The lost mate
Chapter 61: Healing

Chapter 61: Healing

He didn’t reach for her this time, sensing the delicate tension between them. Instead, he clasped his hands in front of him, his gaze fixed on the floor.

"When you left, it didn’t just affect you," he began, his voice low. "You know the laws of our world, Annie. When someone is declared rogue, it’s not just them who bears the consequences. The people who helped them, knowingly or not, are branded as traitors."

Annie’s heart sank, already dreading what was coming.

"Aaron and Nicky... They were questioned, accused of helping you escape." He paused, his jaw tightening. "Different packs handle traitors differently. Some are more lenient; others, not so much."

"Because they helped you," Damien continued, his voice strained, "they were demoted to omegas."

Annie felt as though the ground had been pulled out from beneath her. Omega. The lowest rank in any pack. Stripped of status, respect, and power. The ones responsible for the most menial tasks are often treated with disdain by the rest of the pack. It was a punishment as much as it was a humiliation.

She stared at the floor, her vision blurring as guilt clawed at her chest. Aaron and Nicky had been her friends, loyal to her when no one else was. And now, they were paying the price for that loyalty.

Annie shook her head, her emotions swirling in a storm of guilt and frustration. "They were my friends, Damien. I should’ve been there for them. I should’ve—"

"There was nothing you could’ve done," Damien interrupted, his voice firm. "You were fighting to survive, Annie. You did what you had to do to protect yourself and Ryan."

Annie’s breath hitched as her tears fell, her body trembling with the weight of guilt. She sat on the edge of Damien’s bed, her face buried in her hands as sobs wracked through her chest.

"I ruined their lives," she choked out. "Aaron and Nicky... they’re suffering because of me. It’s all my fault."

Damien sat besides her. He didn’t say anything at first; he just placed a warm hand on her back, rubbing soothing circles. His voice, when he spoke, was soft but firm. "Annie, none of this is your fault. You did what you had to do. You were protecting yourself. They knew the risks, but they chose to help you because they care about you."

Annie shook her head, her voice cracking. "But they’re omegas now, Damien. They’ve lost everything. All because of me."

Damien frowned, his heart aching at seeing her so broken. He hadn’t anticipated the weight of this revelation hitting her so hard. "I’ll fix it, Annie," he promised, his voice determined. "I’m going to talk to Alpha Jackson. I’ll get their ranks back."

Annie wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, turning to him with a glimmer of hope. "You will?"

"Yes," Damien nodded, his tone unwavering. "I have to confront him anyway. He lied to me five years ago."

"He told me that you had found your mate and left with him."

Annie’s breath caught in her throat. Her eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling. "He told you that? And you believed him?"

Damien’s face softened, guilt creeping into his expression as he turned his gaze away, unable to meet her eyes. "At the time... I wasn’t sure if you were my mate, Annie."

A stunned silence fell between them. Annie stared at him, her mind racing as his words sank in. "You weren’t sure?" She repeated, her voice thick with disbelief.

Damien ran a hand through his hair, clearly uncomfortable. "It’s not something I’m proud of. But back then, I was dealing with a lot. Pressure from the pack, from my family. The idea of having a mate, and a half-breed mate at that... It complicated everything."

Annie’s heart ached at his words. She stood up, putting some distance between them, her arms wrapping around herself protectively.

"You thought I’d run off with someone else?"

Damien stood, moving towards her, but stopped just short of reaching out. "Annie, it wasn’t like that. I didn’t want to believe it. But Jackson’s story fit with what I thought I knew. You were gone. No one knew where you were. It seemed... plausible."

"Plausible?" Annie let out a bitter laugh, though there was no humour in it.

"I didn’t want to believe it!" Damien said, his voice rising with frustration. "But I didn’t know what else to think. I was... confused."

Annie looked at him, her eyes filled with pain. "Confused? About me?"

"Yes," Damien said quietly, his shoulders sagging. "I wasn’t sure if you were the one. When we got intimate, I was under the influence of a strong Aphrodisiac. I didn’t even want a mate that time. It all happened so fast, I didn’t know if you were really my mate or if it was due to the drug. And I was knocked out for two days. By the time I came searching for you, it was too late."

Annie swallowed hard, fighting the lump forming in her throat. She didn’t want to forgive him so easily, but she could see the guilt in his eyes. It mirrored the pain she’d carried for so long.

"What about now?" she asked, her voice soft, almost fragile. "Do you trust your instincts now?"

Damien’s gaze locked with hers, something fierce flickering in his eyes. "I know you’re my mate, Annie. I’ve known it for a long time, even if I was too blind to see it back then. But I won’t make the same mistake again."

Annie’s heart pounded, but she wasn’t ready to give in so easily. There was still so much between them, so much hurt, so many unanswered questions.

Damien stepped forward again, this time closing the distance between them. His hand hovered near hers, but he didn’t touch her. He was giving her space, but his presence was magnetic, pulling her in.

"I know it’s complicated, Annie. I know I have to earn your trust again. But I’ll do it. I’ll talk to Alpha Jackson; I’ll fix things with Aaron and Nicky."

Annie looked at him, her emotions warring within her. She wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that he could protect them. But trust wasn’t something she could give easily anymore. Not after everything that had happened.

"Alright," she said softly. "Talk to Jackson. Fix what you can. And I want to meet them. I want to apologise in person to Aron and Nickey."

"I will take you with me," he promised.

Annie gave a small nod, though her heart still felt heavy. She wasn’t sure what the future held, but maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for healing—for them all.