But he’d been so eager to make me drink it that he hadn’t listened to the witch’s explanation. He hadn’t known the potion had no corresponding antidote.
The witch had tried to tell him. She’d opened her mouth to speak, but he’d already turned away, the vial clutched in his hand.
Harper stepped aside, watching his face crumble with grim satisfaction.
“If you don’t believe me, go ask any healer yourself. They all know.”
She crossed her arms, her stance unwavering.
“Aria naturally knew too, yet she still drank it. That’s why she agreed to the Alpha Council’s arrangement to marry into Dark
Moon pack.”
The words hit Damon like a physical blow. His knees buckled slightly, and he had to grip the nearby pillar for support.
“She… she knew?”
“Of course she knew. She’s a healer herself, you fool. She knew exactly what she was drinking and what it would cost her.”
Damon’s rage attacked his heart, a crushing weight that made his chest feel like it was caving in. The pressure built until he couldn’t contain it anymore.
He spat out a mouthful of blood, the crimson staining his ceremonial robes.
The pack members gasped in shock, but he barely heard them. His world was narrowing to a single, devastating realization.
He abandoned the pack members at the ceremony site, ignoring their confused murmurs and concerned calls. With shaking hands, he tore off his heavy Alpha ceremonial robes, the fabric ripping under his desperate fingers.
“There has to be a way.”
His voice was hoarse, barely recognizable.
“I’ll beg her to come back. There must be a way to make her remember.”
He staggered toward the exit, his usual confident stride reduced to an unsteady stumble.
Serena hurried forward and grabbed the hem of his clothes, her eyes brimming with tears. Her perfectly styled hair was disheveled, her Luna gown wrinkled from the commotion.
“Damon, today is our mating ceremony day. Please don’t go.”
She clung to him desperately, her voice breaking.
“Look at me! I’m here! I’m your mate now!”
“I’m the one you love! You planted cosmos flowers at any cost for me. When I got hurt even slightly, you were heartbroken.”.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pulled at his shirt.
“Are you saying all of that was fake?”
Damon’s gaze toward Serena suddenly turned vicious, his eyes burning with a fury that made her step back in fear. The gentleness he’d shown her moments before vanished completely.
He forcibly suppressed the pain in his heart and shouted harshly:
“Yes!”
The word echoed through the ceremonial hall, causing several pack members to flinch.
“All of that was originally meant for Aria! Cosmos flowers are her favorite! I did everything for her first!”
Serena’s face went white with shock. “Damon, you don’t mean that. You’re just upset-‘
“You can hold a ceremony with me, your wolf has recovered somewhat. From now on, whatever happens to you has nothing to do with me.”
His voice was cold, brutal in its finality.
“Once you’re completely out of mortal danger, we’re breaking the contract!”
Serena sobbed, reaching for him again. “You promised me! You said you’d protect me!”
Damon shook her off roughly, sending her stumbling backward. Several pack members rushed to steady her.
“I saved your life. That’s all I owed you.”
