The lost mate
Chapter 60: Confrontation

Chapter 60: Confrontation

Annie clenched her jaw as she stared at Jessica. The taunting words hung in the air, each one laced with venom. Jessica’s smirk widened, satisfied with Annie’s silence.

"You should visit your old pack sometime," Jessica said, her voice dripping with mockery. "Your friends miss you. After all, you did abandon them."

"I didn’t abandon them," she replied, her voice steady but filled with restrained anger. "I was forced to leave. You know that."

Jessica chuckled darkly, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Forced? Oh, sweetie, don’t rewrite history. You ran away after seducing Damien. And now look at you. You got lucky—became the Alpha princess. But deep down, you’re still that pathetic half-breed. Let’s see how long you can keep up this little facade."

Annie’s eyes narrowed, her muscles tensing. "Are you threatening me?" she asked, her tone calm but with an edge that made it clear she wasn’t afraid.

Jessica’s smirk didn’t waver. "No, darling," she said, her voice syrupy sweet. "Just telling you the reality. After all, Damien still hasn’t marked you, has he?"

Of course he had not marked her because Annie didn’t let him. Before she could respond, Jessica turned on her heel, that smug expression still plastered on her face, and sauntered away, leaving Annie standing there, simmering in anger.

Damien hasn’t marked you.

The words echoed in her mind, clawing at her insecurities. She had been so wrapped up in the chaos of the last few days—meeting the pack, protecting Ryan, avoiding Damien’s advances—that she hadn’t even thought about it. The bond between them was incomplete. She was still vulnerable.

Annie’s gaze flicked towards Damien, who was across the room talking to a few elders of the pack. For a brief moment, he caught her eye, his brow furrowing with concern. But before she could make a move towards him, a flurry of pack members suddenly surrounded her, eager to introduce themselves.

"Luna Annie, it’s such an honour to meet you," one of them said, shaking her hand enthusiastically. Another leant in closer, complimenting her dress.

She forced a smile, nodding politely, but her mind was still spinning from Jessica’s words. Damien hasn’t marked you.

And then, through the crowd, an elderly woman appeared, her grey hair neatly pinned back and a warm smile lighting up her face. "Annie, dear," she said in a soft voice, "I’m Marge Damien’s old nanny. I helped raise him when he was a little boy."

Annie’s heart softened at the sight of the woman’s gentle expression. There was no malice or judgement in her eyes, only kindness. Marge reached out, taking Annie’s hand in hers.

"I’ve heard so much about you and your little one," she continued, her smile deepening as she glanced over at Ryan, who was still playing nearby. "He’s such a darling boy. It reminds me so much of Damien at that age. I’m so happy to finally meet you both."

Annie felt a rush of gratitude wash over her, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. She squeezed Marge’s hand. "Thank you," she said, her voice a little shaky from the whirlwind of emotions. "It means a lot."

Marge’s eyes twinkled with affection as she leant in closer. "If you ever need help with Ryan, don’t hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to look after him. It would be my pleasure."

After all the hostility and suspicion she’d faced from the pack, Marge’s warmth was like a balm to her frayed nerves. She nodded, her smile more genuine this time. "I appreciate that. Really."

As Marge moved to say hello to Ryan, Annie stood there for a moment, letting herself breathe.

Damien hasn’t marked you. The words wouldn’t leave her.

"I told you, we must be with our mate." Her wolf spoke up.

Annie glanced towards Damien once more. He was still deep in conversation, unaware of the storm brewing inside her.

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

That night Annie lay besides Ryan, watching his chest rise and fall in the steady rhythm of sleep. His tiny hand clutched the edge of the blanket. Her mind refused to quiet.

Jessica’s words from earlier gnawed at her.

Aaron and Nicky.

She hadn’t thought about them in so long—her old friends, the ones she left behind when she fled. Were they still there? Did they know where she had gone? Or had they moved on, bitter and betrayed, like Jessica suggested?

Annie’s pulse quickened. She couldn’t leave it like this, not with those accusations hanging over her. She needed answers. She needed to talk to Damien. He had to know something.

Carefully, she slipped out of bed, making sure not to disturb Ryan’s sleep.

Annie reached Damien’s door and stood outside for a moment, gathering her thoughts, her heart pounding in her chest. What would she even say? But she couldn’t go back now.

She knocked softly.

"Damien?" she called, her voice barely above a whisper.

She waited for a moment before opening the door and walking in. Damien was in the shower, and the sound of water hitting flesh filled the room. She was about to leave when the bathroom door opened. Damien walked out in a towel, his hair still wet from the shower.

She couldn’t help but stare at his chest, the water droplets running down his abs. He looked at her with a surprised expression, his eyes meeting hers. "Is everything okay?" he asked, breaking the awkward silence that had settled between them. She quickly averted her gaze, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"I need to talk to you about something," she said, her voice shaking slightly.

Damien looked at her, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice soft.

Annie took a deep breath before speaking.

"I... I wanted to ask..." She looked at him, then turned away.

"Can you please put some clothes on?" Damien chuckled, a smile playing on his lips as he walked into a walk-in closet. He came out soon after dressing up in navy blue pyjamas. His hair is still wet. "Sorry about that; go ahead and tell me what’s on your mind."

She turned to face him then, her eyes sharp with unresolved tension. "Why didn’t you tell me that you were engaged to Jessica?"

Damien’s face fell, the colour draining from his cheeks. His jaw clenched, and he looked away for a moment, clearly caught off guard.

"I... I didn’t think it was important," he finally muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "I wasn’t engaged to her; it was arranged by our parents, and it never meant anything to me. I didn’t even think of her like that."

"Not important ?" Annie mumbled.

She stood up and started pacing.

"Damien , this is a big deal. You should have told me."

Damien’s mouth opened, but no words came out at first. He took a deep breath, looking torn between regret and frustration. "I’m sorry, Annie," he said, his voice softening. "I should have told you. I didn’t want to upset you with something that’s irrelevant now."

"Irrelevant?" Annie scoffed. "She’s still here, Damien. She’s part of this pack. She’s the one your mother chose for you. I saw how the pack members treated her today. As if she were already their Luna."

Damien stepped forward, his hands reaching out to her, but she pulled back.

"I chose you," he said quietly, his gaze intense. "It doesn’t matter what anyone else wants, Annie."

Annie swallowed, her heart pounding in her chest. Part of her wanted to believe him. But then Jessica’s other words crept into her mind.

"Anyway, I didn’t come here to talk about Jessica," she said suddenly, the shift in topic catching Damien off guard. "Aron and Nickey. They were my best friends in the Cresent moon pack. Aron helped me escape from the dungeon."

Damein frowed when she mentioned Dungeon.

"The way Jessica spoke about them, I am worried about them. I need to see them," she said quietly, her eyes meeting his once more. "Aaron and Nicky. I need to know that they are safe."

Damien hesitated, his face torn. But after a moment, he said. "I know what happened to them."