CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 19: LOVE ABOVE HATE

I wanna confront Damian, but I don’t have the courage to do it.

What will I say or do to him? How will I react or how will I handle his denial or confession?

When Atticus’ face emerges in my head, I scream inwardly, die!

But he remains alive, unscathed.

Frustration coils through me like fire beneath my skin. Why isn’t my ShadowBind working again even though my emotions are heightened?

Though a bit delayed and not as severe as it did the last time, my body starts to get weak from being separated from a fated mate. Maybe that’s the reason?

I step away before anyone can sense my presence, storming into the study room of the Alpha’s mansion.

I slump on the couch to regain some strength, while trying to make sense of Damian’s betrayal.

My mind urges me to avenge Alpha Torrin, yet my heart refuses to follow.

How can I hate the man I’m also in love with? Can hate be enough to sever our fated bond? Or will I forever suffer this bond I never asked for?

Tears burn my eyes, and my lips tremble as I fight to contain them.

Finally,...

The door opens, and Atticus strides in with his usual hard expression. He takes a seat behind the grand mahogany desk.

The fury I have for him starts to shoot up again as I recall his attempt to kill Alpha Torrin and Harper earlier.

Die!

I say inwardly.

Still, the ShadowBind remains unuseful.

"Many Frostveil werewolves will soon be looking for your sister and Torrin. So I’ve already prepared an excuse. Also, due to my son’s demand, I’ll allow you a little freedom. But you’ll lose that freedom if you tell him or anyone about our deal," he warns.

I want to curse him, but I manage to stop myself.

A moment later, he summons a doctor named Dr. Reyes, a Frostveil werewolf I haven’t seen before.

The doctor takes a sample of my blood and seals it in a special-looking briefcase, handling it as if it’s worth more than any fortune in the world.

"Once I’ve studied your blood structure, we’ll begin the physical experimentation. So try to stay healthy," she says, before leaving.

Later that day, Atticus announces through the pack’s TV station that Harper and Alpha Torrin are gone.

"I ordered Harper’s death as per your demand, but spared Harleigh. Coz killing her might weaken both Alpha Torrin and Damian’s wolves. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure to keep her under control."

Rejecting a mate is worse than losing one to death. Rejection can kill, but getting your mate killed won’t.

Then,...

Atticus adds, "I regret to inform you that Alpha Torrin has abandoned us."

He holds up a fake confession letter, written and signed in Torrin’s name, which has been photocopied and distributed for everyone to see.

My hands tremble in anger as I read my copy. It claims that Alpha Torrin admits he’s unfit to lead and has chosen to leave the pack to ’find himself,’ passing his Alpha title to a more capable leader, Atticus.

Many believe the lie, but those who know the depth of Atticus’ greedy ambition remain skeptical.

I keep an eye on those who are skeptical about the announcement, hurt about Alpha Torrin’s abandonment, unhappy with Atticus’ take over and still hoping against hope that Alpha Torrin will come back for them.

These are the ones who can help me bring Alpha Torrin back and tear Atticus from his stolen throne.

Unfortunately,...

Atticus isn’t careless. He assigns three female Gammas to guard me day and night, ensuring I cannot escape or plot against him. Though it limits my movements, it won’t regress my desire to right his wrong!

Aside from that, a nutritionist is also tasked to keep me healthy for the upcoming experiments.

Even without appetite, I force myself to eat, coz I’ll need strength for what’s coming for Atticus, and perhaps for...

I stop myself, trying to shake Damian’s image off my head.

My wolf howls in pain, torn on how to address his betrayal. Can I turn my heart into stone if Damian sides with his father once I escalate my move?

Damian and I don’t see each other over the next few days. He doesn’t bother visiting me like he used to, and I also refuse to see him even though my wolf aches for his presence, the same way it does for Alpha Torrin.

Dr. Reyes summons me back to the laboratory hidden in the underground of the hospital building to draw more blood samples from me.

When she’s done, I ask the Gammas guarding me if I can take a short walk before returning to my bedroom. They follow a few paces behind as I step outside, inhaling the faint scent of pine and frost.

My gaze drifts toward the spot where Alpha Torrin once declared, in front of Cassandra, that he chose me over her, even if it meant war between their packs.

That’s one of my most precious memories. Will he ever remember that again?

Still, I can’t help but think: if we hadn’t been so stubborn back then, would things have turned out differently? Maybe it would. Maybe, we’ll be in a far more depressing situation than this. So I should stop regretting fighting for my heart’s desires.

Out of the blue,...

A muffled sob snaps me out of my thoughts.

Following the sound, I find Damian slouched behind a tree, his face buried in his arms, shoulders shaking.

He’s always so composed, nonchalant even. But lately, that mask of his has been slipping.

My anger over his betrayal wavers, replaced by pity... and the love I still can’t seem to let go of.

I kneel beside him, gently rubbing his back.

He looks up, eyes red, trying to steady his breath.

"I’m sorry for not being able to stop all of this... for Harper, and for Alpha Torrin," he says hoarsely.

It’s not quite a confession. I wanna demand more, to make him admit everything, but I can’t antagonize him. I need him to help me, whether he’s aware of it or not.

"It’s not easy, but I’ll try not to be hateful for what happened to Harper. We have to move forward, and not be shackled by the past," I reply.

He studies me for a long moment, doubt flickering in his eyes, making me anxiously question my acting skills.

But then,...

He buries his face against my chest and wraps his arms around me.

I hold him, letting him cry until he feels a little better.

I walk him home and help him to his room. The Gammas remain downstairs, giving me the moment of freedom I’ve been waiting for.

After lighting the small, modern fireplace, I tuck Damian into bed, pretending to fuss over him until he drifts to sleep.

Then,...

As I start searching his drawers, cabinets, under the bed, hoping to find the elixir he used against Alpha Torrin, which I may be able to use as a proof of his betrayal, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

The call is from an unregistered number. Though hesitant, I answer it. And my heart bursts with extreme relief when Harper’s voice echoes.

"Harleigh, I’m in Dingle Valley, working as a cabin cleaner. Alpha Torrin can’t stay here coz some may recognize who he is, but he discreetly visits me sometimes, just to make sure I’m safe. He doesn’t remember much yet. But he asked me to tell you, if you can sneak out tonight, he wants to meet you at the western border. He says it’s important."

Excitement rushes through me. I wanna hear his voice, see his handsome face, and feel his touch again. And hopefully, he’ll finally remember me.

But, how can I sneak out without catching anyone’s attention?

In the spur of the moment, Damian’s voice echoes behind me, "Who are you talking to?"

I gasp softly, unable to face him.

But,...

Instead of pressing for an answer, he suddenly slides his hands under my arms and cups my b.reasts, while scratching his throbbing c.rotch area against my backside.

My body stiffen, my heart thumping aggressively.

"Now that Alpha Torrin has abandoned you, let me take care of you instead. Prove to me that you really wanna move forward and not be shacked by our past," he whispers, thirst in his tone.

My wolf wants what he’s doing, but my mind teeters.

Though I have two fated mates, I can’t stomach making love with both of them. I’m not that kind of woman!

Damian begins to kiss and lick my neck, his fingers descending, slipping underneath my pants.

I moan when he starts teasing me between my legs. "Damian..."

"Is that a plea to stop? Coz I won’t. But if that’s a plea to proceed, then I’ll do it better than Alpha Torrin did," he says.

Then, he forces me to face him, slams his lips against mine and intertwines his tongue with mine.