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Chapter 6
Damon’s POV
My face went pale, like all the blood had drained from me. It felt like something had slammed into my chest, and before I even realized it, I had stepped instinctively toward Hannah, my voice tight and trembling, trying desperately to sound composed.
“What you just said… is it true?”
“You think I’d make this up?” Hannah sneered, her gaze as sharp as a blade. “Alpha Damon, do you really think I have nothing better to do than make up lies like this? You’re not that important. No wonder Zoey chose to
walk away from you.”
Something heavy sank in my heart.
“Do you know what she told me?” Hannah stepped closer, her voice low, as if detonating a bomb in my ear.
- r. “She said she hated her weakness–hated that she loved you too much. That’s why she kept forgiving you, why she couldn’t let go. And it was you–you handed her that glass. You made her drink that potion. You gave her the means to free herself.”
With every word, my blood turned colder. By the end, my limbs felt paralyzed, like the strength had been drained from me.
“Where is she now?” I asked, voice shaking, my fingers trembling.
Hannah lifted her chin, eyes full of scorn. “Didn’t you say you loved her? Then go find her.”
My fists clenched until my knuckles turned white. I threw the bouquet aside and turned, storming out of the ceremony.
“Damon! Don’t go! Our mating ceremony isn’t over!”
Clara scrambled after me, lifting her dress in panic and reaching out to grab me. But I didn’t stop. Her fingers barely grazed the edge of my jacket before I was gone.
I ran back to the pack house. My heart pounded like thunder, blood roaring in my ears. When I flung open Zoey’s bedroom door, I could hardly breathe.
It was empty.
That was the first thing I registered.
The room was hollow. It had been stripped clean of warmth, of presence, of her. Her clothes, her jewelry, every trace of life–gone.
“Zoey?” I called out, only to be met with the echo of my own voice.
I called again and again, each time softer.
The bed was made, the desk spotless. I knew her habits–she always tidied up before leaving. It was her way of saying goodbye.
Now, the room looked like it had never been lived in.
I leaned against the doorframe and slowly slid down, collapsing onto the floor.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this…
I had planned to give her the antidote right after the ceremony. Everything would go back to normal. Clara would get the title of Luna, and Zoey wouldn’t have to suffer anymore.
So why had everything fallen apart?
Rage exploded inside me. I smashed my fist into the wall.
“Find out where Zoey went. Now.” I mind–linked my Beta, my voice a growl, barely containing the storm inside me.
After ending the link, I marched to the liquor cabinet and downed a glass of strong liquor. The burn in my throat was nothing compared to the fire in my heart.
On the balcony, I stared toward the distant tree line. That forest… it had always been her sanctuary.
A flicker of something caught my eye. Wedged between two flowerpots was a folded note.
My pulse quickened as I pulled it free. I recognized the handwriting instantly–it was hers. As familiar as her heartbeat.
“The potion won’t erase my memories instantly. It works slowly. For the past three days, I’ve watched you, watched how every look in your eyes was for Clara, how every lie you told was for her. I saw it all.”
“I know you still love me. But Damon, one heart can’t beat for two people. I want to be someone’s only.”
Chapter 6
“Thank you for handing me that glass. Thank you for helping me make this decision. I choose to leave.”
I stood frozen, my fingers numb, my chest splitting open.
Suddenly, a memory surged into my mind–our fight.
It had been over something so small. I missed our anniversary because I hadn’t understood why she cared so much.
I was taking Cla
to the clinic. Zoey had been furious, yelling at me, sobbing. I
She’d told me I didn’t understand loyalty, that I didn’t understand what it meant to be someone’s only. I brushed it off.
But now… now I understood.
She was right.
I kept telling myself that I didn’t really love Clara–that what I felt was just guilt, pity. Not love.
生
But deep down, I knew. I had changed because of her. I agreed to the mating ceremony because I couldn’t bear to see Clara cry.
So when had I started caring about Clara?
And when had Zoey stopped believing in me?
My thoughts tangled like knotted string. The letter crumpled in
My fingers turned white as I whispered, barely audible:
“Zoey… it was me. I was wrong.”
my grip.
Chapter 6
