Chapter 43

“Matteo will die that’s for sure. And if Emmaline chooses another werewolf as her mate then Xander will wipe him too or worse erase his entire pack. Everyone is aware of Xander’s atrocity. Your backing out would give him a chance to crush her brutally. Emmaline might be strong but without her pack, she is bound to lose. Only you can crusade against him but if you reject her who is gonna save her? Which werewolf has the balls to fight the most powerful pack in the world? No one. Xander would keep slaughtering down the people whom Emmaline would seek help from. The number would keep increasing and her burden of guilt also would keep piling up. Worse, she would have to face the wrath of our allies too. Xander Knight doesn’t hold the Dark Knight title for anything. He is canny, cruel, and always ten steps ahead. To save Emmaline, you have to make her yours.” Ryan stipulated.

Damien squeezed his eyes as he fell into turmoil. He knew Ryan was right. Only he has the power to save Emmaline because no one would strive for her. Shadow Banes was the cruelest and vested supreme authority. They were basically the rulers. The Alphas of even the strongest packs never dare to trifle with them. They either extended their hands for friendship or simply separated ways.

Ryan could see the troubled look in his eyes. Sighing, he held his shoulders and helped him stand. Damien didn’t say anything and simply moved away from his touch. Ryan also retraced his steps and straightened his jacket. They both stood in silence for a while.

Ryan saw how Damien looked here and there. He was frenzied, frustrated, and anxious. He couldn’t make a decision, for the first time in his twenty-five years of life, he was failing for making a firm stand.

Ryan knew he was torn between love and family but it was high time now. He has to make a call before it gets too late.

“I don’t hold the power to force you Alpha but mark my words. If you reject Emmaline then it will be equivalent to leaving her to die.”

Damien immediately threw him a death glare and grabbed his collar, “I know, I FUCKING KNOW THAT, ALL RIGHT? YOU DON’T HAVE TO THROW IT ON MY FACE AGAIN AND AGAIN!” He shrieked and pushed him back,

“I love her, you hear me? I LOVE HER!! I LOVE HER MORE THAN MY LIFE!! But my continuous inference is making her hate me. I love her but she hates me. You aren’t blind that you haven’t seen my efforts.” He gritted and let out a scoff. His anger kicked in with full force.

“I did so much for her but she is stubborn. She made up her mind that she won’t accept me, tell me what should I do? I even kissed her forcefully and I am damn sure I would have claimed her that day if I hadn’t gotten my shit together,” Damien spat and pushed his hair back with his fingers in frustration.

“I am tired Ryan. I am tired of her hate. Her perspective won’t change and if I keep chasing her, her hatred for me will keep increasing.” He said and heaved a long sigh.

“Is her hate more important than her life?” Ryan retorted turning Damien speechless. He immediately turned to him and opened his mouth to retaliate but Ryan bested him.

“I am just stating the facts, Alpha. You will easily dust the dirt off you by leaving her but then Emmaline had to deal with everything alone. You will acquit yourself by changing your path but all the bloodshed and heaps of bodies that Xander would create to catch her wouldn’t let her be at peace. Either Xander will kill her or the guilt of destroying innocent lives. And I assure you that the latter would haunt her forever considering her pure heart. You can celebrate your decision and indebt her by returning her happiness but do remember that you would always remain a part of her life even if you walk out. Your father stole her parents from her and you will snatch her life from her.”

The blaring of the horn brought Ryan out of his reverie. Their conversation concluded with Damien’s determination to save Emmaline no matter what happens. After that everything went according to their plan.

Damien decided to keep this matter hidden from Zion considering his despise for Emmaline. Though he was his Beta, Zion was more on Xander’s side. Damien knew he would come around soon but it would take a while. Edward was their enemy, he had deceived Xander so their animosity for him was justified. But Emmaline was innocent and this Zion wasn’t willing to accept.

Ryan looked at Damien whose eyes were set on the road. He cleared his throat to grab his attention before speaking, “Uhmm, I can understand your predicament Alpha but it was the need of time. Your father was disheartened but he should back out for your happiness which lies in Emmaline.”

Damien didn’t respond to him making him quickly seal his lips. Ryan just wanted to initiate a conversation to cheer up his foul mood but after noticing his sour expression, he decided to drop the matter.

“He should step back if he doesn’t want to die, Ryan.”

Ryan instantly whipped his head in his direction, stunned by his words.

“D-Damien, he is your father.”

“And she is my Luna.” Damien bristled, his hold tightening on the steering wheel.

“You have done your job Ryan so you also need to back off. Now I will take care of the rest and you do know I hate interference.” He grated and threw him a sharp glare. Ryan was taken aback but still nodded grudgingly.

Letting out a husky chuckle, Damien shifted his gaze back to the road and spoke while adjusting the rearview mirror, “Everyone needs to step back Ryan not only you. And it will start with the boy whom Emmaline is dreaming to be her life partner.”

Ryan felt his heart freeze as he was completely taken off guard by the sudden change in demeanor.

‘He was acting all along?’

“Oh yes, I was.” Damien voiced out his thoughts making him startled, “What do you think? That I knew nothing.” He rasped and let out a throaty chuckle.

“I was kinda feeling bad for making Emmaline cry but to think of it, the kiss was consensual. She reciprocated willingly; I didn’t force her. Yes, she is naive that’s why I felt guilty for making her cry but I had never said that I would leave her. She is mine and will remain mine till eternity. I am determined to make her mine and I was willing to wait for her consent even if it took me a million years.”

Ryan quickly interrupted, “Was?” That one word caught his attention.

The merriment instantly died and got replaced with a deadly silence. Ryan glanced at Damien only to see his face contoured in rage. The veins on his forehead throbbed while his jaw tightened. He could hear his teeth chattering.

“You witnessed the destruction in the house Ryan but the reason behind this was her betrayal, not my remorse.”

Ryan looked at him with wide eyes. Another big shock.

“I can tolerate everything but not disobedience. I was lenient on her as she is young and also considers me her rival but the thing, she needs to understand is that I am her MATE!!! And she tried to give my place to some fucking twit. She disrespected me, I tolerated it. She rejected me, I even swallowed that. But she fucking tried replacing me, never ever I would let her do that.” He growled in a low voice. Ryan felt his skin crawling as Damien resembled a grim reaper at the moment.

“B-But Damien, she is gullible at least you act mature. Don’t be so harsh on her-“, he tried to defend Emmaline.

“That trick wouldn’t work now, Ryan,” Damien cut him off midway as he veered the car sharply at a corner, “If she is mature enough to get engaged to someone then she should also need to understand that I am not a stray dog whom she can kick whenever the fuck she wants to. I am the fucking Alpha of Shadow Banes, the entire Northern Valley fears me. I have given her enough time now I can’t wait for anymore. Em made a grave mistake by erasing my name from her life and now she has to pay the price.”

Damien stopped and looked at his reflection in the mirror. The corner of his lips twitched as a sinister look crossed his gray eyes.

“The countdown has begun Ryan. We will definitely have our happily forever after and my Princess will only write our love story. From today itself.”

*****