Her eyes darkened, and she stood up abruptly, gathering her bags. “Fine. If this is what I get for helping you and putting aside my feelings to help you, then I probably deserve it. I am tired of the bullshit you have been putting on since she left.”

She turned on her heel, storming out without looking back. I watched her go, feeling a strange relief settle over me. Part of me knew I’d hurt her, knew I should care, but the truth was, Evelyn’s feelings were the last thing on my mind. Aurora. That was all I could think about. All I could feel. Her absence was like a wound that refused to heal, and it was growing deeper with each passing day.

I stood up, gripping the edge of the table as I tried to gather my thoughts. A soft laugh echoed from behind me, and I turned to see Wyatt lingering nearby, a knowing smirk on his face.

“Still thinking about Aurora?” he asked, crossing his arms. “Because, from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re letting her control you. She’s not even here, and she’s got you wrapped around her finger.”

“Shut up, Wyatt,” I snapped, but he only laughed harder.

“Come on, Damian,” he taunted. “You’re completely out of your depth here. Trying to be romantic, ignoring Evelyn, obsessing over a woman who’s clearly moved on. You’re setting yourself up for failure.”

I glared at him, my fists clenching at my sides. “I don’t need your advice.”

“Maybe you should,” he replied, his tone suddenly serious. “Look, Damian, I’m your friend. But even I can see that this thing with Aurora. It is going to destroy you if you don’t let it go. She’s with Ethan. She’s made her choice. As long as you are alpha, the council should listen to you not the other way round. You can wait for your second chance mate.”

I looked away, the truth of his words gnawing at me. Maybe she has moved on. But every time I thought of her with Ethan, every time I imagined her laughing, smiling, building a life with him, the anger flared again, stronger than before.

“I can’t just let her go,” I said quietly, my voice barely a whisper. “She is mine. My mate.”

Wyatt shook his head, his gaze filled with a rare hint of sympathy. “You need to decide what matters more, Damian. Your ex-mate or your sanity and pack.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one feeling what I am feeling.”

He didn’t respond, just gave me a long, hard look before he turned and walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

As I stood there in the empty gazebo, the weight of his words settled over me. I was slowly losing it. But I couldn’t bring myself to stop. Aurora was the only thing that felt real, the only thing I still cared about at the moment as strange as that sounds. If I told myself this a few weeks back before she left, I would have laughed at myself. But now, I did not care because I wanted her even if it destroyed me. I’d find a way to bring her back.

My mind was racing with plans, ideas, and desperate attempts to reclaim what I’d lost. But as I considered my options, a gnawing suspicion lingered in the back of my mind. Evelyn had denied leaking the information, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone close to me was sabotaging everything. I needed to find out who it was, but that was second to the main plan I needed to strategize.

Maybe I needed to start all of this after I had made sure that she had forgiven me. It was going to be hard, but it would be a start.