The lost mate
Chapter 84: Exploring the past

Chapter 84: Exploring the past

Anne approached the young Omega, who was tending to some daily tasks in the hallway. She had seen the girl around before, but they had never spoken. The Omega, likely nervous to be in the presence of her Luna-to-be, kept her head low, avoiding eye contact.

"Excuse me," Anne said softly, trying to ease the tension. "Could you tell me where the pack library is?"

The girl’s head shot up briefly, her wide eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and respect. "The library ?"

"Yes,tongue. en meaning to explore it. I heard it’s impressive."

The Omega pointed down a corridor leading towards the east wing of the estate. "It’s just down this hall, the last door on the right. You can’t miss it."

"Thank you," Anne replied, offering her a small smile. The girl returned the gesture shyly before hurrying off to complete her duties.

Anne made her way down the long corridor, her footsteps echoing in the silence.

The pack library was huge, larger than she had expected. Shelves upon shelves of books lined the walls, towering towards the high ceilings. Soft light filtered in through large arched windows, casting a warm glow across the wooden floor. In the centre of the room, a few juveniles were seated at tables, their heads buried in books. They glanced up as Anne entered, their eyes filled with curiosity, but they quickly returned to their studies without bothering her.

Anne stepped further inside, breathing in the familiar scent of old books and polished wood.

She moved along the rows of shelves, her fingers lightly trailing over the spines of various volumes until she found what she was looking for—a large, worn book bound in leather, its cover bearing the emblem of the Montefort family. The title read, The Lineage of the Montefort Alphas.

With a deep breath, she carefully pulled the book from the shelf and carried it to a nearby table. Settling into a chair, she opened it gently, the pages brittle with age.

The first entries were what she had expected: the names of Damien’s ancestors, stretching back centuries. Each Alpha was listed alongside their accomplishments, alliances, and the packs they had ruled. The family line was long, powerful, and pure.

As she turned the pages, her eyes traced each name until she reached Damien’s. His name was inscribed next to his father, Alpha Richard, and his mother, Liana. The entry was brief, but it was clear that Damien was destined for greatness, his bloodline carrying the weight of history.

But it was what came before Damien’s generation that truly caught Anne’s attention.

Alpha Richard had a brother.

She blinked, rereading the entry to ensure she hadn’t misunderstood. Beneath Richard’s name was another: Benjamin Montefort, though in parentheses, another name was written—*Blaze.*

Anne’s pulse quickened as she read further. Benjamin had been a powerful warrior in his youth, known for his fiery temper and unmatched strength. But then he left the pack and abandoned his title. There was no clear explanation in the text. He was also in the werewolf council.

"Found something interesting?" Damien’s deep, smooth voice echoed through the quiet library.

Startled, Anne immediately shut the heavy book, her heart skipping a beat as she looked up to find Damien standing in the doorway, his arms casually crossed over his chest. His expression was one of amusement; his lips curled into a faint smile.

"Oh, it’s nothing," Anne replied quickly, trying to steady her breath. She placed the book back on the shelf with deliberate care, hoping he wouldn’t press her further. "I was just... curious about your family."

Damien’s smile widened, his eyebrow arching in mock suspicion. "Curious, huh? Well, the Monteforts do make for interesting reading."

Anne felt her cheeks warm under his playful gaze. "I just wanted to understand more about your lineage... and Ryan’s."

He stepped towards her, his large frame casting a shadow over the table she had been sitting at.

"You don’t have to bury yourself in dusty old books to understand my family," he said gently. "There are some things you can’t learn from a book."

Anne opened her mouth to respond, but Damien reached out, taking her hand in his, his touch warm and familiar. "Come with me," he said, his voice a little lower, more serious now.

"Where are we going?" Anne asked, unsure but curious.

"Trust me," Damien said, giving her hand a gentle tug. "There’s something I want to show you."

With a small nod, she allowed herself to be led out of the library. Damien held her hand tightly as they walked through the estate, winding through corridors she hadn’t yet explored.

"You’re being awfully mysterious," Anne remarked.

She glanced up at him.

"I like to keep you on your toes," Damien replied, giving her a sideways smile. "Besides, you’ve been reading too much. It’s time you see things for yourself."

They continued walking in comfortable silence, the estate around them growing quieter as they ventured deeper into the less-travelled parts of the pack’s grounds. Eventually, they stepped outside into the crisp afternoon air, and Anne was struck by how peaceful it was compared to the lively bustle of the pack’s main buildings. The trees surrounding them rustled gently, and the sky was painted in soft shades of blue and gold.

Damien led her down a narrow path lined with tall oaks, the forest around them growing thicker with each step. Anne’s curiosity grew with every passing moment.

After what felt like several minutes of walking, they finally reached a secluded clearing. In the centre stood a large, weathered stone monument, its surface engraved with intricate markings and symbols that Anne didn’t recognise.

Damien released her hand, stepping forward to stand besides the monument.

"This," Damien began quietly, his voice laced with gravity, "is the heart of the Montefort legacy. It’s where every Alpha of my bloodline has come to make their vows. To pledge themselves to the pack."

Anne moved closer, her eyes tracing the ancient engravings on the stone. She could feel the weight of history surrounding them, the power that seemed to pulse from the earth beneath their feet. "It’s beautiful," she murmured, though the word hardly seemed to capture the monument’s significance.

"This stone has witnessed every decision, every battle, and every sacrifice made by my family," Damien continued. "And is where I will mark you."