Chapter 4

Damian Pov

"What is Elijah thinking pushing the mating to two days' time? I should have been informed before I even got here, now what the fuck am I supposed to do, twiddle my thumbs and wait?!" I snapped at my Delta, Connor, running a hand through my hair in frustration. 

I got to Risenmoon pack this morning, only to be told that the mating ceremony had been postponed. A mating ceremony I never wanted, with a mate I didn't want. 

I didn't need another woman in my life, but since Stephanie agreed to the mating, citing its importance, I decided to go with the flow. 

When I came to Elijah, the Alpha of the Risenmoon pack for access to his Lead mining site, it didn't cross my mind that mating his daughter would be a prerequisite to having access to the mines. 

And my pack, Silverback pack, needed urgent access to the mines which was one the reasons I even agreed to Elijah's idiotic suggestion. 

The Silverback pack didn't have a good relationship with other packs, but we were feared and respected. We had fought and won so many wars, that other packs knew not to cross us, which was another reason Elijah wanted his daughter mated to me. To create a relationship between the Silverback pack and Risenmoon pack. 

With a close relationship like that, other packs would be reluctant to attack the wealthy and natural resources-rich pack in order not to incur my wrath. 

Elijah was smart in that regard, I snorted sarcastically. 

"Maybe you should use it as an opportunity to know your soon-to-be mate better, before the mating ceremony," Connor suggested to me, making me halt my pacing. 

I never liked staying overnight outside of Silverback territory, except during times of war, and now I had to spend two nights out. It was making me antsy, which I hated. 

"There is nothing to know. You forget that I have spoken to her before, and she couldn't even let out one word in my presence. Even her 'hello' of greeting was like a mouse squeak. I can't believe she's the daughter of an Alpha, she's too timid,"

"Well, maybe because your persona is too scary, I wouldn't blame the girl," Connor muttered, earning a scathing look from me.

I didn't have the patience for Connor's sass. 

A knock sounded on the door which Connor hurried to answer. 

After speaking to the person at the door for a moment, he walked back to where I stood, waiting. 

"What was that about?" I asked, giving him a probing look. 

"It's one of the servants. He informed me that the princess is ready to receive you at the meeting room," 

At his words, I run an exasperated hand down my face, muttering dryly. "Just another wasted hour trying to make conversations,"  

I was free and relaxed among my closest warriors, but to the outside world, I was seen as cruel and cold because I never hesitated to kill if anyone crossed the line. 

I didn't believe in second chances. So, anyone who crossed me, died. 

That was how I had been able to protect and keep my pack from harm all these years. Because I always made the first move to kill and destroy all opposition. 

I opened the door to the meeting room, and closed it silently, before turning to the figure standing still by the window. 

She smelled... interesting, different, I noted, as the tall blonde female figure looking out the window turned towards me and our eyes locked. 

Princess Anne still looked as beautiful as ever, but her beauty had never caught my or my wolf's attention the way it did now. 

She felt different too, or was I mistaken? I wondered as the female before me studied me from my hair down to my toes. 

As her eyes met mine again, I noted that the vibrant blue iris had a kind of greenish tint, and depending on the way the light hit it, it changed from the brightest blue to turquoise, which confused me a bit. 

I hadn't noticed this about her eyes the last time we met, not that I had even been paying any attention to her. 

Only one woman owned my heart and body, and that was Stephanie. No other woman came close to her, and none ever would. 

I trusted Stephanie with my life. She had been with me right from when I was a rogue, forced to leave my pack, to when I started Silverback pack, helping me in every way. 

She was my friend and lover, but the only disappointing thing was that she was not my true mate. 

I had thought with our level of connection we would be true mates, but we weren't, and I still didn't care. I loved Stephanie all the same. 

"Do you need something?" Princess Anne asked, her voice so smoky, a bolt of want hit me directly in the gut. 

What the fuck? I almost shouted, my eyes widening slightly in shock. 

"Maybe," I answered darkly, angry at my body's response to her. 

I had been attracted to other women aside Stephanie before, but nothing like this. 

The hunger I was feeling for the woman in front of me was almost too sharp to bear. 

And so very annoying too. 

Suddenly, a sweet savory smell filled the room, rousing my wolf and causing him to growl softly in want, sending another bolt of lust through me. 

Fuck! 

I suddenly had the thought to carry her and lay her across the table at the other side of the room, then dive in between her legs where the source of the sweet smell was coming from. 

What was happening? Where did this sexual desire come from? 

The princess didn't react to me like this the first and last time we met and I certainly hadn't wanted her to. 

Was she trying to mess with me? Was there some foul play underfoot that I wasn't aware of because if she was, she would learn that nobody fucked with me, and not get bitten. 

Besides, two could play this game. 

"Hmm… You smell sweet, aroused. You want me to fuck you?" I murmured huskily to throw her off. I knew she wouldn't be expecting me to say that. 

She gasped, her beautiful face turning slightly red in embarrassment or maybe anger. 

I really wanted to know the kind of game she was playing and why it was eliciting all these responses from me. 

"Why the heck will I want you to?" She snapped, taking a quick step back from me. 

Hmmm. So the princess had a mouth on her, I thought sarcastically. I had always thought she was mousy. 

"Your scent says otherwise," I countered, taking a step towards her, causing her to take multiple steps backwards, before she stopped suddenly, her spine erect. 

Hmm, she's a fighter. I chuckled internally, stopping directly in front of her till my chest brushed against hers lightly.  

"Do you want me to raise those voluminous skirts and check?" I purred softly into her neck, pulling a moan from her, which she silenced quickly, a hand thrown over her mouth, as her blue-green eyes clouded over with confusion and arousal. 

I was playing a dangerous game here. I pulled back, angry at her and myself. I was sorely tempted to raise her skirt up and taste her arousal for myself, and that disgusted me. 

I couldn't cheat on Stephanie that way, not even if Princess Anne was to be my mate. 

"Who are you and what are you doing in here?" She suddenly snapped, pulling her hand away from her mouth and taking another step back. 

Studying her slowly, I ignored the question. There was no iota of recognition in her eyes. She doesn't recognize me. 

We met before, just two moons ago, and I was sure I didn't suddenly change physically in two months, so why did she not know who I was? 

"I think I should be the one asking that question. Who the fuck are you?" I asked harshly, taking a threatening step towards her. 

A feeling of fear suddenly consumed me, momentarily halting my steps. 

Fear? Why was I suddenly afraid? 

Studying her better, I could see her tightly clenched fists tremble slightly, her eyes shifty, her body tilted towards the door like she was about to run. 

The fear was coming from her, but I couldn't think about how I could suddenly feel her emotions. That was just one of the things that were strange about her. 

"Who are you?" I repeated, my voice icy. I didn't care if I scared her, I wanted to know what was going on. 

"I'm Princess Anne, only child and daughter of Alpha Elijah of Risenmoon pack. Now, who are you?" She asked, her voice trembling a bit. 

That little tremor wouldn't have been noticeable to others, but I wasn't others. I could pick out even the littlest nuances, which was why my enemies never underestimated me or they could find themselves dead the next second. 

"I'm Alpha Damian of Silverback pack and your betrothed, which is shocking because since we are soon to be mates, you are supposed to know who I am. We've met multiple times, haven't we?" I asked, my voice lowered threateningly. 

"Oh, yes, yes we have," She stammered. "I'm just having a bad day, I apologize Alpha" She added, giving me a small curtsy. 

But I wasn't having any of it. 

"A bad day that causes you not to recognize your betrothed?" 

Moving so fast I knew it would be nearly impossible for her eyes to track me, I pushed her against the wall, my large hand tight around her delicate neck, pressing my face close to her, till the green flecks in her eyes were very obvious. 

"Are you trying to mess with me? Is Elijah fucking with me, because I can guarantee you, if there is foul play at work here, I will raze this whole fucking pack to the ground, so, you had better start talking." I barked, releasing my tight hold on her throat a bit, so she could breathe better, as her face was becoming slightly purple from lack of breath. 

"Who. Are. You?" I repeat, coldly.