The lost mate
Chapter 48: The waiting game

Chapter 48: The waiting game

Annie sighed deeply, her chest heavy with the weight of the decision she was about to make. She closed her eyes, shutting out the world for a moment, trying to gather the strength she knew she needed. She had always known that this day might come and that her carefully constructed walls would crumble.

When she opened her eyes, Damien’s intense gaze met hers, full of hope, anticipation, and something else—something that made her heart ache. She could see the urgency in his eyes, the desperation for her to say the words he wanted to hear.

"I don’t have a choice, do I?" She said quietly, more to herself than to him.

Damien’s expression softened, and he reached out, his fingers brushing against hers, warm and reassuring. "It’s the right thing to do, Annie. For you, for Ryan... for all of us."

"Okay," she finally whispered, her voice barely audible. "I’ll do it."

Damien’s face lit up with relief, and a smile spread across his features, making him look almost boyish. "Thank you, Annie."

His eyes gleamed with a mixture of triumph and joy.

"There’s one more thing," he said carefully, watching her reaction. "I’ve been thinking... It might be safer if Heather and Emily moved to Maine as well. They wouldn’t stay with the pack, of course, but... whoever ordered the attack on you could easily go after them too. If they’re with us in Maine, we can keep an eye on them. "

Annie’s heart sank. She hadn’t even thought about the potential danger to Heather and Emily. The idea of uprooting them from the life they had built here was daunting. Heather had been through a lot already, and Emily... After everything that had happened, Emily had just started to get back to a normal life.

"I don’t know, Damien," Annie murmured, rubbing her temples as if trying to ward off an impending headache. "Heather and Emily have their lives here. Emily has her job, and Heather... I don’t want to drag them into this any more than they already are."

Damien stepped closer, his expression earnest. "If something were to happen to them because of this, would you ever forgive yourself? We’re not just talking about any danger—they’re at risk because of what’s going on in the werewolf realm. You and I both know it’s not something they can handle on their own."

Annie hated that he was right. They were already involved, whether she liked it or not, and the best way to protect them was to keep them close. She looked away, her eyes settling on the floor as she weighed her options.

"Okay," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I’ll talk to them. But Damien, they have to make the decision themselves. I won’t force them to leave if they don’t want to."

Damien nodded, his smile returning, though more subdued this time. "Actually, it would be easier than you think. Emily is Chris’s mate."

Annie looked at him in shock. "What ? Is he sure ? Bur Emily is a human."

Damien nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, he’s sure. And its not unusual to have a human mate. Although he hasn’t talked to her about it. Emily might not feel the mate bond, but she would definitely be attracted to him on a subconscious level."

Annie’s eyes widened in realisation. Emily did go on a date with Chris but had run off when she realised his truth. She was rather scared of him. How would she react if she found out she was Chris’s mate ?

"Don’t tell her anything about it, though. Let them figure it out themselves." Damien warned, knowing that interfering could complicate things further.

"Damien," Annie suddenly interrupted him. "Emily is like my sister, and I don’t want to see her hurt. If she does not want to be Chris’s mate, then she shouldn’t have to be."

"Perhaps we should leave it to them." Damien replied. "But I promise, she wont be hurt."

"Let’s just hope for the best," Annie said, feeling a mix of concern and hope for her friend.

***********************************************************

Luna Liana paced back and forth in her office, the rhythmic click of her heels echoing against the cold, sleek walls. Her brow furrowed in agitation, hands clenching at her sides as she replayed Marcus’s report in her mind.

"A woman. Damien was seen with a woman," she muttered under her breath, her sharp eyes flicking towards Marcus, who stood by the door, looking unusually tense. "And what else? Do we know anything about her?"

Marcus cleared his throat nervously. "We don’t have more specifics, Luna. As I mentioned, I sent humans to spy on them. Damien and Chris would’ve detected wolves immediately, so I had to go with a... less noticeable option."

Liana’s eyes flashed dangerously. "So, you’re telling me these pathetic humans couldn’t even tell if the woman Damien was with is human or wolf?"

Marcus swallowed hard, feeling the intensity of her stare. "No, Luna. They’re just humans. They wouldn’t be able to distinguish a wolf, not without—"

"WHAT KIND OF LOUSY MEN DID YOU SEND FOR THIS JOB?!" Liana exploded, her voice a crack of thunder in the room. She slammed her fist down on the desk, the sound reverberating through the space.

Her eyes narrowed, sharp as daggers. "And all you’ve brought me is speculation."

Marcus lowered his head, his voice small. "I apologise, Madam Luna. I’ll do better. I’ll find out more—"

Before he could finish, Liana’s phone rang, cutting through the tension like a knife. She glanced at the screen. The name flashing on the screen was enough to calm the storm brewing within her. Damien.

She exhaled slowly, her lips curving into a tight smile. "Leave," she ordered Marcus in a low voice, gesturing for him to step out of the room. He obeyed quickly, slipping through the door as she answered the call.

"Damien, darling," she said, her voice softening immediately. The sudden warmth replaced her earlier fury. "I wasn’t expecting to hear from you. Everything going well?"

"Hey, Mum," Damien’s deep voice came through the line, sounding as calm and collected as ever. "Yeah, everything’s fine. Just finished up what I needed to take care of out here."

Liana’s heart fluttered with relief, though she kept her voice even. "That’s wonderful. Are you heading back soon?"

"In two days," Damien replied. "I’ve got a few things to wrap up, but I should be home then. Oh, and I have a surprise for you."

Liana’s eyebrow arched with curiosity. "A surprise?"

"You’ll see," Damien teased, his tone light. "I think you’ll like it."

Liana chuckled softly, a sound that felt almost foreign in the silence of her office. "I’m sure I will. You know I always love your surprises."

The conversation continued, with Liana speaking to her son as if everything was fine. She asked him about the weather, his travels, and even mentioned something about the pack back home, but her mind was racing the entire time. What was this "surprise" Damien was bringing back? Was it something to do with the woman he was seen with?

When the call ended, Liana stared at her phone for a moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she set the phone down carefully on her desk and called for Marcus to return.

He stepped back into the room, looking uncertain.

"There’s no need to gather more information, Marcus," she said calmly, though her voice carried the edge of someone who hadn’t forgotten her earlier frustration. "Damien will be returning in two days. That’s all we need to know."

Marcus exhaled, visibly relieved.

"Prepare for the party." Liana ordered happily.

"Of course, Madame Luna. I’ll make sure everything’s prepared for his return."

After Marcus left, Liana sighed with relief. She would announce Damien’s mating ceremony date at the party. Everything would go as per her plans.