Damien's pov

I drove my fists harder into the punching bag, concentrating on letting out all my pent-up frustration.

Two days–it had been two whole days since I had met my mate and carried her back to my pack.

Everything within me screamed to go to her, to take her and claim her as mine, but I bit down the urge, drawing a breath as I didn't derive the sensation I sought from attacking the punching bag.

"We've already changed two punching bags in the last day, some of my men are in the infirmary because they were brave enough to spar against you at your command, and the others are unwilling to risk their lives by stepping into the gym even though they need to train." Callan, my beta, stared at me as he leaned against a wall at the far corner of the gym.

"Your point is?" I quirked a brow at him.

"You have to get it together, Damien." He pushed off the wall and approached me.

"I am well put together," I informed him, and he scoffed, ignoring the daggers my eyes shot his way.

Callan was the only one who could call me out and go scot-free.

"Then why are you attempting to kill all your men?" He quirked a brow.

"I am not attempting to kill my men, I simply wish to train their bodies. They are weak." I growled.

"Or maybe you are being a coward who is scared to face his mate outside these gym walls and doesn't know how to express the emotions raging within him." He retorted.

"Know your place, Callan." My voice boomed, but the man didn't even bat an eyelash.

"I know you, Damien." He sighed.

"Avoidance won't help you." He advised and I raked my hands through my hair in frustration.

"What do you expect me to do? I was sure the moon goddess hadn't given me a mate. I was sure I was going to rule alone, considering the curse, and that was fine by me, but now the moon goddess thrusts a little frail woman my way."

"If I dare mark her, she is going to die, and if I reject her, it will weaken me. So tell me, what do you expect me to do?" I placed both hands on my waist as I tried to control my ragged breathing.

"Why can't you be with her?" Callan asked, and my expression immediately darkened.

"You know about the curse-" I gritted out. Callan was the only one who knew about the curse.

"There could be a way around the curse. If the moon goddess gave you a mate, then there must be a way." He interrupted me.

"You knew how long I searched for a cure, a remedy, a way around the curse, and anything that would break it. I won't give myself any more false hopes only to end up at a dead end." My words rang with finality, and he knew better than to say anything more on the subject.

"Just find another outlet for your pent-up emotions and leave my men alone." He sighed before walking out of the gym and leaving me with my thoughts.

Callan was right about one thing, though: I couldn't hide away in the gym forever. I had to face my problems head-on.

After taking a shower, I made my way to my mate's room, stopping short as her melodic laughter rings through the door and something stirred within me.

"Come in." Her soft voice called out to me when I knocked on the door.

I pushed open the door, and immediately my nostrils flared as the sweet scent of strawberries wafted around me.

My eyes landed on my mate who was in the middle of her bed and staring at me with blue doe eyes, and her little lips parted.

Everything within me begged to pounce on her and claim her as mine.

I knew my eyes flashed, and I closed them for a second, trying to gain better control of my urges before I opened them and kept a blank expression.

Sophie, Callan's daughter, and Emma are perched on the bed beside my mate.

"I would like to speak with my mate." I announced and Emma immediately spring from the bed.

"Let's go, Sophie." Emma bundled the little girl in her arms and left the room, shutting the door with a click behind me.

Awkward silence stretched in the room for several seconds, and my mate rose from the bed.

The sparks were undeniable when our eyes met, and I couldn't second-guess this.

This woman was my mate, there was no mistaking it.

She looked fresher now that the dirty and bloodied gown was gone and her blond hair was tied up in a bun.

She was perf,ect.

"You wanted to talk to me?" She asked, breaking the silence as a blush stained her cheeks at the intensity of my stare.

I cleared my throat and looked away from her.

"How are you feeling?" I asked her lamely.

"Much better. I'm practically healed." She replied slowly.

I was at a loss for what to do.

"What is your name?" I asked, keeping my voice steady, and her eyes widened in shock.

I had made it a point not to talk about her whenever Callan or his mate tried to bring her up in the last two days. It was safe to say I knew absolutely nothing about my mate.

"Scarlet." She replied.

"Scarlet." I tested her name on my lips, and I noticed her sharp intake of breath.

Good, I wasn't the only one who could feel the mate pull.

"And you are the feared Lycan king." She muttered after a moment, and I quirked a brow at the title.

Somewhere within me, I didn't want my mate to see me as the Lycan in that title, I wanted her to see me for who I was behind the crown.

"I hope-" I began, but my mate cut me off.

"I want to leave." She announced, and my heart dropped.

Scarlet's pov

"Leave to where?" Damien asked, his words vicious, and I could tell by the slight tick in his jaw, he was struggling to control his temper.

I hated to admit it, but I was scared.

I had heard tales of his ruthlessness and viciousness being spoken about across packs.

"I can't go back to my pack, but I'll find somewhere else," I replied in a tiny voice.

"This is your pack and home now." He growled.

"Would you keep me here against my will?" I asked.

I remained silent, and that fear I felt rose within me.

He scanned my face before he let out a sigh.

"I wouldn't keep you here against your will. However, would it be so easy for you to leave? Don't you feel the mate bond?" He asked, stalking towards me.

The closer he came, the stronger the scent of sandwood invaded my senses.

"I don't know what to do," I whispered, and it was the truth.

I didn't know how to move forward from here.

"Why were you in a wedding gown the day we met?" He asked, and my eyes bulged at the unexpected question.

"I was meant to be married," I revealed, and he clenched his fists by his side.

"What happened? Why were you fending off rogues instead of being at your wedding?" He inquired, and I was unsure how much to divulge to this man.

He might have been my mate, but he was still a total stranger to me.

"I'd rather not talk about it." I shrugged and looked away from him.

"I would like to know if my mate is married or if I should be bothered about anyone coming to claim what is mine." He said possessively, and I almost melted into a puddle.

"I am not an object to be claimed by anyone," I announced.

"But you don't have to worry about that. I'm not married, and no one is coming for me." I said with a sad smile.

"He is a fool, then, but I cannot bring myself to hate him because his actions made our paths meet." He divulge,d and my wolf leaped within me, against my better judgement.

"Why were you in the forest by that time?" I asked, and his eyebrows shot up in surprise.

He wasn't expecting me to ask any questions.

"I was restless and I needed to clear my head." He shrugged.

My eyes rested on his face, and I was overcome by the sudden urge to brush my fingers along the single scar running down his left eye, right before I peppered it with kisses.

I must be running mad.

"I thought you were avoiding me." I blurted out.

"What made you think that?" He asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"You made no attempt to see me since the night you brought me here." I reminded him.

"Did you want me to visit?" He cocked his head to the side.

"I was just saying," I muttered as my cheeks heated at the implications of his words.

"You've already met Emma. She would guide you on anything you need to know about the pack, and if you have any questions, feel free to seek me out." He said before he turned to exit the room.

"You aren't going to claim me or mark me?" I questioned, and his hand stilled on the door handle.

I wanted to slap myself for speaking without a filter.

"Do you want me to?" He turned slightly towards me.

"Again, I was just merely asking." I shrugged as I hugged myself.

That was all my wolf wanted, but I wasn't about to say that out loud when I knew it was the mate bond manipulating me.

"And what would you do if I decide to take you right here and now and mark you?" He asked, his hazel eyes flashing.

My mouth went dry as my traitorous mind conjured the image in my head.

I gulped but otherwise remained silent.

Damien gave a stiff nod and turned back towards the door.

"Then I suggest you stop asking questions when the answers might not be favourable to you. The pack's doctor will come to attend to your wound," He announced before he left my room.

I stared at the door long after he left and realized that he hadn't answered any of my questions; rather, he had left me more confused than I had been.

It wasn't up to a few minutes when Emma entered with a tray, plates, and some wool.

"You definitely have to eat more, and we have to build your body." Emma touched my limbs.

"I think I look alright just like this." I looked down at my body.

"Of course, you do," Emma muttered under her breath.

I wasn't exactly skinny, but I couldn't say I had a sturdy build.

"Damien gave me his credit card and said to get you some new clothes." She changed the subject as we walked into the mall, and I stilled.

"Why would he do that when he is deliberately ignoring me?" I asked with a frown.

"He isn't ignoring you, Scarlet. He is just busy." Emma defended him lamely, but I could see even she didn't believe her words.

"Too busy to speak to his mate whom he has not even attempted to get to know?" I quirked an unimpressed brow.

"Do you even want him to get to know you though? You just proposed that you are leaving," She asked, and I groaned before adding. "I overheard it though. It wasn't intentional." 

"Would everyone just stop doing that. I need straightforward answers, and answering my question with a question isn't particularly helpful." I snapped, and Emma stood still. 

But come to think of it. Am I really going to return to a pack I felt so unwanted? An Alpha that betrayed me. A mate that slept with my bestfriend. And a friend that sees me as an enemy?

I can't believe I was almost torn into pieces by those rogue wolves in the wood. Alex, and Kayla after many years of loving them hard chose to betray me this way. 

What if I leave and they come for me? 

Kayla, and Alex had hurt me badly. It hurts I cannot forgive. All my life, I've loved them. And this is how they chose to betray me?

Revenge is the only thing on my mind. And right now, maybe leaving isn't an option. 

But how am I going to get revenge against those two when I have no backup? 

Before Emma could reply, a bang was heard from the distance, almost like a loud drum, and it kept beating.

"What is that?" I asked as I noticed people inside the mall began to rush out, and there was an excited chatter in the air.

"Come on, let's go." She retorted instead of answering my question as she dragged me out of the mall.

Damien's POV

"Listen, everyone," I continued, my fist raised to signify silence. 

The Moon shining at its peak was something that had occurred a long time ago in this part of the world, after the curse was placed on me.

But suddenly, upon Scarlet's arrival--just a few days of her being here, everything changed. 

The sick were healed, and even the lame walked miraculously. This wasn't just an ordinary thing. It is just as the Moon goddess has said. Just like the prophecy had announced the day I was cursed.

Scarlet is more of a blessing than a mate. But she seems so hurt and pained by what her mate had done to her. 

How was I supposed to convince her to be my Luna when she had raised these walls around her?

Just as I saw her amongst the pack members, her blue doe eyes never leaving mine, almost caused me to trip over my feet while addressing the pack members.

"The Moon goddess has finally smiled on us after many years." I addressed them and stretched my hand towards Scarlet. 

 I honestly don't have a clue how this love story is about to begin or how it was written. But it's worth giving it a try.

"What are you doing?" My Beta, Callan, whispered into my ears, leaving me startled almost immediately.

And right now, I just lost my confidence. 

"Are you really going to ask her out in front of the whole pack, Alpha Damien?"

I rolled my eyes in frustration, staring at the pack members who were waiting for me to say something. 

My breath hitched as I clenched my fist, trying hard not to show my weakness in front of my people.

I've never done this before in my life. Asking a woman out in front of my people. 

However, yes, this is the way it must be done if I want the curse to be broken once and for all. 

"Have you forgotten what the moon goddess said about getting my Luna if I really want the curse to go away?" I turned towards Callan, my breath fanning his face.

Well, Callan is more of a brother than a beta. So we are always like this.

"But you haven't even spoken to her. I mean..." Callan paused with a smug look on his face. "I thought the last thing she said to you was that she wants to run away from this pack–"

"Can you just allow me to do this? I'm the greatest Alpha. Have you seen me? No girl has ever said no to me. I'm irresistible." I replied proudly.

Callan, on the other hand, stepped back with a shrug. But the look on his face says something else. 

I inhaled deeply, controlling the rate at which my heart was pounding–one that I could even hear in my ears. 

"I want to introduce someone to us." I started, signaling Emma to push her forward. 

"Her name is Scarlet." I started, beckoning for her to come forward. 

"Scarlet, can you do a brief introduction of yourself to my people?" I raised a brow, my face doing the rest of the talking. 

"Go on,"

She cleared her throat as if knowing what I was up to. Tension filled the air as everyone went silent. 

Turning to look at me at intervals, and back to the crowd, she started. "My name is Scarlet Underwood." 

"It's nice to be here with you all. I hope you'll treat me well," She concluded, bowing her head alongside. 

I smiled softly, walking towards her, and I wasted no time in sliding my hand inside hers. 

Gripping her hand gently, my eyes trailed down to her face, and back to the pack members.

"The sign we saw today was because of Scarlet Underwood," I explained, and murmurs filled the air. 

Small talks, and something that seems more of a disapproval, which I couldn't wrap my head around. 

"It appears that Scarlet Underwood is my mate, and my Luna," I announced, and everyone burst out in disagreement. 

"We won't have someone from the MoonClaw pack be our Luna!" One of the elders barked, and everyone supported almost immediately. 

And before I could speak, just like Callan had predicted. Scarlet broke loose from my grip.

Yanking her hand off, she turned towards me in anger. Her eyes darted back to the pack members. "I will never be a Luna to a heartless Alpha! Even if he's the last man on earth."