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Chapter 8

Damian’s POV

What the fuck happened to my life? I couldn’t wrap my head around the last 48 hours. I just knew Nina was my mate, so I allowed myself to fall in love with her. She was perfect. She would have been the perfect luna to my pack, came from a good bloodline, and everyone loved her. Taking a sip of the whiskey I had in my hand, I leaned on my knees, bent over at my desk, and I just couldn’t fucking believe it! HOLLY? How was Holly my mate? I never really paid attention to her before. After all, she was Trevor’s sister, bro code 101 right there. I was sure she was beautiful, but I just never thought of her more than a sister. I couldn’t believe I had to find out that way, too. It completely embarrassed Nina, and the rumors going around about Holly right now were not good for her image.

I had walked in with my gang, and I saw Nina looking at Holly, and I was thinking about how breathtaking she looked in that dress. Then, out of nowhere, I smelled the most mouth-watering smell. Honey and citrus. My eyes widened as Colt, my wolf, yelled “Mate!”

I looked right at Holly, and I felt the bond snap together. I was shocked and didn’t know what to do. The boys put the pieces together and suddenly the music stopped, and everyone was staring. It was like my feet moved on their own towards the girls. What was I supposed to do? Go to my mate and ignore the girl I loved, or go comfort the girl I loved and ignore my mate? We were raised to put nothing above the mate bond, that was something you cherished and respected. I took one step toward Nina and I heard a growl that stopped me in my tracks. I looked over and Holly had her hand over her mouth, not expecting that to come out. She was already jealous of Nina. I watched Nina run off and I told the guys to go after her and make sure she was okay. I told Holly to follow me to my office.

I sighed. Just thinking about Holly asking me if I would reject her had my wolf angry. Colt was confused and hurt, but he knew we would always accept our mate. Holly told me about all of her and Nina’s conversations and Nina’s fears. Then the attack happened and we didn’t get to finish our conversation, and I had to go kill some fucking rogues. As if life wasn’t shitty enough, Nina’s parents died in the fight. Every single one of her fears happened tonight and I couldn’t be there to support her. I had funerals to plan and pack responsibilities to do. Trevor said he would take care of Nina for me since he didn’t want to be around Holly or myself at the moment. We all knew everything was going to change, and no one wanted that change. Then I saw Nina at the funeral, and she looked like she hadn’t stopped crying. She completely avoided me, and I knew I couldn’t complete the bond with Holly until we talk things through, which was a fucking mistake.

What she had to say to Holly and myself was not what I was expecting. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. I wouldn’t want to stay here either if that was me and Nina was mated to Trevor or Zach, or any other guys really. Even with Holly, I don’t think I could handle that. This was so messed the fuck up. I went to hug Holly, and I felt Nina looking at me, and I turned and saw how much I was hurting her by just comforting Holly.

I swallowed the rest of my whiskey and filled another up. I quickly shot that back and threw my glass against the wall, and it shattered into pieces just next to Trevor’s head as he came through my door.

“You should try knocking,” I said, half pissed off at myself, and half pissed off that Trevor got to take care of Nina.

Sitting down on the couch I had in my office, he just shrugged. “I got Nina’s house cleaned up. She destroyed everything on the walls, but I was able to save some pictures for her. She finally passed out. I slipped a sleeping pill in her drink so she would sleep. Otherwise, I knew she would have been up all night. What are you going to do, dude?”

“Well, you know I can’t reject Holly. We are given our mates for a reason, but the thought of being with another girl is confusing. I always assumed it was Nina. You did, too!” I yelled. I was so frustrated with the situation.

I smelled her then. Honey and citrus, and my body was instantly awake. I felt myself stiffen, but the longing was there. The bond was getting stronger and it was harder to stay away from each other. I heard a soft knocking on the door.

“Come in,” I grunted, sitting back down. “Watch out for the glass!”

Holly looked down and back up to the wall, and she registered what happened. Sighing, she just sat down by Trevor.

“So, what now?”

“I think we need to give it more time before we complete the bond. Give Nina some time and see how she is in a month. I don’t believe a word she said tonight. Surely, she won’t leave, but that girl is hard-headed. I am not going to reject you, but you need to understand I need some time to get past Nina. I understand I need to let her go, but it’s not something that happens overnight. I am sorry this is happening to you, Holly.”

She had tears in her eyes, and I could already feel a little of what she felt. Guilt, jealousy, hurt, and longing. I knew this was not how she imagined finding her mate would be like. “I understand. I never thought it would end up like this. I just lost my best friend, too.”

“For what it is worth, I don’t believe she is mad at either one of you guys. She knows you didn’t choose this, but with the death of her parents on top of this, I think she needs more time. She is broken right now, and I don’t think seeing either of you is a good thing right now either. You both need to stay clear of her. Also, the rumors going around this pack are insane. I don’t want to hurt Nina, but you need to announce you found your mate, Damian, and there will be a luna ceremony in the future. I don’t need to tell you to do right by my sister, but I will be at Nina’s side, so she has at least one friend right now. I know Zach will be with me, too,” Trevor said, walking out and slamming the door shut before we had a chance to respond.

We sat in silence for a while, and finally I said, “You can move into the pack house. My room is on the third floor you know, but I am going to let you have the guest room across the hall for a while. I am the only person that is up there. I will announce that you are my mate at breakfast tomorrow, since we are eating together as a pack. With the attack, we could use some unity. The luna ceremony can be in two months. How does that sound to you, Holly?”

She was quiet for a minute, and I could tell she was deciding her words carefully. “I understand you love her, and I love her too, but I don’t feel like I should be punished by not being able to complete the mating bond within a reasonable time. I know you feel a draw to each other, and my body is made for you. I know you and Nina never had sex, so I would be your first and only. If we stay away from Nina as Trevor suggested, then it shouldn’t matter, right?”

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