Under His Protection

Hazel sat frozen on the floor where Damien had left her, her body trembling with disbelief. Her heart raced as his words echoed in her mind. She’s my mate.

It couldn’t be true. It shouldn’t be true. How could the Alpha—powerful, respected, and untouchable—be bound to her, the daughter of traitors, a lowly slave? She clenched her hands tightly, her nails digging into her palms as she tried to steady her breathing.

Her head dipped low, shame curling in her chest. “The Moon Goddess must be cruel,” she whispered to herself.

A shadow stood over her, and she looked up to see Selena, her smirk wicked.

“Well, well, it seems the traitor is causing quite a stir.” Selena grabbed a glass of wine from a passing maid and held it carefully before tilting it back and forth as if thinking of something.

“Maybe the Alpha was mistaken,” Hazel murmured, her voice sounding more like a whisper. “He’ll reject me.”

Selena barked out a laugh. “Oh, he will. But not before I remind you of your place.”

Without warning, Selena tilted the glass and poured its contents all over Hazel. The cold liquid soaked her hair and dress, drenching her in humiliation. Gasps sounded from the onlookers, who watched with sneers and amusement.

“You look better this way,” Selena sneered, tossing the empty glass aside. “A filthy omega covered in filth.”

Hazel bit her lip, tears stinging her eyes, but she refused to cry. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.

“What’s going on here?”

The deep, commanding voice cut through the air, freezing everyone in their tracks. Hazel’s head snapped up, and her breath was shaking. Damien stood in the doorway, his piercing eyes scanning the scene. Behind him were the high-ranking members of the pack.

Selena’s face paled. “Alpha Damien, I was just—”

“Humiliating my mate?” Damien’s voice was dangerously low, each word filled with fury.

Selena flinched, stepping back. “I didn’t mean—”

“Enough.” Damien’s sharp tone silenced her instantly. His gaze shifted to Hazel, who was still sitting on the floor, her soaked dress clinging to her skin. Something flickered in his eyes—anger, guilt, and something softer she couldn’t quite place.

“Stand up,” he ordered, his voice gentler now.

Hazel hesitated, her body frozen with fear. She expected him to humiliate her, to declare in front of everyone that she was unworthy. Slowly, she pushed herself to her feet, her legs unsteady beneath her.

Damien turned to Selena. “Who gave you the right to touch her?”

Selena’s mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. “I… she’s an omega, Alpha. I was just reminding her of her place.”

“And her place is by my side,” Damien snapped, his words sending a ripple of shock through the room.

Whispers broke out among the pack members.

“He can’t mean it.”

“An omega as Luna? Unheard of.”

“What a disgrace to the pack.”

Selena’s face twisted in disbelief. “You can’t be serious! She’s a—”

“Enough!” Damien’s roar silenced the murmurs, his dominance rolling off him in waves. “I don’t care what she was. She is my mate, and no one will lay a hand on her again. Do I make myself clear?”

The room fell into an uneasy silence. Even the high-ranking members shifted uncomfortably under Damien’s glare.

Hazel stared at him, her mind reeling. Why was he defending her? Wasn’t he supposed to reject her? This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

One of the elders stepped forward, his graying hair and stern expression giving him an air of authority. “Alpha, with all due respect, an omega as your mate will cause unrest within the pack. The bond may be real, but you can choose to reject it for the greater good.”

Damien’s jaw tightened. “I don’t recall asking for your opinion, Elder Marcus.”

“Alpha—”

“I said, enough!” Damien’s voice echoed through the hall, leaving no room for argument.

Selena, emboldened by the elder’s words, stepped forward again. “Damien, think about what you’re doing. The pack will never accept her. I was supposed to—”

“You were supposed to do what, Selena?” Damien interrupted, his tone cold. “Become my Luna because you think you’re entitled to it? The Moon Goddess made her my mate, not you.”

Selena’s face turned red with anger and humiliation, but she didn’t dare speak again.

Damien turned back to Hazel, his expression softening ever so slightly. “From this moment on, Hazel is under my protection. Anyone who disrespects her disrespects me.”

His declaration sent shockwaves through the room. The high-ranking members exchanged uneasy glances, and the pack members murmured among themselves.

“Alpha Damien,” Elder Marcus said cautiously, “this decision could divide the pack.”

Damien’s gaze hardened. “Let it.”

Hazel’s breath caught in her throat as she stared at him, disbelief and confusion in her mind. He didn’t want her—he couldn’t. This had to be some sort of twisted whatever.

Selena’s lips curled into a venomous smile. “Protect her all you want, Damien, but don’t think for a second that the rest of us will bow to an omega. The pack deserves a strong Luna, not… her.”

Damien’s eyes flicked to Selena, his voice dangerously low. “Try to undermine me again, Selena, and you’ll see just how ruthless I can be.”

Selena’s smirk faltered, and she stepped back, her fists clenched at her sides.

Hazel felt like she was drowning in the weight of the moment. Her mate—the Alpha—was defending her in front of everyone. But why? He didn’t even know her.

As Damien turned to address the high-ranking members, his conflicted feelings were clear in his eyes. Protecting her was instinctual, driven by the bond the Moon Goddess had created. But the political disagreement Will never .

“We’ll discuss this further in my office,” Damien said, his tone final. “Meeting adjourned.”

The pack began to disperse, their whispers filling the air like an unsettling buzz.

Damien stepped closer to Hazel, his towering presence making her feel small. “Follow me,” he said quietly.

Hazel hesitated, glancing at the others who were still watching her with disdain.

“Now,” Damien added, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Reluctantly, Hazel followed him, her heart pounding in her chest. She had no idea what awaited her.