Chapter 51

Chapter 51
 Damon’s POV:
  I don’t think I’ve ever been this thankful to the Moon Goddess. Our Luna has finally been found, and that alone should bring me peace.
  But now, lying in my room two hours later, all I can think about is Miranda. It’s only been a day since I discovered she’s my mate, and I still don’t know how to process it. Why would the Moon Goddess tie me to her of all people?
  She’s been trying. Always finding ways to draw closer, whether in the packhouse or even at the hospital. And all I’ve done is avoid her. 
 Not because I hate her, but because I don’t want to hurt her. The truth is, my heart already belongs to someone else. 
 Leah.
  Every time I walk through the door and see her struggling with the pain of that silver bullet wound Dylan left her with, I feel miserable. She didn’t deserve any of it.
 And Dylan… well, I’m glad he’s finally dead.
  And now that our Luna is back, I’m certain Leah will recover faster. 
 Stronger. 
 I can finally wrap her in my arms and tell her what I’ve been holding back all this time—that I love her. I just pray she feels the same.
  My fingers absentmindedly work at the buttons of my shirt, tugging them loose one by one. 
 I’m seconds away from pulling it off when my phone buzzes against the bed. I snatch it up, frowning when Miranda’s name lights up the screen.
  It’s four in the morning. What in the goddess’ name could she possibly want now?
  Still, I swipe to answer. “Hi, M—”
  “Damon, help! P-please…” Her voice is broken and trembling. Before I can even get a word out, the line goes dead.
  My heart kicks hard against my ribs. 
 The way she sounded… was she in danger?
  Without thinking, I shove my phone into my pocket and bolt out of my room. I don’t even bother finishing with the buttons of my shirt; my only focus is getting to her.
 I’d even begged Matteo to let her stay here in the packhouse, only because she’s my mate.
  My footsteps slam against the floor as I tear down the hallway. Just a few doors away—her room. 
  I reach her door, grab the knob, and fling it open-
  And freeze.
  “What the—?” The word rips from my throat.
  Miranda.
  She’s standing there, completely naked, droplets of water still running down her hair and over her skin.
  My stomach twists. My mind stumbles.
  The only thing she does is smirk, before taking a slow step toward me. “Like what you see? They’re yours anyway.”
  I step back, disgust twisting in my chest. “What the hell is this, Miranda?”
  “It’s not a crime for a woman to want her mat-“
  “For fúck’s sake, I thought you were in danger?!!!” I snap, my voice cutting through the room.
  She flinches. A bit.
 Then, lifts her chin stubbornly. “Well, what else was I supposed to do? You keep running from me, while I’m left aching for you every second of the day. I’m your mate, Damon!”
  “You are,” I admit coldly, “but not for long.”
  Her eyes widen. She blinks at me, confusion and fear mixing on her face. “W-what do you mean? Are you…?”
  “Yes.” I nod. “I’ll be rejecting you, Miranda.”
 “Why? Am I… am I not enough? Not pretty enough? I love you, Damon.”
 “Love? You don’t even know me!” I let out a bitter scoff. “And yet you’re already claiming you’re in love with me.”
  “It doesn’t matter,” she presses, her voice dropping into a husky plea. “I’m nothing like my brother, Dylan, okay? The goddess doesn’t make mistakes. We’re mates, Damon. We can make this work. You could start by marking me… by claiming me. Don’t you feel it? The bond?” Within a second, she strides up to me, while her hand slides boldly onto my bare chest. “Just talking to you has me wet. Please… let’s make this real. You’re too—”
  “Just fúcking stop!” I snap, knocking her hand away. “I’m in love with someone else. She’s the one I’ll choose, not you.”
 “Oh, Seriously?” She scoffs. “I haven’t seen you with any girl since I came here. Stop lying, Damon. Don’t push me away with some excuse about a girlfriend who doesn’t even exist.”
  “She’s not nonexistent.”
  “Then who is she?”
  “That’s none of your business.”
  Her brows knit, but then something flickers in her eyes. She gasps suddenly, her gaze locking back on mine. “Oh my god… don’t tell me it’s that girl I treated? L.. Leah? I knew it!!”
  “Knew what?”
 “I’m not a fool, Damon. I saw how you were staring at her in the room.”
 I narrow my eyes, my patience snapping. “You’re speaking far too cocky for someone we dragged back from the edge of death, Miranda. Let me make this clear—” I take a step forward, my voice dropping like ice. “I’m going to reject you. And once I do, you’ll leave this packhouse. You won’t be my mate anymore.”
  She doesn’t say a word after that.
 Just glares at me, her fists clenched tight like she’s gonna throw a punch at my face any moment from now.
  Finally, throws her hands up. “Fine then!”
  “Good.” Relief slips into my voice. At least she isn’t pushing it further.
  But then she tilts her head.“One more thing before you reject me.”
 “What?”
  “Can you at least wait until morning?”
  My brows knit. “Why? Let’s just get this over with.”
  “You act like rejection isn’t painful enough already,hm?” Her laugh is sharp and bitter. “You want to reject me? Fine! But wait till morning. Then I’ll finally walk out of this pack for good. You all suck anyways!”
  I let out a scoff, shaking my head at her. I can’t believe she’s spewing this after everything. Maybe I really was a fool for saving her. I should’ve left her there… or probably given her to Mario myself.
  “Fine then,” I mutter, spinning on my heel and heading for the door.
  “Sleep well. Or not,” she snarls behind me.
  I don’t respond.
  Instead, I draw in a steadying breath and fling the door open…only for my heart to lurch violently in my chest at what is before me.
  Matteo. Anika.
  They’re all standing right there. 
 And Leah. On a wheelchair.
 Shouldn’t they be asleep by now?
 Immediately their eyes land on me, their jaws drop open in shock. 
 Most especially, Leah.
 Goddess, no. Not her. Not like this.
  My voice cracks. “Uh… I can expla—”
  “D-Damon?” Leah’s voice trembles, confusion etched across her face. 
 Her gaze flickers to my bare chest and then back to me. “What are you doing in…”
  “My room?” Miranda cuts in smoothly from behind me.. Before I can react, her arms snake around me, draping her bare self against my back.
  “Yeah,” she purrs loud enough for them all to hear, “we were having fun. A lot of it.”