The lost mate
Chapter 41: Unspoken fear

Chapter 41: Unspoken fear

The hum of the engine filled the quiet space inside the SUV as Damien drove through the early morning light. Annie glanced back at Ryan, who had fallen asleep again, his small chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm.

She had been quiet since they left the scene of the attack, her mind racing with thoughts and questions. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she turned to Damien, her voice barely above a whisper.

"How did you find us?"

Damien’s eyes remained focused on the road, his jaw tight. For a moment, she thought he wouldn’t answer, but then he spoke, his tone controlled and measured.

"I never left."

Annie blinked, confusion flickering across her face. "What do you mean?"

"Chris saw you leaving," Damien explained, his voice steady. "He called me immediately at the airport. By the time I caught up, you were in trouble. We chased after you, and when I saw the rogues surrounding your car, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer."

Annie’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t realised how close he had been. She swallowed hard, her heart pounding as the reality of the situation settled over her.

"Thank you," she whispered, the words heavy with gratitude and guilt.

Damien didn’t respond. Annie couldn’t tell if he was angry, hurt, or simply too focused on the road ahead to say anything more. The tension between them was thick, and she felt a growing unease in the pit of her stomach. Was he mad at her? Had she pushed him too far?

The rest of the drive passed in silence.

When they finally pulled up to the small house where Annie, Heather, and Emily lived, it was morning, casting a soft, golden light over the quiet neighborhood. Damien parked the SUV and turned off the engine, but neither of them moved to get out.

Annie looked over at Damien, searching his face for any sign of what he was feeling, but his expression was unreadable. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, to break the silence, but the words stuck in her throat. Before she could gather the courage to speak, Damien opened his door and stepped out, moving around to help her and Ryan out of the car.

Heather and Emily were already at the front door, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern as they watched the SUV pull up. Heather’s eyes widened as she took in Annie’s dishevelled state, her gaze quickly shifting to Damien with a look of shock.

"What happened?" Heather asked, her voice trembling as she rushed forward to take Annie’s hand. "Are you okay?"

Annie nodded, though her body still trembled from the night’s events. "I’m fine," she said softly, glancing at Damien, who was carefully lifting Ryan out of the car. "We ran into some trouble."

Heather’s eyes grew wide with alarm as she noticed the blood and dirt staining Annie’s clothes. "Oh my God, Annie, are you hurt?"

"I’m okay," Annie reassured her, her voice steadier this time. But when Heather’s gaze shifted to Damien, the air between them thickened with unspoken tension.

Heather’s hand flew to her mouth as realisation dawned. "He knows everything," Annie said quietly, her voice laced with resignation.

Damien gently handed Ryan to Annie, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he stepped back, his expression unreadable. "You should rest," he said, his tone softer than before. "I’ll come by later. We need to talk."

Annie nodded, her heart sinking with the weight of what was left unsaid. As Damien turned to leave, heading back to the SUV, a wave of dread washed over her. What would he say tomorrow? What would he do?

Heather reached out, placing a comforting hand on Annie’s shoulder. "What’s going on, Annie? What happened?"

Annie shook her head, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I’m afraid... I’m afraid he’s going to take Ryan from me."

Heather’s eyes widened in shock, her grip on Annie tightening. "What? Why would he do that?"

"He’s his father," Annie whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "He has every right to... but I can’t lose him, Heather. I can’t."

Heather pulled her into a tight embrace, her own heart aching for her friend. "You won’t lose him."

"I think you’re worrying too much. You said Damien was your mate, right? That means he’s bound to you, just as you are to him. Mates don’t just abandon each other."

Annie’s gaze remained fixed on the floor, her fingers curling around the edge of the sofa cushion. "It’s not that simple, Heather," she replied softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "Being mates doesn’t change the reality of our situation. It doesn’t erase the fact that I’m a half-breed or that Ryan’s existence could be seen as a threat."

Heather frowned, not fully understanding. "But why would that matter? Damien’s the Alpha. He can protect you and Ryan from anyone who tries to hurt you. Isn’t that what he’s supposed to do?"

Annie shook her head, her grip tightening on the cushion. "In theory, yes. But in practice, it’s not that easy. The pack, the council—they won’t just accept me because Damien says so. They’ll see me as an outsider, someone who doesn’t belong. And Ryan... they’ll see him as a weakness, a potential liability. They’ll use him against Damien."

Heather reached out, taking Annie’s hand in hers. "You can’t live your life based on what-ifs, Annie. You deserve happiness, and so does Ryan. Maybe... maybe you should go to him. Talk to him. You don’t know for sure what will happen until you do."

Annie’s eyes filled with tears, and she squeezed Heather’s hand tightly. "I’m so scared, Heather. I’m scared of what he’ll say and of what he might do. Even if I go to him," Annie said, her voice barely above a whisper, "our union will never be accepted by the pack. I’ll always be an outcast. And Ryan... he’ll be seen as a mistake, a half-breed who shouldn’t exist. They’ll never stop judging us, Heather."

"I just... I don’t want Ryan to grow up like that," Annie said, her voice trembling. "I don’t want him to be hated or feared because of who he is."

Heather nodded, her heart breaking for her friend. "I know, Annie. But you also can’t deny him the chance to know his father and to be part of a family. You can’t keep running forever."

Annie closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks.