Chapter 4 An insult

DAMON

My eyes followed her until she disappeared through the doors. The hall remained silent as no one dared to move or speak.

A hundred pairs of eyes watched me, waiting for my reaction. I barely noticed them.

Because all I could think about was the feeling that still lingered beneath my skin. 

Mine.

The word slammed into my head with enough force to make my jaw tighten. Something primal and possessive that had exploded the second I touched her.

My wolf, who was not easily moved by anything, had lurched forward with a sudden ferocity that genuinely surprised me. He had pressed against the surface with an urgency I hadn't felt from him in decades, straining toward the doors she had just disappeared through.

I forced him back. He didn't go easily. And for one brief second, I had given in to the pull, the strange sense of rightness that shouldn't have existed and a feeling so powerful that it had nearly drowned out everything else.

Then I realized what it meant, and the feeling had instantly become revolting.

No.

It couldn't be. There had to be another explanation. A mistake. Maybe some kind of bizarre trick.

Anything.

Because there was no universe in which fate would be stupid enough to saddle me with a mate. Especially not—

"Supreme Alpha." The voice snapped me from my thoughts, and slowly, I turned.

Alpha Gideon Blackthorn, The Alpha of the Blackthorn pack, stood before me, and behind him stood two women; one was older, and the other younger. The resemblance between them was obvious. They were his mate and daughter.

Gideon bowed his head slightly. "My deepest apologies, Supreme Alpha."

I stared at him.

"What just occurred was completely unacceptable. I assure you the girl will be dealt with appropriately.”

The certainty in his voice irritated me for reasons I couldn't explain, but I paid no attention to it. 

"Who is she?" The question left my mouth before I could stop it.

Something flickered across the faces in front of me, too quickly for most people to notice, but I noticed; I always did.

The older woman recovered first. "There is no need to concern yourself with her, Supreme Alpha. She will be disciplined immediately, and you have my word she won't—"

"Answer the question." The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Several nearby wolves immediately lowered their heads.

The Luna's mouth closed while Alpha Blackthorn's jaw tightened slightly. It was obvious they didn't appreciate being spoken to like that, but I didn't give a shit. After all, I was the Supreme Alpha; he exchanged a look with the woman beside him that lasted half a second too long. They didn't want to answer. That alone made me want the answer considerably more.

I waited. I was very good at waiting.

"She is…" Blackthorn began carefully, "a member of the household."

"Your household."

"Yes. She's my daughter."

“Then she is family.”

The silence that followed was its own answer. I watched something complicated move through both of their expressions, and the younger woman behind them looked suddenly very interested in a point somewhere above my left shoulder.

"If she is your daughter, why is she serving drinks?"

Neither answered immediately. Finally, Gideon sighed. "She is wolfless, Supreme Alpha. Born without a wolf. She holds no rank and serves the pack in whatever capacity she is able, and tonight she failed even at that. I assure you she is not worth your attention.”

The Luna stepped forward. "She is useless."

My wolf went very still inside me.

Then he slammed forward so violently I felt it physically, a snarl tearing up through my chest before I could contain it. It escaped as a low involuntary growl.

The sound shocked everyone. Including me. I could feel my wolf surging beneath my skin trying to take over. I clenched my fists.

Fucking bond!

The Luna stared at me nervously. "Supreme Alpha?" I ignored her.

No wolf. The girl had no wolf. She wasn't even a proper omega. She was worse. She was the lowest possible creature in the supernatural hierarchy — fragile, powerless, and entirely unremarkable in every way that the supernatural world assigned value.

My jaw tightened. Of all the women in the world… Of all the possibilities...

Fate had chosen her?

No.

Absolutely not. The very idea was insulting. I was the most powerful supernatural creature and fate expected me to accept—

Her?

The wolf inside me disagreed violently. He apparently had no problem with her being fucking weak. I hated him too, for he had been restless since she ran.

‘Find her.’

The command echoed through my mind.

I wanted silence. Instead, all I could think about were terrified green eyes and trembling hands.

Disgusting. Weakness always disgusted me and yet I couldn't stop thinking about her. That alone was enough to darken my mood.

I would sooner burn the mate bond to the ground. I could feel my wolf raging at the thought. I ignored him.

"Find her." The order landed like a blade. "And bring her to me."

Blackthorn blinked. "Supreme Alpha, I assure you personally that she will be punished—”

"Of course. I'll handle her punishment personally." Nobody dared question me after that 

Good.

Because there was only one thing on my mind. The girl had disrupted my evening, my peace and my control. And if fate truly intended to play this game with me...

Then I would end it before it ever began.