Episode 5

...Damian Narrating...

My birthday arrived and just as the prophecy foretold, my wolf appeared. He was bigger and stronger than any other that ever existed. My fur was black as night, my eyes as red as blood. My transformation was swift, which surprised everyone.

When the transformation ended, everyone knelt and bared their necks before me. My reign would begin right there.

The years continued to pass, six long years. My life was so hectic; I never imagined that the life of an Alpha would be like this.

It was just another ordinary day when our former king barged into my office.

“Sir, I told him he couldn't come in,” the guard said.

“You can leave.”

When the door closed, he looked at me with so much anger, and I knew why. I was already expecting him to confront me.

“To what do I owe the honor of your visit?” I said to Louis, who looked at me furiously.

“Don't give me that. It's been a month since you attacked the South. Have you given up?” He spoke loudly and clearly.

“Louis, the wolves are tired. One of my guards disappeared in the attack. We won't lose anyone else,” I said, returning my attention to the papers on my desk.

“Casualties happen in a war, you should know that by now, Damian.”

I was already losing my patience. I put the papers aside and faced him.

“I'll go one last time,” I said, trying to get him to leave before this ended badly.

“You mean the first time.”

“You're absolutely right. The first and only time. If the prophecy was right, the princess will return, and we won't go to her,” I said, leaning back in my chair, staring at him.

“Damian,” Louis called me.

“Alpha,” I corrected him without breaking eye contact.

“Alpha... Your father served me for many years, and if it were up to me, he would have stayed in my place. I would have fought him and surrendered just to see him rule instead of you,” Louis spat out his anger.

“Are you done with your attacks?”

“Your father would never run from a war.”

“I am not my father,” I stood up, slamming my hands on the table.

“You're definitely not. Thank the Moon Goddess he's not here anymore to see the failure you've become.” With that said, Louis left, and it was a good thing. If he had stayed, this would have ended badly.

My father was one of the best warriors in our pack. He never questioned his Alpha. Unfortunately, he wasn't here anymore. He died in one of the battles against the South. My mother had died when I was a child, and it was difficult. Losing him now was painful, but if I had had time to grieve, my people needed me.

He was a great man and wolf, but I was not my father, and that's what got me here. I never accepted anything, but being confronted by Louis made me angry, very angry. I mind-linked Vincent, who soon came to meet me.

“Alpha, I'm here,” Vincent said, entering the office.

“We'll be leaving for the South soon,” I said, still angry.

“Are we attacking?” Vincent asked me in surprise.

“One last attack. We need to get past those gates,” I said, still not looking at him.

“Will you come with us?” he asked in a surprised tone.

“I will.”

“Alpha, you know about the magic that guards that place. What if they cast something on you like they did to your father?” Vincent said, showing his concern.

“I am the Alpha, Vincent. I have always fought at the forefront of everything. I have let you take care of the South for too long,” I said, finally looking at him.

“But you said we wouldn't attack them anymore.”

“I know that, but we are going to the South. Organize everything.”

“What made you change your mind? I am your friend above all else. Tell me, Damian,” Vincent insisted.

I remained silent. I knew he knew me too well.

“It was Louis, wasn't it? You can't let a crazy old king have power over you,” Vincent said, coming closer.

“But he's right, Vincent. I never tried or cared about the South, and even less so when my father passed away. I'm seeing everyone find their mates, and I want mine, Vincent. One-night stands don't satisfy me anymore. I'm twenty years old and I haven't even started my lineage,” I said, getting up and going to the window.

“The princess will soon turn eighteen, and if she doesn't return, you'll be free to choose any mate, my friend.”

“I don't want to talk about it anymore. Get everything ready to leave,” I said, looking outside.

“As you wish, Alpha,” Vincent said and left.

As soon as he left, I stayed there for a while longer, admiring the entire empire I had created until she pulled me from my thoughts.

"I need to see you, my Alpha.”

I smiled at the sweet voice speaking to me through the mind-link.

“Come in, Romana,” I said, smelling her scent.

“I tried to mask my scent like you taught me,” she said, walking towards me.

“I think we should practice some more,” I said without taking my eyes off her.

Romana came up to me and jumped into my lap, kissing me passionately. Her kisses were hot and seductive. She definitely knew what she was doing.

“Not now, Romana. I have to get ready,” I said as she kissed my neck.

“Get ready for what?” she asked me, not stopping what she was doing.

“I'm going to the South.” Upon hearing the word South, she pulled away, trying to get out of my lap, but I held her tighter.

“Going after her?” I could see her displeasure in the question.

“Just once.”

“And if you find her?” she finally said, letting go of me.

“I never promised you anything, Romana. I like what we have, and...” I didn't even finish speaking.

“Then mark me. The mark will make us one,” she said, catching me off guard.

“If I mark you and my true mate appears, you will be exiled. You will have to leave the North and never meet your true mate,” I said, hoping she would give up.

“I will only be exiled if you reject me. I am willing to give up everything for you. I love you, Damian,” she said, and deep down I was already expecting it, but I had promised myself that I would wait for the princess until her eighteenth birthday, and so I would.

“The princess is a month away from coming of age. Only then will I be able to do something without a guilty conscience,” I said and saw her face change. The fact that she would become my mate never crossed her mind.

“Alright. May the Moon Goddess protect you,” she said, lowering her head.

I approached her and smelled her neck. My mouth teased hers. I waited, and she moved forward, kissing me. Then, I took her right there. Romana was a wonderful she-wolf and an even better warrior. I was sure we would have a great family, but I still felt like something was missing.

After a while, Vincent called me through the mind-link. Everything was ready. We got dressed, and I went to meet him.

We ran to the South. We arrived in the afternoon and attacked right away. I saw their Alpha coming. I hadn't shown myself yet, but when I shifted, I could see the fear in the eyes of the Southern wolves. I ran and tore apart whoever was in front of me. I wanted their Alpha, so I attacked him. He was good. We fought for a while until I bit him, and I only released him when a delicious scent invaded my nostrils. It was so intoxicating that it threw me off. I let him go and ordered my wolves to retreat. When we were far enough away, we assumed our human forms.

“What happened? What was it, Alpha?” Vincent asked.

All the wolves were staring at me. I was still dazed. My breathing was erratic, and my wolf was as crazy as I was.

“I felt her, my mate is there,” I finally answered.

“Then we must return, Alpha!” the head of the guard exclaimed.

“We are under the second chance moon. If it's a second chance mate, Louis will kill her. We know he will find a way to carry out his threat,” I said, still dazed.

“He won't kill his own daughter!” Vincent retorted.

I closed my eyes and then looked at Vincent for a few seconds, who looked at me in total confusion.

“It's not the princess?” Vincent asked.

“The princess must already have her wolf. This one doesn't. Maybe she's not old enough yet, I don't know. We will return to the North. It's almost time for the princess to come of age. If she doesn't return home as the prophecy says, I will come back here and claim my second chance mate.”

“Damian,” Vincent called me.

“No. I know what you're thinking. I can't put my mate's life at risk. Now go back to the North.”

“Alpha, what about you?” the head of the guard asked.

“I can take care of myself. Return to the North. That's an order.” I turned to them, and they nodded and left without question.

I stood there, watching until they disappeared from my sight.

I went back as close as I could. That scent was driving my wolf and me crazy. It was like a poison, and I wanted it, wanted to feel it again so badly. I sat down and waited. I had nothing better to do. Night came, and I was impatient. I was about to leave when that scent invaded my nostrils. The gates hadn't opened, but I didn't care how she got out. I just wanted to see her, what my mate would be like. So, without further ado, I started looking for her.

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